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diff --git a/old/55192-0.txt b/old/55192-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 756fd0c..0000000 --- a/old/55192-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,38593 +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 2 - -Author: Spencer Fullerton Baird - Thomas Mayo Brewer - Robert Ridgway - -Release Date: July 24, 2017 [EBook #55192] - -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 The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - -[Transcriber's Note: - -This text includes characters that require Unicode (UTF-8) file -encoding: - - œ (oe ligature) - ā ē ū ă ĕ ĭ ŭ (letters with macron or breve) - β γ δ (Greek beta, gamma and delta) - ° (latitude and longitude) - ♂ ♀ (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 -apostrophes and quotation marks 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. II. - - - - - [Illustration: RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. - (Melanerpes erythrocephalus.) - Adult male.] - - - - - 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 II. - - [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. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - PAGE - Family FRINGILLIDÆ. The Finches. (_Continued._) 1 - Subfamily SPIZELLINÆ. (_Continued._) 1 - Subfamily PASSERELLINÆ 48 - Subfamily SPIZINÆ 58 - Family ALAUDIDÆ. The Larks 135 - Family ICTERIDÆ. The Orioles 147 - Subfamily AGELAINÆ 148 - Subfamily ICTERINÆ 179 - Subfamily QUISCALINÆ 202 - Family STURNIDÆ. The Starlings 228 - Family CORVIDÆ. The Crows 231 - Subfamily CORVINÆ 231 - Subfamily GARRULINÆ 263 - Family TYRANNIDÆ. The Tyrant Flycatchers 306 - Family ALCEDINIDÆ. The Kingfishers 391 - Family CAPRIMULGIDÆ. The Goatsuckers 398 - Subfamily CAPRIMULGINÆ 398 - Family CYPSELIDÆ. The Swifts 421 - Subfamily CYPSELINÆ 423 - Subfamily CHÆTURINÆ 427 - Family TROCHILIDÆ. The Humming-Birds 437 - Family CUCULIDÆ. The Cuckoos 470 - Subfamily COCCYGINÆ 470 - Family PICIDÆ. The Woodpeckers 491 - Subfamily PICINÆ 492 - Family PSITTACIDÆ. The Parrots 585 - Subfamily SITTACINÆ 585 - - INDEX TO THE PLATES. - - PLATES 27-56. - - - - - NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. - - - - -FAMILY FRINGILLIDÆ.—THE FINCHES. (_Continued._) - - -GENUS SPIZELLA, BONAP. - - _Spizella_, BONAP. Geog. and Comp. List, 1838. (Type, _Fringilla - canadensis_, LATH.) - _Spinites_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. (Type, _Fringilla - socialis_, WILS.) - - [Line drawing: _Spizella monticola._ - 871 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill conical, the outlines slightly curved; the lower -mandible decidedly larger than the upper; the commissure gently -sinuated; the roof of the mouth not knobbed. Feet slender; tarsus -rather longer than the middle toe; the hinder toe a little longer than -the outer lateral, which slightly exceeds the inner; the outer claw -reaching the base of the middle one, and half as long as its toe. -Claws moderately curved. Tertiaries and secondaries nearly equal; wing -somewhat pointed, reaching not quite to the middle of the tail. First -quill a little shorter than the second and equal to the fifth; third -longest. Tail rather long, moderately forked, and divaricated at the -tip; the feathers rather narrow. Back streaked; rump and beneath -immaculate. Young streaked beneath. - -This genus differs from _Zonotrichia_ principally in the smaller size -and longer and forked, instead of rounded tail. - -Birds of the year of this genus are very difficult to distinguish, -even by size, except in _monticola_. The more immature birds are also -very closely related. In these the entire absence of streaks on a -plumbeous head point to _atrigularis_; the same character in a reddish -cap, and a reddish upper mandible to _pusilla_; a dusky loral spot -with dark streaks and generally a rufous shade on top of head, to -_socialis_. _S. breweri_, with a streaked head, lacks the dusky lore -and chestnut shade of feathers. _S. pallida_ generally has a median -light stripe in the cap, and a dusky mandibular line. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Interscapular region with black streaks. Rump and -lower parts without streaks (except in young). Wing with two narrow -light bands (indistinct in _atrigularis_). - - A. Crown different from the sides of the head, a plain - light superciliary stripe. Young with crown and breast - streaked. - - _a._ Crown rufous and plain in adult; in young, grayish - and with streaks. - - _I._ _Streak behind eye, and tinge on side of breast, - rufous. Egg pale blue, or bluish-white, blotched with - pale brown, or sprinkled with reddish._ - - 1. S. monticola. Crown bright rufous, undivided - medially; a dusky spot on lore; wing-bands sharply - defined, pure white. A black spot on breast; jugulum - tinged with ashy. Bill black above, yellow below. - Length, 6.25; wing, 3.00. _Hab._ Whole of North - America; north of the United States only, in summer. - - 2. S. pusilla. Crown dull rufous, indistinctly - divided medially; lores entirely whitish; wing-bands - not sharply defined, pale brown. No black spot on - breast; jugulum tinged with buff. Bill entirely light - brownish-red. - - Wing, 2.70; tail, 2.80; bill, from forehead, .37. - _Hab._ Eastern Province United States var. _pusilla_. - - “Similar, but colors clearer, and bill more - robust.” _Hab._ Peten, Guatemala var. _pinetorum_.[1] - - _II._ _Streak behind the eye blackish. No rufous tinge on - side of breast. Egg deep blue, with black dots and streaks - round larger end._ - - 3. S. socialis. Crown bright rufous, not distinctly - divided, generally plain. Forehead black, divided - medially with white. Streak of black on lore and - behind eye. Rump pure bluish-ash. Bill blackish, - lower mandible paler. - - Auriculars deep ash, in strong contrast with pure - white of the superciliary stripe and throat; breast - without ashy tinge. Dorsal streaks broad. Wing, - 2.80; tail, 2.30. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United - States var. _socialis_. - - Auriculars lighter ash, less strongly contrasted - with the white above and below; breast strongly - tinged with ash. Dorsal streaks narrow. Wing, 3.00; - tail, 2.90. _Hab._ Western Province of United - States, and table-lands of Mexico var. _arizonæ_. - - _b._ Crown light grayish-brown, with distinct black - streaks; young differing in streaked. Egg deep blue, with - black streaks and dots (precisely as in _socialis_). - - 4. S. pallida. - - Crown divided medially by a distinct pale stripe; - whitish superciliary stripe, and blackish - post-ocular streak sharply defined. A dusky - sub-maxillary streak. Nape ashy in contrast with - the crown and back. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.40. _Hab._ - Plains of United States, from the Saskatchewan - southward var. _pallida_. - - Crown without a distinct median stripe. Markings on - side of head not sharply defined. No dusky - sub-maxillary stripe, and nape scarcely different - from crown and back. Wing, 2.50; tail, 2.60. _Hab._ - Middle and western Provinces var. _breweri_. - - B. Crown not different from the sides of head; no light - superciliary stripe. - - 5. S. atrigularis. Head and neck all round, and rump, - uniform dark ash, gradually fading into white on the - abdomen; wing-bands indistinct; bill light - brownish-red. _Ad._ Lores, chin, and upper part of - throat black. _Juv._ without black about the head. - (Eggs unknown.) _Hab._ Adjacent portions of Mexico - and southern Middle Province of United States (Fort - Whipple, Arizona, COUES; Cape St. Lucas, XANTUS). - - - [1] _Spizella pinetorum_, Salvin, Pr. Z. S. 1863, p. 189. - (“Similis _S. pusillæ_, ex Amer. Sept. et Mexico, sed - coloribus clarioribus et rostro robustiore differt.”) - - -Spizella monticola, BAIRD. - -TREE SPARROW. - - _Fringilla monticola_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 912. _Zonotrichia - monticola_, GRAY, Genera. _Spinites monticolus_, CABANIS, Mus. - Hein. 1851, 134. _Spizella monticola_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 472.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 224 (Labrador).—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 203 (Washington Ter.).—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. - I, 1869, 285.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 206.—SAMUELS, 317. _Passer - canadensis_, BRISSON, Orn. III, 1760, 102. _Fringilla - canadensis_, LATH. Index, I, 1790, 434.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, - 1834, 511; V, 504, pl. clxxxviii.—MAX. Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, - 280. _Emberiza canadensis_, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 252.—AUD. - Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 83, pl. clxvi. _Spizella - canadensis_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 480. - _Fringilla arborea_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, 1810, 12, pl. xii, f. 3. - _Moineau du Canada_, BUFFON, Pl. Enl. 223, f. 2. “_Mountain - Finch_,” LATH. Syn. II, I, 265. - - [Illustration: _Spizella monticola._] - -SP. CHAR. Middle of back with the feathers dark brown centrally, then -rufous, and edged with pale fulvous (sometimes with whitish). Hood and -upper part of nape continuous chestnut; a line of the same from behind -the eye, as well as a short maxillary stripe. Sides of head and neck -ashy. A broad light superciliary band. Beneath whitish, tinged with -fulvous; the throat with ashy; a small circular blotch of brownish in -the middle of the upper part of the breast; the sides chestnut. Edges -of tail-feathers, primary quills, and two bands across the tips of the -secondaries, white. Tertiaries nearly black; edged externally with -rufous, turning to white near the tips. Lower jaw yellow; upper black. -Young bird streaked on throat and breast, as well as on crown. Length, -6.25 inches; wing, 3.00. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the Missouri, north to Arctic Ocean; -also on Pole Creek and Little Colorado River, New Mexico; Western -Nevada. - -This species varies in the amount of whitish edging to the quills and -tail. - -HABITS. Essentially a northern bird, the Tree Sparrow breeds in high -Arctic regions, only appearing in winter within the United States. It -is then common as far south as Pennsylvania. A few winter in South -Carolina. - -It arrives on the Saskatchewan in the latter part of April, where it -only makes a short halt, proceeding farther north to breed. Bischoff -obtained a specimen at Sitka. Mr. Kennicott found its nest and eggs on -the Yukon, and Mr. Dall obtained it at Nulato, and more sparingly -below that point. Mr. MacFarlane met with it breeding in large numbers -at Fort Anderson. The nests were in various situations, the larger -proportion on the ground, a few in bushes near the ground, and only -one is mentioned as having been several feet above it. One was in the -cleft of a low willow on the edge of a small lake; another, in a bush, -was nearly four feet from the ground; and a third was in a clump of -willows and fourteen inches above the ground. Nearly all the other -nests mentioned were built directly upon the ground. - -The nests were constructed of dry bark and grasses, loosely put -together, and very warmly lined with feathers. On the ground they were -usually concealed in a tuft of grass. In all instances the female -alone was found on the nests, the male being very rarely seen in their -vicinity. The usual number of eggs in a nest was four or five, -occasionally six, and even seven. - -Dr. Suckley obtained a single specimen at Fort Dalles, and Dr. Cooper -saw a flock in September, 1863, and again in 1864 at the mouth of the -Columbia. Lieutenant Bryan met with them among the Rocky Mountains in -latitude 39°, in August. Mr. Ridgway found them very common during the -winter in the interior. - -Dr. Coues found this Sparrow common in all the wooded districts of -Labrador. It was very tame and unsuspicious, showing no fear even when -closely approached. I have never met with any, in summer, in any part -of New Brunswick or Nova Scotia. - -This Sparrow is occasionally abundant in Massachusetts early in -October, but rarely appears in full numbers until November. Some -remain in the gardens in and about Boston during the winter, and -during November the marshes of Fresh Pond are filled with them, when -their wailing autumnal chant is in marked contrast with the sweet and -sprightly song with which they enliven the spring, just before they -are about to depart for their summer homes. They remain until the -latter part of April, and Mr. Allen has observed them at Springfield -till about the first of May. - -In regard to their song, Mr. William Brewster informs me that they -usually commence singing about the 25th of March. Their song is a -loud, clear, and powerful chant, starting with two high notes, then -falling rapidly, and ending with a low, sweet warble. He has heard a -few singing with their full vigor in November and December, but this -is rare. - -Dr. Coues found them not common in South Carolina, but Dr. Kennerly -states that they were quite abundant in December on the Little -Colorado, in New Mexico, feeding on the fruit of the wild grape and -upon seeds. - -During the love-season the Tree Sparrow is quite a fine musician, its -song resembling that of the Canary, but finer, sweeter, and not so -loud. In their migrations, Mr. Audubon states, a flock of twenty or -more will perch upon the same tree, and join in a delightful chorus. -Their flight is elevated and graceful, and in waving undulations. On -opening the stomachs of those he shot at the Magdeleine Islands, Mr. -Audubon found them containing minute shell-fish, coleopterous insects, -hard seeds, berries, and grains of sand. - -Nests obtained near Fort Anderson confirm the descriptions given by -Mr. Hutchins, as observed in the settlement at Hudson’s Bay. The eggs, -which are much larger than those of the other species of _Spizella_, -measure .85 by .65 of an inch. Their ground-color is a light green, -over which the eggs are very generally freckled with minute markings -of a foxy brown. These markings are distributed with great regularity, -but so sparsely as to leave the ground distinctly visible. - - -Spizella pusilla, BONAP. - -FIELD SPARROW. - - _Fringilla pusilla_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 121, pl. xvi, f. - 2.—LICHT. Verzeich. Doubl. 1823, No. 252.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, - 1834, 299, pl. cxxxix. _Spizella pusilla_, BONAP. List, - 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 480.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 473.—SAMUELS, 319. _Emberiza pusilla_, AUD. Syn. 1839, - 104.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 77, pl. clxiv. _Spinites - pusillus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. _Fringilla juncorum_, - NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 499 (2d ed.,) 1840, 577 (supposed by him to - be _Motacilla juncorum_, GMELIN, I, 952; _Sylvia juncorum_, - LATHAM, Ind. II, 511; _Little Brown Sparrow_, CATESBY, Car. I, - 35). - -SP. CHAR. Bill red. Crown continuous rufous-red, with a faint -indication of an ashy central stripe, and ashy nuchal collar. Back -somewhat similar, with shaft-streaks of blackish. Sides of head and -neck (including a superciliary stripe) ashy. Ear-coverts rufous. -Beneath white, tinged with yellowish anteriorly. Tail-feathers and -quills faintly edged with white. Two whitish bands across the -wing-coverts. Autumnal specimens more rufous. Length about 5.75; wing, -2.34. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the Missouri River; San Antonio, Texas -in winter (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 489). - -This species is about the size of _S. socialis_, but is more rufous -above; lacks the black forehead and eye stripe; has chestnut ears, -instead of ash; has the bill red, instead of black; lacks the clear -ash of the rump; has a longer tail, etc. It is more like _monticola_, -but is much smaller; lacks the spot on the breast, and the -predominance of white on the wings, etc. The young have the breast and -sides streaked, and the crown slightly so. - -HABITS. The common Field Sparrow occupies a well-defined and somewhat -compact area, being resident within the United States, and in its -migrations not removing far from its summer abode. In the summer it -breeds from Virginia to Maine, as far as the central and western -portions. It is not found near Calais, but occurs and breeds near -Norway, Oxford County. In the interior it is found still farther -north, in Canada, Iowa, and Wisconsin, to the Red River settlements, -where it was found breeding by Donald Gunn. At Hamilton, Ontario, Mr. -McIlwraith states it to be a rather rare summer resident. It breeds in -Southern Wisconsin and in Iowa, but is not abundant. It does not -appear to have been found west of the Missouri Valley. - -This Sparrow arrives in Massachusetts early in April, and is found -almost exclusively in open pastures, old fields, and in clearings -remote from villages. It is a shy, retiring bird, and seems to avoid -the near presence of man. Wilson states that it has no song, nothing -but a kind of chirruping, not much superior to the chirping of a -cricket. But this is quite a mistake, as it is in reality a very -varied and fine singer. Its notes are not very powerful, and cannot be -heard any distance, but they are very pleasing, although little known -or appreciated. It continues in full song until into July, when the -second brood is about hatching, when its notes relax, but do not cease -until just before its departure in September or early October. - -Mr. D. D. Hughes, of Grand Rapids, Mich., in an interesting paper on -the habits of this species, speaks of its beautiful tinkling song as -one of its most marked features. To his ear it resembles the ringing -of a tiny bell more nearly than anything else. In the early morning -and at evening the fields ring with their plaintive and tender peals. -It sings at all hours of the day, during the nesting-season, even in -the noonday heat of summer, when most other birds are silent. - -In Virginia these birds may be found throughout the year, though -probably not the same birds in the same localities, some retiring -farther south and others coming to take their places from the north. -In winter they are found, in the greatest abundance in South Carolina -and Georgia, occurring in large loose flocks, found chiefly along the -roadsides and in old fields and pastures in the rural districts. - -The Field Sparrow nests both on the ground and in low bushes, or among -tangled clusters of vines. I have found their nests in all these -situations, and have no doubt the nature of the surface may have -something to do with the position. In high dry pastures, in sheltered -situations, I have always found their nests on the ground. In the wet -meadows and fields subject to a rise of water, as about the Potomac, -near Washington, where these birds are very abundant, they almost -invariably nest in bushes at a height of two or three feet. - -Mr. Audubon says that during the winter these birds are quite common -throughout Louisiana, and the country about the Mississippi, as far as -Kentucky. They begin to depart from the South early in March, and move -slowly northward as the season advances. He states that they begin to -nest in May, and raise three broods in a season. This is not the case -in New England, where they do not often have more than a single brood. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXVII. - 1. Spizella socialis. _Ad._, Pa., 10150. - 2. ” pusilla. ♀ Pa., 1378. - 3. ” pallida. _Ad._ - 4. ” breweri. _Ad._, Rocky Mts., 2890. - 5. ” monticola. - 6. Melospiza melodia. Pa., 2637. - 7. ” samuelis. Cal., 7098. - 8. ” insignis. Kodiak, 52477. - 9. ” heermanni. ♂ Sierra Nevada, 53529. - 10. ” fallax. ♀ Nevada, 53537. - 11. ” rufina. Sitka, 46007. - 12. ” guttata. Washington Ter. - 13. ” lincolni. Pa., 937.] - -Their nests are constructed in a manner very similar to those of the -Chipping Sparrow, loosely made of a few stems of vegetables, grasses, -and sedges, and lined with hair or fine rootlets. Those placed on the -ground are larger and more bulky, and those wrought into the twigs of -a bush are made with more care and neatness of interweaving. The eggs -are usually five in number, of an oblong-oval shape. The ground is a -whitish clay-color, marked more or less fully with blotches of a -ferruginous-brown. In some these markings are few, and arranged only -about the larger end. In others they are generally diffused, and -impart a deep ferruginous color to the whole egg, and disguise or -conceal the ground. They vary also in size,—in length from .70 to .63 -of an inch, and in breadth from .52 to .50. Their usual size is .70 by -.52. - -Two nests of this bird taken in Lynn, Mass., by Mr. George O. Welch, -are characteristic of their usual style in architecture. One of these -has a diameter of four and a height of two and a half inches. Its -base, as well as the great mass of its periphery, is made of a very -loose intertwining of minute stems of vegetables and dry grasses. The -ends of these project from the exterior of the nest at the upper rim, -and present a very peculiar appearance, as of an enclosure of -palisades. The interior is lined with horsehair. The other is made of -similar materials, of a less rigid character and closer texture. Its -rim presents the same peculiarities of projecting ends, arranged like -a fence above the nest itself. Its dimensions also are about the same. -It is, however, much more compactly constructed, with thicker walls -and a less open network of dry grasses, and stiff wiry stems of dried -plants intermixed with a few pine leaves. The whole is very carefully -and warmly lined with horsehair and the softer fur of small -quadrupeds. These nests contained, one three, and the other four eggs. - - -Spizella socialis, BONAP. - -CHIPPING SPARROW; CHIPPY. - - _Fringilla socialis_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 127, pl. xvi, f. - 5.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 21; V, 517, pl. civ. _Spizella - socialis_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 480.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 473.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 203.—SAMUELS, 320. - _Emberiza socialis_, AUD. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, - 80, pl. clxv. _Spinites socialis_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. - -SP. CHAR. Rump, back of neck, and sides of neck and head, ashy. -Interscapular region with black streaks, margined with pale rufous. -Crown continuous and uniform chestnut. Forehead black, separated in -the middle by white. A white streak over the eye to nape, and a black -one from the base of the bill through and behind the eye. Lores dusky. -Under parts unspotted whitish, tinged with ashy on the sides and -across the upper breast. Tail-feathers and primaries edged with paler, -not white. Two narrow white bands across the wing-coverts. Bill black. -Length, 5.75; wing, nearly 3.00; tail, 2.50 (or less). - -_Young._ Immature birds and frequently the adult females with the cap -streaked with blackish lines, the chestnut nearly or sometimes quite -wanting. Birds of the year streaked beneath and on rump. - -The color of bill varies; sometimes entirely black throughout, -sometimes very light (but never reddish as in _S. pusilla_), with all -intermediate stages. There is usually, however, a dusky tinge in the -upper bill, wanting in _pusilla_, and the lores are almost always more -or less dusky in all stages of plumage. - -HAB. Eastern Province of North America; north to Great Slave Lake, and -south to Orizaba, Eastern Mexico, where it is resident. Oaxaca -(perhaps var. _arizonæ_), Jan. (SCL. 858, 304); Xalapa (SCL. 1859, -365); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 305); Cuba (LAWR. 1860, VII., 1269). - -HABITS. The common Chipping Sparrow, so familiar to all in the eastern -portion of the United States, is not only one of the most abundant, -but one of the most widely distributed of our North American birds. It -is found from the Atlantic to the Pacific in its two races, and breeds -from Georgia to the Arctic Circle. At different seasons of the year it -is found in all portions of North America to Mexico. Along the -Atlantic coast it nests at least as far north as New Brunswick and -Nova Scotia; in the extreme northern portion of the latter Province I -found it one of the most abundant birds. - -The late Mr. Robert Kennicott met with them in considerable numbers at -Fort Resolution, on Great Slave Lake, and there he obtained quite a -number of their nests, all of which were in trees or bushes, from two -to three feet above the ground. These were all met with between the -1st and the 26th of June. Mr. B. R Ross also met with these birds in -considerable numbers at Fort Simpson and at Fort Rae. - -On the Pacific coast the Chipping Sparrow is stated by Dr. Cooper to -be quite as abundant in the northern parts of California, and in -Oregon and Washington Territory, as on the Atlantic coast. He found -them wintering in the Colorado Valley in large numbers, but met with -none about San Diego. They spend their summers in the northern part of -California, building their nests, as with us, in the shrubbery of the -gardens, and coming familiarly about the doorsteps to pick up crumbs. -In autumn they collect in large flocks, and frequent the open fields -and pastures. Dr. Cooper found them in flocks on Catalina Island in -June, but could discover no nests. They were all old birds, and the -conclusion was that they had delayed their more northern migrations. - -Dr. Suckley found this species extremely abundant in the open -districts on the Columbia River, as well as upon the gravelly prairies -of the Puget Sound district. It is not named as having been met with -by Mr. Dall or any of the Russian Telegraph party in Alaska. - -It was found in abundance during the summer by Mr. Ridgway in all the -wooded portions of the country of the Great Basin. He did not meet -with any among the cottonwoods of the river-valleys, its favorite -haunts appearing to be the cedars and the nut-pines of the mountains. -In July and August, in such localities, on the East Humboldt -Mountains, it was not only the most numerous species, but also very -abundant, nesting in the trees. About the middle of August they -congregated in large numbers, preparing for their departure. - -At Sacramento it was also very abundant among the groves of small -oaks. He could not observe the slightest difference in habits or notes -between the eastern and the western specimens of this form. He found -them breeding at Salt Lake City, June 19, the nest being in a -scrub-oak, six feet from the ground. - -In Arizona, Dr. Coues found the Chippy a very abundant summer -resident, arriving the third week of March and remaining until the -latter part of November. A few may spend the winter there. As -described, it seems more gregarious than it is with us, arriving in -the spring, and remaining for a month or more in large flocks of fifty -or upwards. In New England they always come in pairs, and only -assemble in flocks just on the eve of their departure. Mr. Dresser met -with these Sparrows, and obtained specimens of them, near San Antonio, -on the 10th of April. Dr. Heermann, in his Report upon the birds -observed in Lieutenant Williamson’s route between the 32d and 35th -parallels, speaks of finding this species abundant. - -Dr. Gerhardt found this Sparrow not uncommon in the northern portions -of Georgia, where it is resident throughout the year, and where a few -remain in the summer to breed. Dr. Coues also states that a limited -number summer in the vicinity of Columbia, S. C., but that their -number is insignificant compared with those wintering there between -October and April. They collect in large flocks on their arrival, and -remain in companies of hundreds or more. - -Mr. Sumichrast states that it is a resident bird in the temperate -region of Vera Cruz, Mexico, where it remains throughout the year, and -breeds as freely and commonly as it does within the United States. - -Although found throughout the country in greater or less numbers, they -are noticeably not common in the more recent settlements of the West, -as on the unsettled prairies of Illinois and Iowa. Mr. Allen found -them quite rare in both States, excepting only about the older -settlements. As early as the first week in April, 1868, I noticed -these birds very common and familiar in the streets of St. Louis, -especially so in the business part of that city, along the wharves and -near the grain-stores, seeking their food on the ground with a -confidence and fearlessness quite unusual to it in such situations. - -The tameness and sociability of this bird surpass that of any of the -birds I have ever met with in New England, and are only equalled by -similar traits manifested by the Snowbird (_J. hyemalis_) in Pictou. -Those that live about our dwellings in rural situations, and have been -treated kindly, visit our doorsteps, and even enter the houses, with -the greatest familiarity and trust. They will learn to distinguish -their friends, alight at their feet, call for their accustomed food, -and pick it up when thrown to them, without the slightest signs of -fear. One pair which, summer after summer, had built their nest in a -fir-tree near my door, became so accustomed to be fed that they would -clamor for their food if they were any morning forgotten. One of these -birds, the female, from coming down to the ground to be fed with -crumbs, soon learned to take them on the flat branch of the fir near -her nest, and at last to feed from my hand, and afterwards from that -of other members of the family. Her mate, all the while, was -comparatively shy and distrustful, and could not be induced to receive -his food from us or to eat in our presence. - -This Sparrow is also quite social, keeping on good terms and -delighting to associate with other species. Since the introduction of -the European House Sparrow into Boston, I have repeatedly noticed it -associating with them in the most friendly relations, feeding with -them, flying up with them when disturbed, and imitating all their -movements. - -The Chipping Sparrow has very slight claims to be regarded as one of -our song-birds. Its note of complaint or uneasiness is a simple -_chip_, and its song, at its best, is but a monotonous repetition of a -single note, sounding like the rapid striking together of two small -pebbles. In the bright days of June this unpretending ditty is kept up -incessantly, hours at a time, with only rare intermissions. - -The nest of this bird is always in trees or bushes. I have in no -instance known of its being built on the ground. Even at the Arctic -regions, where so many of our tree-builders vary from this custom to -nest on the ground, no exceptional cases are reported in regard to it, -all its nests being upon trees or in bushes. These are somewhat rudely -built, often so loosely that they may readily be seen through. -Externally they are made of coarse stems of grasses and vegetable -branches, and lined with the hair of the larger animals. - -These birds are devoted parents, and express great solicitude whenever -their nests are approached or meddled with. They feed their young -almost exclusively with the larvæ of insects, especially with young -caterpillars. When in neighborhoods infested with the destructive -canker-worm, they will feed their young with this pest in incredible -numbers, and seek them from a considerable distance. Living in a -district exempt from this scourge, yet but shortly removed from them, -in the summer of 1869, I noticed one of these Sparrows with its mouth -filled with something which inconvenienced it to carry. It alighted on -the gravel walk to adjust its load, and passed on to its nest, leaving -two canker-worms behind it, which, if not thus detected, would have -introduced this nuisance into an orchard that had previously escaped, -showing that though friends to those afflicted they are dangerous to -their neighbors. This Sparrow is also the frequent nurse of the Cow -Blackbird, rearing its young to the destruction of its own, and -tending them with exemplary fidelity. - -Their eggs, five in number, are of an oblong-oval shape, and vary -greatly in size. They are of a bluish-green color, and are sparingly -spotted about the larger end with markings of umber, purple, and dark -blackish-brown, intermingled with lighter shadings of faint purple. -The largest specimen I have ever noticed of this egg, found in the -Capitol Grounds, Washington, measures .80 by .58 of an inch; and the -smallest, from Varrell’s Station, Ga., measures .60 by .50. Their -average measurement is about .70 by .54. They are all much pointed at -the smaller end. - - -Spizella socialis, var. arizonæ, COUES. - -WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW. - - _Spizella socialis_, var. _arizonæ_, COUES, P. A. N. S. - 1866.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 207. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _socialis_, but tail and wing longer, the bill -narrower, and colors paler and grayer. Rufous of the crown lighter and -less purplish, generally (always in specimens from southern Rocky -Mountains) with fine black streaks on the posterior part. Ash of the -cheeks paler, throwing the white of the superciliary stripe and throat -into less contrast. Black streaks of the back narrower, and without -the rufous along their edges, merely streaking a plain light -brownish-gray ground-color. A strong ashy shade over the breast, not -seen in _socialis_; wing-bands more purely white. Wing, 3.00; tail, -2.80; bill, .36 from forehead, by .18 deep. (40,813 ♂, April 24, Fort -Whipple, Ariz., DR. COUES.) - -HAB. Western United States from Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; south -in winter into Middle and Western Mexico. - -All the specimens of a large series from Fort Whipple, Arizona, as -well as most others from west of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific -coast, agree in the characters given above, as distinguished from -eastern specimens of _socialis_. The variations with age and season -are simple parallels of those in _socialis_. - -HABITS. The references in the preceding article to the Chipping -Sparrow as occurring in the Middle and Western Provinces of the United -States, are to be understood as applying to the present race. - - -Spizella pallida, BONAP. - -CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. - - _Emberiza pallida_, SW. F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 251 (not of AUDUBON). - _Spizella pallida_, BONAP. List, 1838.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 474. _Spinites pallidus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. - _Emberiza shattucki_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 347, pl. - ccccxciii. _Spizella shattucki_, BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 480. - -SP. CHAR. Smaller than _S. socialis_. Back and sides of hind neck -ashy. Prevailing color above pale brownish-yellow, with a tinge of -grayish. The feathers of back and crown streaked conspicuously with -blackish. Crown with a median pale ashy and a lateral or superciliary -ashy-white stripe. Beneath whitish, tinged with brown on the breast -and sides, and an indistinct narrow brown streak on the edge of -the chin, cutting off a light stripe above it. Ear-coverts -brownish-yellow, margined above and below by dark brown, making three -dark stripes on the face. Bill reddish, dusky towards tip. Legs -yellow. Length, 4.75; wing, 2.55. - -HAB. Upper Missouri River and high central plains to the Saskatchewan -country. Cape St. Lucas, Oaxaca, March (SCL. 1859, 379); Fort Mohave -(COOPER, P. A. N. S. Cal. 1861, 122); San Antonio, Texas, spring -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 489; common). - -The ashy collar is quite conspicuous, and streaked above with brown. -The rump is immaculate. The streaks on the feathers of the crown -almost form continuous lines, about six in number. The brown line -above the ear-coverts is a post-ocular one. That on the side of the -chin forms the lower border of a white maxillary stripe which widens -and curves around behind the ear-coverts, fading into the ashy of the -neck. The wing-feathers are all margined with paler, and there is an -indication of two light bands across the ends of the coverts. - -The young of this species is thickly streaked beneath over the throat, -breast, and belly, with brown, giving to it an entirely different -appearance from the adult. The streaks in the upper parts, too, are -darker and more conspicuous. The margins of the feathers are rather -more rusty. - -This species is readily distinguishable from the other American -_Spizellas_, except _S. breweri_ (which see), in the dark streaks and -median ashy stripe on the crown, the paler tints, the dark line on the -side of the chin, etc. - -HABITS. The Clay-colored Bunting was first discovered by Richardson, -and described by Swainson, in the Fauna Bor.-Amer. The only statement -made in regard to it is that it visited the Saskatchewan in -considerable numbers, frequented the farm-yard at Carlton House, and -was in all respects as familiar and confiding as the common House -Sparrow of Europe. - -The bird given by Mr. Audubon as the _pallida_ has been made by Mr. -Cassin a different species, _S. breweri_, and the species the former -gives in his seventh volume of the Birds of America as _Emberiza -shattucki_ is really this species. It was found by Mr. Audubon’s party -to the Yellowstone quite abundant throughout the country bordering -upon the Upper Missouri. It seemed to be particularly partial to the -small valleys found, here and there, along the numerous ravines -running from the interior and between the hills. Its usual demeanor is -said to greatly resemble that of the common Chipping Sparrow, and, -like that bird, it has a very monotonous ditty, which it seems to -delight to repeat constantly, while its mate is more usefully employed -in the duties of incubation. When it was approached, it would dive and -conceal itself amid the low bushes around, or would seek one of the -large clusters of wild roses so abundant in that section. The nest of -this species is mentioned as having been usually placed on a small -horizontal branch seven or eight feet from the ground, and -occasionally in the broken and hollow branches of trees. These nests -are also stated to have been formed of slender grasses, but in so -slight a manner as, with their circular lining of horse or cattle -hair, to resemble as much as possible the nest of the common -_socialis_. The eggs were five in number, and are described as being -blue with reddish-brown spots. These birds were also met with at the -Great Slave Lake region by Mr. Kennicott, in the same neighborhood by -B. R. Ross and J. Lockhart, and in the Red River settlements by Mr. C. -A. Hubbard and Mr. Donald Gunn. - -Captain Blakiston noted the arrival of this bird at Fort Carlton on -the 21st of May. He speaks of its note as very peculiar, resembling, -though sharper than, the buzzing made by a fly in a paper box, or a -faint imitation of the sound of a watchman’s rattle. This song it -utters perched on some young tree or bush, sometimes only once, at -others three or four times in quick succession. - -Their nests appear to have been in all instances placed in trees or in -shrubs, generally in small spruces, two or three feet from the ground. -In one instance it was in a clump of small bushes not more than six -inches from the ground, and only a few rods from the buildings of Fort -Resolution. - -Both this species and the _S. breweri_ were found by Lieutenant Couch -at Tamaulipas in March, 1855. It does not appear to have been met with -by any other of the exploring expeditions, but in 1864, for the first -time, as Dr. Heermann states, to his knowledge, these birds were found -quite plentiful near San Antonio, Texas, by Mr. Dresser. This was in -April, in the fields near that town. They were associating with the -_Melospiza lincolni_ and other Sparrows. They remained about San -Antonio until the middle of May, after which none were observed. - -The eggs of this species are of a light blue, with a slight tinge of -greenish, and are marked around the larger end with spots and blotches -of a purplish-brown, rather finer, perhaps, than in the egg of _S. -socialis_, though very similar to it. They average .70 of an inch in -length, and vary in breadth from .50 to .52 of an inch. - - -Spizella pallida, var. breweri, CASSIN. - -BREWER’S SPARROW. - - _Emberiza pallida_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 66, pl. cccxcviii, f. - 2.—IB. Synopsis, 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 71, pl. clxi - (not of SWAINSON, 1831). _Spizella breweri_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. - Sc. VIII, Feb. 1856, 40.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 475.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 209. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _S. pallida_; the markings including the nuchal -collar more obsolete; no distinct median and superciliary light -stripes. The crown streaked with black. Some of the feathers on the -sides with brown shafts. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.50. Young streaked -beneath, as in _pallida_. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains of United States to the Pacific coast. - -This race is very similar to the _S. pallida_, and requires close and -critical comparison to separate it. The streaks on the back are -narrower, and the central ashy and lateral whitish stripes of the -crown are scarcely, if at all, appreciable. The clear unstreaked ash -of the back of the neck, too, is mostly wanting. The feathers along -the sides of the body, near the tibia, and occasionally elsewhere on -the sides, have brownish shafts, not found in the other. The -differences are perhaps those of race, rather than of species, though -they are very appreciable. - -HABITS. This species bears a very close resemblance to the _S. -pallida_ in its external appearance, but there are certain constant -differences which, with the peculiarities of their distinctive -distributions and habits, seem to establish their specific separation. -The present bird is found from the Pacific coast to the Rocky -Mountains, and from the northern portion of California to the Rio -Grande and Mexico. Dr. Kennerly found it in February, 1854, throughout -New Mexico, from the Rio Grande to the Great Colorado, along the -different streams, where it was feeding upon the seeds of several -kinds of weeds. - -Dr. Heermann, while accompanying the surveying party of Lieutenant -Williamson, between the 32d and 35th parallels, found these Sparrows -throughout his entire route, both in California and in Texas. On the -passage from the Pimos villages to Tucson he observed large flocks -gleaning their food among the bushes as they were moving southward. In -the Tejon valley, during the fall season, he was constantly meeting -them associated with large flocks of other species of Sparrows, -congregated around the cultivated fields of the Indians, where they -find a bountiful supply of seeds. For this purpose they pass the -greater part of the time upon the ground. - -Dr. Woodhouse also met with this Sparrow throughout New Mexico, -wherever food and water were to be found in sufficient quantity to -sustain life. - -In Arizona, near Fort Whipple, Dr. Coues states that this bird is a -rare summer resident. He characterizes it as a shy, retiring species, -keeping mostly in thick brush near the ground. - -Mr. Ridgway states that he found this interesting little Sparrow, -while abundant in all fertile portions, almost exclusively an -inhabitant of open situations, such as fields or bushy plains, among -the artemesia especially, where it is most numerous. It frequents -alike the valleys and the mountains. At Sacramento it was the most -abundant Sparrow, frequenting the old fields. In this respect it very -much resembles the eastern _Spizella pusilla_, from which, however, it -is in many respects very different. - -The song of Brewer’s Sparrow, he adds, for sprightliness and vivacity -is not excelled by any other of the North American Fringillidæ, being -inferior only to that of the _Chondestes grammaca_ in power and -richness, and even excelling it in variety and compass. Its song, -while possessing all the plaintiveness of tone so characteristic of -the eastern Field Sparrow, unites to this quality a vivacity and -variety fully equalling that of the finest Canary. This species is not -resident, but arrives about the 9th of April. He found its nest and -eggs in the Truckee Reservation, early in June. The nests were in -sage-bushes about three feet from the ground. - -Dr. Cooper found small flocks of this species at Fort Mohave, after -March 20, frequenting grassy spots among the low bushes, and a month -later they were singing, he adds, much like a Canary, but more -faintly. They are presumed to remain in the valley all summer. - -The eggs, four in number, are of a light bluish-green color, oblong in -shape, more rounded at the smaller end than the eggs of the -_socialis_, and the ground is more of a green than in those of _S. -pallida_. They are marked and blotched in scattered markings of a -golden-brown color. These blotches are larger and more conspicuous -than in the eggs of the other species. They measure .70 by .51 of an -inch. - - -Spizella atrigularis, BAIRD. - -BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. - - _Spinites atrigularis_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. _Spizella - atrigularis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 476, pl. lv, f. 1.—IB. - Mex. Bound. II, Birds, p. 16, pl. xvii, f. 1.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 210. _Struthus atrimentalis_, COUCH, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. VII, - April, 1854, 67. - -SP. CHAR. Tail elongated, deeply forked and divaricated. General color -bluish-ash, paler beneath, and turning to white on the middle of the -belly. Interscapular region yellowish-rusty, streaked with black. -Forehead, loral region, and side of head as far as eyes, chin, and -upper part of throat black. Quills and tail-feathers very dark brown, -edged with ashy. Edges of coverts like the back. No white bands on the -wings. Bill red, feet dusky. Immature birds, and perhaps adult female, -without any black on head. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.50; tail, 3.00. - -HAB. Mexico, just south of the Rio Grande; Fort Whipple, Ariz. -(COUES); Cape St. Lucas. - -This species is about the size of _S. pusilla_ and _S. socialis_, -resembling the former most in its still longer tail. This is more -deeply forked and divaricated, with broader feathers than in either. -The wing is much rounded; the fourth quill longest; the first almost -the shortest of the primaries. - -HABITS. This species is a Mexican bird, found only within the limits -of the United States along the borders. But little is known as to its -history. It is supposed to be neither very abundant nor to have an -extended area of distribution. It was met with by Dr. Coues in the -neighborhood of Fort Whipple, Arizona, where it arrives in April and -leaves again in October, collecting, before its departure, in small -flocks. In the spring he states that it has a very sweet and melodious -song, far surpassing in power and melody the notes of any other of -this genus that he has ever heard. - -Dr. Coues furnishes me with the following additional information in -regard to this species: “This is not a common bird at Fort Whipple, -and was only observed from April to October. It unquestionably breeds -in that vicinity, as I shot very young birds, in August, wanting the -distinctive head-markings of the adult. A pair noticed in early April -were seemingly about breeding, as the male was in full song, and -showed, on dissection, highly developed sexual organs. The song is -very agreeable, not in the least recalling the monotonous ditty of the -Chip Bird, or the rather weak performances of some other species of -the genus. In the latter part of summer and early autumn the birds -were generally seen in small troops, perhaps families, in weedy -places, associating with the western variety of _Spizella socialis_, -as well as with Goldfinches.” - -Lieutenant Couch met with individuals of this species at Agua Nueva, -in Coahuila, Mexico, in May, 1853. They were found in small flocks -among the mountains. Their nest and eggs are unknown. - - -GENUS MELOSPIZA, BAIRD. - - _Melospiza_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1868, 478. (Type, _Fringilla - melodia_, WILS.) - - [Line drawing: _Melospiza melodia._ - 2637 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Body stout. Bill conical, very obsoletely notched, or -smooth; somewhat compressed. Lower mandible not so deep as the upper. -Commissure nearly straight. Gonys a little curved. Feet stout, not -stretching beyond the tail; tarsus a little longer than the middle -toe; outer toe a little longer than the inner; its claw not quite -reaching to the base of the middle one. Hind toe appreciably longer -than the middle one. Wings quite short and rounded, scarcely reaching -beyond the base of the tail; the tertials considerably longer than the -secondaries; the quills considerably graduated; the fourth longest; -the first not longer than the tertials, and almost the shortest of the -primaries. Tail moderately long, rather longer from coccyx than the -wings, and considerably graduated; the feathers oval at the tips, and -not stiffened. Crown and back similar in color, and streaked; beneath -thickly streaked, except in _M. palustris_. Tail immaculate. Usually -nest on ground; nests strongly woven of grasses and fibrous stems; -eggs marked with rusty-brown and purple on a ground of a clay color. - -This genus differs from _Zonotrichia_ in the shorter, more graduated -tail, rather longer hind toe, much more rounded wing, which is -shorter; the tertiaries longer; the first quill almost the shortest, -and not longer than the tertials. The under parts are spotted; the -crown streaked, and like the back. - - [Illustration: _Melospiza melodia._] - -There are few species of American birds that have caused more -perplexity to the ornithologist than the group of which _Melospiza -melodia_ is the type. Spread over the whole of North America, and -familiar to every one, we find each region to possess a special form -(to which a specific name has been given), and yet these passing into -each other by such insensible gradations as to render it quite -impossible to define them as species. Between _M. melodia_ of the -Atlantic States and _M. insignis_ of Kodiak the difference seems wide; -but the connecting links in the intermediate regions bridge this over -so completely that, with a series of hundreds of specimens before us, -we abandon the attempt at specific separation, and unite into one no -less than eight species previously recognized. - -Taking, then, the common Song Sparrow of the Eastern Atlantic States -(_M. melodia_) as the starting-point, and proceeding westward, we find -quite a decided difference (in a variety _fallax_) when we reach the -Middle Province, or that of the Rocky Mountains. The general tints are -paler, grayer, and less rusty; the superciliary stripe anteriorly more -ashy; the bill, and especially the legs, more dusky, the latter not at -all to be called yellow. The bill is perhaps smaller and, though -sometimes equal to the average of eastern specimens, more slender in -proportion. In some specimens (typical _fallax_) the streaks are -uniform rufous without darker centres,—a feature I have not noticed -in eastern _melodia_. Another stage (_heermanni_) is seen when we -reach the Pacific coast of California, in a darker brown color (but -not rufous). Here the bill is rather larger than in var. _fallax_, and -the legs colored more like typical _melodia_. In fact, the bird is -like _melodia_, but darker. The stripes on the back continue well -defined and distinct. _M. samuelis_ (=_gouldi_) may stand as a smaller -race of this variety. - -Proceeding northward along the Pacific coast, another form (var. -_guttata_), peculiar to the coast of California, is met with towards -and beyond the mouth of the Columbia (coming into Southern California -in winter). This is darker in color, more rufous; the stripes quite -indistinct above, in fact, more or less obsolete, and none, either -above or below, with darker or blackish centres. The sides, crissum, -and tibia are washed with ochraceous-brown, the latter perhaps -darkest. The bill is proportionally longer and more slender. This race -becomes still darker northward, until at Sitka (var. _rufina_) it -shows no rufous tints, but a dusky olive-brown instead, including the -streaks of the under parts. The markings of the head and back are -appreciable, though not distinct. The size has become considerably -larger than in eastern _melodia_, the average length of wing being -3.00, instead of 2.60. - -The last extreme of difference from typical _melodia_ of the east is -seen in the variety _insignis_ from Kodiak. Here the size is very -large: length, 7.00; extent, 10.75; wing, 3.20. The bill is very long -(.73 from forehead), the color still darker brown and more uniform -above; the median light stripe of vertex scarcely appreciable in some -specimens; the superciliary scarcely showing, except as a whitish spot -anteriorly. The bill and feet have become almost black. - -The following synopsis may serve as a means by which to distinguish -the several races of this species, as also the two remaining positive -species of the genus:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Lower parts streaked. - - 1. M. melodia. White of the lower parts uninterrupted - from the chin to the crissum; the streaks of the - jugulum, etc., broad and cuneate. - - _a._ Streaks, above and below, sharply defined, and - distinctly black medially (except sometimes in winter - plumage). - - Ground-color above reddish-gray, the interscapulars - with the whitish and black streaks about equal, and - sharply contrasted. Rump with reddish streaks. - Wing, 2.70; tail, 2.90; bill .36 from nostril, and - .30 deep. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, - to the Plains on the west, and the Rio Grande on - the south var. _melodia_.[2] - - Ground-color above ashy-gray, the interscapulars - with the black streaks much broader than their - rufous border, and the whitish edges not in strong - contrast. Rump without streaks. Wing, 2.80; tail, - 3.15; bill, .33 and .22. _Hab._ Middle Province of - United States var. _fallax_.[3] - - Ground-color above nearly pure gray, the - interscapulars with the black streaks much broader - than the rufous, and the edges of the feathers not - appreciably paler. Rump without streaks. Wing, - 2.80; tail, 2.85; bill, .32 by .27. _Hab._ - California, except along the coast; Sierra Nevada - var. _heermanni_.[4] - - Ground-color above grayish-olive, the - interscapulars with the black streaks much broader - than their rufous border; edges of the feathers - scarcely appreciably paler. Rump and tail-coverts, - above and below, with distinct broad streaks of - black. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.50; bill, .37 and .24. - _Hab._ Coast region of California var. _samuelis_.[5] - - Ground-color above olive-rufous, the edges of the - interscapulars, alone, ashy; dorsal black streaks - very broad, without rufous border. Rump streaked - with black. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.85; bill, .34 and - .25. _Hab._ Puebla, Mexico var. _mexicana_.[6] - - _b._ Streaks, above and below, not sharply defined, - and without black medially. - - Above rufescent-olive, the darker shades - castaneous; streaks beneath castaneous-rufous. - Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.50; bill, .35 and .23. _Hab._ - Pacific Province from British Columbia, southward - var. _guttata_. - - Above sepia-plumbeous, the darker shades - fuliginous-sepia; streaks beneath fuliginous-sepia. - Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.00; bill, .41 and .25. _Hab._ - Pacific Province from British Columbia northward - var. _rufina_. - - Above plumbeous, the darker markings dull - reddish-sepia in winter, clove-brown in summer; - streaks beneath castaneous-rufous in winter, dull - sepia in summer. Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.60; bill, .50 - and .30. _Hab._ Pacific coast of Alaska (Kodiak, - etc.) var. _insignis_. - - 2. M. lincolni. White of the lower parts interrupted by - a broad pectoral band of buff; streaks on the jugulum, - etc., narrow linear. A vertex and superciliary stripe of - ashy; a maxillary one of buff. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.40; - bill, .30 and .25. _Hab._ Whole of North America; south, - in winter, to Panama. - - B. Lower parts without streaks (except in young.) - - 3. M. palustris. Jugulum and nape tinged with ashy; - outer surface of wings bright castaneous, in strong - contrast with the olivaceous of the back; dorsal streaks - broad, black, without rufous externally; a superciliary - and maxillary stripe of ashy. ♂. Crown uniform chestnut, - forehead black. ♀. Crown similar, but divided by an - indistinct ashy stripe, and more or less streaked with - black (autumnal or winter ♂ similar). _Juv._ Head, back, - and jugulum streaked with black on a yellowish-white - ground; black prevailing on the crown. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of North America. - - - [2] _Winter plumage._ Rusty prevailing above, but hoary - whitish edges to feathers still in strong contrast; streaks - beneath with a rufous suffusion externally, but still with - the black in excess. - - [3] _Winter plumage._ Gray above more olivaceous, the black - streaks more subdued by a rufous suffusion; streaks beneath - with the rufous predominating, sometimes without any black. - - [4] _Winter plumage._ Above rusty-olive, with little or no - ashy, the black streaks broad and distinct. Streaks beneath - with the black and rusty in about equal amount. - - [5] In summer the streaks beneath are entirely intense - black; in winter they have a slight rufous external - suffusion. - - [6] _Melospiza melodia_, var. _mexicana_, RIDGWAY. Mexican - Song Sparrow. _? ? Melospiza pectoralis_, VON MÜLLER. - - SP. CHAR. (Type, 60,046, Puebla, Mexico, A. BOUCARD.) - Similar to _M. melodia_, but ground-color above olive-brown; - inner webs of interscapulars pale ashy, but not in strong - contrast. Crown and wings rusty-brown, the former with broad - black streaks, and divided by a just appreciable paler line; - back with broad black streaks without any rufous suffusion. - Superciliary stripe pure light ash, becoming white anterior - to the eye; two broad, dark-brown stripes on side of - head,—one from the eye back along upper edge of auriculars, - the other back from the rictus, along their lower border. - Lower parts pure white, the flanks and crissum distinctly - ochraceous; markings beneath broad and heavy, entirely pure - deep black; those on the jugulum deltoid, on the sides - linear. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.85; bill, .37 and .24; tarsus, - .85; middle toe without claw, .68. This may possibly be the - _M. pectoralis_ of von Müller. The description cited above, - however, does not agree with the specimen under - consideration. The pectoral spots are expressly stated to be - brown, not even a black shaft-streak being mentioned, - whereas the pure black spots of the specimen before us - render it peculiar in this respect, being, in fact, its - chief characteristic. - - -Melospiza melodia, BAIRD. - -SONG SPARROW. - - _Fringilla melodia_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 125, pl. xvi, f. - 4.—LICHT. Verz. 1823, No. 249.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 126; - V, 507, pl. 25.—IB. Syn. 1839, 120.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, - 147, pl. clxxxix.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 275. _Zonotrichia - melodia_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 478. _? ? - Fringilla fasciata_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 922.—NUTTALL, - Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 562. _? ? Fringilla hyemalis_, GMELIN, - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 922. _Melospiza melodia_, BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 477.—SAMUELS, 321. - -SP. CHAR. General tint of upper parts rufous and distinctly streaked -with rufous-brown, dark-brown, and ashy-gray. The crown is rufous, -with a superciliary and median stripe of dull gray, the former -lighter; nearly white anteriorly, where it sometimes has a faint shade -of yellow, principally in autumn; each feather of the crown with a -narrow streak of black forming about six narrow lines. Interscapulars -black in the centre, then rufous, then pale grayish on the margin, -these three colors on each feather very sharply contrasted. Rump -grayer than upper tail-coverts, both with obsolete dark streaks. There -is a whitish maxillary stripe, bordered above and below by one of dark -rufous-brown, and with another from behind the eye. The under parts -are white; the jugulum and sides of body streaked with clear -dark-brown, sometimes with a rufous suffusion. On the middle of the -breast these marks are rather aggregated so as to form a spot. No -distinct white on tail or wings. Length of male, 6.50; wing, 2.58; -tail, 3.00. Bill pale brown above; yellowish at base beneath. Legs -yellowish. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the high Central Plains. - -Specimens vary somewhat in having the streaks across the breast more -or less sparse, the spot more or less distinct. In autumn the colors -are more blended, the light maxillary stripe tinged with yellowish, -the edges of the dusky streaks strongly suffused with brownish-rufous. - -The young bird has the upper parts paler, the streaks more distinct; -the lines on the head scarcely appreciable. The under parts are -yellowish; the streaks narrower and more sharply defined dark brown. - -As already stated, this species varies more or less from the above -description in different parts of North America, its typical races -having received specific names, which it is necessary to retain for -them as varieties. - -HABITS. The common Song Sparrow of eastern North America has an -extended range of distribution, and is resident throughout the year in -a large part of the area in which it breeds. It nests from about South -Carolina north to the British Provinces of Nova Scotia and New -Brunswick at the east, and to a not well-defined limit in British -America. The most northern points to which it has been traced are the -plains of the Saskatchewan and the southern shore of Lake Winnepeg, in -which latter place Mr. Kennicott found it breeding. It is said by Dr. -Coues to breed in South Carolina, and by Mr. Audubon in Louisiana, but -I have never seen any of their eggs from any point south of -Washington. In winter it is found from Massachusetts, where only a few -are observed, to Florida. It is most abundant at this period in North -and South Carolina. It is not mentioned in Dr. Gerhardt’s list as -being found in Northern Georgia at any season of the year. Mr. Ridgway -informs me that it does not breed in Southern Illinois. Its song is -not popularly known there, though he has occasionally heard it just -before these Sparrows were leaving for the north. This species winters -there in company with the _Z. albicollis_ and _Z. leucophrys_, -associating with the former, and inhabiting brush-heaps in the -clearings. - -To Massachusetts, where specimens have been taken in every month of -the year, and where they have been heard to sing in January, they -return in large numbers usually early in March, sometimes even in -February. It is probable that these are but migrants, passing farther -north, and that our summer visitants do not appear among us until the -middle of April, or just as they are about to breed. They reach Maine -from the 15th to the 25th, and breed there the middle of May. In -Massachusetts they do not have eggs until the first week in May, -except in very remarkable seasons, usually not until after the -Bluebird has already hatched out her first brood, and a week later -than the Robin. - -The tide of returning emigration begins to set southward early in -October. Collecting in small loose flocks, probably all of each group -members of the same family, they slowly move towards the south. As one -set passes on, another succeeds, until the latter part of November, -when we no longer meet with flocks, but solitary individuals or groups -of two or three. These are usually a larger and stouter race, and -almost suggest a different species. They are often in song even into -December. They apparently do not go far, and are the first to return. -In early March they are in full song, and their notes seem louder, -clearer, and more vibratory than those that come to us and remain to -breed. - -The Song Sparrow, as its name implies, is one of our most noted and -conspicuous singers. It is at once our earliest and our latest, as -also our most constant musician. Its song is somewhat brief, but is -repeated at short intervals, almost throughout the days of spring and -early summer. It somewhat resembles the opening notes of the Canary, -and though less resonant and powerful, much surpasses them in -sweetness and expression. Plain and homely as this bird is in its -outward garb, its sweet song and its gentle confiding manners render -it a welcome visitor to every garden, and around every rural home -wherein such attractions can be appreciated. Whenever these birds are -kindly treated they readily make friends, and are attracted to our -doorsteps for the welcome crumbs that are thrown to them; and they -will return, year after year, to the same locality, whenever thus -encouraged. - -The song of this Sparrow varies in different individuals, and often -changes, in the same bird, in different parts of the year. It is even -stated by an observing naturalist—Mr. Charles S. Paine, of Randolph, -Vt.—that he has known the same bird to sing, in succession, nine -entirely different sets of notes, usually uttering them one after the -other, in the same order. This was noticed not merely once or during -one season, but through three successive summers. The same bird -returned each season to his grounds, and came each time provided with -the same variety of airs. - -Mr. Nuttall, who dwells with much force upon the beauty and -earnestness of expression of the song of this species, has also -noticed and remarked upon the power of individuals to vary their song, -from time to time, with very agreeable effect, but no one has recorded -so remarkable an instance as that thus carefully noted by Mr. Paine. - -These birds are found in almost any cultivated locality where the -grounds are sufficiently open. They prefer the edges of open fields, -and those of meadows and low grounds, but are rarely found in woods or -in thick bushes, except near their outer edges. They nest naturally on -the ground, and in such situations a large majority build their nests. -These are usually the younger birds. A portion, almost always birds of -several summers, probably taught by sad experiences of the insecurity -of the ground, build in bushes. A pair which had a nest in an -adjoining field had been robbed, by a cat, of their young when just -about to fly. After much lamentation, and an interval of a week, I -found this same pair, which I easily recognized, building their nest -among some vines near my house, some eight feet from the ground. They -had abandoned my neighbor’s grounds and taken refuge close to my -house. This situation they resorted to afterwards for several -successive summers, each season building two nests, never using the -same nest a second time, although each time it was left as clean and -in as good condition as when first made. Indeed, this species is -remarkable for its cleanliness, both in its own person and in its care -of nestlings and nests. - -They feed their young chiefly with insects, especially small -caterpillars; the destructive canker-worm is one of their favorite -articles of food, also the larvæ of insects and the smaller moths. -When crumbs of bread are given them, they are eagerly gathered and -taken to their nests. - -In the Middle States they are said to have three broods in a season. -This may also be so in New England, but I have never known one pair to -have more than two broods in the same summer, even when both had been -successfully reared. Nests found after July have always been in cases -where some accident had befallen the preceding brood. - -The nest of the Song Sparrow, whether built on ground, bush, or tree, -is always well and thoroughly made. Externally and at the base it -consists of stout stems of grasses, fibrous twigs of plants, and small -sticks and rootlets. These are strongly wrought together. Within is -made a neat, well-woven basket of fine long stems of grasses, rarely -anything else. On the ground they are usually concealed beneath a tuft -of grass; sometimes they make a covered passage-way of several inches, -leading to their nest. When built in a tree or shrub, the top is often -sheltered by the branches or by dry leaves, forming a covering to the -structure. - -The eggs of the Song Sparrow are five in number, and have an average -measurement of .82 by .60 of an inch. They have a ground of a -clay-color or dirty white, and are spotted equally over the entire egg -with blotches of a rusty-brown, intermingled with lighter shades of -purple. In some these markings are so numerous and confluent as to -entirely conceal the ground-color; in others they are irregularly -diffused over different parts, leaving patches unmarked. Occasionally -the eggs are unspotted, and are then not unlike those of _Leucosticte -griseinucha_. - - -Melospiza melodia, var. fallax, BAIRD. - -WESTERN SONG SPARROW. - - _Zonotrichia fallax_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. VII, June, 1854, 119 - (Pueblo Creek, New Mexico). _? Zonotrichia fasciata_, (GM.) - GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d Series, I, 1847, 49. _Melospiza - fallax_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 481, pl. xxvii, f. - 2.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. X, _b._ pl. xxvii, f. 2.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 215. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _melodia_, but with the bill on the whole -rather smaller, more slender, and darker. Legs quite dusky, not -yellow. Entire plumage of a more grayish cast, including the whole -superciliary stripe. The streaks on throat and jugulum in spring are -almost black, as in _melodia_; in autumn more rufous; in all cases -quite as sharply defined as in _melodia_. The bill is nearly black in -spring. - -HAB. Middle Province of United States, to the Sierra Nevada. - -This race, intermediate between _melodia_ and _heermanni_ in habitat, -is, however, hardly so in characters. The bill is more slender than in -either, being much like that of _guttata_, and the tail is longer in -proportion to the wing. In colors it is paler than either, the -ground-cast above being nearly clear grayish: the streaks, both on the -back and jugulum, are more sparse, as well as narrower; very -frequently, in the winter plumage, those beneath lack the central -black, being wholly rufous; such is the case with the type. In summer, -however, they are frequently entirely black, the external rufous -having entirely disappeared. As in _heermanni_, the rump is -immaculate. The young bird differs as does the adult, though the -resemblance to those of _melodia_ and _heermanni_ is more close than -in the adult. The very narrow bill and long tail are the most -characteristic features of form. - -HABITS. In habits and song, Dr. Cooper can find no appreciable -differences between this variety and its nearest allies. He states -that its nest, which he found in a willow thicket, was composed of -bark and fine twigs and grass, and lined with hair. Its eggs he -describes as bluish-white, blotched and streaked with reddish-brown, -and as measuring .74 by .55 of an inch. - -Dr. Coues found this species a common and permanent resident in -Arizona, and he pronounces its habits, manners, and voice precisely -like those of _M. melodia_. This species, he states, occurs throughout -New Mexico, Arizona, and a part of Southern California, and is -particularly abundant in the valley of the Colorado. - -Dr. Kennerly observed this species only along Pueblo Creek, in the -month of January. It did not confine itself to the open valley, but -was often seen among the thick bushes that margined the creek, far up -into the Aztec Mountains, where the snow covered the ground. In its -habits it resembled the _Poospiza belli_, being very restless and -rapid in its motions, accompanying them with a short chirp, feeding -upon the seeds of the weeds that remained uncovered by the snow. Its -flight was also rapid and near the earth. The bird being very shy, Dr. -Kennerly found it difficult to procure many specimens. - -According to Mr. Ridgway, the Western Song Sparrow is one of the most -abundant of the resident species inhabiting the fertile portions of -the Great Basin. It principally occupies the willows along the -streams, but is also found in _tulé_ sloughs of the river valleys. -From a long acquaintance with the Western Song Sparrows, Mr. Ridgway -is fully convinced of the propriety of recognizing this as a distinct -variety from the eastern _M. melodia_. In all respects, as to habits, -especially in its familiarity, it replaces at the West the well-known -Song Sparrow of the East. When first heard, the peculiar measure and -delivery of its song at once attracts attention. The precision of -style and method of utterance are quite distinct and constant -peculiarities. The song, though as pleasing, is not so loud as that of -the eastern Song Sparrow, while the measure is very different. He -noted the syllables of its song, and found them quite uniform. He -expresses the song thus: _Cha-cha-cha-cha-cha—wit’—tur’-r-r-r-r-r—tut_. -The first six syllables as to accent are exactly alike, but with a -considerable interval or pause between the first and second notes. The -second to the fifth follow in rapid succession, each being uttered -with deliberation and distinctness. Then comes a pause between the -last “cha” and the “wit,” which is pronounced in a fine metallic tone -with a rising inflection, then another pause, and a liquid trill with -a falling inflection, the whole terminating abruptly with a very -peculiar “tut,” in an entirely different key from the other notes. - -The nests and eggs were found in the Wahsatch Mountains, June 23. The -nests were generally among bushes, in willow thickets, along the -streams, about a foot from the ground. One of these nests found in a -clump of willows, about two feet from the ground and near a stream, is -a compact, firmly built nest, in the shape of an inverted dome. It is -two and a half inches in height, and about the same in diameter. -Externally it is composed of a coarse framework of strips of willow -bark firmly bound around. Within is a compactly woven inner nest, -composed of straws, mingled and interwoven with horse-hairs. The -cavity has a depth and diameter of two inches. The eggs, four in -number, measure .85 by .63 of an inch. Their form is a rounded oval, -distinctly pointed at one end. They have a greenish-white ground, -marked and blotched with splashes of purplish and reddish brown. - - -Melospiza melodia, var. heermanni, BAIRD. - -HEERMANN’S SONG SPARROW. - - _Melospiza heermanni_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 478, pl. 70, f. - 1.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 212. - -SP. CHAR. Somewhat like _melodia_, but darker. The streaks on the back -and under parts blacker, broader, more distinct, and scarcely margined -with reddish, except in winter plumage. The median stripe on vertex -indistinct. General shade of coloration olivaceous-gray rather than -rusty. Length, 6.40; wing, 2.56; tail, 3. Bill and legs in size and -color most like _melodia_. - -HAB. Southern California; eastern slope of Sierra Nevada (Carson -City), and West Humboldt Mountains, Nev.; RIDGWAY. - -Of the various races of _M. melodia_, this one approaches nearest the -typical style of the Atlantic region; agreeing with it in thicker bill -and shorter tail, as compared with the var. _fallax_, which occurs -between them. It differs from the var. _melodia_, however, in a more -grayish cast to the ground-color of the upper plumage, being -olivaceous-gray, rather than reddish; the black dorsal streaks are -very much broader than the rusty ones, instead of about equal to them -in width, and the edges to the interscapular feathers are not -appreciably paler than the prevailing shade, instead of being hoary -whitish, in strong contrast. In spring the “bridle” on the side of the -throat and the spots on the jugulum have the black of their central -portion in excess of their external rufous suffusion; but in autumn -the rusty rather predominates; at this season, too, the rusty tints -above overspread the whole surface, but the black streaks are left -sharply defined. At all seasons, the spots on the jugulum are broader -and rather more numerous than in _melodia_. The young can scarcely be -distinguished from those of _melodia_, but they have the dark streaks -on the crown and upper tail-coverts considerably broader. - -HABITS. The California Song Sparrow has been named in honor of the -late Dr. Heermann, who first obtained specimens of this bird in the -Tejon Valley, and mistook them for the _Zonotrichia guttata_ of Gambel -(_M. rufina_), from which they were appreciably different. Whether a -distinct species or only a local race, this bird takes the place and -is the almost precise counterpart, in most essential respects, of the -Song Sparrow of the East. The exact limits of its distribution, both -in the migratory season and in that of reproduction, have hardly yet -been ascertained. It has been found in California as far north as San -Francisco, and to the south and southeast to San Diego and the Mohave -River. - -The California Song Sparrow is the characteristic _Melospiza_ in all -that portion of the State south of San Francisco. It is found, Dr. -Cooper states, in every locality where there are thickets of low -bushes and tall weeds, especially in the vicinity of water, and -wherever unmolested it comes about the gardens and houses with all the -familiarity of the common _melodia_. The ground, under the shade of -plants or bushes, is their usual place of resort. There they -diligently search for their food throughout the day, and rarely fly -more than a few yards from the place, and remain about their chosen -locality from one year’s end to another, being everywhere a resident -species. In the spring they are said to perch occasionally on some low -bush or tree, and sing a lively and pleasant melody for an hour at a -time. Each song, Dr. Cooper remarks, is a complete little stanza of a -dozen notes, and is frequently varied or changed entirely for another -of similar style, but quite distinct. Although no two birds of this -species sing just alike, there is never any difficulty in -distinguishing their songs when once heard. There is, he thinks, a -similarity of tone and style in the songs of all the species of true -_Melospiza_, which has led other observers to consider them as of only -one species, when taken in connection with their other similarities in -colors and habits. - -Dr. Cooper found a nest, presumed to belong to this bird, at Santa -Cruz, in June. It was built in a dense blackberry-bush, about three -feet from the ground, constructed with a thick periphery and base of -dry grasses and thin strips of bark, and lined with finer grasses. The -eggs were of a smoky white, densely speckled with a dull brown. -Although this bird was abundant around Santa Cruz, he was only able, -after much searching, to find two of their nests. One was in a willow, -close against the tree, and three feet from the ground, containing, on -the 11th of May, four eggs partially hatched. This was built of coarse -dry stems and leaves, lined with finer grasses and horse-hair. It was -five inches in external diameter, and four high. The cavity was two -and a half inches deep and two in diameter. These eggs had a ground of -greenish-white, and were blotched and spotted with a purplish-brown, -chiefly at the larger end. They were .82 by .62 of an inch in -measurement. The ground-color was paler and the spots were darker than -in eggs of _Z. gambeli_, the whole coloring much darker than in those -of _M. fallax_. This nest was apparently an old one used for a second -brood. - -Another nest found as late as July 10, and doubtless a second brood, -was in a thicket, six feet from the ground, and also contained four -eggs. Dr. Cooper states that he has seen the newly fledged young by -the 7th of May. - -Dr. Heermann, in his account of this bird, which he supposed to be the -_guttata_ of Dr. Gambel, states that he found it abundant throughout -the whole country over which he passed, and more especially so in the -bushes bordering the streams, ponds, and marshes. Its notes, sweet, -and few in number, resembled those of the common Song Sparrow. Its -nests, usually built in thick tufts of bushes, were composed -externally of grasses and lined with hair, and contained each four -eggs, with a pale bluish-ash ground, thickly covered with dashes of -burnt umber. Eggs of this species, from near Monterey, collected by -Dr. Canfield, vary in measurement from .85 by .65 of an inch to .88 by -.70,—larger than any eggs of _Melospiza melodia_ that I have seen. -Their ground-color is a light green. The blotches are large, distinct, -and more or less confluent, and of a blended reddish and purplish -brown. They are in some diffused over the entire egg, in others -disposed around the larger end. - - -Melospiza melodia, var. samuelis, BAIRD. - -SAMUELS’S SONG SPARROW. - - _Ammodromus samuelis_, BAIRD, Pr. Boston Soc. N. H. VI, June, 1858, - 381.—IB. Birds N. Am. 1858, 455, pl. lxxi, f. 1.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 191. _Melospiza gouldi_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 479. - -SP. CHAR. Somewhat like _Melospiza melodia_, but considerably smaller -and darker. Bill slender and acute, the depth not more than half the -culmen. Above streaked on the head, back, and rump with dark brown, -the borders of the feathers paler, but without any rufous. Beneath -pure white; the breast, with sides of throat and body, spotted and -streaked with black, apparently farther back than on other species. -Wings above nearly uniform dark brownish-rufous. Under tail-coverts -yellowish-brown, conspicuously blotched with blackish. An ashy -superciliary stripe, becoming nearly white to the bill, and a whitish -maxillary one below which is a broad blackish stripe along the sides -of neck; the crown with faint grayish median line. Length, 5 inches; -wing, 2.20; tail, 2.35. Bill dusky; legs rather pale. Bill, .35 from -nostril by .24 deep; tarsus, .71; middle toe without claw, .58. (5,553 -♂, Petaluma, Cal.) - -HAB. Coast region of California, near San Francisco. - -The above description is of a specimen in worn summer plumage, when -the markings have not the sharp definition seen in the autumnal -plumage. The autumnal plumage is as follows: Ground-color above -grayish-olive, outer surface of wings, with the crown, more rufous; -crown with narrow, and dorsal region with broad, stripes of black, the -latter with scarcely a perceptible rufous suffusion; crown with a -distinct median stripe of ashy. Streaks on jugulum, etc., broader than -in the type, and with a slight rufous suffusion. Wing, 2.20; tail, -2.35; bill from nostril .31, its depth .22; tarsus .74; middle toe -without claw, .60. - -The type of _Melospiza gouldi_ resembles the last, and differs only in -having a more distinct rufous suffusion to the black markings; the -measurements are as follows: Wing, 2.20; tail, 2.35; bill, .33 by .23; -tarsus, .73; middle toe without claw, .59. - -This is probably a dwarfed race of the common species, the very small -size being its chief distinctive character. The colors are most nearly -like those of _heermanni_, but are considerably darker, caused by an -expansion of the black and contraction of the rufous markings. The -pattern of coloration is precisely the same as in the other races. The -present bird appears to be peculiar to the coast region of California, -the only specimens in the collection being from the neighborhood of -San Francisco. - -HABITS. Of the history, distribution, and general habits of this -species, nothing is known. It was found at Petaluma, Cal., by Emanuel -Samuels, and described in the Proceedings of the Boston Society of -Natural History in 1858. The following description of the nest and -eggs of this bird, in the Smithsonian collection, has been kindly -furnished me by Mr. Ridgway. - -Nests elaborate and symmetrical, cup-shaped, composed of thin -grass-stems, but externally chiefly of grass-blades and strips of thin -inner bark. Diameter about 3.50 inches; internal diameter 2.00, and -internal depth 1.50; external, 2.00. Egg measures .78 by .62; -regularly ovate in shape; ground-color, greenish-white; this is -thickly sprinkled with purplish and livid ashy-brown, the specks -larger, and somewhat coalescent, around the larger circumference. -(3553, San Francisco, Cal., J. Hepburn.) - - -Melospiza melodia, var. guttata, BAIRD. - -OREGON SONG SPARROW. - - _Fringilla cinerea_, (GM.) AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 22, pl. - cccxc.—IB. Syn. 1839, 119.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 145, pl. - clxxxvii. _Passerella cinerea_, BP. List, 1839.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 477. _Fringilla (Passerella) guttata_, - NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 581. _Zonotrichia guttata_, - GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. I, Dec. 1847, 50. _Melospiza rufina_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 480.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 204.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1859, 285.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 214. - -SP. CHAR. Bill slender. Similar in general appearance to _M. melodia_, -but darker and much more rufous, and without any blackish-brown -streaks, or grayish edges of the feathers; generally the colors more -blended. General appearance above light rufous-brown, the -interscapular region streaked very obsoletely with dark -brownish-rufous, the feathers of the crown similar, with still darker -obsolete central streaks. A superciliary and very indistinct median -crown-stripe ashy. Under parts dull white, the breast and sides of -throat and body broadly streaked with dark brownish-rufous; darker in -the centre. A light maxillary stripe. Sides of the body and anal -region tinged strongly with the colors of the rump. Under coverts -brown. Length, 6.75; wing, 2.70; tail, 3.00. Legs rather darker than -in _melodia_. Bill from nostril, .37; from forehead, .60. - -HAB. Pacific coast of the United States to British Columbia. - -A young bird from Napa Valley, Cal. (12,912, Colonel A. J. Grayson), -probably referrible to this race, differs from the corresponding stage -of _heermanni_, _fallax_, and _melodia_ in the following respects: the -ground-color above is much darker, being dull dingy-brown, and the -dusky streaks broader; the white beneath has a strong yellowish tinge, -and the pectoral streaks are very broad. - -HABITS. Dr. Cooper characterizes this species as the most northern and -mountain-frequenting representative of the Song Sparrows, being a -resident of the higher Sierra Nevada and on the borders of the -evergreen forests towards the Columbia, and thence northward, where it -is the only species of this genus, and where it is common down to the -level of the sea. Specimens have been obtained at Marysville in the -spring, by Mr. Gruber. - -Dr. Cooper says that he has also met with this bird, and found it -possessing habits and songs entirely similar to those of the eastern -_M. melodia_, and resembling also those of the more southern _M. -heermanni_. He was never able to meet with one of their nests, as, -like other forest birds, they are more artful in concealing their -treasures than birds that have become accustomed to the society and -protection of man, and who, no longer wild, select gardens as the -safest places in which to build. In the mild winters usual about the -mouth of the Columbia, these birds do not evince any disposition to -emigrate, but come familiarly around the houses for their food, when -the snow has buried their usual supply. - -Dr. Suckley remarks that this Finch is quite a common bird in the -vicinity of Puget Sound, and that it is there resident throughout the -year. He has found them in very different situations; some in thickets -at the edges of prairies, others in stranded drift-logs on open salt -marshes, as well as in swamps, and in the dense forests of the -Douglass firs, peculiar to the northwest coast. Its voice, he adds, -is, during the breeding-season, singularly sweet and melodious, -surpassing that of the Meadow Lark in melody and tone, but unequal to -it in force. - -This species is stated to be a constant resident in the district -wherein it is found, never ranging far from the thicket which contains -its nest, or the house in the neighborhood of which it finds food and -protection. Almost every winter morning, as well as during the summer, -as Dr. Cooper states, its cheerful song may be heard from the garden -or the fence, as if to repay those whose presence has protected it -from its rapacious enemies. When unmolested, it becomes very familiar, -and the old birds bring their young to the door to feed, as soon as -they can leave their nest. Their song is said to so closely resemble -that of the eastern bird, in melody and variety, that it is impossible -either to tell which is the superior or to point out the differences. -In wild districts it is always to be found near the sides of brooks, -in thickets, from which it jealously drives off other birds, whether -of its own or other species, as if it considered itself the -proprietor. Its nest is built on the ground or in a low bush. Dr. -Cooper has seen newly fledged young as early as May 6, at Olympia, -though the rainy season was then hardly over. - -Mr. Nuttall pronounces its song as sweeter and more varied in tone -than that of the Song Sparrow. He heard their cheerful notes -throughout the summer, and every fine day in winter until the month of -November, particularly in the morning, their song was still continued. -Their nests and eggs were not distinguishable from those of _F. -melodia_. The nests were composed of dry grasses, lined with finer -materials of the same, and occasionally with deer’s hair. He states -that they keep much in low ground and alluvial situations, amidst rank -weeds, willows, and brambles, where they are frequently to be seen -hopping about and searching after insects, in the manner of the Swamp -Sparrow, which they so much resemble in their plumage. They are -usually very solicitous for the safety of their young or for their -nests and eggs, keeping up an incessant chirp. They raise several -broods in a season, and are, like the Song Sparrow, also engaged -nearly the whole of the summer in the cares of rearing their young. - -Mr. Townsend met with this species through several hundred miles of -the Platte country in great numbers, as well as on the banks of the -Columbia, generally frequenting the low bushes of wormwood -(_Artemisia_). It appeared also to be a very pugnacious species. Two -of the males were often observed fighting in the air, the beaten party -going off crestfallen, and the conqueror repairing to the nearest bush -to celebrate his triumph by his lively and triumphant strains. He -again met with these birds, though not in abundance, in June, 1825, at -the mouth of the Lewis River, on the waters of the Columbia. - -This Sparrow was also found very numerous at Sitka, by Mr. Bischoff, -but no mention is made of its habits. - - -Melospiza melodia, var. rufina, BAIRD. - -RUSTY SONG SPARROW. - - _Emberiza rufina_, “BRANDT, Desc. Av. Rossic. 1836, tab. ii, 5 - (Sitka),” BONAPARTE. _Passerella rufina_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, - 477. (This may refer to _Passerella townsendi_, but is more - probably the present bird.) _Melospiza cinerea_, FINSCH, Abh. - Nat. III, 1872, 41 (Sitka). (Not _Fringilla c._ GMEL.) _M. - guttata_, FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 41 (Sitka). (Not - _Fringilla g._ NUTT.) - -SP. CHAR. Resembling _M. guttata_ in the undefined markings, slender -bill, etc., but olivaceous-brownish instead of rufous above, the -darker markings sepia-brown instead of castaneous. The white beneath -much tinged with ashy; jugulum-spots blended, and of a sepia-brown -tint. Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.00; bill .41 from nostril, and .25 deep at -base. - -HAB. Northwest coast, from British Columbia northward. (Sitka.) - -The above characters are those of a large series of specimens from -Sitka, and a few points along the coast to the southward and -northward, and represent the average features of a race which is -intermediate between _guttata_ and _insignis_, in appearance as well -as in habitat. Tracing this variety toward the Columbia River, it -gradually passes into the former, and northward into the latter. - -We have no distinctive information relative to the habits of this race. - - -Melospiza melodia, var. insignis, BAIRD. - -KODIAK SONG SPARROW. - - _? Fringilla cinerea_, GMELIN, I, 1788, 922 (based on Cinereous - Finch, LATH. II, 274).—PENN. Arc. Zoöl. II, 68 (Unalaschka). - _Emberiza cinerea_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, 478. _Melospiza - insignis_, BAIRD, Trans. Chicago Acad. I, ii, 1869, p. 319, pl. - xxix, fig. 2.—DALL & BANNISTER, do. p. 285.—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. - III, 1872, 44 (Kodiak). - -SP. CHAR. _Summer plumage_ (52,477 ♂, Kodiak, May 24, 1868). Above -brownish-plumbeous, outer surface of wings somewhat more brown, the -greater coverts slightly rufescent. Interscapulars with medial broad -but obsolete streaks of sepia-brown; crown and upper tail-coverts with -more sharply defined and narrower dusky shaft-streaks. Crown without -medial light line. Beneath grayish-white, much obscured by -brownish-plumbeous laterally. A whitish supraloral space, but no -appreciable superciliary stripe; a whitish maxillary stripe; beneath -it an irregular one of dusky sepia; irregular streaks of dark -grizzly-sepia on breast and along sides, blended into a broad crescent -across the jugulum. Wing, 3.30; tail, 3.50; bill, .48 from nostril, -.28 deep at base, and .21 in the middle, the middle of the culmen -being much depressed, its extremity rather abruptly decurved. - -_Autumnal plumage_ (60,162, Kodiak, received from Dr. J. F. Brandt). -Differs very remarkably in appearance from the preceding. The pattern -of coloration is everywhere plainly plotted, there being a distinct -vertical and sharply defined superciliary stripe. Ground-color above -ashy, somewhat overlaid by rusty, except on the sides of the neck. -Whole crown, outer surface of wings, and dorsal streaks, rusty rufous; -black streaks on crown and upper tail-coverts obsolete. Beneath pure -white medially, the markings rusty rufous. Wing, 3.30; tail, 3.60; -bill, .47 and .30. - -HAB. Kodiak and Unalaschka. - -This race represents the extreme extent of variation in the species, -and it would be difficult for a species to proceed farther from the -normal standard; indeed, the present bird is so different even in -form, especially of bill, from _melodia_, that, were it not for the -perfect series connecting them, few naturalists would hesitate to -place them in different genera. - -HABITS. No information has so far been published in reference to the -nesting of this Sparrow, or of any peculiar habits. - - -Melospiza lincolni, BAIRD. - -LINCOLN’S FINCH. - - _Fringilla lincolni_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 539, pl. - cxciii.—NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 569. _Linaria lincolni_, - RICH. List, 1837. _Passerculus lincolni_, BONAP. List, 1838. - _Peucæa lincolni_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 113.—IB. Birds Am. - III, 1841, 116, pl. clxxvii.—BONAP. Consp. 1850, 481.—IB. - Comptes Rendus, XXVII, 1854, 920. _Melospiza lincolni_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 482.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, - 285 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 216. _Passerculus - zonarius_, (BP.) SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1856, 305. - -SP. CHAR. General aspect above that of _M. melodia_, but paler and -less reddish. Crown dull chestnut, with a median and lateral or -superciliary ash-colored stripe; each feather above streaked centrally -with black. Back with narrow streaks of black. Beneath white, with a -maxillary stripe curving round behind the ear-coverts; a well-defined -band across the breast, extending down the sides, and the under -tail-coverts, of brownish-yellow. The maxillary stripe margined above -and below with lines of black spots and a dusky line behind eye. The -throat, upper part of breast, and sides of the body, with streaks of -black, smallest in the middle of the former. The pectoral bands are -sometimes paler. Bill above dusky; base of lower jaw and legs -yellowish. Length, 5.60; wing, 2.60. - -HAB. United States from Atlantic to Pacific, north to the Yukon River -and the Mackenzie, and south through Mexico to Panama. Oaxaca (SCL. -1858, 303); Xalapa (SCL. 1859, 365); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 18); -Vera Cruz, winter (SUM. M. B. S. I, 552). - -There is little or no difference in specimens of this bird from the -whole of its range, except that one from near Aspinwall is -considerably smaller than usual, the streaks on the back narrower, and -the color above more reddish. A young bird from Fort Simpson, on the -Mackenzie, is much like the adult. - -HABITS. Lincoln’s Finch was first met with by Mr. Audubon in Labrador, -and named in honor of one of his companions, Mr. Thomas Lincoln, now -residing at Dennysville, Maine, by whom the first specimen was -procured. His attention was attracted to it by the sweet notes of its -song, which, he states, surpass in vigor those of any of our American -Sparrows with which he was acquainted. He describes this song as a -compound of the notes of a Canary and a Woodlark of Europe. The bird -was unusually wild, and was procured with great difficulty. Other -specimens, afterwards obtained, did not exhibit the same degree of -wildness, and they became more common as the party proceeded farther -north. He did not meet with its nest. - -He describes the habits of this species as resembling, in some -respects, those of the Song Sparrow. It mounts, like that bird, on the -topmost twig of some tall shrub to chant for whole hours at a time, or -dives into the thickets and hops from branch to branch until it -reaches the ground in search of those insects or berries on which it -feeds. It moves swiftly away when it discovers an enemy, and, if -forced to take to flight, flies low and rapidly to a considerable -distance, jerking its tail as it proceeds, and throwing itself into -the thickest bush it meets. Mr. Audubon found it mostly near streams, -and always in the small valleys guarded from the prevalent cold winds -of that country. - -He also describes this species as eminently petulant and pugnacious. -Two males would often pursue each other until the weaker was forced to -abandon the valley, and seek refuge elsewhere. He seldom saw more than -two or three pairs in a tract of several miles in extent. By the 4th -of July the young had left their nests and were following their -parents. As from that time the old birds ceased to sing, he inferred -that they raised but one brood in a season. Before he left Labrador -these birds had all disappeared. - -Although first discovered on the coast of Labrador, subsequent -explorations have shown this bird to be far more common at the West -than it is at the East, where indeed it is exceedingly rare. Not a -specimen, that I am aware of, has ever been found in Maine, although -it probably does occasionally occur there; and only a very few -isolated individuals had been taken in Massachusetts before the spring -of 1872, when they were noticed by Mr. Brewster and Mr. Henshaw in -considerable numbers. These birds, seven or eight in number, were -shot, with two exceptions, in May, between the 14th and the 25th. -Three were taken in Springfield by Mr. Allen, one in Newburyport by -Mr. Hoxie, two in Hudson by Mr. Jillson, and two in Cambridge by Mr. -Brewster. The latter were obtained, one in September and the other in -October. In May, 1872, Mr. Brewster obtained six others. Mr. Allen had -met with this Finch in Wayne County, N. Y., in May, where it was not -uncommon, and in Northern Illinois, where it was quite numerous. A few -have been taken near New York City, and in the neighborhood of -Philadelphia, where they are regarded as very rare. Professor Baird, -however, frequently met with them at Carlisle, Penn. - -Farther west, from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific, they are -much more common. Mr. Ridgway states that they occasionally winter in -Southern Illinois, where they frequent retired thickets near open -fields. They have been found breeding near Racine, Wis., by Dr. Hoy, -and have been met with also in Nebraska in considerable numbers; and, -during the breeding-season, Mr. Audubon met with them on the Upper -Missouri. - -From March to May Mr. Dresser found these birds very abundant in the -fields near the San Antonio River, and in some swampy grounds. They -seemed to prefer that sort of locality, and the banks of the river, -keeping among the flags and rushes. Their stomachs were found to -contain small seeds. Mr. Lincecum also met with a few in Washington -County of the same State. - -It was not met with in Arizona by Dr. Coues, but Dr. Kennerly found it -in the month of February from the Big Sandy to the Great Colorado -River. It confined itself to the thick bushes along the streams, and -when seen was generally busily hopping from twig to twig in search of -food. When started up, its flight was very rapid and near the earth. - -Dr. Heermann obtained this species, not unfrequently, both in Northern -California and in the Tejon Valley. On all occasions he found it in -company with flocks of Sparrows, composed of several species. - -Lieutenant Couch took this species at Tamaulipas, Mexico, and at -Brownsville, Southwestern Texas, in March. It has also been seen in -May, at the Forks of the Saskatchewan, by Captain Blakiston. - -Lincoln’s Finch was met with by Mr. Ridgway in abundance only during -its spring and fall migrations. Towards the last of April it was quite -common in wet brushy places in the vicinity of Carson City. It was -next observed in October among the willows bordering Deep Creek, in -Northern Utah. In the weedy pastures in Parley’s Park it was a common -species, frequenting the resorts of the _Z. leucophrys_. A nest, with -young, was discovered near the camp. It was embedded in the ground, -beneath a bush. Its song he did not hear, only a single _chuck_, -almost as loud as that of the _Passerella schistacea_. - -Dr. Cooper reports this species as near San Diego about March 25. -Large flocks were then passing northward. During the day they kept -among the grass, and were rather shy and silent. They seemed to have a -good deal of the habits of the _Passerculus_, and to differ much in -their gregariousness, their migratory habits, and their general form, -from the other _Melospizæ_. Dr. Cooper did not meet with any of these -birds in the Colorado Valley, nor has he seen or heard of any having -been found in California during the summer. The _M. lincolni_ has been -found breeding up to high Arctic latitudes. It was met with by Mr. -Kennicott at Fort Simpson and at Fort Resolution. At the latter place -its nests were found between the 2d and the 14th of June. They were -also obtained in May, June, and July, at Fort Simpson, by Mr. B. R. -Ross, and at Yukon River, Fort Rae, Nulato, and other localities in -the extreme northern regions, by Messrs. Reid, Lockhart, Clarke, -Kirkby, and Dall. On Mt. Lincoln, Colorado, above eight thousand feet, -Mr. Allen found this Sparrow very numerous. - -This Finch was found by Salvin about the reeds on the margin of Lake -Dueñas, Guatemala, in February, but was not common. It is common, in -the winter months, near Oaxaca, Mexico, where it was taken by Mr. -Boucard. - -Mr. Kennicott saw its nest June 14. This was on the ground, built in a -bunch of grass in rather an open and dry place, and containing five -eggs. The female permitted him to approach very close to her, until he -finally caught her on the nest with his beating-net. Another nest was -placed in a bunch of grass growing in the water of a small grassy -pond. The nest contained four eggs and one young bird. - -The nest and eggs of this species had been previously discovered by -Dr. Hoy, near Racine. This is, I believe, the first instance in which -it was identified by a naturalist, as also the most southern point at -which it has ever been found. These eggs measure .74 by .60 of an -inch. They have a pale greenish-white ground, and are thickly marked -with dots and small blotches of a ferruginous-brown, often so numerous -and confluent as to disguise and partially conceal the ground. - - -Melospiza palustris, BAIRD. - -SWAMP SPARROW. - - _Fringilla palustris_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 49, pl. xxii, f. - 1.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 331; V, 508, pl. lxiv. _Fringilla - (Spiza) palustris_, BONAP. Obs. Wilson, 1825, No. 105. - _Passerculus palustris_, BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, - 1850, 481. _Ammodromus palustris_, AUD. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds - Am. III, 1841, 110, pl. clxxv. _Melospiza palustris_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 483.—SAMUELS, 323. _? Fringilla georgiana_, - LATH. Index Orn. I, 1790, 460 (perhaps _Peucæa - æstivalis_).—LICHT. Verz. 1823, No. 251. _Fringilla - (Ammodromus) georgiana_, NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 588. - -SP. CHAR. Middle of the crown uniform chestnut; forehead black; -superciliary streak, sides of head and back, and sides of neck, ash. A -brown stripe behind the eye. Back with broad streaks of black, which -are edged with rusty yellow. Beneath whitish, tinged with ashy -anteriorly, especially across the breast, and washed with -yellowish-brown on the sides. A few obsolete streaks across the -breast, which become distinct on its sides. Wings and tail strongly -tinged with rufous; the tertials black, the rufous edgings changing -abruptly to white towards the end. Length, 5.75; wing, 2.40. - -_Female_ with the crown scarcely reddish streaked with black, and -divided by a light line. Young conspicuously streaked beneath the -head, above nearly uniform blackish. - -HAB. Eastern North America from the Atlantic to the Missouri; north to -Fort Simpson. - -In autumn the male of this species has the feathers of the crown each -with a black streak; and the centre of the crown with an indistinct -light stripe, materially changing its appearance. - -The forehead is usually more or less streaked with black. - -In the uncertainty whether the _Fringilla georgiana_ of Latham be not -rather the _Peucæa æstivalis_ than the Swamp Sparrow, I think it best -to retain Wilson’s name. It certainly applies as well to the latter, -which has the black sub-maxillary streak, and the chin and throat more -mouse-colored than in _palustris_. - -HABITS. Owing to the residence of this species in localities not -favoring frequent visits or careful explorations, and still more to -its shy and retiring habits, our writers have not been generally well -informed as to the history and general manners of this peculiar and -interesting Sparrow. Its irregular distribution, its abundance only in -certain and unusually restricted localities, its entire absence from -all the surrounding neighborhood, and its secretiveness wherever -found, have all combined to throw doubt and obscurity over its -movements. Unless purposely looked for and perseveringly hunted up, -the Swamp Sparrow might exist in large numbers in one’s immediate -neighborhood and yet entirely escape notice. Even now its whole story -is but imperfectly known, and more careful investigation into its -distribution and general habits will doubtless clear up several -obscure points in regard to its movements. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXVIII. - 1. Melospiza palustris. ♂ D. C., 38746. - 2. ” ” ♀ Pa. - 3. Embernagra rufivirgata. Orizaba, 29229. - 4. Peucæa æstivalis. Ga., 10245. - 5. ” cassini. Texas, 6329. - 6. ” ruficeps. Cal., 6241. - 7. Passerella iliaca. _Ad._, Pa., 846. - 8. ” townsendi. ♀ Columbia R., 2874. - 9. ” schistacea. Utah, 11234. - 10. ” ” var. megarhyncha. ♂ Utah. - 11. Euspiza americana. ♂ Pa., 1459. - 12. ” ” ♀ D. C., 10133. - 13. ” townsendi. Pa., 10282. (Type.)] - -From what is now known, we gather that it occurs throughout the -eastern portions of North America, from the Southern States, in which -it passes the wintry months, to high northern latitudes, where some -find their way in the breeding-season, extending as far to the west at -least as the Missouri River region. - -Three specimens were obtained at Fort Simpson, by Mr. Kennicott, in -September, which indicates their probable summer presence in latitude -55°, and their near approach to the Pacific coast at the extreme -northwestern portion of their distribution. Audubon also met with them -in Newfoundland and in Labrador. They are known to breed as far to the -south as Pennsylvania. They have been taken in the eastern portion of -Nebraska, and breed in considerable numbers in Southern Wisconsin. -Further investigations in regard to its distribution will probably -show it to be a much more widely distributed as well as a more -abundant bird than has been generally supposed. - -Mr. Ridgway writes me that this bird winters in Southern Illinois, and -remains there very late in the spring, but he thinks that none remain -to breed. - -Wilson states that it arrives in Pennsylvania early in April, where it -frequents low grounds and river-courses, rears two and sometimes three -broods in a season, and returns to the South as the cold weather -commences. During the winter, he met with them in large numbers in the -immense cypress swamps and extensive grassy flats of the Southern -States, along the numerous rivers and rice plantations. These places -abounded with their favorite seeds and other means of sustenance, and -appeared to be their general places of resort at this season. From the -river Trent, in North Carolina, to the Savannah River, and even -farther south, Wilson found this species very numerous. They were not -found in flocks, but skulked among the reeds and grass, were shy and -timorous, and seemed more attached to the water than any others of -this family. In April large numbers pass through Pennsylvania -northward. Only a few remain behind, and these frequent the swamps and -the reedy borders of creeks and rivers. He found their nests built in -the ground, in tussocks of rank grass, surrounded by water, with four -eggs of a dirty-white ground, spotted with rufous. He has found them -feeding their young as late as the 15th of August. Their food seemed -to be principally grass-seeds, wild oats, and insects. He supposed -them to have no song, and that their only note was a single _cheep_ -uttered in a somewhat hoarse tone. They flirt their tails as they fly, -seldom or never take to trees, but run and skulk from one low bush to -another. - -Except in regard to their song, Wilson’s account of their habits, so -far as it goes, is quite accurate, although this bird really does have -quite a respectable song, and one that improves as the season -advances. At first it is only a succession or repetition of a few -monotonous trilling notes, which might easily be mistaken for the song -of the Field Sparrow, or even confounded with the feebler chant of the -_socialis_, although not so varied as the former, and is much more -sprightly and pleasing than the other. Still later its music improves, -and more effort is made. Like the Song Sparrow, it mounts some low -twig, expands its tail-feathers, and gives forth a very sprightly -trill that echoes through the swampy thicket with an effect which, -once noticed and identified with the performer, is not likely to be -ever mistaken. Nuttall calls this song loud, sweet, and plaintive. It -is to my ear more sprightly than pathetic, and has a peculiarly -ventriloquistic effect, as if the performer were at a much greater -distance than he really is. - -Their food, when they first arrive, and that which they feed to -their young, consists very largely of insects, principally -coleopterous ones, with such few seeds as they can glean. After the -breeding-season, when their young can take care of themselves, they -eat almost exclusively the ripened seeds of the coarse water grasses -and sedges. They are very devoted to their young, and often display -great solicitude for their safety, even when able to take care of -themselves, and often expose themselves to dangers they carefully -avoid at other times, and are thus more easily procured. At all other -times they are difficult to shoot, running, as they do, through the -grass and tangled thickets, and rarely rising on the wing. They dive -from thicket to thicket with great rapidity, and even when wounded -have a wonderful power of running and hiding themselves. - -Mr. Audubon met with them, during autumn and winter, among the flat -sand-bars of the Mississippi, which are overgrown with rank grasses. -Though not in flocks, their numbers were immense. They fed on -grass-seeds and insects, often wading for the latter in shallow water -in the manner of the _Tringidæ_, and when wounded and forced into the -water swimming off to the nearest shelter. He also met with these -birds abundantly dispersed in the swamps of Cuyaga Lake, as well as -among those along the Illinois River in the summer, and in the winter -up the Arkansas River. - -Mr. Townsend observed these birds on the head-waters of the Upper -Missouri, but did not meet with them beyond. - -In Maine, Mr. Boardman gives it as a regular summer visitant at -Calais, arriving there as early as March, becoming common in May, and -breeding in that locality. Professor Verrill found it in Western -Maine, a summer visitant and breeding, but did not regard it as -common. From my own experience, in the neighborhood of Boston, I -should have said the same as to its infrequency in Eastern -Massachusetts, yet in certain localities it is a very abundant summer -resident. Mr. William Brewster has found it breeding in large numbers -in the marshes of Fresh Pond, where it arrives sometimes as early as -the latter part of March, and where it remains until November. In the -western part of the State it is more common as a migratory bird, and -has not been found, in any numbers, stopping to breed. Mr. Allen never -met with any later than May 25. They were observed to be in company -with the Water Thrush, and to be in every way as aquatic in their -habits. In the autumn he again met with it from the last of September -through October, always in bushy marshes or wet places. Mr. McIlwraith -states that in the vicinity of Hamilton, Ontario, it is a common -summer resident, breeding there in marshy situations. At Lake -Koskonong, in Wisconsin, Mr. Kumlien has also met with these birds -abundantly in suitable localities, and found their nests and eggs -quite plentiful. - -Mr. Ridgway has recently found this Sparrow to be a very abundant -winter resident in Southern Illinois, where it inhabits swampy -thickets, and where it remains until May, but is not known to breed -there. - -They always nest on the ground, usually in a depression sheltered by a -tuft of grass. The nest is woven of fine grass-stems, but is smaller -than the nest of _M. melodia_. - -The eggs of this species, usually five in number, have an average -measurement of .78 by .60 of an inch. Their ground-color is usually a -light green, occasionally of a light clay, marked and blotched with -reddish and purplish brown spots, varying in size and number, -occasionally forming a confluent ring around the larger end. - - -GENUS PEUCÆA, AUDUBON. - - _Peucæa_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839. (Type, _Fringilla æstivalis_.) - SCLATER & SALVIN, 1868, 322 (Synopsis.) - - [Line drawing: _Peucæa æstivalis_. - 10245 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill moderate. Upper outline and commissure decidedly -curved. Legs and feet with the claws small; the tarsus about equal to -the middle toe; the lateral toes equal, their claws falling -considerably short of the middle one; the hind toe reaching about to -the middle of the latter. The outstretched feet reach rather beyond -the middle of the tail. The wing is very short, reaching only to the -base of the tail; the longest tertials do not exceed the secondaries, -while both are not much short of the primaries; the outer three or -four quills are graduated. The tail is considerably longer than the -wings; it is much graduated laterally; the feathers, though long, are -peculiarly narrow, linear, and elliptically rounded at the ends. - -Color beneath plain whitish or brownish, with a more or less distinct -dusky line each side of the chin. Above with broad obsolete brown -streaks or blotches. Crown uniform, or the feathers edged with lighter. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. A light superciliary stripe, with a -brownish one below it from the eye along upper edge of -ear-coverts (not one along lower edge of ear-coverts, as -in _Melospiza_). A narrow blackish “bridle” along side of -throat (sometimes indistinct). Crown without a distinct -median stripe, and lower parts without markings. -Ground-color above ashy, sometimes of a brownish cast; -dorsal region and nape with brown blotches, with or without -dark centres. Crown blackish-brown streaked with ashy or -plain rufous. Beneath plain brownish-white, lightest on the -abdomen, darker across jugulum and along sides. - - A. Crown plain rufous; interscapulars without distinct - black centres, and tertials without whitish border. - Blackish “bridle” conspicuous. Bend of wing edged with - white. - - 1. P. ruficeps. - - Above olivaceous-ash, interscapulars with broad - streaks of dull rufous, the shafts scarcely blackish. - Crown bright rufous. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.70; bill, .29 - from forehead, .20 deep; tarsus, .70; middle toe - without claw, .55. _Hab._ California (and Mexico in - winter?) var. _ruficeps_. - - Darker, above brownish-plumbeous, dorsal streaks - scarcely rufous, and with distinctly black - shaft-streaks; crown darker rufous. Wing, 2.40; tail, - 2.60; bill, .34 and .25; tarsus, .77; middle toe, .57. - _Hab._ Mexico (Orizaba; Oaxaca), in summer var. _boucardi_.[7] - - B. Crown streaked; interscapulars with distinct black - centres; tertials sharply bordered terminally with paler. - “Bridle” obsolete; bend of wing edged with yellowish. - - 2. P. æstivalis. Above uniformly marked with broad - streaks or longitudinal blotches of deep rufous; black - streaks confined to interscapulars and crown. - Tail-feathers without darker shaft-stripe, and without - indications of darker bars; the outer feathers without - distinct white. Black marks on upper tail-coverts - inconspicuous, longitudinal. - - The bluish-ash, and chestnut-rufous streaks above - sharply contrasted; black dorsal streaks broad. Wing, - 2.45; tail, 2.65; bill, .30 and .30; tarsus, .73; - middle toe, .60. _Hab._ Southern States from Florida - and Georgia to Southern Illinois var. _æstivalis_. - - The dull ash and light rufous streaks above not - sharply defined; black dorsal streaks narrow. Wing, - 2.65; tail, 3.00; bill, .32 and .25; tarsus, .80; - middle toe, .63. _Hab._ Southern border of the Arizona - region of Middle Province of United States var. _arizonæ_. - - Markings badly defined as in the last, but the rufous - streaks darker (in summer plumage almost entirely - black), with more black on the crown. Wing, 2.55; - tail, 2.65; bill, .32 and .25; tarsus, .80; middle - toe, .60. _Hab._ Mexico (Orizaba; Mirador, Colima) - var. _botterii_.[8] - - 3. P. cassini. Above marked everywhere with broad short - streaks of pale (not reddish) brown streaks, all black - medially. Tail-feathers with distinct blackish - shaft-stripe, throwing off narrow, obsolete bars toward - the edge of the feathers. Outer tail-feathers distinctly - tipped (broadly) and edged with dull white. Black marks - on upper tail-coverts very large, transverse. Beneath - nearly uniform dull white, scarcely darker along sides - and across breast; flanks with broad streaks of - blackish-brown. Wing, 2.55; tail, 2.80; bill, .28 and - .23; tarsus, .68; middle toe, .55. _Hab._ Rio Grande, - region (San Antonio and Laredo), north to Kansas (ALLEN). - - - [7] _Zonotrichia boucardi_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1867, 1, pl. - i, La Puebla, Mex. (scarcely definable as distinct from - _ruficeps_). - - [8] _Peucæa botterii_, SCLATER, Cat. Am. B. 1862, 116 - (_Zonotrichia b._ P. Z. S. 1857, 214), Orizaba. - _Coturniculus mexicana_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, 1867, - 474 (Colima). - - This form can scarcely be defined separately from - _æstivalis_. The type of _C. mexicanus_, LAWR., is - undistinguishable from Orizaba specimens. A specimen in the - worn summer plumage (44,752♀, Mirador, July) differs in - having the streaks above almost wholly black, with scarcely - any rufous edge; the crown is almost uniformly blackish. The - feathers are very much worn, however, and the specimen is - without doubt referrible to _botteri_. - - The _Peucæa notosticta_ of SCLATER (P. Z. S. 1868, 322) we - have not seen; it appears to differ in some important - respects from the forms diagnosed above, and may, possibly, - be a good species. Its place in our system appears to be - with section “A,” but it differs from _ruficeps_ and - _boucardi_ in the median stripe on the crown, and the black - streaks in the rufous of the lateral portion, the blacker - streaks of the dorsal region, and some other less important - points of coloration. The size appears to be larger than in - any of the forms given in our synopsis (wing, 2.70; tail, - 3.00). _Hab._ States of Puebla and Mexico, Mex. - - -Peucæa æstivalis, CABANIS. - -BACHMAN’S SPARROW. - - _Fringilla æstivalis_, LICHT. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 25, No. - 254.—BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 481. _Peucæa æstivalis_, - CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1850, 132.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 484. - _Fringilla bachmani_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 366, pl. clxv. - _Ammodromus bachmani_, BON. List, 1838. _Peucæa bachmani_, AUD. - Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 113, pl. clxxvi.—BON. - Consp. 1850, 481 (type). _Fringilla æstiva_, NUTT. I, (2d ed.,) - 1840, 568. “_Summer finch_, LATHAM, Synopsis, (2d ed.,) VI, - 136.” NUTTALL. - - [Illustration: _Peucæa æstivalis._] - -SP. CHAR. All the feathers of the upper parts rather dark brownish-red -or chestnut, margined with bluish-ash, which almost forms a median -stripe on the crown. Interscapular region and upper tail-coverts with -the feathers becoming black in the centre. An indistinct ashy -superciliary stripe. Under parts pale yellow-brownish, tinged with -ashy on the sides, and with darker brownish across the upper part of -the breast. A faint maxillary dusky line. Indistinct streaks of -chestnut along the sides. Edge of wing yellow; lesser coverts tinged -with greenish. Innermost secondaries abruptly margined with narrow -whitish. Legs yellow. Bill above dusky, yellowish beneath. Outer -tail-feathers obsoletely marked with a long blotch of paler at end. -Female considerably smaller. Young with rounded dusky specks on the -jugulum, which is more ochraceous. Length, 6.25; wing, 2.30; tail, -2.78. - -HAB. Georgia; Florida; South Illinois, breeding (RIDGWAY). (Perhaps -whole of Southern States from Florida to South Illinois.) - -Specimens from Southern Illinois (Wabash Co., July, 1871; coll. of R. -Ridgway) are similar to Florida examples. - -HABITS. Bachman’s Finch has only been known, until very recently, as a -species of a very restricted range, and confined within the limits of -the States of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Our principal, and -for some time our only, knowledge of its habits was derived from the -account furnished by Rev. Dr. Bachman to Mr. Audubon. That observing -naturalist first met with it in the month of April, 1832, near -Parker’s Ferry, on the Edisto River, in South Carolina. Dr. Henry -Bryant afterwards met with this species at Indian River, in Florida, -where he obtained specimens of its nests and eggs. Dr. Alexander -Gerhardt also found these Sparrows common at Varnell’s Station, in the -northern part of Georgia. Professor Joseph Leconte has taken it near -Savannah, and Mr. W. L. Jones has also obtained several specimens in -Liberty County, in the same State. - -After meeting with this species on the Edisto, Dr. Bachman -ascertained, upon searching for them in the vicinity of Charlestown, -that they breed in small numbers on the pine barrens, about six miles -north of that city. He was of the opinion that it is by no means so -rare in that State as has been supposed, but that it is more often -heard than seen. When he first heard it, the notes so closely -resembled those of the Towhee Bunting that for a while he mistook them -for those of that bird. Their greater softness and some slight -variations at last induced him to suspect that the bird was something -different, and led him to go in pursuit. After that it was quite a -common thing for him to hear as many as five or six in the course of a -morning’s ride, but he found it almost impossible to get even a sight -of the bird. This is owing, not so much to its being so wild, as to -the habit it has of darting from the tall pine-trees, on which it -usually sits to warble out its melodious notes, and concealing itself -in the tall broom-grass that is almost invariably found in the places -it frequents. As soon as it alights it runs off, in the manner of a -mouse, and hides itself in the grass, and it is extremely difficult to -get a sight of it afterwards. - -It was supposed by Dr. Bachman—correctly, as it has been -ascertained—to breed on the ground, where it is always to be found -when it is not singing. He never met with its nest. In June, 1853, he -observed two pairs of these birds, each having four young. They were -pretty well fledged, and were following their parents along the low -scrub-oaks of the pine lands. - -Dr. Bachman regarded this bird as decidedly the finest songster of the -Sparrow family with which he was acquainted. Its notes are described -as very loud for the size of the bird, and capable of being heard at a -considerable distance in the pine woods where it occurs, and where at -that season it is the only singer. - -He also states that, by the middle of November, they have all -disappeared, probably migrating farther south. It is quite probable -that they do not go beyond the limits of the United States, and that -some remain in South Carolina during the whole of winter, as on the -6th of February, the coldest part of the year, Dr. Bachman found one -of them in the long grass near Charleston. - -Mr. Audubon says that on his return from Florida, in June, 1832, -travelling through both the Carolinas, he observed many of these -Finches on the sides of the roads cut through the pine woods of South -Carolina. They filled the air with their melodies. He traced them as -far as the boundary line of North Carolina, but saw none within the -limits of that State. They were particularly abundant about the Great -Santee River. - -This Finch, hitherto assumed to be an exclusively southeastern -species, has recently been detected by Mr. Ridgway in Southern -Illinois, where it is a summer resident, and where it breeds, but is -not abundant. It inhabits old fields, where, perched upon a -fence-stake or an old dead tree, it is described as chanting a very -delightful song. It was first taken on the 12th of July, 1871, on the -road about half-way between Mount Carmel and Olney. The bird was then -seen on a fence, and its unfamiliar appearance and fine song at once -attracted his notice as he was riding by. As several were heard -singing in the same neighborhood, it seemed common in that locality, -and as a young bird was taken in its first plumage there is no doubt -that it is a regular summer visitant of Southern Illinois, and breeds -there. Mr. Ridgway speaks of its song as one of the finest he has ever -heard, most resembling the sweet chant of the Field Sparrow, but is -stronger, and varied by a clear, high, and very musical strain. He -describes its song as resembling the syllables _thééééééé-til-lūt_, -_lūt-lūt_, the first being a very fine trill pitched in a very high -musical key, the last syllable abrupt and metallic in tone. - -The food of this species, Dr. Bachman states, consists of the seeds of -grasses, and also of coleopterous insects, as well as of a variety of -the small berries so abundant in that part of the country. He speaks -of its flight as swift, direct, and somewhat protracted, and adds that -it is often out of sight before it alights. - -Dr. Coues did not meet with this Sparrow in South Carolina, but he was -informed by Professor Leconte that it occurs about Columbia and -elsewhere in the State, frequenting open pine woods and old dry -fields. - -Dr. Bryant met with its nest in Florida, April 20. It was similar, in -construction, to that of the Savannah Sparrow, and contained five -eggs. It was the only Sparrow found by him in the pine barrens near -Enterprise, and was only seen occasionally, when it was a very -difficult bird to shoot, as it runs round in the grass more like a -mouse than a bird, and will not fly until almost trodden on, then -moving only a few feet at a time. - -The nests of this bird, found by Dr. Bryant in Florida and by Dr. -Gerhardt in Northern Georgia, were all placed upon the ground and -concealed in tufts of thick grass, and constructed entirely of coarse -wiry grasses, with no other lining than this material. The eggs, four -in number, are of a pure, almost brilliant white, of a rounded oval -shape, and measure .74 by .60 of an inch. - - -Peucæa æstivalis var. arizonæ, RIDGWAY. - -ARIZONA SPARROW. - - _Peucæa cassini_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 486. (Los Nogales specimen.) - -SP. CHAR. (6,327 ♂, Los Nogales, Northern Sonora, June, C. B. -Kennerly.) Similar to _P. æstivalis_, but paler; wings and tail -longer. Above light chestnut, all the feathers margined and tipped -with bluish-gray, but the reddish prevailing. Interscapular and crown -feathers with a narrow streak of black, those on crown indistinct. -Beneath dull white, tinged with ashy-ochraceous across the breast and -along the sides; crissum pale ochraceous. An obsolete light -superciliary, and narrow dusky maxillary stripe. Bend of wing yellow; -lesser coverts tinged with greenish-yellow. Length, 6 inches; wing, -2.65; tail, 3.00; bill, .32 from nostril, .25 deep at base; tarsus, -.80; middle toe, .63. - -HAB. Los Nogales, Sonora, and Southern Arizona. - -This race has a considerable resemblance to _P. æstivalis_, but -differs in some appreciable points. The brown of the upper parts is -paler, and the ashy edging to the feathers appears rather less -extensive. The dark brown blotches on the back are of greater extent, -the black streaks on the back confined to a mere streak along the -shaft. There is less of an olive tinge across the breast. - -The proportions of the present race differ more from those of -_æstivalis_ than do the colors, the bill being more slender, and the -wings and tail considerably longer. - -The resemblance to _P. botterii_ (= _æstivalis_, var. _botterii_) of -Sclater, from Middle Mexico (Orizaba, Colima, etc.), is very close; -the difference being greater in the proportions than in the colors, -the latter having a shorter wing and tail, with thicker bill, as in -var. _æstivalis_. In _botterii_ there is rather a predominance of the -black over the rufous in the streaks above. - -HABITS. This, in its general habits, nesting, eggs, etc., probably -resembles the variety _æstivalis_. - - -Peucæa cassini, BAIRD. - -CASSIN’S SPARROW. - - _Zonotrichia cassini_, WOODHOUSE, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. VI, April, 1852, - 60 (San Antonio). _Passerculus cassini_, WOODHOUSE, - Sitgreaves’s Rep. Zuñi and Colorado, 1853, 85; Birds, pl. iv. - _Peucæa cassini_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 485, pl. iv, f. - 2.—HEERMANN, X, c, p. 12, pl. iv, f. 2.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 219 (not from Cal.). - -SP. CHAR. (6,329 ♂, Texas; compared with type of species.) -Ground-color of upper parts grayish-ash; the middle portion of each -feather dull brown, in the form of a blotch, and with a black -shaft-streak, the latter becoming modified on scapulars, rump, and -upper tail-coverts, into transverse spots, those on the upper -tail-coverts being large and conspicuous, and in the form of -crescentic spots, the terminal margin of the feathers being lighter -ashy in sharp contrast. Middle tail-feathers clear ashy, with a -sharply defined shaft-streak of blackish, throwing off obsolete, -narrow, transverse bars toward the edge; rest of tail clear -dusky-brown, the lateral feather with whole outer web, and margin of -the inner, dull white, all, except the intermediate, with a large, -abruptly defined, terminal space of dilute brown (decreasing in size -from the outer), the margin whitish. Upper secondaries broadly and -sharply margined along both edges with dull ashy-white, the enclosed -portion being clear dusky brown, intensified where adjoining the -whitish. A very obsolete superciliary stripe of ashy, becoming whitish -over the lore; auriculars more dingy, but without distinct stripe -along upper edge. An uninterrupted but indistinct “bridle” along sides -of throat. Lower parts dull white, without any ochraceous, but with a -very faint ashy tinge ever the jugulum; flanks with broad, somewhat -blended streaks of mixed brownish and dusky. Bend of wing edged with -light yellow. Wing, 2.55; tail, 2.80; bill, .28 from nostril and .23 -deep; tarsus, .68; middle toe, .55. - -_Young._ (45,277, Laredo, Texas, June 28.) Very similar, but with a -few drop-shaped streaks of dark brown on the jugulum and along sides. -The feathers above have a more appreciable terminal border of buff. - -HAB. Rio Grande region of Southern Middle Province; Kansas, breeding -(ALLEN). San Antonio, Texas, summer (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 489; eggs); -? Orizaba, temp. reg. (SUM. M. B. S. I, 551). - -In the Birds of North America, the specimen characterized on p. 637 of -the present work as _æstivalis_, var. _arizonæ_, was referred to _P. -cassini_, those specimens which are here retained as such being -considered as in quite immature plumage. A more recent examination of -additional material, however, has compelled us to change our view. In -consequence of the similarity of the specimen in question to -_æstivalis_, as noted in the article referred to above, the general -acceptation of the name _cassini_ has been that of a term designating -a variety of the common species; but we have as the result of the -investigation in question found it necessary to retain under the head -of “_cassini_” only the typical specimens from the Rio Grande region, -and refer the supposed aberrant specimen to _æstivalis_. In this Los -Nogales specimen we find existing such differences in proportions and -colors as are sufficient to warrant our bestowing upon it a new name, -and establishing it as the Middle Province race of _æstivalis_, in -this way connecting the South Atlantic and Mexican races (var. -_æstivalis_ and var. _botterii_) by a more similar form than the _P. -cassini_, which must be set apart as an independent form,—in all -probability a good species. Several facts are favorable to this view. -First, we have of the _P. cassini_ specimens which are beyond question -in perfect adult plumage, and others which are undoubtedly immature; -they differ from each other only in such respects as would be -expected, and agree substantially in other characters, by which they -are distinguished from the different styles of _æstivalis_. Secondly, -the region to be filled by a peculiar race of _æstivalis_ is -represented by the var. _arizonæ_, which is undoubtedly referable to -that species; thus we have in one province these two different forms, -which therefore are probably distinct. - -The present bird is hardly less distinct from the races of _æstivalis_ -than is _ruficeps_; and we would be as willing to consider all the -definable forms presented in the synopsis as varieties of a single -species, as to refer the present bird to _æstivalis_. - -HABITS. This Finch, in its general appearance, as well as in respect -to habits, nesting, and eggs, is quite similar to Bachman’s Finch. It -was first met with by Dr. Woodhouse, in the expedition to the Zuñi -River, when he found it in Western Texas. He shot it on the prairies -near San Antonio, on the 25th of April, 1851, mistaking it for -_Passerculus savanna_, which, in its habits, it seemed to him very -much to resemble, but upon examination it was found to be totally -distinct. - -Dr. Heermann afterwards, being at Comanche Springs in Texas, had his -attention attracted by the new note of a bird unfamiliar to him. It -was found, after some observation, to proceed from this species. He -describes it as rising with a tremulous motion of its wings some -twenty feet or more, and then descending again, in the same manner, to -within a few yards of the spot whence it started, and as accompanying -its entire flight with a lengthened and pleasing song. The country in -that neighborhood is very barren, covered with low stunted bushes, in -which the bird takes refuge on being alarmed, gliding rapidly through -the grass and shrubbery, and very adroitly and effectually evading its -pursuer. He observed them during four or five days of the journey of -his party, and after that saw no more of them. They seemed, at the -time, to be migrating, though their continued and oft-repeated song -also showed that they were not far from readiness for the duties of -incubation. - -The _Peucæa cassini_ is said, by Mr. Sumichrast, to be a resident -species in the valley of Orizaba, in the State of Vera Cruz, Mexico, -and to be generally distributed throughout the temperate region of -that district. It is very probable, however, that he has in view the -Mexican race of _P. æstivalis_ (var. _botterii_), and not the present -species. - -Mr. J. A. Allen, who considers this bird only a western form of _P. -æstivalis_, mentions (Am. Naturalist, May, 1872) finding it quite -frequently near the streams in Western Kansas, where its sweetly -modulated song greets the ear with the first break of dawn, and is -again heard at night till the last trace of twilight has disappeared. -Mr. Allen also states, in a letter, that this bird was “tolerably -common along the streams near Fort Hays, but very retiring, singing -mostly after nightfall and before sunrise, during the morning -twilight. When singing, it had the habit of rising into the air. I -shot three one morning thus singing, when it was so dark I could not -find the birds. The one I obtained does not differ appreciably from -specimens from Mr. Cassin’s collection, labelled by him _Peucæa -cassini_, collected in Texas.” - -Mr. Ridgway regards this record of the manners of this bird, while -singing, as indicating a specific difference from _P. æstivalis_. The -latter, in Southern Illinois, has never been heard by him to sing at -night, or in the morning, nor even on the wing; but in broad midday, -in the hottest days of June, July, and August, he often heard them -singing vigorously and sweetly, as they perched upon a fence or a dead -tree in a field, exactly after the manner of our common _Spizella -pusilla_. - -Among Dr. Heermann’s notes, quoted by Mr. Dresser, is one containing -the statement that he found this species not rare on the prairies near -the Medina River, in Texas, where it breeds. Mr. Dresser also states -that when at Howard’s Ranche, early in May, he found this bird by no -means uncommon. He confirms Dr. Heermann’s account, that it is easily -distinguished as it rises in the air, from a bush, with a peculiar -fluttering motion of the wings, at the same time singing, and then -suddenly dropping into the bushes again. He adds that, in his absence, -Dr. Heermann procured the eggs of this species on the Medina, and -while he was himself travelling in July towards Loredo, he found a -nest which he was fully confident belonged to this bird. It was placed -in a low bush not above a foot from the ground, and in its -construction resembled that of the _Poospiza bilineata_. The eggs were -three in number, pure white, closely agreeing with those taken by Dr. -Heermann, and larger and more elongated than those of the _bilineata_. - -An egg of this species, taken in Texas by Dr. H. R. Storer, the -identification of which, however, was incomplete, is more oblong than -the eggs of _P. æstivalis_, and smaller, measuring .72 by .58 of an -inch. It is pure white also. - - -Peucæa ruficeps, BAIRD. - -RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. - - _Ammodromus ruficeps_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. VI, Oct. 1852, 184 - (California).—IB. Illust. I, v, 1854, 135, pl. xx. _Peucæa - ruficeps_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 486.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 218. - -SP. CHAR. Above brownish-ashy. The crown and nape uniform -brownish-chestnut, the interscapular region and neck with the feathers -of this color, except around the margins. A superciliary ashy stripe, -whiter at the base of the bill. Beneath pale yellowish-brown, or -brownish-yellow, darker and more ashy across the breast and on the -sides of body; middle of belly and chin lighter; the latter with a -well-marked line of black on each side. Edge of wing white. Under -tail-coverts more rufous. Legs yellow. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.35; tail, -2.85. - -HAB. Coast of California, to Mexico; ? Oaxaca, March (SCL. 1859, 380); -? Vera Cruz, temperate region; resident (SUM. M. B. S. I, 552). - -This plainly colored species has the bill rather slender; tail rather -long, and considerably rounded; the outer feathers .40 of an inch -shorter than the middle; the feathers soft, and rounded at the tip. -The wing is short; the primaries not much longer than the tertials; -the second, third, fourth, and fifth nearly equal; the first scarcely -longer than the secondaries. - -There is a blackish tinge on the forehead, separated by a short -central line of white, as in _Spizella socialis_. The eyelids are -whitish, and there is a short black line immediately over the upper -lid. There is a faint chestnut streak back of the eye. The chestnut of -the nape is somewhat interrupted by pale edgings. The blotches on the -back melt almost insensibly into the colors of the margins of the -feathers. The outer edges of the secondaries and tertials, and the -outer surface of the tail, are yellowish-rusty. - -This bird is similar in general appearance to the _P. æstivalis_, but -has the head above more continuous chestnut; the black cheek-stripe -more distinct, and the edge of wing whitish, not yellow, the bill more -slender. A Mexican specimen has a stouter bill. - -The _P. boucardi_ of Sclater (= _ruficeps_, var. _boucardi_; see -table, p. 634), from Mexico, is exceedingly similar, it being very -difficult to present the differences in a diagnosis. This trouble is -partly the result of the insufficient series at our command, for there -are such different combinations of colors, according to the season, -that it is almost impossible to select the average characters of two -definable forms. - -HABITS. This species was first described, in 1852, by Mr. Cassin, from -a specimen obtained in California by Dr. Heermann. Very little is -known as to its history, and it appears to have been generally -overlooked by naturalists who have studied the ornithology of that -State. The extent of its distribution or of its numbers remains -unknown,—a circumstance due undoubtedly to the nature of the country -which it frequents. - -Dr. Heermann states that in the fall of 1851 he shot on the Cosumnes -River a single specimen of this bird from among a large flock of -Sparrows of various kinds. In the spring of the following year, among -the mountains, near the Calaveras River, he found it quite abundant. -It was then flying in pairs, engaged in picking grass-seed from the -ground, and when started it never extended its flight beyond a few -yards. Its notes, in their character, reminded him of the ditty of our -common little Chipping Sparrow (_Spizella socialis_). He obtained -several specimens. Its flight seemed feeble, and when raised from the -ground, from which it would not start until almost trodden on, it -would fly but a short distance, and almost immediately drop again into -the grass. - -Dr. Cooper has only met with this species on Catalina Island, in June, -where a few kept about the low bushes, feeding on the ground. They -were very difficult even to get a sight of. He heard them sing a few -musical notes, that reminded him of those of the _Cyanospizæ_. They -flew only a short distance, and in their habits reminded him of the -_Melospizæ_. Their favorite places of resort he supposes to be pine -woods, as in the eastern species. - -The fact that this species has been found by Mr. Sumichrast to be a -permanent resident throughout all the temperate regions of Vera Cruz -is a very interesting one, and is suggestive of different manners and -habits from those supposed to belong to it as a bird allied with the -_Ammodrami_. They are abundant, and breed there, as in the United -States, but nothing is given throwing any positive light upon their -general habits. - - -GENUS EMBERNAGRA, LESSON. - - _Embernagra_, LESSON, Traité d’Ornith., 1831 (AGASSIZ). (Type, - _Saltator viridis_, VIEILLOT.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill conical, elongated, compressed; the upper outline -considerably curved, the lower straight; the commissure slightly -concave, and faintly notched at the end. Tarsi lengthened; -considerably longer than the middle toe. Outer toe a little longer -than the inner, not reaching quite to the base of the middle claw. -Hind toe about as long as the middle without its claw. Wings very -short, and much rounded; the tertials nearly equal to the primaries; -the secondaries a little shorter; the outer four primaries much -graduated, even the second shorter than any other quill. The tail is -moderate, about as long as the wings, much graduated; the feathers -rather narrow, linear, and elliptically rounded at the end; the outer -webs more than usually broad in proportion to the inner, being more -than one third as wide. The upper parts are olive-green, the under -whitish. - -The position of this genus is a matter of considerable uncertainty. On -some accounts it would be better placed among the _Spizinæ_. - -There are numerous tropical species of this genus; none of them are -nearly allied, however, to the single North American species. - - -Embernagra rufivirgata, LAWRENCE. - -TEXAS SPARROW. - - _Embernagra rufivirgata_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, May, 1851, - 112, pl. v, f. 2 (Texas).—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1856, - 306.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 487, pl. lv. f. 2.—IB. Mex. - Bound. II, Birds, 16, pl. xvii, f. 2. _Zonotrichia plebeja_, - LICHT. BON. Comptes Rend. 43, 1856, 413. - - [Line drawing: _Embernagra rufivirgata_, Lawr. - 29229 ♀] - -SP. CHAR. Above uniform olivaceous-green. A stripe on each side of the -head, and one behind the eye, dull brownish-rufous, an ashy -superciliary stripe whiter anteriorly. Under parts brownish-white, -tinged with yellowish posteriorly, and with olivaceous on the sides; -white in the middle of the belly. Edge of wing, under coverts, and -axillaries bright yellow. Young with the head-stripes obsolete. -Length, 5.50; wing, 2.60; tail, 2.70. - -HAB. Valley of the Rio Grande, and probably of Gila, southward; -Mazatlan, Mexico. Oaxaca, April (SCL. 1859, 380); Cordova; Vera Cruz, -temperate and hot regions, breeding (SUM. M. B. S. I, 551); Yucatan -(LAWR. IX, 201). - -In this species the bill is rather long; the wings are very short, and -much rounded; the tertials equal to the primaries; the secondaries -rather shorter; the first quill is .65 of an inch shorter than the -seventh, which is longest. The tail is short; the lateral feathers -much graduated; the outer half an inch shorter than the middle. - -All the Mexican specimens before us have the bill stouter than those -from the Rio Grande of Texas, the stripes on the head apparently -better defined. The back is darker olive; the flanks brighter -olive-green, not olive-gray, the wings are apparently shorter. The -series is not sufficiently perfect to show other differences, if any -exist. - - [Illustration: _Embernagra rufivirgata._] - -HABITS. In regard to the habits and distribution of this species we -are entirely without any information, other than that it has been met -with in the valley of the Rio Grande, and at various places in Mexico. -Specimens were obtained at New Leon, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch, and -at Ringgold Barracks, in Texas, by Mr. J. H. Clark. The season when -these birds were met with is not indicated by him. - -It is stated by Mr. Sumichrast that this species is found throughout -both the temperate and the hot districts of the State of Vera Cruz, -Mexico. He also mentions that he has found this bird in localities -quite remote from each other, and belonging both to the hot and to the -temperate regions. In the latter it is found to the height of at least -four thousand feet. - -This species was met with by Mr. Boucard, during the winter months, at -Plaza Vicente, in the hot lowlands of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. - - -SUBFAMILY PASSERELLINÆ. - -CHAR. Toes and claws very stout; the lateral claws reaching beyond the -middle of the middle one; all very slightly curved. - - [Line drawing: _Passerella iliaca_. - 846] - -Bill conical, the outlines straight; both mandibles equal; wings long, -longer than the even tail or slightly rounded, reaching nearly to the -middle of its exposed portion. Hind claw longer than its digit; the -toe nearly as long as the middle toe; tarsus longer than the middle -toe. Brown above, either uniformly so or faintly streaked; triangular -spots below. - -This section embraces a single North American genus, chiefly -characterized by the remarkable elongation of the lateral claws, as -well as by the peculiar shape and large size of all the claws; the -lateral, especially, are so much lengthened as to extend nearly as far -as the middle. The only approach to this, as far as I recollect, among -United States _Conirostres_, is in _Pipilo megalonyx_, and -_Xanthocephalus icterocephalus_. - - -GENUS PASSERELLA, SWAINSON. - - _Passerella_, SWAINSON, Class. Birds, II, 1837, 288. (Type, - _Fringilla iliaca_, MERREM.) - -GEN. CHAR. Body stout. Bill conical, not notched, the outlines -straight; the two jaws of equal depth; roof of upper mandible deeply -excavated, and vaulted; not knobbed. Tarsus scarcely longer than the -middle toe; outer toe little longer than the inner, its claw reaching -to the middle of the central one. Hind toe about equal to the inner -lateral; the claws all long, and moderately curved only; the posterior -rather longer than the middle, and equal to its toe. Wings long, -pointed, reaching to the middle of the tail; the tertials scarcely -longer than secondaries; second and third quills longest; first equal -to the fifth. Tail very nearly even, scarcely longer than the wing. -Inner claw contained scarcely one and a half times in its toe proper. - -_Color._ Rufous or slaty; obsoletely streaked or uniform above; -thickly spotted with triangular blotches beneath. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Ground-color above, slaty-ash, or sepia; wings, -upper tail-coverts, and tail more rufescent. Beneath, pure white, with -numerous triangular spots over breast and throat, streaks along sides, -and a triangular blotch on side of throat, of the same color as the -wings. The pectoral spots aggregated on the middle of the breast. - - A. Hind claw not longer than its digit. Back with broad - streaks of dark rufous. - - 1. P. iliaca. Ground-color above ash (more or less - overlaid in winter with a rufous wash); wings, dorsal - spots, upper tail-coverts, tail, auriculars, and - markings of lower parts, bright reddish-rufous. Wing, - 3.50; tail, 2.90; tarsus, .87; middle toe, without claw, - .67; hind claw, .35. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North - America. - - B. Hind claw much longer than its digit. Back without - streaks. - - 2. P. townsendi. - - Head and neck above with back, scapulars, and rump, - rich sepia-brown, almost uniform with wings and tail. - Belly thickly spotted; tibiæ deep brown; supraloral - space not whitish. Wing, 3.05; tail, 2.85; tarsus, - .80; middle toe, .62; hind claw, .43. _Hab._ Pacific - Province of North America, from Kodiak south to Fort - Tejon, Cal. (in winter) var. _townsendi_. - - Head and neck above, with back, scapulars, and rump, - slaty-ash, in strong contrast with the rufescent-brown - of wings and tail. Belly with only minute specks, or - immaculate; tibiæ grayish; supraloral space distinctly - white. Spots beneath clove-brown. - - Bill, .34 from nostril, by .25 deep at base; wing, - 3.30; tail, 3.50; tarsus, .85; middle toe, .60; hind - claw, .45. _Hab._ Middle Province of United States - var. _schistacea_. - - Bill, .35 from nostril and .47 deep; wing, 3.30; - tail, 3.50; tarsus, .83; middle toe, .63; hind claw, - .50. _Hab._ Sierra Nevada, from Fort Tejon, north to - Carson City, Nev. var. _megarhynchus_. - -No great violence would be done by considering all the above forms as -races of one species, the characters separating _iliaca_ from the rest -being of no great importance. However, in the large series examined, -there is no specimen of _iliaca_ at all aberrant, and none approach in -the slightest degree to any of the other forms. There can be no doubt -whatever of the specific identity of the three forms presented under -section “B,” as is plainly shown by specimens of intermediate -characters. These western forms are parallels of the western race of -_Melospiza_; _schistacea_ representing _M. fallax_, _megarhynchus_ the -_M. heermanni_, and _townsendi_ the _M. guttata_ or _rufina_. - - -Passerella iliaca, SWAINSON. - -FOX-COLORED SPARROW. - - _Fringilla iliaca_, MERREM. “Beitr. zur besond. Gesch. der Vögel, - II, 1786-87, 40, pl. x.”—GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 923.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 58; V, 512, pl. cviii.—IB. Syn. - 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 139, pl. clxxxvi. _Passerella - iliaca_, SW. Birds, II, 1837, 288.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 477.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 488.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 285.—SAMUELS, 325. _Fringilla - rufa_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 53, pl. xxiv, f. 4.—LICHT. - Verz. 1823, No. 248. _Fringilla ferruginea_, WILSON, Catalogue, - VI, 1812.—Hall’s ed. WILSON, II, 255. “_Emberiza pratensis_, - VIEILL.,” GRAY. - - [Illustration: _Passerella townsendi._] - -SP. CHAR. General aspect of upper parts foxy-red, the ground-color and -the sides of neck being ashy; the interscapular feathers each with a -large blotch of fox-red; this color glossing the top of head and nape; -sometimes faintly, sometimes more distinctly; the rump unmarked; the -upper coverts and surface of the tail continuous fox-red. Two narrow -white bands on the wing. Beneath, with under tail-coverts and -axillars, clear white, the sides of head and of throat, the jugulum, -breast, and sides of body, conspicuously and sharply blotched with -fox-red; more triangular across breast, more linear and darker on -sides. Sometimes the entire head above is continuously reddish. First -quill rather less than fifth. Hind toe about equal to its claw. -Length, 7.50; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.90; tarsus, .87; middle toe, without -claw, .67; hind claw, .35. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the Mississippi, to the north along -valley of the Mackenzie, almost or quite to the Arctic coast, and down -the valley of the Yukon to the Pacific. Breeds throughout the interior -of British America. - -In summer, the ash is more predominant above; in winter, it is -overlaid more or less by a wash of rufous, as described above. - -The young plumage we have not seen. The _P. obscura_, Verrill,[9] may -be referrible to it. - -HABITS. The Fox-colored Sparrow, in its seasons of migrations, is a -very common bird throughout the United States east of the Mississippi -River. It has not been ascertained to breed in any part of the United -States, though it may do so in Northeastern Maine. Mr. Boardman has -not met with it near Calais, nor did I see nor could I hear of it in -any part of Nova Scotia or New Brunswick that I visited. In passing -north, these birds begin their northern movements in the middle of -March, and from that time to the last of April they are gradually -approaching their summer quarters. Their first appearance near Boston -is about the 15th of March, and they linger in that vicinity, or -successive parties appear, until about the 20th of April. The last -comers are usually in song. On their return, the middle or last of -October, they pass rapidly, and usually make no stay. In Southwestern -Texas these birds were not observed by Mr. Dresser, nor in Arizona by -Dr. Coues, but in the Indian Territory Dr. Woodhouse found them very -abundant on the approach of winter. Dr. Coues speaks of them as common -in South Carolina from November to April, but less numerous than most -of the Sparrows. - -In the vicinity of Washington this bird is found from October to -April. I have met with small groups of them through all the winter -months among the fallen leaves in retired corners of the Capitol -grounds, where they were busily engaged, in the manner of a _Pipilo_, -in scratching in the earth for their food. At those periods when the -ground was open, their habits were eminently similar to those of the -gallinaceous birds. In March and April they were in company with the -White-throated Sparrows, but passed north at least a month earlier. - -During their stay in the United States these birds keep in small -distinctive flocks, never mingling, though often in the same places, -with other species. They are found in the edges of thickets and in -moist woods. They are usually silent, and only occasionally utter a -call-note, low and soft. In the spring the male becomes quite musical, -and is one of our sweetest and most remarkable singers. His voice is -loud, clear, and melodious; his notes full, rich, and varied; and his -song is unequalled by any of this family that I have ever heard. They -soon become reconciled to confinement and quite tame, and sing a good -part of the year if care is taken in regard to their food. If allowed -to eat to excess, they become very fat and heavy, and lose their song. - -Dr. Coues did not meet with these birds in Labrador, but Mr. Audubon -found them there and in Newfoundland in large numbers; and, according -to the observations of Sir John Richardson, they breed in the wooded -districts of the fur countries, up to the 68th parallel of latitude. - -These birds were also found abundantly at Fort Simpson and Great Slave -Lake by Mr. Robert Kennicott and Mr. B. R. Ross; at Fort Anderson, -Anderson River, Swan River, and in various journeys, by Mr. R. -MacFarlane; at Fort Resolution, Fort Good Hope, La Pierre House, and -Fort Yukon, by Mr. Lockhart; at Peel’s River, by Mr. J. Flett; at St. -Michael’s, by Mr. H. M. Bannister; and at Nulato, by Mr. W. H. Dall. -They were observed at Fort Simpson as early as May 17, and by Mr. -Kennicott as late as September 17. Mr. Dall states that at Nulato he -found this Sparrow in abundance. It arrived there from the 10th to the -15th of May. It breeds there, and its eggs were obtained on the Yukon -River. In the month of August in 1867 and of July in 1868 it was -abundant at the mouth of the Yukon and at St. Michael’s. One was also -shot at Unalaklik. The birds seemed to prefer thickets to the more -open country. Mr. Bannister did not find it abundant. He shot only one -specimen during the season, in an alder thicket near the fort; and Mr. -Pease, who was familiar with the species, only saw a single -individual. - -According to the reports of both Mr. MacFarlane and Mr. Kennicott, the -nest of this species was found both on the ground and in trees. In one -instance it was in a tree about eight feet from the ground, and in its -structure was said to be similar to the nests of _Turdus aliciæ_. They -were nearly all found after the middle of June, a few as early as the -7th. One was found on the ground at the foot of a tuft of dwarf -willows, which helped to conceal it from view. This was composed of -coarse hay, lined with some of a finer quality, a few deer-hairs, and -a small quantity of fresh and growing moss, intermingled together. In -speaking of this nest Mr. MacFarlane states that all the nests of this -Sparrow he had previously met with had been built in the midst of -branches of pine or spruce trees, and had been similar to those of the -_T. aliciæ_, which, in this instance, it did not resemble. He adds -that this species, though not numerous, extended quite to the borders -of the wooded country, to the north and northwest of Fort Anderson. -Afterwards he observed several other nests on the ground, all of which -were similar to the last, and it is by no means impossible that in -certain instances these birds may have occupied old nests of the _T. -aliciæ_, and used them for purposes of incubation. Richardson states -that its nests are constructed in a low bush, and are made of dry -grass, hair, and feathers. He states that the eggs are five in number, -of a pale mountain-green tint, and marbled with irregular spots of -brown. - -Mr. Audubon, who found several of the nests of this bird in Labrador, -near the coast, describes them as large for the size of the bird, and -as usually placed on the ground among moss or tall grass near the stem -of a creeping fir, the branches of which usually conceal it from view. -Its exterior is loosely formed of dry grasses and moss, with a -carefully disposed inner layer of fine grasses, circularly arranged. -The lining consists of very delicate fibrous roots, with feathers of -different kinds of water-fowl. In one instance he noted the down of -the eider-duck. He found their eggs from the middle of June to the 5th -of July. When their nest was approached, the female affected lameness, -and employed all the usual arts to decoy the intruder away. They -raised but one brood in a season, and about the first of September -left Labrador for the south in small flocks, made up of members of one -family. - -Their eggs measure from .92 to an inch in length, and .70 in breadth. -They are oblong in shape. Their ground-color is a light bluish-white, -thickly spotted with a rusty-brown, often so fully as to conceal the -ground. - - - [9] _Passerella obscura_, VERRILL, Pr. Bost. N. H. Soc. IX, - Dec. 1862, 143 (Anticosti). (Type in Museum Comp. Zoöl., - Cambridge.) - - “Size somewhat smaller than that of _P. iliaca_. Legs and - wings a little shorter in proportion. Claws less elongated. - Bill somewhat shorter, thicker, and less acute. Color above - rufous-brown, becoming bright rufous on the rump and exposed - portion of the tail, but a shade darker than in _P. iliaca_; - head uniform brown, with a slight tinge of ash; feathers of - the back centred with a streak of darker brown. Wings nearly - the same color as the back, with no white bands; outer webs - of the quills rufous, inner webs dark brown; secondary - coverts rufous, with dark brown centres; primary coverts - uniform brown. Beneath dull white, with the throat and - breast thickly covered with elongated triangular spots and - streaks of dark reddish-brown; sides streaked with - rufous-brown; middle of abdomen with a few small triangular - spots of dark brown; under tail-coverts brownish-white, with - a few small spots of bright rufous; tibiæ dark brown. The - auriculars are tinged with reddish-brown. Bristles at the - base of the bill are numerous, extending over the nostrils. - Tail rather long, broad, and nearly even. Third quill - longest; second and fourth equal, and but slightly shorter; - first intermediate between the fifth and sixth, and one - fourth of an inch shorter than the third. - - “Length, 6.75; extent of wings, 10.75; wing, 3.35; tarsus, 1 - inch. - - “This species differs greatly in color from _P. iliaca_. It - is darker in all parts; the feathers of the back are - rufous-brown, centred with darker, instead of ash centred - with brownish-red; the two white bands on the wing are - wanting; the breast and throat are thickly streaked with - elongated spots of dark reddish-brown, while in _P. iliaca_ - the spots are less numerous, shorter and broader, and bright - rufous, and the central part of the throat is nearly free - from spots; the under tail-coverts are brownish-white, with - rufous spots, instead of nearly pure white.” - - There are some features in this bird, as described by Mr. - Verrill, which seem to characterize it as different from _P. - iliaca_, although it is barely possible that it is this bird - in immature dress. The streaked back at once separates it - from all our species excepting _iliaca_. Nothing is said of - its habits. One specimen was killed in Anticosti, July 1; - the other, August 8. The true _iliaca_ was found on the - island, which fact renders it still more probable that this - is its young. - - -Passerella townsendi, NUTTALL. - -TOWNSEND’S SPARROW. - - _? Emberiza unalaschkensis_, GMEL. II, 1788, 875 (based on - _Aonalaschka Bunting_, LATH. II, 202, 48; _Unalaschka B._, - PENNANT, 52). _Passerella u._ FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 53 - (Alaska). _Fringilla townsendi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 236, - pl. ccccxxiv, f. 7.—IB. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, - 43, pl. clxxxvii. _Fringilla (Passerella) townsendi_, NUTT. - Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 533. _Passerella townsendi_, BON. - Conspectus, 1850, 477.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 489.—COOPER - & SUCKLEY, 204.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 285. - _Fringilla meruloides_, VIG. Zoöl. Blossom (Monterey, Cal.), - 1839, 19. _? Emberiza (Zonotrichia) rufina_, KITTLITZ, Denkw. - 1858, 200. (He compares it with _P. iliaca_, but says it is - darker. Sitka.) - -SP. CHAR. Above very dark olive-brown, with a tinge of rufous, the -color continuous and uniform throughout, without any trace of blotches -or spots; the upper tail-coverts and outer edges of the wing and tail -feathers rather lighter and brighter. The under parts white, but -thickly covered with approximating triangular blotches colored like -the back, sparsest on the middle of the body and on the throat; the -spots on the belly smaller. Side almost continuously like the back; -tibiæ and under tail-coverts similar, the latter edged with paler. -Axillars brown; paler on edges. Claws all very large and long; the -hinder claw longer than its toe. First and sixth quills about equal. -Length, about 7 inches; wing, about 3.00. - -HAB. Pacific coast of United States, as far south as Sacramento, and -Fort Tejon? north to Kodiak (and Unalaschka?). - - [Line drawing: _Passerella townsendi._ - 2874 ♀] - -This species differs a good deal in form from _P. iliaca_. The claws -are much larger and stouter, the wing a good deal shorter and more -rounded. The differences in color are very appreciable, the tints -being dark sepia-brown instead of red, and perfectly uniform above, -not spotted; the under parts much more thickly spotted. - -Specimens from Alaska show a tendency to longer and perhaps more -slender bills. Some are rather more rufous-brown than the type; others -have a faint tinge of ashy anteriorly, although scarcely appreciable. -This is especially noticeable in some skins from Fort Tejon, they -being almost exactly intermediate between _townsendi_ and -_schistacea_, or _megarhynchus_. - -Young birds are not materially different from the adult, except in -having the white of under parts replaced by pale rusty; the back is -rather duller in color, but without spots or stripes of any kind. - -No. 46,620 from British Columbia has the bill much stouter than in the -average. - -It is by no means certain, however probable, that this bird is the _E. -unalaschkensis_ of Gmelin, an important objection being its absence so -far in collections received by the Smithsonian Institution from that -island. We therefore leave the question open for the present. - -HABITS. The history of this western analogue of the Fox-colored -Sparrow is still quite imperfectly known. It was first obtained in -Oregon by Mr. Townsend, on the 15th of February. He describes it as a -very active and a very shy bird, keeping constantly among the low -bushes of wormwood, and on the ground in their vicinity. It was -partially gregarious, six or eight being usually seen together. Its -call-note was a short, sharp, quick chirp, and it also had -occasionally a low weak warble. - -Dr. Gambel, referring probably to its occurrence in winter in -California, speaks of this bird as an abundant resident in that State, -which is not correct, it being only a winter visitant, and not -abundant south of San Francisco. He describes its habits as very -different from those of any other Sparrow, and more like those of a -Thrush. It is said to keep in retired bushy places, or in underwood, -and was scarcely ever seen except on the ground, and then would -scarcely ever be discovered but for the noise it made in scratching -among the leaves. It was silent and unsuspicious, and he rarely heard -it utter even its occasional chirp. - -Dr. Cooper states that he found this Sparrow only a winter resident in -Washington Territory, where, in company with other Sparrows, it kept -constantly on the ground, frequenting the thickets and scratching -among the fallen leaves for its food. It was most common in the -interior, but in very cold weather sought the coast, in company with -the Snowbird and other species. He observed a few lingering about the -Straits of Fuca until April. After that he saw no more of them until -their return southward in October. During their winter residence Dr. -Cooper never heard them sing. Dr. Suckley found them rather abundant -near Fort Steilacoom, though not so common as the _Melospiza rufina_, -which they greatly resembled in habits and in general appearance. - -Dr. Heermann describes them as abundant and migratory in California, -visiting that State only in winter. He speaks of them as of a solitary -and quiet nature, resorting to the thickets and underwood for its -food, turning over the leaves and scratching up the ground in the -manner of the Brown Thrush, occasionally hopping backwards as if to -ascertain the results of its labors. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Report on the Birds of California, reaffirms that -this bird is only a winter visitant to the lower country near the -Columbia, but also conjectures that it spends the summer in the -Cascade Mountains, between April and October. Specimens have been -obtained near San Francisco in winter. It seemed to him to be both a -shy and a silent bird, frequenting only woods or thick bushes, and -while there constantly scratching among the fallen leaves, and feeding -both on seeds and insects. He has seen either this bird or the _P. -megarhynchus_ as far south as San Diego in winter. He has also noticed -its arrival near San Francisco as early as October 20. - -On the Spokan Plains, in British Columbia, Mr. J. K. Lord first met -with this species. They were there not uncommon in dark swampy places -east of the Cascades. These birds he found remarkable for their -singular habit of scratching dead leaves or decayed material of any -sort with their feet, exactly as do barn-door fowls,—sending the dirt -right, left, and behind. It picks up seeds, insects, larvæ, or -anything eatable that it thus digs out, and then proceeds to scratch -for more. The long and unusually strong claws with which this bird is -provided seem particularly well adapted for these habits, so unusual -in a Sparrow. At almost any time, by waiting a few moments, one may be -pretty sure to hear the scratching of several of these birds from -under the tangle of fallen timber. - -Several specimens were obtained in Sitka by Bischoff and others, but -without any record of their habits. - - -Passerella townsendi, var. schistacea, BAIRD. - - _Passerella schistacea_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 490, pl. lxix, f. 3. - - [Line drawing: 11234 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Bill slender, the length being .34 from nostril, the depth -.25; the upper mandible much swollen at the base; the under yellow. -Above and on the sides uniform slate-gray; the upper surface of wings, -tail-feathers, and upper coverts dark brownish-rufous; ear-coverts -streaked with white. Beneath pure white, with broad triangular -arrow-shaped and well-defined spots of slate-gray like the back -everywhere, except along the middle of the belly; not numerous on the -throat. A hoary spot at the base of the bill above the loral region; -axillars nearly white. Length, 6.80; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.50. - -HAB. Head-waters of Platte and middle region of United States to Fort -Tejon and to Fort Crook, California. - -This species is readily distinguished from _P. iliaca_ by the slaty -back and spots on the breast, the absence of streaks above, and the -longer claws. From _townsendi_ it differs in having the head, back, -sides, and spots beneath slate-colored, instead of dark reddish-brown. -The spotting beneath is much more sparse, the spots smaller, more -triangular, and confined to the terminal portion of the feathers, -instead of frequently involving the entire outer edge. The axillars -are paler. The wings and tail are the same in both species. - -The young bird is quite similar; but the spots beneath are badly -defined, more numerous, and longitudinal rather than triangular. - -There can be little doubt, however, that this bird is a geographical -race of _P. townsendi_. - -HABITS. For all that we know in regard to the habits and general -distribution of this species, we are indebted to the observations of -Mr. Ridgway, who met with it while accompanying Mr. Clarence King’s -geological survey. It was first obtained in July, 1856, by Lieutenant -F. T. Bryan, on the Platte River, and others were afterwards collected -at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus. - -Mr. Ridgway found the Slate-colored Sparrow at Carson City, during its -spring migrations northward, in the early part of March. At this time -it was seen only among the willows along the Carson River, and was by -no means common. It had the habit of scratching among the dead leaves, -on the ground in the thickets, precisely after the manner of the -eastern _P. iliaca_. In the following September he again found it -among the thickets in the Upper Humboldt Valley. In Parley’s Park, -among the Wahsatch Mountains, he found it a very plentiful species in -June, nesting among the willows and other shrubbery along the streams. -There it was always found in company with the _M. fallax_, which in -song it greatly resembles, though its other notes are quite distinct, -the ordinary one being a sharp _chuck_. The nest of the two species, -he adds, were also so much alike in manner of construction and -situation, and the eggs so similar, that it required a careful -observation to identify a nest when one was found. - -The eggs from one nest of the _Passerella schistacea_ measure .90 by -.70 of an inch, have a ground of a light mountain-green, and are -profusely spotted with blotches of a rufous-brown, generally diffused -over the entire egg. - -Another nest of this species, obtained in Parley’s Park, in the -Wahsatch Mountains, by Mr. Ridgway, June 23, 1869, was built in a -clump of willows, about two feet from the ground. The nest is two -inches in height, two and a half in diameter, cavity one and a half -deep, with a diameter of two. It is composed externally of coarse -decayed water-grass, is lined with fine hair and finer material like -the outside. The eggs, four in number, are .80 by .67 of an inch, of a -very rounded oval shape, the ground-color of a pale green, blotched -and marked chiefly at the larger end with brown spots of a -wine-colored hue. - - -Passerella townsendi, var. megarhynchus, BAIRD. - -THICK-BILLED SPARROW. - - _Passerella schistacea_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, p. 490 (in part; - Ft. Tejon specimens). _Passerella megarhynchus_, BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, p. 925 (Appendix).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 222. - _Passerella schistacea_, var. _megarhynchus_, RIDGWAY, Rept. - Geol. Expl. 40th Par. - - [Line drawing: 13757 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _schistacea_ in colors, size, and general -proportions; but bill enormously thick, its depth being very much -greater than the distance from nostril to tip, instead of much less; -color of lower mandible rosy milk-white, instead of maize-yellow. -Bill, .35 from nostril, .47 deep; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.50; tarsus, .83; -middle toe without claw, .63; hind claw, .50. - -HAB. Sierra Nevada, from Fort Tejon north to 40° latitude (Carson -City, Nevada, breeding, RIDGWAY). - -This very remarkable variety of _P. townsendi_ is quite local in its -distribution, having been observed only in the Sierra Nevada region, -as above indicated. The first specimens were brought from Fort Tejon -by Mr. J. Xantus, but at what season they were found there is not -indicated on the labels. Recently, specimens were procured by Mr. -Ridgway at Carson City, Nev., in April, they having arrived there -about the 20th of April, frequenting the ravines of the Sierra near -the snow. At the same place the var. _schistacea_ was found earlier in -the spring, but among the willows along the streams in the valleys, -and not met with in the mountains; and all the individuals had passed -northward before those of _megarhynchus_ arrived. - -In this restricted distribution the present bird is a companion of the -_Melospiza melodia_, var. _heermanni_, and the characteristics of form -are the same in both as compared with their Middle Province and -Northern representatives; while they both differ from the latter -(_townsendi_ of _Passerella_, and _rufina_ of _Melospiza_) in purer, -lighter, and less brown colors. - -HABITS. Dr. Cooper met with several individuals of this bird towards -the summits of the Sierra Nevada, in September, 1863, but was unable -to preserve any of them. So far as he was able to observe them, they -had no song, and their habits were generally similar to those of the -_P. townsendi_. - -The Thick-billed Sparrow was found by Mr. Ridgway as a very common -bird among the alder swamps in the ravines of the eastern slope of the -Sierra Nevada during the summer. Near Carson City, April 25, in a -swampy thicket near the streams in the level slopes, he heard, for the -first time, its beautiful song, and killed a specimen in the midst of -its utterance of what, he adds, was one of the most exquisitely rich -utterances he ever heard. This song, he states, resembles, in richness -and volume, that of the Louisiana Water Thrush (_Seiurus -ludovicianus_), qualities in which that bird is hardly equalled by any -other North American bird. They were singing in all parts of that -swampy thicket, and up the ravines as far as the snow. From the nature -of the place and the character of their song, they were at first -supposed to be the Water Thrush, until specimens of these exquisite -songsters were secured. He regards this bird as second to none of our -singers belonging to this family and though in variety, sprightliness, -and continuity, and also in passionate emotional character, its song -is not equal to that of the _Chondestes grammaca_, yet it is far -superior in power and richness of tone. Mr. Ridgway regards this bird -as easily distinguishable from the _P. schistacea_, of which, however, -it is only a variety. There is a total discrepancy in its notes, and -while neither species is resident in the latitude of Carson City, -through which both kinds pass in their migrations, the _P. schistacea_ -lingers in the spring only a short time, soon passing to the -northward, while the _P. megarhynchus_ arrives later and remains -through the summer. The former makes its temporary abode among the -willows along the river, while the latter breeds in the shrubbery of -the mountain ravines. - - - SUBFAMILY SPIZINÆ. - -CHAR. Bill variable, always large, much arched, and with the culmen -considerably curved; sometimes of enormous size, and with a greater -development backward of the lower jaw, which is always appreciably, -sometimes considerably, broader behind than the upper jaw at its base; -nostrils exposed. Tail rather variable. Bill generally black, light -blue, or red. Wings shorter than in the first group. Gape almost -always much more strongly bristled. Few of the species sparrow-like or -plain in their appearance; usually blue, red, or black and white; -except in one or two instances the sexes very different in color. - -The preceding diagnosis is intended to embrace the brightly colored -passerine birds of North America, different in general appearance from -the common Sparrows. It is difficult to draw the line with perfect -strictness, so as to separate the species from those of the preceding -group, but the bill is always more curved, as well as larger, and the -colors are brighter. They resemble quite closely, at a superficial -glance, the _Coccothraustinæ_, but may be readily distinguished by -absence of the projecting tufts surrounding the base of the upper -mandible, shorter, more rounded wings, and longer tarsi. - -The genera may be most conveniently arranged as follows:— - - A. Wings decidedly longer than the tail. Eggs plain blue - or white, unspotted. - - _a._ Feet very stout, reaching nearly to the end of the - tail. Species terrestrial. - - Calamospiza. Bill moderate, the commissure with a deep - angle posteriorly and prominent lobe behind it; - anteriorly nearly straight; commissure of lower - mandible with a prominent angle. Outer toe longer than - the inner, both nearly as long as the posterior. Outer - four primaries about equal, and abruptly longer than - the rest. Tertials nearly equal to primaries. - Tail-feathers broad at tips. Color: black with white - spot on wing in ♂, brownish streaks in ♀. Nest on or - near ground; eggs plain pale blue. - - Euspiza. Bill weaker, the commissure with a more - shallow angle, and much less prominent sinuation - behind it; anteriorly distinctly sinuated. Outer toe - shorter than inner, both much shorter than the - posterior one. First primary longest, the rest - successively shorter. Tertials but little longer than - secondaries. Tail-feathers attenuated at tips. Color: - back brown streaked with black; throat white; jugulum - yellow or ashy; with or without black spot on fore - neck. A yellow or white superciliary stripe. Nest on - or near ground; eggs plain pale blue. - - _b._ Feet weaker, scarcely reaching beyond lower - tail-coverts; species arboreal. - - _a. Size large (wing more than 3.50 inches)._ - - Hedymeles. Upper mandible much swollen laterally. - Colors: no blue; upper parts conspicuously different - from the lower. Wings and tail with white patches; - axillars and lining of wing yellow or red. Female - streaked. Nest in a tree or bush; eggs greenish, - thickly spotted. - - Guiraca. Upper mandible flat laterally. Colors: ♂ deep - blue, with two rufous bands on wings; no white patches - on wings or tail; axillars and lining of wing blue; ♀ - olive-brown without streaks. Nest in a bush; eggs - plain bluish-white. - - _b. Size very small (wing less than 3.00 inches)._ - - Cyanospiza. Similar in form to _Guiraca_, but culmen - more curved, mandible more shallow, the angle and - sinuations of the commissure less conspicuous. Color: - ♂ more or less blue, without any bands on wing (except - in _C. amæna_ in which they are white); ♀ olive-brown. - Nest in a bush; eggs plain bluish-white (except in _C. - ciris_, in which they have reddish spots). - - B. Wing and tail about equal. The smallest of American - _Conirostres_. Nest in bushes. Eggs white, spotted. - - Spermophila. Bill very short and broad, scarcely - longer than high, not compressed; culmen greatly - curved. Color: chiefly black and white, or brown and - gray. - - Phonipara. Bill more triangular, decidedly longer than - deep, much compressed; culmen only slightly curved, or - perfectly straight. Colors: dull olive-green and - blackish, with or without yellow about the head. - - C. Wing much shorter than the tail. - - _a._ Head crested. Prevailing color red. Bill red or - whitish. - - Pyrrhuloxia. Bill pyrrhuline, very short, and with the - culmen greatly convex; shorter than high. Hind claw - less than its digit; not much larger than the middle - anterior one. Tarsus equal to the middle toe. Nest in - bush or low tree; eggs white, spotted with lilac and - olive. - - Cardinalis. Bill coccothraustine, very large; culmen - very slightly convex. Wings more rounded. Feet as in - the last, except that the tarsus is longer than the - middle toe. Nest in bush or low tree; eggs white, - spotted with lilac and olive. - - _b._ Head not crested. Colors black, brown, or olive, - without red. Bill dusky, or bluish. - - Pipilo. Bill moderate; culmen and commissure curved. - Hind claw very large and strong; longer than its - digit. Tarsus less than the middle toe. Nest on ground - or in low bush; eggs white sprinkled with red, or pale - blue with black dots and lines round larger end. - - -GENUS CALAMOSPIZA, BONAP. - - _Calamospiza_, BONAP. List, 1838. (Type, _Fringilla bicolor_, - TOWNS.) - _Corydalina_, AUDUBON, Synopsis, 1839. (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Calamospiza bicolor._ - 5720 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather large, much swollen at the base; the culmen -broad, gently but decidedly curved; the gonys nearly straight; the -commissure much angulated near the base, then slightly sinuated; lower -mandible nearly as deep as the upper, the margins much inflected, and -shutting under the upper mandible. Nostrils small, strictly basal. -Rictus quite stiffly bristly. Legs large and stout. Tarsi a little -longer than the middle toe; outer toe rather longer than the inner, -and reaching to the concealed base of the middle claw; hind toe -reaching to the base of the middle claw; hind claw about as long as -its toe. Claws all strong, compressed, and considerably curved. Wings -long and pointed; the first four nearly equal, and abruptly longest; -the tertials much elongated, as long as the primaries. Tail a little -shorter than the wings, slightly graduated; the feathers rather narrow -and obliquely oval, rounded at the end. - -_Color._ _Male_, black, with white on the wings. _Female_, brown -above, beneath white, with streaks. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXIX. - 1. Poocætes gramineus. D. C., 10147. - 2. Calamospiza bicolor. ♂ Neb., 5720. - 3. ” ” ♀ N. Mex., 6306. - 4. Guiraca cærulea. ♂ Philada., 6480. - 5. ” ” ♀ Cal. - 6. Cyanospiza parellina. ♂ N. Leon, Mex., 4074. - 7. ” ciris. ♂ Texas, 6271. - 8. ” ciris. ♀. - 9. ” versicolor. ♂ N. Leon, Mex., 4075. - 10. ” ” ♀ C. St. Lucas, 12984. - 11. ” amœna. ♂ Ft. Union, Dak., 1898. - 12. ” ” ♀ Nevada, 53551. - 13. ” cyanea. ♂ Pa., 2645. - 14. ” ” ♀ Ga., 32426. - 15. Phonipara zena. ♂ Bahamas. - 16. ” ” ♀ ” - 17. Spermophila moreleti. ♂ Costa Rica, 30524.] - - [Illustration: _Calamospiza bicolor._] - -This genus is well characterized by the large swollen bill, with its -curved culmen; the large strong feet and claws; the long wings, a -little longer than the tail, and with the tertials as long as the -primaries; the first four quills about equal, and abruptly longest; -the tail short and graduated. - -The only group of North American _Spizellinæ_, with the tertials equal -to the primaries in the closed wing, is _Passerculus_. This, however, -has a differently formed bill, weaker feet, the inner primaries longer -and more regularly graduated, the tail-feathers more acute and -shorter, and the plumage streaked brownish and white instead of black. - - -Calamospiza bicolor, BONAP. - -LARK BUNTING; WHITE-WINGED BLACKBIRD. - - _Fringilla bicolor_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. VII, 1837, 189.—IB. - Narrative, 1839, 346.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 19, pl. cccxc. - _Calamospiza bicolor_, BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, - 1850, 475.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 492.—HEERM. X, c, 15. - _Corydalina bicolor_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, 130.—IB. Birds Am. - III, 1841, 195, pl. cci.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 347.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 225. _Dolichonyx bicolor_, NUTTALL, Manual, I, (2d - ed.,) 1840, 203. - -SP. CHAR. _Male_ entirely black; a broad band on the wing (covering -the whole of the greater coverts), with the outer edges of the quills -and tail-feathers, white. Length, about 6.50; wing, 3.50; tail, 3.20; -tarsus, 1.00; bill above, .60. - -_Female_ pale brown, streaked with darker above; beneath white, -spotted and streaked rather sparsely with black on the breast and -sides. Throat nearly immaculate. A maxillary stripe of black, bordered -above by white. Region around the eye, a faint stripe above it, and an -obscure crescent back of the ear-coverts, whitish. A broad fulvous -white band across the ends of the greater wing-coverts; edge of wing -white. Tail-feathers with a white spot at the end of the inner web. - -_Young._ Similar to the female; a faint buff tinge prevalent beneath, -where the streaks are narrower; dark streaks above broader, the -feathers bordered with buffy-white. - -HAB. High Central Plains to the Rocky Mountains; southwesterly to -Valley of Mimbres and Sonora; San Antonio, Texas, winter (DRESSER, -Ibis, 1865, 490). Fort Whipple, Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 84). -Parley’s Park, Utah (RIDGWAY). - -HABITS. This peculiar species, known by some writers as the Lark -Bunting, and by others as the White-winged Blackbird, was first -described by Townsend in 1837. He met with it when, in company with -Mr. Nuttall, he made his western tour across the continent, on the -24th of May, soon after crossing the north branch of the Platte River. -The latter writer regarded it as closely allied to the Bobolink, and -described it as a _Dolichonyx_. He describes the birds as gregarious, -consorting with the Cowbirds, and, at the time he met with them, -uttering most delightful songs. Towards evening they sometimes saw -these birds in all directions around them, on the hilly grounds, -rising at intervals to some height, hovering and flapping their wings, -and, at the same time, giving forth a song which Mr. Nuttall describes -as being something like _weet-weet-wt-wt-wt_, notes that were between -the hurried warble of the Bobolink and the melody of a Skylark. It is, -he says, one of the sweetest songsters of the prairies, is tame and -unsuspicious, and the whole employment of the little band seemed to be -an ardent emulation of song. - -It feeds on the ground, and, as stated by Mr. Townsend, may be seen in -flocks of from sixty to a hundred together. It was, so far as their -observations went, found inhabiting exclusively the wide grassy plains -of the Platte. They did not see it to the west of the Black Hills, or -the first range of the Rocky Mountains. - -To Mr. Nuttall’s account Mr. Townsend adds that this bird is strictly -gregarious, that it feeds on the ground, around which it runs in the -manner of the Grass Finch, to which, in its habits, it seems to be -somewhat allied. Mr. Townsend adds that, as their caravan moved along, -large flocks of these birds, sometimes to the number of sixty or a -hundred individuals, were started from the ground, and the piebald -appearance of the males and females promiscuously intermingled -presented a very striking and by no means unpleasing effect. While the -flock was engaged in feeding, some of the males were observed to rise -suddenly to considerable height in the air, and, poising themselves -over their companions with their wings in constant and rapid motion, -continued nearly stationary. In this situation they poured forth a -number of very lively and sweetly modulated notes, and, at the -expiration of about a minute, descended to the ground and moved about -as before. Mr. Townsend also states that he met with none of these -birds west of the Black Hills. - -Mr. Ridgway also mentions that though he found these birds very -abundant on the plains east of the Black Hills, he met with only a -single specimen to the westward of that range. This was at Parley’s -Park, among the Wahsatch Mountains. - -Dr. Gambel, in his paper on the Birds of California, states that he -met with small flocks of this handsome species in the bushy plains, -and along the margins of streams, during the winter months. And Dr. -Heermann states that he also found this species numerous in -California, New Mexico, and Texas. Arriving in the last-named State in -May, he found this species there already mated, and about to commence -the duties of incubation. - -Mr. Dresser found these birds common near San Antonio during the -winter. In December he noticed several flocks near Eagle Pass. They -frequented the roads, seeking the horse-dung. They were quite shy, and -when disturbed the whole flock would go off together, uttering a low -and melodious whistle. In May and June several were still about near -Howard’s Rancho, and on his return from Houston, in June, he succeeded -in shooting one in its full summer plumage, when its specific name is -peculiarly appropriate. He does not, however, think that, as a general -thing, any of them remain about San Antonio to breed. - -They breed in great numbers on the plains of Wyoming Territory, and -probably also in Colorado, Montana, and Dakota. The Smithsonian -collection embraces specimens obtained in July from the Yellowstone, -from Platte River, Pole Creek, the Black Hills, and Bridger’s Pass, -indicating that they breed in these localities; also specimens from -Texas, New Mexico, Sonora, and Espia, in Mexico, but none from -California. - -Dr. Kennerly, who met with these birds both in Sonora and at Espia, on -the Mexican Boundary Survey, states that he observed them in the -valley of the river early in the morning, in very large flocks. During -the greater part of the day they feed on the hills among the bushes. -When on the wing they keep very close together, so that a single -discharge of shot would sometimes bring down twenty or thirty. Mr. J. -H. Clark, on the same survey, also states that he sometimes found them -occurring in flocks of hundreds. The greatest numbers were seen near -Presidio del Norte. Great varieties of plumage were observed in the -same flock. The food seemed to be seeds almost exclusively. They were -very simultaneous in all their movements. Stragglers were never -observed remaining behind after the flock had started. They are, he -states, the most absolutely gregarious birds he has ever met with. - -Dr. Coues, who regarded this bird as one highly characteristic of the -prairie fauna, writes me that he met with it in great numbers in -Kansas, soon after leaving Fort Riley, and saw it every day until he -reached the Raton Mountains in New Mexico. “For two or three days, in -fact, from Fort Larned to the mountains,” he writes, “I scarcely saw -anything else. This was the first week in June, and most of the birds -seemed to be paired and nesting, though occasionally a dozen or more -were seen together, flocking like the Blackbirds that they strongly -recall. They were in full song, and proved delightful vocalists. -Sometimes they warble from some spray or low bush offering a stand a -little above the level flower-beds of the prairie, but oftener they -mount straight up, hovering high in the air on tremulous wings, -pouring forth their melodious strains until, seemingly exhausted, they -sink back to the ground. At such times it is interesting to watch two -rival males, each straining every nerve to mount higher than the -other, and sing more acceptably to its mate hidden in the verdure -below. This habit of rising on the wing to sing, so famed in the case -of the Skylark, seems not confined to particular species, but to be a -forced practice of a number of different birds residing in open level -regions, that do not afford the elevated perches usually chosen by -woodland songsters for their performances. The ordinary flight of this -species is altogether of a different character, being a low gliding -motion, overtopping the weeds and bushes. That the birds were nesting -at this time is rendered still more probable by the fact that the -males noticed as we passed along were out of all proportion, in -numbers, to the females seen. They were very heedless of approach, and -any number could have been readily destroyed. I never saw any at Fort -Whipple, or elsewhere in Arizona, though Dr. Heermann says that they -are abundant in the southern portions of the Territory, and specimens -are recorded from Lower California.” - -Mr. Allen found the Lark Bunting one of the few birds that seemed -strictly confined to the arid plains near Fort Hays, in Kansas. He met -with it in great abundance, but only on the high ridges and dry -plateaus, where they seemed to live in colonies. He describes them as -very wary, and very tenacious of life, often flying long distances, -even after having been mortally wounded. They seemed to delight to fly -in strong winds, when most other birds kept in shelter. They sing -while on the wing, hovering in the wind and shaking the tail and legs -after the well-known manner of the Yellow-breasted Chat. Its song -seemed to him to strongly resemble that of the Chat, with which, at -such times, its whole demeanor strikingly accorded. - -Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds collected in the survey on -the 32d parallel, states that he first observed these birds on -approaching the Pimos villages. They were associated with large flocks -of Sparrows, gleaning grain and grass-seed upon the ground. When -started up they flew but a short distance before they resumed their -occupation. After crossing the San Pedro he again found them in large -flocks. At Fort Fillmore, in Mesilla Valley, it was also quite common -and associated with the Cowbird and Blackbird, searching for grain -among the stable offals. He again met with them in Texas, in the month -of April, most of them still retaining their winter coat. He describes -the tremulous fluttering motion of the wings with which the male -accompanies its song while on the wing as very much after the manner -of the Bobolink, and he speaks of their song as a disconnected but not -an unmusical chant. He found their nests on the ground, made of fine -grasses, lined with hair, and in one instance he found the eggs -spotted with faint red dashes. - -At Gilmer, in Wyoming Territory, their nests were found by Mr. Durkee -built on the ground, and composed of dry grasses very loosely -arranged. The eggs, four or five in number, are of a uniform and -beautiful light shade of blue, similar to those of the _Euspiza -americana_. They measure .90 by .70 of an inch, are of a rounded-oval -shape, and, so far as I have observed, are entirely unspotted, -although eggs with a few reddish blotches are said to have been met -with. - - -GENUS EUSPIZA, BONAP. - - _Euspiza_, BONAP. List, 1838. (Type, _Emberiza americana_, GMELIN.) - _Euspina_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 133. (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Euspiza americana_, Bonap. - 1459 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill large and strong, swollen, and without any ridges; the -lower mandible nearly as high as the upper; as broad at the base as -the length of the gonys, and considerably broader than the upper -mandible; the edges much inflexed, and shutting much within the upper -mandible; the commissure considerably angulated at the base, then -decidedly sinuated. The tarsus barely equal to the middle toe; the -lateral toes nearly equal, not reaching to the base of the middle -claw; the hind toe about equal to the middle one without its claw. The -wings long and acute, reaching nearly to the middle of the tail; the -tertials decidedly longer than the secondaries, but much shorter than -the primaries; first quill longest, the others regularly graduated. -Tail considerably shorter than the wings, though moderately long; -nearly even, although slightly emarginate; the outer feathers scarcely -shorter. Middle of back only striped; beneath without streaks. - -This genus comes nearer to _Calamospiza_, but has shorter tertials, -more slender bill, weaker and more curved claws, etc. - -Species. - -E. americana. Top and sides of head light slate; forehead tinged with -greenish-yellow. A superciliary stripe, a maxillary spot, sides of -breast, and middle line of breast and belly, yellow. Chin white, -throat black, shoulders chestnut. Female with the black of the throat -replaced by a crescent of spots. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United -States; south to New Grenada. - -E. townsendi. Body throughout (including the jugulum), dark ash, -tinged with brownish on the back and wings. Superciliary and maxillary -stripe, chin, throat, and middle of belly, white. A maxillary line and -a pectoral crescent of black spots. No chestnut shoulders. _Hab._ -Chester Co., Pennsylvania. - - -Euspiza americana, BONAP. - -BLACK-THROATED BUNTING. - - _Emberiza americana_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 872.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. III, 1811, 86, pl. iii, f. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, - 579, pl. ccclxxxiv.—IB. Syn. 1839, 101.—IB. Birds Am. III, - 1841, 58, pl. clvi.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 341. _Fringilla - (Spiza) americana_, BONAP. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 85. _Euspiza - americana_, BONAP. List, 1838 (type).—IB. Conspectus, 1850, - 469.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 494.—SAMUELS, 327. _Euspina - americana_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 133 (type). _Fringilla - flavicollis_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 926. “_Emberiza mexicana_, - LATHAM,” Syn. I, 1790, 412 (Gray). _Passerina nigricollis_, - VIEILLOT. _Yellow-throated Finch_, PENNANT, Arc. Zoöl. II, 374. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Sides of the head and sides and back of the neck -ash; crown tinged with yellowish-green and faintly streaked with -dusky. A superciliary and short maxillary line, middle of the breast, -axillaries, and edge of the wing yellow. Chin, loral region, patch on -side of throat, belly, and under tail-coverts white. A black patch on -the throat diminishing to the breast, and ending in a spot on the -upper part of the belly. Wing-coverts chestnut. Interscapular region -streaked with black; rest of back immaculate. Length, about 6.70; -wing, 3.50. - -_Female_ with the markings less distinctly indicated; the black of the -breast replaced by a black maxillary line and a streaked collar in the -yellow of the upper part of the breast. - -HAB. United States from the Atlantic to the border of the high Central -Plains, south to Panama and New Granada. Xalapa (SCL. 1857, 205); -Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 18); Turbo, N. G. (CASSIN, P. A. N. S. 1860, -140); Panama (LAWR. VII, 1861, 298); Nicaragua, Graytown (LAWR. VIII, -181); Veragua (SALV. 1867, 142); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 103); Vera -Cruz, winter (SUM. M. B. S. I, 552). - -Among adult males, scarcely two individuals exactly alike can be -found. In some the black of the throat is continued in blotches down -the middle of the breast, while in others it is restricted to a spot -immediately under the head. These variations are not at all dependent -upon any difference of habitat, for specimens from remote regions from -each other may be found as nearly alike as any from the same locality. -Some specimens from Central America are more deeply colored than North -American ones, owing, no doubt, to the freshness of the plumage. - - [Illustration: _Euspiza americana._] - -HABITS. The history of the Black-throated Bunting has, until very -recently, been much obscured by incorrect observations and wrong -descriptions. Evidently this bird has been more or less confounded -with one or two other species entirely different from it. Thus Wilson, -Audubon, and Nuttall, in speaking of its nest and eggs, give -descriptions applicable to _Coturniculus passerinus_ or to _C. -henslowi_, but which are wholly wrong as applied to those of this -bird. Nuttall, whose observations of North American birds were largely -made in Massachusetts, speaks of this bird being quite common in that -State, where it is certainly very rare, and describes, as its song, -notes that have no resemblance to those of this Bunting, but which are -a very exact description of the musical performances of the -Yellow-winged Sparrow. - -It is found in the eastern portion of North America, from the base of -the Black Hills to the Atlantic States, and from Massachusetts to -South Carolina. I am not aware that on the Atlantic it has ever been -traced farther south than that State, but farther west it is found as -far at least as Southwestern Texas. During winter it is found in -Central America, and in Colombia, South America. - -In Massachusetts it is extremely rare. Mr. Hopkins found it breeding -in Williamstown, and sent me its eggs. I have also met with its nest -and eggs, in a low meadow near the sea, in Hingham. In both of these -instances the nest was on the ground. A specimen was shot in Newton by -Mr. John Thaxter, June 26, 1857, that had all the appearance of being -then in the process of incubation. Throughout Pennsylvania, and in the -vicinity of Washington, these birds are quite common. - -Wilson states that they are very common in the vicinity of -Philadelphia, where they make their appearance in the middle of May, -and where they seem to prefer level fields covered with rye-grass, -clover, or timothy. They are described as more conspicuous for the -quantity than for the quality of their song. This consists of three -notes, sounding like _chip-chip-chē-chē-chē_. Of this unmusical ditty -they are by no means parsimonious, and for nearly three months after -their first arrival, every level field of grain or grass resounds with -their quaint serenade. In their shape and manners, Wilson states, they -bear a close resemblance to the _Emberiza citrinella_ of Europe. They -become silent by September, and in the course of that month depart for -the southwest. It is a rare bird in South Carolina, but is very -abundant in Texas, where it is also resident, and undoubtedly breeds. -Audubon states that he was surprised to see how numerous they were in -every open piece of ground throughout that State, especially those -covered with tufts of grass. They are, he states, not so common in -Ohio, and quite rare in Kentucky. They are especially abundant in the -open lands of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, -and Nebraska; and they have been found breeding as far to the west as -Wyoming Territory, near to the base of the eastern range of the Rocky -Mountains. Mr. Allen found this species one of the most abundant birds -of Western Iowa, characterizing it as eminently a prairie species, and -one of the few inhabitants of the wide open stretches. - -Mr. Dresser found, early in May, numbers of these birds in the -mesquite thickets near the San Antonio and Medina Rivers, and, as he -found them equally numerous there in July, he naturally infers that -they breed in that neighborhood. Dr. Heermann obtained some eggs which -he had no doubt belonged to this species, though he was unable to -secure the parent. - -It has also been found in Western Texas and in the Indian Territory by -Mr. J. H. Clark, in Texas by Dr. Lincecum, at the Kiowa agency by Dr. -Palmer, and on the Yellowstone by Dr. Hayden. - -This bird is not gregarious, always moving in pairs, and although, as -they are preparing for their migrations, they congregate in particular -localities, they always keep somewhat apart in family groups, and do -not mingle promiscuously as do many others of this family. They are, -at all times, unsuspicious and easily approached, and when fired at -will often return to the same field from which they were startled. -They are very partial to certain localities, and are rarely to be met -with in sandy regions. - -Mr. Audubon states that the notes of this species very closely -resemble those of the _Emberiza miliaria_ of Europe. Its unmusical -notes are almost continuously repeated from sunrise to sunset. When -the female is startled from her nest she creeps quietly away through -the grass, and then hides herself, making no complaint, and not -showing herself even if her treasures are taken from her. Their nests -are constructed of coarse grasses and stems, lined with finer and -similar materials. They are, in certain localities, placed on the -ground, but more frequently, in many parts of the country, they are -built in positions above the ground. This is almost invariably the -case where they nest among the tall coarse grasses of the prairies. My -attention was first called to this peculiarity by Dr. J. W. Velie, -then of Rock Island, Ill. He informed me that in no instance had he -found the nest of this species on the ground, but always raised a few -inches above it. It was usually constructed of the tops of the red-top -grasses, worked in among a bunch of thick grass, so as to make the -nest quite firm. The meadows in which Dr. Velie found these nests were -quite dry, so that there was no necessity for their thus building -clear from the ground in order to escape being wet. I was afterwards -informed by the late Mr. Robert Kennicott that his experience in -regard to the nests of these birds had been invariably the same. Dr. -P. R. Hoy, of Racine, is confident that these birds in Wisconsin never -nest on the ground, or else very rarely, as he has never noticed their -doing so. He writes that during one season he visited and made notes -of nineteen different nests. Ten of these were built in -gooseberry-bushes, four on thorn-bushes, three among -blackberry-brambles, one on a raspberry-bush, and one on a wild rose. -None were within a foot of the ground, and some were six feet from it. -They have two broods in a season. - -On the other hand, Mr. Ridgway informs me that in Southern Illinois -the nest of this species is always placed on the ground, usually in a -meadow, and that he has never found its nest placed anywhere else than -on the ground, in a tuft of grass or clover. Professor Baird has had a -similar experience in Pennsylvania. Mr. B. F. Goss found them nesting -both in bushes and on the ground at Neosho Falls, Kansas. - -The eggs of this species are of a uniform light blue color, similar in -shade to the eggs of the common Bluebird, as also to those of the -_Calamospiza bicolor_. They vary considerably in size, the smallest -measuring .80 of an inch in length by .60 in breadth, while the larger -and more common size is .90 by .70 of an inch. - - -Euspiza townsendi, BONAP. - -TOWNSEND’S BUNTING. - - _Emberiza townsendi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 183; V, 90, pl. - cccc.—IB. Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 62, pl. - clvii.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 528. _Euspiza - townsendi_, BON. List, 1838.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 495. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Upper parts, head and neck all round, sides of body -and forepart of breast, slate-blue; the back and upper surface of -wings tinged with yellowish-brown; the interscapular region streaked -with black. A superciliary and maxillary line, chin and throat, and -central line of under parts from the breast to crissum, white; the -edge of the wing, and a gloss on the breast and middle of belly, -yellow. A black spotted line from the lower corner of the lower -mandible down the side of the throat, connecting with a crescent of -streaks in the upper edge of the slate portion of the breast. Length, -5.75; wing, 2.86; tail, 2.56. - -HAB. Chester County, Penn. But one specimen known (in the Mus. -Smith.). - -It is still a question whether this is a distinct species, or only a -variety of _E. americana_. There is, however, little ground for the -last supposition, although its rarity is a mystery. - -The original type specimen of this species, collected by Dr. J. K. -Townsend, still continues to be the only one known, and has been -presented by its owner, Dr. E. Michener, to the Smithsonian -Institution. - -HABITS. Only a single specimen of this apparently well-marked species -has been observed, and nothing is known as to its history. The bird -was shot by Mr. J. K. Townsend, in an old field grown up with -cedar-bushes, near New Garden, Chester Co., Penn., May 11, 1833. - - -GENUS HEDYMELES, CABANIS. - - _? Goniaphea_, BOWD. “Excurs. in Madeira, 1825,” Agassiz. (Type, - _Loxia ludoviciana_, according to Gray.) - _Habia_, REICHENB. Av. Syst. Nat. 1850, pl. xxviii. (Type, _L. - ludoviciana_; not _Habia_ of LESSON, 1831). - _Hedymeles_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 153. (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Hedymeles melanocephalus._ - 1496 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very large, much swollen; lower mandible scarcely -deeper than the upper; feet almost coccothraustine, tarsi and toes -very short, the claws strong and much curved, though blunt. First four -primaries longest, and nearly equal, abruptly longer than the fifth. -Tail broad, perfectly square. _Colors_: Black, white, and red, or -black, cinnamon, yellow, and white, on the male; the females brownish, -streaked, with the axillars and lining of the wing yellow. - -There seems to be abundant reason for separating this genus from -_Guiraca_; the latter is, in reality, much more nearly related to -_Cyanospiza_, it being impossible to define the dividing line between -them. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. ♂. Head and upper parts (except rump) -deep black. Two broad bands across coverts, a large patch -on base of primaries, and terminal half of inner webs of -tail-feathers, pure white. Breast carmine or cinnamon; -axillars and lining of wing carmine or gamboge. ♀. Black -replaced by ochraceous-brown; other parts more streaked. - - H. ludovicianus. Rump and lower parts white; lining of - wing, and patch on breast, rosy carmine. No nuchal collar. - _Female._ Lining of wing saffron-yellow; breast with - numerous streaks. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North - America, south, in winter, to Ecuador. - - H. melanocephalus. Rump and lower parts cinnamon-rufous; - lining of wing and middle of abdomen gamboge-yellow. A - nuchal collar of rufous. _Female._ Lining of wing - lemon-yellow; breast without streaks; abdomen tinged with - lemon-yellow. - - Crown continuous black. No post-ocular rufous stripe. - _Hab._ Mountains of Mexico, and Central Rocky Mountains - of United States var. _melanocephalus_. - - Crown divided by a longitudinal rufous stripe; a - distinct post-ocular stripe of the same. _Hab._ Western - Province of United States, south, in winter, to Colima - var. _capitalis_. - - -Hedymeles ludovicianus, SWAINSON. - -ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. - - _Loxia ludoviciana_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 306.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. II, 1810, 135, pl. xvii, f. 2. _Guiraca ludoviciana_, - SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 438.—BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. - Consp. 1850, 501.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 497.—SAMUELS, - 328. _Fringilla ludoviciana_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 166; V, - 513, pl. cxxvii. _Pyrrhula ludoviciana_, SAB. Zoöl. App. - Franklin’s Narr. _Coccothraustes ludoviciana_, RICH. List, Pr. - Br. Ass. 1837. _Coccoborus ludovicianus_, AUD. Syn. 1839, - 133.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 209, pl. 205.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, - 1858, 267. “_Goniaphea ludoviciana_, BOWDICH.” _Hedymeles - ludoviciana_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 153. _Fringilla - punicea_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 921 (male). _Loxia - obscura_, GMELIN, I, 1788, 862. _Loxia rosea_, WILSON, Am. Orn. - pl. xvii, f. 2. _Coccothraustes rubricollis_, VIEILLOT, Galerie - des Ois. I, 1824, 67, pl. lviii. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts generally, with head and neck all round, glossy -black. A broad crescent across the upper part of the breast, extending -narrowly down to the belly, axillaries, and under wing-coverts, -carmine. Rest of under parts, rump and upper tail-coverts, middle -wing-coverts, spots on the tertiaries and inner great wing-coverts, -basal half of primaries and secondaries, and a large patch on the ends -of the inner webs of the outer three tail-feathers, pure white. -Length, 8.50 inches; wing, 4.15. - -_Female_ without the white of quills, tail, and rump, and without any -black or red. Above yellowish-brown streaked with darker; head with a -central stripe above, and a superciliary on each side, white. Beneath -dirty white, streaked with brown on the breast and sides. Under -wing-coverts and axillars saffron-yellow. - -In the male the black feathers of the back and sides of the neck have -a subterminal white bar. There are a few black spots on the sides of -the breast just below the red. - -The young male of the year is like the female, except in having the -axillaries, under wing-coverts, and a trace of a patch on the breast, -light rose-red. - -The depth of the carmine tint on the under parts varies a good deal in -different specimens, but it is always of the same rosy hue. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Missouri plains; south to Ecuador. -Honduras (MOORE, P. Z. S. 1859, 58); Xalapa (SCL. 1859, 365); Bogota -(SCL. 1855, 154); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 301); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, -17); Cuba (CAB. J. VI, 9); Ecuador (SCL. 1860, 298); Costa Rica (CAB. -J. 61, 71); (LAWR. IX, 102); Panama (LAWR. VII, 1861, 297); Vera Cruz, -winter (SUM. M. B. S. I, 552); Yucatan (LAWR. Ann. IX, 210). - - [Illustration: _Hedymeles melanocephalus._] - -HABITS. The Rose-breasted Grosbeak, during the summer months, appears -to have a widely extended area of distribution, though nowhere a very -abundant species, and one of somewhat irregular occurrence. It is -found as far to the east as Nova Scotia, to the north as Selkirk -Settlement and the valley of the Saskatchewan, and to the west as -Nebraska. It winters in great numbers in Guatemala. In the last-named -country, while abundant in the Vera Paz, it was not found at Dueñas, -but was a common cage-bird in the city of Guatemala. It was also found -common at Herradura, in Colombia, South America, by Mr. C. W. Wyatt. - -This bird was noticed on a single occasion near San Antonio by Mr. -Dresser, but was not observed by Dr. Woodhouse in Texas, or in the -Indian Territory. Sumichrast did not meet with it in Vera Cruz. At St. -Stephens, N. B., Mr. Boardman found this species a regular summer -visitant, but rare, nor did Mr. Verrill find it common in the western -part of Maine. In Massachusetts this bird becomes more common, but is -nowhere very abundant. It has been met with in various places in the -eastern part of the State, but rarely, and only in restricted -localities. In the western part of the State it is more numerous, as -well as throughout the whole of the Connecticut Valley. At -Springfield, Mr. Allen notes it as a summer visitant, breeding in the -open woods, but not abundant. He is of the opinion that during the -past twenty-five years this bird has increased in numbers in all parts -of the State. Mr. Allen found this bird quite common in Southern -Indiana, in Northern Illinois, and in Western Iowa, where he found it -frequent in the groves along the streams. Dr. Coues mentions it as -rare and only migratory in South Carolina. Mr. McIlwraith gives it as -a summer resident in the vicinity of Hamilton, Canada, where it is -very generally distributed throughout the open woods, arriving there -the second week in May. It is also found throughout Vermont, in -favorable situations in open woods, on the borders of streams. It is -not uncommon in the vicinity of Randolph, where it regularly breeds. - -Wilson, who enjoyed but few opportunities of studying the habits of -this species, states that it eagerly feeds on the ripe fruit of the -sour gum-tree. He was also aware of its fine song, its value as a -caged bird, and that it frequently sings during the night. - -Sir John Richardson met with a single specimen of this bird near the -Saskatchewan during his first expedition with Sir John Franklin, but -did not afterwards meet with it. He states that it frequents the deep -recesses of the forests, and there sings a clear, mellow, and -harmonious song. - -Nuttall appears to have seen little or nothing of this bird, except in -confinement. He describes it as thriving very well in a cage, and as a -melodious and indefatigable warbler, frequently passing the greater -part of the night in singing, with great variety of tones. It is said, -while thus earnestly engaged, to mount on tiptoe, as if seemingly in -an ecstasy of enthusiasm and delight at the unrivalled harmony of its -own voice. These notes, he adds, are wholly warbled, now loud and -clear, now with a querulous and now with a sprightly air, and finally -lower and more pathetic. In Mr. Nuttall’s opinion it has no superior -in song, except the Mocking-Bird. - -Mr. Say met with these birds in the spring, on the banks of the -Missouri, and afterwards, on the 5th of August, at Pembina in the 49th -degree of latitude. - -This bird arrives in Eastern Massachusetts about the 15th of May, and -leaves in September. It nests during the first week in June. - -Mr. Audubon states that he has frequently observed this species, early -in the month of March, in the lower parts of Louisiana, making its way -eastward, and has noticed the same circumstance both at Henderson, -Ky., and at Cincinnati, O. At this period it passes at a considerable -height in the air. He never saw it in the maritime parts of Georgia or -Carolina, but they have been procured in the mountainous parts of -those States. On the banks of the Schuylkill, early in May, he has -observed this bird feeding on the tender buds of the trees. When in -Texas, in 1837, Mr. Audubon also found it very abundant in April. - -Dr. Bachman, quoted by Audubon, states that, having slightly wounded a -beautiful male of this species, he kept it three years in confinement. -It very soon became quite tame, fed, in an open room, on moistened -bread. It was at once reconciled to live in a cage, and fed readily on -various kinds of food, but preferred Indian meal and hemp-seed. It was -also very fond of insects, and ate grasshoppers and crickets with -peculiar relish. It watched the flies with great apparent interest, -and often snatched at and secured the wasps that ventured within its -cage. During bright moonshiny nights it sang sweetly, but not loudly, -remaining in the same position on its perch. When it sang in the -daytime it was in the habit of vibrating its wings, in the manner of -the Mocking-Bird. It was a lively and a gentle companion for three -years, but suffered from cold in severe wintry weather, and finally -died from this cause. It would frequently escape from its cage, and -never exhibited the least desire to leave him, but always returned to -the house at night. It sang about eight weeks, and the rest of the -year had only a faint _chuck_. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXX. - 1. Hedymeles melanocephalus. ♂ Ft. Bridger, 11241. - 2. ” ” ♀ Dakota, 1868. - 3. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata. ♂ Texas, 3670. - 4. Hedymeles ludovicianus. ♂ Iowa, 34206. - 5. ” ” ♀ Pa., 2425. - 6. Cardinalis virginianus. ♀ Texas, 4022. - 7. ” virginianus. ♂ S. Ill., 58586. - 8. ” coccineus. ♂ 29702. - 9. ” phœniceus. - 10. ” igneus. ♂ Cape St. Lucas, 49757.] - -This Grosbeak builds in low trees on the edge of woods, frequently in -small groves on the banks of streams. Their nests are coarsely built, -with a base composed of waste stubble, fragments of leaves, and stems -of plants. These are intermingled with and strengthened by twigs and -coarser stems. They have a diameter of eight inches, and a height of -three and a half. The upper portion of the nest is usually composed of -dry _usnea_ mosses, mingled with a few twigs, and lined with finer -twigs. Its cavity is three inches in diameter and one in depth, being -quite shallow for so large a nest. - -The eggs bear some resemblance to those of the _Pyrangæ_, but are -usually much larger, though they vary greatly in size. Their -ground-color is usually a light but well-marked shade of -verdigris-green, varying occasionally to a greenish-white, and are -marked, more or less, over their entire surface, with blotches of -reddish-brown. They vary in length from 1.05 to .90 of an inch, and -from .78 to .60. - -During incubation, and in the presence of its mate, this Grosbeak is a -persistent and enthusiastic singer, and, at times, carries his love of -song so far as to betray his nest. This is more especially so when he -relieves his mate, takes her place on the nest, and then, apparently -oblivious of the danger of lifting up his voice in song when upon so -responsible a duty, attracts, by his melody, the oölogist to his -treasures. - -Dr. Hoy, of Racine, supplies some interesting information in regard to -the habits and nesting of this species. On the 15th of June, within -six miles of that city, he found seven nests, all within a space of -not over five acres, and he was assured that each year they resort to -the same locality and nest thus socially. Six of these nests were in -thorn-trees, all were within six to ten feet from the ground, and all -were in the central portion of the top. Three of the four parent birds -sitting on the nests were males, and this he was told was usually the -case. When a nest was disturbed, all the neighboring Grosbeaks -gathered around and appeared equally interested. Both nest and eggs so -closely resemble those of the Tanagers that it is difficult to -distinguish them. Their position is, however, usually different, the -Grosbeaks generally nesting in the central portion of a small tree, -the Tanagers’ being placed on a horizontal limb. - - -Hedymeles melanocephalus, SWAINSON. - -BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK. - - _Guiraca melanocephala_, SW. Syn. Mex. Birds Philos. Mag. I, 1827, - 438.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 502.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 498.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 206. _Coccothraustes - melanocephala_, RICH. List, Pr. Brit. Ass. for 1836, 1837. - _Fringilla melanocephala_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 519, pl. - ccclxxiii. _Coccoborus melanocephalus_, AUD. Synopsis, 1839, - 133.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 214, pl. 206.—HEERM. X, S, 51 - (nest).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 228. _Goniaphea melanocephala_, - SCLATER? _Hedymeles melanocephala_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, - 153. _Fringilla xanthomaschalis_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 525. - _Pitylus guttatus_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. II, 1839, 102. - _? Guiraca tricolor_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. II, 1839, 102. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Head above and on the sides, with chin, back, wings, -and tail, black. A well-marked collar on the hind neck all round (and -in var. _capitalis_ a more or less distinct median stripe on crown, -and one behind the eye), edges of interscapular feathers, rump, and -under parts generally pale brownish-orange, almost light cinnamon. -Middle of belly, axillaries, and under wing-coverts, yellow. Belly -just anterior to the anus, under tail-coverts, a large blotch at the -end of the inner webs of first and second tail-feathers, a band across -the middle and greater wing-coverts, some spots on the ends of the -tertiaries, the basal portions of all the quills, and the outer three -primaries near the tips, white. Length nearly 8 inches; wing, 4.25; -tail, 3.50. - -_Female_ has the chin, sides of throat, and superciliary stripe white; -the black markings replaced by olivaceous-brown; the cinnamon markings -paler, and almost white; the white of wings more restricted; that of -tail wanting. Usually there are few or no streaks beneath as in -_ludovicianus_ (faint ones on flanks); in young males, however, they -are more appreciable. The lemon or gamboge yellow axillars and under -coverts in all ages and stages separate this species from _H. -ludovicianus_, the female and young of which have those regions of a -saffron or fulvous yellow. - -HAB. High Central Plains from Yellowstone to the Pacific. Table-lands -of Mexico. Xalapa (SCL. 1859, 365); Orizaba (SCL. 1857, 213); Vera -Cruz, Alpine and plateau, breeding (SUM. M. B. S. I, 551). - -This bird, in its range of habitat, appears to be represented by two -varieties, which, however, run into each other, so that it is often -difficult to determine to which variety specimens from intermediate -regions should be referred. - -Taking the series from Eastern Mexico (Orizaba and Mirador) and -northward along the Rocky Mountains of the United States, we find the -black of the head continuous, sharply defined by a gently curved -outline behind, and without a trace of either the vertex or -post-ocular stripes. This is the true _melanocephalus_, as restricted, -and may be regarded as the Rocky Mountain form. The most western -specimen is 11,241, from Fort Bridger; the most northern (19,355), -from Stinking River, Northern Wyoming. All specimens from the Pacific -coast eastward to the western base of the Rocky Mountains, including -Cape St. Lucas and Western Mexico south to Colima, differ from the -Rocky Mountain series in having the posterior outline of the black -hood ragged, and irregularly indented by the rufous of the nape, which -always extends in a quite broad stripe toward the eye, along the side -of the occiput, and quite frequently forms a conspicuous median vertex -stripe, though the latter feature is sometimes not distinct. These -differences are observable only in the males, and, although apparently -slight, are yet sufficiently constant to justify distinguishing them -as races. The Rocky Mountain form being the true _melanocephalus_, the -name _capitalis_ is proposed for the western one. - -HABITS. This bird occurs from the high Central Plains to the Pacific, -and from the northern portions of Washington Territory to the -table-lands of Mexico. Mr. Ridgway found this species abundant, during -the summer months, in all the fertile wooded districts along the -entire route of the survey. At Sacramento it was common in the willow -copses, and was observed in the greatest numbers, in May, in the rich -valley of the Truckee, in company with Bullock’s Oriole, the Louisiana -Tanager, and other species, feeding upon the buds of the -“grease-wood.” It principally inhabits the willows along the rivers, -and the shrubbery skirting the streams of the mountain cañons. In its -manners and notes Mr. Ridgway regards this bird as an exact -counterpart of the eastern species, the _Hedymeles ludovicianus_, its -song being by no means superior. The peculiar and very odd _click_ of -the _ludovicianus_ is said to be equally characteristic of this bird. -Mr. Ridgway met with its nests in willows, about ten feet from the -ground. He had evidence that the male bird assists the female in the -duties of incubation. - -This bird, though a common summer resident in the Great Salt Lake -Valley, had all migrated, according to Mr. Allen, by the 1st of -September. It is well known there as the Peabird, from its fondness -for green peas, of which it is very destructive. - -According to Dr. Cooper, this Grosbeak arrives in California, near San -Diego, about April 12. It is numerous during the summer throughout the -mountains both of the coast and of the Sierra Nevada, and extends its -migrations at least as far as Puget Sound. It is often kept in -confinement on account of its loud, sweet song. In the Coast -Mountains, in May, its music is said to be delightful, the males vying -with each other from the tops of the trees, and making the hills -fairly ring with their melody. - -Dr. Cooper found a nest of this bird, May 12, at the eastern base of -the Coast Range. It was built in a low horizontal branch of an alder, -and consisted of a few sticks and weeds, very loosely put together, -with a lining of grass and roots. The eggs, three in number, he -describes as of a pale bluish-white ground, thickly spotted with -brown, more densely near the larger end. Their size he gives as .95 by -.70 of an inch. - -Dr. Cooper also states that they frequent the ground in search of -food, but also live much on trees, feeding on their buds. They are not -gregarious, assembling only in family groups in the fall. They do not -fly high, nor do they make any noise in flying. - -He has observed these birds at Santa Cruz April 12, or as early as he -saw them at San Diego, three hundred and fifty miles farther south, -and has found a young bird fledged as early as May 23. - -Dr. Coues speaks of this bird as an abundant summer resident of -Arizona, where it arrives by the first of May, and remains until the -latter part of September. He speaks of it as frequenting the thick -brush of the ravines and the cottonwood and willow copses of the -river-bottoms. Its call-note resembles that of _Lophortyx gambeli_. -Its song, he says, is superb,—a powerful, but melodious succession of -clear, rich, rolling notes, reminding one somewhat of the _Icterus -baltimore_. - -Dr. Suckley speaks of this bird being sparingly found in the vicinity -of Fort Steilacoom, Puget Sound, where he obtained two specimens. - -Dr. Heermann speaks of the song of this bird as clear and musical, and -as very closely resembling that of our _Turdus migratorius_. He -describes its nests as formed with very little care, of twigs loosely -thrown together, and lined with roots, placed in the branches of -bushes. The eggs, four in number, he describes as of a greenish-blue -ground, marked with irregular spots of umber-brown, varying in -intensity of shade. - -The song of the western species is described by Mr. Nuttall as fully -equal, if not superior, to that of the Rose-breasted. He met with it -on the central table-lands of the Rocky Mountains, along the upper -branches of the Colorado River, where he found it frequenting the -thick groves of the streams, and where, throughout its dense forests, -the powerful song and the inimitable voice of this “most delightful -Finch” cheered that naturalist amidst the wildest desolation of that -“forest primeval,” where this superb vocalist made the woods echo and -re-echo to its untiring song. These notes, greatly resembling those of -its eastern relative, may be heard from early dawn almost even to the -close of the following night. These are described as loud, varied, -high-toned, and melodious, rising and falling with the sweetest -cadence, fascinating the listener most powerfully with sensations of a -pleasing sadness, its closing note seeming like a shrill cry of -appealing distress, and then sinking faintly on the ear. It is -described as very shy and retiring in its habits, and can be but very -rarely observed closely while thus engaged in song. On these occasions -the bird is said to sit up conspicuously on a lofty bough, near the -summit of the tree, his throat swelling with the excitement, and -seeming to take a great delight in the sound of his own music. - -Mr. Sumichrast found this bird on the Plateau of Mexico, and also in -the alpine regions of Vera Cruz. It was found to the height of 8,300 -feet, and never lower than 4,000. - -The eggs of this species are of an oblong-oval shape, one end but -slightly more rounded than the other, and measure 1.10 of an inch in -length by .65 in breadth. They have a bluish-green ground, blotched -and splashed with markings of a rusty-brown, for the most part more -numerous about the larger end. - - -GENUS GUIRACA, SWAINSON. - - _Guiraca_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, Nov. 1827, 350. (Type, _Loxia - cærulea_, L.) - _Coccoborus_, SWAINSON, Class. Birds, II, 1837, 277. (Same type.) - - [Illustration: _Guiraca cærulea._] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very large, nearly as high as long; the culmen -slightly curved, with a rather sharp ridge; the commissure -conspicuously angulated just below the nostril, the posterior leg of -the angle nearly as long as the anterior, both nearly straight. Lower -jaw deeper than the upper, and extending much behind the forehead; the -width greater than the length of the gonys, considerably wider than -the upper jaw. A prominent knob in the roof of the mouth. Tarsi -shorter than the middle toe; the outer toe a little longer, reaching -not quite to the base of the middle claw; hind toe rather longer than -to this base. Wings long, reaching the middle of the tail; the -secondaries and tertials nearly equal; the second quill longest; the -first less than the fourth. Tail very nearly even, shorter than the -wings. - -The single North American species of this genus has no near relative -in tropical America; indeed, no other species at present known can be -said to be strictly congeneric. - -In all essential details of external structure, and in every respect -as to habits and nidification, the type of the genus (_G. cærulea_) is -much more like the species of _Cyanospiza_ than those of _Hedymeles_, -with which latter it has usually been included. - - -Guiraca cærulea, SWAINSON. - -BLUE GROSBEAK. - - _Loxia cærulea_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 306.—WILSON, Am. Orn. - III, 1811, 78, pl. xxiv, f. 6.—? WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 525. - _Guiraca cærulea_, SWAINSON, Birds Mex. in Phil. Mag. I, 1827, - 438.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 499.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 230. - _Fringilla cærulea_, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 140; V, 508, pl. - cxxii. _Coccoborus cæruleus_, SW. Birds II, 1837, 277.—AUD. - Syn. 1839.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 204, pl. cciv.—CABANIS, - Mus. Hein. 1851, 152.—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. Brem. 1870, 339 - (Mazatlan). _Cyanoloxia cærulea_, BP. Conspectus, 1850, 502. - _Goniaphæa cærulea_, BP. _Blue Grosbeak_, PENNANT, Arc. Zoöl. - II, 1785, 351. - - [Illustration: _Guiraca cærulea._] - -SP. CHAR. Brilliant blue; darker across the middle of the back. Space -around base of the bill and lores, with tail-feathers, black. Two -bands on the wing across the tips of the middle and secondary coverts, -with outer edges of tertiaries, reddish-brown, or perhaps chestnut. -Feathers on the posterior portion of the under surface tipped narrowly -with grayish-white. Length, 7.25; wing, 3.50; tail, 2.80. - -_Female_ yellowish-brown above, brownish-yellow beneath; darkest -across the breast. Wing-coverts and tertials broadly edged with -brownish-yellow. Sometimes a faint trace of blue on the tail. The -young resembles the female. - -HAB. More southern United States from Atlantic to Pacific, south to -Costa Rica. Xalapa (SCL. 1859, 365); Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 378); Cordova -(SCL. 1856, 301); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 9); Vera Paz (SALVIN, Ibis, III, -352); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 102); Vera Cruz, winter (SUM. M. B. S. I, -552); Yucatan (LAWR. IX, 200). - -The species described as _Cyanospiza parellina_ in the Birds of North -America, but which so far has not been actually detected north of -Mexico, is a miniature _Guiraca_, more related, however, to the _G. -concreta_ than to _cærulea_. It is easily distinguished from the -latter by more lobed bill, darker back and under parts, absence of -rufous wing-bands, and inferior size. Length, 5 inches; wing, 2.50. - -Males from the Pacific coast region (California, Colima, etc.) have -tails considerably longer than eastern specimens, while those from -California are of a much lighter and less purplish blue, the -difference being much the same as between _Sialia sialis_ and _S. -azurea_. - -Autumnal and winter males have the feathers generally, especially on -the back and breast, tipped with light brown, obscuring somewhat the -blue, though producing a beautiful appearance. - -HABITS. The Blue Grosbeak, though more a bird of the Southern States, -is also one both of an extended and of an irregular distribution. It -was even met with one year in the vicinity of Calais, Me., although -none have been known to occur in any part of the country between that -point and New York City. It is found from the Atlantic to the Pacific -coast. - -The extent to which it is distributed throughout California is -inferred, rather than known. Dr. Cooper noticed one at Fort Mohave, -May 6, and afterwards saw many more frequenting the trees and bushes -along the river, and singing a lively song, which he compares with -that of the _Carpodacus frontalis_. He also saw them at Los Angeles -and at Santa Barbara, and states that they were found at Pit River, in -the extreme northeastern part of the State, by Dr. Newberry. They were -observed to frequent the banks of streams crossing the great interior -plains and deserts, where there was little vegetation except a few -bushes. - -The Blue Grosbeak was only met with by Mr. Ridgway and his party at -Sacramento. It does not occur—or, if so, it was not seen—in the -interior so far to the north as the route of Mr. King’s survey. At -Sacramento it was found frequenting the same localities as the -_Cyanospiza amæna_, and appeared to be characteristic of the -cottonwood copses. Their nests were found between the 18th and the -29th of June, and were all in similar situations. These were built in -small cottonwood-trees, on the edge of the copse, and were all about -six feet from the ground. - -Mr. John Burroughs, in one of his charming popular essays[10] on the -general habits of our birds, refers to their occasional preference, in -sites for their nests, of the borders of frequented roadsides, and -mentions finding a nest of the Blue Grosbeak among the trees that line -one of the main streets and fashionable drives leading out of -Washington City, less than half a mile from the boundary. There, he -states, this bird, which, according to Audubon’s observations, is shy -and recluse, affecting remote marshes and the borders of large ponds -of stagnant water, had placed its nest in the lowest twig of the -lowest branch of a large sycamore immediately over a great -thoroughfare, and so near the ground that a person standing in a cart -or sitting on a horse could have reached it with his hand. The nest -was composed mainly of fragments of newspaper and stalks of grass, and -though so low, was remarkably well concealed by one of the peculiar -clusters of twigs and leaves which characterize this tree. The nest -contained young when he discovered it, and though the parent birds -were much annoyed by his loitering about beneath the tree, they paid -but little attention to the stream of vehicles that was constantly -passing. It was a source of wonder to him when the birds could have -built it, as they are so much shyer when building than at other times. -They must have worked mostly in the early morning, when they could -have the place all to themselves. The same observer also noticed -another pair of Blue Grosbeaks that had built their nest in a -graveyard within the city limits. This was placed in a low bush, and -the male continued to sing at intervals till the young were ready to -fly. The song of this bird he describes as a rapid, intricate warble, -like that of the Indigo Bird, though stronger and louder. Indeed, -these two birds so much resemble each other in color, form, voice, -manner, and general habits, that, were it not for the difference in -size,—the Grosbeak being nearly as large again as the Indigo -Bird,—he thinks it would be a hard matter to tell them apart. The -females of both birds are clad in the same reddish-brown suits, as are -also the young during the first season. - -The nest of this species has also been found built in a tree within -the grounds of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington. - -The only time I ever met with this species was at Carlisle, Penn., in -June, 1843. The previous month Professor Baird had found its nest in a -low tree, in open ground, and we found these birds still frequenting -the same grounds, where we found another nest containing three eggs. -It was in a low thorn-tree on the edge of a wood, but standing out in -open ground. The nest was about five feet from the ground. - -The Smithsonian specimens are from Carlisle, Penn., obtained in April, -May, and August; from Georgia, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, Mexico, -etc. Mr. Lawrence enumerates this among the birds found near New York -City. Mr. Dresser found it common near Matamoras in July and August. -It was breeding there, though, owing to the lateness of the season, he -was unable to procure any of its eggs. Dr. Coues speaks of it as -generally distributed in Arizona, but nowhere very common. A single -specimen was taken near Fort Whipple, August 10. Turnbull regarded it -as a rare straggler to the southern counties of Pennsylvania and New -Jersey, arriving there in the middle of May. Dr. Woodhouse found it -common in the Indian Territory and Texas. Lieutenant Couch mentions -seeing this bird first near Monterey, the male always preceding the -female. He speaks of them as exceedingly tame. Mr. J. H. Clark states -that this bird was not often seen, and, when observed, was generally -solitary, preferring the dark ravines and the cañons on the -mountain-sides. It is not mentioned by Sumichrast as a bird of Vera -Cruz, but was found during the winter months at Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. -Boucard. - -Mr. O. Salvin states (Ibis, III, p. 352) that he found this species, -though not of very common occurrence, pretty generally distributed, in -winter, throughout Vera Paz. He met with it on the Plains of Salamà, -and all the collections from the warmer districts to the northward of -Coban contained specimens. It was found by Mr. George H. White near -Mexico. - -Wilson speaks of this bird as retired and solitary, and also as a -scarce species, and as having but few notes, its most common one being -a loud _chuck_. He was, however, aware that at times they have a few -low sweet-toned notes. He mentions their being kept in Charleston in -cages, but as seldom singing in confinement. He fed a caged bird of -this species on Indian corn, which it easily broke with its powerful -bill; also on hemp-seed, millet, and berries. He speaks of them as -timid, watchful, silent, and active. - -Mr. Audubon was, apparently, somewhat at fault in regard to the -peculiarities of this species. His accounts of the eggs of the -_Pyranga æstiva_ are entirely inapplicable to that species, and, so -far as I know, apply to no other bird than the Blue Grosbeak, to which -they exactly correspond. He makes no mention and gives no description -of the eggs of the latter. His statements as to the nest appear to be -correct. - -Dr. Bachman kept several of these birds in an aviary; two of these -mated, took possession of the nest of a Cardinal Grosbeak, which they -drove off, and laid two eggs that were unfortunately destroyed. In the -aviary these birds were silent. Mr. Audubon kept one, in confinement, -with him in Edinburgh. It had been raised from the nest. This bird -frequently sang in the night, and before dawn. It was extremely tame, -coming out or going into its cage at pleasure, perching on the -head-dress of Mrs. Audubon, or on the heads of other members of the -family, alighting on the table and feeding on almost anything given to -it. If a gold or silver coin was thrown upon the table he would go to -it, take it up in his bill, and apparently toss it about with -pleasure. After bathing he would go to the fire and perch on the -fender to dry himself. He would attack other birds, if put into the -cage with him. In feeding he sometimes held his food in his claws like -a Hawk. - -The eggs of this bird are of a uniform light-blue color, and most -resemble those of the _Sialia arctica_, but are larger and of a -lighter color. Their color is quite fugitive, and readily fades into a -dull white upon even a slight exposure to light. They are of an oval -shape, equally rounded at either end, and measure .98 of an inch in -length by .65 in breadth. - - - [10] Atlantic Monthly, XXIII, p. 707. - - -GENUS CYANOSPIZA, BAIRD. - - _Passerina_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816. Not of LINNÆUS, used in Botany. - _Spiza_, BONAPARTE, Synopsis, 1828. Not of 1825. - _Cyanospiza_, BAIRD. (Type, _Tanagra cyanea_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Cyanospiza amœna._ - 2645 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill deep at the base, compressed; the upper outline -considerably curved; the commissure rather concave, with an obtuse, -shallow lobe in the middle. Gonys slightly curved. Feet moderate; -tarsus about equal to middle toe; the outer lateral toe barely longer -than the inner, its claw falling short of the base of the middle; hind -toe about equal to the middle without claw. Claws all much curved, -acute. Wings long and pointed, reaching nearly to the middle of the -tail; the second and third quills longest. Tail appreciably shorter -than the wings; rather narrow, very nearly even. - -The species of this genus are all of very small size and of showy -plumage, usually blue, red, or green, in well-defined areas. The -females plain olivaceous or brownish; paler beneath. - - -Species. - - A. Head all round uniform blue; eyelids not different, - commissure distinctly sinuated. - - _a._ Lower parts blue; no white bands on wing. - - 1. C. cyanea. Entirely deep ultramarine-blue, more - purplish on the head, somewhat greenish posteriorly. - _Female_ dull umber above, grayish-white beneath, the - breast with obsolete darker streaks. _Hab._ Eastern - Province of United States, south, in winter, to - Panama. - - _b._ Lower parts white, the breast rufous. One broad and - distinct, and a narrower, more obsolete white band on - the wing. - - 2. C. amœna. Head and neck, all round, and rump, - bright greenish-blue; back, wings, and tail more - dusky; a narrow white collar between rufous of the - breast and blue of the throat. _Female_ grayish-brown - above, the rump tinged with blue. Beneath dull - whitish, the breast and jugulum more buffy. _Hab._ - Western Province of United States. - - B. Head party-colored; eyelids different from adjoining - portions. Commissure hardly appreciably sinuated, or even - concave. - - _a._ Back and breast similar in color. Upper mandible - much less deep than lower, the commissure concave. - - 3. C. versicolor. Back and breast dark wine-purple, - occiput and throat claret-red, forehead and rump - purplish-blue. Eyelids purplish-red. _Female_ - fulvous-gray above, uniform pale fulvous below. _Hab._ - Northern Mexico, and adjacent borders of United - States; Cape St. Lucas. - - _b._ Back and breast very different in color. Upper - mandible scarcely less deep than the lower, the - commissure straight, or slightly sinuated. - - 4. C. ciris. Lower parts vermilion-red. Back green, - crown blue; rump dull red; eyelids red. _Female_ dull - green above, light olivaceous-yellow below. _Hab._ - Gulf States of United States, and whole of Middle - America. - - 5. C. leclancheri.[11] Lower parts gamboge-yellow. - Back blue, crown green, rump blue; eyelids yellow. - _Female_ not seen. _Hab._ Southern Mexico. - - - [11] _Cyanospiza leclancheri. Spiza leclancheri_, LAFR. Mag. - Zoöl. 1841, pl. xxii.—LESS. R. Z. 1842, 74. - - -Cyanospiza cyanea, BAIRD. - -INDIGO BIRD. - - _Tanagra cyanea_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 315. _Emberiza cyanea_, - GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 876. _Fringilla cyanea_, WILSON, I, - 1810, 100, pl. vi, f. 5.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 377; V, 503, - pl. lxxiv. _Passerina cyanea_, VIEILL. Dict. _Spiza cyanea_, - BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 474.—AUD. Syn. 1839, - 109.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 96, pl. clxx. _Cyanospiza - cyanea_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 505.—SAMUELS, 330. _? - Emberiza cyanella_, GM. I, 1788, 887. _? Emberiza cærulea_, GM. - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 876. _Indigo Bunting_, and _Blue Bunting_, - PENNANT and LATHAM. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Blue, tinged with ultramarine on the head, throat, -and middle of breast; elsewhere with verdigris-green. Lores and -anterior angle of chin velvet-black. Wing-feathers brown, edged -externally with dull bluish-brown. _Female._ Brown above; whitish, -obscurely streaked or blotched with brownish-yellow, beneath; tinged -with blue on shoulders, edges of larger feathers, and on rump. -Immature males similar, variously blotched with blue. Very young birds -streaked beneath. Length, about 5.75 inches; wing, nearly 3.00. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Missouri; south to Guatemala. Oaxaca -(SCL. 1859, 379); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 304); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I. -17); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 8); Costa Rica (CAB. JOUR. 1861, 4; LAWR. IX, -103); Vera Cruz, winter (SUM. M. B. S. I, 552). - -In this species, which may be considered the type of the genus, the -tail is slightly emarginate; the second quill is longest, the first -shorter than the fourth. - -HABITS. The common Indigo Bird of the Eastern States is found in -nearly uniform and tolerable abundance in various parts of the United -States, from the valley of the Missouri to the Atlantic, and from -Florida to New Brunswick. It is a summer visitant, but rare, in -Eastern Maine, but is common in the western part of the State, where -it arrives early in May, and where it breeds. Mr. Allen speaks of it -as not very common in the vicinity of Springfield, Mass., arriving -there about the middle of May, and breeding in gardens, orchards, and -the edges of woods, and making its nests in bushes. It leaves there -about the middle of September. - -In the eastern part of the State it is very unequally distributed. In -certain localities it has not been met with, but in other favorite -places it seems to be quite common, and to be on the increase. In the -gardens of Brookline and Roxbury they are comparatively quite -abundant. Mr. Maynard gives May 10 as the earliest date of their -coming. He also states that in the autumn they are found in flocks, -and frequent roadsides, high sandy fields, and rocky pastures, which I -have never noticed. According to Dr. Coues, it is common and breeds as -far south as Columbia, S. C., and, according to Mr. McIlwraith, it is -a common summer resident in the neighborhood of Hamilton, Canada West. -Specimens have been procured as far west as Fort Riley in Kansas. It -passes the winter in Guatemala, where it is quite abundant, though a -very large proportion of specimens received from there, in -collections, are immature birds. It was not found in Vera Cruz by Mr. -Sumichrast, nor is it given by Mr. Allen as found by him in Western -Iowa, while it was common both in Northern Illinois and in Indiana. It -was, however, found by Mr. Allen, in Kansas, in considerable numbers, -near Leavenworth, in the spring of 1871. It was not met with by Mr. -Dresser in Southwestern Texas, though Dr. Woodhouse found it quite -common in the prairies of that State, where its pleasant song was -heard in the timber on their edges, or in the thickets on the borders -of the streams in the Indian Territory, where it was quite abundant. -It was not observed on the Mexican Boundary Survey. - -These birds were found, by Mr. Boucard, abundant throughout the State -of Oaxaca, Mexico, having been taken both among the mountains near -Totontepec, and among the hot lowlands near Plaza Vicente. - -According to Wilson, this bird is not noticed in Pennsylvania much, if -any, earlier than its first appearance in New England, and it leaves -at about the same time. He observed it in great abundance both in -South Carolina and Georgia. - -In manners it is active and sprightly, and its song is vigorous and -pleasant. It is considered a better singer than either the _ciris_ or -the _amœna_. It usually stations itself, in singing, on some high -position, the top of a tree or of a chimney, where it chants its -peculiar and charming song for quite a space of time. Its song -consists of a repetition of short notes, at first loud and rapid, but -gradually less frequent, and becoming less and less distinct. It sings -with equal animation both in May and July, and its song may be -occasionally heard even into August, and not less during the noonday -heat of summer than in the cool of the morning. Nuttall describes its -animated song as a lively strain, composed of a repetition of short -notes. The most common of its vocal expressions sounds like -_tshe-tshe-tshe_, repeated several times. While the female is engaged -in the cares of incubation, or just as the brood has appeared, the -song of the male is said to be much shortened. In the village of -Cambridge, Nuttall observed one of this species regularly chanting its -song from the point of a forked lightning-rod, on a very tall house. - -The Indigo Bird usually builds its nest in the centre of a low thick -bush. The first nest I ever met with was built in a thick sumach that -had grown up at the bottom of a deep excavation, some fifteen feet -below the surface, and but two feet above the base of the shrub. This -same nest was occupied five successive summers. It was almost wholly -built of matting that the birds had evidently taken from the ties of -our grapevines. Each year the nest was repaired with the same -material. Once only they had two broods in one season. The second -brood was not hatched out until September, and the family was not -ready to migrate until after nearly all its kindred had assembled and -gone. This nest, though principally made of bare matting, was very -neatly and thoroughly lined with hair. Other nests are made of coarse -grasses and sedges, and all are usually lined in a similar manner. - -Audubon and Wilson describe the eggs of this bird as blue, with -purplish spots at the larger end. All that I have ever seen are white, -with a slight tinge of greenish or blue, and unspotted. I have never -been able to meet with a spotted egg of this bird, the identification -of which was beyond suspicion. They are of a rounded-oval shape, one -side is only a little more pointed than the other. They measure .75 of -an inch in length by .58 in breadth. They resemble the eggs of _C. -amœna_, but are smaller, and are not so deeply tinged with blue. - - -Cyanospiza amœna, BAIRD. - -LAZULI FINCH. - - _Emberiza amœna_, SAY, Long’s Exped. II, 1823, 47. _Fringilla - (Spiza) amœna_, BONAP. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 61, pl. vi, f. 5. - _Fringilla amœna_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 64, 230, pls. - cccxcviii and ccccxxiv. _Spiza amœna_, BONAP. List, 1838.—AUD. - Syn. 1839, 109.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, 100, pl. clxxi.—MAX. - Cab. Jour. VI, 1858, 283.—HEERM. X, s, 46. _Cyanospiza amœna_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 504.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 205.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 233. - - [Illustration: _Cyanospiza amœna._] - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Upper parts generally, with the head and neck all -round, greenish-blue; the interscapular region darker. Upper part of -breast pale brownish-chestnut extending along the sides and separated -from the blue of the throat by a faint white crescent; rest of under -parts and axillars white. A white patch on the middle wing-coverts, -and an obscurely indicated white band across the ends of the greater -coverts. Loral region black. Length, about 5.50; wing, 3.90; tail, -2.60. - -_Female._ Brown above, tinged with blue on rump and tail; whitish -beneath, tinged with buff on the breast and throat; faint white bands -on wings. - -HAB. High Central Plains to the Pacific. - -This species is about the size of _C. cyanea_; the bill exactly -similar. The females of the two species are scarcely distinguishable, -except by the faint traces of one or two white bands on the wings in -_amœna_. Sometimes both the throat and the upper part of the breast -are tinged with pale brownish-buff. - -HABITS. The Lazuli Finch was first obtained by Mr. Say, who met with -it in Long’s expedition. It was observed, though rarely, along the -banks of the Arkansas River during the summer months, as far as the -base of the Rocky Mountains. It was said to frequent the bushy -valleys, keeping much in the grass, after its food, and seldom -alighting on either trees or shrubs. - -Townsend, who found this rather a common bird on the Columbia, -regarded it as shy and retiring in its habits, the female being very -rarely seen. It possesses lively and pleasing powers of song, which it -pours forth from the upper branches of low trees. Its nests were -usually found placed in willows along the margins of streams, and were -composed of small sticks, fine grasses, and buffalo-hair. - -Mr. Nuttall found the nest of this bird fastened between the stem and -two branches of a large fern. It was funnel-shaped, being six inches -in height and three in breadth. - -This bird possibly occurs quite rarely, as far east as the -Mississippi, as I have what is said to be its egg taken from a nest -near St. Louis. It only becomes abundant on the plains. Mr. Ridgway -found it very generally distributed throughout his route, inhabiting -all the bushy localities in the fertile districts. He regarded it as, -in nearly every respect, the exact counterpart of the eastern _C. -cyanea_. The notes of the two birds are so exactly the same that their -song would be undistinguishable but for the fact that in the _amœna_ -it is appreciably weaker. He found their nests usually in the low -limbs of trees, near their extremity, and only a few feet from the -ground. Mr. J. A. Allen found this species common in Colorado, more so -among the foot-hills than on the plains, but does not appear to have -met with it in Kansas. - -This species, Mr. Lord states, visits Vancouver Island and British -Columbia early in the summer, arriving at the island in May, and -rather later east of the Cascades. The song of the male is said to be -feeble, and only now and then indulged in, as if to cheer his more -sombre partner during incubation. The nest, he adds, is round and open -at the top, composed of various materials worked together, lined with -hair, and placed in a low bush, usually by the side of a stream. - -The Lazuli Finch was met with in large numbers, and many of their -nests procured, by Mr. Xantus, in the neighborhood of Ft. Tejon, -California. Indeed, it is a very abundant species generally on the -Pacific coast, and is found at least as far north as Puget Sound, -during the summer. It arrives at San Diego, according to Dr. Cooper, -about April 22, and remains there until October. A male bird, kept in -a cage over winter, was found to retain its blue plumage. It is a -favorite cage-bird in California, where it is absurdly known as the -Indigo Bird. During the summer months, according to Dr. Cooper, there -is hardly a grove in the more open portions of the State uninhabited -by one or more pairs of this beautiful species. Although the female is -very shy and difficult to obtain, except on the nest, the male is not -timid, and frequently sings his lively notes from the top of some bush -or tree, continuing musical in all weathers and throughout the summer. -He describes its song as unvaried, as rather monotonous, and closely -resembling that of _C. cyanea_. - -Their nest, he adds, is usually built in a bush, not more than three -or four feet from the ground, formed of fibrous roots, strips of bark, -and grass, with a lining of vegetable down or hair, and securely bound -to the surrounding branches. The eggs, five in number, he describes as -white, faintly tinged with blue. At Santa Barbara he found them -freshly laid May 6. - -These birds are never gregarious, though the males come in -considerable flocks in the spring, several days before the females. -They travel at night, arriving at Santa Cruz about April 12. A nest -found by Dr. Cooper, May 7, in a low bush close to a public road, was -about three feet from the ground. It was very strongly built, -supported by a triple fork of the branch, and was composed of blades -of grass firmly interwoven, and lined with horsehair and cobwebs. It -measured three inches in height and three and three fourths in width. -The cavity was two inches deep and one and three fourths wide. - -In Arizona Dr. Coues found this bird a summer resident, but not -abundant. - -At Puget Sound this bird arrives about May 15. Dr. Suckley states that -in Oregon it was observed returning from the south, in large flocks, -in one instance of several hundred individuals. - -The eggs of the Lazuli, when fresh, are of a light blue, which on the -least exposure soon fades into a bluish-white. They are almost exactly -oval in shape, and measure .75 by .60 of an inch. One end is somewhat -more rounded, but the difference is slight. - - -Cyanospiza versicolor, BAIRD. - -VARIED BUNTING. - - _Spiza versicolor_, BON. Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1837, 120.—IB. Conspectus - Av. 1850, 475.—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 148. _Carduelis - luxuosus_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. 1839, 41. _Cyanospiza - versicolor_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 503, pl. lvi, f. - 2.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 234. - -SP. CHAR. Posterior half of hood, with throat, dark brownish-red; -interscapular region similar, but darker. Forepart of hood, lesser -wing-coverts, back of the neck, and rump, purplish-blue; the latter -purest blue; the belly reddish-purple, in places tinged with blue, -more obscure posteriorly. Feathers of wing and tail dark-brown, edged -with dull bluish. Loral region and narrow frontal band black. Feathers -on side of rump white at base. Length, 5.50; wing, 2.75; tail, 2.38. - -_Female._ Yellowish-brown; paler beneath, and lightest behind. No -white on wing. Tail with a bluish gloss. - -HAB. Northern Mexico, and Cape St. Lucas. Xalapa (SCL. 1859, 365); -Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 379); Orizaba (SCL. 1857, 214); (SUM. M. B. S. I, -551; breeding); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 17). - -The bill is stouter and more swollen to the end, and the mandible is -much more curved than that of _C. cyanea_; and its perfectly concave -commissure, without any shallow lobe in the middle, and the much more -arched ridge, would almost separate the two generically. The wing is -shorter and more rounded, the fourth quill longest, then the third, -second, and fifth. The first is only a little longer than the seventh. -The tail is decidedly rounded; rather more so than in _C. cyanea_. - -The female is very similar to those of _C. amœna_ and _cyanea_. The -former has whitish bands on the wing; the latter differs in shape of -bill, and has the first quill but little less than the second, or -longest; not shorter than the sixth. In 34,033 ♂, Cape St. Lucas (June -26), the colors are much brighter than in any other of the collection. -The whole occiput is bright scarlet, and the forehead nearly pure -light blue, neither having scarcely a tinge of purple. - -Autumnal and winter males have the bright tints very slightly obscured -by grayish-brown tips to the feathers, especially on the back. The -female in autumn is much more brown above and more rusty beneath than -in spring. - -HABITS. This beautiful species has only doubtful claims to a place in -our fauna. It is a Mexican species, and may occasionally cross into -our territory. It was met with at Boquillo, in the Mexican State of -New Leon, by Lieutenant Couch. It was procured in Guatemala by Dr. Van -Patten and by Salvin, and is given by Bonaparte as from Peru. It is -also found at Cape St. Lucas, where it is not rare, and where it -breeds. - -This bird is also found at Orizaba, according to Sumichrast, but is -quite rare in the State of Vera Cruz. Its common name is _Prusiano_. -Its geographical distribution he was not able satisfactorily to -ascertain. - -Among the memoranda of Mr. Xantus made at Cape St. Lucas, we find the -following in connection with this species: 517, nest and three eggs of -_Cyanospiza versicolor_; obtained May 5 on a myrtle hanging down from -very high perpendicular bluffs, off the Trajoles, at Cape St. Lucas. -1535, nest and eggs of the same found on a vine ten feet high. - -Specimens of this species were taken by Mr. Boucard at Oaxaca, Mexico, -during the winter months. - - -Cyanospiza ciris, BAIRD. - -NONPAREIL; PAINTED BUNTING. - - _Emberiza ciris_, LINN. Kong. Sv. Vet. Akad. Hand. 1750, 278; tab. - vii, f. 1.—IB. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 313.—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, - 1811, 68, pl. xxiv, f. 1, 2. _Passerina ciris_, VIEILLOT, Gal. - Ois. I, 1824, 81, pl. lxvi. _Fringilla ciris_, AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, 1832, 279; V, 517, pl. liii. _Spiza ciris_, BON. List, - 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 476.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 108.—IB. - Birds Am. III, 1841, 93, pl. clxix. _Cyanospiza ciris_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 503.—IB. Mex. Bound. II, Birds, 17, pl. - xviii, f. 2.—HEERM. X, c, p. 14. _? Fringilla mariposa_, - SCOPOLI, Annals Hist. Nat. I, 1769, 151. _Painted Finch_, - CATESBY, PENNANT. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Head and neck all round ultramarine-blue, excepting -a narrow stripe from the chin to the breast, which, with the under -parts generally, the eyelids, and the rump (which is tinged with -purplish), are vermilion-red. Edges of chin, loral region, greater -wing-coverts, inner tertiary, and interscapular region, green; the -middle of the latter glossed with yellow. Tail-feathers, lesser -wing-coverts, and outer webs of quills, purplish-blue. Length, about -5.50 inches; wing, 2.70. - -_Female._ Clear dark green above; yellowish beneath. _Young_, like -female. - -HAB. South Atlantic and Gulf States to the Pecos River, Texas; south -into Middle America to Panama; S. Illinois (RIDGWAY); Honduras (SCL. -1858, 358); Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 379); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 304); -Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 17); Honduras (SCL. II, 10); Cuba (CAB. J. -IV, 8); Veragua (SALV. 1867, 142); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 102); Vera -Cruz, winter (SUM. M. B. S. I, 552); Yucatan (LAWR. IX, 200). - -Tail very slightly emarginated and rounded; second, third, and fourth -quills equal; first rather shorter than the fifth. - -The female is readily distinguishable from that of _C. cyanea_ by the -green instead of dull brown of the back, and the yellow of the under -parts. - -Specimens of this species from all parts of its range appear to be -quite identical. - -HABITS. The Nonpareil or Painted Bunting of the Southern and -Southeastern States has a somewhat restricted distribution, not being -found any farther to the north on the Atlantic Coast than South -Carolina and Georgia, and probably only in the more southern portions -of those States. It has been traced as far to the west as Texas. It -was also met with at Monterey, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch, and in -winter by Mr. Boucard, at Plaza Vicente, Oaxaca. - -Mr. Dresser found it very common both at Matamoras and at San Antonio, -breeding in both places. Dr. Coues did not meet with it in Columbia, -S. C., and considers it as confined to the low country, and as rare -even there. It breeds about the city of Charleston, S. C., from which -neighborhood I have received its eggs in considerable numbers, from -Dr. Bachman. It is also found in the lower counties of Georgia, and -breeds in the vicinity of Savannah. It was not met with by Dr. -Gerhardt in the northern portion of that State. Dr. Woodhouse found it -quite abundant in all parts of Texas, where he tells us the sweet -warblings of this beautiful and active little Finch added much to the -pleasures of his trip across the prairies. Its favorite places of -resort appeared to be small thickets, and when singing it selected the -highest branches of a bush. - -In the Report on the birds of the Mexican Boundary Survey, Lieutenant -Couch met with this species among the low hedges in the suburbs of -Pesqueria Grande. Mr. J. H. Clark observed that the individuals of -this species diminished as they proceeded westward. The male was -almost always seen alone, flying a long distance for so small a bird. -Their nests, he adds, were built of very fine grass, in low bushes, -and resting in the crotch of the twigs. Males were never seen about -the nest, but the females were so gentle as to allow themselves to be -taken off the nest, which was deliberately done on more than one -occasion. - -Dr. Kennerly reports having often listened to the melodious warblings -of this beautiful Finch in the vicinity of San Antonio, Texas, where -he found it very abundant among the thick mesquite-bushes, in the -month of July. It was deservedly a great favorite there, both on -account of the beauty of its plumage and its notes. - -Wilson found this bird one of the most numerous summer birds of Lower -Louisiana, where it was universally known among the French inhabitants -as _Le Pape_. Its gay dress and its docility of manners procured it -many admirers. Wilson also states that he met with these birds in the -low countries of all the Southern States, in the vicinity of the sea -and along the borders of the large rivers, particularly among the rice -plantations. He states that a few were seen near the coast in North -Carolina, but they were more numerous in South Carolina, and still -more so in Georgia, especially the lower parts. At Natchez, on the -Mississippi, they were comparatively scarce, but below Baton Rouge, on -the levee, they appeared in great numbers. Around New Orleans they -were warbling from almost every fence. Their notes very much resemble -those of the Indigo Bird, but lack their energy, and are more feeble -and concise. - -Wilson met with these birds very generally in the houses of the French -inhabitants of New Orleans. In the aviary of a wealthy French planter -near Bayou Fourche, he found two pairs of these birds so far -reconciled to their confinement as to have nests and hatch out their -eggs. Wilson was of the opinion that with the pains given to the -Canary these birds would breed with equal facility. Six of them, -caught only a few days before his departure, were taken with him by -sea. They soon became reconciled to their cage, and sang with great -sprightliness. They were very fond of flies, and watched with great -eagerness as the passengers caught them for their benefit, assembling -in the front of the cage and stretching their heads through the wires -to receive them. - -These birds, he states, arrive in Louisiana from the South about the -middle of April, and build early in May. They reach Savannah about the -20th of April. Their nests are usually fixed in orange hedges or in -the lower branches of the trees. He often found them in common bramble -and blackberry bushes. They are formed exteriorly of dry grass -intermingled with the silk of caterpillars, with hair and fine -rootlets. Some nests had eggs as late as the 25th of June, which were -probably a second brood. The food of this bird consists of rice, -insects, and various kinds of seeds. They also feed on the seeds of -ripe figs. - -A single specimen of this species was detected by Mr. Ridgway in -Southern Illinois between Olney and Mount Carmel, on the 10th of June. -It is therefore presumed to be a rare summer resident in that -locality. - -The Nonpareil is possessed of a very pugnacious disposition, and, -according to Mr. Audubon, the bird-dealers of New Orleans take -advantage of this peculiarity in a very ingenious manner to trap them. -A male bird is stuffed and set up in an attitude of defence on the -platform of a trap-cage. The first male bird of this species that -notices it is sure to make an attack upon it, and is at once trapped. -So pertinacious are they that even when thus imprisoned the captive -repeats its attack upon its supposed rival. They feed almost -immediately upon being caught, and usually thrive in confinement, -Audubon mentioning one that had been caged for ten years. - -This bird is very easily made to breed in confinement. Dr. Bachman has -had a single pair thus raise three broods in a season. - -The eggs of this species measure .80 by .65 of an inch, and do not at -all resemble the eggs of the _cyanea_ or _amœna_. They have a dull or -pearly-white ground, and are very characteristically marked with -blotches and dots of purplish and reddish brown. - - -GENUS SPERMOPHILA, SWAINSON. - - _Spermophila_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, Nov. 1827, 348. (Type, - _Pyrrhula falcirostris_, TEMM. Sufficiently distinct from - _Spermophilus_, F. CUV. 1822.) - _Sporophila_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 148. (Type, _Fringilla - hypoleuca_, LICHT.) - - [Line drawing: _Spermophila moreleti._ - 30524 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very short and very much curved, as in _Pyrrhula_, -almost as deep as long; the commissure concave, abruptly bent towards -the end. Tarsus about equal to middle toe; inner toe rather the longer -(?), reaching about to the base of the middle one; hind toe to the -middle of this claw. Wings short, reaching over the posterior third of -the exposed part of the tail; the tertiaries gradually longer than the -secondaries, neither much shorter than the primaries, which are -graduated, and but little different in length, the first shorter than -the sixth, the second and fourth equal. The tail is about as long as -the wings, rounded, all the feathers slightly graduated, rather -sharply acuminate and decidedly mucronate. Smallest of American -passerine birds. - -The essential characters of this genus are the small, very convex -bill, as high as long; the short broad wings, with the quills -differing little in length, the outer ones graduated; the tail as long -as the wings, widened towards the end, and slightly graduated, with -the acuminate and mucronate tip to the feathers. - -Many species of the genus occur in Middle and South America, although -none not readily distinguishable from the single North American one. - - -Spermophila moreleti, PUCHERAN. - -LITTLE SEED-EATER. - - _Spermophila moreleti_, (PUCHERAN,) BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, - 497.—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1856, 302.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 506, pl. liv, f. 2, 3.—IB. Mex. Bound. II, Birds, 17, - pl. xvi, f. 2, 3. _Sporophila moreleti_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, - 150.—IB. Journ. für. Orn. IX, 1861, 4 (with synonomy). - _Spermophila albigularis_, (SPIX,) LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum, - V, Sept. 1851, 124 (Texas. Not of SPIX). - -SP. CHAR. The top and sides of the head, back of the neck, a broad -band across the upper part of the breast extending all round, the -middle of the back, the wings and tail, with the posterior upper -coverts, black. The chin, upper throat and neck all round, but -interrupted behind, the rump, with the remaining under and lateral -portions of the body, white; the latter tinged with brownish-yellow. -Two bands on the wing, across the greater and middle coverts, with the -concealed bases of all the quills, also white. Length, about 4 inches; -wing, 2.05; tail, 1.90. - -_Female._ Dull yellow; olivaceous above, brownish-yellow beneath. -Wings and tail somewhat as in the male. - -HAB. Rio Grande of Texas; south to Costa Rica. Xalapa (SCL. 1859, -365); Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 378); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 302); Guatemala -(SCL. Ibis, I, 17; SALV. Ibis, I, 468; nest); Costa Rica (CAB. J. -1861, 4); Vera Cruz, winter, alpine region, breeding (SUM. M. B. S. I, -551). - - [Illustration: _Spermophila moreleti._] - -The specimen upon which the preceding description of the male has been -based is the only one in full plumage we have seen, and was kindly -lent by Mr. P. L. Sclater. It was collected in Honduras. Some of the -feathers of the back have grayish tips. The specimen described by Mr. -Lawrence as _S. albigularis_, though male, is, in most respects, like -the female, except that the wings and tail are darker, the color of -the upper part grayer, and the interscapular feathers blotched with -black. The black of the head is strongly indicated, the feathers, -however, all with gray margins. In this and another, a little further -advanced, from San Diego, Mexico, (4096,) there is a very faint -indication of the black pectoral band, and there is no trace of the -whitish of the rump. - -HABITS. This pretty little tropical form of Sparrow can only rest a -claim to be included in our fauna by its occasional presence on the -Rio Grande in Texas. It is found throughout Mexico and Central -America. - -Mr. Sumichrast found it throughout the State of Vera Cruz, except only -in the elevated or alpine regions. Its common name was _Frailecito_. -It was abundant throughout the hot and the temperate regions as well -as the plateau. - -This species was first met with near the Lake of Peten, in Guatemala, -by M. Morelet, and was described from his specimens in the Paris -Museum by Prince Bonaparte. Mr. Salvin found it a not uncommon species -about Dueñas, where it is generally to be found amongst the tall weeds -on the edge of the lake. It was also found at Belize. From a letter of -Mr. Salvin, published in the Ibis of 1859 (p. 468), we quote the -following in reference to the nest of this species, which is all the -information we have in relation to this diminutive Sparrow: “A day or -two ago I found two nests of _Spermophila moreleti_, and took one -rotten dried-up egg from one with a young one in it. Nothing could be -more different than this nest and that of _S. bicolor_, so well -described by Mr. Newton. That of _S. moreleti_, instead of the loose -domed structure of _S. bicolor_, with a large side-entrance, composed -entirely of one material, is one of the neatest nests you ever saw,—a -beautiful, open, transparent nest, composed of fine roots and fibres, -and lined with horsehair. It is not placed resting on a branch, but is -suspended like a Reed Warbler’s (_Salicaria arundinacea_), by several -small twigs. The eggs, too, differ materially.” Mr. Salvin gives no -description of these eggs. - -This bird was found a resident during the winter months, and in May -also, at Plaza Vicente, in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. This is in the -low or hot lands of that region. - - -GENUS PHONIPARA, BONAP. - - _Phonipara_, BONAPARTE, 1850. (Type, _Loxia canora_, GM.) - - [Illustration: _Phonipara zena._] - -GEN. CHAR. Size very small. Wing considerably longer than the tail, -but much rounded; third or fourth quill longest; first about equal to -seventh. Tail very slightly rounded, the feathers broad. Bill very -short and deep, but the depth through the base less than the culmen; -culmen but slightly, or not appreciably, curved; bill much compressed. -Feet stout; tarsi longer than the middle toe; outer toe longer than -the inner, its claw just reaching the base of the middle claw; hind -toe with the claw very large, and strongly curved. Among the least of -American _Fringillidæ_. - -The introduction of this genus into the North American fauna is the -result of Mr. Maynard’s indefatigable labors in the exploration of -Florida. The species are principally West Indian, a single race alone -belonging to the continental portion of Middle America. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Sexes very different. Above olive-green, -beneath blackish or whitish. ♂. Head and breast black, the -former with or without yellow patches. ♀ with the yellow and -black indicated only, or wanting. Length, about 4.00. - - A. Head without any yellow. - - 1. P. zena. Culmen decidedly curved. Above dull grayish - olive-green. ♂. Head and lower parts, especially - anteriorly, dull black, mixed with whitish posteriorly. - ♀. Head and beneath ashy. Wing, about 2.00; tail, 1.75. - _Hab._ West Indies (Cuba, Hayti, Porto Rico, St. - Bartholomew, Jamaica, etc.); also Key West, Florida - (MAYNARD). - - B. Head with yellow patches. - - 2. P. pusilla. Culmen perfectly straight. Above rather - bright olive-green. ♂, a supraloral stripe, a patch on - chin, and upper part of throat, with edge of wing, - bright yellow; forehead, lores, and jugulum black. ♀ - with the black and yellow only indicated, or wanting. - - Whole crown, cheeks, breast, and upper part of abdomen - black. _Hab._ Middle America, from Mirador to Panama, - and southward var. _pusilla_.[12] - - Only isolated spots, covering forehead, lore, and base - of lower jaw, and patch on jugulum, black. _Hab._ West - Indies. (Porto Rico, Hayti, Jamaica, Cuba, etc.) - var. _olivacea_.[13] - - 3. P. canora.[14] Culmen decidedly curved. Above bright - olive-green; beneath pale ashy, whitish on anal region. - A bright yellow broad crescent across the lower part of - the throat, curving upward and forward, behind and over - the auriculars, to above the eye. ♂. Lores, auriculars, - and chin, and a band across the jugulum, black. ♀. Chin, - etc., chestnut-brown; no black on jugulum. _Hab._ Cuba. - - - [12] _Tiaris pusilla_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 438. - _Phonipara pusilla_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 159. - - [13] _Emberiza olivacea_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 309. - _Phonipara olivacea_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 159. - - [14] _Loxia canora_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 858. _Phonipara - canora_, BONAP. - - -Phonipara zena, BRYANT. - -THE BLACK-FACED FINCH. - - _Fringilla zena_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (ed. 10,) 1758, 183 (based on - _Passer bicolor bahamensis_, CATESBY, Carol. I, tab. 37, - Bahamas).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. X, 1865, 254. - _Fringilla bicolor_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (ed. 12,) 1766, 324 - (same original as _zena_). _Spermophila bicolor_, GOSSE - (Jamaica). _Phonipara bicolor_, NEWTON (St. Croix). _? Tiaris - omissa_, JARDINE, Ann. Nat. Hist. 1847, 332 (Tobago). - _Phonipara omissa_, SCLATER. _Phonipara marchi_, BAIRD, Pr. A. - N. Sc. Phila. Nov. 1863, 297 (Jamaica). _Fringilla zena_, var. - _marchi_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1867, 43. _Fringilla - (Phonipara) zena_, var. _portoricensis_, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. - X, 1865, 254 (Porto Rico). - -SP. CHAR. _Male adult_ (627, Bryant coll.; Inagua). Above dull -olive-green, the head and lower parts black, the two colors blending -insensibly into each other; feathers of the middle of the abdomen and -crissum edged with whitish. Wing, 2.10; tail, 1.80, culmen, .35; -tarsus, .63; middle toe, .50. - -_Female adult_ (983, Bryant coll.; Inagua). Above dull olive-green, -beneath ashy, whitish on the abdomen and crissum; no black. Wing, -2.10. - -_Male juv._ (981, Bryant coll.; Inagua). Like the adult female, but -the head anteriorly, the chin, throat, and jugulum medially, black. -Wing, 2.05. - -HAB. West Indies (Bahamas; Jamaica, Porto Rico; St. Croix, Tobago?). - -Quite a large series of this species from the various West Indian -Islands show a considerable variation in the amount of black in male -birds; nothing characteristic of the different islands, however, for, -in specimens from each, individuals are to be found agreeing in every -respect with the stages described above. - -HABITS. The Black-faced Finch of Jamaica and other West India Islands -claims a place in the fauna of the United States as an occasional -visitant of Florida; of how common occurrence on that peninsula we -cannot determine. It was taken there in the spring of 1871 by Mr. -Maynard, and is possibly an accidental rather than a regular visitant. -It is found in many of the West India Islands, though being resident -in their several places of abode, they naturally exhibit certain -characteristics as of distinct races. The eggs of the St. Croix bird -differ considerably from those of the Jamaica one. - -The Messrs. Newton, in their account of the birds of St. Croix, -mention this bird as having a Bunting-like song, heard always very -early in the morning. It is said to frequent the curing-houses, -hopping on the uncovered sugar-hogsheads, and making a plentiful meal -therefrom. It is very sociable, and feeds in small flocks, mostly on -the ground among the guinea-grass. The crops of those dissected were -usually found to contain small seeds. They build domed nests in low -bushes, thickets of bamboo, or among creepers against the side of a -house, seldom more than four feet from the ground, composed entirely -of dry grass, the interior being lined with finer materials of the -same. The opening is on one side, and is large for the size of the -nest. They breed from the middle of May to the end of July. The eggs -are white, spotted with red, especially at the larger end. The usual -number of eggs is three, very rarely four. Their measurement is .65 by -.50 of an inch. - -In Jamaica Mr. March speaks of it as the most common of the Grass -Finches, of which there are three other species, and as nesting at all -seasons of the year in low trees and bushes. Near homesteads, in -building their domed nests, they make use of shreds, scraps of cloth, -bits of cotton, and other trash. Their eggs, he says, are three and -sometimes even six in number; and he mentions their varying both as to -dimensions and coloring, which may explain the difference between the -eggs from St. Croix and Jamaica. Those from the latter place measure -.72 by .50 of an inch, and the markings are more of a brown than a red -color. - -Mr. Hill adds that the Grass Finch very frequently selects a shrub on -which the wasps have built, fixing the entrance close to their cells. - -Mr. Gosse states that the only note of this species is a single harsh -guttural squeak, difficult either to imitate or to describe. - - -GENUS PYRRHULOXIA, BONAP. - - _Pyrrhuloxia_, BONAPARTE, Conspectus, 1850, 500. (Type, _Cardinalis - sinuatus_, BON.) - -GEN. CHAR. The bill is very short and much curved, the culmen forming -an arc of a circle of 60 degrees or more, and ending at a right angle -with the straight gonys; the commissure abruptly much angulated -anterior to the nostrils in its middle point; the lower jaw very much -wider than the upper, and wider than the gonys is long; anterior -portion of commissure straight. Tarsus longer than middle toe; outer -lateral toes longer, not reaching the base of the middle; wing -considerably rounded, first quill longer than secondaries. Tail much -longer than the wing, graduated; the feathers broad, truncate. Head -crested. - - [Line drawing: _Pyrrhuloxia sinuata._ - 6370] - -_Color._ Gray, with red feathers and patches. - -The essential character of this genus lies in the greatly curved, very -short, and broad bill, something like that of _Pyrrhula_. In other -respects like _Cardinalis_, but with less graduated wing, and longer -and broader tail. - - -Pyrrhuloxia sinuata, BONAP. - -TEXAS CARDINAL. - - _Cardinalis sinuatus_, BP. Pr. Zoöl. Soc. Lond. V, 1837, 111 - (Mexico).—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, 1851, 116.—CASSIN, - Illust. I, VII, 1854, 204, pl. xxxiii. _Pyrrhuloxia sinuata_, - BON. Consp. 1850, 500.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 508.—HEERM. - X, c. 16.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 236. - -SP. CHAR. Head with an elongated, pointed crest, springing from the -crown. Upper parts generally pale ashy-brown; hood, sides of neck, and -under parts of body, rather paler. Long crest-feathers, bill all round -including lores and encircling the eye, wing and tail, dark crimson. -Chin and upper part of throat, breast, and median line of the belly, -under tail-coverts, tibia, edge and inner coverts of the wings, bright -carmine-red. Bill yellowish. Length, about 8.50; wing, 3.75; tail, -4.50. - -_Female_ similar, with the under part brownish-yellow; middle of belly -and throat only tinged with red. - -HAB. Valley of the Rio Grande of Texas and westward; Cape St. Lucas; -Mazatlan, Mexico. - - [Illustration: _Pyrrhuloxia sinuata._] - -The wing is considerably rounded, the fourth and fifth quills longest; -the first as long as the secondaries, the second longer than the -seventh. The tail is long, graduated on the sides, the outer about -half an inch shorter than the middle. The feathers are very broad to -the end and obliquely truncate. They are rather broader than in -_Cardinalis virginianus_. The crest is narrower and longer, and -confined to the middle of the crown; it extends back about 1.80 inches -from the base of the bill. - -The carmine of the breast is somewhat hidden by grayish tips to the -feathers; that of the throat is streaked a little with darker. The -exposed surfaces of the wing-coverts and of secondaries and tertials -are like the back. The tail-feathers are tipped with brownish. - -Specimens from Cape St. Lucas are very much smaller than any others, -measuring only, wing, 3.30; tail, 3.80. The crest is dull carmine, -instead of dark wine-purple; the red tinge on wing and tail much -fainter, and the sides, as well as the gray tints everywhere, more -brownish; there is none of that dark burnt-carmine tint to the red of -lores and cheeks observable in all the Texas specimens. No. 49,758, -Camp Grant, Arizona, is like the Cape St. Lucas birds in colors, -except that the crest is dusky, but the proportions are those of the -Rio Grande series. - -HABITS. The Texan Cardinal was originally described as a bird of -Mexico by Prince Charles Lucien Bonaparte in the Proceedings of the -Zoölogical Society of London. It has since been ascertained to inhabit -the southern central portions of our country, its range of extension -northerly bringing it within the limits of the United States. In -Texas, on the Rio Grande, it is resident throughout the year, or of -but limited migration in the coldest weather. It was not observed by -Dr. Coues in Arizona, but is said to occur in the southern portion of -that Territory. It was found breeding at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus. -It is not named by Sumichrast among the birds of Vera Cruz. - -Its habits are said to be of the same general character with those of -our common Cardinal. - -The specimens from which this bird was first described were procured -in the vicinity of the city of Mexico. The first obtained within the -limits of the United States were observed by Captain McCown of the U. -S. Army, at Ringgold Barracks, in Texas. Since then it has been -procured by several of the naturalists accompanying the government -expeditions. It was obtained in New Leon, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch; -in Texas, by Major Emory; in Texas and at El Paso, by Lieutenant -Parke. - -When first seen, in March, in the State of Tamaulipas, by Lieutenant -Couch, it was in flocks, very shy and difficult of approach. It did -not occur much in open fields, but seemed to prefer the vicinity of -fences and bushes. It was often seen in company with the common -Cardinal. - -Dr. Kennerly found this bird quite abundant in the vicinity of El -Paso, but did not observe it elsewhere. It kept generally in flocks of -from three to six, frequenting the hedges and fruit-trees in the -vicinity of houses. It became very restless when approached, flying -from branch to branch and from tree to tree, uttering its peculiar -note with great vehemence. - -Dr. Heermann met with the first specimen of this bird in a dry cañon, -a little to the east of the crossing of San Pedro River. It was -perched on a bush, seemed wearied and lost, and was probably a -wanderer. No more were seen until he reached El Paso. There he found -it everywhere among the hedges and trees, and continued to meet with -it occasionally on his road, until his party left civilization behind. -It erects its crest as it moves actively about in search of food, and -utters at intervals a clear, plaintive whistle, varied by a few -detached notes. - -Mr. Dresser considers this species rather a straggler from Mexico than -as a Texan bird. Near Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras he found it -abundant, but it became scarce as soon as he travelled a few miles -into Texas. He saw none north or east of the Leona. He was told that -quantities breed near Eagle Pass, and he saw not a few in cages that -had been reared from the nest. He found it a shy bird, and difficult -to shoot. When followed, it flies about uneasily, perching on the top -of some high bush, and erecting its long crest, uttering a clear, -plaintive whistle. Sometimes it would take to the thick brushwood and -creep through the bushes so that it was impossible to get a shot at -it. On the Lower Rio Grande it was of uncommon occurrence. He noticed -a single pair near Matamoras in August, 1864. - -Captain McCown, in his account of this species, published by Cassin, -writes that, so far as seen on the Rio Grande, this handsome species -appeared to have a strong partiality for damp and bushy woods. So far -as he observed, it never ventured far from the river. He was under the -impression that this bird remains in Texas all the year, having met -with it so late in the fall and again so early in the spring, that, if -not constantly resident, its migrations must be very limited. He -describes it as a gay, sprightly bird, generally seen in company with -others of the same species, frequently erecting its crest and calling -to its mate or comrades. It is rather shy, and not easily approached. -In its voice and general habits it appeared to him very similar to the -common species. - -The eggs of this species are of an oval shape, one end being only a -little less rounded than the other. Their average measurement is one -inch in length by .80 in breadth. Their ground-color is a dull -chalky-white, over which are distributed well-defined blotches of a -light umber-brown, and also a number of indistinct markings of purple. -The spots are pretty uniform in these colors, but vary greatly in size -and distribution. In some eggs they largely consist of fine dots, in -others they are in bold blotches. In some the brown is more confluent -and the effect that of a deeper shade. - - -GENUS CARDINALIS, BONAP. - - _Cardinalis_, BONAPARTE, Saggio di una distribuzione metod. dei - Animagli Vertebrati, 1831 (Agassiz). (Type, _Loxia cardinalis_, - LINN.) - - [Line drawing: _Cardinalis virginianus._ - 4030] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill enormously large; culmen very slightly curved, -commissure sinuated; lower jaw broader than the length of the gonys, -considerably wider than the upper jaw, about as deep as the latter. -Tarsi longer than middle toe; outer toe rather the longer, reaching a -little beyond the base of the middle one; hind toe not so long. Wings -moderate, reaching over the basal third of the exposed part of the -tail. Four outer quills graduated; the first equal to the secondaries. -Tail long, decidedly longer than the wings, considerably graduated; -feathers broad, truncated a little obliquely at the end, the corners -rounded. Colors red. Head crested. - -The essential characters of this genus are the crested head; very -large and thick bill extending far back on the forehead, and only -moderately curved above; tarsus longer than middle toe; much graduated -wings, the first primary equal to the secondary quills; the long tail -exceeding the wings, broad and much graduated at the end. - -Of this genus, only two species are known, one of them being -exclusively South American, the other belonging to North America, but -in different regions modified into representative races. They may be -defined as follows. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. _Male._ Bright vermilion-red, more dusky -purplish on upper surface; feathers adjoining base of -bill black for greater or less extent. _Female._ Above -olivaceous, the wings, tail, and crest reddish; beneath -olivaceous-whitish, slightly tinged on jugulum with red. - - C. virginianus. Culmen nearly straight; commissure with a - slight lobe; upper mandible as deep as the lower, - perfectly smooth. Bill red. Black patch covering whole - throat, its posterior outline convex. _Female._ Lining of - wing deep vermilion. Olivaceous-gray above, the wings - and tail strongly tinged with red; crest only dull red, - without darker shaft-streaks. Beneath wholly light - ochraceous. No black around bill. - - A. Crest-feathers soft, blended. Rump not lighter red than - back. - - _a._ Black of the lores passing broadly across forehead. - Crest brownish-red. Bill moderate. - - Culmen, .75; gonys, .41; depth of bill, .54. Feathers - of dorsal region broadly margined with grayish. Wing, - 4.05; tail, 4.50; crest, 1.80. _Hab._ Eastern Province - of United States, south of 40°. Bermudas - var. _virginianus_. - - _b._ Black of the lores not meeting across forehead; - crest pure vermilion. Bill robust. - - Culmen, .84; gonys, .47; depth of bill, .70. Feathers - of dorsal region without grayish borders; red beneath - more intense; wing, 3.60; tail, 4.20; crest, 2.00. - _Hab._ Eastern Mexico (Mirador; Yucatan; “Honduras”) - var. _coccineus_.[15] - - Culmen, .82; gonys, .47; depth of bill, .65. Feathers - of dorsal region with distinct gray borders; red - beneath lighter. Wing, 4.00; tail, 5.00; crest, 2.00. - _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas, and Arizona; Tres Marias - Islands. (Perhaps all of Western Mexico, north of the - Rio Grande de Santiago.) var. _igneus_. - - B. Crest-feathers stiff, compact. Rump decidedly lighter - red than the back. - - Culmen, .75; gonys, .41; depth of bill, .57. Dorsal - feathers without grayish margins; red as in the last. - Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.80; crest, 2.00. _Hab._ Western - Mexico; Colima. “Acapulco et Realejo.” var. _carneus_.[16] - - C. phœniceus.[17] Culmen much arched; commissure arched; - upper mandible not as deep as lower, and with grooves - forward from the nostril, parallel with the curve of the - culmen. Bill whitish-brown. Black patch restricted to the - chin, its posterior outline deeply concave. - - Crest-feathers stiff and compact. No black above, or on - lores; crest pure vermilion; rump light vermilion, much - lighter than the back, which is without gray edges to - feathers. Culmen, .75; gonys, .39; height of bill, .67; - wing, 3.50; tail, 3.90; crest, 2.20. _Female._ Lining of - wing buff; above ashy-olivaceous, becoming pure ash on - head and neck, except their under side. Crest-feathers - vermilion with black shafts; no red tinge on wings, and - only a slight tinge of it on tail. Forepart of cheeks and - middle of throat white; rest of lower part deep - ochraceous. Black around bill as in the male. _Hab._ - Northern South America; Venezuela; New Granada. - - - [15] _Cardinalis virginianus_, var. _coccineus_, RIDGWAY. - - [16] _Cardinalis virginianus_, var. _carneus_. _? Cardinalis - carneus_, LESS. R. Z. 1842, 209.—BONAP. Consp. I, 501. - - According to the locality quoted (“Acapulco et Realejo”) - this name is the one to be applied to the variety diagnosed - in the synopsis; it is difficult, however, to make anything - out of the description, as it is evidently taken from a - female or immature bird. If the locality quoted be correct, - this form ranges along the Pacific Coast, probably from - latitude 20° south, as far at least as Nicaragua. North of - 20°, and on the Tres Marias Islands, it is replaced by var. - _igneus_, and on the Atlantic coast, from Tampico south to - Honduras, is represented by the var. _coccineus_. - - In the very long, stiff crest-feathers, and light red rump, - this variety of _C. virginianus_ closely approximates to _C. - phœniceus_, but in other respects is very distinct. - - [17] _Cardinalis phœniceus_, (GOULD,) BONAP. P. Z. S. 1837, - p. 111; Consp. I, 501.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ex. Orn. Pt. VIII, - 1868, pl. lxiii. - - -Cardinalis virginianus, BONAP. - -REDBIRD; CARDINAL GROSBEAK. - - _Coccothraustes virginiana_, BRISSON, Orn. III, 1760, 253. _Loxia - cardinalis_, LINN. Syst. I, 1766, 300.—WILSON, Am. Orn. II, - 1810, 38, pl. vi, f. 1, 2. _Coccothraustes cardinalis_, VIEILL. - Dict. _Fringilla (Coccothraustes) cardinalis_, BON. Obs. Wils. - 1825, No. 79. _Fringilla cardinalis_, NUTT. Man. I, 1832, - 519.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 336; V, 514, pl. clix. _Pitylus - cardinalis_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 131.—IB. Birds Am. III, 1841, - 198, pl. cciii. _Cardinalis virginianus_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Consp. 1850, 501.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 509.—MAX. Cab. J. - VI, 1858, 268. _Grosbec de Virginie_, BUFF. Pl. enl. 37. - - [Illustration: _Cardinalis virginianus._] - -SP. CHAR. A flattened crest of feathers on the crown. Bill red. Body -generally bright vermilion-red, darker on the back, rump, and tail. -The feathers of the back and rump bordered with brownish-gray. Narrow -band around the base of the bill, extending to eyes, with chin and -upper part of the throat black. - -_Female_ of a duller red, and this only on the wings, tail, and -elongated feathers of the crown. Above light olive; tinged with -yellowish on the head; beneath brownish-yellow, darkest on the sides -and across the breast. Black about the head only faintly indicated. -Length, 8.50; wing, 4.00; tail, 4.50; culmen, .75; depth of bill, .58; -breadth of upper mandible, .35. (28,286 ♂, Mount Carmel, Southern -Illinois.) - -HAB. More southern portions of United States to the Missouri. Probably -along valley of Rio Grande to Rocky Mountains. - -The bill of this species is very large, and shaped much as in -_Hedymeles ludovicianus_. The central feathers of the crest of the -crown are longer than the lateral; they spring from about the middle -of the crown, and extend back about an inch and a half from the base -of the bill. The wings are much rounded, the fourth longest, the -second equal to the seventh, the first as long as the secondaries. The -tail is long, truncate at the end, but graduated on the sides; the -feathers are broad to the end, truncated obliquely at the end. - -Most North American specimens we have seen have the feathers of the -back edged with ashy; the more northern the less brightly colored, and -larger. Mexican skins (var._coccineus_) are deeper colored and without -the olivaceous. In all specimens from eastern North America the -frontal black is very distinct. - -Specimens from the Eastern Province of United States, including -Florida and the Bermudas, are all alike in possessing those features -distinguishing the restricted var. _virginianus_ from the races of -Mexico, namely, the wide black frontal band, and distinct gray edges -to dorsal feathers, with small bill. Specimens from Florida are -scarcely smaller, and are not more deeply colored than some examples -from Southern Illinois. Rio Grande skins, however, are slightly less -in size, though identical in other respects. - -HABITS. The Cardinal Grosbeak, the Redbird of the Southern States, is -one of our few birds that present the double attraction of a brilliant -and showy plumage with more than usual powers of song. In New England -and the more northern States it is chiefly known by its reputation as -a cage-bird, both its bright plumage and its sweet song giving it a -high value. It is a very rare and only an accidental visitor of -Massachusetts, though a pair was once known to spend the summer and to -rear its brood in the Botanical Gardens of Harvard College in -Cambridge. It is by no means a common bird even in Pennsylvania. In -all the Southern States, from Virginia to Mexico, it is a well-known -favorite, frequenting gardens and plantations, and even breeding -within the limits of the larger towns and cities. A single specimen of -this bird was obtained near Dueñas, Guatemala, by Mr. Salvin. - -The song of this Grosbeak is diversified, pleasant, and mellow, -delivered with energy and ease, and renewed incessantly until its -frequent repetitions somewhat diminish its charms. Its peculiar -whistle is not only loud and clear, resembling the finest notes of the -flageolet, but is so sweet and so varied that by some writers it has -been considered equal even to the notes of the far-famed Nightingale -of Europe. It is, however, very far from being among our best singers; -yet, as it is known to remain in full song more than two thirds of the -year, and while thus musical to be constant and liberal in the -utterance of its sweet notes, it is entitled to a conspicuous place -among our singing birds. - -In its cage life the Cardinal soon becomes contented and tame, and -will live many years in confinement. Wilson mentions one instance in -which a Redbird was kept twenty-one years. They sing nearly throughout -the year, or from January to October. In the extreme Southern States -they are more or less resident, and some may be found all the year -round. There is another remarkable peculiarity in this species, and -one very rarely to be met with among birds, which is that the female -Cardinal Grosbeak is an excellent singer, and her notes are very -nearly as sweet and as good as those of her mate. - -This species has been traced as far to the west in its distribution as -the base of the Rocky Mountains, and into Mexico at the southwest. In -Mexico it is also replaced by a very closely allied variety, and at -Cape St. Lucas by still another. It is given by Mr. Lawrence among the -birds occurring near New York City. He has occasionally met with it in -New Jersey and at Staten Island, and, in one instance, on New York -Island, when his attention was attracted to it by the loudness of its -song. - -It is given by Mr. Dresser as common throughout the whole of Texas -during the summer, and almost throughout the year, excepting only -where the _P. sinuata_ is found. At Matamoras it was very common, and -may be seen caged in almost every Mexican hut. He found it breeding in -great abundance about San Antonio in April and May. - -Mr. Cassin states that the Cardinal Bird is also known by the name of -Virginia Nightingale. He adds that it inhabits, for the greater part, -low and damp woods in which there is a profuse undergrowth of bushes, -and is particularly partial to the vicinity of watercourses. The male -bird is rather shy and careful of exposing himself. - -Wilson mentions that in the lower parts of the Southern States, in the -neighborhood of settlements, he found them more numerous than -elsewhere. Their clear and lively notes, even in the months of January -and February, were, at that season, almost the only music. Along the -roadsides and fences he found them hovering in small groups, -associated with Snowbirds and various kinds of Sparrows. Even in -Pennsylvania they frequent the borders of creeks and rivulets during -the whole year, in sheltered hollows, covered with holly, laurel, and -other evergreens. They are very fond of Indian corn, a grain that is -their favorite food. They are also said to feed on various kinds of -fruit. - -The males of this species, during the breeding season, are described -as very pugnacious, and when confined together in the same cage they -fight violently. The male bird has even been known to destroy its -mate. In Florida Mr. Audubon found these birds mated by the 8th of -February. The nest is built in bushes, among briers, or in low trees, -and in various situations, the middle of a field, near a fence, or in -the interior of a thicket, and usually not far from running water. It -has even been placed in the garden close to the planter’s house. It is -loosely built of dry leaves and twigs, with a large proportion of dry -grasses and strips of the bark of grapevines. Within, it is finished -and lined with finer stems of grasses wrought into a circular form. -There are usually two, and in the more Southern States three, broods -in a season. - -Mr. Audubon adds that they are easily raised from the nest, and have -been known to breed in confinement. - -The eggs of this species are of an oblong-oval shape, with but little -difference at either end. Their ground-color appears to be white, but -is generally so thickly marked with spots of ashy-brown and faint -lavender tints as to permit but little of its ground to be seen. The -eggs vary greatly in size, ranging from 1.10 inches to .98 of an inch -in length, and from .80 to .78 in breadth. - - -Cardinalis virginianus, var. igneus, BAIRD. - -CAPE CARDINAL. - - _Cardinalis igneus_, BAIRD, Pr. Ac. Sc. Phila. 1859, 305 (Cape St. - Lucas).—ELLIOT, Illust. N. Am. Birds, I, xvi.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 238. _Cardinalis virginianus_, FINSCH, Abh. Nat. Brem. - 1870, 339. - -SP. CHAR. Resembling _virginianus_, having, like it, the distinct -grayish edges to feathers of the dorsal region. Red lighter, however, -and the top of head, including crest, nearly pure vermilion, instead -of brownish-red. Black of the lores not passing across the forehead, -reaching only to the nostril. Wing, 4.00; tail, 5.00; culmen, .83; -depth of bill, .66; breadth of upper mandible, .38. (No. 49,757 ♂, -Camp Grant, 60 miles east of Tucson, Arizona). - -_Female_ distinguishable from that of _virginianus_ only by more -swollen bill, and more restricted dusky around base of bill. _Young_: -bill deep black. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas; Camp Grant, Arizona; Tres Marias Islands (off -coast of Mexico, latitude between 21° and 22° north). Probably Western -Mexico, from Sonora south to latitude of about 20°. - -In the features pointed out above, all specimens from Arizona and Tres -Marias, and of an exceedingly large series collected at Cape St. -Lucas, differ from those of other regions. - -No specimens are in the collection from Western Mexico as far south as -Colima, but birds from this region will, without doubt, be found -referrible to the present race. - -HABITS. There appears to be nothing in the habits of this form of -Cardinal, as far as known, to distinguish it from the Virginia bird; -the nest and eggs, too, being almost identical. The latter average -about one inch in length, and .80 in breadth. Their ground-color is -white, with a bluish tint. Their markings are larger, and more of a -rusty than an ashy brown, and the purple spots are fewer and less -marked than in _C. virginianus_. - -The memoranda of Mr. John Xantus show that in one instance a nest of -this bird, containing two eggs, was found in a mimosa bush four feet -from the ground; another nest, with one egg, in a like situation; a -third, containing three eggs, was about three feet from the ground; a -fourth, with two eggs, was also found in a mimosa, but only a few -inches above the ground. - - -GENUS PIPILO, VIEILLOT. - - _Pipilo_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816 (AGASSIZ). (Type, _Fringilla - erythrophthalma_, LINN.) - - [Line drawing: _Pipilo fuscus._ - 5559 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather stout; the culmen gently curved, the gonys -nearly straight; the commissure gently concave, with a decided notch -near the end; the lower jaw not so deep as the upper; not as wide as -the gonys is long, but wider than the base of the upper mandible. Feet -large, the tarsus as long as or a little longer than the middle toe; -the outer lateral toe a little the longer, and reaching a little -beyond the base of the middle claw. The hind claw about equal to its -toe; the two together about equal to the outer toe. Claws all stout, -compressed, and moderately curved; in some western specimens the claws -much larger. Wings reaching about to the end of the upper -tail-coverts; short and rounded, though the primaries are considerably -longer than the nearly equal secondaries and tertials; the outer four -quills are graduated, the first considerably shorter than the second, -and about as long as the secondaries. Tail considerably longer than -the wings, moderately graduated externally; the feathers rather broad, -most rounded off on the inner webs at the end. - - [Illustration: _Pipilo erythrophthalmus._] - -The colors vary; the upper parts are generally uniform black or brown, -sometimes olive; the under white or brown; no central streaks on the -feathers. The hood sometimes differently colored. - -In the large number of species or races included in this genus by -authors, there are certain differences of form, such as varying -graduation of tail, length of claw, etc., but scarcely sufficient to -warrant its further subdivision. In coloration, however, we find -several different styles, which furnish a convenient method of -arrangement into groups. - -Few genera in birds exhibit such constancy in trifling variations of -form and color, and as these are closely connected with geographical -distribution, it seems reasonable to reduce many of the so-called -species to a lower rank. In the following synopsis, we arrange the -whole of North American and Mexican Pipilos into four sections, with -their more positive species, and in the subsequent discussion of the -sections separately we shall give what appear to be the varieties. - - -Species. - - A. Sides and lower tail-coverts rufous, in sharp contrast - with the clear white of the abdomen. Tail-feathers with - whitish patch on end of inner webs. - - _a._ Head and neck black, sharply defined against the - white of breast. Rump olive or blackish. - - _Black or dusky olive above._ - - 1. P. maculatus. White spots on tips of both rows of - wing-coverts, and on scapulars. No white patch on base - of primaries. _Hab._ Mexico, and United States west of - the Missouri. (Five races.) - - 2. P. erythrophthalmus. No white spots on - wing-coverts, nor on scapulars. A white patch on base - of primaries. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United - States. (Two races.) - - _Bright olive-green above._ - - 3. P. macronyx.[18] Scapulars and wing-coverts (both - rows) with distinct greenish-white spots on tips of - outer webs. - - 4. P. chlorosoma.[19] Scapulars and wing-coverts - without trace of white spots. _Hab._ Table-lands of - Mexico. (Perhaps these are two races of one species, - _macronyx_.) - - _b._ Head and neck ashy, paler on jugulum, where the - color fades gradually into the white of breast. Rump and - upper tail-coverts bright rufous. - - 5. P. superciliosa.[20] An obsolete whitish - superciliary stripe. Greater wing-coverts obsoletely - whitish at tips; no other white markings on upper - parts, and the tail-patches indistinct. _Hab._ Brazil. - (Perhaps not genuine _Pipilo_.) - - B. Sides ashy or tinged with ochraceous; lower - tail-coverts ochraceous, not sharply contrasted with white - on the abdomen, or else the abdomen concolor with the - side. Head never black, and upper parts without light - markings (except the wing in _fuscus_ var. _albicollis_). - - _a._ Wings and tail olive-green. - - 6. P. chlorurus. Whole pileum (except in young) deep - rufous, sharply defined. Whole throat pure white, - immaculate, and sharply defined against the - surrounding deep ash; a maxillary and a short - supraloral stripe of white. Anterior parts of body - streaked in young. _Hab._ Western Province of United - States. - - _b._ Wings and tail grayish-brown. - - 7. P. fuscus. A whitish or ochraceous patch covering - the throat contrasting with the adjacent portions, and - bounded by dusky specks. Lores and chin like the - throat. _Hab._ Mexico, and United States west of Rocky - Mountains. (Five races.) - - 8. P. aberti. Throat concolor with the adjacent - portions, and without distinct spots. Lores and chin - blackish. _Hab._ Colorado region of Middle Province, - United States. (Only one form known.) - - - [18] _Pipilo macronyx_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 434. - Real del Monte, Mex.—IB. Anim. in Men. 1838, 347.—BP. - Consp. 487.—SCLATER & SALVIN, 1869, 361. _Pipilo - virescens_, HARTLAUB, Cab. Jour. 1863, 228, Mex. - - SP. CHAR. Prevailing color above olive-green; the head and - neck all round black, abruptly contrasted below with the - white under parts; above passing insensibly into the green - of the back; feathers of interscapular region obscurely - dusky medially; sides and crissum rufous. Scapulars and - greater and middle coverts with outer webs pale - greenish-yellow at ends; these blotches faintly margined - externally with olive-green. Edge of wing yellow; outer - primary edged with whitish, edges of other primaries and of - secondaries uniform olive-green. Fifth quill longest, fourth - and sixth scarcely shorter; first shorter than ninth. Legs - stout, claws much curved. Tail wanting in the single - specimen before us (a male from the city of Mexico, - belonging to Mr. G. N. Lawrence). - - _Dimensions_ (prepared specimen): Wing, 3.70. Exposed - portion of first primary, 2.30; of second, 2.73; of longest - (measured from exposed base of first primary), 2.85. Bill: - Length from forehead, .75; from nostril, .45. Legs: Tarsus, - 1.14; middle claw, .38; hind toe and claw, .85; claw alone, - .52. - - In describing this species, Swainson mentions an - accompanying specimen as similar, but without any white - spots on wings, suggesting that it may be the female. A - specimen in the plumage from Oaxaca is characterized as - follows. - - [19] _Pipilo chlorosoma_, BAIRD. 50,225 ♂, Oaxaca. Similar - to _P. macronyx_ in color, but without any trace of white - markings on the wings. Outer tail-feathers with an obscurely - defined greenish-white patch about an inch long, at the end - of inner web; similar, but successively smaller patches on - the second and third feathers, all whiter on upper than - lower surface. Fifth quill longest; first shorter than - ninth. - - _Dimensions_ (prepared specimen): Total length, 8.20; wing, - 3.75; tail, 4.80. Bill: Length from forehead, .73; from - nostril, .43. Legs: Tarsus, 1.24; middle toe and claw, 1.10; - claw alone, .36; hind toe and claw, .85; claw alone, .50. - No. 60,050, Mexico, is similar, in all essential respects. - - From the analogies of the black Pipilos, it is reasonable to - consider these two birds as distinct species, or at least - varieties, especially as the specimen before us of that with - unspotted wings is marked male. The general appearance is - otherwise much the same, the unspotted bird rather smaller, - and without the dusky interscapular markings described in - _macronyx_. Should No. 50,225 represent a distinct species, - it may be called _P. chlorosoma_, and distinguished as - above. (60,050, Mexico, BOUCARD.) - - [20] _Pipilo lateralis_ (NATT.). _Emberiza lateralis_, NATT. - Mus. Vind. MSS. _Poospiza lat._ BURM. Th. Bras. III, Av. 2, - p. 215. _Pipilo superciliosa_, SWAINS. An. Menag. 311, 95, - fig. 59. - - -SECTION I. - -_Head black._ - - Pipilo erythrophthalmus. - -After a careful study of the very large collection of Black-headed -Pipilos (leaving for the present the consideration of those with -olive-green bodies) in the Smithsonian Museum, we have come finally to -the conclusion that all the species described as having the scapulars -and wing-coverts spotted with white—as _arcticus_, _oregonus_, and -_megalonyx_, and even including the differently colored _P. maculatus_ -of Mexico—are probably only geographical races of one species, -representing in the trans-Missouri region the _P. erythrophthalmus_ of -the eastern division of the continent. It is true that specimens may -be selected of the four races capable of accurate definition, but the -transition from one to the other is so gradual that a considerable -percentage of the collection can scarcely be assigned satisfactorily; -and even if this were possible, the differences after all are only -such as are caused by a slight change in the proportion of black, and -the varying development of feet and wings. - -Taking _maculatus_ as it occurs in the central portion of its wide -field of distribution, with wing-spots of average size, we find these -spots slightly bordered, or at least often, with black, and the -primaries edged externally with white only towards the end. The -exterior web of lateral tail-feather is edged mostly with white; the -terminal white patches of outer feather about an inch long; that of -inner web usually separated from the outer by a black shaft-streak. In -more northern specimens the legs are more dusky than usual. The tail -is variable, but longer generally than in the other races. The claws -are enormously large in many, but not in all specimens, varying -considerably; and the fourth primary is usually longest, the first -equal to or shorter than the secondaries. This is the race described -as _P. megalonyx_, and characterizes the Middle Province, between the -Sierra Nevada of California and the eastern Rocky Mountains, or the -great interior basin of the continent; it occurs also near the head of -the Rio Grande. - -On the Pacific slope of California, as we proceed westward, we find a -change in the species, the divergence increasing still more as we -proceed northward, until in Oregon and Washington the extreme of range -and alteration is seen in _P. oregonus_. Here the claws are much -smaller, the white markings restricted in extent so as to form quite -small spots bordered externally by black; the spots on the inner webs -of tail much smaller, and even bordered along the shaft with black, -and the outer web of the lateral entirely black, or with only a faint -white edging. The concealed white of the head and neck has disappeared -also. - -Proceeding eastward, on the other hand, from our starting-point, we -find another race, in _P. arcticus_, occupying the western slope of -the Missouri Valley and the basin of the Saskatchewan, in which, on -the contrary, the white increases in quantity, and more and more to -its eastern limit. The black borders of the wing-patches disappear, -leaving them white externally; and decided white edgings are seen for -the first time at the bases of primaries, as well as near their ends, -the two sometimes confluent. The terminal tail-patches are larger, the -outer web of the exterior feather is entirely white except toward the -very base, and we thus have the opposite extreme to _P. oregonus_. The -wings are longer; the third primary longest; the first usually longer -than the secondaries or the ninth quill. - -Finally, proceeding southward along the table-lands of Mexico, and -especially on their western slope, we find _P. maculatus_ (the first -described of all) colored much like the females of the more northern -races, except that the head and neck are black, in decided contrast to -the more olivaceous back. The wing formula and pattern of markings are -much like _megalonyx_, the claws more like _arcticus_. Even in -specimens of _megalonyx_, from the southern portion of its area of -distribution, we find a tendency to an ashy or brownish tinge on the -rump, extending more or less along the back; few, if any indeed, being -uniformly black. - -As, however, a general expression can be given to the variations -referred to, and as they have an important geographical relationship, -besides a general diagnosis, we give their characters and distribution -in detail. - -The general impression we derive from a study of the series is that -the amount of white on the wing and elsewhere decreases from the -Missouri River to the Pacific, exhibiting its minimum in Oregon and -Washington, precisely as in the small black Woodpeckers; that in the -Great Basin the size of the claws and the length of tail increases -considerably; that the northern forms are entirely black, and the more -southern brown or olivaceous, except on the head. - -The following synopsis will be found to express the principal -characteristics of the species and their varieties, premising that _P. -arcticus_ is more distinctly definable than any of the others. We add -the character of the green-bodied Mexican species to complete the -series. - - - Synopsis of Varieties. - - -I. _P. erythrophthalmus._ - - 1. Wing, 3.65; tail, 4.20. Outer tail-feather with - terminal half of inner web white. Iris bright red, - sometimes paler. _Hab._ Eastern Province United - States. (Florida in winter.) var. _erythrophthalmus_. - - 2. Wing, 2.90; tail, 3.75. Outer tail-feather with - only terminal fourth of inner web white. Iris white. - _Hab._ Florida (resident) var. _alleni_. - -II. _P. maculatus._ - - A. Interscapulars with white streaks. - - _a._ Outer webs of primaries not edged with white at the - base. - - 1. Above olive-brown, the head and neck, only, - continuous black; back streaked with black. White - spots on wing-coverts not bordered externally with - black. Wing, 3.25; tail, 4.00; hind claw, .44. _Hab._ - Table-lands of Mexico var. _maculatus_.[21] - - 2. Above black, tinged with olive on rump, and - sometimes on the nape. White spots as in last. Inner - web of lateral tail-feathers with terminal white spot - more than one inch long; outer web broadly edged with - white. Wing, 3.45; tail, 4.10; hind claw, .55. - _Female_ less deep black than male, with a general - slaty-olive cast. _Hab._ Middle Province of United - States, from Fort Tejon, California, to Upper Rio - Grande, and from Fort Crook to Fort Bridger var. _megalonyx_. - - 3. Above almost wholly black, with scarcely any olive - tinge, and this only on rump. White spots restricted, - and with a distinct black external border. White - terminal spot on inner web of lateral tail-feather - less than one inch long; outer web almost wholly - black. Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.90; hind claw, .39. - _Female_ deep umber-brown, instead of black. _Hab._ - Pacific Province of United States, south to San - Francisco; West Humboldt Mountains var. _oregonus_. - - _b._ Outer webs of primaries distinctly edged with white - at base. - - 4. Above black, except on rump, which is tinged with - olivaceous. White spots very large, without black - border. Inner web of lateral tail-feather with - terminal half white, the outer web almost wholly - white. Wing, 3.50; tail, 3.90; hind claw, .39. - _Female_ umber-brown, replacing black. _Hab._ Plains - between Rocky Mountains and the Missouri; Saskatchewan - Basin var. _arcticus_. - - B. Interscapulars without white streaks. - - 5. Above dusky olive; white spots on scapulars and - wing-coverts small, and without black edge. - Tail-patches very restricted (outer only .40 long). No - white on primaries. Wing, 2.85; tail, 3.10. _Female_ - scarcely different. _Hab._ Socorro Island, off west - coast of Mexico var. _carmani_.[22] - - - [21] _Pipilo maculatus_, SWAINSON, Philos. Mag., 1827. - - [22] _Pipilo carmani_, BAIRD, MSS.; LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. - Lyc. X, 7. (Specimens in collection made by Colonel A. J. - Grayson.) - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXI. - 1. Chondestes grammaca. ♂ Cal., 6300. - 2. Pipilo erythrophthalmus. ♂ Pa., 2135. - 3. ” ” ♀ Kansas, 8194. - 4. ” chlorura. ♂ Rocky Mts., 2644. - 5. ” arcticus. ♂ Dakota, 1944. - 6. ” ” ♀. - 7. ” aberti. ♂ Ariz., 6748. - 8. ” crissalis. ♂ Cal., 5559. - 9. ” megalonyx. ♀. - 10. ” mesoleucus. ♂ Ariz., 6829. - 11. ” albigula. ♂ Cape St. Lucas, 12993. - 12. ” oregonus. ♀.] - - -Pipilo erythrophthalmus, VIEILLOT. - -GROUND ROBIN; TOWHEE; CHEWINK. - - _Fringilla erythrophthalma_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 318.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 151; V, 511, pl. xxix. _Emberiza - erythrophthalma_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 874.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. VI, 1812, 90, pl. liii. _Pipilo erythrophthalmus_, VIEILL. - Gal. Ois. I, 1824, 109, pl. lxxx.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 487.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 124.—IB. Birds Am. - III, 1841, 167, pl. cxcv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 512.—SAMUELS, 333. _Pipilo ater_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XXXIV, - 1819, 292. _Towhee Bird_, CATESBY, Car. I, 34. _Towhee - Bunting_, LATHAM, Syn. II, I, 1783, 199.—PENNANT, II, 1785, - 359. - - [Line drawing: 2135 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts generally, head and neck all round, and upper -part of the breast, glossy black, abruptly defined against the pure -white which extends to the anus, but is bounded on the sides and under -the wings by light chestnut, which is sometimes streaked externally -with black. Feathers of throat white in the middle. Under coverts -similar to sides, but paler. Edges of outer six primaries with white -at the base and on the middle of the outer web; inner two tertiaries -also edged externally with white. Tail-feathers black; outer web of -the first, with the ends of the first to the third, white, decreasing -from the exterior one. Outermost quill usually shorter than ninth, or -even than secondaries; fourth quill longest, fifth scarcely shorter. -Iris red; said to be sometimes paler, or even white, in winter. -Length, 8.75; wing, 3.75; tail, 4.10. Bill black, legs flesh-color. -_Female_ with the black replaced by a rather rufous brown. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Missouri River; Florida (in winter). - -The tail-feathers are only moderately graduated on the sides; the -outer about .40 of an inch shorter than the middle. The outer -tail-feather has the terminal half white, the outline transverse; the -white of the second is about half as long as that of the first; of the -third half that of the second. The chestnut of the sides reaches -forward to the black of the neck, and is visible when the wings are -closed. - -A young bird has the prevailing color reddish-olive above, spotted -with lighter; beneath brownish-white, streaked thickly with brown. - -The description above given may be taken as representing the average -of the species in the Northern and Middle States. Most specimens from -the Mississippi Valley differ in having the two white patches on the -primaries confluent; but this feature is not sufficiently constant to -make it worthy of more than passing notice, for occasionally western -specimens have the white spaces separated, as in the majority of -eastern examples, while among the latter there may, now and then, be -found individuals scarcely distinguishable from the average of western -ones. - - [Line drawing: _Pipilo erythrophthalmus._ - 2135 ♂] - -In Florida, however, there is a local, resident race, quite different -from these two northern styles, which are themselves not enough unlike -to be considered separately. This Florida race differs in much smaller -size, very restricted white on both wing and tail, and in having a -yellowish-white instead of blood-red iris. Further remarks on this -Florida race will be found under its proper heading (p. 708), as _P. -erythrophthalmus_, var. _alleni_. - -Specimens of _erythrophthalmus_, as restricted, from Louisiana, as is -the case with most birds from the Lower Mississippi region, exhibit -very intense colors compared with those from more northern portions, -or even Atlantic coast specimens from the same latitude. - -HABITS. The Ground Robin, Towhee, Chewink, Charee, or Joreet, as it is -variously called, has an extended distribution throughout the eastern -United States, from Florida and Georgia on the southeast to the -Selkirk Settlements on the northwest, and as far to the west as the -edge of the Great Plains, where it is replaced by other closely allied -races. It breeds almost wherever found, certainly in Georgia, and, I -have no doubt, sparingly in Florida. - -This bird was not observed in Texas by Mr. Dresser. It has been found -in Western Maine, where it is given by Mr. Verrill as a summer -visitant, and where it breeds, but is not common. It arrives there the -first of May. It is not given by Mr. Boardman as occurring in Eastern -Maine. In Massachusetts it is a very abundant summer visitant, -arriving about the last of April, and leaving about the middle of -October. It nests there the last of May, and begins to sit upon the -eggs about the first of June. It is slightly gregarious just as it is -preparing to leave, but at all other times is to be met with only in -solitary pairs. - -The Ground Robin is in many respects one of the most strongly -characterized of our North American birds, exhibiting peculiarities in -which all the members of this genus share to a very large degree. They -frequent close and sheltered thickets, where they spend a large -proportion of their time on the ground among the fallen leaves, -scratching and searching for worms, larvæ, and insects. Though -generally resident in retired localities, it is far from being a shy -or timid bird. I have known it to show itself in a front yard, -immediately under the windows of a dwelling and near the main street -of the village, where for hours I witnessed its diligent labors in -search of food. The spot was very shady, and unfrequented during the -greater part of the day. It was not disturbed when the members of the -family passed in or out. - -The call-note of this bird is very peculiar, and is variously -interpreted in different localities. It has always appeared to me that -the Georgian _jo-rēēt_ was at least as near to its real notes as -_tow-hēē_. Its song consists of a few simple notes, which very few -realize are those of this bird. In singing, the male is usually to be -seen on the top of some low tree. These notes are uttered in a loud -voice, and are not unmusical. Wilson says its song resembles that of -the Yellow-Hammer of Europe, but is more varied and mellow. Nuttall -speaks of its notes as simple, guttural, and monotonous, and of its -voice as clear and sonorous. The song, which he speaks of as -quaint and somewhat pensive, he describes as sounding like -_t’sh’d-wĭtee-tĕ-tĕ-tĕ-tĕ-tĕ_. - -Wilson says this bird is known in Pennsylvania as the “Swamp Robin.” -If so, this is a misnomer. In New England it has no predilection for -low or moist ground; and I have never found it in such situations. Its -favorite haunts are dry uplands, near the edges of woods, or high -tracts covered with a low brushwood, selecting for nesting-places the -outer skirts of a wood, especially one of a southern aspect. The nest -is sunk in a depression in the ground, the upper edges being usually -just level with the ground. It is largely composed of dry leaves and -coarse stems as a base, within which is built a firmer nest of dry -bents well arranged, usually with no other lining. It is generally -partially concealed by leaves or a tuft of grass, and is not easily -discovered unless the female is seen about it. - -Dr. Coues says these Buntings are chiefly spring and autumnal -visitants near Washington, only a few breeding. They are very abundant -from April 25 to May 10, and from the first to the third week of -October, and are partially gregarious. Their migrations are made by -day, and are usually in small companies in the fall, but singly in the -spring. Wilson found them in the middle districts of Virginia, and -from thence south to Florida, during the months of January, February, -and March. Their usual food is obtained among the dry leaves, though -they also feed on hard seeds and gravel. They are not known to commit -any depredations upon harvests. They may be easily accustomed to -confinement, and in a few days will become quite tame. When slightly -wounded and captured, they at first make a sturdy resistance, and bite -quite severely. They are much attached to their young, and when -approached evince great anxiety, the female thrusting herself forward -to divert attention by her outcries and her simulated lameness. - -The eggs of this species are of a rounded-oval shape, and have a -dull-white ground, spotted with dots and blotches of a wine-colored -brown. These usually are larger than in the other species, and are -mostly congregated about the larger end, and measure .98 of an inch in -length by .80 in breadth. - - -Pipilo erythrophthalmus, var. alleni, COUES. - -WHITE-EYED CHEWINK; FLORIDA CHEWINK. - - _Pipilo alleni_, COUES, American Naturalist, V, Aug. 1871, 366. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _erythrophthalmus_, but differing in the -following respects: White spaces on wings and tail much restricted, -those on inner webs of lateral tail-feathers only .50 to .75 long. -Size very much smaller, except the bill, which is absolutely larger. -Iris white. - -♂. (55,267, Dummits’s Grove, Florida, March, 1869.) Length, 7.75; -wing, 3.00; tail, 3.75; bill from nostril, .38; tarsus, .97. - -♀. (55,271, same locality and date.) Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.50; bill from -nostril, .37; tarsus, .91. White on primaries almost absent. - - [Line drawing: _Pipilo erythrophthalmus_. var. _alleni_. - 2135, 247,] - -This interesting variety of _Pipilo erythrophthalmus_ was found in -Florida, in the spring of 1869, by Mr. C. J. Maynard, and probably -represents the species as resident in that State. It is considerably -smaller than the average (length, 7.75; extent, 10.00; wing, 3.00; -tarsus, .95), and has very appreciably less white on the tail. The -outer web of outer feather is only narrowly edged with white, instead -of being entirely so to the shaft (except in one specimen), and the -terminal white tip, confined to the inner web, is only from .50 to .75 -of an inch long, instead of 1.25 to 1.75, or about the amount on the -second feather of northern specimens, as shown in the accompanying -figures. There is apparently a greater tendency to dusky streaks and -specks in the rufous of the side of the breast or in the adjacent -white. Resident specimens from Georgia are intermediate in size and -color between the northern and Florida races. - -The bill of Mr. Maynard’s specimen is about the size of that of more -northern ones; the iris is described by him as pale yellowish-white, -much lighter than usual. - - -Pipilo maculatus,[23] var. megalonyx, BAIRD. - -LONG-CLAWED TOWHEE BUNTING. - - _Pipilo megalonyx_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 515, pl. - lxxiii.—HEERM. X, _S_, 51 (nest).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 242. - - [Line drawing: 10284 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _P. arcticus_ in amount of white on the wings and -scapulars, though this frequently edged with black, but without basal -white on outer web of primaries. Outer edge of outer web of external -tail-feather white, sometimes confluent with that at tip of tail. -Concealed white spots on feathers of side of neck. Claws enormously -large, the hinder longer than its digit; the hind toe and claw -reaching to the middle of the middle claw, which, with its toe, is as -long as or longer than the tarsus. Inner lateral claw reaching nearly -to the middle of middle claw. Length, 7.60; wing, 3.25; hind toe and -claw, .90. _Female_ with the deep black replaced by dusky slaty-olive. - -HAB. Southern coast of California and across through valleys of Gila -and Rio Grande; north through the Great Basin across from Fort Crook, -California, to Fort Bridger, Wyoming. - -This form constitutes so strongly marked a variety as to be worthy of -particular description. The general appearance is that of _P. -arcticus_, which it resembles in the amount of white spotting on the -wings. This, however, does not usually involve the whole outer web at -the end, but, as in _oregonus_, has a narrow border of black continued -around the white terminally and sometimes externally. There is not -quite so much of a terminal white blotch on the outer tail-feather, -this being but little over an inch in length, and the outer web of the -same feather is never entirely white, though always with an external -white border, which sometimes is confluent with the terminal spot, but -usually leaves a brown streak near the end never seen in _arcticus_, -which also has the whole outer web white except at the base. From -_oregonus_ the species differs in the much greater amount of white on -the wings and the less rounded character of the spots. _Oregonus_, -too, has the whole outer web of external tail-feather black, and the -terminal white spot of the inner web less than an inch in length. We -have never seen in _oregonus_ any concealed white spotting on the -sides of the head. - -The greatest difference between this race and the two others lies in -the stout tarsi and enormously large claws, as described, both the -lateral extending greatly beyond the base of the middle one, the -hinder toe and claw nearly as long as the tarsus. The only North -American passerine birds having any approach to this length of claw -are those of the genus _Passerella_. - -This great development of the claws is especially apparent in -specimens from the Southern Sierra Nevada, the maximum being attained -in the Fort Tejon examples; those from as far north as Carson City, -Nev., however, are scarcely smaller. In most Rocky Mountain Pipilos, -the claws are but little longer than in _arcticus_. - -In this race the female is not noticeably different from the male, -being of a merely less intense black,—not brown,—and conspicuously -different as in _arcticus_ and _oregonus_; there is, however, some -variation among individuals in this respect, but none are ever so -light as the average in the other races. - -The young bird is dusky-brown above, with a slight rusty tinge, and -obsolete streaks of blackish. White markings as in adult, but tinged -with rusty. Throat and breast rusty-white, broadly streaked with -dusky; sides only tinged with rufous. - -HABITS. According to Mr. Ridgway’s observations, the _P. megalonyx_ -replaces in the Rocky Mountain region and in the greater portion of -the Great Basin the _P. arcticus_ of the Plains, from their eastern -slope eastward to the Missouri River, and the _P. oregonus_ of the -Northern Sierra Nevada and Pacific coast. It is most nearly related to -the latter. He became familiar with the habits of this species near -Salt Lake City, having already made like observations of the -_oregonus_ at Carson. A short acquaintance with the former, after a -long familiarity with the latter, enabled him to note a decided -difference in the notes of the two birds, yet in their external -appearance they were hardly distinguishable, and he was at first -surprised to find the same bird apparently uttering entirely different -notes, the call-note of _P. megalonyx_ being very similar to that of -the common Catbird. The song of this species, he adds, has -considerable resemblance in style to that of the eastern _P. -erythrophthalmus_, and though lacking its musical character, is yet -far superior to that of _P. oregonus_. This bird is also much less shy -than the western one, and is, in fact, quite as unsuspicious as the -eastern bird. - -Nests, with eggs, were found on the ground, among the scrub-oaks of -the hillsides, from about the 20th of May until the middle of June. - -This species has been obtained on the southern coast of California, -and through to the valleys of the Gila and the Rio Grande. In -California it was obtained near San Francisco by Mr. Cutts and Mr. -Hepburn; at Santa Clara by Dr. Cooper; at Monterey by Dr. Canfield; in -the Sacramento Valley by Dr. Heermann; at San Diego by Dr. Hammond; at -Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus; at Saltillo, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch; in -New Mexico by Captain Pope; and at Fort Thorn by Dr. Henry. - -Lieutenant Couch describes it as a shy, quiet bird, and as found in -woody places. - -Dr. Kennerly met with this bird at Pueblo Creek, New Mexico, January -22, 1854. It first attracted his attention early in the month of -January, in the Aztec Mountains, along Pueblo Creek. There it was -often met with, but generally singly. It inhabited the thickest -bushes, and its motions were so constant and rapid, as it hopped from -twig to twig, that they found it difficult to procure specimens. Its -flight was rapid, and near the ground. - -Dr. Cooper speaks of this species as a common and resident bird in all -the lower districts of California, and to quite a considerable -distance among the mountains. It was also found on the islands of -Catalina and San Clemente, distant sixteen miles from the mainland. -Though found in New Mexico, Dr. Cooper has met with none in the barren -districts between the Coast Range and the Colorado, nor in the valley -of the latter. - -Their favorite residence is said to be in thickets and in oak groves, -where they live mostly on the ground, scratching among the dead leaves -in the concealment of the underbrush, and very rarely venturing far -from such shelter. They never fly more than a few yards at a time, and -only a few feet above the ground. In villages, where they are not -molested, they soon become more familiar, take up their abodes in -gardens, and build their nests in the vicinity of houses. - -Dr. Cooper gives them credit for little musical power. Their song is -said to be only a feeble monotonous trill, from the top of some low -bush. When alarmed, they have a note something like the mew of a cat. -On this account they are popularly known as Catbirds. He adds that the -nest is made on the ground, under a thicket, and that it is -constructed of dry leaves, stalks, and grass, mingled with fine roots. -The eggs, four or five in number, are greenish-white, minutely -speckled with reddish-brown, and measure one inch by .70. - -Dr. Coues found this species a very abundant and resident species in -Arizona. It was rather more numerous in the spring and in the fall -than at other times. He found it shy and retiring, and inhabiting the -thickest brush. Its call-note is said to be almost exactly like that -of our eastern Catbird. He describes its song as a rather harsh and -monotonous repetition of four or six syllables, something like that of -the _Euspiza americana_. He found females with mature eggs in their -ovaries as early as May 5. - -A nest of this species, collected by Mr. Ridgway near Salt Lake City, -May 26, was built on the ground, among scrub-oak brush. It is a very -slight structure, composed almost entirely of coarse dry stems of -grass, with a few bits of coarse inner bark, and with a base made up -wholly with the latter material, and having a diameter of about four -inches. - -The eggs of this nest, four in number, have an average measurement of -.95 of an inch in length by .73 in breadth. Their ground-color is -crystalline-white, covered very generally with spots and small -blotches of purplish and wine-colored brown, somewhat aggregated at -the larger end. - - - [23] _Pipilo maculatus_, SWAINSON. SP. CHAR. _Male._ Similar - to the female of _Pipilo arcticus_, but rather more - olivaceous; only the head and neck all round black; shading - above insensibly into the back. The white markings mostly - edged narrowly externally with black, and clouded with - rusty; the nape-feathers faintly, the interscapular broadly, - streaked centrally with blackish; lower back and rump, with - outer edges of quill and tail feathers, olivaceous-brown. A - narrow shaft-streak in white at end of tail. Fourth quill - longest; fifth scarcely shorter; first about equal to - secondaries. Claws moderate; perhaps larger than in - _erythrophthalmus_. Length of skin, 7.80; wing, 3.15; tail, - 4.20; tarsus, 1.10; middle toe and claw, .96; claw alone, - .34; hind toe and claw, .81; claw alone, .45. _Hab._ Mexico - (Oaxaca; Real del Monte, Philos. Mag., 1827). - - It is a serious question whether this comparatively little - known Mexican species of _Pipilo_ is not to be considered as - identical with some or all of the species of the United - States, with spotted wing-coverts, notwithstanding the - difference in the color of the body. It appears, however, to - be constant in the olivaceous character of the back,—no - reference being made to Mexican specimens entirely black - above,—and as such it may be considered a permanent - geographical race. - - -Pipilo maculatus, var. oregonus, BELL. - -OREGON GROUND ROBIN. - - _Pipilo oregonus_, BELL, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, 1852, 6 - (Oregon).—BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXXVII, Dec. 1853, 922.—IB. - Notes Orn. Delattre, 1854, 22 (same as prec.).—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 513.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 64, 120 (British - Col.).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 200.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 241. - _Fringilla arctica_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 49, pl. cccxciv. - (not of SWAINSON). _Pipilo arctica_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 123.—IB. - Birds Am. III, 1841, 164, pl. cxciv. - - [Line drawing: 2867 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Upper surface generally, with the head and neck all round to -the upper part of the breast, deep black; the rest of lower parts pure -white, except the sides of the body and under tail-coverts, which are -light chestnut-brown; the latter rather paler. The outer webs of -scapulars (usually edged narrowly with black) and of the -superincumbent feathers of the back, with a rounded white spot at the -end of the outer webs of the greater and middle coverts; the outer -edges of the innermost tertials white; no white at the base of the -primaries. Outer web of the first tail-feather black, occasionally -white on the extreme edge; the outer three with a white tip to the -inner web. Outer quill shorter than ninth, or scarcely equalling the -secondaries; fourth quill longest; fifth scarcely shorter. Length, -8.25; wing, 4.40; tail, 4.00. _Female_ with the black replaced by a -more brownish tinge. Claws much as in _erythrophthalmus_. - -HAB. Coasts of Oregon and Washington Territories, south to San -Francisco, California. Melting eastward and south into _megalonyx_. -West Humboldt Mountains and Northern Sierra Nevada. - - [Line drawing: 2867] - -Comparing this race with _arcticus_, we do not find much difference in -the white of the scapular region, except that the white marks here, as -elsewhere on the wing, are rounded, the extreme end of the outer web -of the feather being black instead of running out acutely white to the -very tip of the outer webs of the feathers. This gives rather less -extension to the white. In fact, most of the white marks are edged -externally with black, converting them into spots. There is no white -whatever at the exposed base of the outer web of the second to fifth -primaries, and there is only a trace of white near the end, instead of -having a conspicuous white edging from base to near the tip. - -The outer web of the outer tail-feather, instead of being entirely -white for the exposed portion, is only very slightly edged with white; -usually entirely black. The white at the end of the feathers is much -more restricted, and extends only over the three outer feathers; -usually not reaching to the shaft. The relations to var. _megalonyx_ -have been given under the latter head. - -HABITS. The Oregon Ground Robin, so far as known, has a restricted -residence, the western portion of Oregon and Washington Territory -during the summer, and in the more northern portions of California. -Its occurrence in the latter State seems to have escaped the notice of -Dr. Cooper, though he gives it conjecturally, having seen birds which -he supposed to be of this species in the higher Sierra Nevada. In its -habits and notes Dr. Cooper could observe no difference between this -species and _P. megalonyx_, both having the complaining _mew_, from -which they have obtained the name of Catbird on that coast. - -Mr. J. K. Lord found a nest containing six eggs, which he supposed to -belong to a bird of this species, at Fort Colville. It was built on -the top of a stump, round which young shoots had grown like a fringe, -completely hiding it from the sharpest eye. Mr. Hepburn met with it at -Victoria. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Report on the Birds of Washington Territory, states -that the song of this species in spring, as it sits on a low bush -enjoying the sunshine, is like the final trill of the Redwing, or the -lisping faint notes of the Cowbird. It is a constant resident of the -Territory, but only frequents the edge of the coast in winter. He also -mentions finding it about thirty miles south of San Francisco in -autumn. Dr. Suckley met with it west of the Cascade Mountains. - -In very many respects, in the opinion of Mr. Ridgway, the Oregon -Ground Robin very closely resembles the common and familiar eastern -“Chewink.” There is noticeable in this western representative a -peculiar manner of flight, and a predilection for bushy places, -closely corresponding with those of the eastern bird. It differs, in -the most marked manner, however, in its extreme shyness, and in the -total absence of the agreeable and striking notes of the Towhee. The -notes of this bird are, he states, of the rudest description, and -instead of being familiar and unsuspicious, it is one of the shyest -and most difficult to approach of any of the western birds. - -He found it quite plentiful about Sacramento, where it inhabits the -thickets in company with the western Chat. After crossing the Sierra -Nevada it was found more abundant still in the chaparrals of the -sheltered ravines on the eastern base of those mountains, as well as -in the shrubbery of the river valleys. During the winter it forsakes -the former for the latter localities. Eastward this species was found -as far as the West Humboldt Mountains, where typical examples were -obtained. - -At Carson City, early in March, his attention was attracted by the -peculiar notes of this _Pipilo_; the bird was sitting on a high rock -above the thick chaparral of the hillside, and sharply defined against -the sky. It was readily distinguishable by the black of its head and -breast, in sharp contrast with the pure white of its lower parts. -Every few moments it would raise its head to utter, in a short trill, -its rude song. When approached, it would jerk its expanded -white-tipped tail, and disappear among the bushes. It was abundant in -the chaparrals, on the hillsides, and among the thickets and -buffalo-berry bushes along the rivers. The males were in full song, -perching, as they sang, on a prominent rock or bush. - -Mr. Nuttall met with a nest of this species on the 14th of June. It -was built in the shelter of a low undershrub, in a depression -scratched out for its reception. It was made of a rather copious -lining of clean wiry grass, with some dead leaves beneath, as a -foundation. The eggs were four, nearly hatched, very closely -resembling those of the Towhee, thickly spotted over, but more so at -the larger end, with very small round and very numerous -reddish-chocolate spots. The pair showed great solicitude about their -nest, the male, in particular, approaching boldly to scold and lament -at the dangerous intrusion. - -The Oregon Ground Robin Mr. Lord considered a quaint and restless -bird. He found it very abundant from the coast to the summit of the -Rocky Mountains, and also very common on Vancouver Island. It arrives -the last of April and first of May, and frequents dark woods and thick -tangled underbrush. He describes it as stealthy and shy, with a habit -of hiding, but its cry usually betrays its place of concealment. This -cry he states to be like the squall of the Catbird. - -Mr. Townsend found it abundant on the Columbia, where, as he observed, -it lived mostly on the ground, or on bushes near the ground, rarely -ascending trees. Mr. Audubon gives the measurement of its egg as 1.12 -inches in length and .87 in breadth. - -The egg of this species is more rounded than are those of this genus -generally, and there is but little difference between the two ends. -The ground-color is white, with a greenish tinge, and is very -generally and profusely spotted with fine markings of reddish and -purplish-brown. They measure .95 by .80 of an inch. - - -Pipilo maculatus, var. arcticus, SWAINSON. - -ARCTIC TOWHEE BUNTING. - - _Pyrgita_ (_Pipilo_) _arctica_, SW. F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 260. - _Pipilo arcticus_, NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 589.—IB., (2d ed.,) - 1840, 610.—BELL, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, 1852, 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 514. - -SP. CHAR. Upper parts generally, with head and neck all round to the -upper part of the breast, black; the rump usually tinged with ashy. -Middle of breast and of belly white; sides chestnut; under -tail-coverts similar, but paler. Entire outer webs of scapulars and of -dorsal feathers immediately above them, and of ends of primary and -secondary coverts, to the shaft, with edges of outer webs of three -innermost tertials, and of the second to the fifth primaries, -conspicuously white. Whole outer web of the first and ends of the -first to the fourth tail-feathers, white, the amount diminishing not -very rapidly. Outermost quill longer than ninth, sometimes than -eighth, nearly always exceeding the secondaries; third quill longest; -fourth scarcely shorter. Length about 8 inches; wing, 4.40; tail, -4.10; hind toe and claw, .74. _Female_ paler brown instead of black; -the rufous, seen in _P. erythrophthalmus_, tinged with ashy. - -HAB. High central plains of Upper Missouri, Yellowstone, and Platte; -basin of Missouri River, especially west, including eastern slope of -Rocky Mountains; San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 492). - -_P. arcticus_ is similar in form to _P. erythrophthalmus_, which, -however, is readily distinguished by the entire absence of white on -the scapulars and wing-coverts. The amount of white on the tail -decreases much less rapidly. The differences between it and _P. -oregonus_ will be found detailed under the head of the latter species. - -One specimen (8,193) from Fort Leavenworth, with a few white spots -only on the scapulars, may perhaps be considered a hybrid between -_arcticus_ and _erythrophthalmus_. - -In some specimens the interscapulars are edged externally with white. -The feathers of throat and sides of head show occasional concealed -spots of white about the middle. As in _erythrophthalmus_, the bases -of the primaries are white along the outer edge, showing under the -primary coverts, sometimes, but perhaps not generally, confluent with -the white towards the end of the same web. - -The female is of a dull ashy-brown, difficult to describe, but with -only a slight tinge of the rufous seen in _P. erythrophthalmus_, which -is most distinct on top of head and back. There is an almost -inappreciable ashy superciliary stripe. - -The young bird resembles in general appearance that of _megalonyx_, -but is lighter colored, and with the dusky streaks on the jugulum much -narrower. The brown above is as light as in _erythrophthalmus_, but -without the reddish cast seen in the latter, and not blackish, as in -_megalonyx_. - -HABITS. The Saskatchewan or Arctic Ground Finch was first met with by -Sir John Richardson. It was observed by him only on the plains of the -Saskatchewan, where he had no doubt of its breeding, as one specimen -was killed late in July. It was said to arrive in that region in the -end of May, and to frequent shady and moist clumps of wood. It was -generally seen on the ground. Its habits, so far as they were -observed, correspond with those of the Towhee Bunting, which it -closely resembles in external appearance. It feeds on grubs, and is a -solitary and retired, but not a distrustful bird. - -Besides its occurrence in the Valley of the Saskatchewan, these birds -have often been found on the high central plains of the Upper -Missouri, on the Yellowstone and Platte Rivers. Audubon met with it at -Fort Union. Dr. Hayden obtained it on the Yellowstone, in August; at -Fort Lookout, June 22; at Bijou Hills, from May 1 to the 15th; at Bon -Homme Island, May 9. Dr. Cooper obtained it at Fort Laramie in -September. Mr. Allen found it in Colorado, where it was more abundant -on the foothills than on the plains. He also found this species an -abundant inhabitant of the thickets in the valley of the Great Salt -Lake, in its habits strongly resembling the common birds of the -Eastern States. Though its song is also somewhat similar, its -call-note, he adds, is totally different, very nearly resembling that -of the Catbird. - -Dr. Woodhouse met with but few of these birds either in the Indian -Territory or in New Mexico. Mr. Dresser, in November, 1863, when -hunting in the Bandera Hills, noticed several of these birds near the -camp, and obtained several near San Antonio during the winter. None of -these birds appear to have been observed in the Arctic regions beyond -the Saskatchewan Plains. - -Mr. Nuttall met with this species on the western slopes of the Rocky -Mountains, but as he apparently did not appreciate the difference -between this form and the _oregonus_, we cannot determine with -certainty to which his descriptions apply in all cases. He found it, -in manners and habits, the counterpart of our common eastern species, -frequenting forests and scratching among the dead leaves among bushes -and thickets. He describes it as more shy than the common species. If -the nest be invaded, the male shows more boldness, and reiterates his -complaints until the cause of his alarm is removed. He speaks of its -warble as quaint and monotonous, and very similar to the notes of the -Towhee,—but the note of our bird, _towhee_, is never heard west of -the mountains. In its stead this bird is said to have a note like the -mew of a cat. - -The egg of the _arcticus_ is oval in shape, and measures one inch in -length by .70 in breadth. It has a white ground, but is so generally -and so thickly covered with fine dots of umber-brown, intermingled -with paler markings of lavender and neutral tints, that the ground can -hardly be distinguished. - - -SECTION II. - -_Head and body above brown; throat with a light patch._ - - Pipilo fuscus, SWAINSON. - - - Synopsis of the Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Grayish-brown above, with a more or less -appreciable rufous tinge on the crown. A patch covering the -throat, ochraceous or white, contrasting with the surrounding -portions, and encircled more or less completely, especially -posteriorly, by dusky spots; lores like the chin. Crissum -deep ochraceous, the lower part of abdomen tinged more or -less with the same. - - A. No trace of white tips to middle wing-coverts. Throat - ochraceous. - - _a._ Crown only faintly tinged with rufous. - - 1. Abdomen pale grayish-brown; throat and lores deep - reddish-ochraceous; the deep ochraceous confined - posteriorly to lower tail-coverts. Wing, 3.90; tail, - 5.00. _Hab._ California var. _crissalis_. - - 2. Abdomen distinctly white centrally, but surrounded - by grayish laterally and anteriorly; throat and lores - pale ochraceous; deep ochraceous of crissum extending - forward over lower part of abdomen. Wing, 3.80; tail, - 4.00. _Hab._ Mexico var. _fuscus_.[24] - - _b._ Crown very distinctly rufous. - - 3. The ochraceous of posterior under parts spreading - over whole lower part of abdomen and flanks. - Ochraceous of the throat palest anteriorly, the chin - and lores being almost white; it spreads over the - jugulum also, outside the series of rather scattered - dusky spots. Whole breast white. Wing, 3.80; tail, - 4.30. _Hab._ Southern Middle Province of United States - ar. _mesoleucus_. - - 4. The ochraceous of under parts confined to crissum - and anal region; ochraceous of the throat palest - posteriorly, where it is nearly white, and confined - within the encircling series of rather coalesced dusky - spots. Abdomen, only, white. Wing, 3.80; tail, 4.20. - _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas ar. _albigula_. - - B. Middle coverts distinctly, and greater obsoletely, - tipped with white. Throat white crossed by an ochraceous - band. - - 5. Crown without a trace of rufous. Dusky spots - surrounding the white gular patch, coalesced - posteriorly into a narrow crescent. Whole breast and - abdomen white, somewhat broken anteriorly. Flanks and - lower tail-coverts ochraceous. Wing, 3.30; tail, 3.70. - _Hab._ Mexico. (var. ?) _albicollis_.[25] - - - [24] _Pipilo fuscus_, SW. Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 434 - (Temiscaltepec).—IB. Anim. in Menag. 1838, 347.—BP. Consp. - 1851, 487.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1856, 304 (Cordova). _? - Kieneria fusca_, BP. C. R. XL, 1855, 356. - - SP. CHAR. Above dull olive-brown; the top of head having the - central portion of feathers tinged (inconspicuously and - obscurely) with rufous. Chin and throat pale rufous, - bordered by dusky streaks; a single dusky spot in lower part - of jugulum. Belly and flanks behind, anal region and - crissum, rather darker rufous. Sides grayish-olive, lighter - than the back, tingeing the breast, and leaving only a small - patch in the centre of under parts white, shading into the - surrounding ashy-brown. Fourth and fifth quills longest; - first shorter than ninth, or than secondaries. - - _Dimensions_ (prepared specimen): Total length, 7.75; wing, - 3.80; tail, 4.20; exposed portion of first primary, 2.30; of - longest (measured from exposed base of first primary), 3.03. - Bill: Length from forehead, .65; from nostril, .40. Legs: - Tarsus, .95; middle toe and claw, 1.00; hind toe and claw, - .68; claw alone, .36. _Hab._ Highlands of Mexico. - - The specimen described is from the city of Mexico, and - belongs to Mr. G. N. Lawrence; others before us are from - Temiscaltepec (the original locality of Swainson’s type), - Guadalaxara, and Tepic. - - While admitting the strong probability that the different - brown _Pipilos_ with rufous throat bordered by black spots, - _P. fuscus_, _crissalis_, _mesoleucus_, _albigula_, and - probably even _albicollis_, are geographical modifications - of the same original type, the large collection before us - vindicates the action of those who have referred the - California species to that described by Swainson as - _fuscus_, and who have distinguished the _P. mesoleucus_ - from both. The original description of _fuscus_ agrees - almost exactly with _crissalis_, both actually scarcely - separable; while the _mesoleucus_, intermediate in - geographical position, is decidedly different from either. - The relationships of these different forms will be found - expressed in the general diagnosis already given. - - Two descriptions given by Swainson, copied below, of the _P. - fuscus_, differ somewhat from each other, and may not have - been taken from the same specimen. The identification of - either with _P. mesoleucus_ would be a difficult matter; - while the first one expresses the peculiar characters of - _crissalis_ more nearly than any other. The statement of - “white beneath,” without any qualification, applies better - to _mesoleucus_ than to others, but the “pale rufous tinge” - observable in _crissalis_ and _fuscus_ is very different - from the abruptly defined chestnut cap of _mesoleucus_. - - _Pipilo fuscus_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 434. “Gray, - beneath paler; throat obscure fulvous, with brown spots; - vent ferruginous. Length, 8.00; bill, .70; wings, 3.50; - tail, 4.00; tarsi, .90; hind toe and claw, .70.” _Hab._ - Table land; Temiscaltepec. - - _Pipilo fuscus_, SWAINSON, Anim. in Men. 1838, 347. - “Grayish-brown above; beneath white; chin and throat - fulvous, with dusky spots; under tail-coverts fulvous; tail - blackish-brown, unspotted. Bill and legs pale, the latter - smaller, and the claws more curved than in any other known - species; crown with a pale rufous tinge. Length, 7.50; - wings, 3.50; tail, 4.00; tarsus, .90; middle toe and claw - the same; hinder toe, .65. Rather smaller than _maculata_.” - - [25] _Pipilo albicollis_, SCLATER. Above uniform - olivaceous-brown; the cap not differently colored. Lores, - chin, and throat white, the two last bordered and defined by - dusky spots; jugulum and breast white, the former clouded - with olivaceous, and with a dusky blotch in middle; middle - of throat crossed by an olivaceous band which curves round - on each side under the ear-coverts; sides grayish. Flanks - behind, anal region, and crissum, rufous. Middle - wing-coverts with a whitish bar across their tips. Fourth - and fifth quills longest; first shorter than ninth and - secondaries. Length, 7.00; wing, 3.30; tail, 3.70. Bill and - legs light. _Hab._ Central Mexico. - - This “species” may fairly be considered as one extreme of - the series of which _P. crissalis_ is the other; and differs - from the rest merely in a greater amount of white, and the - absence of rufous tinge on top of head. The fulvous of - throat is concentrated in a band across its middle portion, - leaving chin and lower throat white; this, however, is - foreshadowed in the paler chin of _mesoleucus_, and the - whitish lower throat of _albigula_. The uniformity of - coloring above is nearly equalled by that of _P. crissalis_. - The whitish band across the middle wing-coverts is the most - positive character. - - -Pipilo fuscus, var. crissalis, VIGORS. - -BROWN TOWHEE; CAÑON FINCH. - - _Pipilo fusca_, CASSIN, Illust. I, IV, 1853, 124, pl. xvii (the - figure seems to be of the California species, the description - more like _mesoleucus_).—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, - Rep. P. R. R. VI, IV, 1857, 89. _Kieneria fusca_, BONAP. - Comptes Rendus, XL, 1855, 356. _Fringilla crissalis_, VIGORS, - Zoöl. Blossom, 1839, 19. _Oriturus wrangeli_, BRANDT, Bonap. - Comp. Rend. 43, 1856, 413. _Pipilo fuscus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 517.—HEERM. X, _S_, 51 (nest).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 245. - - [Illustration: _Pipilo fuscus_, var. _crissalis_.] - -SP. CHAR. Above dark olive-brown, the crown with a very slight tinge -of scarcely appreciable dark rufous. Under parts with the color -somewhat similar, but of a lighter shade, and washed with grayish; -middle of the belly only whitish; the under tail-coverts pale rufous, -shading into lighter about the vent and sides of lower belly; chin and -throat well-defined pale rufous, margined all round by brown spots, a -few of them scattered within the margin. Eyelids and sides of head, -anterior to the eye, rufous like the throat. One or two feathers on -the lower part of the breast with a concealed brown blotch. Outer -primary not edged with white. Fifth quill longest; first shorter than -ninth, or even than secondaries. Bill pale brown, darker above; legs -light. Length, 8.50 inches; wing, 4.00; tail, 4.60. - -HAB. Coast region of California. - -The bill is sinuated, as in _P. aberti_, differing from that of _P. -erythrophthalmus_. - -This race is very similar to the original _P. fuscus_ of Mexico, the -original description of Swainson answering almost exactly. It is, -however, considerably larger; the proportions of wing are similar; and -there is no decided indication of whitish in the middle of the body -beneath, such as is always distinctly appreciable in _fuscus_, and -still more in _mesoleucus_. - -A young bird differs but little from the adult except in having -obsolete dusky streaks below; the upper parts are uniform. - -HABITS. The Brown, or Cañon Finch of California is found nearly -throughout the State of California. Mr. Xantus obtained it at Fort -Tejon, and Mr. Ridgway observed it among the chaparrals on the -foothills of the western slope of the Sierras. - -Dr. Cooper considers the name of Cañon Finch ill applied to this -species, as it is equally plentiful in level districts, wherever trees -and shrubbery exist. He regards it as one of the most abundant and -characteristic birds of California, residing in all the lower country -west of the Sierras, and extending up the slopes of the Coast Range to -the height of three thousand feet. They are said to have habits very -similar to those of all the other species, living much upon the -ground, and seeking their food among the dead leaves, which they -greatly resemble in color. This resemblance Dr. Cooper regards as a -great protection to them from Hawks; their hues also correspond with -those of the earth and the dusky foliage during most of the year. They -are thus less conspicuous in the light, and they venture more -fearlessly forth and feed in open grounds. - -They have but little song, and only utter a few faint chirps and -hurried notes, as they sit perched upon some low bush, in the spring. -At San Diego Dr. Cooper saw the first nest with eggs on April 17, but -some birds had laid much earlier, as he found young hatched by the -20th. He afterwards observed other nests, all of which were built in -bushes, from two to four feet from the ground, and all but one -contained three eggs; the other had four. He has found them built in -low trees, and one in a vine growing over the porch of a house. The -nest is formed of coarse twigs, bark, and grass, is thick and large, -and is lined with fine root-fibres and finer grasses. The eggs are -pale blue, spotted with purplish-brown blotches, mostly small and -scattered. He gives the measurement of the eggs as .90 by .65 of an -inch. In the more northern part of the State they are said to lay four -eggs oftener than three. They are supposed by him to have two broods -in a season. - -Colonel McCall has no doubt that they are found throughout California, -as he has met with them from the upper waters of the Sacramento to the -mouth of the Gila; the former having its origin in the extreme north, -and the latter touching the extreme southern boundary of the State. It -is most abundant south of Santa Barbara. - -Colonel McCall states that its habits and manners differ somewhat from -those of the common Towhee and the Arctic Finches. Its flight is more -even and regular, and is without that violent jerking of the tail from -side to side, which gives such a singular appearance of awkwardness to -the movements of the Towhee. It is less shy and suspicious than the -Arctic. It is also much less decidedly a Ground Finch than either of -the others. Its favorite abode he found to be the vicinity of -watercourses, where it is generally to be seen in pairs, though he -has, at times, surprised eight or ten together under the shade of a -large bush at noon in a summer day, when he has had no difficulty in -procuring three or four specimens before the party dispersed. It is at -all times a familiar bird, boldly coming into the roads to feed, and -permitting a close approach. If compelled to retreat, it darts -suddenly into the thicket, but returns as soon as the cause of alarm -has disappeared. Near Santa Barbara he found thirty or forty of these -birds, in the month of July, dispersed over an old field of some five -acres in extent, contiguous to a sea-beach, through which flowed a -small stream of fresh water. They were feeding on the ground, -sheltered by a rank growth of weeds. When one was flushed it flew into -a neighboring tree instead of seeking shelter again in the weeds. The -young at that time were fully fledged, and scarcely differed in the -color of their plumage from the adults. - -Dr. Heermann once met with a nest of this bird built in a grapevine -overhanging the Sacramento River. He describes the eggs of this -species as differing entirely from any of this genus he had ever met -with, and as having so great a resemblance to the eggs of the three -different species of Blackbirds inhabiting California that they were -liable to be confounded with them unless marked when taken from the -nest. - -Dr. Newberry, who found this bird very common in the Sacramento -Valley, states that when he first met with it, a strange bird to him, -its habit of scratching among the dry leaves under the bushes, as well -as its long tail and jerking flight from one clump of bushes to -another, at once indicated to him its affinities. - -Among the memoranda made by Mr. Xantus at Fort Tejon are the following -in reference to this species: “474, nest and two eggs, found May 19 on -a small thorn-bush in a very dark thicket, about six feet from the -ground; 1,675, nest and one egg, on a thick thorny bush, six feet from -the ground; 1,851, nest and two eggs, May 12, on a rose-bush, four -feet from the ground, eggs already incubated.” - -The eggs of this species measure one inch by .75, have a light ground -of robin-blue, and are spotted and blotched with varying shades of -dark and light purple. In some the color of the blotches is so deep as -not to be distinguishable from black, except in a strong light. The -lighter shades are a faint lavender. - - -Pipilo fuscus, var. mesoleucus, BAIRD. - -CAÑON BUNTING. - - _Pipilo mesoleucus_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. VII, June, 1854, 119 - (Rocky Mountains).—IB. Birds N. Am. 1858, 518; pl. - xxix.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. X, b. pl. xxix.—HEERM. X, c. - p. 15.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 247. _? Pipilo fusca_, “SWAINS.,” - SCLATER & SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1869, 361 (city of Mexico). - -SP. CHAR. Above very dull olivaceous-brown, with a grayish tinge; hood -dull chestnut, conspicuously different from the back. Sides like the -back, but paler; posteriorly, and about the vent and under -tail-coverts, pale brownish-red. The ashy olive-brown of the sides -scarcely meeting across the breast, the lower portion of which, with -the upper belly, is rather pure white. The loral region, chin, throat, -and upper part of the breast, pale yellowish-rufous, finely spotted on -the sides and more coarsely across the breast with brown; an obscure -spot in the middle of the breast; edge of outer primary white. Bill -pale brown; legs flesh-color; first quill about equal to eighth, third -and fourth longest. Length, 8.50 inches; wing, 3.80; tail, 4.70. - -HAB. Valley of Upper Rio Grande and across to the Gila River. East to -Santa Caterina, New Leon. - -This race is similar in general appearance to _P. crissalis_, but the -olive-brown and rufous are both of a lighter shade. The crown is of a -decided rufous, conspicuously different from the back, instead of -nearly the same tint. The light reddish under the head is wider -throughout, and extends down to the upper part of the breast, blending -with the colors of the breast and belly, instead of being narrower, -more sharply defined, and restricted to the chin and throat; it is -palest anteriorly, the chin and lore being almost white. The isolated -larger spot on the breast is more conspicuous; the breast and belly -are quite pure white, shaded with obsolete brownish blotches, instead -of being uniform grayish-brown, with only an approach to whitish in -the very middle. The edges of the wing and tail feathers are a good -deal lighter, the outer web of the first primary being sharply edged -with pure white, instead of obscure grayish-brown. The size generally -is rather smaller, the wings more pointed. - -Compared with _P. fuscus_, we find the tail decidedly longer; the wing -more pointed; the first quill about equal to the eighth, instead of -shorter than the secondaries. The colors generally are paler; the cap -of head bright distinct rufous in strong contrast with the other -plumage, instead of being only very obscurely tinged with that color. -The white of belly is purer, and extends farther forward, displacing -the ashy tinge almost to the buff of the throat. - -If we consider all the brown _Pipilos_ as modifications of one -primitive species, it will be well to consider the Arizonan and New -Mexican bird as the central figure around which the others are -grouped. The common character will then be varied in the California -race, _crissalis_, by the absence of decided rufous on crown, a darker -shade of color, and an extension of the gray of sides over the whole -under parts, almost entirely displacing the white. The wing is more -rounded, and the general dimensions larger southward on the central -plains of Mexico; the general tints are almost precisely as in the -California bird, except that the white of belly is very evident; but -the chestnut cap and extended whiteness of belly, together with the -pointed wing of _mesoleucus_, are wanting. In _P. albigula_ of Cape -St. Lucas we have the general characters of _mesoleucus_, with paler -colors, more restricted spots encircling throat, and a tendency to -white in its lower part. In this it approaches _albicollis_ of -Southwestern Mexico. - -HABITS. This little-known form was first obtained by Dr. Kennerly, -naturalist to the Pacific Railroad Expedition on the 35th parallel, -under Lieutenant Whipple. He met with it at Bill Williams Fork, in -Arizona, February 5, 1854. It was described by Professor Baird the -following June. Dr. Kennerly furnished at the time no information in -regard to its habits. - -Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds observed in Lieutenant -Parke’s expedition, mentions having met with this species in the -vicinity of Tucson. Its habits, so far as he could judge of them from -his opportunities, appeared very similar to those of _Pipilo aberti_. - -Lieutenant Couch met with this species at Santa Catalina, Mexico, in -April, 1853, but furnishes no information in reference to its manners. -Mr. J. H. Clark, who obtained a specimen near the Copper Mines of the -Mimbres, states that they were met with in abundance in the deep -valleys or cañons of that region. They were almost always in or about -the thick clumps of bushes, several usually being in company. - -Dr. Kennerly, who met with them on a second trip, in June, 1855, near -Los Nogales, in Mexico, speaks of them as not very common in that -region. He found them preferring the dense bushes in the valleys. When -approached, they became very restless, flying from one bush to -another, accompanying their motions with very peculiar notes, which he -does not describe. - -Dr. Coues found this species abundantly distributed throughout the -warmer portions of New Mexico and Arizona, from the valley of the Rio -Grande to that of the Colorado. He did not observe any at Fort -Whipple, though they were found breeding some twenty-five miles to the -southward. He found them associating freely with _Pipilo aberti_, and -inhabiting the same regions. The two birds have very similar habits. - -Dr. Henry also states that this species is common in New Mexico both -summer and winter, and, so far as he has observed, dwelling almost -entirely among the mountains. It appeared to him very retiring in its -habits, and seemed to prefer the cañons. He has seldom, if ever, -observed it far from shady gorges, where, like its relative of the -Eastern States, the Towhee Bunting, it passes the greater part of its -time on the ground, and is generally accompanied by its congener, the -Arctic Finch. When disturbed, it seeks the thickest cover, though it -is by no means shy or difficult to approach. Its nest is usually -constructed in the branches of a thick cedar or dwarf oak, and he has -never known it to produce more than one brood in a season. - -Dr. Cooper states that these birds are very abundant in Southern -Arizona, that their habits closely resemble those of _P. aberti_, and -that their eggs are similar to those of _Pipilo fuscus_. - - -Pipilo fuscus, var. albigula, BAIRD. - -CAPE TOWHEE. - - _Pipilo albigula_, BAIRD, P. A. N. S. Nov. 1859, 305 (Cape St. - Lucas).—ELLIOT, Illust. Am. Birds, I, pl. xv (“= _P. - mesoleucus_”).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 248. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _mesoleucus_, having, like it, a distinctly -rufous crown and white abdomen. Differing, however, in the following -respects: The pale ochraceous gular area is more sharply defined, the -buff being confined within the encircling series of dusky spots; the -buff is palest posteriorly, instead of directly the opposite. The -rufous of the crissal region is more restricted, only tingeing the -anal region instead of invading the lower part of the abdomen, the -white beneath also is shifted farther back, covering the abdomen -alone, instead of the breast, the whole jugulum being distinctly ashy, -like the sides. Wing, 3.80; tail, 4.25. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas. - -A very large series of specimens from Cape St. Lucas agree in -possession of the characters pointed out above, distinguishing them -from _mesoleucus_, to which race the present one is most nearly -related. - -HABITS. The White-throated or Cape Towhee of Cape St. Lucas was first -met with by Mr. Xantus in the southern extremity of the peninsula of -Lower California, and described by Professor Baird in 1859. Its close -resemblance to _P. mesoleucus_ suggests an equal similarity as to its -habits, in regard to which we possess no actual knowledge. Mr. Xantus -has furnished us with no memoranda as to the manners of the bird. We -have only the brief mention among his notes to the effect that No. -4,855 is the nest with four eggs of this _Pipilo_, found in a wild -_Humulus_ thicket; and that No. 5,076 is a nest with eggs of the same, -found in a thicket of wild roses in the garden fence. - -Judging from the large number of the nests and eggs of this species -collected by that gentleman at Cape St. Lucas, it would seem to be -very abundant in that locality. - -The eggs of this variety measure .95 of an inch in length and .72 in -breadth. They bear a strong resemblance to those of the _P. fuscus_, -but the markings are darker and more distinctly defined, standing out -with a clear and striking effect, in marked contrast with the light -background. The ground-color of the egg is a light tint of robin-blue. -The markings of dots, dashes, and lines are all about the larger end, -and are of a deep dark shade of purplish-brown, so dark as, except in -a strong light, to be undistinguishable from black. - - -SECTION III. - -_Brown; throat without light patch._ - - Pipilo aberti, BAIRD. - - ABERT’S TOWHEE. - - _Pipilo aberti_, BAIRD, Stansbury’s Rep. Great Salt Lake, Zoölogy, - June, 1852, 325 (New Mexico).—IB. Birds N. Am. 1858, 516, pl. - xxx.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. X, b, pl. xxx.—HEERMANN, X, c, - 15.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 244. _Kieneria aberti_, BONAP. - Comptes Rendus, XL, 1855, 356. - - [Line drawing: 6748 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. General color of upper parts pale brownish yellowish-red; -beneath brighter, and more ochraceous, especially on the under -coverts, palest on the middle of the belly. Sides of head anterior to -eyes, and chin dark brown. Bill and legs yellowish. Length, 9 inches; -wing, 3.70; tail, 4.85. - -HAB. Base of Rocky Mountains in New Mexico. Valley of Gila and -Colorado. - -This plainly colored bird is perhaps the largest of the North American -Finches, and is without any blotches, spots, or variations of -importance from one color, except on the chin and sides of the head. -The bill is similar to that of _P. erythrophthalmus_, but the cutting -edge is less concave and more sinuated. The tail is more graduated; -the claws thicker and stronger. The wings are short and much rounded; -the first quill shorter than the secondaries; fifth and fourth -longest. - -It may be easily distinguished from all the varieties of _fuscus_ by -the blackish lores and chin, as well as by the absence of any colored -gular area, there being, instead, a pinkish rufous tinge prevalent -over the whole throat and jugulum. There are no dusky spots across the -throat as in _fuscus_. - -HABITS. Dr. Cooper assigns the base of the Rocky Mountains, in New -Mexico, and the valleys of the Gila and Colorado Rivers, as the -habitat of this species. Dr. Coues speaks of it as one of the most -abundant and characteristic birds of those two valleys, and adds that -it ranges northward to within a few miles of Fort Whipple, but is not -found in the adjacent mountains. It was common at Fort Mohave, and -particularly so at Fort Yuma. - -Dr. Kennerly met with it at Camp No. 114, New Mexico, February 6, and -again at Bill Williams Fork, February 12. He states that while -travelling down the Big Sandy Creek and Bill Williams Fork, in the -month of February, he found them very abundant. They confined -themselves to the thick bushes near the water. Generally two or three -were seen together. Their motions were very rapid, and their note was -a peculiar, loud, chattering sound, sharp but not disagreeable. After -leaving the Great Colorado he did not see it again. - -On the borders of the Gila, east of Fort Yuma, Dr. Heermann found this -bird in great abundance. It kept in the close sheltered thickets, -where, secure from intrusion, it sought among the dead leaves for -various seeds and insects and their larvæ, on which it feeds. In its -habits it very much resembles the _Pipilo fuscus_, or Cañon Finch, -diving into the bushes when alarmed, and repeating, at intervals, a -short chirp. After leaving the Gila River he did not meet with any -more, as he followed no longer the course of any large stream, for the -borders of which these birds seem to have a decided preference. - -Dr. Cooper regards this species as the almost exact counterpart of the -_Pipilo fuscus_. The only difference he noticed in habits was in the -character of its loud note of alarm, remarkably similar, however, to -that of two very distinct birds of the same valley, namely, _Centurus -uropygialis_ and _Phainopepla nitens_. Like the Cañon Finch, this -species is said to live almost constantly on the ground, but appears -rather more gregarious, especially in winter. - -About the first of April Dr. Cooper met with many of their nests. They -were generally built in thorny shrubs, and were composed of a flooring -of coarse twigs, or of green herbs, and strongly interwoven with -strips of bark, grass, and leaves. One bird had taken advantage of the -recent introduction of horses into the valley to obtain a lining of -horse-hair for its nest. The eggs were in all cases only three, -bluish-white, with brown spots and streaks in a ring near the large -end, quite variable in number, and measuring one inch by .70. One of -the nests was in a low mesquite-tree, another in a dense cluster of -dead twigs hanging from a cottonwood. The time required for hatching -was twelve or thirteen days, and in a fortnight more the young left -the nest. Dr. Cooper found nests with eggs as late as May 25, and had -no doubt that they raise two or more broods in a season. He adds that -the song of the male, throughout April and May, is precisely like that -of _P. fuscus_, and also reminded him of the notes of _P. oregonus_ -and of the eastern Black-throated Bunting (_Euspiza americana_). - -Dr. Coues has kindly supplied me with the following interesting sketch -of this species, as observed by him in Arizona:— - - “This species appears to have a remarkably restricted - geographical distribution. I never saw it at Fort Whipple, but on - the Colorado bottom in the same latitude, and thence along the - river to Fort Yuma, I found it to be one of the most abundant and - characteristic birds of all. At the time I observed it, in - September, it was generally in small flocks, and proved rather - difficult to capture, partly because the dense underbrush it - inhabited was almost impenetrable, and partly on account of its - natural timidity. Everything along the river-bottom is scorched - with the heat, and the dry dead twigs constantly snap at a touch, - with such noise that it is almost impossible to force a passage - through the underbrush without alarming all its inmates. The bird - occurs everywhere along the river-side, but is particularly - numerous on the patches of mesquite, and the extensive areas - grown up to young willows and cottonwoods, and the arrowwood - (_Tessaria borealis_). Its ordinary cry of alarm, if not its - call-note, is a loud, clear chirp, very different from the mewing - sound made under similar circumstances by its congener, the _P. - megalonyx_. The latter, as is well known, is almost exactly like - that of a Catbird. I never heard the song of this bird, which - appears to sing only during the breeding-season, but Dr. Cooper - says it resembles that of the western Black _Pipilos_, and I can - indorse his observation, that this is curiously like the - monotonous notes of the Black-throated Bunting,—_Chip, chip, - chee-chee-chee_; the first two syllables deliberately pronounced, - the others more rapidly enunciated, with greater emphasis. The - associates of this species seem to be few, if indeed they be not - confined to the _P. mesoleucus_, a very near ally. The moult - seems to me unusually protracted, as many September specimens - were still in poor plumage. - - “Excepting my experience with this bird on the Colorado, I only - met with it on the Hassayampa, a small stream a few miles from - Fort Whipple, yet in a somewhat different region, across a slight - mountain-ridge, lower and warmer. Two specimens were secured, - adult and young, the first week in August.” - -Dr. Coues, on his way from Arizona to the Pacific (Ibis, 1866, p. -261), mentions that he was often startled by the loud, clear, sharp -chirp of this bird, which, though fringilline in character, is more -than usually powerful, and is its alarm-note. Everywhere in the -Colorado Valley this was one of the most characteristic birds. Fort -Yuma seemed to be its head-quarters. It is, like all its congeners, a -retiring species, and keeps perseveringly in the almost impenetrable -undergrowth. It is said to be more decidedly gregarious than most of -the genus, often collecting in flocks of a dozen or more, wandering -restlessly, yet in a cautious manner, through the thickets. - -A nest with eggs, procured at Fort Mohave by Dr. Cooper, is in the -Smithsonian Collection (No. 7,276). The egg measures .93 by .70 of an -inch, is obovate in shape, being much rounded at the smaller end. Its -ground-color is a dull white, without any perceptible tinge of -blue,—though possibly bluish when fresh,—with heavy dots and -occasional delicate, hair-like, zigzag markings of black. These -markings are wholly confined to the larger end. One of the eggs has -these markings much finer, consisting of minute dots, more dense, and -upon the apex of the larger end. The nest is loosely built and very -bulky. Its external diameter is about six inches, and its depth three. -The cavity is three inches wide and two deep. It is constructed almost -entirely of strips of inner bark, the coarser, ribbon-like pieces -being used on the outer portion, and the finer shreds composing the -lining. Externally are also a few sticks about one quarter of an inch -in diameter. - - -SECTION IV. - - _Crown rufous; body above, olive-green._ - -Pipilo chlorurus, BAIRD. - - GREEN-TAILED BUNTING; BLANDING’S FINCH. - - _Fringilla chlorura_, (TOWNSEND,) AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 336 - (Young). _Zonotrichia chlorura_, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d - Series, I, 1847, 51. _Embernagra chlorura_, BONAP. Conspectus, - 1850, 483. _Fringilla blandingiana_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. - I, April, 1843, 260. _Embernagra blandingiana_, CASSIN, Illus. - I, III, 1853, 70, pl. xii. _Pipilo rufipileus_, LAFRESNAYE, - Rev. Zoöl. XI, June, 1848, 176.—BP. Conspectus, 1850, 487. - _Kieneria rufipileus_, BON. Comptes Rendus, XL, 1855, 356. - _Pipilo chlorura_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am., 1858, 519.—HEERM. X, - c, 15.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 248. - -SP. CHAR. Above dull grayish olive-green. Crown uniform chestnut. -Forehead with superciliary stripe, and sides of the head and neck, the -upper part of the breast and sides of the body, bluish-ash. Chin and -upper part of throat abruptly defined white, the former margined by -dusky, above which is a short white maxillary stripe. Under -tail-coverts and sides of body behind brownish-yellow. Tail-feathers -generally, and exterior of wings, bright olive-green, the edge and -under surface of the wings bright greenish-yellow; edge of first -primary white. First quill longer than eighth, fourth longest. Length, -about 7 inches; wing, 3.20; tail, 3.65. - -HAB. Whole of the Middle Province, including the Rocky Mountains and -eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada; north to beyond the 40th parallel; -south to Mexico. - -In this species the wing is considerably rounded, the tertials -considerably shorter than the primaries, and not exceeding the -secondaries; the fourth quill longest, the first shorter than the -sixth, the second and fifth quills considerably longer than the rest. -The tail is long and considerably graduated, the outer feather half an -inch shortest; the feathers broad and obtusely pointed, the corners -rounded. - - [Line drawing: _Pipilo chlorurus._ - 38493] - -The extent of the chestnut of the crown varies somewhat; more extended -probably in the males. The region on the side of the head, adjoining -the nostrils, is whitish; the small feathers under the eye are spotted -with the same. The posterior outline of the ash of the breast is much -less sharply defined than the anterior. - -Specimens vary in the brightness of the olive above, which is never as -pure as that of the wings and tail. The olive of the tail, too, is -darker than that of the wings. - - [Illustration: _Pipilo chlorurus._] - -A very young bird (1,896) has the whole under parts dull white, -streaked and spotted on the sides of the throat and on the breast with -dark brown. The crown and back are also thickly spotted. In 5,734 the -ash of the breast has made its appearance; the middle of the belly is -white, spotted; the chin white, encircled by spots. The spots above -are restricted to near the head, and there is a small central patch of -chestnut on the crown. - -No. 1,896 is the original “Green-tailed Sparrow” killed July 12, 1834, -by Townsend, and described in an extract of a letter to Mr. Audubon, -published page 336 of Vol. V. of the Ornithological Biography. - -HABITS. Dr. Kennerly, who procured a specimen of this bird at San -Elizario, Tex., December 16, states that it was obtained with some -difficulty. For several successive days it was found in the same -place, occupying a small clump of very thick weeds. When aroused, -which was only accomplished with some effort, its flight was short, -rapid, and decidedly irregular. Its motions on the ground were very -awkward. This species was found by Mr. Ridgway very generally -distributed throughout the fertile mountain portions of the interior. -It was not seen by him in California, and was first met with in the -ravines at the base of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. On the -high mountain-ranges it was a characteristic and the best-known -singer, as well as one of the most abundant of the _Fringillidæ_, -being found in all bushy places, from the bases to the summits of the -mountains. It is exclusively a summer species, arriving at Carson City -about the middle of April. He describes the usual note of this bird as -very peculiar, and, as nearly as can be described, a sweet laughing -utterance of the syllables _keek-keek´_, a little resembling the -_tweet_ of a Canary, but very musical. This curious note was generally -uttered when anything unusual attracted its attention, such as the -approach of an intruder. Then, with elevated tail and its very -conspicuous red cap raised, it would hop familiarly and unsuspiciously -about. He adds that it is a songster of high merit, in power and -variety ranking very little below the song of the _Chondestes -grammaca_. The song varies in the modulations greatly with the -individual, but the same general style is preserved. At times it -seemed to have a slight resemblance to the song of Bewick’s Wren, and -at others to that of a _Cyanospiza_, and more rarely, to be the -reproduction of a passage from the song of the _Chondestes_. - -In the early part of July, near Austin, in the cañons of the -mountains, he found these birds breeding in the greatest abundance, -and later in the same month a few of its nests were found on the East -Humboldt Mountains. All of its nests, with hardly an exception, were -placed from eighteen inches to two feet above the ground, among the -thick bushes of a species of _Symphoricarpus_, or “snow-berry,” which -grows in great abundance upon the sides of the cañons of those -mountains. The maximum number of eggs was four. It was also quite a -common bird in the Wahsatch Mountains, though less abundant than the -_P. megalonyx_. - -Mr. Allen found this Finch quite numerous in Colorado Territory, and -speaks of its song as very peculiar and very pleasing. It is said to -resemble in no respect the eastern Towhee Finch, with which it is -classed, but much more closely the group of Sparrows, so familiarly -represented at the east by the White-throated, being like them in -habits, song, and general aspect. It was more common among the -foot-hills than on the plains. In Utah, according to Mr. Allen, this -Finch begins to appear in numbers about September 20, from its -breeding-haunts in the mountains. - -Dr. Coues met with this species in Arizona, but only as a spring and -autumn migrant. None remained there in summer to breed, and none were -found there in the winter. In its migrations it passed rapidly by Fort -Whipple, being found there only during the latter part of April and -the beginning of May, and during the month of September. At those -seasons it appeared to him the most silent and retiring of all the -_Pipilos_. He found it very difficult to either observe its habits or -to capture it. It winters sparingly at Fort Mohave. - -Specimens of this bird were taken near Lookout Mountain by C. S. -McCarthy, and at Gilmer, in Wyoming Territory, by Mr. Durkee. - -Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds observed on the 32d parallel, -under Lieutenant Parke, mentions first meeting with this species near -Tucson. They were frequenting, in numbers, the thick undergrowth, and -were seeking seeds and insects on the ground. They seemed inclined to -shun observation, and always kept in the most retired situations. They -were sociable among themselves, going about singly or in pairs, -associated with the _Poospiza bilineata_ and two or three other kinds -of Finch. When started they fly low, diving into the bushes, and soon -disappear from sight. Occasionally, until reaching El Paso, Texas, -birds of this species were met with, mingling with the flocks of -migrating _Fringillidæ_. He there procured a pair apparently just -entering upon incubation. - -Instead of being suited by color, like most of the other _Pipilos_, to -inhabit dark thickets and among dry leaves, this species is clad in a -gayer livery, and seems well adapted for concealment in its summer -resorts, and also among the growing vegetation of the lower country -during the rainy season. Dr. Heermann found a few wintering in the -Colorado Valley, and yet more at San Diego, but they left both places -in March. He found them silent and shy, hiding very closely in the -bushes, and feeding altogether on the ground. The only note he heard, -resembled the crowing note of the California Quail. - -Among the memoranda of Mr. Xantus, made near Fort Tejon, are the two -following: “4,839, nest and two eggs (of _Pipilo chlorurus_) found in -a dry hedge in Mr. Ritchie’s garden; 5,083, nest and eggs found in a -dark garden-hedge.” - -The eggs of the _chlorurus_ are like those of no other _Pipilo_ that I -have met with. They are peculiar in shape, being nearly of an exact -oval, neither end being apparently much more rounded than the other. -Their ground-color is white with a bluish tint, over which is -profusely diffused a cloud of fine dottings of a pinkish-drab. These -markings are occasionally so fine and so thickly distributed as to -give to the egg the appearance of a uniform color, or as an unspotted -pinkish drab-colored egg. Occasionally the dots are deeper and larger, -and more sparsely diffused. - -In considering the eggs of the _Pipilos_ in general we find certain -variations which deserve more than a passing notice. Those of -_erythrophthalmus_, _oregonus_, _arcticus_, and _megalonyx_ are all -fringilline in their characters, and have a marked affinity to eggs of -_Melospiza_, _Zonotrichia_, and many other genera of this order. The -eggs of _aberti_, _fuscus_, _mesoleucus_, and _albigula_ are also all -closely alike, and exhibit a very close resemblance to those of the -_Agelaii_, and even of the _Icteri_, while the eggs of _P. chlorurus_, -though of a fringilline character, are unlike either style. - - - - -FAMILY ALAUDIDÆ.—THE LARKS. - - -CHAR. First primary very short or wanting. Tarsi scutellate anteriorly -and posteriorly, with the plates nearly of corresponding position and -number. Hind claw very long and nearly straight. Bill short, conical, -frontal feathers extending along side of the bill; the nostrils -concealed by a tuft of bristly feathers directed forward. Tertials -greatly elongate beyond the secondaries. - -Subfamilies and Genera. - - Alaudinæ. Bill stout, short, and conical; nasal fossæ - transverse and completely filled by the thick tuft of - bristly feathers, and perforated anteriorly by a circular - nasal opening. (Old and New World.) - - Crown with a depressed soft crest of feathers, of normal - structure; a spurious primary; tail deeply emarginate _Alauda_. - - Crown without a crest, but occiput with an erectile tuft - of narrow elongated feathers on each side. No spurious - primary; tail square, or slightly rounded _Eremophila_. - - Calandritinæ. Bill broader, more depressed, and straighter - at the base; nasal fossæ longitudinal, large, elongated, - the nasal opening rather linear. (Old World.) - -Of the _Alaudidæ_ only the two genera diagnosed above belong to the -American continent; and one of them is properly only a wanderer from -the Old World, while the other is cosmopolitan. - -The most characteristic feature of the Larks among other oscine -families is seen in the scutellation of the tarsus. The anterior half -of this is covered by divided scales lapping round on the sides, but -instead of the two plates which go one on each side of the posterior -half and unite ultimately behind as an acute ridge, there is but one -which laps round on the sides, and is divided into scales like the -anterior ones, but alternating with them. The posterior edge of the -tarsus is as obtuse as the anterior, instead of being very acute. -There is a deep separating groove on the inner side of the tarsus; and -there may be really but one plate divided transversely, the edges -meeting at this place. - -In the elongated hind claw and lengthened tertials, general style of -coloration, mode of life, and manner of nesting, there is a decided -approximation in the _Alaudidæ_ to the _Anthinæ_, of the family -_Motacillidæ_; but in these the posterior edge of the tarsus is sharp -and undivided transversely, the toes more deeply cleft, the bill more -slender, etc.,—their relations being rather nearer to the -_Sylvicolidæ_ than to the present family. - - -GENUS ALAUDA, LINN. - - _Alauda_, LINN. S. N. 1735. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very small, less than half the length of the head, -conical; nostrils exposed; rictal bristles quite strong; commissure -without notch; tarsus much longer than middle toe; lateral toes equal; -posterior toe about as long as the middle, its claw longer than the -digit, and nearly straight; claws of anterior toe very small. Wing -long, pointed, the third and fourth (apparently second and third) -quills longest, the second and fifth successively, a little shorter; -the first so small as to be almost concealed; tertials much elongated, -reaching about half-way from end of secondaries to tip of primaries; -their ends emarginated; tail rather deeply emarginated, and a little -more than half the length of the wing. - -Species. - -A. arvensis. Above grayish-brown, beneath whitish, with a buffy tinge -across jugulum and along sides; every feather above with a medial -streak of dusky; sides of throat, sides, and across jugulum streaked -with dusky; the outer tail-feathers partly white. Wing, 4.90; tail, -2.80; culmen, .40; tarsus, .80; hind claw, .50. HAB. Europe; -accidental in Greenland and the Bermudas. - - -Alauda arvensis, LINN. - -THE SKYLARK. - - _Alauda arvensis_, LINN., Faun. Sue. p. 76. _Alauda vulgaris_, - LEACH, Syst. Cat. Mamm. and Birds in B. M. p. 21. _Alauda - cœlipeta_, PALL. Zoögr. I, 524. _Alauda segetum_, BREHM, Vög. - Deutschl. 318. _Alauda montana_, BREHM, Vög. Deutschl. 319, t. - 20, f. 1. _Alauda agrestis_, BREHM, Vög. Deutschl. 320. _Alauda - italica_, GMEL. S. N. I, 793. - -SP. CHAR. _Adult._ Above grayish umber-brown, beneath white, tinged -across the breast with soft light ochraceous. Every feather above with -a medial dusky streak, the shaft black; wing-feathers and upper -tail-coverts bordered with white. Outer tail-feather mostly white, the -next one edged with the same. A plain, light superciliary stripe; -auriculars nearly uniform light brownish; sides of the throat, -jugulum, and sides with short streaks of dusky brown. - -_Male._ Wing, 4.90; tail, 2.80; culmen, .40; tarsus, .80; middle toe, -.55; hind claw, .50. - -_Young._ Above more yellowish-fulvous, the feathers with central -spots, instead of medial stripes of dusky, and bordered terminally -with whitish; jugulum washed strongly with ochraceous, and marked with -dusky spots. - -HAB. Europe; accidental in Greenland and the Bermudas; Aleutian -Islands. - -HABITS. The famed Skylark of the Old World can rest a twofold claim to -be included in a complete list of North American birds. One of these -is their occasional occurrence in the Bermudas, and in Greenland. The -other is their probably successful introduction near New York. - -A few years since an attempt was made to introduce these birds, for -which purpose several individuals were set at liberty on Long Island. -For a short time they did well, and succeeded in raising one or more -broods, but, owing probably to the constant persecution of all small -birds by the foreign population of the neighborhood, the experiment -nearly failed, and none were noticed in that vicinity. Within the last -year or two, however, several pairs of these birds have been observed -in Westchester County, and also on Long Island, by parties competent -to recognize them, and hopes are now entertained that these desirable -birds have obtained a foothold in this country. - -According to Messrs. Dresser and Sharpe, the Skylark is found -throughout the polar Arctic regions, from the British Islands eastward -to Siberia and Northern China. A smaller subspecies is met with in -Southeastern Europe, which does not present any character by which it -can be separated from it. In Eastern Europe the Lark has been found as -far north as the Faroe Islands, but has not been observed in Iceland. -It reaches Christiania in March, and leaves in October. It has been -found breeding in Lapland as far north as latitude 65°, and is a -common summer visitant in Finland. Pallas found it abundant throughout -Russia and Siberia, and Steller found it not only in Kamtschatka, but -equally in the Kurile Islands and in those between Asia and America, -so that its occurrence in our Alaskan territories may be regarded as a -not improbable event. - -The same writers also state that the Skylark has been twice recorded -as occurring in Greenland and in America; and in another place they -state that “the Skylark occasionally visits Greenland, and has been -met with in the Bermudas.” In the latter place a storm-tried waif was -taken by Mr. J. M. Jones after an easterly gale. - -The Lark is a universal favorite in the Old World, and as a vocalist -enjoys a reputation hardly second even to the far-famed Nightingale. -It is an inhabitant of all the countries of Europe, and is said to be -most abundant in the cultivated districts. - -We only know of its song from caged specimens and from the testimony -of European writers. Yarrell speaks of its notes as cheerful and -exhilarating, fresh as the season of spring, and the admiration of all -hearers. Its voice is described as powerful to an extraordinary -degree, and its song wild and joyous. They sing while they fly, -rising, with quivering wings almost perpendicularly, until they gain -so great an elevation that they can no longer be distinguished; yet, -while thus no longer visible, their wild music continues to be heard -as that of some unseen spirits of the air. It is said that one -familiar with their song can readily determine, by their notes, -whether the singer is ascending, stationary, or descending. -Occasionally, when at this great elevation, the Lark will close its -wings and drop to the earth with the rapidity of a stone. At times it -will sing while on the ground, but its most lively strains are poured -forth during these flights. And though this bird will sing while in -confinement, and is a favorite cage-bird, yet in singing they are said -to flutter their wings, as if this motion were almost a necessary -accompaniment to their song. - -In regard to the song and its peculiarities writers are not quite in -agreement. The general opinion seems to be that, while in the quality -of its tone it is surpassed by the song of the Nightingale, the -Bulfinch, and the Black-cap, it is unequalled in quantity, -sprightliness, variety, and power. The Lark is in song eight months of -the year, and during the summer months it sings from two in the -morning, with very little intermission, until after sunset. - -Mr. Macgillivray gives an excellent and graphic description of the -habits of this bird, from which we extract a portion descriptive of -its song. “It has been alleged,” he writes, “that the Lark ascends in -a spiral manner, but my observation does not corroborate the -statement. In rising it often passes directly upward, but with the -body always horizontal, or nearly so, then moves in a curve, and -continues thus alternately, but without a continued spiral motion. At -first, the motion of the wings is uniformly fluttering; but afterwards -it shoots them out two or three times successively at intervals, and -when at its greatest height exhibits this action more remarkably. When -it descends, the song is not intermitted, but is continued until it -approaches the ground, when it usually darts down headlong, and -alights abruptly. Frequently it resumes its song after alighting, and -continues it for a short time, but more commonly it stops when it has -reached the ground. Often a Lark may be seen hovering over a field, in -full song, for a considerable time, at a small height. On the 4th of -May, 1837, I observed a Lark perched on a half-burnt whin branch, -where it remained singing a long time. I have often seen it perch on a -wall, and several times on a hawthorn bush in a hedge; but it never, I -believe, alights on tall trees. - -“The song of the Lark is certainly not musical, for its notes are not -finely modulated, nor its tones mellow; but it is cheerful and -cheering in the highest degree, and protracted beyond all comparison. -In a sunny day in April or May, when the grass-fields have begun to -resume their verdure, it is pleasant to listen to the merry songster -that makes the welkin ring with its sprightly notes; in the sultry -month of July, still more pleasant is it to hear its matin hymn while -the dew is yet on the corn; and in winter, should you chance to hear -the well-known voice on high, it reminds you of the bright days that -have gone, and fills you with anticipation of those that are to come. -No doubt much of the pleasure derived from the Lark’s song depends -upon association, but independently of circumstances and associations -the song of the Lark imparts an elasticity to the mind, elevates the -spirits, and suspends for a time the gnawing of corroding care. The -carol of the Lark, like the lively fife, excites pure cheerfulness. In -confinement this bird sings every whit as well as when at large, and -when rapidly perambulating the square bit of faded turf in its cage, -it enacts its part with apparently as much delight as when mounting -toward heaven’s gate.” - -This bird succeeds well in cages, and lives to a great age, Yarrell -mentioning one that lived nearly twenty years in confinement. Its -natural food is grain, the seeds of grasses, worms, and various kinds -of insects. They begin to mate in April, and have two broods in a -season. Their nest is always placed on the ground, often sheltered by -a tuft of grass, or some other protection. The nests are woven of -coarse grasses and stems of plants, and are lined with finer materials -of the same. The eggs are five in number, have a grayish-white ground, -occasionally a greenish-white, very generally sprinkled and blotched -with markings of dark-gray and an ashy-brown, so profusely as to -conceal the ground. They are oval in shape, slightly more pointed at -one end, and measure .93 of an inch in length by .70 in breadth. - -According to Selby, the young of the first brood are fully fledged by -the end of June, and the second in August. The Lark evinces a very -strong attachment to its young, and many interesting accounts are -given by European writers of its intelligent endeavors to conceal and -to protect its nest,—in one instance constructing an artificial dome -of dry grass, where the natural protection had been cut away by -mowers, and in another attempting to remove the young to a place of -greater safety. - -The Lark has, in several instances, been successfully induced to mate -and rear her young in an aviary; and Mr. W. P. Foster, of Hackney, is -quoted by Mr. Yarrell as authority for the statement, that, during the -period of producing the eggs, the female has been heard to sing with a -power and a variety of tone equal to the voice of her mate. - -While his mate is sitting on her eggs, the male Lark, apparently timid -at all other times, is remarkably bold, and drives away other birds -that venture too near their nest. He not only watches over her and -seeks to protect her, but assiduously supplies her with food. - - -GENUS EREMOPHILA, BOIE. - - _Eremophila_, BOIE, Isis, 1828, 322. (Type, _Alauda alpestris_. - Sufficiently distinct from _Eremophilus_, HUMBOLDT, [Fishes,] 1805.) - _Phileremos_, BREHM, Deutschl. Vögel, 1831. - _Otocoris_, BONAPARTE, 1839. (Type, _Alauda alpestris_, GRAY.) (We - are unable to find where the genus is named.) - -GEN. CHAR. First primary wanting; bill scarcely higher than broad; -nostrils circular, concealed by a dense tuft of feathers; the nasal -fossæ oblique. A pectoral crescent and cheek-patches of black. - - [Illustration: ♂ _Eremophila alpestris._] - -This genus differs from _Melanocorypha_ in having no spurious first -primary, although the other characters are somewhat similar. -_Calandritis_ of Cabanis, with the same lack of first primary, has a -much stouter bill. The spurious primary, more depressed bill, and -differently constituted nostrils and nasal fossæ of _Alauda_ are -readily distinctive. - - [Illustration: _Eremophila alpestris._] - -The type of this genus is the _Alauda alpestris_, Linn., a well-known -cosmopolitan species, though the birds of the New World have been -distinguished under distinctive names, as _cornuta_, _chrysolæma_, -_peregrina_, etc. The examination and critical comparison of more than -a hundred specimens from all parts of North America, however, has -convinced us of the identity with _alpestris_ of the several forms -mentioned above, though it may be advisable to retain one or more of -them as geographical races. - - -Species and Varieties. - - E. alpestris. _Adult._ Above pinkish-gray, varying to - cinnamon, the pinkish deepest on nape and lesser - wing-coverts; tail black (except two middle feathers), the - outer feather edged with white. Beneath white, the sides - pinkish or grayish. A frontal band and superciliary - stripe, the middle of auriculars, chin, and throat varying - from white to deep Naples-yellow; forepart of crown, and - “ear-tufts,” a patch on lores and cheeks, and a broad - crescent across the jugulum, deep black; end of auriculars - ashy. _Female_ and autumnal males, with the pattern less - sharply defined, and the colors more suffused. _Young._ - Brownish-black above, more or less mixed with clay-color, - and sprinkled with whitish dots; wing-feathers all - bordered with whitish. Beneath white. Markings on head and - jugulum just merely indicated by dusky cloudings. - - Wing (of adult male), 4.20 to 4.60; tail, 2.90 to 3.16; - culmen, .60 to .65. - - White frontal band, .25 to .30, wide; the black - prefrontal patch, .26 to .35 wide. The pinkish above of - an ashy-lilac shade. - - Throat and forehead white, with only a very faint - tinge of yellow; pinkish tinge above more rufous. - _Hab._ Interior Northern Plains of the United States - var. _occidentalis_. - - Throat and forehead pale straw-yellow, or strongly - tinged with it; pinkish tinge above varying from - ashy-lilacous to purplish-rufous. _Hab._ Northern - regions of Old and New Worlds var. _alpestris_. - - Wing (adult male), 3.80 to 4.10; tail, 2.75 to 2.90; - culmen, .53 to .62. - - White frontal band, .13 to .16 wide; the black - prefrontal patch, .35 to .50 wide. Pinkish above of a - deep cinnamon shade. _Hab._ Desert plains of South - Middle Province of United States, and table-lands of - Mexico, south to Bogota var. _chrysolæma_. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXII. - 1. Eremophila cornuta. ♂ Nev., 53470. - 2. ” ” _Juv._, Wisc., 4330. - 3. Alauda arvensis. Europe. - 4. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. ♂ Pa., 977. - 5. ” ” ♀ Kansas, 13069. - 6. Molothrus pecoris. ♀ Ga., 32446. - 7. ” ” ♀ - 8. ” ” _var._ obscurus. ♂ Manzanillo, Mex., 30165. - 9. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus. ♂ Utah, 58624.] - - -Eremophila alpestris, BOIE. - -THE SHORE LARK. - -SP. CHAR. _Adult male_; spring. A frontal crescent, curving backward -in a broad, sharply defined, superciliary stripe to the occiput; chin, -throat and foreneck, and a crescent across middle of ear-coverts, -whitish, either more or less tinged with yellow, or pure white. Lower -parts, except laterally, white. A broad crescentic patch behind the -frontal whitish crescent, running back on each side of the crown and -terminating in an erectile tuft of narrow elongated feathers on each -side of occiput, a patch covering the lores, nasal tufts, passing -beneath the eye, and forming a broad “mustache” on the cheeks, with a -convex outline behind and concave anteriorly, and a broad crescentic -patch across the jugulum, deep black. A crescentic spot of -grayish-drab across the ends of the auriculars. Posterior portion of -the crown enclosed laterally between the “ear-tufts,” occiput, nape, -lateral lower parts, lesser and middle wing-coverts, and upper -tail-coverts, pinkish-brown; the sides and flanks with obsolete dusky -streaks. Back, scapulars, rump, wings, and two middle tail-feathers, -ashy-drab, the feathers darker centrally, forming rather conspicuous -broad streaks on lower part of back; middle and secondary coverts, -secondaries and primaries bordered terminally, quite conspicuously, -with white. Tail (except the _intermediæ_) black; outer web of lateral -feather almost entirely white, that of the next edged with the same. - -_Adult female_; spring. Similar, but markings rather less sharply -defined; a tendency to streaking of nape and crown; these streaks -often displacing the continuous black of the anterior portion of -crown. The “ear-tufts” less developed. - -_Winter adult._ Similar to the spring dress, but the black areas -obscured, more or less, by whitish borders to the feathers; the -frontal whitish band less sharply defined. Breast with numerous more -or less distinct deltoid specks of plumbeous, and the pinkish of the -sides much tinged with the same. The dusky streaks above are broader -and more conspicuous. - -_Young._ First plumage, entirely different from the adult. Above -dusky, variegated with whitish dots, sprinkled over the whole surface; -these specks terminal on each feather, and of a deltoid form, becoming -more transverse and crescentic on the scapulars and rump; each feather -of the wings broadly bordered with pale brownish, approaching white on -the coverts. The blackish areas are but faintly indicated by a dusky -suffusion, generally very indistinct, across the breast, and over the -cheeks; and variegated with badly defined, more dusky spots; lower -parts, including post-ocular stripe, dull white; sides spotted with -dusky. - -The _E. alpestris_, as restricted, is represented in the collection by -three perfect specimens, in the several stages of plumage described; -while there is also a fine specimen from Astrachan, representing a -white-throated race (“var. _bei_” on MS. label) of Central Asia. The -series of American specimens is all that could possibly be desired, -there being numerous examples from nearly the whole northern -continent, from the Arctic regions to as far south as Bogota, and from -coast to coast. - -The common Shore Lark of the northern parts of North America appears -to be absolutely identical with the European bird, each of the -specimens of the latter being easily matched from the American series. -It therefore becomes necessary to reduce the name “_cornuta_” to a -synonyme of _alpestris_, the former not affording characters to -distinguish it as even a variety. To _alpestris_ may also be referred -the form known as “_occidentalis_, McCall,” those specimens from the -interior regions which are destitute of any yellow tinge on the -throat. Were this feature a constant one in specimens from the region -which it characterizes, it would be, of course, right to retain the -name in the form of _alpestris_ var. _occidentalis_. As it is, -however, quite a large percentage of the specimens from every locality -where _occidentalis_ is found have more or less yellow throats, but it -is possible that this mixture of the two may be the result of -irregular migrations, those yellow-throated individuals being -stragglers from their breeding habitat,—more to the eastward and -northward. In its white instead of straw-yellow throat, and more -lilaceous than vinaceous upper parts, this form bears a close -resemblance to a race of the deserts of Western (and Central?) -Asia,—the “_bei_”[26]; the latter, however, has these features more -exaggerated than in the one of the central plains of North America. -Breeding throughout the table-lands of Mexico, and in the Western -Province of the United States, north to about the 40th parallel, is a -more strongly marked race, maintaining also more constancy in its -peculiar features; this race is the _E. chrysolæma_, Wagl., of which -name _rufa_, Aud., and _minor_, Giraud, are synonymes. This race, -which we propose to call _E. alpestris_ var. _chrysolæma_, differs -from both the northern styles in smaller size and longer bill, and in -coloration is the opposite extreme from _occidentalis_, having the -vinaceous tints deeper and browner, instead of paler and less brown, -than in _cornuta_ (i. e. typical _alpestris_). The black markings are -also more extended, in proportion to the other colors, reducing the -white on the forehead to a very narrow band, instead of a broad spot -equalling, or exceeding, the black in width. Specimens from -Bogota—about the southern limit of the genus on this continent—are, -perhaps, referrible to _chrysolæma_, or at least not very different -from it, though described by Sclater as distinct, under the name -_peregrinus_.[27] - -In fewer words, the variations, with the region, are about as follows. -Starting with North America, north of the United States, we begin with -a style absolutely undistinguishable from that of Europe; this, to -which the name _cornuta_ belongs, visits the Eastern States only in -winter, but breeds over the prairie region of Wisconsin, Illinois, and -westward. West of the Rocky Mountains, especially south of about 40°, -specimens referrible to this style are most numerous in winter, and in -a large series a great percentage of the specimens entirely lack any -yellow on the throat, while the pinkish-brown tints are lighter and -less reddish; this style represents, in these peculiar features, the -“var. _bei_” of Western Asia (Astrachan), and has been distinguished -by the name _occidentalis_, McCall, though it is doubtful whether -McCall’s description is of a specimen of this style or of one of -_chrysolæma_, being taken from a young or immature bird. Breeding -south of about 40°, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, and -throughout the table-lands of Mexico,—in winter sometimes resident at -the northern limit assigned, and there mixed with northern-bred -individuals,—is a kind which is smaller, and, generally, with a -larger bill; the throat is deeper yellow than in the northern form, -the pinkish tints deepened into cinnamon, and the frontal band -narrower, caused by an encroachment of the black, which, in its -several areas, is extended more in proportion to the other colors. -This is the _E. chrysolæma_ of Wagl., and of which _minor_, Giraud, -and _rufa_, Aud., are synonymes, as already stated. - -Along the coast of Oregon and Washington Territory is a very peculiar -race, represented in the collection by several specimens. These differ -essentially in having the dark streaks above very sharply defined, -broad and clear blackish-brown,[28] while the lower parts are strongly -tinged with yellow, even as deeply so as the throat. Additional -specimens from the northwest coast may establish the existence of a -race as distinct as any of those named above. - - - [26] The name in manuscript on the label of a specimen in - the Schlüter collection, from Astrachan. - - [27] _Otocorys peregrina_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1855, 110, pl. - cii. _Eremophila per._ SCL. Cat. Am. Birds, 1862, 127. - - [28] A specimen from Cleveland, Ohio (7,429 ♀, April 1, Dr. - Kirtland), and one from Washington, D. C. (28,246 ♂, Feb.), - have nearly as distinct streaks above, but the white of - lower parts is without any tinge of yellow. - - -Var. alpestris. - - _Alauda alpestris_, LINN. S. N. I, 289.—FORST. Phil. Trans. LXII, - 1772, 383.—WILSON,—AUD.—JARD.—MAYNARD, B. E. Mass. 1870, - 121. _Otocorys a._ FINSCH, Abh. Nat. 1870, 341 (synonomy and - remarks). _Alauda cornuta_, WILS. Am. Orn. I, 1808, 85.—RICH. - F. B. A. II. _Eremophila c._ BOIE, Isis, 1828, 322.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 403.—LORD, P. R. A. Inst. IV, 118 (British - Col.).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, XII, 195.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. - Ac. I, 1869, 218 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 251.—SAMUELS, 280. _Phileremos c._ BONAP. List, 1838. - _Otocoris c._ AUCT. _Otocoris occidentalis_, MCCALL, Pr. A. N. - Sc. V, June, 1851, 218 (Santa Fé).—BAIRD, Stansbury’s Rep., - 1852, 318. - -CHAR. _Adult._ Frontal whitish crescent more than half as broad as the -black patch behind it. Throat and forehead either tinged, more or less -strongly, with yellow, or perfectly white. Pinkish tint above, a soft -ashy-vinaceous. - -_Measurements._ (56,583 ♂, North Europe,) wing, 4.40; tail, 2.90; -culmen, .60; width of white frontal crescent, .25; of black, .30. -(3,780 ♂, Wisconsin,) wing, 4.20; tail, 3.00; culmen, .60; width of -white frontal crescent, .30; of black, .26. (16,768 ♂, Hudson’s Bay -Ter.,) wing, 4.55; tail, 3.10; culmen, .65; width of white frontal -crescent, .35; of black, .36. (8,491 ♂, Fort Massachusetts,) wing, -4.35; tail, 3.15; culmen, .61; width of white frontal crescent, .27; -of black, 27. (The three perfectly identical in colors.) - -_Young._ On the upper parts the blackish greatly in excess of the -whitish markings. Spots across jugulum distinct. - -HAB. Northern Hemisphere; in North America, breeding in the Arctic -regions and the open plains of the interior regions, from Illinois, -Wisconsin, etc., to the Pacific, north of about 38°. - - -Var. chrysolæma. - - _Alauda chrysolæma_, WAGL. Isis, 1831, 350.—BONAP. P. Z. S. 1837, - 111. _Otocorys ch._ FINSCH, Abh. Nat. 1870, 341. _Alauda - minor_, GIRAUD, 16 Sp. Tex. B. 1841. _Alauda rufa_, AUD. Birds - Am. VII, 1843, 353, pl. ccccxcvii. _Otocoris r._, HEERM. X. s, - 45. _? Otocorys peregrina_, SCL. P. Z. S. 1855, 110, pl. cii. - _Eremophila p._, SCL. Cat. Am. B. 1860, 127. - -CHAR. _Adult._ Frontal crescent less than half as wide as the black. -Throat and forehead deep straw-yellow; pinkish tints above deep -cinnamon. - -_a._ Specimens from California and Mexico, streaks on back, etc., very -obsolete; darker central stripe to middle tail-feathers scarcely -observable; white beneath. - - _Measurements._ - (3,507, ♂, Tonila, Mexico,) wing, 3.80; tail, 2.75; bill, .53—.15—.42. - (9,115, ♂, Mexico,) ” 4.10; ” 2.90; ” .63—.13—.50. - (3,939, ♂, California,) ” 3.85; ” 2.75; ” .56—.14—.45. - (58,582, ♂, Gt. Salt Lake City,) ” 4.10; ” 2.80; ” .62—.16—.32. - -_b._ Specimens from coast of Oregon and Washington Territory. Streaks -on back, etc., very conspicuous; dark central stripe of tail-feathers -distinct; yellow beneath. - - _Measurements._ - (8,734 ♂, Fort Steilacoom,) wing, 3.75; tail, 2.60; bill, .61—.15—.40. - -HAB. Middle America, from the desert regions of the southern Middle -Province of North America, south to Bogota. - -HABITS. Assuming the Shore Lark of the Labrador coast and the rufous -Lark of the Western prairies to be one and the same species, but -slightly modified by differences of locality, climate, or food, we -have for this species, at all times, a wide range, and, during the -breeding-season, a very unusual peculiarity,—their abundant -distribution through two widely distant and essentially different -regions. - -During a large portion of the year, or from October to April, these -birds may be found in all parts of the United States. Dr. Woodhouse -found them very common throughout Texas, the Indian Territory, New -Mexico, and California. Mr. Dresser states that he found the western -variety—which he thinks essentially different in several respects -from the eastern—in great numbers, from October to the end of March, -in the prairies around San Antonio. Afterwards, at Galveston, in May -and June, 1864, he noticed and shot several specimens. Although he did -not succeed in finding any nests, he was very sure that they were -breeding there. It is common, during winter, on the Atlantic coast, -from Massachusetts to South Carolina. In Maine it is comparatively -rare. In Arizona, Dr. Coues speaks of the western form as a permanent -resident in all situations adapted to its wants. The same writer, who -also had an opportunity of observing the eastern variety in Labrador, -where he found it very abundant on all the moss-covered islands around -the coast, could notice nothing in their voice, flight, or general -manners, different from their usual habits in their southern -migrations, except that during the breeding-season they do not -associate in flocks. - -Richardson states that this Lark arrives in the fur countries in -company with the Lapland Bunting, with which it associates, and, being -a shyer bird, would act as sentinel and give the alarm on the approach -of danger. As Mr. Dall only obtained a single skin on the Yukon, it -probably is not common there. Dr. Suckley states it to be a very -abundant summer resident on the gravelly prairies near Fort -Steilacoom, in Washington Territory. He describes it as a tame, -unsuspicious bird, allowing a man to approach within a few feet of it. -It is essentially a ground bird, rarely alighting on bushes or shrubs. - -Dr. Cooper adds to this that the Shore Lark is common in the interior, -but he only noticed one on the coast border. In ordinary seasons they -seem to be permanent residents, and in winter to be both more -gregarious and more common. He met with one as late as July 1, on a -gravelly plain near Olympia, scratching out a hollow for its nest -under a tussock of grass. - -Dr. Cooper also found these birds around Fort Mohave in considerable -flocks about the end of February, but all had left the valley by the -end of March. About May 29 he found numbers of them towards the -summits of the Providence range of mountains, west of the valley, and -not far from four thousand feet above it, where they probably had -nests. They were also common in July on the cooler plains towards the -ocean, so that they doubtless breed in many of the southern portions -of California, as well as at Puget Sound and on the Great Plains. Dr. -Cooper states that in May or June the males rise almost -perpendicularly into the air, until almost out of sight, and fly -around in an irregular circle, singing a sweet and varied song for -several minutes, when they descend nearly to the spot from which they -started. Their nests were usually found in a small depression of the -ground, often under a tuft of grass or a bush. Mr. Nuttall started a -Shore Lark from her nest, on the plains, near the banks of the Platte. -It was in a small depression on the ground, and was made of bent -grass, and lined with coarse bison-hair. The eggs were olive-white, -minutely spotted all over with a darker tinge. - -According to Audubon, these Larks breed abundantly on the high and -desolate granite tracts that abound along the coast of Labrador. These -rocks are covered with large patches of mosses and lichens. In the -midst of these this bird places her nest, disposed with so much care, -and the moss so much resembling the bird in hue, that the nests are -not readily noticed. When flushed from her nest, she flutters away, -feigning lameness so cunningly as to deceive almost any one not on his -guard. The male at once joins her, and both utter the most soft and -plaintive notes of woe. The nest is embedded in the moss to its edges, -and is composed of fine grasses, circularly disposed and forming a bed -about two inches thick. It is lined with the feathers of the grouse -and of other birds. The eggs, deposited early in July, are four or -five in number, and are described by Mr. Audubon as marked with bluish -as well as brown spots. - -About a week before they can fly, the young leave the nest, and follow -their parents over these beds of mosses to be fed. They run nimbly, -and squat closely at the first approach of danger. If observed and -pursued, they open their wings and flutter off with great celerity. - -These birds reach Labrador early in June, when the male birds are very -pugnacious, and engage frequently in very singular fights, in which -often several others besides the first parties join, fluttering, -biting, and tumbling over in the manner of the European House Sparrow. -The male is described as singing sweetly while on the wing, but its -song is comparatively short. It will also sing while on the ground, -but less frequently, and with less fulness. Its call-note is quite -mellow, and is at times so altered, in a ventriloquial manner, as to -seem like that of another bird. As soon as the young are hatched their -song ceases. It is said to feed on grass-seeds, the blossoms of small -plants, and insects, often catching the latter on the wing, and -following them to a considerable distance. It also gathers minute -crustaceans on the sea-shore. - -Mr. Ridgway found this species abundant over the arid wastes of the -interior, and, in many localities, it was almost the only bird to be -found. In its habits he could observe no differences between this bird -and the _alpestris_. He met with their nests and eggs in the Truckee -Reservation, June 3. The nest was embedded in the hard, grassy ground, -beneath a small scraggy sage-bush, on the _mesa_, between the river -and the mountains. - -Mr. J. K. Lord mentions that, having encamped at Cedar Springs on the -Great Plains of the Columbia, where the small stream was the only -water within a long distance, he became interested in watching the -movements of these Larks. As evening approached they came boldly in -among the mules and men, intense thirst overcoming all sense of fear. -He found these handsome little birds very plentiful throughout British -Columbia. They were nesting very early on those sandy plains, even -before the snow had left the ground. He saw young fledglings early in -May. - -A single specimen of this species was taken at Godhaab, Greenland, in -October, 1835. - -Eggs from Labrador are much larger in size than those from Wisconsin. -Two eggs from the first, one obtained by Mr. Thienemann, the other by -Mr. George Peck, of Burlington, Vt., measure .93 and .94 of an inch in -length by .71 in breadth; while some from the West are only .83 in -length and .63 in breadth, their greatest length being .90, and their -largest breadth .69 of an inch. In their ground-color and markings, -eggs from both localities vary about alike. The ground-color varies -from a purplish-white to a dark gray, while the spots are in some a -brownish-lavender, in others a brown, and, quite frequently, an -olive-brown. In some they are in larger, scattered blotches; while in -others they are in very fine minute dots so thickly and so uniformly -diffused as almost to conceal the ground. - - - - -FAMILY ICTERIDÆ.—THE ORIOLES. - - -CHAR. Primaries nine. Tarsi scutellate anteriorly; plated behind. Bill -long, generally equal to the head or longer, straight or gently -curved, conical, without any notch, the commissure bending downwards -at an obtuse angle at the base. Gonys generally more than half the -culmen, no bristles about the base of bill. Basal joint of the middle -toe free on the inner side; united half-way on the outer. Tail rather -long, rounded. Legs stout. - -This family is strictly confined to the New World, and is closely -related in many of its members to the _Fringillidæ_. Both have the -angulated commissure and the nine primaries; the bill is, however, -usually much longer; the rictus is completely without bristles, and -the tip of the bill without notch. - -The affinities of some of the genera are still closer to the family of -_Sturnidæ_ or Starlings, of which the _Sturnus vulgaris_ may be taken -as the type. The latter family, is, however, exclusively Old World, -except for the occurrence of a species in Greenland, and readily -distinguished by the constant presence of a rudimentary outer primary, -making ten in all. - -There are three subfamilies of the _Icteridæ_,—the _Agelainæ_, the -_Icterinæ_, and the _Quiscalinæ_,[29] which may be diagnosed as -follows, although it is difficult to define them with precision:— - -Agelainæ. Bill shorter than, or about equal to, the head; thick, -conical, both mandibles about equal in depth; the outlines all more or -less straight, the bill not decurved at tip. Tail rather short, nearly -even or slightly rounded. Legs longer than the head, adapted for -walking; claws moderately curved. - -Icterinæ. Bill rather slender, about as long as the head; either -straight or decurved. Lower mandible less thick than the upper; the -commissure not sinuated. Tarsi not longer than the head, nor than -middle toe; legs adapted for perching. Claws much curved. - -Quiscalinæ. Tail lengthened, considerably or excessively graduated. -Bill as long as, or longer than, the head; the culmen curved towards -the end, the tip bent down, the cutting edges inflexed, the commissure -sinuated. Legs longer than the head, fitted for walking. - - - [29] It is an interesting fact in regard to the species of - _Icteridæ_, that, as a general rule, female birds of West - Indian representatives of the _Agelainæ_ and _Quiscalinæ_ - are usually, or perhaps universally, uniformly black, where - the continental are brown, either concolored or streaked. We - know of no exception to the first part of this statement as - to _Agelaius_, _Nesopsar_, _Scolecophagus_, and _Quiscalus_. - The smaller North American species of _Quiscalus_ have the - females duller, but not otherwise very different from the - males, except in size. The females of the large _Quiscalus_, - all continental, are much smaller than the males, and - totally different. In _Icterus_ all the species in which the - female is very different in color from the male are Northern - Mexican or continental North American (_pustulatus_, - _spurius_, _baltimore_, _bullocki_, _cucullatus_, etc.). - Most West Indian _Icterus_ also exhibit no difference in the - sexes, _dominicensis_, _hypomelas_, _xanthomus_, _bonanæ_, - etc.; in one alone (_leucopteryx_) is the difference - appreciable. The South American species have the females - pretty generally similar to the males, but smaller, as is - the case in the entire family. - - - - - SUBFAMILY AGELAINÆ. - - -CHAR. Bill stout, conical, and acutely pointed, not longer than the -head; the outlines nearly straight, the tip not decurved. Legs adapted -for walking, longer than the head. Claws not much curved. Tail -moderate, shorter than the wings; nearly even. - -The _Agelainæ_, through _Molothrus_ and _Dolichonyx_, present a close -relation to the _Fringillidæ_ in the comparative shortness and conical -shape of the bill, and, in fact, it is very difficult to express in -brief words the distinctions which evidently exist. _Dolichonyx_ may -be set aside as readily determinate by the character of the feet and -tail. The peculiar subfamily characteristics of _Molothrus_ will be -found under the generic remarks respecting it. - -The following diagnosis will serve to define the genera:— - - A. Bill shorter than the head. Feathers of head and - nostrils as in B. - - Dolichonyx. Tail-feathers with rigid stiffened acuminate - points. Middle toe very long, exceeding the head. - - Molothrus. Tail with the feathers simple; middle toe - shorter than the tarsus or head. - - B. Bill as long as the head. Feathers of crown soft. - Nostrils covered by a scale which is directed more or less - downwards. - - Agelaius. First quill shorter than the second and third. - Outer lateral claws scarcely reaching to the base of - middle; claws moderate. - - Xanthocephalus. First quill longest. Outer lateral claw - reaching nearly to the tip of the middle. Toes and claws - all much elongated. - - C. Bill as long as, or longer than, the head. Feathers of - crown with the shafts prolonged into stiffened bristles. - Nostrils covered by a scale which stands out more or less - horizontally. - - Sturnella. Tail-feathers acute. Middle toe equal to the - tarsus. - - Trupialis. Tail-feathers rounded. Middle toe shorter - than the tarsus. - - -GENUS DOLICHONYX, SWAINSON. - - _Dolichonyx_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Journ. III, 1827, 351. (Type, - _Emberiza oryzivora_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Dolichonyx oryzivorus._ - 977] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill short, stout, conical, little more than half the head; -the commissure slightly sinuated; the culmen nearly straight. Middle -toe considerably longer than the tarsus (which is about as long as the -head); the inner lateral toe longest, but not reaching the base of the -middle claw. Wings long, first quill longest. Tail-feathers -acuminately pointed at the tip, with the shaft stiffened and rigid, as -in the Woodpeckers. - -The peculiar characteristic of this genus is found in the rigid -scansorial tail and the very long middle toe, by means of which it is -enabled to grasp the vertical stems of reeds or other slender plants. -The color of the single species is black, varied with whitish patches -on the upper parts. - - -Dolichonyx oryzivorus, SWAINSON. - -BOBOLINK; REEDBIRD; RICEBIRD. - - _Emberiza oryzivora_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 311.—GM. I, 1788, - 850.—WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 48, pl. xii, f. 1, 2. - _Passerina oryzivora_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XXV, 1817, 3. - _Dolichonyx oryzivora_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, - 351.—IB. F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 278.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 437.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 139.—IB. Birds Am. IV, - 1842, 10, pl. ccxi.—GOSSE, Birds Jam. 1847, 229.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 522.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 266.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 255.—SAMUELS, 335. _Icterus agripennis_, BONAP. - Obs. Wils. 1824, No. 87. AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 283; V, 1839, - 486, pl. liv.—NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 185. _Icterus (Emberizoides) - agripennis_, BON. Syn. 1828, 53. _Dolichonyx agripennis_, RICH. - List, 1837. _Psarocolius caudacutus_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, - 32. - - [Illustration: _Dolichonyx oryzivorus._] - -SP. CHAR. General color of _male_ in spring, black; the nape brownish -cream-color; a patch on the side of the breast, the scapulars, and -rump, white, shading into light ash on the upper tail-coverts and the -back below the interscapular region. The outer primaries sharply -margined with yellowish-white; the tertials less abruptly; the -tail-feathers margined at the tips with pale brownish-ash. In autumn -totally different, resembling the female. - -_Female_, yellowish beneath; two stripes on the top of the head, and -the upper parts throughout, except the back of the neck and rump, and -including all the wing-feathers generally, dark brown, all edged with -brownish-yellow, which becomes whiter near the tips of the quills. The -sides sparsely streaked with dark brown, and a similar stripe behind -the eye. There is a superciliary and a median band of yellow on the -head. Length of male, 7.70; wing, 3.83; tail, 3.15. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the high Central Plains. North to -Selkirk Settlement, and Ottawa, Canada; and west to Salt Lake Valley, -Utah, and Ruby Valley, Nevada (RIDGWAY); Cuba, winter (CABAN.); -Bahamas (BRYANT); Jamaica (GOSSE, SCL., Oct.; MARCH, Oct., and in -spring); James Island, Galapagos, Oct. (GOULD); Sombrero, W. I. -(LAWRENCE); Brazil (PELZELN); Yucatan. - -A female bird from Paraguay (Dec., 1859) is undistinguishable from the -average of northern ones, except by the smaller size. Specimens from -the western plains differ from those taken near the Atlantic Coast in -having the light areas above paler, and less obscured by the grayish -wash so prevalent in the latter; the ochraceous of the nape being very -pale, and at the same time pure. - -HABITS. The well-known and familiar Bobolink of North America has, at -different seasons of the year, a remarkably extended distribution. In -its migrations it traverses all of the United States east of the high -central plains to the Atlantic as far to the north as the 54th -parallel, which is believed to be its most northern limit, and which -it reaches in June. In the winter it reaches, in its wandering, the -West Indies, Central America, the northern and even the central -portions of South America. Von Pelzeln obtained Brazilian specimens -from Matogrosso and Rio Madeira in November, and from Marabitanas, -April 4th and 13th. Those procured in April were in their summer or -breeding plumage, suggesting the possibility of their breeding in the -high grounds of South America. Sclater received specimens from Santa -Marta and from Bolivia. Other specimens have been reported as coming -from Rio Negro, Rio Napo, in Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, -Paraguay, Buenos Ayres, etc. - -In North America it breeds from the 42d to the 54th parallel, and in -some parts of the country it is very abundant at this season. The most -southern breeding locality hitherto recorded is the forks of the -Susquehanna River, along the west branch of which, especially in the -Wyoming Valley, it was formerly very abundant. - -Mr. Ridgway also observed this bird in Ruby Valley where, among the -wheat-fields, small companies were occasionally seen in August. He was -informed that, near Salt Lake City, these birds are seen in May, and -again late in the summer, when the grain is ripe. - -Of all our unimitative and natural songsters the Bobolink is by far -the most popular and attractive. Always original and peculiarly -natural, its song is exquisitely musical. In the variety of its notes, -in the rapidity with which they are uttered, and in the touching -pathos, beauty, and melody of their tone and expression, its notes are -not equalled by those of any other North American bird. We know of -none, among our native feathered songsters, whose song resembles, or -can be compared with it. - -In the earliest approaches of spring, in Louisiana, when small flocks -of male Bobolinks make their first appearance, they are said, by Mr. -Audubon, to sing in concert; and their song thus given is at once -exceedingly novel, interesting, and striking. Uttered with a -volubility that even borders upon the burlesque and the ludicrous, the -whole effect is greatly heightened by the singular and striking manner -in which first one singer and then another, one following the other -until all have joined their voices, take up the note and strike in, -after the leader has set the example and given the signal. In this -manner sometimes a party of thirty or forty Bobolinks will begin, one -after the other, until the whole unite in producing an extraordinary -medley, to which no pen can do justice, but which is described as very -pleasant to listen to. All at once the music ceases with a suddenness -not less striking and extraordinary. These concerts are repeated from -time to time, usually as often as the flock alight. This performance -may also be witnessed early in April, in the vicinity of Washington, -the Smithsonian grounds being a favorite place of resort. - -By the time these birds have reached, in their spring migrations, the -40th parallel of latitude, they no longer move in large flocks, but -have begun to separate into small parties, and finally into pairs. In -New England the Bobolink treats us to no such concerts as those -described by Audubon, where many voices join in creating their -peculiar jingling melody. When they first appear, usually after the -middle of May, they are in small parties, composed of either sex, -absorbed in their courtships and overflowing with song. When two or -three male Bobolinks, decked out in their gayest spring apparel, are -paying their attentions to the same drab-colored female, contrasting -so strikingly in her sober brown dress, their performances are quite -entertaining, each male endeavoring to outsing the other. The female -appears coy and retiring, keeping closely to the ground, but always -attended by the several aspirants for her affection. After a contest, -often quite exciting, the rivalries are adjusted, the rejected suitors -are driven off by their more fortunate competitor, and the happy pair -begin to put in order a new home. It is in these love-quarrels that -their song appears to the greatest advantage. They pour out -incessantly their strains of quaint but charming music, now on the -ground, now on the wing, now on the top of a fence, a low bush, or the -swaying stalk of a plant that bends with their weight. The great -length of their song, the immense number of short and variable notes -of which it is composed, the volubility and confused rapidity with -which they are poured forth, the eccentric breaks, in the midst of -which we detect the words “bob-o-link” so distinctly enunciated, unite -to form a general result to which we can find no parallel in any of -the musical performances of our other song-birds. It is at once a -unique and a charming production. Nuttall speaks of their song as -monotonous, which is neither true nor consistent with his own -description of it. To other ears they seem ever wonderfully full of -variety, pathos, and beauty. - -When their contests are ended, and the mated pair take possession of -their selected meadow, and prepare to construct their nest and rear -their family, then we may find the male bird hovering in the air over -the spot where his homely partner is brooding over her charge. All -this while he is warbling forth his incessant and happy love-song; or -else he is swinging on some slender stalk or weed that bends under -him, ever overflowing with song and eloquent with melody. As domestic -cares and parental responsibilities increase, his song becomes less -and less frequent. After a while it has degenerated into a few short -notes, and at length ceases altogether. The young in due time assume -the development of mature birds, and all wear the sober plumage of the -mother. And now there also appears a surprising change in the -appearance of our gayly attired musician. His showy plumage of -contrasting white and black, so conspicuous and striking, changes with -almost instant rapidity into brown and drab, until he is no longer -distinguishable, either by plumage or note, from his mate or young. - -At the north, where the Bobolinks breed, they are not known to molest -the crops, confining their food almost entirely to insects, or the -seeds of valueless weeds, in the consumption of which they confer -benefit, rather than harm. At the south they are accused of injuring -the young wheat as they pass northward in their spring migrations, and -of plundering the rice plantations on their return. About the middle -of August they appear in almost innumerable flocks among the marshes -of the Delaware River. There they are known as Reedbirds. Two weeks -later they begin to swarm among the rice plantations of South -Carolina. There they take the name of Ricebirds. In October they again -pass on southward, and make another halt among the West India Islands. -There they feed upon the seeds of the Guinea-grass, upon which they -become exceedingly fat. In Jamaica they receive a new appellation, and -are called Butterbirds. They are everywhere sought after by sportsmen, -and are shot in immense numbers for the table of the epicure. More -recently it has been ascertained that these birds feed greedily upon -the larvæ of the destructive cotton-worm, and in so doing render an -immense service to the cultivators of Sea Island cotton. - -Dr. Bryant, in his visit to the Bahamas, was eye-witness to the -migrations northward of these birds, as they passed through those -islands. He first noted them on the 6th of May, towards sunset. A -number of flocks—he counted nine—were flying to the westward. On the -following day the country was filled with these birds, and men and -boys turned out in large numbers to shoot them. He examined a quantity -of them, and all were males in full plumage. Numerous flocks continued -to arrive that day and the following, which was Sunday. On Monday, -among those that were shot were many females. On Tuesday but few were -to be seen, and on Wednesday they had entirely disappeared. - -Near Washington, Dr. Coues observed the Bobolink to be only a spring -and autumnal visitant, from May 1st to the 15th distributed abundantly -about orchards and meadows, generally in flocks. In autumn they -frequented in immense flocks the tracts of _Zizania aquatica_, along -the Potomac, from August 20 to October. - -The Bobolink invariably builds its nest upon the ground, usually in a -meadow, and conceals it so well among the standing grass that it is -very difficult of discovery until the grass is cut. The female is very -wary in leaving or in returning to her nest, always alighting upon the -ground, or rising from it, at a distance from her nest. The male bird, -too, if the nest is approached, seeks to decoy off the intruder by his -anxiety over a spot remote from the object of his solicitude. The nest -is of the simplest description, made usually of a few flexible stems -of grasses carefully interwoven into a shallow and compact nest. The -eggs, five or six in number, have a dull white ground, in some tinged -with a light drab, in others with olive. They are generally spotted -and blotched over the entire egg with a rufous-brown, intermingled -with lavender. They are pointed at one end, and measure .90 by .70 of -an inch. They have but one brood in a season. - -In some eggs, especially those found in more northern localities, the -ground-color is drab, with a strong tinge of purple. Over this is -diffused a series of obscure lavender-color, and then overlying these -are larger and bolder blotches of wine-colored brown. In a few eggs -long and irregular lines of dark purple, so deep as to be -undistinguishable from black, are added. These eggs are quite pointed -at one end. - - -GENUS MOLOTHRUS, SWAINSON. - - _Molothrus_, SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 277; supposed by - Cabanis to be meant for _Molobrus_. (Type, _Fringilla pecoris_, - GM.) - - [Line drawing: _Molothrus pecoris._ - 32446] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill short, stout, about two thirds the length of head; the -commissure straight, culmen and gonys slightly curved, convex, the -former broad, rounded, convex, and running back on the head in a -point. Lateral toes nearly equal, reaching the base of the middle one, -which is shorter than tarsus; claws rather small. Tail nearly even; -wings long, pointed, the first quill longest. As far as known, the -species make no nest, but deposit the eggs in the nests of other, -usually smaller, birds. - -The genus _Molothrus_ has the bill intermediate between _Dolichonyx_ -and _Agelaius_. It has the culmen unusually broad between the -nostrils, and it extends back some distance into the forehead. The -difference in the structure of the feet from _Dolichonyx_ is very -great. - - [Illustration: _Molothrus pecoris._] - -Species of _Molothrus_ resemble some of the _Fringillidæ_ more than -any other of the _Icteridæ_. The bill is, however, more straight, the -tip without notch; the culmen running back farther on the forehead, -the nostrils being situated fully one third or more of the total -length from its posterior extremity. This is seldom the case in the -American families. The entire absence of notch in the bill and of -bristles along the rictus are strong features. The nostrils are -perfectly free from any overhanging feathers or bristles. The pointed -wings, with the first quill longest, or nearly equal to second, and -the tail with its broad rounded feathers, shorter than the wings, are -additional features to be specially noted. - - -Molothrus pecoris, SWAINSON. - -COW BLACKBIRD; COWBIRD. - - _Fringilla pecoris_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 910 - (female).—LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 443.—LICHT. Verzeich. - 1823, Nos. 230, 231. _Emberiza pecoris_, WILS. Am. Orn. II, - 1810, 145, pl. xviii, f. 1, 2, 3. _Icterus pecoris_, BONAP. - Obs. Wilson, 1824, No. 88.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 493; V, - 1839, 233, 490, pls. xcix and ccccxxiv. _Icterus (Emberizoides) - pecoris_, BON. Syn. 1828, 53.—IB. Specchio comp. No. - 41.—NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 178, (2d ed.,) 190. _Passerina - pecoris_, VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. XXV, 1819, 22. _Psarocolius - pecoris_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 20. _Molothrus pecoris_, - SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 277.—RICH. List, 1837.—BON. - List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 436.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 139.—IB. - Birds Am. IV, 1842, 16, pl. ccxii.—CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, - 193.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 524.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 257.—SAMUELS, 339.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 284. _? Oriolus - fuscus_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 393. _? Sturnus obscurus_, - GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 804 (evidently a _Molothrus_, and - probably, but not certainly, the present species). _Molothrus - obscurus_, CASSIN, Pr. Ph. Ac. 1866, 18 (Mira Flores, L. - Cal.).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 260. “_Icterus - emberizoides_, DAUDIN.” _? Sturnus junceti_, LATH. Ind. I, - 1790, 326 (same as _Sturnus obscurus_, GM.). _? Fringilla - ambigua_, NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 484 (young). _Sturnus - nove-hispaniæ_, BRISS. II, 448. - -SP. CHAR. Second quill longest; first scarcely shorter. Tail nearly -even, or very slightly rounded. Male with the head, neck, and anterior -half of the breast light chocolate-brown, rather lighter above; rest -of body lustrous black, with a violet-purple gloss next to the brown, -of steel blue on the back, and of green elsewhere. Female light -olivaceous-brown all over, lighter on the head and beneath. Bill and -feet black. Length, 8 inches; wing, 4.42; tail, 3.40. - -HAB. United States from the Atlantic to California; not found -immediately on the coast of the Pacific? Orizaba (SCL. 1857, 213); -Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 492); Fort Whipple, Arizona (COUES, P. A. -N. S, 1866, 90); Nevada and Utah (RIDGWAY); Mazatlan, Tehuantepec, -Cape St. Lucas. - -The young bird of the year is brown above, brownish-white beneath; the -throat immaculate. A maxillary stripe and obscure streaks thickly -crowded across the whole breast and sides. There is a faint indication -of a paler superciliary stripe. The feathers of the upper parts are -all margined with paler. There are also indications of light bands on -the wings. These markings are all obscure, but perfectly appreciable, -and their existence in adult birds of any species may be considered as -embryonic, and showing an inferiority in degree to the species with -the under parts perfectly plain. - -Specimens from the west appear to have a rather longer and narrower -bill than those from the east. Summer birds of Cape St. Lucas and the -Rio Grande are considerably smaller (var. _obscurus_, Cassin). Length -about 6.50; wing, 4.00; tail, 3.00. Some winter skins from the same -region are equal in size to the average. - -Birds of this species breeding south of the Rio Grande, as well as -those from Cape St. Lucas, Mazatlan, etc., are very much smaller than -those nesting within the United States; but the transition between the -extremes of size is so gradual that it is almost impossible to strike -an average of characters for two races. The extremes of size in this -species are as follows:— - - _Largest._ (11,271, ♂, Fort Bridger.) - Wing, 4.60; tail, 3.35; culmen, .72; tarsus, 1.03. - _Smallest._ (17,297, ♂, Mira Flores, L. C.) - ” 3.80; ” 2.65; ” .60; ” .84. - -HABITS. The common Cow Blackbird has a very extended distribution from -the Atlantic to California, and from Texas to Canada, and probably to -regions still farther north. They have not been traced to the Pacific -coast, though abundant on that of the Atlantic. Dr. Cooper thinks that -a few winter in the Colorado Valley, and probably also in the San -Joaquin Valley. - -This species is at all times gregarious and polygamous, never mating, -and never exhibiting any signs of either conjugal or parental -affections. Like the Cuckoos of Europe, our Cow Blackbird never -constructs a nest of her own, and never hatches out or attempts to -rear her own offspring, but imposes her eggs upon other birds; and -most of these, either unconscious of the imposition or unable to rid -themselves of the alien, sit upon and hatch the stranger, and in so -doing virtually destroy their own offspring,—for the eggs of the -Cowbird are the first hatched, usually two days before the others. The -nursling is much larger in size, filling up a large portion of the -nest, and is insatiable in its appetite, always clamoring to be fed, -and receiving by far the larger share of the food brought to the nest; -its foster-companions, either starved or stifled, soon die, and their -dead bodies are removed, it is supposed, by their parents. They are -never found near the nest, as they would be if the young Cow Blackbird -expelled them as does the Cuckoo; indeed, Mr. Nuttall has seen parent -birds removing the dead young to a distance from the nest, and there -dropping them. - -For the most part the Cowbird deposits her egg in the nest of a bird -much smaller than herself, but this is not always the case. I have -known of their eggs having been found in the nests of _Turdus -mustelinus_ and _T. fuscescens_, _Sturnella magna_ and _S. neglecta_. -In each instance they had been incubated. How the young Cowbird -generally fares when hatched in the nests of birds of equal or larger -size, and the fate of the foster-nurslings, is an interesting subject -for investigation. Mr. J. A. Allen saw, in Western Iowa, a female -_Harporhynchus rufus_ feeding a nearly full grown Cowbird,—a very -interesting fact, and the only evidence we now have that these birds -are reared by birds of superior size. - -It lays also in the nests of the common Catbird, but the egg never -remains there long after the owner of the nest becomes aware of the -intrusion. The list of the birds in whose nests the Cow Blackbird -deposits her egg and it is reared is very large. The most common -nurses of these foundlings in New England are _Spizella socialis_, -_Empidonax minimus_, _Geothlypis trichas_, and all our eastern -_Vireos_, namely, _olivaceus_, _solitarius_, _noveboracensis_, -_gilvus_, and _flavifrons_. Besides these, I have found their eggs in -the nests of _Polioptila cærulea_, _Mniotilta varia_, _Helminthophaga -ruficapilla_, _Dendroica virens_, _D. blackburniæ_, _D. pennsylvanica_ -and _D. discolor_, _Seiurus aurocapillus_, _Setophaga ruticilla_, -_Cyanospiza cyanea_, _Contopus virens_, etc. I have also known of -their eggs having been found in the nests of _Vireo belli_ and _V. -pusillus_, and _Cyanospiza amœna_. Dr. Cooper has found their egg in -the nest of _Icteria virens_; and Mr. T. H. Jackson of West Chester, -Penn., in those of _Empidonax acadicus_ and _Pyranga rubra_. - -Usually not more than a single Cowbird’s egg is found in the same -nest, though it is not uncommon to find two; and in a few instances -three and even four eggs have been met with. In one instance Mr. -Trippe mentions having found in the nest of a Black and White Creeper, -besides three eggs of the owner of the nest, no less than five of the -parasite. Mr. H. S. Rodney reports having found, in Potsdam, N. Y., -May 15, 1868, a nest of _Zonotrichia leucophrys_ of two stories, in -one of which was buried a Cowbird’s egg, and in the upper there were -two more of the same, with three eggs of the rightful owners. In the -spring of 1869 the same gentleman found a nest of the _Sayornis -fuscus_ with three Cowbird’s eggs and three of her own. - -Mr. Vickary, of Lynn, found, in the spring of 1860, the nest of a -_Seiurus aurocapillus_, in which, with only one egg of the rightful -owner, there were no less than four of the Cowbird. All five eggs were -perfectly fresh, and had not been set upon. In the summer of the -preceding year the same gentleman found a nest of the Red-eyed Vireo -containing three eggs of the Vireo and four of the Cow Blackbird. - -How the offspring from these eggs may all fare when more than one of -these voracious nurslings are hatched in the same nest, is an -interesting problem, well worthy the attention of some patiently -inquiring naturalist to solve. - -The Cow Blackbird appears in New England with a varying degree of -promptness, sometimes as early as the latter part of March, and as -frequently not until the middle of April. Nuttall states that none are -seen in Massachusetts after the middle of June until the following -October, and Allen, that they are there all the summer. My own -observations do not correspond with the statement of either of these -gentlemen. They certainly do become quite rare in the eastern part of -that State after the third week in June, but that all the females are -not gone is proved by the constant finding of freshly laid eggs up to -July 1. I have never been able to find a Cow Blackbird in Eastern -Massachusetts between the first of July and the middle of September. -This I attribute to the absence of sufficient food. In the Cambridge -marshes they remain until all the seeds have been consumed, and only -reappear when the new crop is edible. - -This Blackbird is a general feeder, eating insects, apparently in -preference, and wild seed. They derive their name of Cow Blackbird -from their keeping about that animal, and finding, either from her -parasitic insects or her droppings, opportunities for food. They feed -on the ground, and occasionally scratch for insects. At the South, to -a limited extent, they frequent the rice-fields in company with the -Redwinged Blackbird. - -Mr. Nuttall states that if a Cow Blackbird’s egg is deposited in a -nest alone it is uniformly forsaken, and he also enumerates the Summer -Yellowbird as one of the nurses of the Cowbird. In both respects I -think he is mistaken. So far from forsaking her nest when one of these -eggs is deposited, the Red-eyed Vireo has been known to commence -incubation without having laid any of her own eggs, and also to -forsake her nest when the intrusive egg has been taken and her own -left. The _D. æstiva_, I think, invariably covers up and destroys the -Cowbird’s eggs when deposited before her own, and even when deposited -afterwards. - -The Cow Blackbird has no attractions as a singer, and has nothing that -deserves the name of song. His utterances are harsh and unmelodious. - -In September they begin to collect in large flocks, in localities -favorable for their sustenance. The Fresh Pond marshes in Cambridge -were once one of their chosen places of resort, in which they seemed -to collect late in September, as if coming from great distances. There -they remained until late in October, when they passed southward. - -Mr. Ridgway only met with this species in two places, the valley of -the Humboldt in September, and in June in the Truckee Valley. Their -eggs were also obtained in the Wahsatch Mountains, deposited in the -nest of _Passerella schistacea_, and in Bear River Valley in the nest -of _Geothlypis trichas_. - -Mr. Boardman informs me that the Cow Blackbird is a very rare bird in -the neighborhood of Calais, Me., so much so that he does not see one -of these birds once in five years, even as a bird of passage. - -The eggs of this species are of a rounded oval, though some are more -oblong than others, and are nearly equally rounded at either end. They -vary from .85 of an inch to an inch in length, and from .65 to .70 in -breadth. Their ground-color is white. In some it is so thickly covered -with fine dottings of ashy and purplish-brown that the ground is not -distinguishable. In others the egg is blotched with bold dashes of -purple and wine-colored brown. - -On the Rio Grande the eggs of the smaller southern race were found in -the nests of _Vireo belli_, and in each of the nests of the _Vireo -pusillus_ found near Camp Grant, Arizona, there was an egg of this -species. At Cape St. Lucas, Mr. Xantus found their eggs in nests of -the _Polioptila melanura_. We have no information in regard to their -habits, and can only infer that they must be substantially the same as -those of the northern birds. - -The eggs of the var. _obscurus_ exhibit a very marked variation in -size from those of the var. _pecoris_, and have a different -appearance, though their colors are nearly identical. Their -ground-color is white, and their markings a claret-brown. These -markings are fewer, smaller, and less generally distributed, and the -ground-color is much more apparent. They measure .60 by .55 of an -inch, and their capacity as compared with the eggs of the _pecoris_ is -as 33 to 70,—a variation that is constant, and apparently too large -to be accounted for on climatic differences. - - -GENUS AGELAIUS, VIEILL. - - _Agelaius_, VIEILLOT, “Analyse, 1816.” (Type, _Oriolus phœniceus_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Agelaius phœniceus._ - 1386] - -GEN. CHAR. First quill shorter than second; claws short; the outer -lateral scarcely reaching the base of the middle. Culmen depressed at -base, parting the frontal feathers; length equal to that of the head, -shorter than tarsus. Both mandibles of equal thickness and acute at -tip, the edges much curved, the culmen, gonys, and commissure nearly -straight or slightly sinuated; the length of bill about twice its -height. Tail moderate, rounded, or very slightly graduated. Wings -pointed, reaching to end of lower tail-coverts. Colors black with red -shoulders in North American species. One West Indian with orange-buff. -Females streaked except in two West Indian species. - - [Illustration: _Agelaius phœniceus._] - -The nostrils are small, oblong, overhung by a membranous scale. The -bill is higher than broad at the base. There is no division between -the anterior tarsal scutellæ and the single plate on the outside of -the tarsus. - -The females of two West Indian species are uniform black. Of these the -male of one, _A. assimilis_ of Cuba, is undistinguishable from that of -_A. phœniceus_; and in fact we may without impropriety consider the -former as a melanite race of the latter, the change appreciable only -in the female. The _A. humeralis_, also of Cuba, is smaller, and -black, with the lesser coverts brownish orange-buff. - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. _Males_ glossy black without distinct -bluish lustre, lesser wing-coverts bright red. _Females_ -without any red, and either wholly black or variegated with -light streaks, most conspicuous below. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXIII. - 1. Agelaius phœniceus. ♂ Pa., 1386. - 2. ” ” ♀ Pa., 2174. - 3. ” ” ♂ shoulder. - 4. ” gubernator. ♂ shoulder. - 5. ” tricolor. ♂ shoulder. - 6. ” tricolor. ♂ Cal., 2836. - 7. ” ” ♀ Cal., 5532. - 8. ” gubernator. ♀ Cal., 5530. - 9. Xanthocephalus icterocephalus. ♀ Kansas, 6557.] - - A. phœniceus. Tail rounded. Red of shoulders a bright - scarlet tint. Black of plumage without bluish lustre. - _Females_ with wing-coverts edged with brownish, or - without any light edgings at all. - - _a._ Female continuous deep black, unvariegated. - - _Middle wing-coverts wholly buff in male._ - - Wing, 4.40; tail, 3.80; culmen, .95; tarsus, 1.00. - _Hab._ Cuba. - - _b._ Females striped beneath var. _assimilis_.[30] - - Wing, 4.90; tail, 3.85; culmen, .96; tarsus, 1.10. - _Female._ White stripes on lower parts exceeding the - dusky ones in width; a conspicuous lighter - superciliary stripe, and one strongly indicated on - middle of the crown. _Hab._ Whole of North America, - south to Guatemala var. _phœniceus_. - - _Middle wing-coverts black, except at base._ - - Wing, 5.00; tail, 3.90; culmen, .90; tarsus, 1.10. - _Female._ White stripes on lower parts narrower than - dusky ones; the posterior portion beneath being almost - continuously dusky. No trace of median stripe on - crown, and the superciliary one indistinct. _Hab._ - Pacific Province of United States, south through - Western Mexico var. _gubernator_. - - _Middle wing-coverts wholly white in male._ - - B. tricolor. Tail square. Red of the shoulders a - brownish-scarlet, or burnt-carmine tint. Black of the - plumage (both sexes at all ages) with a silky bluish - lustre. _Female_ with wing-coverts edged with pure white. - - Wing, 4.90; tail, 3.70; culmen, .97; tarsus, 1.13. - _Female._ Like that of _gubernator_, but with scarcely - any brownish tinge to the plumage, and the lesser - wing-coverts sharply bordered with pure white. _Hab._ - California (only ?). - - - [30] _Agelaius assimilis_, GUNDL. CABANIS, Journal, IX, 12 - (nest).—IB. Boston Journal, VI, 1853, 316. - - -Agelaius phœniceus, VIEILLOT. - -SWAMP BLACKBIRD; REDWING BLACKBIRD. - - _Oriolus phœniceus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 161.—GMELIN, I, - 1788, 386.—LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 428. _Agelaius phœniceus_, - “VIEILLOT, Anal. 1816.”—SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, - 280.—BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 430.—AUD. Syn. - 1839, 141.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 31, pl. ccxvi.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 526.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 263.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 207.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 261.—SAMUELS, - 341.—_Allen_, Birds E. Fla. 284. _Icterus phœniceus_, LICHT. - Verz. 1823, No. 188.—BON. Obs. Wils. 1824, No. 68.—AUD. Orn. - Biog. I, 1831, 348; V, 1839, 487, pl. lxvii. _Psarocolius - phœniceus_, WAGLER, Syst. Nat. 1827, No. 10. _Icterus - (Xanthornus) phœniceus_, BONAP. Syn. 1828, 52.—NUTTALL, Man. - I, 1832, 167, (2d ed.,) 179. _Sturnus prædatorius_, WILSON, Am. - Orn. IV, 1811, 30, pl. xxx. _Redwinged Oriole_, PENNANT, Arctic - Zoöl. II, 255. - -SP. CHAR. Tail much rounded; the lateral feathers about half an inch -shorter. Fourth quill longest; first about as long as the fifth. Bill -large, stout; half as high, or more than half as high, as long. - -_Male._ General color uniform lustrous velvet-black, with a greenish -reflection. Shoulders and lesser wing-coverts of a bright crimson or -vermilion-red. Middle coverts brownish-yellow, or buff, and usually -paler towards the tips. - -_Female._ Brown above, the feathers edged or streaked with -rufous-brown and yellowish; beneath white, streaked with brown. -Forepart of throat, superciliary, and median stripe strongly tinged -with brownish-yellow. Length of male, 9.50; wing, 5.00; tail, 4.15. - -HAB. United States from Atlantic to Pacific; north to Great Slave -Lake, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Rae, etc.; Guatemala -(SCLATER, Ibis I, 19; breeding); Costa Rica (LAWRENCE, America, N. Y. -Lyc. IX, 104); Bahamas (BRYANT, B. P. VII, 1859); Texas (DRESSER, -Ibis, 65, 492); Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 90; Fort Whipple); -Yucatan. - -There is some variation in the shade of red on the shoulders, which is -sometimes of the color of arterial blood or bright crimson. It never, -however, has the hæmatitic tint of the red in _A. tricolor_. The -middle coverts are usually uniform brownish-yellow to the very tips; -sometimes some of these middle coverts are tipped at the end with -black, but these black tips are usually of slight extent, and indicate -immaturity, or else a transition of hybridism or race to _A. -gubernator_. - -There is also some variation in the size and proportions of the bill. -The most striking is in a series of three from the Red River -Settlement, decidedly larger than more southern ones (wings, 5.15; -tail, 4.40). The bill is about as long as that of Pennsylvania -specimens, but much stouter, the thickness at the base being -considerably more than half the length of the culmen. One specimen -from San Elizario, Texas, has the bill of much the same size and -proportions. - -The male of _A. assimilis_ of Cuba cannot be distinguished from -small-sized males of _phœniceus_ from the United States, the females, -however, as in nearly all West Indian _Icteridæ_, are uniform though -rather dull black. This we consider as simply a local variation of -melanism, not indicating a specific difference. A young male is -similar, but with the lesser coverts red, tipped with black. On the -other extreme, streaked female and young birds from Lower California, -Arizona, and Western Mexico are much lighter than in eastern birds, -the chin, throat, jugulum, and superciliary stripe tinged with a -peculiar peach-blossom pink; not buff, sometimes tinged with orange. - -HABITS. The much abused and persecuted Redwinged Blackbird is found -throughout North America as far north as the 57th parallel, from the -Atlantic to the Pacific; and it breeds more or less abundantly -wherever found, from Florida and Texas to the plains of the -Saskatchewan. According to the observations of Mr. Salvin, it is -resident all the year in Guatemala. It breeds among the reeds at the -lake of Dueñas, deferring its incubation until the month of June. The -females congregate in large flocks near the lake, feeding about the -swampy grass on the edge of the water, the males keeping separate. At -Orizaba, Mexico, Sumichrast regarded this species as only a bird of -passage. - -On the Pacific coast, it is only found, in any numbers, in Washington -Territory and in Oregon, about cultivated tracts. Dr. Cooper thinks -that none inhabit the bare and mountainous prairie regions east of the -Cascade Mountains. Small flocks wintered at Vancouver about stables -and haystacks. Dr. Suckley speaks of them as quite common west of the -Cascade Mountains, arriving from the South in March. In all the marshy -places of the entire West Mr. Ridgway met with this species and their -nests in great abundance. In all respects he found the western birds -identical with the eastern. Their nests were in low bushes in -overflowed meadows. - -Donald Gunn found this species common in the Red River Settlements; -and Richardson met with them on the Saskatchewan, where they arrive in -May, but do not breed until the 20th of June. - -In New England this Blackbird is generally migratory, though instances -are on record where a few have been known to remain throughout the -winter in Massachusetts. They are among the earliest to arrive in -spring, coming, in company with the Rusty Grakle, as early as the 10th -of March. Those which remain to breed usually come a month later. They -breed throughout New England, as also in New Brunswick and Nova -Scotia. - -It is equally abundant and resident in Arizona and Texas, and in the -adjoining portions of Mexico. On the Rio Grande, Mr. Dresser found it -very abundant, breeding on the banks of the rivers and streams. In the -winter season these birds are found in immense flocks in the lower -parts of Virginia, both the Carolinas, and all the Gulf States, -particularly near the sea-coast and among old fields of rice and -grain. Wilson states that once, passing, in January, through the lower -counties of Virginia, he frequently witnessed the aerial evolutions of -great bodies of these birds. Sometimes they appeared as if driven -about like an enormous black cloud carried before the wind, varying -every moment in shape. Sometimes they rose up suddenly from the fields -with a noise like thunder, while the glittering of innumerable wings -of the brightest vermilion, amid the black cloud, occasioned a very -striking effect. At times the whole congregated multitude would -suddenly alight in some detached grove and commence one general -concert, that he could plainly distinguish at the distance of more -than two miles, and when listened to at a distance of a quarter of a -mile, the flow of its cadences was grand, and even sublime. - -He adds that with the Redwings the whole winter season seems one -continued carnival. They find abundant food in the old fields of rice, -buckwheat, and grain, and much of their time is spent in aerial -movements, or in grand vocal performances. - -Early in March these large assemblies break up. A part separate in -pairs and remain among the Southern swamps. The greater portion, in -smaller flocks, the male bird leading the way, commence their -movements northward. Late in April they have all re-established -themselves in their chosen haunts, have mated, and are preparing to -make their nests. In Pennsylvania this is done in May, in New England -early in June, and farther north a fortnight later. For their nest -they invariably select either the borders of streams or low marshy -situations. These they usually place in low bushes, such as grow in -moist situations, among thick bunches of reeds, or even on the ground. -In one instance, in an island on the marshes of Essex River, Mr. -Maynard found these nests placed in trees twenty feet from the ground. -One nest was built on a slender sapling at the distance of fourteen -feet from the ground. The nest was pensile, like that of the Baltimore -Oriole. It was woven of bleached eel-grass. - -When built in a bush, the outer, basket-like frame of the nest is -carefully and strongly interwoven with, or fastened around, the -adjacent twigs, and, though somewhat rudely put together, is woven -firmly and compactly. Within this is packed a mass of coarse -materials, with an inner nest of sedges and grasses. The outer -framework is usually made of rushes and strong leaves of the iris. The -male bird is a very attentive and watchful parent, constantly on the -lookout for the approach of danger, and prompt to do all in his power -to avert it, approaching close to the intruder, and earnestly -remonstrating against the aggression. If the nest is pillaged, for -several days he evinces great distress, and makes frequent -lamentations, but soon prepares to remedy the disaster. So tenacious -are they of a selected locality, that I have known the same pair to -build three nests within as many weeks in the same bush, after having -been robbed twice. The third time the pair succeeded in raising their -brood. - -In New England these birds have but one brood in a season. Farther -south they are said to have three or more. In August they begin to -collect in small flocks largely composed of young birds. The latter do -not reach their full plumage until their third summer, but breed in -their immature plumage the summer following their appearance. When the -Indian corn is in the milk, these birds are said to collect in -numbers, and to commit great depredations upon it. As soon, however, -as the corn hardens, they desist from these attacks, and seek other -food. In the grain-growing States they gather in immense swarms and -commit great havoc, and although they are shot in immense numbers, and -though their ranks are thinned by the attacks of hawks, it seems to -have but little effect upon the survivors. These scenes of pillage -are, for the most part, confined to the low sections, near the -sea-coast, and only last during a short period, when the corn is in a -condition to be eaten. - -On the other hand, these Blackbirds more than compensate the farmer -for these brief episodes of mischief, by the immense benefits they -confer in the destruction of grub-worms, caterpillars, and various -kinds of larvæ, the secret and deadly enemies of vegetation. During -the months of March, April, May, June, and July, their food is almost -wholly insects, and during that period the amount of their insect -food, all of it of the most noxious kinds, is perfectly enormous. -These they both consume themselves and feed to their young. Wilson -estimated the number of insects destroyed by these birds in a single -season, in the United States, at twelve thousand millions. - -The notes of this bird are very various and indescribable. The most -common one sounds like _con-cur-ee_. But there is also an almost -endless mingling of guttural, creaking, or clear utterances that defy -description. - -Their eggs vary greatly in size; the largest measures 1.08 inches by -.82 of an inch, the smallest .90 by .65. They average about an inch in -length and .77 of an inch in breadth. They are oval in shape, have a -light-bluish ground, and are marbled, lined, and blotched with -markings of light and dark purple and black. These markings are almost -wholly about the larger end, and are very varying. - - -Agelaius phœniceus, var. gubernator, BON. - -CRIMSON-SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD. - - _Psarocolius gubernator_, WAGLER, Isis, 1832, iv, 281. _Agelaius - gubernator_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 430.—AUD. - Syn. 1839, 141.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 29, pl. - ccxv.—NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 86.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 529.—HEERM. X, S, 53 (nest).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 263. _Icterus_ (_Zanthornus_) _gubernator_, NUTTALL, - Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 187. - -SP. CHAR. Bill rather shorter than the head, without any longitudinal -sulci, but with faint traces of transverse ones at the base of the -lower jaw. Tail rounded. First quill nearly equal to the fourth. - -_Male._ Throughout of a lustrous velvety-black, with a greenish -reflection. The lesser coverts rich crimson; the middle coverts -brownish-yellow at the base, but the exposed portion black. Wing, -5.00; tail, 3.90; culmen, .90; tarsus, 1.10. - -_Female._ Nearly uniform dark slaty-brown; an indistinct superciliary -stripe, an indication of a maxillary stripe, and blended streaks on -chin and throat delicate pale peach-blossom pink, this on the jugulum -interrupted by dusky streaks running in longitudinal series; lesser -wing-coverts tinged with dark wine-red. Wings with just appreciable -paler edges to the feathers. Wing, 4.20; tail, 3.20. - -HAB. Pacific Province of United States, and Western Mexico, to Colima; -Western Nevada (RIDGWAY). ? Xalapa (SCLATER, 1859, 365). - -In the female and all the immature stages, the dusky beneath is -largely in excess of the light streaks; the superciliary light stripe -is badly defined, and there is no trace of a median light stripe on -the crown. These characters distinguish this race from _phœniceus_; -while the rounded instead of square tail, and brown instead of pure -white border to middle wing-coverts, distinguish it from corresponding -stages of _tricolor_. - -HABITS. The Crimson-shouldered Blackbird was first met with by Mr. -Townsend, on the Columbia River, where two specimens were obtained, -which were described by Mr. Audubon, in his Synopsis, in 1839. No -information in regard to its habits, distribution, or nesting, was -obtained by either Mr. Townsend or by his companion, Mr. Nuttall. - -This species, or local race, whichever it is considered, occurs from -the Columbia River south throughout California. It is given doubtingly -as also from the Colorado River, but Dr. Cooper was only able to -detect there the common _phœniceus_. According to the observations of -that careful naturalist, this species is chiefly found in the warmer -interior of California, Santa Cruz being the only point on the coast -where he has met with it. He found it in scattered pairs, in May, -throughout the Coast Range, even to the summits, where there are small -marshes full of rushes, in which they build. He has not been able to -detect any difference between the habits and notes of this bird and -the common Redwing. The fact that specimens with entirely red -shoulders seem limited to the middle of the State, or are rare along -the coast, while most of those on the coast closely resemble the -eastern bird, Dr. Cooper regards as suggestive of its being only a -local race, though said to occur also in Mexico. - -During the summer this species is said to emit a variety of sweet and -liquid notes, delivered from some tree near its favorite marsh. These -are also sometimes mingled with jingling and creaking sounds. - -Dr. Suckley, in his Report on the Zoölogy of Washington Territory, -expresses the opinion, that, although a specimen of this bird is -reported as having been taken by Townsend on the Columbia, it is very -rarely found so far north, as he never met with it in Washington -Territory, and has never been able to hear of any other specimen -having been found there. - -Dr. Kennerly, in his Report on the birds observed in the survey of the -35th parallel, states that during the march along Bill Williams Fork, -and along the Great Colorado and the Mohave Rivers, this species was -found quite numerous. They were more abundant still along the creeks -and swampy grounds that were passed as they approached the settlements -of California. Large flocks could there be seen whirling around in -graceful curves, like dark clouds, chattering joyfully as they moved -along, or settling as a black veil on the topmost branches of some -tree, indulging loudly in their harsh music. - -In his Report of the birds observed in the survey under Lieutenant -Williamson, Dr. Heermann mentions finding this species abundant, and, -in the fall season, as associated with _Molothrus pecoris_ and _A. -tricolor_. Its nest he found built in the willow bushes and tussocks -of grass above the level of the water, in the marshes. There were but -a few pairs together, and in this respect they differ from the -_tricolor_, which prefers dry situations near water, and which -congregate by thousands while breeding. The nest was composed of mud -and fine roots, and lined with fine grasses. The eggs, four in number, -he describes as pale blue, dashed with spots and lines of black. - -Neither this nor the _tricolor_ was detected by Dr. Coues in Arizona. - -These Blackbirds were found by Mr. Ridgway abundant in the marshy -regions of California, but they were rarely met with east of the -Sierra Nevada. A few individuals were collected in Nevada in the -valley of the Truckee. A few pairs were found breeding among the -_tulé_ sloughs and marshes. The nests found in the Truckee -Reservations were built in low bushes in wet meadows. - -A nest procured by Dr. Cooper from the summit of the Coast Range was -built of grass and rushes, and lined with finer grass. The eggs are -described as pale greenish-white, with large curving streaks and spots -of dark brown, mostly at the large end. They are said to measure one -inch by .75 of an inch. - -Eggs of this variety in my cabinet, taken in California by Dr. -Heermann, are of a rounded-oval shape, nearly equally obtuse at either -end, and varying in length from .90 of an inch to an inch, and in -breadth from .70 to .80. Their ground-color is a light blue, fading -into a bluish-white, marked only around the larger end with waving -lines of dark brown, much lighter in shade than the markings of the -_phœniceus_ usually are. - - -Agelaius tricolor, BONAP. - -RED AND WHITE SHOULDERED BLACKBIRD. - - _Icterus tricolor_, “NUTTALL,” AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, I, pl. - ccclxxxviii.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 186. _Agelaius - tricolor_, BON. List, 1838.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 141.—IB. Birds - Am. IV, 1842, 27, pl. ccxiv.—HEERM. X, S, 53 (nest).—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 530.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 265. - -SP. CHAR. Tail nearly even. Second and third quills longest; first a -little shorter than the fourth. Bill slender, not half as high as -long. - -_Male._ General color uniform lustrous velvet-black, with a strong -silky-bluish reflection. Shoulders and lesser wing-coverts -brownish-red, of much the color of venous blood; the median coverts of -a well-defined and nearly pure white, with sometimes a brownish tinge. -Wing, 4.90; tail, 3.70; culmen, .97; tarsus, 1.13. - -_Female._ General color dusky slaty-brown, faintly variegated on head -also by lighter streaks; middle wing-coverts broadly and sharply -bordered with pure white. An obsolete superciliary and maxillary -stripe of grayish-white. Beneath grayish-white for anterior half, with -narrow streaks of dusky, this color gradually prevailing posteriorly, -the sides, flanks, and crissum being nearly uniform dusky. Wing, 4.25; -tail, 3.20. - -HAB. Pacific Province of United States, from Columbia River southward, -not yet found out of California and Oregon. - -Immature males sometimes have the white on the wing tinged with -brownish-yellow, as in _A. phœniceus_. The red, however, has the usual -brownish-orange shade so much darker and duller than the brilliantly -scarlet shoulders of the other species, and the black has that soft -bluish lustre peculiar to the species. The relationships generally -between the two species are very close, but the bill, as stated, is -slenderer and more sulcate in _tricolor_, the tail much more nearly -even; the first primary longer, usually nearly equal to or longer than -the fourth, instead of the fifth. - -Two strong features of coloration distinguish the female and immature -stages of this species from _gubernator_ and _phœniceus_. They are, -first, the soft bluish gloss of the males, both adult and immature; -and secondly, the clear white and broad, not brown and narrow, borders -to the middle wing-coverts. - -HABITS. The Red and White shouldered Blackbird was seen by Mr. Ridgway -among the _tulé_ in the neighborhood of Sacramento City, where it was -very abundant, associating with the _A. phœniceus_ and _gubernator_, -and the Yellow-headed Blackbird. The conspicuous white stripe on the -wings of this bird renders it easily recognizable from the other -species, where they are all seen together. Mr. Ridgway is of the -opinion that the notes of the white-shouldered species differ very -considerably from those of the two other Blackbirds. - -Dr. Heermann found this a very abundant bird in California. He states -that during the winter of 1852, when hunting in the marshes of Suisan -Valley, he had often, on hearing a dull, rushing, roaring noise, found -that it was produced by a single flock of this species, numbering so -many thousands as to darken the sky for some distance by their masses. -In the northern part of California he met with a breeding-place of -this species that occupied several acres, covered with alder-bushes -and willow, and was in the immediate vicinity of water. The nests, -often four or five in the same bush, were composed of mud and straw, -and lined with fine grasses. The eggs he describes as dark blue, -marked with lines and spots of dark umber and a few light purple -dashes. Dr. Heermann, at different times, fell in with several other -breeding-places of this species, similarly situated, but they had all -been abandoned, from which he inferred that each year different -grounds are resorted to by these birds for the purposes of incubation. - -Dr. Kennerly obtained a specimen of this bird on the Colorado River, -in California, December, 1854. Dr. Cooper is of the opinion that it -is, nevertheless, a rare species in that valley. The latter found them -the most abundant species near San Diego and Los Angeles, and not rare -at Santa Barbara. North of the last place they pass more into the -interior, and extend up as far as Klamath Lake and Southern Oregon. - -They are to be seen in considerable flocks even in the -breeding-season. Their song, Dr. Cooper states, is not so loud and is -more guttural than are those of the other species. Their habits are -otherwise very similar, and they associate, in fall and winter, in -immense flocks in the interior, though often also found separate. - -These birds were first obtained by Mr. Nuttall near Santa Barbara, in -the month of April. They were very common there, as well as at -Monterey. He observed no difference in their habits from those of the -common Redwing, except that they occurred in much larger flocks and -kept apart from that species. They were seldom seen, except in the -near suburbs of the towns. At that time California was in the -possession of Mexico, and its inhabitants were largely occupied in the -slaughter of wild cattle for the sake of the hides. Mr. Nuttall found -these birds feeding almost exclusively on the maggots of the -flesh-flies generated in the offal thus created. They were in large -whirling flocks, and associated with the _Molothri_, the Grakles, the -Redwings, and the Yellow-headed Blackbirds. They kept up an incessant -chatter and a discordant, confused warble, much more harsh and -guttural than even the notes of the Cow Blackbird. - -Two eggs of this species, obtained by Dr. Heermann in California, and -now in my cabinet, measuring an inch in length by .67 of an inch in -breadth, are more oblong in shape than the preceding, but nearly -equally obtuse at either end. They are similar in ground-color to the -_phœniceus_, but are of a slightly deeper shade of blue, and are -marked around one end with a ring of dark slaty-brown, almost black, -lines, and irregular oblong blotches. - - -GENUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, BONAP. - - _Xanthocephalus_, BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 431. (Type, _Icterus - icterocephalus_, BONAP.) - - [Line drawing: _Xanthocephalus icterocephalus._ - 3912] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill conical, the length about twice the height; the -outlines nearly straight. Claws all very long; much curved; the inner -lateral the longest, reaching beyond the middle of the middle claw. -Tail narrow, nearly even, the outer web scarcely widening to the end. -Wings long, much longer than the tail; the first quill longest. - -This genus differs from typical _Agelaius_ in much longer and more -curved claws, even tail, and first quill longest, instead of the -longest being the second, third, or fourth. The yellow head and black -body are also strong marks. - - -Xanthocephalus icterocephalus, BAIRD. - -YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD. - - _Icterus icterocephalus_, BONAP. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 27, pl. - iii.—NUTT. Man. I, 1832, 176.—IB., (2d ed.,) 187 (not - _Oriolus icterocephalus_, LINN.). _Agelaius icterocephalus_, - CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 188. _Icterus_ (_Xanthornus_) - _xanthocephalus_, BONAP. J. A. N. Sc. V, II, Feb. 1826, - 222.—IB. Syn. 1828, 52. _Icterus xanthocephalus_, AUD. Orn. - Biog. V, 1839, 6, pl. ccclxxxviii. _Agelaius xanthocephalus_, - SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 281.—BON. List, 1838.—AUD. - Syn. 1839, 140.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 24, pl. - ccxiii.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. and Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. - Surv. VI, IV, 1857, 86.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 361.—HEERM. X, - S, 52 (nest). _Agelaius longipes_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, - 1827, 436. _Psarocolius perspicillatus_, “LICHT.” WAGLER, Isis, - 1829. VII, 753. _Icterus perspicillatus_, “LICHT. in Mus.” - WAGLER, as above. _Xanthocephalus perspicillatus_, BONAP. - Consp. 1850, 431. _Icterus frenatus_, LICHT. Isis, 1843, - 59.—REINHARDT, in Kroyer’s Tidskrift, IV.—IB. Vidensk. - Meddel. for 1853, 1854, 82 (Greenland). _Xanthocephalus - icterocephalus_, BAIRD, M. B. II, Birds, 18; Birds N. Am. 1858, - 531.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 267. - -SP. CHAR. First quill nearly as long as the second and third -(longest), decidedly longer than the fourth. Tail rounded, or slightly -graduated. General color black, including the inner surface of wings -and axillaries, base of lower mandible all round, feathers adjacent to -nostrils, lores, upper eyelids, and remaining space around the eye. -The head and neck all round; the forepart of the breast, extending -some distance down on the median line, and a somewhat hidden space -round the anus, yellow. A conspicuous white patch at the base of the -wing formed by the spurious feathers, interrupted by the black alula. - -_Female_ smaller, browner; the yellow confined to the under parts and -sides of the head, and a superciliary line. A dusky maxillary line. No -white on the wing. Length of male, 10 inches; wing, 5.60; tail, 4.50. - - [Illustration: _Xanthocephalus icterocephalus._] - -HAB. Western America from Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and North Red -River, to California, south into Mexico; Greenland (REINHARDT); Cuba -(CABANIS, J. VII, 1859, 350); Massachusetts (MAYNARD, D. C. Mass. -1870, 122); Volusia, Florida (Mus. S. I.); Cape St. Lucas. - -The color of the yellow in this species varies considerably; sometimes -being almost of a lemon-yellow, sometimes of a rich orange. There is -an occasional trace of yellow around the base of the tarsus. Immature -males show every gradation between the colors of the adult male and -female. - -A very young bird (4,332, Dane Co., Wis.) is dusky above, with -feathers of the dorsal region broadly tipped with ochraceous, lesser -and middle wing-coverts white tinged with fulvous, dusky below the -surface, greater coverts very broadly tipped with fulvous-white; -primary coverts narrowly tipped with the same. Whole lower parts -unvariegated fulvous-white; head all round plain ochraceous, deepest -above. - -HABITS. The Yellow-headed Blackbird is essentially a prairie bird, and -is found in all favorable localities from Texas on the south to -Illinois and Wisconsin, and thence to the Pacific. A single specimen -is recorded as having been taken in Greenland. This was September 2, -1820, at Nenortalik. Recently the Smithsonian Museum has received a -specimen from New Smyrna, in Florida. In October, 1869, a specimen of -this bird was taken in Watertown, Mass., and Mr. Cassin mentions the -capture of several near Philadelphia. These erratic appearances in -places so remote from their centres of reproduction, and from their -route in emigration, sufficiently attest the nomadic character of this -species. - -They are found in abundance in all the grassy meadows or rushy marshes -of Illinois and Wisconsin, where they breed in large communities. In -swamps overgrown with tall rushes, and partially overflowed, they -construct their nests just above the water, and build them around the -stems of these water-plants, where they are thickest, in such a manner -that it is difficult to discover them, except by diligent search, -aided by familiarity with their habits. - -In Texas Mr. Dresser met with a few in the fall, and again in April he -found the prairies covered with these birds. For about a week vast -flocks remained about the town, after which they suddenly disappeared, -and no more were seen. - -In California, Dr. Cooper states that they winter in large numbers in -the middle districts, some wandering to the Colorado Valley and to San -Diego. They nest around Santa Barbara, and thence northward, and are -very abundant about Klamath Lake. They associate with the other -Blackbirds, but always keep in separate companies. They are very -gregarious, even in summer. - -Dr. Cooper states that the only song the male attempts consists of a -few hoarse, chuckling notes and comical squeakings, uttered as if it -was a great effort to make any sound at all. - -Dr. Coues speaks of it as less numerous in Arizona than at most other -localities where found at all. He speaks of it as a summer resident, -but in this I think he may have been mistaken. - -In Western Iowa Mr. Allen saw a few, during the first week in July, -about the grassy ponds near Boonesboro’. He was told that they breed -in great numbers, north and east of that section, in the meadows of -the Skunk River country. He also reports them as breeding in large -numbers in the Calumet marshes of Northern Illinois. - -Sir John Richardson found these birds very numerous in the interior of -the fur countries, ranging in summer as far to the north as the 58th -parallel, but not found to the eastward of Lake Winnipeg. They reached -the Saskatchewan by the 20th of May, in greater numbers than the -Redwings. - -Through California, as well as in the interior, Mr. Ridgway found the -Yellow-headed Blackbird a very abundant species, even exceeding in -numbers the _A. phœniceus_, occurring in the marshes filled with -rushes. This species he found more gregarious than the Redwing, and -frequently their nests almost filled the rushes of their -breeding-places. Its notes he describes as harsher than those of any -other bird he is acquainted with. Yet they are by no means -disagreeable, while frequently their attempts at a song were really -amusing. Their usual note is a deep _cluck_, similar to that of most -Blackbirds, but of a rather deeper tone. In its movements upon the -ground its gait is firm and graceful, and it may frequently be seen -walking about over the grassy flats, in small companies, in a manner -similar to the Cow Blackbird, which, in its movements, it greatly -resembles. It nests in the sloughs, among the _tulé_, and the maximum -number of its eggs is four. - -Mr. W. J. McLaughlin of Centralia, Kansas, writes (American -Naturalist, III, p. 493) that these birds arrive in that region about -the first of May, and all disappear about the 10th of June. He does -not think that any breed there. During their stay they make themselves -very valuable to the farmers by destroying the swarms of young -grasshoppers. On the writer’s land the grasshoppers had deposited -their eggs by the million. As they began to hatch, the Yellow-heads -found them out, and a flock of about two hundred attended about two -acres each day, roving over the entire lot as wild pigeons feed, the -rear ones flying to the front as the insects were devoured. - -Mr. Clark met with these birds at New Leon, Mexico. They were always -in flocks, mingled with two or three of its congeneric species. They -were found more abundant near the coast than in the interior. There -was a roost of these birds on an island in a lagoon near Fort Brown. -Between sunset and dark these birds could be seen coming from all -quarters. For about an hour they kept up a constant chattering and -changing of place. Another similar roost was on an island near the -mouth of the Rio Grande. - -Dr. Kennerly found them very common near Janos and also near Santa -Cruz, in Sonora. At the former place they were seen in the month of -April in large flocks. He describes them as quite domestic in their -habits, preferring the immediate vicinity of the houses, often feeding -with the domestic fowls in the yards. - -Dr. Heermann states that these birds collect in flocks of many -thousands with the species of _Agelaius_, and on the approach of -spring separate into smaller bands, resorting in May to large marshy -districts in the valleys, where they incubate. Their nests he found -attached to the upright stalks of the reeds, and woven around them, of -flexible grasses, differing essentially from the nests of the -_Agelaii_ in the lightness of their material. The eggs, always four in -number, he describes as having a ground of pale ashy-green, thickly -covered with minute dots of a light umber-brown. - -Mr. Nuttall states that on the 2d of May, during his western tour, he -saw these birds in great abundance, associated with the Cowbird. They -kept wholly on the ground, in companies, the sexes separated by -themselves. They were digging into the earth with their bills in -search of insects and larvæ. They were very active, straddling about -with a quaint gait, and now and then whistling out, with great effort, -a chuckling note, sounding like _ko-kuk kie-ait_. Their music was -inferior even to the harsh notes of _M. pecoris_. - -Several nests of this species, procured in the marshes on the banks of -Lake Koskonong, in Southern Wisconsin, were sent me by Mr. Kumlien; -they were all light, neat, and elegant structures, six inches in -diameter and four in height. The cavity had a diameter of three and a -depth of two and a half inches. The base, periphery, and the greater -portion of these nests were made of interwoven grasses and sedges. The -grasses were entire, with their panicles on. They were impacted -together in masses. The inner portions of these nests were made of -finer materials of the same. They were placed in the midst of large, -overflowed marshes, and were attached to tall flags, usually in the -midst of clumps of the latter, and these were so close in their growth -that the nests were not easily discovered. They contained, usually, -from five to six eggs. These are of an oblong-oval shape, and measure -1.02 inches in length by .70 of an inch in breadth. Their ground-color -is of a pale greenish-white, profusely covered with blotches and finer -dottings of drab, purplish-brown, and umber. - - -GENUS STURNELLA, VIEILLOT. - - _Sturnella_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816. (Type, _Alauda magna_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Sturnella magna._ - 1303] - - [Illustration: _Sturnella magna._] - -GEN. CHAR. Body thick, stout; legs large, toes reaching beyond the -tail. Tail short, even, with narrow acuminate feathers. Bill slender, -elongated; length about three times the height; commissure straight -from the basal angle. Culmen flattened basally, extending backwards -and parting the frontal feathers; longer than the head, but shorter -than tarsus. Nostrils linear, covered by an incumbent membranous -scale. Inner lateral toe longer than the outer, but not reaching to -basal joint of middle; hind toe a little shorter than the middle, -which is equal to the tarsus. Hind claw nearly twice as long as the -middle. Feathers of head stiffened and bristly; the shafts of those -above extended into a black seta. Tertials nearly equal to the -primaries. Feathers above all transversely banded. Beneath yellow, -with a black pectoral crescent. - -The only species which we can admit is the _S. magna_, though under -this name we group several geographical races. They may be -distinguished as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -1. S. magna. Above brownish, or grayish, spotted and barred -with black; crown divided by a median whitish stripe; side -of the head whitish, with a blackish streak along upper edge -of the auriculars. Beneath more or less yellowish, with a -more or less distinct dusky crescent on the jugulum. Sides, -flanks, and crissum whitish, streaked with dusky; lateral -tail-feathers partly white. _Adult._ Supraloral spot, chin, -throat, breast, and abdomen deep gamboge-yellow; pectoral -crescent deep black. _Young._ The yellow only indicated; -pectoral crescent obsolete. Length, about 9.00 to 10.50 -inches. Sexes similar in color, but female much smaller. - - A. In spring birds, the lateral stripes of the vertex - either continuous black, or with black largely - predominating; the black spots on the back extending to - the tip of the feather, or, if not, the brown tip not - barred (except in winter dress). Yellow of the throat - confined between the maxillæ, or just barely encroaching - upon their lower edge. White of sides, flanks, and crissum - strongly tinged with ochraceous. - - _a._ Pectoral crescent much more than half an inch wide. - - Wing, 4.50 to 5.00; culmen, 1.20 to 1.50; tarsus, 1.35 - to 1.55; middle toe, 1.10 to 1.26 (extremes of a - series of four adult males). Lateral stripe of the - crown continuously black; black predominating on back - and rump (heavy stripes on ochraceous ground). Light - brown serrations on tertials and tail-feathers - reaching nearly to the shaft (sometimes the terminal - ones uninterrupted, isolating the black bars). _Hab._ - Eastern United States var. _magna_. - - Wing, 3.75 to 4.30; culmen, 1.15 to 1.30; tarsus, 1.50 - to 1.75; middle toe, 1.10 to 1.25. (Ten adult males!) - Colors similar, but with a greater predominance of - black; black heavily prevailing on back and rump, and - extending to tip of feathers; also predominates on - tertials and tail-feathers. _Hab._ Mexico and Central - America var. _mexicana_.[31] - - Wing, 4.45; culmen, 1.62; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, - 1.20. (One specimen). Colors exactly as in last. - _Hab._ Brazil var. _meridionalis_.[32] - - _b._ Pectoral crescent much less than half an inch wide. - - Wing, 3.90 to 4.10; culmen, 1.25 to 1.35; tarsus, 1.40 - to 1.55; middle toe, 1.00 to 1.20. (Three adult - males.) Colors generally similar to _magna_, but crown - decidedly streaked, though black predominates; - ground-color above less reddish than in either of the - preceding, with markings as in _magna_. Pectoral - crescent about .25 in breadth. _Hab._ Cuba var. _hippocrepis_.[33] - - B. In spring birds, crown about equally streaked with - black and grayish; black spots of back occupying only - basal half of feathers, the terminal portion being - grayish-brown, with narrow bars of black; feathers of the - rump with whole exposed portion thus barred. Yellow of the - throat extending over the maxillæ nearly to the angle of - the mouth. - - Wing, 4.40 to 5.05; culmen, 1.18 to 1.40; tarsus, 1.30 - to 1.45. (Six adult males.) A grayish-brown tint - prevailing above; lesser wing-coverts concolor with - the wings (instead of very decidedly more bluish); - black bars of tertials and tail-feathers clean, - narrow, and isolated. White of sides, flanks, and - crissum nearly pure. _Hab._ Western United States and - Western Mexico var. _neglecta_. - -In _magna_ and _neglecta_, the feathers of the pectoral crescent are -generally black to the base, their roots being grayish-white; one -specimen of the former, however, from North Carolina, has the roots of -the feathers yellow, forbidding the announcement of this as a -distinguishing character; _mexicana_ may have the bases of these -feathers either yellow or grayish; while _hippocrepis_ has only the -tips of the feathers black, the whole concealed portion being bright -yellow. - -In _mexicana_, there is more of an approach to an orange tint in the -yellow than is usually seen in _magna_, but specimens from Georgia -have a tint not distinguishable; in both, however, as well as in -_hippocrepis_, there is a deeper yellow than in _neglecta_, in which -the tint is more citreous. - -As regards the bars on tertials and tail, there is considerable -variation. Sometimes in either of the species opposed to _neglecta_ by -this character there is a tendency to their isolation, seen in the -last few toward the ends of the feathers; but never is there an -approach to that regularity seen in _neglecta_, in which they are -isolated uniformly everywhere they occur. Two specimens only (54,064 -California and 10,316 Pembina) in the entire series of _neglecta_ show -a tendency to a blending of these bars on the tail. - -_Magna_, _mexicana_, _meridionalis_ and _hippocrepis_, are most -similar in coloration; _neglecta_ is most dissimilar compared with any -of the others. Though each possesses peculiar characters, they are -only of degree; for in the most widely different forms (_neglecta_ and -_mexicana_) there is not the slightest departure from the pattern of -coloration; it is only a matter of extension or restriction of the -several colors, or a certain one of them, that produces the -differences. - -Each modification of plumage is attended by a still greater one of -proportions, as will be seen from the diagnoses; thus, though -_neglecta_ is the largest of the group, it has actually the smallest -legs and feet; with nearly the same general proportions, _magna_ -exceeds it in the latter respects (especially in the bill), while -_mexicana_, a very much smaller bird than either, has disproportionally -and absolutely larger legs and feet united with the smallest size -otherwise in the whole series. _Meridionalis_ presents no differences -from the last, except in proportions of bill and feet; for while the -latter is the smallest of the series, next to _neglecta_, it has a -bill much exceeding that of any other. - -The markings of the upper plumage of the young or even winter birds -are different in pattern from those of the adult; the tendency being -toward the peculiar features of the adult _neglecta_; the various -species in these stages being readily distinguishable, however, by the -general characters assigned. _Mexicana_ and _neglecta_ are both in -proportions and colors the most widely different in the whole series; -_hippocrepis_ and _neglecta_ the most similar. The relation of the -several races to each other is about as follows:— - - A. Yellow of throat confined within maxillæ. - - Crown with black streaks predominating. - - Smallest species, with reddish tints, and maximum - amount of black. - - Largest bill _meridionalis_. - - Smallest bill; largest feet _mexicana_. - - Next largest species, with less reddish tints, and - smaller amount of black. Bill and feet the standard of - comparison _magna_. - - Crown with the light streaks predominating. - - Narrowest pectoral crescent _hippocrepis_. - - B. Yellow of throat covering maxillæ. - - Crown with black and light streaks about equal. - - Largest species, with grayish tints, and minimum - amount of black. - - Smallest feet _neglecta_. - - - [31] _Sturnella mexicana_, SCLATER, Ibis, 1861, 179. - - [32] _Sturnella meridionalis_, SCLATER, Ibis, 1861, 179. - - [33] _Sturnella hippocrepis_, WAGLER, Ibis, 1832, - 281.—LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1860. - - -Sturnella magna, SWAINSON. - -MEADOW LARK; OLD FIELD LARK. - - _Alauda magna_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 167, ed. 10 (based on - _Alauda magna_, CATESBY, tab. 33).—IB., (12th ed.,) 1766, - 289.—GM. I, 1788, 801.—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 20, pl. - xix.—DOUGHTY, Cab. I, 1830, 85, pl. v. _Sturnella magna_, - SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 436.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 535.—SAMUELS, 343. _Sturnus ludovicianus_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. - I, 1766, 290.—GM. I, 802.—LATH. Ind. I, 1790, 323.—BON. Obs. - Wils. 1825, 130.—LICHT. Verz. 1823, No. 165.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - II, 1834, 216; V, 1839, 492, pl. cxxxvi. _Sturnella - ludoviciana_, SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 282.—NUTTALL, - Man. I, 1832, 147.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, - 429.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 148.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 70, pl. - ccxxiii.—CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 192.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. - 288. _Sturnella collaris_, VIEILL. Analyse, 1816.—IB. Galerie - des Ois. I, 1824, 134, pl. xc. _Sturnus collaris_, WAGLER, - Syst. Av. 1827, 1.—IB. Isis, 1831, 527. “_Cacicus alaudarius_, - DAUDIN,” CABANIS. - -SP. CHAR. The feathers above dark brown, margined with brownish-white, -and with a terminal blotch of pale reddish-brown. Exposed portions of -wings and tail with dark brown bars, which on the middle tail-feathers -are confluent along the shaft. Beneath yellow, with a black pectoral -crescent, the yellow not extending on the side of the maxilla; sides, -crissum, and tibiæ pale reddish-brown, streaked with blackish. A light -median and superciliary stripe, the latter yellow anterior to the eye; -a black line behind. _Female_ smaller and duller. _Young_ with -pectoral crescent replaced by streaks; the yellow of under surface -replaced more or less by ochraceous or pale fulvous. Length, 10.60; -wing, 5.00; tail, 3.70; bill above, 1.35. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the high Central Plains, north to -Southern British Provinces. England (SCLATER, Ibis, III, 176). - -HABITS. The eastern form of the Meadow Lark is found in all the -eastern portions of the United States, from Florida to Texas at the -south, and from Nova Scotia to the Missouri at the north. Richardson -met with it on the Saskatchewan, where it arrives about the first of -May. In a large portion of the United States it is resident, or only -partially migratory. - -In Maine this species is not abundant. A few are found in Southern -Maine, even as far to the east as Calais, where it is very rare. It -was not found in Oxford County by Mr. Verrill. In New Hampshire and -Vermont, especially in the southern portions, it is much more -abundant. Throughout Massachusetts it is a common summer visitant, a -few remaining all winter, the greater number coming in March and -leaving again in November, at which time they seem to be somewhat, -though only partially, gregarious. South of Massachusetts it becomes -more generally resident, and is only very partially migratory, where -the depth of snow compels them to seek food elsewhere. Wilson states -that he met a few of these birds in the month of February, during a -deep snow, among the heights of the Alleghanies, near Somerset, Penn. - -The favorite resorts of this species are old fields, pasture-lands, -and meadows, localities in which they can best procure the insects, -largely coleopterous, and the seeds on which they feed. They are not -found in woods or thickets, or only in very exceptional cases. - -In New England they are shy, retiring birds, and are rarely seen in -the neighborhood of houses; but in Georgia and South Carolina, Wilson -found them swarming among the rice plantations, and running about in -the yards and the out-buildings, in company with the Killdeer Plovers, -with little or no appearance of fear, and as if domesticated. - -In Alabama and West Florida, Mr. Nuttall states, the birds abound -during the winter months, and may be seen in considerable numbers in -the salt marshes, seeking their food and the shelter of the sea-coast. -They are then in loose flocks of from ten to thirty. At this season -many are shot and brought to market. By some their flesh is said to be -sweet and good; but this is denied by Audubon, who states it to be -tough and of unpleasant flavor. - -Mr. Sclater records the occurrence of one or more individuals of this -species in England. - -The song of the eastern Meadow Lark is chiefly distinguished for its -sweetness more than any other excellence. When, in spring, at the -height of their love-season, they alight on the post of a fence, a -bush, or tree, or any other high object, they will give utterance to -notes that, in sweetness and tenderness of expression, are surpassed -by very few of our birds. But they are wanting in variety and power, -and are frequently varied, but not improved, by the substitution of -chattering call-notes, which are much inferior in quality. It is -noticeable that at the West there is a very great improvement in the -song of this bird as compared with that of their more eastern kindred, -though still very far from equalling, either in volume, variety, or -power, the remarkable song of the _neglecta_. - -In the fall of the year these birds collect in small companies, and -feed together in the same localities, but keeping, individually, -somewhat apart. - -In New England these birds mate during the latter part of April, and -construct their nests in May. They always place their nest on the -ground, usually in the shelter of a thick tuft of grass, and build a -covered passage to their hidden nest. This entrance is usually formed -of withered grass, and so well conceals the nest that it can only be -detected by flushing the female from it, or by the anxiety of her -mate, who will frequently fly round the spot in so narrow a circuit as -to betray its location. - -The eggs of the Meadow Lark vary greatly in size and also in their -markings, though the general character of the latter is the same. The -smallest, from Florida, measure .95 by .68 of an inch. The largest, -from Massachusetts, measure 1.20 inches by .90. They have a white -ground, marked and dotted with irregular reddish-brown spots. -Generally these are equally distributed, but occasionally are chiefly -about the larger end. Their shape is oval, nearly equally rounded at -either end. - -The diversity in the characteristics of the eggs of this species has -not unfrequently occasioned remarks, and even suggested conjectures as -to specific differences. They are all, however, reconcilable with -differences in the age of the parents, and are, to some extent, -affected by the circumstances under which they are deposited. The eggs -of old, mature birds, deposited in the early summer, or the first -brood, are usually sub-globular or obtusely pointed at either end, -large in size, and irregularly sprinkled over with fine bright red -dots. Younger birds, breeding for the first time, birds that have been -robbed of their eggs, or those depositing a third set, have smaller -eggs, sometimes two thirds of the maximum size, more oblong and more -pointed at one end, and are marked, at the larger end only, with -plashes of dark purplish-brown. - - -Sturnella magna, var. neglecta, AUD. - -WESTERN LARK. - - _Sturnella neglecta_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 339, pl. - cccclxxxvii.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. - Surv. VI, IV, 1857, 86.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 537.—HEERM. - X, S, 54.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 208.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 270. _? Sturnella hippocrepis_, (WAGLER,) HEERMANN, J. A. N. - Sc. Ph. 2d series, II, 1853, 269, Suisun. - -SP. CHAR. Feathers above dark brown, margined with brownish-white, -with a terminal blotch of pale reddish-brown. Exposed portion of wings -and tail with transverse bands, which, in the latter, are completely -isolated from each other, narrow and linear. Beneath yellow, with a -black pectoral crescent. The yellow of the throat extending on the -sides of the maxilla. Sides, crissum, and tibiæ very pale -reddish-brown, or nearly white, streaked with blackish. Head with a -light median and superciliary stripe, the latter yellow in front of -the eye; a blackish line behind it. The transverse bars on the -feathers above (less so on the tail) with a tendency to become -confluent near the exterior margin. Length, 10 inches; wing, 5.25; -tail, 3.25; bill, 1.25. - -HAB. Western America from high Central Plains to the Pacific; east to -Pembina, and perhaps to Wisconsin, on the north (Iowa, Allen), and -Texas on the south; western Mexico, south to Colima. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXIV. - 1. Sturnella neglecta. ♂ Nevada, 53592. - 2. ” magna. ♂ Pa., 1303. - 3. Icterus bullocki. ♂ Ft. Bridger, 11282. - 4. ” spurius. ♂ La., 4286. - 5. ” ” ♂ _juv._ Pa., 1437. - 6. ” ” ♀ Pa., 150. - 7. ” bullocki. ♀ Cal., 3900.] - -HABITS. The differences of plumage between this species and our -eastern Meadow Lark are so slight that we might hesitate to allow the -existence of any specific distinctness between the two forms, were it -not for the very strongly marked differences between them in other -respects. Whether we regard them as races or as different species, -their history diverges as we cross the Missouri River, though both are -found on either bank. - -The existence of this variety was first made known by Messrs. Lewis -and Clark, in their memorable expedition to the Rocky Mountains. They -refer especially to the difference, in the notes, between this bird -and the old Field Lark of the east. It remained unnoticed by our -ornithologists until 1844, when Mr. Audubon included it in the -appendix to his seventh volume. He met with it in his voyage to the -Yellowstone, and it would have escaped his notice had not the -attention of his party been called to its curious notes. In its -flight, manners on the ground, or general habits, he could perceive no -difference between it and the common species. None of its nests that -he found were covered over, in the manner of the _magna_, and the eggs -were differently marked. - -Mr. J. A. Allen, in his interesting paper on the birds observed in -Western Iowa, while he does not admit any specific difference between -these two forms, presents with impartial exactness the very striking -dissimilarity between them, both in habits and in song. In regard to -the diversity in habits we quote his words:— - - “At the little village of Denison, where I first noticed it in - song, it was particularly common, and half domestic in its - habits, preferring the streets and grassy lanes, and the - immediate vicinity of the village, to the remoter prairie. Here, - wholly unmolested and unsuspicious, it collected its food; and - the males, from their accustomed perches on the housetops, daily - warbled their wild songs for hours together.” These traits of - familiarity, so totally different from anything ever observed in - our eastern birds, he does not concede, however, as establishing - necessarily specific difference. Yet he does admit that its song - was so new to him that he did not at first have the slightest - suspicion that its utterer was the western Meadow Lark, as he - found it to be. He adds: “It differs from that of the Meadow Lark - in the Eastern States, in the notes being louder and wilder, and - at the same time more liquid, mellower, and far sweeter. They - have a pensiveness and a general character remarkably in harmony - with the half-dreamy wildness of the primitive prairie, as though - the bird had received from its surroundings their peculiar - impress. It differs, too, in the less frequency of the harsh, - complaining chatter so conspicuous in the eastern bird.” - -The value of these marked differences, both in song and character, -between the eastern and western birds, we will not argue, but will -only add that they are none too strikingly presented by Mr. Allen. -During the writer’s brief visit to the Plains he was strongly -impressed by the natural, confiding trustfulness of this species and -its wonderful beauty of song, both in such remarkable contrast with -the habits of our eastern birds. At Antelope Station a pair of these -birds had built their nest under the window of the office, and seemed -to enjoy the society of the family, while the depot-master, familiar -with the song and habits of our eastern birds, appreciated the great -differences between the two forms, and called my attention to them. - -Mr. Allen also found this Lark everywhere abundant in Colorado, but -its notes appeared to him quite different from those of the -representatives of this species living to the eastward, in the prairie -States, being less varied and ringing, and more guttural. - -Dr. Cooper says this bird is abundant in California, and resident -nearly throughout the entire State, breeding in the Colorado Valley -and in all other districts not quite waterless. Their songs are -lively, sweet, and varied. They sing at all seasons, early and late, -from the ground, from the tree-top, or in the air, and when unmolested -are so tame as to make the house-top their favorite perch. Even the -female has considerable musical power, and cheers her mate by singing -to him while he relieves her by sitting on the eggs. She also has a -harsh, petulant chirp, frequently repeated as if in anger. He states -that they build their nest in a slight depression under a bunch of -grass, and usually more or less arched over and artfully concealed. -The female, when flushed, usually skulks off some distance before she -flies. The eggs he describes as white, with a few large purplish-brown -blotches and dots towards the larger end, and measuring 1.15 inches by -.85. They are very obtuse in shape. - -They feed chiefly on insects, seeds, and grain, do no damage to the -crops, and destroy a vast number of noxious insects. - -Dr. Suckley found this bird common everywhere in Oregon and Washington -Territory, some remaining throughout every winter. In 1855 a few were -seen at Fort Dalles as early as March 5. On the 7th he found them -quite abundant on the ploughed fields near Fort Vancouver. Some of -these had probably remained all the winter. In February, 1856, he -found them quite abundant at Fort Steilacoom. At Fort Dalles, by the -2d of May, he obtained young birds nearly fledged. - -Mr. Dresser found it very common during winter near San Antonio, where -a few remain to breed. - -In Arizona, according to Dr. Coues, it is resident, but quite rare. - -Lieutenant Couch found these birds from the Rio Grande to the high -bottoms of the Lower Bolson de Mapimi. Its notes he speaks of as -highly musical, contending even with the Mocking Bird for a supremacy -in song. - -Mr. Ridgway found the western Meadow Lark one of the most abundant and -characteristic birds of California and all fertile portions of the -interior as far east as the Missouri, and remarks that, although -closely resembling the eastern bird in appearance, its song is totally -different, not a note uttered by it having more than a very distant -resemblance to any of the well-known _magna_ of the eastern meadows. -In the depth of its tone and the charms of its articulation its song -is hardly excelled, resembling very nearly the song of the Wood -Thrush. Mr. Ridgway describes its modulations as expressed by the -syllables _tung-tung-tungah-til’lah-til’lah-tung_, each note powerful -and distinct. The difference between the other notes of the two birds -is still greater than in their song, and even in character these are -not alike. In the _neglecta_ the call-note of watchfulness or alarm is -a loud, deep-toned _tuck_, similar to the _chuck_ of the Blackbird, -but much louder and more metallic. That of sympathy for the young, or -anxiety when the nest is approached, is a loud, liquid _tyur_, -slightly resembling the complaining note of the eastern Bluebird, and -also of the Orchard Oriole. All of its notes are of a power -corresponding to the size of the bird. - -Mr. Ridgway also notices important differences in their flight. That -of the eastern species is carried on by an occasional spasmodic beat -or jerk of the wings, which are then extended, the bird sailing a -short distance. The flight of the western Lark is much more irregular, -the bird flitting along by a trembling flutter of the wings, never -assuming these peculiar features. - -An egg of this species, collected by Dr. Cooper in Washington -Territory, June 19, 1856, measures 1.20 inches in length and .86 in -breadth. It is of an oblong-oval shape, obtuse; the ground white, -sparingly spotted with a very dark purple, most of the markings being -at the larger end. Three eggs from Arizona, collected by Dr. Palmer, -measure 1.10 inches by .80. The markings are of much lighter shades of -lilac, purple, and purplish and reddish-brown. The markings are more -generally diffused, but predominate at the larger end. An egg from the -Yellowstone, collected by Mr. Audubon, is unusually pointed at one -end, measures 1.13 inches by .82. The spots are a dark purplish-brown, -intermingled with smaller and lighter dottings of reddish-brown. Eggs -from California do not vary essentially in their markings from those -of Arizona, and have an average measurement of 1.10 inches by .85. As -a general rule, the mottling of the eggs of the western bird is finer -than that of the eastern. - - - - -SUBFAMILY ICTERINÆ. - - -GENUS ICTERUS, AUCT. - - _Icterus_, BRISSON, R. A. 1760.—GRAY, Genera. - _Xanthornus_, CUVIER, Leç. Anat. Comp. 1800.—GRAY, Genera. - _Pendulinus_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816. - _Yphantes_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816.—GRAY, Genera. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill slender, elongated, as long as the head, generally a -little decurved, and very acute. Tarsi not longer than the middle toe, -nor than the head; claws short, much curved; outer lateral toe a -little longer than the inner, reaching a little beyond base of middle -toe. Feet adapted for perching. Tail rounded or graduated. Prevailing -colors yellow or orange, and black. - -The species of this subfamily are all as strikingly characterized by -diversity and brilliancy of plumage as the others are (with few -exceptions) for their uniform sombre black, scarcely relieved by other -colors. Of the four genera of this subfamily, recognized by Gray, all -but _Cacicus_ are well represented in the United States. This differs -from all the rest in having the culmen widened and much depressed -towards the base, where it advances in a crescent on the forehead, -separating the frontal plumes. In the other genera the culmen advances -somewhat on the forehead, but it is in a narrow acute point, and not -dilated. - - [Line drawing: _Icterus bullocki._ - 6721] - -In studying the North American Orioles we have found it exceedingly -difficult to arrange them in any sharply defined sections, as whatever -characters be taken as the basis of classification, the other features -will not correspond. Thus, species with the bill of the same -proportions and amount of curvature differ in the shape and graduation -of the tail, while tails of the same form are accompanied by entirely -dissimilar bills and wings. The bill is sometimes much attenuated and -decurved, as in _I. cucullatus_, while in _melanocephalus_ and -_baltimore_ it is stouter and straighter. The tail is usually much -graduated; in _I. baltimore_ and _bullocki_ it is only moderately -rounded. These last-mentioned species constitute the genus -_Hyphantes_. Many of the species have a naked space round the eye, -very evident in _I. vulgaris_, less so in _melanocephalus_. _I. -vulgaris_ is peculiar in having the feathers of the throat pointed and -lanceolate, as in the ravens. - - [Illustration: _Icterus bullocki._] - -In view of the difficulties attendant upon the definition of -subordinate groups among the United States _Icterinæ_, we propose to -consider them all under the single genus _Icterus_, leaving it for -some one with more ingenuity to establish satisfactory divisions into -sub-genera.[34] - -The colors of the Orioles are chiefly black and yellow, or orange, the -wing sometimes marked with white. The females are generally much -duller in plumage, and the young male usually remains in immature -dress till the third year. In all the North American species the rump -is of the same color with the belly; the chin, throat, and tail, -black. - -In the North American Orioles the _baltimore_ and _bullocki_ have the -tail but little graduated; _spurius_, more so; the others very -decidedly graduated. The bills of the two first mentioned are stout -and nearly straight; that of _I. melanocephalus_ quite similar. _I. -parisorum_ has the bill more attenuated, but scarcely more decurved; -in _spurius_ it is attenuated and decurved, much as in _wagleri_; this -character is strongest in _I. cucullatus_. The much graduated tail is -combined with a slender decurved bill in _I. cucullatus_ and -_wagleri_; with a straighter one in _parisorum_; with a thick, nearly -straight, one in _melanocephalus_. The arrangement, according to the -graduation of the tail, would be _baltimore_, _bullocki_, _spurius_, -_parisorum_, _wagleri_, _melanocephalus_, and _cucullatus_. According -to stoutness and curvature of bill, it would be _baltimore_, -_melanocephalus_, _bullocki_, _parisorum_, _spurius_, _wagleri_, and -_cucullatus_. - -All the species have the rump and under parts yellow or orange. All -have the head entirely black, except _bullocki_, in which its sides -are orange, and _cucullatus_, which has an orange crown. All have -black on the throat. In the species with black head and neck, all have -the tails black towards the end, except _bullocki_ and _baltimore_. - -The females and young males are so entirely different in colors from -the adult males, and so similar in the different species, that they -can best be distinguished by the details of form and size. The _I. -prosthemelas_ and _I. melanocephalus_ are placed, according to the -above arrangement, in different subgenera, yet the young male of the -former and the adult male of the latter are so perfectly similar in -colors as to be undistinguishable in this respect, and require careful -examination of points of external structure to be separated (see -description of _I. melanocephalus_, p. 782). - -The following synopsis may help to distinguish the North American -Orioles and their nearest allies, as far as color is concerned. - - - [34] An attempt at division into subgenera is as follows:— - - _Icterus_, bill stout, conical, the culmen and gonys nearly - straight. Tail graduated. Species: _vulgaris_, _auduboni_, - _melanocephalus_. - - _Xanthornus_, bill slender, slightly decurved. Tail - graduated. Species: _wagleri_, _parisorum_, _spurius_, - _cucullatus_. - - _Hyphantes_, bill stout, conical; the culmen and gonys - straight. Tail slightly rounded. Species: _baltimore_, - _bullocki_, _abeillei_. - - We do not find, however, that these subgenera are very - tangible, excepting _Hyphantes_, which is rather well marked - by square tail and straight outlines of the bill, as - indicated above. The differences are really so minute, and - the characters so variable with the species, that it seems - entirely unnecessary to subdivide the genus. - - -Species and Varieties. - - ICTERUS. Head all round deep black, sharply defined - against the yellow of the nape; wings black, with or - without white markings. Body generally, including lesser - wing-coverts, deep greenish-yellow (intense orange-red in - some South American species). - - I. vulgaris. Feathers of the throat elongated and - lanceolate. Bill longer than head. Back and scapulars - black; greater coverts and tertials with much white on - outer webs; middle wing-coverts white. Rest of plumage, - including lesser coverts, chrome-yellow. Sexes alike. - _Hab._ Northern South America. Jamaica? Accidental in - southeastern United States? ? Several races. - - I. melanocephalus. Feathers of the throat not elongate - and lanceolate, but soft and normal; bill shorter than - head. Back and scapulars greenish-yellow. Rest of - plumage, including lesser wing-coverts, gamboge-yellow. - Sexes alike. - - Wings without any white. Wing, 4.00; tail, 4.00; - culmen, .95; tarsus, .96. _Hab._ Southern Mexico - var. _melanocephalus_. - - Wings with white edgings to greater coverts, - secondaries and tertials. Wing, 4.25; tail, 4.40; - culmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1.10. _Hab._ Northern Mexico and - Rio Grande Valley of United States var. _auduboni_. - - XANTHORNUS. Back, scapulars, wings, tail, and throat, - black; wings and tail with, or without, white. Rest of - plumage greenish-yellow, gamboge-yellow, orange, - orange-red, or chestnut-rufous. - - A. Head and neck, all round, deep black. - - _a._ Tail-feathers wholly black. - - I. dominicensis. Head, neck, back, scapulars, wings, - tail, and jugulum, deep black; lesser and middle - wing-coverts, lining of the wing, anal region, - tibiæ, and rump, deep gamboge-yellow. No white on - wings or tail. Sexes similar (in all the races?). - - _Abdomen and sides yellow._ - - Tail-coverts partially or wholly yellow. Wing, - 3.25 to 3.50; Tail, 3.75 to 4.00; culmen, .80; - tarsus, .85. _Hab._ South Mexico to Costa Rica - var. _prosthemelas_.[35] - - Tail-coverts uniform black. Wing, 3.75; tail, - 4.50; culmen, .80; tarsus, .90. _Hab._ Mexico and - Guatemala var. _wagleri_. - - _Abdomen and sides black._ - - Flanks and crissum yellow; upper tail-coverts - yellow. Wing, 3.50; tail, 3.50; culmen, .80; - tarsus, .85. _Hab._ Hayti var. _dominicensis_.[36] - - Flanks black; crissum mostly yellow; upper - tail-coverts black. Wing, 3.75; tail, 4.00; - culmen, .93; tarsus, .85. _Hab._ Porto Rico - var. _portoricensis_.[37] - - Flanks black; crissum mostly black; upper - tail-coverts black. Wing, 3.75; tail, 3.90; - culmen, .80; tarsus, 86. _Hab._ Cuba var. _hypomelas_.[38] - - I. spurius. Head, neck, back, scapulars, wings, and - tail, deep black; other portions, including lesser - and middle wing-coverts, lining of wing, and the - tail-coverts, above and below, chestnut-rufous; - greater coverts and secondaries edged with dull - white, and tail-feathers margined terminally with - the same. _Female_ greenish-yellow, darker above. - _Young male_ in second year similar, but with a - black patch covering face and throat. Wing, 3.20; - tail, 3.20, its graduation, .45; culmen, .73; - tarsus, .92. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United - States; south throughout Middle America, to New - Granada. - - _b._ Tail-feathers (except the two middle ones) with - their basal half yellow. - - I. parisorum. Head, neck, jugulum, back, scapulars, - wings, and terminal half of tail, deep black; rest - of plumage, including lesser and middle - wing-coverts, bright lemon-yellow, approaching white - on the middle coverts; greater coverts tipped with - white, and tertials edged with the same; - tail-feathers margined terminally with the same. - Sexes very different. _Hab._ Mexico; Rio Grande - Valley and Cape St. Lucas. - - B. Crown, occiput, nape, and auriculars, orange; - frontlet, lores, cheeks, chin, throat, and jugulum, deep - black. - - I. cucullatus. Back, scapulars, wings, and tail, and - patch covering jugulum and throat, extending up over - lores, around eyes and across frontlet, deep black. - Other portions orange. Sexes very different. - - Lesser coverts black; middle coverts white; greater - coverts tipped with white, and secondaries, - primaries, and tertials edged with the same; - tail-feathers with narrow white tips. Wing, 3.30; - tail, 4.00; culmen, .80; tarsus, .90. Sexes very - unlike. _Hab._ Southern border of Western United - States (San Bernardino, California, Camp Grant, - Arizona and Rio Grande of Texas), south through - Mexico to Guatemala; Cape St. Lucas var. _cucullatus_. - - Lesser coverts gamboge-yellow; middle coverts - yellow; no white on wings or tail. Wing, 3.50; tail, - 3.90; culmen, .85; tarsus, .90. _Hab._ New Granada, - Venezuela, and Trinidad var. _auricapillus_.[39] - - HYPHANTES. Crown, back, scapulars, wings, and part of - tail, deep black; wing with much white. Other portions - orange or yellow. Sexes very different. - - I. baltimore. Head entirely deep black; tail orange, the - feathers black at base; greater coverts broadly tipped - with white; secondaries and primaries skirted with the - same. Other portions rich, mellow orange, the rump as - intense as the breast. Wing, about 3.75; tail, 3.50; - culmen, .80; tarsus, .97. - - (Specimens from Eastern United States and Middle - America with middle coverts deep orange.) - - (Specimens from the Plains of Kansas, Nebraska, etc., - with middle coverts pure white. Some eastern specimens - similar.) - - I. bullocki. Head mainly black, with an orange or yellow - superciliary stripe, and a broader one beneath the eye, - cutting off the black of the throat into a narrow strip; - tail orange or yellow, the feathers with black at ends; - greater coverts with outer webs wholly white, and middle - coverts entirely white, producing a large conspicuous - longitudinal patch on the wing; tertials and secondaries - broadly edged with white, and primaries more narrowly - skirted with the same. Other portions rich orange or - yellow. - - Rump grayish-orange; sides and flanks deep orange; - forehead and auriculars orange; a broad supraloral - stripe of the same. Xanthic tints deep orange, with a - reddish tinge on the breast. Wings, 4.00; tail, 3.50; - culmen, .80; tarsus, .90. _Hab._ Western Province of - United States var. _bullocki_. - - Rump black; sides and flanks black; forehead and - auriculars black; no yellow or orange supraloral - stripes. Xanthic tint a very intense gamboge, without - any shade of orange. Wing, 4.00; tail, 3.50; culmen, - .75; tarsus, .85. _Hab._ Mexico var. _abeillei_.[40] - - - [35] _Icterus dominicensis_, var. _prosthemelas_. _Icterus - prosthemelas_, STRICKLAND, Jard. Cont. Orn. 1850, 120, pl. - lxii. _Pendulinus p._ CASSIN, Icteridæ, P. A. N. S. 1867, - 56. _Pendulinus lessoni_, BONAP. Consp. I, 432, 1850. - - [36] _Icterus dominicensis_, var. _dominicensis_. _Oriolus - dominicensis_, LINN. S. N. I, 163, 1766. _Pendulinus d._ - CASSIN. P. A. N. S. 1867, 58. _Pendulinus flavigaster_, - VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. V, 317, 1816. _Pendulinus viridis_, - VIEILL. Nouv. Dict. V, 321, 1816? - - [37] _Icterus dominicensis_, var. _portoricensis_, BRYANT, - Pr. Bost. Soc. 1866, 254. _Pendulinus portoricensis_, CASS. - P. A. N. S. 1867, 58. _Turdus ater_, GM. S. N. I, 830, 1788? - _Turdus jugularis_, LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 351, 1790? - - [38] _Icterus dominicensis_, var. _hypomelas_. _Pendulinus - hypomelas_, BONAP. Consp. I, 433, 1850.—CASS. P. A. N. S. - 1867, 59. - - There seems to be no reason for not referring all the above - forms to one species, the differences being merely in the - relative amount of black and yellow. The greater - predominance of the former color we should expect in - specimens from the West Indies, where in this family the - melanistic tendency is so marked. - - [39] _Icterus cucullatus_, var. _auricapillus_. _Icterus - auricapillus_, CASS. P. A. N. S. 1847, 382.—IB. Journ. A. - N. S. I, pl. xvi, f. 2.—IB. P. A. N. S. 1867, 60. - - [40] _Icterus bullocki_, var. _abeillei_. _Xanthornus - abeillei_, LESS. Rev. Zoöl. 1839, 101. _Hyphantes a._ CASS. - P. A. N. S. 1867, 62. _? Oriolus costototl_, GM. Syst. Nat. - I, 385, 1788. - - The only essential difference from _I. bullocki_ is in the - greater amount of black, it being merely more extended, - while the pattern is the same. - - -Icterus vulgaris, DAUDIN. - -TROUPIAL. - - _Oriolus icterus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 161. _Icterus - vulgaris_, “Daudin.”—AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1844, 357, pl. - ccccxcix.—BP. Conspectus Av. 1850, 434.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 542.—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1867, 46. _Le troupiale - vulgaire_, BUFFON, Pl. enl. “532” (535, BP.). - -SP. CHAR. Bill curved. Throat and chin with narrow pointed feathers. A -naked space around and behind the eye. Tail-feathers graduated. Head -and upper part of neck all round, and beneath from tail to upper part -of breast, interscapular region of back, wings, and tail, black. Rest -of under parts, a collar on the lower hind neck, rump, and upper -tail-coverts, yellow-orange. A broad band on the wing and outer edges -of secondaries, white. Length, 10 inches; wing, 4.50; tail, 4.50; bill -above, 1.35. - -HAB. Northern South America and West Indies? Accidental on the -southern coast of the United States? - -This is the largest Oriole said to be found in the United States, and -differs from the rest in its longer bill, and pointed, elongated -feathers on the throat. The bill is attenuated, and somewhat decurved. -The third quill is longest, the first quill almost the shortest of all -the primaries. The outer tail-feather is about .60 of an inch less -than the middle. - -There is only a trace of whitish on the edges of the primaries. The -broad white edges to the secondaries are continuous in the folded wing -with the white on the greater coverts, the lowest row of which, -however, is black. The extreme and concealed base of the tail is -white. - -One specimen has the light markings yellow, instead of orange. - -This species is given by Mr. Audubon as North American, on the -strength of occasional stragglers from South America. One of the -specimens before us was received from Mr. Audubon (2,842), and is, -possibly, North American, although we doubt very much whether the -species was ever taken within our limits, except as escaped from -captivity. - -An allied race (_I. longirostris_) from New Grenada has a longer and -more slender bill, and a paler, lemon-yellow color. The _I. aurantius_ -of Brazil lacks the long, pointed, distinct feathers of the throat, -and is of an intensely rich orange-red color, with much the same -pattern as the present bird. - -HABITS. The common Troupial of South America and some of the West -India Islands is probably only an imported species, or an accidental -visitant. It is given by Mr. Audubon in the appendix to his seventh -volume, on the strength of a specimen shot in Charleston, S. C., by -his son, John W. The bird, when first seen, was perched on the point -of the lightning-rod of Dr. Bachman’s house. A few days after others -were seen, one of which was shot, though it fell into the river and -was lost. Mr. Audubon was afterwards informed that small groups of -four or five subsequently made their appearance in the same city and -among the islands. If his information was correct, it precludes the -supposition that those which have been procured are caged birds. Yet -the Troupial is so common and so popular a bird in the cage, that its -accidental occurrence is possible in many localities it never visits -of its own accord. - -This bird is common in all the northern countries of South America, -Venezuela, Guiana, Rio Negro, Northern Brazil, etc. Its occurrence in -Jamaica and the West Indies may be only accidental. It is said by -Daudin to be a common species in South America, where it associates in -large flocks, and constructs a large and pensile nest. In confinement -it becomes very easily tamed, is reconciled to a life of imprisonment, -and is very fond of those who feed and care for it. It has a loud, -clear, and ringing whistle, and a great variety of call-notes and -single or brief utterances, but rarely indulges in a continuous song. -One kept in confinement several years answered readily to the name of -_Troopy_, and always promptly responded, when thus addressed by his -mistress, in notes of unmistakable and affectionate recognition. He -was very fond of his liberty, and used his sharp bill with such effect -that it was difficult to keep him in his cage. When at large he never -attempted to escape, but returned upon being called. He, however, -acquired such a mortal antipathy to children, attacked them so -fiercely when at large, and his sharp bill was so dangerous a weapon, -that it was found very necessary to keep him a close prisoner. - -The eggs of this species measure 1.02 inches in length by .88 of an -inch in breadth; they are a rounded, obtuse oval in shape. Their -ground-color is a reddish-drab, and they are very generally blotched -with markings of a deep claret-brown and faint purple, the markings -being deeper and larger at one end. - - -Icterus melanocephalus, var. auduboni, GIRAUD. - -AUDUBON’S ORIOLE. - - _Icterus auduboni_, GIRAUD, Sixteen New Species Texas Birds, 1841 - (not paged).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 542.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. - S. 1867, 53. _Xanthornus melanocephalus_, BON. Consp. 1850, 434 - (not the description of the young). _Icterus melanocephalus_, - CASSIN, Ill. I, V, 1854, 137, pl. xxi (the description, but - perhaps not the figure). - -SP. CHAR. Bill stout; upper and lower outlines very little curved -downwards. Tail much graduated. Head and neck all round (this color -extending down on the throat), tail, and wings black; rest of body, -under wing-coverts, and middle and lesser upper coverts, yellow; more -olivaceous on the back. An interrupted band across the ends of the -greater wing-coverts, with the terminal half of the edges of the -quills, white. Supposed female similar, but the colors less vivid. -Length, 9.25; wing, 4.00; tail, 4.65; tarsus, 1.10. - -HAB. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande of Texas, southward; Oaxaca (SCL. -1859, 38); Xalapa (SCL. 132); Vera Cruz (temperate regions; -SUMICHRAST, M. B. S.). - -This bird is perhaps rather a local race (larger as more boreal) of -_I. melanocephalus_[41] of Southern Mexico. The differences are -indicated in the foot-note. - -The adult male of this species can be distinguished from the young -male of _I. prosthemelas_ only by stouter and less decurved bill, -stronger feet, and black instead of yellow middle wing-coverts. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXV. - 1. Icterus auduboni. ♂ Tamaulipas, Mex., 4063. - 2. ” wagleri. ♂ Guat., 8089. - 3. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus. ♀ Nevada, 53596. - 4. ” ferrugineus. ♂ Pa., 1322. - 5. Icterus baltimore. ♂ Ft. Garry, 27046. - 6. ” cucullatus. ♂ Tamaulipas, Mex., 4066. - 7. ” parisorum. ♂ N. Leon, Mex., 4056. - 8. Sturnus vulgaris. ♂ France, 19020.] - -HABITS. This handsome and rather recent addition to our fauna is a -Northern Mexican species, which extends north to the valley of the Rio -Grande and into Texas, from various localities in which it has been -procured. Lt. D. N. Couch, who found this species common from the -Lower Rio Grande to the Sierra Madre, speaks of the strong mutual -attachment shown by the sexes. He describes its song as soft and -melancholy, and the notes as resembling _peut-pou-it_. The sweetness -of its notes renders it a favorite as a caged bird. In the State of -Vera Cruz this bird is given by Sumichrast as inhabiting the temperate -regions, and as there having exclusively their centre of propagation. -They are very common in the district of Orizaba, where they breed. -Their common name is _Calandria_, a name also given, without -discrimination, to four or five other species of _Icteri_ common in -Vera Cruz. Mr. Pease, in 1847, observed either this species or the -_melanocephalus_ at Jalapa, and in the neighborhood of the city of -Mexico, in considerable numbers. This bird was first described and -brought to notice as belonging to our fauna, by Mr. Giraud, in 1841. -Since then, Mr. John H. Clark, zoölogist on the Mexican Boundary -Survey, obtained several specimens from the Lower Rio Grande. It was -first seen by him near Ringgold Barracks. It was not abundant, and its -quiet manners and secluded habits prevented it from being very -conspicuous. It was most frequently observed by him feeding on the -fruit of the hackberry, but whenever approached, while thus feeding, -it always showed signs of uneasiness, and soon after sought refuge in -some place of greater concealment. - -Usually pairs were to be seen keeping close together, apparently -preferring the thick foliage found on the margin of ponds, or in the -old bed of the river. They did not communicate with each other by any -note, and Mr. Clark was struck with their remarkable silence. Their -habits seemed to him very different from those of any other Oriole -with which he was acquainted. - -From the papers of Lieutenant Couch, quoted by Mr. Cassin, we learn -that these birds were seen by him, March 3, at Santa Rosalio, eight -leagues from Matamoras. They were in pairs, and both sexes were very -shy and secluded, seeking insects on the prickly pear, or among the -low mimosa-trees, seeming to be never at rest, but ever on the lookout -for their favorite food. - -While at Charco Escondido, farther in the interior of Tamaulipas, -Lieutenant Couch met with a pair of these birds, and having brought -down the male bird with his gun, the female flew to a neighboring -tree, apparently unaware of her loss. She soon, however, observed his -fall, and endeavored to recall him to her side with notes uttered in a -strain of such exquisite sadness that he could scarcely believe them -uttered by a bird; and so greatly did they excite his sympathy, that -he almost resolved to desist from further ornithological collections. -He adds that he never heard the lay of any songster of the feathered -tribe expressed more sweetly than that of the present species. At -Monterey he found it a favorite cage-bird. The female also sings, but -her notes are less powerful than those of the male. Generally the -flight of this bird was low and rapid, and it seemed to prefer the -shade of trees. It was observed almost invariably in pairs, and the -male and female showed for each other great tenderness and solicitude. - -The eggs of this species measure .90 of an inch in length by .70 in -breadth. Their ground-color is a light drab or a dull purplish-white, -scattered over which are faint markings of a subdued purple, blending -imperceptibly with the ground, and above these markings are dots and -irregular zigzag lines of dark brown, and darker purple, almost -running into black. - - - [41] _Icterus melanocephalus_, GRAY. _Psarocolius - melanocephalus_, WAGLER, Isis, 1829, 756. _Icterus - melanocephalus_, GRAY, Genera.—SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. - 1858, 97.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1867, 53.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 543. _Xanthornus melanocephalus_, BON. Consp. - 1850, 434 (description of young only). _? Icterus - graduacauda_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. 1839, 105. - - SP. CHAR. Similar to _I. auduboni_, but without any white - whatever on the wing. Head and neck all round, wings, - scapulars, and tail, uniform pure black. Rest of body, - including inside of wing and tibia and the lesser - wing-coverts, orange-yellow; clouded with olivaceous-green - on the back, less so on the rump. Bill and legs plumbeous, - the former whitish at base. Length, 7.70; wing, 3.75; tail, - 4.80. _Hab._ Warm parts of Mexico. - - Very like the _auduboni_, but smaller, the bill much - stouter, shorter, and the culmen more curved. The third - quill is longest; the fourth, fifth, and second successively - a little shorter; the first and seventh about equal. The - black of the head and neck comes farther behind and on the - sides than in _auduboni_. The wings are totally destitute of - the white edges of quills and coverts as seen in _auduboni_, - and the middle coverts are black instead of pure yellow. The - tail, too, is entirely black. - - -Icterus parisorum, BONAP. - -SCOTT’S ORIOLE. - - _Icterus parisorum_, (“BON. Acad. Bonon. 1836.”)—BP. Pr. Zoöl. Soc. - V, 1837, 109.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 544, pl. lvii, f. 1; - Mex. B. II, Birds, 19, pl. xix, f. 1.—CASSIN, Pr. 1867, - 54.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 276. _Xanthornus parisorum_, - IB. Conspectus, 1850, 434. _Icterus melanochrysura_, LESSON, - Rev. Zoöl. 1839, 105.—_Icterus scotti_, COUCH, Pr. A. N. Sc. - Phil. VII, April, 1854, 66 (Coahuila). - -SP. CHAR. Bill attenuated; not much decurved; tail moderately -graduated. Head and neck all round, breast, interscapular region, -wings, and tail, black. Under parts generally, hinder part of back to -the tail, middle and lesser upper, and whole of lower wing-coverts, -and base of the tail-feathers, gamboge-yellow; a band across the ends -of the greater coverts, with the edges of the inner secondaries and -tertiaries, white. Length, 8.25; extent, 11.75; wing, 4.00; tail, -3.75; tarsus, .95. - -_Female._ Olivaceous above, the back with obsolete dusky streaks; rump -and under parts yellowish, clouded with gray. Tail brownish-olive on -upper surface, more yellow beneath; wings with two white bands. - -HAB. Valley of the Rio Grande; south to Guatemala. In Texas, found on -the Pecos. Cape St. Lucas. Oaxaca, winter (SCL. 1858, 303); Orizaba -(SCL. 1860, 251); Vera Cruz, temp. and alpine (SUM. M. B. S. I, 553). - -The bill is slender and attenuated, very little decurved, much less so -than in _I. cucullatus_, slenderer and a little more decurved than in -_I. baltimore_. The tail is moderately graduated, the outer feather -.45 of an inch less than the middle. - -In this species the black feathers of the neck, except below, have a -subterminal bar of yellow; elsewhere it is wanting. The black of the -breast comes a little posterior to the anterior extremity of the -folded wing. The posterior feathers in the yellow patch on the -shoulders are tinged with white. The white in the bar across the ends -of the greater coverts is confined mainly to the terminal quarter of -an inch of the outer web. In the full plumage, there is only a faint -trace of white on the edges of the primaries. The yellow of the base -of the tail only extends on the middle feather as far as the end of -the upper tail-coverts; on the three outer, it reaches to within an -inch and a quarter of the end of the tail. - -An immature male has the yellow more tinged with green, the black -feathers of the head and back olivaceous with a black spot. - -Specimens vary much in size; the more northern being the larger. - -_Icterus wagleri_[42] is an allied species found just south of the Rio -Grande by Lieutenant Couch, but not yet detected within our limits. - -HABITS. Notwithstanding the apparent abundance of the species at Cape -St. Lucas, and also in Northern Mexico along our entire border, as far -as New Mexico and Texas, our knowledge of its history still remains -quite incomplete. A single specimen was obtained in Western Texas on -the Pecos River, by Captain Pope, in 1856. Others were obtained by -Lieutenant Couch, April, 1853, at Santa Catarina, in Mexico. They were -first seen by him in the vicinity of Monterey. They were found to be -generally of secluded habits. Their song, consisting of three or four -notes, is said to be both rich and melodious. - -In the State of Vera Cruz, this species is given by Sumichrast as -occurring in both the temperate and the alpine regions. Its common -name is _Calandria india_. They are said by him to occur chiefly in -the temperate parts, where they breed, but not to be exclusively -confined there, for they are also found in the alpine region to the -height of at least five thousand feet, near Orizaba, and on the -plateau at even a higher elevation. Dr. Cooper saw a bird at Fort -Mohave, in April, which he supposed to be this bird, but he was not -able to assure himself of the fact, by obtaining it. - -Mr. Xantus found this species very abundant during his stay at Cape -St. Lucas, and procured a number of specimens of the birds and of -their nests and eggs. From his brief notes we gather that the nests -are open, and are not pensile. One, found May 22, was built in a bunch -of moss hanging down from an old cactus. Another was made in a bunch -of hops, suspended from a cactus. A third was placed in a bunch of -weeds growing out from a crevice in a perpendicular rock. Another, -found May 29, was built in a small dead tree, overhung with vines. -This nest was about five feet from the ground. A nest containing four -young birds was found placed in a bunch of moss, hanging out of a -crevice in a rock. These instances serve to show the general character -of the position of their nests. Without being pensile they are usually -resting upon pendent branches, and are not placed at great elevations. - -The eggs measure .90 of an inch in length by .65 in breadth. Their -shape is an oblong-oval, and they are obtuse at either end. Their -ground-color is a dull white, with a purplish or a bluish tint. They -are variously marked, in different eggs, with small blotches and finer -dottings of a light purple, purplish-brown, darker purple, and even -black. - - - [42] _Icterus wagleri_, SCLATER, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1857, - 7.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 545, pl. lvii, f. 2.—IB. Mex. - B. II, Birds, 19, pl. xix, f. 2.—CASS. Pr. 1867, 55. - _Psarocolius flavigaster_, WAGLER, Isis, 1829, 756 (not of - VIEILLOT). _Pendulinus dominicensis_, BP. Consp. 1850, 432 - (not of LINN.). - - SP. CHAR. Bill much attenuated and considerably decurved. - Tail considerably graduated. Head and neck all round, back - (the color extending above over the whole interscapular - region), wings, and tail, including the whole of the lower - coverts and the tips of the upper, black. Lesser and middle - upper, with lower wing-coverts, hinder part of back, rump, - and under parts generally (except tail-coverts), - orange-yellow. Length, 9.50; extent, 12.00; wing, 4.50; - tail, 4.25; tarsus, 1.15. - - _Young or female._ Above yellowish-green; more yellow on - head; throat black; sides of neck and body beneath dull - yellow. Wings dark brown, the coverts edged with white; - middle tail-feathers brownish-black; outer yellowish-green. - Length about 8 inches. - - Younger birds are entirely dull olive-green above; beneath - greenish-yellow. - - _Hab._ Northeastern Mexico to Rio Grande Valley; south to - Guatemala. Oaxaca, Jan. and March (SCL. 1859, 381); - Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 20); Vera Cruz, hot region, - resident (SUMICHRAST, M. B. S. I, 552). - - A close ally, and perhaps only a race, of this species, is - the _I. prosthemelas_, STRICKL., which differs in smaller - size, and in having the lower tail-coverts yellow instead of - black (see synoptical table, p. 778). - - HABITS. This fine species appears to be an abundant bird - from Northern Mexico throughout that republic and Central - America to Costa Rica. I am not aware that any specimens - have been procured actually within our territory. It was met - with at Saltillo, in the state of Coahuila, Mexico, by - Lieutenant Couch, where only a single specimen was obtained. - It was taken at the rancho of _Ojo Caliente_, or Hot - Springs. It was quite shy and difficult of approach. Like - all the other Orioles, it appeared to be quite fond of the - palm-tree known as the Spanish bayonet. It is given by - Sumichrast as occurring in the department of Vera Cruz, - where it appears to be confined to the hot region. It is - quite common in the district of Cordova, to the height of - about three thousand feet. - - Mr. Salvin states this to be the only _Icterus_ found by him - about Dueñas, where it was not uncommon. In a letter written - by this naturalist, published in the Ibis of October, 1859, - he mentions having taken the nest and eggs of this species. - The structure, though of the same character,—a hanging - nest,—is very different from that of _I. gularis_, the - common species on the Yzabal road. The nest has none of the - depth of the other, but is comparatively shallow. - - -Icterus spurius, BON. - -ORCHARD ORIOLE. - - _Oriolus spurius_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 162.—GM. I, 1788, 389 - (very inaccurate description; only identified by the - references). _Icterus spurius_, BON. Obs. on Nom. Wils. 1825, - No. 44.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 221; V, 485, pl. xlii.—IB. - Birds Am. IV, 1842, 46, pl. ccxix.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 547.—SAMUELS, 346. _Oriolus varius_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, - 1766, 390. _Turdus ater_, GM. Syst. 1788, I; 1788, 83. _Oriolus - castaneus_, LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, 181 (same citations as - _O. varius_, GM.). _Turdus jugularis_, LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, - 1790, 361 (same citations as _Turdus ater_, GM.). _Yphantes - solitaria_, VIEILLOT ♂. “_Pendulinus nigricollis_, VIEILL. - ♂—_viridis_, IB.” _Oriolus mutatus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, - 64, pl. iv, f. 1-4. _Xanthornus affinis_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. - Lyc. N. H. V, May, 1851, 113 (small race from Texas). - _Pendulinus s._, CASS. Pr. 1867, 61. _Pendulinus affinis_, - CASS. Pr. 1867, 61. - -SP. CHAR. Bill slender, attenuated, considerably decurved; tail -moderately graduated. _Male_, three years. Head and neck all round, -wings, and interscapular region of back, with tail-feathers, black. -Rest of under parts, lower part of back to tail, and lesser upper -wing-coverts, with the lower one, brownish-chestnut. A narrow line -across the wing, and the extreme outer edges of quills, white. -_Female._ Uniform greenish-yellow beneath, olivaceous above, and -browner in the middle of the back; two white bands on the wings. Young -male of two years like the female, but with a broad black patch from -the bill to the upper part of the breast, this color extending along -the base of the bill so as to involve the eye and all anterior to it -to the base of the bill, somewhat as in _I. cucullatus_. Length of -Pennsylvania male specimens, 7.25; wing, 3.25. - -HAB. United States from the Atlantic to the high Central Plains, -probably throughout Texas; south to Guatemala. Xalapa (SCL. 1859, -365); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 301); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 20; LAWR. N. -Y. Lyc. IX, 104); Rio Atrato (CASS. P. A. N. S. 1860, 140); Costa Rica -(CABAN. J. 1861, 8); Panama (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 331); Cuba -(GUNDLACH); Veragua (SALVIN, 1867, 142); Vera Cruz, winter (SUM. M. B. -S. I,); Mazatlan. - -This species varies greatly in size with its geographical -distribution. - -Winter specimens from Mexico have the black obscured by brownish -borders to the feathers. - -HABITS. The Orchard Oriole is found abundant throughout most of the -United States, from the Atlantic to the Missouri Valley, and on the -southwest to the valley of the Rio Grande. Mr. J. A. Allen met with -individuals of this species as far west as the base of the Rocky -Mountains, in Colorado, which he regards as the extreme western limit. -It is a very rare summer visitant in New England, though found even as -far eastward as Calais, Me. It was not found in Western Maine by -Verrill, nor am I aware of its having been met with in either New -Hampshire or Vermont. Mr. Allen states that a few pairs breed every -season near Springfield, in Western Massachusetts. I have never met -with it in the eastern part of the State, but others have been more -fortunate, and it is probable that a few visit us each season. - -In Texas Mr. Dresser found this species very common at San Antonio -during the summer, arriving there quite early in April. He procured a -number of their nests, all of which were made of light-colored -flexible grasses, and suspended from the upper branches of the -mesquite-trees. He also found them breeding near Houston, and on -Galveston Island. He describes them as much smaller than birds from -the Northern States. This smaller race Mr. Lawrence has regarded as a -distinct species, to which he gives the name of _affinis_. It has been -traced as far to the west as Fort Riley in Kansas, and Fort Lookout in -Nebraska. It winters in Guatemala, where it is very abundant at that -season. Mr. James McLeannan killed it as far south as Panama. - -Dr. Elliott Coues considers this bird as rare and chiefly migrant in -South Carolina; but Mr. H. S. Rodney (Naturalist, Jan., 1872) found -them quite numerous at Camden, in that State, in the summer of 1871. -He met with five nests between June 28 and July 19, and has no doubt -he could have taken many more, as he counted at least fifteen -different pairs. From the fact that Dr. Coues did not meet with any -nest at Columbia, only thirty miles distant, Mr. Rodney infers that -this Oriole is very partial to certain favored localities, as is also -the Baltimore. - -The Orchard Oriole is an active, sprightly, and very lively species, -and possesses a very peculiar and somewhat remarkable song. Its notes -are very rapidly enunciated, and are both hurried and energetic. Some -writers speak of the song as confused, but this attribute is not in -the utterance of the song, the musician manifesting anything but -confusion in the rapid and distinct enunciation of his gushing notes. -These may be too quick in their utterance for the listener to follow, -but they are wonderful both for their rapidity and their harmony. His -performance consists of shrill and lively notes, uttered with an -apparent air of great agitation, and they are quite as distinct and -agreeable, though neither so full nor so rich, as are those of the -more celebrated Golden Robin. - -In the Central States, from New York to North Carolina, these birds -are not only very abundant, but very generally diffused. Hardly an -orchard or a garden of any size can be found without them. They seem -to prefer apple-trees for their abode, and for the construction of -their nests. These structures, though essentially different, are, in -their style of architecture, quite as curiously wrought and ingenious -as those of the Baltimore. They are suspended from small twigs, often -at the very extremity of the branches. In Pennsylvania they are -usually formed externally of a peculiar kind of long, tough, and -flexible grass. This material is woven through and through in a very -wonderful manner, and with as much neatness and intricacy as if -actually sewed with a needle. They are hemispherical in shape, open at -the top, and generally about four inches in breadth and three deep. -The cavity has a depth and a width of about two inches. - -Wilson states that, having had the curiosity to detach one of these -fibres of dried grass from the nest, he found it thirteen inches in -length, and that, in that distance, it had been hooked through and -returned no less than thirty-four times! In this manner it was passed -entirely around the nest. The nests are occasionally lined with wool -or the down of seeds. The external portions are strongly fastened to -several twigs, so that they may be blown about by the wind without -being upset. - -Wilson also remarks that he observed that when these nests are built -in the long pendent branches of the weeping-willow, where they are -liable to much greater motion, though formed of the same materials, -they are always made much deeper and of slighter texture. He regards -this as a manifestation of a remarkable intelligence, almost -equivalent to reason. The willow, owing to the greater density of its -foliage, affords better shelter, and is preferred on that account, and -owing to the great sweep, in the wind, of the branches, the eggs would -be liable to be rolled out if the nest were of the usual depth; hence -this adaptation to such positions. - -The food of the Orchard Oriole is almost exclusively insects. Of these -it consumes a large number, and with them it also feeds its young. -Most of these are of the kinds most obnoxious to the husbandman, -preying upon the foliage, destroying the fruit, and otherwise injuring -the trees, and their destroyers render an incalculable amount of -benefit to the gardens they favor with their presence. At the same -time they are entirely innocent of injury to crops of any description, -and I cannot find that any accusations or expressions of suspicion -have been raised against them. They seem to be, therefore, general -favorites, and, wherever protected, evince their appreciation of this -good-will by their familiarity and numbers. - -The female sits upon her eggs fourteen days, and the young remain in -the nest about ten days longer. They are supposed to have occasionally -two broods in a season, as nests with eggs are found the last of July. -They are said to arrive in Pennsylvania about the first of May, and to -leave before the middle of September. - -According to Wilson they are easily raised from the nest, and become -very tame and familiar. One that he kept through the winter, when two -months old whistled with great clearness and vivacity. - -All the nests of this species that I have seen from Georgia, Florida, -Louisiana, or Texas, have no lining, but are wholly made of one -material, a flexible kind of reed or grass. - -The sociability of this species is one of its most marked -characteristics. Audubon says that he has known no less than nine -nests in the same enclosure, and all the birds living together in -great harmony. - -A nest of this bird, taken in Berlin, Conn., by Mr. Brandigee, has a -diameter and a height of four inches. Its cavity is three inches in -depth, and varies from three to three and a half in diameter, being -widest at the centre, or half-way between the top and the base. It is -entirely homogeneous, having been elaborately and skilfully woven of -long green blades of grass. The inside is lined with animal wool, bits -of yarn, and intermingled with a wooly substance of entirely vegetable -origin. It was built from the extremity of the branch of an -apple-tree. - -An egg of this species, from Washington, measures .85 of an inch in -length by .62 in breadth. The ground is a pale bluish-white, blotched -with a pale purple, and dashed, at the larger end, with a few deep -markings of dark purplish-brown. An egg from New Mexico is similar, -but measures .79 of an inch by .54. Both are oblong oval, and pointed -at one end. - - -Icterus cucullatus, SWAINSON. - -HOODED ORIOLE. - - _Icterus cucullatus_, SWAINSON, Philos. Mag. I, 1827, - 436.—LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, May, 1851, 116 (first - introduced into fauna of United States).—CASSIN, Ill. I, II, - 1853, 42, pl. viii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 275.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 546. _Pendulinus cucullatus_, BON. Consp. - 1850, 433.—CASS. Pr. 1867, 60. - -SP. CHAR. Both mandibles much curved. Tail much graduated. Wings, a -rather narrow band across the back, tail, and a patch starting as a -narrow frontal band, involving the eyes, anterior half of cheek, chin, -and throat, and ending as a rounded patch on the upper part of breast, -black. Rest of body orange-yellow. Two bands on the wing and the edges -of the quills white. _Female_ without the black patch of the throat; -the upper parts generally yellowish-green, brown on the back, beneath -yellowish. Length, 7.50; wing, 3.25. - -HAB. Valley of Lower Rio Grande, southward; Tucson, Arizona (DR. -PALMER); Lower California, Cordova (SCL. 1856, 300); Guatemala? (SCL. -Ibis I, 20); Cuba? (LAWR. Ann. VII, 1860, 267); San Bernardino, -California (COOPER, P. Cal., etc. 1861, 122); Vera Cruz hot region -(SUM. M. B. S. I, 553); Mazatlan. - -The orange varies greatly in tint and intensity with the individual; -sometimes it is deep orange-red; often clear dull yellow, but more -frequently of an oily orange. - -This species is closely allied to the _I. aurocapillus_ of South -America, but differs in having black, not yellow, shoulders, and in -the white markings on the wings. - -HABITS. The Hooded Oriole is essentially a Mexican species, though it -also extends northward into Texas at the Rio Grande, and into Southern -California and Arizona. It was not noticed by Dr. Coues in Arizona, -but Lieutenant Charles Bendire found it breeding near Tucson in the -summer of 1872. It is abundant at Cape St. Lucas. Dr. Cooper found -that this species arrived at San Diego about April 22, where they were -not rare for a fortnight afterwards, and all then retired into the -warmer interior valleys, where he has seen them as far to the north as -Los Angeles. While migrating, they were generally silent. - -Captain McCown found it quite common on the Rio Grande, where it rears -its young. When met with in the woods and far away from the abodes of -men, it seemed shy and disposed to conceal itself. Yet a pair of these -birds were his constant visitors, morning and evening. They came to -the vicinity of his quarters—an unfinished building—at Ringgold -Barracks, and at last became so tame and familiar that they would pass -from some ebony-trees, that stood near by, to the porch, clinging to -the shingles and rafters, frequently in an inverted position, prying -into the holes and crevices, apparently in search of spiders and such -insects as could be found there. From this occupation they would -occasionally desist, to watch his movements. He never could induce -them to partake of the food he offered them. - -Lieutenant Couch found this species common in the states of Tamaulipas -and New Leon. He found their nests generally on or under the tops of -the palm known as the Spanish bayonet. - -This species is given by Mr. Sumichrast as one of the birds of Vera -Cruz, where it is exclusively an inhabitant of the hot region, and -where it is rarely found above an elevation of eighteen hundred feet. - -These birds were found quite abundant at Cape St. Lucas, Lower -California, by Mr. Xantus, by whom a number of their nests and eggs -were obtained. The following brief memoranda in regard to a few of -these nests will serve to show their general position:—“Nest and two -eggs, found May 20, about ten feet from the ground, woven to a small -aloe, in a bunch of the _Acacia prosopis_. Nest and two eggs, found -May 22, on a dry tree overhung with hops. Nest and one egg, found May -30, on an acacia, about fifteen feet from the ground. Nest with young, -found on an aloe four feet high. Nest and eggs, found on a moss -hanging out of a perpendicular bluff, on the sea-coast. Nest and eggs -found on a _Yucca angustifolia_, on its stem, six feet from the -ground. Nest and two eggs, found in a convolvulus, on a perpendicular -rock fifty feet high. Nest and three eggs, found on an acacia, -twenty-five feet high.” - -The eggs of this species vary somewhat in shape, some being obtuse and -more spherical, others more pointed and oblong. They vary in length -from .92 to .88 of an inch, and from .68 to .65 of an inch in breadth. -They have a clear white ground, marbled and blotched with large -dashes, dots, and irregular zigzag lines of purple, brown, and black, -chiefly disposed around the larger end. In those where the spots are -more diffused they are blended with obscure blotches of a faint -lavender. - - -Icterus baltimore, DAUDIN. - -BALTIMORE ORIOLE; GOLDEN ROBIN; HANG-NEST. - - _Oriolus baltimore_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 162.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. I, 1808, 23, pl. i.—IB. VI, 1812, pl. liii. “_Icterus - baltimore_, DAUD.”—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 66; V, 1839, 278, - pls. xii. and ccccxxiii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 37, pl. - ccxvii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 548.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ex. - Orn. I, 69, 188 (diagnosis).—SAMUELS, 348. _Yphantes - baltimore_, VIEILLOT, Gal. des Ois. I, 1824, 124, pl. lxxxvii. - _Psarocolius baltimore_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1825, No. 26. _Le - Baltimore_, BUFF. pl. enl. 506, f. 1. _Hyphantes b._, CASS. Pr. - 1867, 62. - -SP. CHAR. Tail nearly even. Head all round and to middle of back, -scapulars, wings, and upper surface of tail, black; rest of under -parts, rump, upper tail-coverts, and lesser wing-coverts, with -terminal portion of tail-feathers (except two innermost), orange-red. -Edges of wing-quills, with a band across the tips of the greater -coverts, white. Length, 7.50 inches; wing, 3.75. - -The female much less brilliant in color; the black of the head and -back generally replaced by brownish-yellow, purer on the throat; each -feather with a black spot. - -HAB. From Atlantic coast to the high Central Plains, and in their -borders; south to Panama. Xalapa (SCL. 1856, 365); Guatemala (SCL. -Ibis, I, 20); Cuba (CABAN. J. IV, 10); Costa Rica (CABAN. J. 1861, 7; -LAWR. IX, 104); Panama (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 331); Veragua (SALV. -1867, 142); Mosquito Coast (SCL. & SALV. 1867, 279); Vera Cruz -(autumn, SUM. M. B. S. I, 553). - -A young bird is soft, dull orange beneath, palest on the throat, and -tinged along the sides with olive; above olive, with an orange cast on -the rump and tail, the latter being without any black; centres of -dorsal feathers blackish; wings blackish, with two broad white bands -across coverts, and broad edges of white to the tertials. - -Specimens collected in Western Kansas, by Mr. J. A. Allen, have the -middle wing-coverts pure white instead of deep orange, and, according -to that naturalist, have more slender bills than Eastern birds. Mr. -Allen thinks they form a race peculiar to the plains; but in examining -the series of specimens in the museum of the Smithsonian Institution, -we have failed to discover any constancy in this respect. A male -(5,356, Farm Isl., May 30) from Nebraska has the middle wing-coverts -pure white,—the lesser, clear orange; the black throat-stripe is -almost separated from the black of the cheeks by the extension forward -of the orange on each side of it, only the tips of the feathers being -black. - -No. 61,192 ♂, Mount Carmel, Ill. (August 12), has the throat-stripe -even more isolated, being connected anteriorly for only about a -quarter of an inch with the black of the jaw; there is also a distinct -indication of an orange superciliary stripe, mostly concealed, -however, by the black tips of the feathers. The middle coverts, like -the lesser, are pure plain orange. - -A male from Cape May, N. J. (59,458, May), has the middle coverts -white, and the lesser wholly uniform black. The head, however, is as -in typical specimens. - -In a series of twenty adult spring males from Carlisle, Penn., seven -have the middle coverts more or less white. But it is noticed that all -these specimens with white middle coverts have invariably less intense -colors than those with orange shoulders, while in the Kansas specimens -the other colors are of the brightest character. - -A male from Washington (12,317, May 6) is exactly similar. - -HABITS. The familiar Baltimore Oriole, the Golden Robin of the New -England States, is found throughout eastern North America, at various -seasons, from Texas to the British Possessions, and from the Atlantic -to the plains. It is, however, for the most part, not common beyond -the Mississippi River. It has been traced as far to the north as the -55th parallel of latitude, and probably breeds more or less abundantly -in every State east of the Mississippi River. It is rare in Florida, -and is not given by Mr. Allen as known to that State, but I have -received its nest and eggs from Monticello in West Florida. The -Smithsonian Museum embraces specimens from as far west as Powder River -and the Yellowstone. - -Mr. J. A. Allen (Am. Naturalist, June, 1872) mentions finding this -species at the base of the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado, which he -regards as its extreme western limit. In Kansas he found this species, -as well as the Orchard Oriole, abundant, the Baltimore indulging in a -dialect so different from that of its northern relatives as often to -puzzle him to make out to what bird its strange notes belonged. Its -colors were also unusually bright in all the specimens he examined. - -Mr. Boardman gives it as very rare at Calais, but Professor Verrill -thinks it common in Western Maine. It is abundant throughout the -southern and central portions of Vermont, and New Hampshire, and in -all New York. It is a common summer resident at Hamilton, Ontario, -where it arrives the second week in May. It was found on the plains of -the Saskatchewan by Captain Blakiston. - -Mr. Dresser states it to have been abundant at Matamoras, where it was -breeding, though he was too late for its eggs. He saw none at San -Antonio, but Mr. J. H. Clark was more fortunate. Numbers of them, he -states, were seen nesting in the mesquite-trees on the prairies, at -which time they were very musical, having sometimes as many as three -nests in the same tree. These were all built of fine grass, among the -top branches, and interwoven with the leaves. Dr. Woodhouse found it -quite common in the Indian Territory and in Eastern Texas. Specimens -of this species were taken by Mr. James M. Leannan, at Panama, which -is presumed to be the most southern locality on record for this bird. - -The Baltimore Oriole is one of the most common birds nearly throughout -New England. Gay and brilliant in plumage, interesting and lively in -manners and habits, and a vocalist of rare power, with pathos, beauty, -and variety in his notes, this bird has been, and would still be, a -great favorite, but for its transgressions among the pea-vines of our -gardens. He makes his appearance with exemplary punctuality, seeming -regardless of the prematureness or tardiness of the season. Rarely -does the 10th of May pass without the sound of his welcome notes, and -rarely, if ever, does he come sooner. - -Their period of song is not a long one, but soon terminates, as family -cares increase and the tender broods require an undivided attention. -Early in July this Oriole ceases to favor the world with those -remarkable notes that seldom fail to attract attention by their -peculiarity, and to excite admiration by their rich and full-toned -melody. - -When the male Baltimores first arrive, they come unaccompanied by -their mates. At this time their notes are unusually loud, and their -voices seem shrill. Their song appears to partake somewhat of the -nature of tender lamentations and complaining. At this period they are -very active and restless, moving rapidly through the branches of the -trees, just opening into leaf and blossom, searching busily for the -insects which then form their principal food. When, a few days after -their arrival, they are joined by the females, the whole character of -their song changes, which becomes a lower-toned, richer, and more -pleasing refrain. During their love-season their resonant and -peculiarly mellow whistle resounds in every garden and orchard, along -the highways of our villages, and in the parks and public squares of -our cities. - -Nuttall, generally very felicitous in expressing by verbal equivalents -the notes of various species of our song-birds, describes the notes of -its song as running thus, _Tshippe-tshayia-too-too-tshippe-tshippe-too-too_, -with several other very similar modifications and variations. But -these characters give a very inadequate idea of their song. It must be -heard to be appreciated, and no description can do justice to its -beauties. The notes are of an almost endless variety, and each -individual has his own special variations. The female, too, has her -own peculiar and very pretty notes, which she incessantly warbles as -she weaves her curiously elaborate nest. - -To agriculturists this Oriole renders immense service in the -destruction of vast numbers of highly injurious insects; among the -most noteworthy of these are the common canker-worm and the tent -caterpillars, both great pests to orchards. These benefits far more -than compensate for its annoying attacks on the pods of esculent peas, -the only sin that can rightfully be brought against it, except, -perhaps, the acts of theft committed against other birds, in seizing -upon and appropriating to it materials collected by smaller birds for -their nests. - -The Baltimore Orioles are devoted, faithful, and courageous parents, -resolutely defending their young when in danger, and exposing -themselves fearlessly to danger and to death rather than forsake them. -If their young are taken and caged, the parents follow them, and, if -permitted, will continue to feed them. - -Mr. Ridgway mentions an instance where the female entered her nest -while he was in the act of severing the limb from which it was -suspended, and persisted in remaining there until the nest had been -cut off and taken into the house. One of these birds, reared from the -nest by a family in Worcester, Mass., became perfectly domesticated, -was allowed full liberty, and even when taken by the married daughter -of its mistress, perched on her finger, through the open grounds to -her own house, made no attempt to escape. It delighted in occasional -acts of mischief, especially in putting its pointed bill through the -meshes of the lace curtains, and then opening its beak, seeming to -enjoy the sound produced by tearing the threads. - -In the construction of its nest the Oriole displays great skill and -ingenuity. This structure is a pendulous and nearly cylindrical pouch, -suspended from the extremity of some hanging branch. It is constructed -by means of the interweaving of the natural filaments of several -flaxlike plants into a homogeneous fabric of great strength, and -admirably adapted to its purpose. A nest of this species from West -Florida, as well as the one figured by Audubon, was made entirely of -the long moss (_Tillandsia usneoides_) so abundant in Southern -forests. - -The young birds, before they can fly, climb to the edge of the nest, -and are liable, in sudden tempests, to be thrown out. If uninjured, -they are good climbers, and by means of wings, bill, and claws, are -often able to reach places of safety. In one instance a fledgling, -which had broken both legs, and was placed in a basket to be fed by -its parents, managed, by wings and bill, to raise itself to the rim, -and in a few days took its departure. - -The parents feed their young chiefly with caterpillars, which they -apparently swallow and then disgorge for this purpose. In confinement -they feed readily on soaked bread and fruit, and are especially fond -of figs. They are soon reconciled to confinement, become very docile -and even playful, sing readily, and will even come at a given signal -and alight on the finger of their master. - -The eggs of the Baltimore are usually five and rarely six in number. -They are of an oblong-oval shape, pointed at one end, and measure .91 -of an inch in length by .60 in breadth. Their ground-color is white, -with a slight roseate tinge when fresh, fading into a bluish shade in -time. They are all variously marked, dotted, and marbled, with spots, -blotches, and irregular waving lines of purplish-brown. These markings -are of greatly varying shades, from a light purple to almost complete -blackness, only perceptibly purplish in a strong light. - - -Icterus bullocki, BON. - -BULLOCK’S ORIOLE. - - _Xanthornus bullocki_, SW. Syn. Mex. Birds, Taylor’s Phil. Mag. I, - 1827, 436. _Agelaius bullocki_, RICH. Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1837. - _Icterus bullocki_, BON. List, 1838.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, - 9, pls. ccclxxxviii and ccccxxxiii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, - 43, pl. ccxviii.—NEWBERRY, Rep. P. R. R. VI, IV, 1857, - 87.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 549.—MAX. Caban. J. VI, 1858, - 259.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 121.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 209.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ex. Orn. I, 1869, 188 - (diagnosis).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 273. _Psarocolius - auricollis_, MAXIM. Reise Nordam. I, 1839, 367 (Fort Pierre, - Neb.). _Hyphantes b._, CASS. Pr. A. N. S. 1867, 62.—HEERM. X, - _S_, 52 (nest). - -SP. CHAR. Tail very slightly graduated. Upper part of the head and -neck, back, wings, two central tail-feathers, line from base of bill -through the eye to the black of the nape, and a line from the base of -the bill running to a point on the throat, black. Under parts -generally, sides of head and neck, forehead and line over the eye, -rest of tail-feathers, rump, and upper tail-coverts, yellow-orange. A -broad band on the wings, involving the greater and middle coverts, and -the outer edges of the quills, white. Young male with the black -replaced by greenish-yellow, that on the throat persistent; female -without this. The first plumage of the young differs from that of -_baltimore_ in being more whitish beneath; lighter olive above, and -without dark spots on back; white of middle and greater coverts -connected by white edges of the latter. Length, about 7.50 inches; -wing, 3.80. - -HAB. High Central Plains to the Pacific; rare on Upper Missouri; south -into Mexico. City of Mexico (SCL. & SALV. 1869, 362). - -A closely allied Mexican species is _I. abeillei_ of Lesson, differing -principally in having the sides and rump black. - -HABITS. Bullock’s Oriole, the western counterpart of the eastern -Baltimore, is found throughout the Pacific shore, from the great -Central Plains to the ocean, and from Washington Territory to Mexico. -It is not given by Sumichrast as occurring in Vera Cruz, where its -place is taken, as a migrant, by the Baltimore. It was not noticed by -Mr. Dresser on the Rio Grande, but in Arizona it was found by Dr. -Coues to be a common summer resident. It was there seen to frequent, -almost exclusively, the willows and cottonwoods of the creek-bottoms. -To the small twigs of these trees its pensile nests were usually -attached. It is said to arrive in Arizona late in April, and to remain -there nearly through September. - -In the survey of the Mexican boundary Dr. Kennerly met with this -species in passing through Guadaloupe cañon, where it was often seen, -but it was observed at no other point on the route. It seemed to -prefer the low bushes on the hillside to the large trees. In its -motions it was quick and restless, passing rapidly from bush to bush. - -In Washington Territory this species is stated by Dr. Suckley to be -more abundant in the sparsely wooded districts of the eastern base of -the Cascade Mountains than in the Coast Range. He found it exceedingly -abundant at Fort Dalles and along the eastern base of Mt. Adams. They -arrive about the 15th of May, and were very common among the low oaks -of that region. He speaks of its song as very pleasant, and especially -melodious early in the morning, when the bird is generally perched on -the sunny side or top of an oak. - -At Puget Sound, according to Dr. Cooper, these birds do not arrive -until the beginning of June, and are at no time very common there. He -describes their habits as similar to those of the _spurius_, they -being shy and difficult to discover among the foliage. Their song is -more like that of the Baltimore, loud, clear, and varied. - -In his Report on the birds of California, Dr. Cooper states that these -birds arrive at San Diego, from the south, about March 1; but at Fort -Mohave, one hundred and sixty miles farther north, he saw none until a -month later. Like the Baltimore Oriole, they resort to the open roads, -gardens, and orchards, putting themselves under the protection of man, -and repaying him both by their sweet melody and their usefulness in -destroying insects. They keep chiefly in the trees and rarely descend -to the ground, except to collect materials for their nests. These are -suspended from the end of a branch, and are constructed of fibrous -grasses, horse-hairs, strings, bits of rags, wool, hempen fibres of -plants, etc. At times only a single material is used, such as -horse-hair. These nests are neatly and closely interwoven in the form -of a deep bag or purse, and are suspended by the edges from the forks -of a branch, near its end. They have usually a depth of about four or -five inches, and a diameter of about three or three and a half. In -most cases they are largely made of the flaxen fibres of wild hempen -plants, and by strings of this are firmly bound around the ends of the -twigs to which they are suspended. They are lined within with fine, -soft vegetable down. In some nests the inner bark of the silkweed -largely predominates. - -Dr. Cooper states that the eggs of Bullock’s Oriole are, in number, -from four to six. He describes them as bluish-white, with scattered, -winding streaks and hair-lines of black and reddish-brown near the -larger end, measuring .98 by .60 of an inch. In the southern half of -California they are laid in the first or second week of May. At Santa -Cruz, in 1866, he did not observe any of this species until April 3. - -Mr. Allen did not meet with this species in Western Kansas, and it is -not included in his list of birds observed by him near Fort Hays. At -Ogden and Salt Lake City, in Utah, which he reached the first of -September, Bullock’s Oriole had already migrated southward. - -In all the fertile portions of the country west of the plains, Mr. -Ridgway found Bullock’s Oriole—the western representative of the -Baltimore—extremely abundant. In May, when the valley of the Truckee, -near Pyramid Lake, was visited, he observed great numbers feeding upon -the buds of the grease-wood, in company with the Louisiana Tanager and -the Black-headed Grosbeaks. In certain localities there was scarcely a -tree that did not contain one or more nests of these birds, and as -many as five have been found in a single tree. Although constructed in -a manner almost precisely similar to those of the common eastern -species, its nest is less frequently pendulous, being in many cases -fixed between the upright twigs near the top of the tree. It is, -however, not unfrequently suspended, like that of the Baltimore, from -the extremity of a drooping branch, though very rarely in so beautiful -a manner. The notes of this Oriole, which are similar to those of the -Baltimore, are neither so distinct, so mellow, nor so strong, and -their effect is quite different from that produced by the splendid -mellow whistling of the eastern species; and the mellow, rolling -chatter so characteristic of the latter is not so full in the western -species, and generally ends in a sharp _chow_, much like the curious -mewing of an _Icteria_. He regards Bullock’s Oriole as altogether a -less attractive species. - -Mr. Lord found this bird by no means an abundant species in British -Columbia. Those that were seen seemed to prefer the localities where -the scrub-oaks grew, to the pine regions. He found their long, -pendulous nests suspended from points of oak branches, without any -attempt at concealment. He never met with any of these birds north of -Fraser’s River, and very rarely east of the Cascades. A few stragglers -visited his quarters at Colville, arriving late in May and leaving -early in September, the males usually preceding the females three or -four days. - -On the Shasta Plains Mr. Lord noticed, in the nesting of this bird, a -singular instance of the readiness with which birds alter their habits -under difficulties. A solitary oak stood by a little patch of water, -both removed by many miles from other objects of the kind. Every -available branch and spray of this tree had one of the woven nests of -this brilliant bird hanging from it, though hardly known to colonize -elsewhere in this manner. - -Dr. Coues, in an interesting paper on the habits of this species in -the Naturalist for November, 1871, states that its nests, though -having a general resemblance in their style of architecture, differ -greatly from one another, usually for obvious reasons, such as their -situation, the time taken for their construction, and even the taste -and skill of the builders. He describes one nest, built in a -pine-tree, in which, in a very ingenious manner, these birds bent down -the long, straight, needle-like leaves of the stiff, terminal -branchlets, and, tying their ends together, made them serve as the -upper portion of the nest, and a means of attachment. This nest was -nine inches long and four in diameter. - -Another nest, described by the same writer, was suspended from the -forked twig of an oak, and draped with its leaves, almost to -concealment. It had an unusual peculiarity of being arched over and -roofed in at the top, with a dome of the same material as the rest of -the nest, and a small round hole on one side, just large enough to -admit the birds. - -The eggs of this Oriole are slightly larger than those of the -Baltimore, and their ground-color is more of a creamy-white, yet -occasionally with a distinctly bluish tinge. They are marbled and -marked with irregular lines and tracings of dark umber-brown, -deepening almost into black, but never so deep as in the eggs of the -eastern species. These marblings vary constantly and in a remarkable -degree; in some they are almost entirely wanting. They measure .90 of -an inch in length by .65 in breadth. - - - - - SUBFAMILY QUISCALINÆ. - - - [Line drawing: _Scolecophagus ferrugineus._ - 16775] - -CHAR. Bill rather attenuated, as long as or longer than the head. The -culmen curved, the tip much bent down. The cutting edges inflected so -as to impart a somewhat tubular appearance to each mandible. The -commissure sinuated. Tail longer than the wings, usually much -graduated. Legs longer than the head, fitted for walking. Color of -males entirely black with lustrous reflections. - -The bill of the _Quiscalinæ_ is very different from that of the other -_Icteridæ_, and is readily recognized by the tendency to a rounding -inward along the cutting edges, rendering the width in a cross section -of the bill considerably less along the commissure than above or -below. The culmen is more curved than in the _Agelainæ_. All the North -American species have the iris white. - -The only genera in the United States are as follows:— - -Scolecophagus. Tail shorter than the wings; nearly even. Bill shorter -than the head. - -Quiscalus. Tail longer than the wings; much graduated. Bill as long as -or longer than the head. - - -GENUS SCOLECOPHAGUS, SWAINSON. - - _Scolecophagus_, SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831. (Type, _Oriolus - ferrugineus_, GMELIN.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, rather slender, the edges -inflexed as in _Quiscalus_, which it otherwise greatly resembles; the -commissure sinuated. Culmen rounded, but not flattened. Tarsi longer -than the middle toe. Tail even, or slightly rounded. - -The above characteristics will readily distinguish the genus from its -allies. The form is much like that of _Agelaius_. The bill, however, -is more attenuated, the culmen curved and slightly sinuated. The bend -at the base of the commissure is shorter. The culmen is angular at the -base posterior to the nostrils, instead of being much flattened, and -does not extend so far behind. The two North American species may be -distinguished as follows:— - - -Synopsis of Species. - -S. ferrugineus. Bill slender; height at base not .4 the total length. -Color of male black, with faint purple reflection over whole body; -wings, tail, and abdomen glossed slightly with green. Autumnal -specimens with feathers broadly edged with castaneous rusty. _Female_ -brownish dusky slate, without gloss; no trace of light superciliary -stripe. - -S. cyanocephalus. Bill stout; height at base nearly .5 the total -length. Color black, with green reflections over whole body. Head only -glossed with purple. Autumnal specimens, feathers edged very -indistinctly with umber-brown. _Female_ dusky-brown, with a soft -gloss; a decided light superciliary stripe. - -Cuba possesses a species referred to this genus (_S. atroviolaceus_), -though it is not strictly congeneric with the two North American ones. -It differs in lacking any distinct membrane above the nostril, and in -having the bill not compressed laterally, as well as in being much -stouter. The plumage has a soft silky lustre; the general color black, -with rich purple or violet lustre. The female similarly colored to the -male. - - -Scolecophagus ferrugineus, SWAINSON. - -RUSTY BLACKBIRD. - - _Oriolus ferrugineus_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 393, No. 43.—LATH. - Ind. I, 1790, 176. _Gracula ferruginea_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, - 1811, 41, pl. xxi, f. 3. _Quiscalus ferrugineus_, BON. Obs. - Wils. 1824, No. 46.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 199.—AUD. Orn. - Biog. II, 1834, 315; V, 1839, 483, pl. cxlvii.—IB. Synopsis, - 1839, 146.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 65, pl. ccxxii.—MAX. - Caban. J. VI, 1858, 204. _Scolecophagus ferrugineus_, SWAINSON, - F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 286.—BON. List, 1838.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 551.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 225.—CASS. P. A. N. - S. 1866, 412.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 285 - (Alaska). _? ? Oriolus niger_, GMELIN, I, 1788, 393, Nos. 4, 5 - (perhaps _Quiscalus_).—SAMUELS, 350.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 291. - _Scolecophagus niger_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, 423.—CABANIS, Mus. - Hein. 1851, 195. _? ? Oriolus fuscus_, GMELIN, Syst. I, 1788, - 393, No. 44 (perhaps _Molothrus_). _Turdus hudsonius_, GMELIN, - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 818.—LATH. Ind. _Turdus noveboracensis_, - GMELIN, I, 1788, 818. _Turdus labradorius_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. - I, 1788, 832.—LATH. Ind. I, 1790, 342 (_labradorus_). - “_Pendulinus ater_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict.” _Chalcophanes - virescens_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. (Appendix, _Oriolus_ 9). _? - Turdus_ No. 22 from Severn River, Forster, Phil. Trans. LXII, - 1772, 400. - -SP. CHAR. Bill slender; shorter than the head; about equal to the hind -toe; its height not quite two fifths the total length. Wing nearly an -inch longer than the tail; second quill longest; first a little -shorter than the fourth. Tail slightly graduated; the lateral feathers -about a quarter of an inch shortest. General color black, with purple -reflections; the wings, under tail-coverts, and hinder part of the -belly, glossed with green. In autumn the feathers largely edged with -ferruginous or brownish, so as to change the appearance entirely. -Spring female dull, opaque plumbeous or ashy-black; the wings and tail -sometimes with a green lustre. Young like autumnal birds. Length of -male, 9.50; wing, 4.75; tail, 4.00. Female smaller. - -HAB. From Atlantic coast to the Missouri. North to Arctic regions. In -Alaska on the Yukon, at Fort Kenai, and Nulato. - - [Illustration: _Scolecophagus ferrugineus._] - -HABITS. The Rusty Blackbird is an eastern species, found from the -Atlantic to the Missouri River, and from Louisiana and Florida to the -Arctic regions. In a large portion of the United States it is only -known as a migratory species, passing rapidly through in early spring, -and hardly making a longer stay in the fall. Richardson states that -the summer range of this bird extends to the 68th parallel, or as far -as the woods extend. It arrives at the Saskatchewan in the end of -April, and at Great Bear Lake, latitude 65°, by the 3d of May. They -come in pairs, and for a time frequent the sandy beaches of secluded -lakes, feeding on coleopterous insects. Later in the season they are -said to make depredations upon the grain-fields. - -They pass through Massachusetts from the 8th of March to the first of -April, in irregular companies, none of which make any stay, but move -hurriedly on. They begin to return early in October, and are found -irregularly throughout that month. They are unsuspicious and easily -approached, and frequent the streams and edges of ponds during their -stay. - -Mr. Boardman states that these birds are common near Calais, Me., -arriving there in March, some remaining to breed. In Western -Massachusetts, according to Mr. Allen, they are rather rare, being -seen only occasionally in spring and fall as stragglers, or in small -flocks. Mr. Allen gives as their arrival the last of September, and -has seen them as late as November 24. They also were abundant in Nova -Scotia. Dr. Coues states that in South Carolina they winter from -November until March. - -These birds are said to sing during pairing-time, and become nearly -silent while rearing their young, but in the fall resume their song. -Nuttall has heard them sing until the approach of winter. He thinks -their notes are quite agreeable and musical, and much more melodious -than those of the other species. - -During their stay in the vicinity of Boston, they assemble in large -numbers, to roost in the reed marshes on the edges of ponds, and -especially in those of Fresh Pond, Cambridge. They feed during the day -chiefly on grasshoppers and berries, and rarely molest the grain. - -According to Wilson, they reach Pennsylvania early in October, and at -this period make Indian corn their principal food. They leave about -the middle of November. In South Carolina he found them numerous -around the rice plantations, feeding about the hog-pens and wherever -they could procure corn. They are easily domesticated, becoming very -familiar in a few days, and readily reconciled to confinement. - -In the District of Columbia, Dr. Coues found the Rusty Grakle an -abundant and strictly gregarious winter resident, arriving there the -third week in October and remaining until April, and found chiefly in -swampy localities, but occasionally also in ploughed fields. - -Mr. Audubon found these birds during the winter months, as far south -as Florida and Lower Louisiana, arriving there in small flocks, coming -in company with the Redwings and Cowbirds, and remaining associated -with them until the spring. At this season they are also found in -nearly all the Southern and Western States. They appear fond of the -company of cattle, and are to be seen with them, both in the pasture -and in the farm-yard. They seem less shy than the other species. They -also frequent moist places, where they feed upon aquatic insects and -small snails, for which they search among the reeds and sedges, -climbing them with great agility. - -In their habits they are said to resemble the Redwings, and, being -equally fond of the vicinity of water, they construct their nests in -low trees and bushes in moist places. Their nests are said to be -similarly constructed, but smaller than those of the Redwings. In -Labrador Mr. Audubon found them lined with mosses instead of grasses. -In Maine they begin to lay about the first of June, and in Labrador -about the 20th, and raise only one brood in a season. - -The young, when first able to fly, are of a nearly uniform brown -color. Their nests, according to Audubon, are also occasionally found -in marshes of tall reeds of the _Typha_, to the stalks of which they -are firmly attached by interweaving the leaves of the plant with -grasses and fine strips of bark. A friend of the same writer, residing -in New Orleans, found one of these birds, in full plumage and slightly -wounded, near the city. He took it home, and put it in a cage with -some Painted Buntings. It made no attempt to molest his companions, -and they soon became good friends. It sang during its confinement, but -the notes were less sonorous than when at liberty. It was fed entirely -on rice. - -The memoranda of Mr. MacFarlane show that these birds are by no means -uncommon near Fort Anderson. A nest, found June 12, on the branch of a -spruce, next to the trunk, was eight feet from the ground. Another -nest, containing one egg and a young bird, was in the midst of a -branch of a pine, five feet from the ground. The parents endeavored to -draw him from their nest, and to turn his attention to themselves. A -third, found June 22, contained four eggs, and was similarly situated. -The eggs contained large embryos. Mr. MacFarlane states that whenever -a nest of this species is approached, both parents evince great -uneasiness, and do all in their power, by flying from tree to tree in -its vicinity, to attract one from the spot. They are spoken of as -moderately abundant at Fort Anderson, and as having been met with as -far east as the Horton River. He was also informed by the Eskimos that -they extend along the banks of the Lower Anderson to the very borders -of the woods. - -Mr. Dall states that these Blackbirds arrive at Nulato about May 20, -where they are tolerably abundant and very tame. They breed later than -some other birds, and had not begun to lay before he left, the last of -May. Eggs were procured at Fort Yukon by Mr. Lockhart, and at Sitka by -Mr. Bischoff. - -Besides these localities, this bird was found breeding in the Barren -Grounds of Anderson River in 69° north latitude, on the Arctic coast -at Fort Kenai, by Mr. Bischoff, and at Fort Simpson, Fort Rae, and -Peel River. It has been found breeding at Calais by Mr. Boardman, and -at Halifax by Mr. W. G. Winton. - -Eggs sent from Fort Yukon, near the mouth of the Porcupine River, by -Mr. S. Jones, are of a rounded-oval shape, measuring 1.03 inches in -length by .75 in breadth. In size, shape, ground-color, and color of -their markings, they are hardly distinguishable from some eggs of -Brewer’s Blackbird, though generally different. All I have seen from -Fort Yukon have a ground-color of very light green, very thickly -covered with blotches and finer dottings of a mixture of ferruginous -and purplish-brown. In some the blotches are larger and fewer than in -others, and in all these the purple shading predominates. One egg, -more nearly spherical than the rest, measures .98 by .82. None have -any waving lines, as in all other Blackbird’s eggs. Two from near -Calais, Me., measure 1.02 by .75 of an inch, have a ground of light -green, only sparingly blotched with shades of purplish-brown, varying -from light to very dark hues, but with no traces of lines or marbling. - -According to Mr. Boardman, these birds are found during the summer -months about Calais, but they are not common. Only a few remain of -those that come in large flocks in the early spring. They pass along -about the last of April, the greater proportions only tarrying a short -time; but in the fall they stay from five to eight weeks. They nest in -the same places with the Redwing Blackbirds, and their nests are very -much alike. In early summer they have a very pretty note, which is -never heard in the fall. - - -Scolecophagus cyanocephalus, CAB. - -BREWER’S BLACKBIRD. - - _Psarocolius cyanocephalus_, WAGLER, Isis, 1829, 758. _Scolecophagus - cyanocephalus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 193.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 552.—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1866, 413.—HEERM. X, _S_, - 53.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 209.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 278. - _Scolecophagus mexicanus_, SWAINSON, Anim. in Men. 2¼ cent. - 1838, 302.—BON. Conspectus, 1850, 423.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. - and Or. Route; Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, IV, 1857, 86. _Quiscalus - breweri_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 345, pl. ccccxcii. - -SP. CHAR. Bill stout, quiscaline, the commissure scarcely sinuated; -shorter than the head and the hind toe; the height nearly half length -of culmen. Wing nearly an inch longer than the tail; the second quill -longest; the first about equal to the third. Tail rounded and -moderately graduated; the lateral feathers about .35 of an inch -shorter. General color of male black, with lustrous green reflections -everywhere except on the head and neck, which are glossed with -purplish-violet. _Female_ much duller, of a light brownish anteriorly; -a very faint superciliary stripe. Length about 10 inches; wing, 5.30; -tail, 4.40. - -HAB. High Central Plains to the Pacific; south to Mexico. Pembina, -Minn.; S. Illinois (Wabash Co.; R. RIDGWAY); Matamoras and San -Antonio, Texas (breeds; DRESSER, Ibis, 1869, 493); Plateau of Mexico -(very abundant, and resident; SUMICHRAST, M. B. S. I, 553). - -Autumnal specimens do not exhibit the broad rusty edges of feathers -seen in _S. ferrugineus_. - -The females and immature males differ from the adult males in much the -same points as _S. ferrugineus_, except that the “rusty” markings are -less prominent and more grayish. The differences generally between the -two species are very appreciable. Thus, in _S. cyanocephalus_, the -bill, though of the same length, is much higher and broader at the -base, as well as much less linear in its upper outline; the point, -too, is less decurved. The size is every way larger. The purplish -gloss, which in _ferrugineus_ is found on most of the body except the -wings and tail, is here confined to the head and neck, the rest of the -body being of a richly lustrous and strongly marked green, more -distinct than that on the wings and tail of _ferrugineus_. In one -specimen only, from Santa Rosalia, Mexico, is there a trace of purple -on some of the wing and tail feathers. - -HABITS. This species was first given as a bird of our fauna by Mr. -Audubon, in the supplementary pages of the seventh volume of his Birds -of America. He met with it on the prairies around Fort Union, at the -junction of the Yellowstone and the Missouri Rivers, and in the -extensive ravines in that neighborhood, in which were found a few -dwarfish trees and tall rough weeds or grasses, along the margin of -scanty rivulets. In these localities he met with small groups of seven -or eight of these birds. They were in loose flocks, and moved in a -silent manner, permitting an approach to within some fifteen or twenty -paces, and uttering a call-note as his party stood watching their -movements. Perceiving it to be a species new to him, he procured -several specimens. He states that they did not evince the pertness so -usual to birds of this family, but seemed rather as if dissatisfied -with their abode. On the ground their gait was easy and brisk. He -heard nothing from them of the nature of a song, only a single -_cluck_, not unlike that of the Redwing, between which birds and the -_C. ferrugineus_ he was disposed to place this species. - -Dr. Newberry found this Blackbird common both in California and in -Oregon. He saw large flocks of them at Fort Vancouver, in the last of -October. They were flying from field to field, and gathered into the -large spruces about the fort, in the manner of other Blackbirds when -on the point of migrating. - -Mr. Allen found this Blackbird, though less an inhabitant of the -marshes than the Yellow-headed, associating with them in destroying -the farmers’ ripening corn, and only less destructive because less -numerous. It appears to be an abundant species in all the settled -portions of the western region, extending to the eastward as far as -Wisconsin, and even to Southeastern Illinois, one specimen having been -obtained in Wisconsin by Mr. Kumlien, and others in Wabash Co., Ill., -by Mr. Ridgway. - -In the summer, according to Mr. Ridgway, it retires to the cedar and -piñon mountains to breed, at that time seldom visiting the river -valley. In the winter it resorts in large flocks to the vicinity of -corrals and barn-yards, where it becomes very tame and familiar. On -the 3d of June he met with the breeding-ground of a colony of these -birds, in a grove of cedars on the side of a cañon, in the mountains, -near Pyramid Lake. Nearly every tree contained a nest, and several had -two or three. Each nest was saddled on a horizontal branch, generally -in a thick tuft of foliage, and well concealed. The majority of these -nests contained young, and when these were disturbed the parents flew -about the heads of the intruders, uttering a soft _chuck_. The maximum -number of eggs or young was six, the usual number four or five. In -notes and manners it seemed to be an exact counterpart of the _C. -ferrugineus_. - -Dr. Suckley found these birds quite abundant at Fort Dalles, but west -of the Cascade Mountains they were quite rare. At Fort Dalles it is a -winter resident, where, in the cold weather, it may frequently be -found in flocks in the vicinity of barn-yards and stables. Dr. Cooper -also obtained specimens of this Grakle at Vancouver, and regards it as -a constant resident on the Columbia River. He saw none at Puget Sound. -In their notes and habits he was not able to trace any difference from -the Rusty Blackbird of the Atlantic States. In winter they kept about -the stables in flocks of fifties or more, and on warm days flew about -among the tree-tops, in company with the Redwings, singing a harsh but -pleasant chorus for hours. - -Dr. Cooper states it to be an abundant species everywhere throughout -California, except in the dense forests, and resident throughout the -year. They frequent pastures and follow cattle in the manner of the -_Molothrus_. They associate with the other Blackbirds, and are fond of -feeding and bathing along the edges of streams. They have not much -song, but the noise made by a large flock, as they sit sunning -themselves in early spring, is said to be quite pleasing. In this -chorus the Redwings frequently assist. At Santa Cruz he found them -more familiar than elsewhere. They frequented the yards about houses -and stables, building in the trees of the gardens, and collecting -daily, after their hunger was satisfied, on the roofs or on -neighboring trees, to sing, for an hour or two, their songs of thanks. -He has seen a pair of these birds pursue and drive away a large hawk -threatening some tame pigeons. - -This species has an extended distribution, having been met with by Mr. -Kennicott as far north as Pembina, and being also abundant as far -south as Northern Mexico. In the Boundary Survey specimens were -procured at Eagle Pass and at Santa Rosalia, where Lieutenant Couch -found them living about the ranches and the cattle-yards. - -Mr. Dresser, on his arrival at Matamoras, in July, noticed these birds -in the streets of that town, in company with the Long-tailed Grakles -_Q. macrurus_ and _Molothrus pecoris_. He was told by the Mexicans -that they breed there, but it was too late to procure their eggs. In -the winter vast flocks frequented the roads near by, as well as the -streets of San Antonio and Eagle Pass. They were as tame as European -Sparrows. Their note, when on the wing, was a low whistle. When -congregated in trees, they kept up an incessant chattering. - -Dr. Coues found them permanent residents of Arizona, and exceedingly -abundant. It was the typical Blackbird of Fort Whipple, though few -probably breed in the immediate vicinity. Towards the end of September -they become very numerous, and remain so until May, after which few -are observed till the fall. They congregate in immense flocks about -the corrals, and are tame and familiar. Their note, he says, is a -harsh, rasping squeak, varied by a melodious, ringing whistle. I am -indebted to this observing ornithologist for the following sketch of -their peculiar characteristics:— - -“Brewer’s Blackbird is resident in Arizona, the most abundant bird of -its family, and one of the most characteristic species of the -Territory. It appears about Fort Whipple in flocks in September; the -numbers are augmented during the following month, and there is little -or no diminution until May, when the flocks disperse to breed. - -“The nest is placed in the fork of a large bush or tree, sometimes at -the height of twenty or thirty feet, and is a bulky structure, not -distantly resembling a miniature Crow’s nest, but it is comparatively -deeper and more compactly built. A great quantity of short, crooked -twigs are brought together and interlaced to form the basement and -outer wall, and with these is matted a variety of softer material, as -weed-stalks, fibrous roots, and dried grasses. A little mud may be -found mixed with the other material, but it is not plastered on in any -quantity, and often seems to be merely what adhered to the roots or -plant-stems that were used. The nest is finished inside with a -quantity of hair. The eggs are altogether different from those of the -_Quiscali_ and _Agelæi_, and resemble those of the Yellow-headed and -Rusty Grakles. They vary in number from four to six, and measure -barely an inch in length by about three fourths as much in breadth. -The ground-color is dull olivaceous-gray, sometimes a paler, clearer -bluish or greenish gray, thickly spattered all over with small spots -of brown, from very dark blackish-brown or chocolate to light umber. -These markings, none of great size, are very irregular in outline, -though probably never becoming line-tracery; and they vary -indefinitely in number, being sometimes so crowded that the egg -appears of an almost uniform brownish color. - -“In this region the Blackbirds play the same part in nature’s economy -that the Yellow-headed Troupial does in some other parts of the West, -and the Cowbird and Purple Grakle in the East. Like others of their -tribe they are very abundant where found at all, and eminently -gregarious, except whilst breeding. Yet I never saw such innumerable -multitudes together as the Redwinged Blackbird, or even its -Californian congener, _A. tricolor_, shows in the fall, flocks of -fifty or a hundred being oftenest seen. Unlike the _Agelæi_, they show -no partiality for swampy places, being lovers of the woods and fields, -and appearing perfectly at home in the clearings about man’s abode, -where their sources of supply are made sure through his bounty or -wastefulness. They are well adapted for terrestrial life by the size -and strength of their feet, and spend much of their time on the -ground, betaking themselves to the trees on alarm. On the ground they -habitually run with nimble steps, when seeking food, only occasionally -hopping leisurely, like a Sparrow, upon both feet at once. Their -movements are generally quick, and their attitudes varied. They run -with the head lowered and tail somewhat elevated and partly spread for -a balance, but in walking slowly the head is held high, and oscillates -with every step. The customary attitude when perching is with the body -nearly erect, the tail hanging loosely down, and the bill pointing -upward; but should their attention be attracted, this negligent -posture is changed, the birds sit low and firmly, with elevated and -wide-spread tail rapidly flirted, whilst the bright eye peers down -through the foliage. When a flock comes down to the ground to search -for food, they generally huddle closely together and pass pretty -quickly along, each one striving to be first, and in their eagerness -they continually fly up and re-alight a few paces ahead, so that the -flock seems, as it were, to be rolling over and over. When disturbed -at such times, they fly in a dense body to a neighboring tree, but -then almost invariably scatter as they settle among the boughs. The -alarm over, one, more adventurous, flies down again, two or three -follow in his wake, and the rest come trooping after. In their -behavior towards man, they exhibited a curious mixture of heedlessness -and timidity; they would ramble about almost at our feet sometimes, -yet the least unusual sound or movement sent them scurrying into the -trees. They became tamest about the stables, where they would walk -almost under the horses’ feet, like Cowbirds in a farm-yard. - -“Their hunger satisfied, the Blackbirds would fly into the pine-trees -and remain a long time motionless, though not at all quiet. They were -at singing-school,’ we used to say, and certainly there was room for -improvement in their chorus; but if their notes were not particularly -harmonious, they were sprightly, varied, and on the whole rather -agreeable, suggesting the joviality that Blackbirds always show when -their stomachs are full, and the prospect of further supply is good. -Their notes are rapid and emphatic, and, like the barking of coyotes, -give an impression of many more performers than are really engaged. -They have a smart chirp, like the clashing of pebbles, frequently -repeated at intervals, varied with a long-drawn mellow whistle. Their -ordinary note, continually uttered when they are searching for food, -is intermediate between the guttural _chuck_ of the Redwing and the -metallic _chink_ of the Reedbird. - -“In the fall, when food is most abundant, they generally grow fat, and -furnish excellent eating. They are tender, like other small birds, and -do not have the rather unpleasant flavor that the Redwing gains by -feeding too long upon the _Zizania_. - -“These are sociable as well as gregarious birds, and allied species -are seen associating with them. At Wilmington, Southern California, -where I found them extremely abundant in November, they were flocking -indiscriminately with the equally plentiful _Agelaius tricolor_.” - -Dr. Heermann found this Blackbird very common in New Mexico and Texas, -though he was probably in error in supposing that all leave there -before the period of incubation. During the fall they frequent the -cattle-yards, where they obtain abundance of food. They were very -familiar, alighting on the house-tops, and apparently having no cause -for fear of man. Unlike all other writers, he speaks of its song as a -soft, clear whistle. When congregated in spring on the trees, they -keep up a continual chattering for hours, as though revelling in an -exuberance of spirits. - -Under the common Spanish name of _Pajaro prieto_, Dr. Berlandier -refers in MSS. to this species. It is said to inhabit the greater part -of Mexico, and especially the Eastern States. It moves in flocks in -company with the other Blackbirds. It is said to construct a well-made -nest about the end of April, of blades of grass, lining it with -horse-hair. The eggs, three or four in number, are much smaller than -those of _Quiscalus macrurus_, obtuse at one end, and slightly pointed -at the other. The ground-color is a pale gray, with a bluish tint, and -although less streaked, bears a great resemblance to those of the -larger Blackbird. - -Dr. Cooper states that these birds nest in low trees, often several in -one tree. He describes the nest as large, constructed externally of a -rough frame of twigs, with a thick layer of mud, lined with fine -rootlets and grasses. The eggs are laid from April 10 to May 20, are -four or five in number, have a dull greenish-white ground, with -numerous streaks and small blotches of dark brown. He gives their -measurement at one inch by .72. They raise two and probably three -broods in a season. - -Four eggs of this species, from Monterey, collected by Dr. Canfield, -have an average measurement of 1.02 inches by .74. Their ground-color -is a pale white with a greenish tinge. They are marked with great -irregularity, with blotches of a light brown, with fewer blotches of a -much darker shade, and a few dots of the same. In one egg the spots -are altogether of the lighter shade, and are so numerous and confluent -as to conceal the ground-color. In the other they are more scattered, -but the lines and marbling of irregularly shaped and narrow zigzag -marking are absent in nearly all the eggs. - -Mr. Lord found this species a rare bird in British Columbia. He saw a -few on Vancouver Island in the yards where cattle were fed, and a -small number frequented the mule-camp on the Sumas prairie. East of -the Cascades he met none except at Colville, where a small flock had -wintered in a settler’s cow-yard. They appeared to have a great liking -for the presence of those animals, arising from their finding more -food and insects there than elsewhere, walking between their legs, and -even perching upon their backs. - -Captain Blakiston found this species breeding on the forks of the -Saskatchewan, June 3, 1858, where he obtained its eggs. - - -GENUS QUISCALUS, VIEILLOT. - - _Quiscalus_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816 (GRAY). (Type, _Gracula - quiscala_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Quiscalus purpureus._ - 2104] - -SP. CHAR. Bill as long as the head, the culmen slightly curved, the -gonys almost straight; the edges of the bill inflected and rounded; -the commissure quite strongly sinuated. Outlines of tarsal scutellæ -well defined on the sides; tail long, boat-shaped, or capable of -folding so that the two sides can almost be brought together upward, -the feathers conspicuously and decidedly graduated, their inner webs -longer than the outer. Color black. - -The excessive graduation of the long tail, with the perfectly black -color, at once distinguishes this genus from any other in the United -States. Two types may be distinguished: one _Quiscalus_, in which the -females are much like the males, although a little smaller and perhaps -with rather less lustre; the other, _Megaquiscalus_, much larger, with -the tail more graduated, the females considerably smaller, and of a -brown or rusty color. The _Quiscali_ are all from North America or the -West Indies (including Trinidad); none having been positively -determined as South American. The _Megaquiscali_ are Mexican and Gulf -species entirely, while a third group, the _Holoquiscali_, is West -Indian. - - -Synopsis of Species and Varieties. - - A. QUISCALUS. Sexes nearly similar in plumage. Color - black; each species glossed with different shades of - bronze, purple, violet, green, etc. Lateral tail-feathers - about .75 the length of central. _Hab._ Eastern United - States. Proportion of wing to tail variable. - - Q. purpureus. _a._ Body uniform brassy-olive without - varying tints. Head and neck steel-blue, more violaceous - anteriorly. - - 1. Length, 13.50; wing, 5.50 to 5.65; tail, 5.70 to - 5.80, its graduation, 1.50; culmen, 1.35 to 1.40. - Vivid blue of the neck all round abruptly defined - against the brassy-olive of the body. _Female._ Wing, - 5.20; tail, 4.85 to 5.10. _Hab._ Interior portions of - North America, from Texas and Louisiana to - Saskatchewan and Hudson’s Bay Territory; New England - States; Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory var. _æneus_. - - _b._ Body variegated with purple, green, and blue tints. - Head and neck violaceous-purple, more blue anteriorly. - - 2. Length, 12.50; wing, 5.60; tail, 5.30, its - graduation, 1.20; culmen, 1.32. Dark purple of neck - all round passing over the breast, and appearing in - patches on the lower parts. Wing and tail purplish; - tail-coverts reddish-purple. _Female._ Wing, 5.10; - tail, 4.50. _Hab._ Atlantic coast of United States - var. _purpureus_. - - 3. Length, 11.75; wing, 4.85 to 5.60; tail, 4.60 to - 5.50, its graduation, .90; culmen, 1.38 to 1.66. Dark - purple of neck sharply defined against the dull - blackish olive-green of the body. Wings and tail - greenish-blue; tail-coverts violet-blue. _Female._ - Wing, 4.65 to 4.90; tail, 3.80 to 4.60. _Hab._ South - Florida; resident var. _agelaius_. - - B. HOLOQUISCALUS. (CASSIN.) Tail shorter than wings; sexes - similar. Color glossy black, but without varying shades of - gloss; nearly uniform in each species. Tail moderately - graduated. _Hab._ West India Islands, almost exclusively; - Mexico and South America. - - Q. baritus. Black, with a soft bluish-violet gloss, - changing on wings and tail into bluish-green. - - _Culmen decidedly curved; base of mandibles on - sides, smooth._ - - 1. Bill robust, commissure sinuated; depth of bill, at - base, .54; culmen, 1.33; wing, 6.15; tail, 5.50, its - graduation, 1.30. _Female._ Wing, 5.20; tail, 4.70; - other measurements in proportion. _Hab._ Jamaica - var. _baritus_.[43] - - 2. Bill slender, commissure scarcely sinuated; depth - of bill, .43; culmen, 1.35; wing, 5.40; tail, 5.10, - its graduation, 1.20. _Female._ Wing, 4.60; tail, - 4.20. _Hab._ Porto Rico var. _brachypterus_.[44] - - _Culmen almost straight; base of mandibles on sides - corrugated._ - - 3. Depth of bill, .51; culmen, 1.44; wing, 6.00; tail, - 5.50, its graduation, 1.50. _Female._ Wing, 5.15; - tail, 4.80. _Hab._ Cuba var. _gundlachi_.[45] - - 4. Depth of bill, .40; culmen, 1.35; wing, 5.00; tail, - 4.50, its graduation, .85. _Hab._ Hayti var. _niger_.[46] - - C. MEGAQUISCALUS. (CASSIN.) Tail longer than wings. Sexes - very unlike. Female much smaller, and very different in - color, being olivaceous-brown, lightest beneath. Male - without varying shades of color; lateral tail-feather - about .60 the middle, or less. - - Q. major. Culmen strongly decurved terminally; bill - robust. _Female_ with back, nape, and crown like the - wings; abdomen much darker than throat. - - _Lustre of the plumage green, passing into violet - anteriorly on head and neck._ - - 1. Length, 15.00; wing, 7.50; tail, 7.70, its - graduation, 2.50; culmen, 1.60. _Female._ Wing, 5.10. - _Hab._ South Atlantic and Gulf coast of United States - var. _major_. - - _Lustre, violet passing into green posteriorly._ - - 2. Length, 14.00; wing, 6.75; tail, 7.20, its - graduation, 2.40; culmen, 1.57. _Female._ Wing, 5.30; - tail, 5.00. _Hab._ Western Mexico. (Mazatlan, Colima, - etc.) var. _palustris_.[47] - - 3. Length, 18.00; wing, 7.70; tail, 9.20, its - graduation, 3.50; culmen, 1.76. _Female._ Wing, 5.80; - tail, 6.30. _Hab._ From Rio Grande of Texas, south - through Eastern Mexico; Mazatlan (accidental?) var. _macrurus_. - - Q. tenuirostris.[48] Culmen scarcely decurved - terminally; bill slender. _Female_ with back, nape, and - crown very different in color from the wings; abdomen as - light as throat. - - 1. _Male._ Lustre purplish-violet, inclining to - steel-blue on wing and upper tail-coverts. Length, - 15.00; wing, 7.00; tail, 8.00, its graduation, 3.00. - _Female._ Crown, nape, and back castaneous-brown; rest - of upper parts brownish-black. A distinct superciliary - stripe, with the whole lower parts as far as flanks - and crissum, deep fulvous-ochraceous, lightest, and - inclining to ochraceous-white, on throat and lower - part of abdomen; flanks and crissum blackish-brown. - Wing, 5.10; tail, 5.35, its graduation, 1.80; culmen, - 1.33; greatest depth of bill, .36. HAB. Mexico - (central?). - - - [43] _Quiscalus baritus_ (LINN.), CASS. Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. - Phila., 1866, p. 405. (_Gracula barita_, LINN. S. N. I, 165, - 1766). _Q. crassirostris_, SWAINSON. - - [44] _Quiscalus brachypterus_, CASS. Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 406. - - [45] _Quiscalus gundlachi_, CASS. Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 406. - - [46] _Quiscalus niger_ (BODDAERT), CASS. Pr. A. N. S. 1866, - 407. (_Oriolus niger_, BODD. Tab. Pl. Enl. p. 31, 1783.) - - None of the continental forms are in the collection, and - therefore their relationship to each other and to the West - Indian species cannot be here given. They are: (1) _Q. - lugubris_, SWAINS. (Cabinet Cyclopædia, p. 299, 1838.—CASS. - Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 408). _Hab._ S. Am., Trinidad. (2) _Q. - mexicanus_, CASS. (Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 408). _Hab._ Mexico. - Besides these are the two following, whose habitats are - unknown: _Q. inflexirostris_, SWAINS. (Cab. Cyc. p. 300, - 1838), and _Q. rectirostris_, CASS. (Pr. A. N. S. 1866, - 409). - - [47] _Quiscalus palustris_ (SWAINS.), CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S., - Phila., 1866, p. 411. (_Scaphidurus pal._, SWAINS. Phil. - Mag. 1827, 437). - - [48] _Quiscalus tenuirostris_, SWAINS. Cabinet Cyclopædia, - 1838, p. 299.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 411. The _Q. - assimilis_, SCL. Cat. Am. B. 1862, 141, from Bogota, and _Q. - peruvianus_, SWAINS. Cab. Cyc. 1838, 354, of Peru, are not - in the collection; they are probably referrible to the - _major_ type. - - -Quiscalus purpureus, BARTR. - -THE CROW BLACKBIRD. - - [Illustration: Quiscalus purpureus.] - -SP. CHAR. Bill above, about as long as the head, more than twice -as high; the commissure moderately sinuated and considerably -decurved at tip. Tail a little shorter than the wing, much -graduated, the lateral feathers .90 to 1.50 inches shorter. Third -quill longest; first between fourth and fifth. Color black, -variously glossed with metallic reflections of bronze, purple, -violet, blue, and green. _Female_ similar, but smaller and -duller, with perhaps more green on the head. Length, 13.00; wing, -6.00; bill above, 1.25. - -_Hab._ From Atlantic to the high Central Plains. - -Of the Crow Blackbird of the United States, three well-marked -races are now distinguished in the species: one, the common form -of the Atlantic States; another occurring in the Mississippi -Valley, the British Possessions, and the New England States, and -a third on the Peninsula of Florida. The comparative diagnoses of -the three will be found on page 809. - - -Var. purpureus, BARTRAM. - -PURPLE GRAKLE. - - _Gracula quiscala_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (ed. 10,) 1758, 109 - (_Monedula purpurea_, Cal.); I, (ed. 12,) 1766, - 165.—GMELIN, I, 1788, 397.—LATHAM, Ind. I, 1790, - 191.—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 44, pl. xxi, f. 4. - _Chalcophanes quiscalus_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827 - (_Gracula_).—CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 196. _? ? Oriolus - ludovicianus_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 387; albino - var. _? ? Oriolus niger_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 393. - _? Gracula purpurea_, BARTRAM, Travels, 1791, 290. - _Quiscalus versicolor_, VIEILLOT, Analyse? 1816.—IB. - Nouv. Dict. XXVIII, 1819, 488.—IB. Gal. Ois. I, 171, pl. - cviii.—BON. Obs. Wils. 1824, No. 45.—IB. Am. Orn. I, - 1825, 45, pl. v.—IB. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1840, - 424.—SW. F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 485.—NUTTALL, Man. I, - 1832, 194.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 35; V, 1838, 481 (not - the pl. vii.).—IB. Syn. 1839, 146.—IB. Birds Am. IV, - 1842, 58 (not the pl. ccxxi.).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 575. _Gracula barita_, ORD., J. A. N. Sc. I, 1818, 253. - “_Quiscalus purpureus_, LICHT.”—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc., - 1866, 403.—RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. 1869, 133.—ALLEN, B. E. - Fla. 291 (in part). _Quiscalus nitens_, LICHT. Verz. 1823, - No. 164. _Quiscalus purpuratus_, SWAINSON, Anim. in Menag. - 1838, No. 55. _Purple Grakle_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II. - -SP. CHAR. Length about 12.50; wing, 5.50; tail, 4.92; culmen, 1.24; -tarsus, 1.28. Second quill longest, hardly perceptibly (only .07 of an -inch) longer than the first and third, which are equal; projection of -primaries beyond secondaries, 1.56; graduation of tail, .92. General -appearance glossy black; whole plumage, however, brightly glossed with -reddish-violet, bronzed purple, steel-blue, and green; the head and -neck with purple prevailing, this being in some individuals more -bluish, in others more reddish; where most blue this is purest -anteriorly, becoming more violet on the neck. On other portions of the -body the blue and violet forming an iridescent zone on each feather, -the blue first, the violet terminal; sometimes the head is similarly -marked. On the abdomen the blue generally predominates, on the rump -the violet; wings and tail black, with violet reflection, more bluish -on the latter; the wing-coverts frequently tipped with steel-blue or -violet. Bill, tarsi, and toes pure black; iris sulphur-yellow. - -HAB. Atlantic States, north to Nova Scotia, west to the Alleghanies. - - [Illustration: Var. _purpureus_.] - -This form is more liable to variation than any other, the arrangement -of the metallic tints varying with the individual; there is never, -however, an approach to the sharp definition and symmetrical pattern -of coloration characteristic of the western race. - -The female is a little less brilliant than the male, and slightly -smaller. The young is entirely uniform slaty-brown, without gloss. - -An extreme example of this race (22,526, Washington, D. C.?) is almost -wholly of a continuous rich purple, interrupted only on the -interscapulars, where, anteriorly, the purple is overlaid by bright -green, the feathers with terminal transverse bars of bluish. On the -lower parts are scattered areas of a more bluish tint. The purple is -richest and of a reddish cast on the neck, passing gradually into a -bluish tint toward the bill; on the rump and breast the purple has a -somewhat bronzy appearance. - -HABITS. The common Crow Blackbird of the eastern United States -exhibits three well-marked and permanently varying forms, which we -present as races. Yet these variations are so well marked and so -constant that they almost claim the right to be treated as -specifically distinct. We shall consider them by themselves. They are -the Purple Grakle, or common Crow Blackbird, _Quiscalus purpureus_; -the Bronzed Grakle, _Q. æneus_; and the Florida Grakle, _Q. aglæus_. - -The first of these, the well-known Crow Blackbird of the Atlantic -States, so far as we are now informed, has an area extending from -Northern Florida on the south to Maine, and from the Atlantic to the -Alleghanies. Mr. Allen states that the second form is the typical form -of New England, but my observations do not confirm his statement. Both -the eastern and the western forms occur in Massachusetts, but the -_purpureus_ alone seems to be a summer resident, the _æneus_ occurring -only _in transitu_, and, so far as I am now aware, chiefly in the -fall. - -The Crow Blackbirds visit Massachusetts early in March and remain -until the latter part of September, those that are summer residents -generally departing before October. They are not abundant in the -eastern part of the State, and breed in small communities or by -solitary pairs. - -In the Central States, especially in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, they -are much more abundant, and render themselves conspicuous and dreaded -by the farmers through the extent of their depredations on the crops. -The evil deeds of all birds are ever much more noticed and dwelt upon -than their beneficial acts. So it is, to an eminent degree, with the -Crow Blackbird. Very few seem aware of the vast amount of benefit it -confers on the farmer, but all know full well—and are bitterly -prejudiced by the knowledge—the extent of the damages this bird -causes. - -They return to Pennsylvania about the middle of March, in large, loose -flocks, at that time frequenting the meadows and ploughed fields, and -their food then consists almost wholly of grubs, worms, etc., of which -they destroy prodigious numbers. In view of these services, and -notwithstanding the havoc they commit on the crops of Indian corn, -Wilson states that he should hesitate whether to consider these birds -most as friends or as enemies, as they are particularly destructive to -almost all the noxious worms, grubs, and caterpillars that infest the -farmer’s fields, which, were they to be allowed to multiply -unmolested, would soon consume nine tenths of all the productions of -his labor, and desolate the country with the miseries of famine. - -The depredations committed by these birds are almost wholly upon -Indian corn, at different stages. As soon as its blades appear above -the ground, after it has been planted, these birds descend upon the -fields, pull up the tender plant, and devour the seeds, scattering the -green blades around. It is of little use to attempt to drive them away -with the gun. They only fly from one part of the field to another. And -again, as soon as the tender corn has formed, these flocks, now -replenished by the young of the year, once more swarm in the -cornfields, tear off the husks, and devour the tender grains. Wilson -has seen fields of corn in which more than half the corn was thus -ruined. - -These birds winter in immense numbers in the lower parts of Virginia, -North and South Carolina, and Georgia, sometimes forming one -congregated multitude of several hundred thousands. On one occasion -Wilson met, on the banks of the Roanoke, on the 20th of January, one -of these prodigious armies of Crow Blackbirds. They rose, he states, -from the surrounding fields with a noise like thunder, and, descending -on the length of the road before him, they covered it and the fences -completely with black. When they again rose, and after a few -evolutions descended on the skirts of the high timbered woods, they -produced a most singular and striking effect. Whole trees, for a -considerable extent, from the top to the lowest branches, seemed as if -hung with mourning. Their notes and screaming, he adds, seemed all the -while like the distant sounds of a great cataract, but in a more -musical cadence. - -A writer in the American Naturalist (II. 326), residing in Newark, N. -Y., notes the advent of a large number of these birds to his village. -Two built their nest inside the spire of a church. Another pair took -possession of a martin-house in the narrator’s garden, forcibly -expelling the rightful owners. These same birds also attempted to -plunder the newly constructed nests of the Robins of their materials. -They were, however, successfully resisted, the Robins driving the -Blackbirds away in all cases of contest. - -The Crow Blackbird nests in various situations, sometimes in low -bushes, more frequently in trees, and at various heights. A pair, for -several years, had their nest on the top of a high fir-tree, some -sixty feet from the ground, standing a few feet from my front door. -Though narrowly watched by unfriendly eyes, no one could detect them -in any mischief. Not a spear of corn was molested, and their food was -exclusively insects, for which they diligently searched, turning over -chips, pieces of wood, and loose stones. Their nests are large, -coarsely but strongly made of twigs and dry plants, interwoven with -strong stems of grasses. When the Fish Hawks build in their -neighborhood, Wilson states that it is a frequent occurrence for the -Grakles to place their nests in the interstices of those of the -former. Sometimes several pairs make use of the same Hawk’s nest at -the same time, living in singular amity with its owner. Mr. Audubon -speaks of finding these birds generally breeding in the hollows of -trees. I have never met with their nests in these situations, but Mr. -William Brewster says he has found them nesting in this manner in the -northern part of Maine. Both, however, probably refer to the var. -_æneus_. - -The eggs of the Grakle exhibit great variations in their ground-color, -varying from a light greenish-white to a deep rusty-brown. The former -is the more common color. The eggs are marked with large dashes and -broad, irregular streaks of black and dark brown, often presenting a -singular grotesqueness in their shapes. Eggs with a deep brown ground -are usually marked chiefly about the larger end with confluent, cloudy -blotches of deeper shades of the same. The eggs measure 1.25 inches by -.90. - - -Var. æneus, RIDGWAY. - -BRONZED GRAKLE. - - _Quiscalus versicolor_, AUD. Orn. Biog. pl. vii; Birds Am. IV, pl. - ccxxi (figure, but not description).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 555 (western specimens).—SAMUELS, 352. _Quiscalus æneus_, - RIDGWAY, Pr. Phil. Acad., June, 1869. 134. - - [Illustration: Var. _æneus_.] - -SP. CHAR. Length, 12.50 to 13.50; wing, 6.00; tail, 6.00; culmen, -1.26; tarsus, 1.32. Third and fourth quills longest and equal; first -shorter than fifth; projection of primaries beyond secondaries, 1.28; -graduation of tail, 1.48. - -Metallic tints rich, deep, and uniform. Head and neck all round rich -silky steel-blue, this strictly confined to these portions, and -abruptly defined behind, varying in shade from an intense Prussian -blue to brassy-greenish, the latter tint always, when present, most -apparent on the neck, the head always more violaceous; lores -velvety-black. Entire body, above and below, uniform continuous -metallic brassy-olive, varying to burnished golden olivaceous-bronze, -becoming gradually uniform metallic purplish or reddish violet on -wings and tail, the last more purplish; primaries violet-black; bill, -tarsi, and toes pure black; iris sulphur-yellow. - -HAB. Mississippi region of United States, east to Alleghany Mountains, -west to Fort Bridger; Saskatchewan Region, Hudson’s Bay Territory; -Labrador? and Maine (52,382, Calais, Me., G. A. Boardman). More or -less abundant in all eastern States north of New Jersey. - -This species may be readily distinguished from the _Q. purpureus_ by -the color alone, independently of the differences of proportions. - -The impression received from a casual notice of a specimen of the _Q. -purpureus_ is that of a uniformly glossy black bird, the metallic -tints being much broken or irregularly distributed, being frequently, -or generally, arranged in successive bands on the feathers over the -whole body, producing a peculiar iridescent effect. In the _Q. æneus_ -nothing of this character is seen; for, among a very large series of -western specimens, not one has the body other than continuous bronze, -the head and neck alone being green or blue, and this sharply and -abruptly defined against the very different tint of the other -portions. These colors, of course, have their extremes of variation, -but the change is only in the shade of the metallic tints, the precise -pattern being strictly retained. In the present species the colors are -more vivid and silky than in the eastern, and the bird is, in fact, a -much handsomer one. (Ridgway.) - -Just after moulting, the plumage is unusually brilliant, the metallic -tints being much more vivid. - -HABITS. The Bronzed Blackbird has been so recently separated from the -_purpureus_ that we cannot give, with exactness or certainty, the area -over which it is distributed. It is supposed to occupy the country -west of the Alleghanies as far to the southwest as the Rio Grande and -Fort Bridger, extending to the Missouri plains on the northwest, to -the Saskatchewan in the north, and to Maine and Nova Scotia on the -northeast. Subsequent explorations may somewhat modify this supposed -area of distribution. It is at least known that this form occurs in -Texas, in all the States immediately west of the Alleghanies, and in -the New England States, as well as the vicinity of New York City. - -In regard to its habits, as differing from those of _purpureus_, we -are without any observations sufficiently distinctive to be of value. -It reaches Calais about the first of April, and is a common summer -visitant. - -In the fall of 1869, about the 10th of October, several weeks after -the _Quiscali_ which had been spending the summer with us had -disappeared, an unusually large number of these birds, in the bronzed -plumage, made their appearance in the place; they seemed to come all -together, but kept in smaller companies. One of these flocks spent the -day, which was lowering and unpleasant, but not rainy, in my orchard. -They kept closely to the ground, and seemed to be busily engaged in -searching for insects. They had a single call-note, not loud, and -seemingly one of uneasiness and watchfulness against danger. Yet they -were not shy, and permitted a close approach. They remained but a day, -and all were gone the following morning. On the day after their -departure, we found that quite a number of apples had been bitten -into. We had no doubt as to the culprits, though no one saw them in -the act. - -Audubon’s observations relative to the Crow Blackbird are chiefly made -with reference to those seen in Louisiana, where this race is probably -the only one found. The only noticeable peculiarity in his account of -these birds is his statement that the Blackbirds of that State nest in -hollow trees, a manner of breeding now known to be also occasional in -the habits of the _purpureus_. The eggs of this form appear to exhibit -apparently even greater variations than do those of the _purpureus_. -One egg, measuring 1.10 inches by .85, has a bright bluish-green -ground, plashed and spotted with deep brown markings. Another has a -dull gray ground, sparingly marked with light brown; the measurement -of this is 1.13 inches by .85. A third has a greenish-white ground, so -profusely spotted with a russet-brown that the ground-color is hardly -perceptible. It is larger and more nearly spherical, measuring 1.16 -inches by .90. A fourth is so entirely covered with blotches, dots, -and cloudings of dark cinnamon-brown that the ground can nowhere be -traced. - -Mr. Gideon Lincecum, of Long Point, Texas, writes, in regard to this -species, that, in his neighborhood, they nest in rookeries, often on a -large live oak. They build their nests on the top of large limbs. In -favorable situations four or five nests can be looked into at once. -They are at this time full of song, though never very melodious. The -people of Texas shoot them, believing them to be injurious to their -crops; but instead of being an injury they are an advantage, they -destroy so many worms, grasshoppers, caterpillars, etc. They are -migratory, and very gregarious. They all leave Texas in the winter, -and the same birds return in the spring to the same nesting-places. -They lay five eggs in a nest. - -In Southern Illinois, as Mr. Ridgway informs me, these birds are -resident throughout the year, though rather rare during the winter -months. They breed in the greatest abundance, and are very gregarious -in the breeding-season. On a single small island in the Wabash River, -covered with tall willows, Mr. Ridgway found over seventy nests at one -time. These were placed indifferently on horizontal boughs, in forks, -or in excavations,—either natural or made by the large Woodpeckers -(_Hylotomus_),—nests in all these situations being sometimes found in -one tree. They prefer the large elms, cottonwoods, and sycamores of -the river-bottoms as trees for nesting-places, but select rather -thinly wooded situations, as old clearings, etc. In the vicinity of -Calais, according to Mr. Boardman, they nest habitually in hollow -stubs in marshy borders of brooks or ponds. - - -Var. aglæus, BAIRD. - -FLORIDA GRAKLE. - - _Quiscalus baritus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 556, pl. xxxii (not - of _Linn._). _Quiscalus aglæus_, BAIRD, Am. Jour. Sci. 1866, - 84.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 44.—RIDGWAY, Pr. A. N. S. - 1869, 135. _Q. purpureus_, ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 291. - - [Illustration: Var. _aglæus_.] - -SP. CHAR. Length, 10.60; wing, 5.20; tail, 5.12; culmen, 1.40; tarsus, -1.40. Second and third quills equal and longest; first shorter than -fourth; projection of primaries beyond secondaries, 1.12; graduation -of tail, 1.00. - -Bill very slender and elongated, the tip of upper mandible abruptly -decurved; commissure very regular. - -Metallic tints very dark. Head and neck all round well defined -violaceous steel-blue, the head most bluish, the neck more purplish -and with a bronzy cast in front; body uniform soft, dull, bronzy -greenish-black, scarcely lustrous; wings, upper tail-coverts, and tail -blackish steel-blue, the wing-coverts tipped with vivid violet-bronze; -belly and crissum glossed with blue. - -HAB. South Florida. - -This race is quite well marked, though it grades insensibly into the -var. _purpureus_. It differs from both that and _æneus_ in much -smaller size, with more slender and more decurved bill. - -The arrangement of the colors is much as in the larger western -species, while the tints are most like those of the eastern. All the -colors are, however, darker, but at the same time softer than in -either of the others. - -In form this species approaches nearest the western, agreeing with it -in the primaries, slender bill, and more graduated tail, and, indeed, -its relations in every respect appear to be with this rather than the -eastern. - -This race was first described from specimens collected at Key Biscayne -by Mr. Wurdemann, in April, 1857, and in 1858, and is the smallest of -the genus within our limits. The wing and tail each are about an inch -shorter than in the other varieties of _purpureus_. The bill, however, -is much longer and more slender, and the tip considerably more -produced and decurved. The feet are stouter and much coarser, the pads -of the toes very scabrous, as if to assist in holding slippery -substances, a feature scarcely seen in _purpureus_.[49] - -HABITS. This race or species seems to be confined exclusively to the -peninsula of Florida. We have no notes as to any of its peculiarities, -nor do we know that it exhibits any differences of manners or habits -from those of its more northern relatives. - -Of its eggs I have seen but few specimens. These do not exhibit much -variation. The ground-color shades from a light drab to one with a -greenish tinge. They average 1.17 inches in length by .85 in breadth, -are more oblong in shape, and are very strikingly marked with -characters in black and dark brown, resembling Arabic and Turkish -letters. - - - [49] A series of twenty-nine specimens of _Q. purpureus_ from - Florida, has been kindly furnished for examination by Mr. C. J. - Maynard, chiefly from the northern and middle portions of the - State, and consequently intermediate between the varieties - _aglæus_ and _purpureus_. In color, however, they are nearly all - essentially, most of them typically, like the former; but in size - and proportions they scarcely differ from more northern specimens - of the latter. Their common and nearly constant features of - coloration are, uniform soft dark greenish body, with blue tinge - on belly, and bluish-green tail-coverts and tail, violet head, - more blue anteriorly and more bronzy on the foreneck, and with - this color abruptly defined posteriorly against the peculiar - uniform blackish dull green of the body; the wing-coverts usually - tipped with vivid violet and green spots. One male is a typical - example of the var. _purpureus_, distinguished by the blending of - the similar metallic tints on the body and head, the broken tints - on the body arranged in transverse bars on the back, more purple - tail-coverts, and lack of the vivid metallic tips to the - wing-coverts. There are also four nearly typical specimens of the - var. _aglæus_, these probably from farther south on the - peninsula, but with the characteristics of the race less - exaggerated than in the types from the keys. The measurements of - this series are as follows:— - - Var. _purpureus_ (one specimen). ♂. Wing, 5.30; tail, 4.65; - culmen, 1.38. - - Intermediate specimens. Typical _aglæus_ in colors, but like - _purpureus_ in size. (16 males, and 17 females). ♂. Wing, 4.85 to - 5.50; tail, 4.60 to 5.50; culmen, 1.25 to 1.50. ♀. Wing, 4.65 to - 4.90; tail, 3.80 to 4.50; culmen, 1.10 to 1.30. - - Var. _aglæus_ (four specimens). ♂. Wing, 5.30 to 5.60; tail, 5.00 - to 5.30; culmen, 1.38 to 1.40. - - -Quiscalus major, VIEILL. - -BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE; JACKDAW. - - _Gracula barita_, WILSON, Index Am. Orn. VI, 1812 (not of LINNÆUS). - _Gracula quiscala_, ORD. J. A. N. Sc. I, 1818, 253 (not of - LINNÆUS). _Quiscalus major_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XXVIII, - 1819, 487.—BON. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 35, pl. iv.—IB. List, - 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 424.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 504; V, - 1838, 480, pl. clxxxvii, IB. Syn. 1839, 146.—IB. Birds Am. IV, - 1842, 52, pl. ccxx.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 555.—CASSIN, - Pr. A. N. S. 1867, 409.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 295.—COUES, Ibis, - N. S. IV, No. 23, 1870, 367 (Biography). _Chalcophanes major_, - “TEMM.” CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 196. - -SP. CHAR. (1,563.) Form rather lengthened, but robust; bill strong, -about the length of head; wing rather long, second and third quills -usually longest, though the first four quills are frequently nearly -equal; tail long, graduated; lateral feathers about 2.50 inches -shorter than the central; legs and feet strong. - -_Adult male._ Black; head and neck with a fine purple lustre, rather -abruptly defined on the lower part of the neck behind, and succeeded -by a fine green lustre which passes into a purple or steel-blue on the -lower back and upper tail-coverts. On the under parts the purple -lustre of the head and neck passes more gradually into green on the -abdomen; under tail-coverts usually purplish-blue, frequently plain -black. Smaller wing-coverts with green lustre; larger coverts -greenish-bronze; quills frequently plain black, with a greenish or -bronzed edging and slight lustre. Tail usually with a slight bluish or -greenish lustre, frequently plain black. Bill and feet black. Iris -yellow. Total length about 15 inches; wing, 7.00; tail, 6.50 to 7.00. - - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXVI. - 1. Quiscalus macrourus. ♂ Texas, 3948. - 2. ” ” ♀ Texas, 3949. - 3. ” major. ♀ S. Car., 39005. - 4. ” ” ♂ S. Car., 39003.] - -_Adult female._ Smaller. Upper parts dark brown, lighter on the head -and neck behind; darker and nearly a dull black on the lower part of -the back and upper tail-coverts; under parts lighter, dull -yellowish-brown; tibiæ and under tail-coverts darker; wings and tail -dull brownish-black; upper parts frequently with a slight greenish -lustre. Total length, about 12.50; wing, 5.50 to 6.00; tail, 5.50. -(CASSIN.) - -HAB. Coast region of South Atlantic and Gulf States of North America. -Galveston and Houston, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 494). - -HABITS. The Boat-tailed Grakle, or Jackdaw, of the Southern States, is -found in all the maritime portions of the States that border both on -the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, from North Carolina to Rio -Grande. In Western Texas it does not seem to be abundant. Lieutenant -Couch met with only a single specimen at Brownsville, in company with -_Q. macrurus_. Mr. Dresser, when at Houston and at Galveston in May -and June, 1864, noticed several of these birds. Mr. Salvin mentions -finding them as far south as the Keys of the Belize coast. - -We learn from the observations of Mr. Audubon that this species is -more particularly attached to the maritime portions of the country. It -rarely goes farther inland than forty or fifty miles, following the -marshy banks of the larger streams. It occurs in great abundance in -the lower portions of Louisiana, though not found so high up the -Mississippi as Natchez. It also abounds in the Sea Islands on the -coast of the Carolinas, and in the lowlands of South Carolina, -Georgia, and Florida. - -Dr. Coues states that this species hardly occurs in any abundance -north of the Carolinas, and that it is restricted to a narrow belt -along the coast of the ocean and gulf, from North Carolina throughout -our entire shore to Mexico. He supposed it to stop there, and to be -replaced by the _macrurus_. Though the larger proportion of these -birds pass beyond our southern boundaries to spend the winter, a few, -chiefly old males, are resident in North Carolina throughout the year. -In the spring the females are the first to appear. Just before the -mating has taken place, the flocks of these birds are said to execute -sudden and unaccountable evolutions, as if guided by some single -commanding spirit; now hovering uncertain, then dashing impulsive, now -veering in an instant, and at last taking a long, steady flight -towards some distant point. During this period, Dr. Coues further -informs us, their voices crack, and they utter a curious medley of -notes from bass to falsetto, a jingling, unmusical jargon that is -indescribable. - -The laying-season is said to be at its height during the latter part -of April. He found in no instance more than six eggs in a nest, nor -less than three. He thinks that they have two, and perhaps three, -broods in a season, as he found it not uncommon to meet with newly -fledged birds in September. - -These birds are eminently gregarious at all seasons of the year, and -at certain seasons assemble in large flocks. They are omnivorous, -eating both insects and grain, and are alternately benefactors and -plunderers of the planters. In the early season they seek their food -among the large salt marshes of the seaboard, and along the muddy -banks of creeks and rivers. They do great damage to the rice -plantations, both when the grain is in the soft state and afterwards -when the ripened grain is stacked. They also feed very largely upon -the small crabs called fiddlers, so common in all the mud flats, -earthworms, various insects, shrimps, and other aquatic forms of the -like character. - -A few of these birds are resident throughout the year, though the -greater part retire farther south during a portion of the winter. They -return in February, in full plumage, when they mate. They resort, by -pairs and in companies, to certain favorite breeding-places, where -they begin to construct their nests. They do not, however, even in -Florida, begin to breed before April. They build a large and clumsy -nest, made of very coarse and miscellaneous materials, chiefly sticks -and fragments of dry weeds, sedges, and strips of bark, lined with -finer stems, fibrous roots, and grasses, and have from three to five -eggs. - -It is a very singular but well-established characteristic of this -species, that no sooner is their nest completed and incubation -commenced than the male birds all desert their mates, and, joining one -another in flocks, keep apart from the females, feeding by themselves, -until they are joined by the young birds and their mothers in the -fall. - -These facts and this trait of character in this species have been -fully confirmed by the observations of Dr. Bachman of Charleston. In -1832 he visited a breeding-locality of these birds. On a single Smilax -bush he found more than thirty nests of the Grakles, from three to -five feet apart, some of them not more than fifteen inches above the -water, and only females were seen about the nests, no males making -their appearance. Dr. Bachman also visited colonies of these nests -placed upon live-oak trees thirty or forty feet from the ground, and -carefully watched the manners of the old birds, but has never found -any males in the vicinity of their nests after the eggs had been laid. -They always keep at a distance, feeding in flocks in the marshes, -leaving the females to take charge of their nests and young. They have -but one brood in a season. - -As these birds fly, in loose flocks, they continually utter a peculiar -cry, which Mr. Audubon states resembles or may be represented by -_kirrick, crick, crick_. Their usual notes are harsh, resembling loud, -shrill whistles, and are frequently accompanied with their ordinary -cry of _crick-crick-cree_. In the love-season these notes are said to -be more pleasing, and are changed into sounds which Audubon states -resemble _tirit, tirit, titiri-titiri-titirēē_, rising from low to -high with great regularity and emphasis. The cry of the young bird, -when just able to fly, he compares to the whistling cry of some kind -of frogs. - -The males are charged by Mr. Audubon with attacking birds of other -species, driving them from their nests and sucking their eggs. - -Dr. Bryant, who found this species the most common bird in the -neighborhood of Lake Monroe, adds that it could be seen at all times -running along the edge of the water, almost in the manner of a -Sandpiper. They were breeding by hundreds in the reeds near the inlet -to the lake. On the 6th of April some of the birds had not commenced -laying, though the majority had hatched, and the young of others were -almost fledged. - -The eggs of this species measure 1.25 inches in length by .92 in -breadth. Their ground-color is usually a brownish-drab, in some tinged -with olive, in others with green. Over this are distributed various -markings, in lines, zigzags, and irregular blotches of brown and black. - - -Quiscalus major, var. macrurus, SW. - -GREAT-TAILED GRAKLE. - - _Quiscalus macrourus_, SWAINSON, Anim. in Menag. 2¼ centen. 1838, - 299, fig. 51, a.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, pl. lviii.—IB. - Mex. B. II, Birds, 20, pl. xx.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1867, 410. - _Chalcophanes macrurus_, CAB. Mus. Hein. 1851, 196. - -SP. CHAR. (The largest species of this genus.) Form lengthened but -robust, bill strong, longer than the head; wing long, third quill -usually longest; tail long, graduated, outer feathers three to five -inches shorter than those in the middle; legs and feet strong. - -_Adult male._ Black; head, neck, back, and entire under parts with a -fine bluish-purple lustre; lower part of back and the upper -tail-coverts, and also the abdomen and under tail-coverts, frequently -with green lustre, though in specimens apparently not fully adult -those parts are sometimes bluish-brown, inclining to dark steel-blue. -Wings and tail with a slight purplish lustre, smaller coverts with -bluish-green, and larger coverts with greenish-bronze lustre. Bill and -feet black. Iris yellow. Total length, 17.50 to 20.00; wing, about -8.00; tail, 8.00 to 10.50. - -_Female._ Smaller, and generally resembling that of _Q. major_, but -rather darker colored above. Entire upper parts dark brown, nearly -black, and with a green lustre on the back; wings and tail dull -brownish-black. Under parts light, dull yellowish-brown; paler on the -throat, and with a trace of a narrow dark line from each side of the -lower mandible. Tibiæ and under tail-coverts dark brown. Total length -about 13.00; wing, 6.00; tail, 6.50. (CASSIN.) - -HAB. Eastern Texas to Panama and Carthagena. Cordova (SCL. 1856, 300); -Guatemala (SCL. Ibis. I, 20, eggs); Honduras (SCL. II, 112); -Carthagena, N. 9 (CASS. R. A. S., 1860, 138); Costa Rica (CABAN. -Journ. IX, 1861, 82; LAWR. IV, 104); Nicaragua (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, -181); Rio Grande of Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 493, breeds); Vera -Cruz (from hot to alpine regions; resident. SUMICHRAST, M. B. S. I, -553). - -HABITS. The Great-tailed or Central American Grakle is an abundant -species throughout Mexico and Central America, and probably extends to -some distance into South America. In Vera Cruz, Sumichrast states it -to be one of the few birds that are found in nearly equal abundance -throughout the three regions, hot, temperate, and alpine, into which -that department is physically divided. It is abundant everywhere -throughout that State, and also nests there. In the neighborhood of -Cordova and Orizaba it lives in large communities, a single tree being -often loaded with the nests. - -On the Rio Grande it extends into Texas, and thus qualifies itself for -a place within our fauna. A few specimens were procured at Eagle Pass -and elsewhere by the Mexican Boundary Survey party. It is more -abundant on the western banks of the Rio Grande, especially at -Matamoras. Among the MS. notes left by Dr. Kennerly is a part of the -memoranda of the late Dr. Berlandier of that place. Under the name of -_Pica elegans_ the latter refers to what is evidently this species. He -describes it as found in all parts of the Republic of Mexico, where it -is known as _Uraca_, _Pajaro negro_, and, in Acapulco, _Papate_. It is -found, he adds, abundantly throughout the State of Tamaulipas. It -lives upon grain, especially corn, devouring the planted seeds and -destroying the crops. It builds its nest in April, laying its eggs in -the same month, and the young birds are hatched out by the beginning -of May. The nests are large, the edges high, and the cavity -correspondingly deep. They are constructed of dry plants and small -bits of cloth, which the birds find about the settlements, and the -bottom of the nest is plastered with clay, which gives it great -firmness. This is covered with grasses and pieces of dry weeds. The -eggs are described as large, of a pale leaden-gray or a rusty color, -over which are black marks, stripes, lines, and spots without order or -regularity. They are generally four in number. The nests are built on -the tops of the highest trees, usually the willows or mesquites. - -Mr. G. C. Taylor, in his notes on the birds of Honduras, states that -he found this Blackbird common, and always to be met with about the -villages. It appeared to be polygamous, the males being generally -attended by several females. A fine male bird, with his accompanying -females, frequented the court-yard of the Railroad House at Comayagua, -where Mr. Taylor was staying. They generally sat on the roof of the -house, or among the upper branches of some orange-trees that grew in -the yard. They had a very peculiar cry, not unlike the noise produced -by the sharpening of a saw, but more prolonged. - -Mr. Salvin found the bird very abundant in Central America. In one of -his papers relative to the birds of that region, he states that this -species, in Guatemala, plays the part of the European House Sparrow. -It seeks the abode of man, as does that familiar bird, and is -generally found frequenting larger towns as well as villages. Stables -are its favorite places of resort, where it scratches for its food -among the ordure of the horses. It will even perch on the backs of -these animals and rid them of their ticks, occasionally picking up -stray grains of corn from their mangers. At Duenas he found it -breeding in large societies, usually selecting the willows that grow -near the lake and the reeds on the banks for its nest. The breeding -season extends over some length of time. In May, young birds and fresh -eggs may be found in nests in the same trees. On the coast, young -birds, nearly capable of flying, were seen in the early part of March. -Mr. Salvin adds that the nests are usually made of grass, and placed -among upright branches, the grass being intwined around each twig, to -support the structure. The eggs in that region were seldom found to -exceed three in number. - -Mr. Dresser found the Long-tailed Grakles very common at Matamoras, -where they frequented the streets and yards with no signs of fear. -They were breeding there in great quantities, building a heavy nest of -sticks, lined with roots and grass. They were fond of building in -company, and in the yard of the hotel he counted seven nests in one -tree. At Eagle Pass, and as far east as the Nueces River, he found -them not uncommon, but noticed none farther in the interior of Texas. -Their usual note is a loud and not unmelodious whistle. They have also -a very peculiar guttural note, which he compares to the sound caused -by drawing a stick sharply across the quills of a dried goose-wing. - -Captain McCown states that he observed these Blackbirds building in -large communities at Fort Brown, Texas. Upon a tree standing near the -centre of the parade-ground at that fort, a pair of the birds had -built their nest. Just before the young were able to fly, one of them -fell to the ground. A boy about ten years old discovered and seized -the bird, which resisted stoutly, and uttered loud cries. These soon -brought to its rescue a legion of old birds, which vigorously attacked -the boy, till he was glad to drop the bird and take to flight. Captain -McCown then went and picked up the young bird, when they turned their -fury upon him, passing close to his head and uttering their sharp caw. -He placed it upon a tree, and there left it, to the evident -satisfaction of his assailants. These birds, he adds, have a peculiar -cry, something like tearing the dry husk from an ear of corn. From -this the soldiers called them corn-huskers. He often saw other and -smaller birds building in the same tree. They were very familiar, and -would frequently approach to within ten feet of a person. - -The eggs measure 1.32 inches in length by .92 of an inch in breadth, -and exhibit great variations both in ground-color and in the style and -character of their marking. In some the ground-color is of a light -grayish-white with a slight tinge of green or blue; in others it is of -a light drab, and again many have a deep brownish-drab. The markings -are principally of a dark brown, hardly distinguishable from black, -distributed in the shape of drops, or broad irregular narrow plashes, -or in waving zigzag lines and markings. Intermingled with these deeper -and bolder markings are suffused cloud-like colorations of -purplish-brown. - - - - -FAMILY STURNIDÆ.—THE STARLINGS. - - -CHAR. General characters of the _Icteridæ_, but with a rudimentary -first primary, making the total number ten. - -The introduction of this family into the present work is required by -the occurrence of the typical species, _Sturnus vulgaris_, in -Greenland, although it otherwise characterizes the Old World -exclusively. There are several subfamilies, principally African and -East Indian (_Lamprotornithinæ_, _Buphaginæ_, _Sturninæ_, and -_Graculinæ_), some of them of very brilliant plumage. - -The _Sturnidæ_ in many respects constitute a natural stage of -transition from the _Icteridæ_ to the _Corvidæ_, through the Jays. - - -GENUS STURNUS, LINNÆUS. - - _Sturnus_, LINN. Syst. Nat., I, (ed. 10,) 1758, 167. (Type, _S. - vulgaris_.) - - [Line drawing: _Sturnus vulgaris._ - 19020] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill long, conical, much depressed; the culmen, gonys, and -commissure nearly straight, the latter angulated at base. Wings, twice -length of tail; much pointed, the primaries graduating rapidly from -the second, the first being rudimentary, the secondaries much shorter. -Tail nearly even; the feathers acuminate. Tarsi short; about equal to -middle toe; lateral toes equal. Plumage coarse and stiff, each feather -distinctly outlined. - -The bill of _Sturnus_ is very similar to that of _Sturnella_, although -less inflected at the edges. The shorter tarsi, much longer wings, -with the innermost secondaries much less than the primaries, etc., -readily distinguish the two families. - - -Sturnus vulgaris, LINN. - -THE STARLING. - - _Sturnus vulgaris_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (ed. 10,) 1758, 167; (ed. - 12,) 1766, 290.—DEGLAND & GERBE, Orn. Europ. I, 1867, - 232.—REINHARDT, Ibis, 1861, 7 (Greenland). - -SP. CHAR. Feathers principally lustrous-black, with purple and green -reflections, except at their extremities, which are dull and opaque; -brownish above, silvery-white beneath. Bill yellow in spring, brown in -autumn. Legs flesh-color. Length about 8.51; wing, 5.11; tail, 2.81; -bill above, 1.11, from nostril, .75; gape, 1.15; tarsus, 1.15; middle -toe and claw, 1.15. _Female_ similar, but less brilliant. - -HAB. Europe and North Africa, most abundant in Holland. One specimen -killed in Greenland, in 1851, and preserved in the Royal Zoölogical -Museum of Copenhagen. - -The preceding description will serve to distinguish the Starling from -any North American species, although it is subject to considerable -variation. A second form, scarcely distinguishable as a species (_S. -unicolor_, De la Marmora), of a prevailing black color, without -terminal spots, and with the feathers of the under part elongated, is -found in Sardinia and Sicily. - -HABITS. We give a place to the common Starling of Europe in the fauna -of North America, as an occasional and rare visitant of Greenland. -Only a single instance is on record of its actual capture,—a female -taken by Holböll in 1851, and now in the Royal Museum of Copenhagen. - -The well-known Starling of Europe is handsome in plumage and of -graceful shape. It is numerous, as a species, is very generally -distributed, and therefore very well known. With many it is a great -favorite, and is also familiar as a caged bird. Its sprightly habits, -retentive memory, and flexibility of voice, commend it as an -interesting and entertaining pet. It has been taught to whistle tunes, -and even to imitate the human voice, with facility and correctness. In -its natural state it is a very social bird, and lives in flocks the -greater part of the year. - -Mr. Waterton, who was a great admirer of the Starling, sought to -induce these birds to frequent his grounds, and with this view made -various cavities in the walls of an old tower near his residence. His -wishes were gratified, and soon every cavity he had made was taken -possession of by a pair, and many more would have been thus domiciled -had provision been made for them. - -A similar instance is on record in Hamburg, where, within a few years, -a well-known horticulturist induced nearly two hundred pairs of -Starlings to occupy and to breed in wooden boxes put up in his grounds -for their accommodation. His plants had been destroyed by the attacks -of hosts of subterranean larvæ, and the Starlings were invited in the -hope that they would remove this evil, which they did quite -effectually. - -Dr. Beverley Morris gives a very interesting account of a female -Starling that he observed building a nest in a hollow tree. The male -looked on, but took no part, except to drive away other intrusive -birds. The female made on an average three trips a minute, with small -twigs and bits of dry grass, taking sometimes three or four at a time. -He estimated that in the space of six hours she had taken to her nest -not less than a thousand sticks. - -The Starling is said to select for its nest suitable places in -church-steeples, the eaves of houses, and holes in walls, especially -of old towers and ruins; occasionally it builds in hollow trees, in -cliffs or in high rocks overhanging the sea, and also in dovecotes. -The nests are made of slender twigs, straw, roots, and dry grasses. -The birds incubate sixteen days. The old birds are devoted to their -offspring. - -Almost as soon as the nestlings are able to fly, different families -unite to form large flocks, which may be seen feeding on commons and -grass-grounds, in company with the Rooks and other birds. Their chief -food consists of larvæ, worms, insects in various stages, and, at -times, berries and grain. In confinement they are very fond of raw -meat. - -Mr. Yarrell, quoting Dr. Dean of Wells, gives an account of an -extraordinary haunt of Starlings on an estate of a gentleman who had -prepared the place for occupation by Pheasants. It was in a plantation -of arbutus and laurustinus, covering some acres, to which these birds -repaired, in the evening, almost by the million, coming from the low -grounds about the Severn. A similar instance is given by Mr. Ball, of -Dublin, of an immense swarm of several hundred thousand Starlings -sleeping every night in a mass of thorn-trees at the upper end of the -Zoölogical Garden in Phœnix Park. - -The Starlings are found throughout Great Britain, even to the Hebrides -and the Orkneys, where they are great favorites, and holes are left in -the walls of the houses for their accommodation. They are common -throughout Norway, Sweden, and the north of Europe, and as far east as -the Himalayas and even Japan. They are also found in all the countries -on both sides of the Mediterranean, and Mr. Gould states that they -occur in Africa as far south as the Cape of Good Hope. - -The eggs of the Starling are five in number, of a uniform delicate -pale blue, oval in shape and rounded at one end; they measure 1.20 -inches in length by .88 in breadth. - - - - -FAMILY CORVIDÆ.—THE CROWS. - -CHAR. Primaries ten; the first short, generally about half as long as -the second (or a little more); the outer four sinuated on the inner -edge. The nasal fossæ and nostrils usually more or less concealed by -narrow, stiffened bristles (or bristly feathers), with short appressed -lateral branches extending to the very tip, all directed forwards -(these bristles occasionally wanting). Tarsi scutellate anteriorly, -the sides undivided (except sometimes below), and separated from the -anterior plates by a narrow naked strip, sometimes filled up with -small scales. Basal joint of middle toe united about equally to the -lateral, generally for about half the length. Bill generally notched. - -The preceding characters distinguish the family of Crows quite -markedly from all others. The features of the bristles on the bill, -and the separation of the lateral and anterior scales by a narrow -interval, are worthy of particular attention. The commissure is -without the obtusely angular bend near the base, seen in the -_Icteridæ_. - -There are two sub-families of _Corvidæ_ represented in America, one -embracing the true Crows, the other the Jays. They pass very -insensibly into each other, and it is difficult to mark the dividing -line. We may, however, distinguish these, as found in the United -States, by the following characters:— - -Corvinæ. Bill as long as the head. Tail short, nearly even; wings long -and pointed, longer than tail, and nearly reaching its tip; projecting -beyond the under tail-coverts, which reach the middle of tail. Tip of -wing formed by the third, fourth, and fifth quills, which are longest. - -Garrulinæ. Bill usually shorter than head. Tail lengthened, rounded, -and generally longer than the wings, which are short, rounded, and -extend scarcely beyond the lower tail-coverts; these not reaching the -middle of the tail. Tip of wing formed by the fourth, fifth, and sixth -quills, which are longest. - -The row of small scales is usually present on both sides of the tarsi -in the _Corvinæ_, but in the Jays is generally restricted to the inner -face. - - - - - SUBFAMILY CORVINÆ. - - -CHAR. Wings long and pointed; longer than the tail, and, when closed, -reaching nearly to its tip, extending far beyond the under -tail-coverts; the third, fourth, and fifth quills forming the tip of -the wing. - -The following diagnosis may serve to distinguish the three genera of -North American _Corvinæ_:— - - A. (_Corveæ_). Bill compressed, much higher than broad; - its tip compressed. Size large (i. e. over 15 inches - long), color black, or mainly black. - - Color black throughout; bill much compressed, the culmen - much arched, and the gonys convex; nasal bristles strong - _Corvus_. - - B. (_Nucifrageæ._) Bill cylindrical, scarcely or not at - all higher than broad; its tip depressed. Size small (i. - e. less than 15 inches long). Color uniform blue or with - ashy on body, and black wings and tail. - - Color ashy, with wings and tail mainly black. Culmen - convex, gonys slightly concave. Nostrils covered by the - short nasal tuft _Picicorvus_. - - Color uniform blue, brighter on the head; the throat - streaked with whitish. Culmen straight; gonys slightly - convex. Nostrils completely exposed; no nasal tufts _Gymnokitta_. - - -GENUS CORVUS, LINNÆUS. - - _Corvus_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. 1735. (Type, _Corvus corax_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Corvus carnivorus._ - 12442] - -GEN. CHAR. The nasal feathers lengthened, reaching to or beyond the -middle of the bill. Nostrils large, circular, overhung behind by -membrane, the edges rounded elsewhere. Rictus without bristles. Bill -nearly as long as the tarsus, very stout; much higher than broad at -the base; culmen much arched. Wings reaching nearly or quite to the -tip of the tail, the outer four primaries sinuated internally. Tarsi -longer than the middle toe, with a series of small scales on the -middle of each side separating the anterior scutellate portion from -the posterior continuous plates. Sides of the head occasionally with -nearly naked patches. Tail graduated or rounded. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXVII. - 1. Quiscalus purpureus. ♂ Pa., 1363. - 2. ” aglæus. ♂ Fla., 10342. - 3. Corvus caurinus. ♂ Sitka, 46662. - 4. ” mexicanus. ♂ Mazatlan, 52802. - 5. ” americanus. ♂ D. C. - 6. ” carnivorus. ♀ Neb., 4546. - 7. ” ossifragus. D. C., 4515. - 8. ” cryptoleucus. Texas, 46798. - 9. ” floridanus. Fla., 10374.] - - -Species and Varieties. - - RAVENS. Feathers of the chin and throat stiffened, - elongated, narrow and lanceolate, with their outlines very - distinct. - - 1. C. corax var. carnivorus. Length about 25.00; - wing, 17.00; tail, 10.00; graduation of tail, 1.60 - to 2.40. Feathers of the neck and breast light gray - beneath surface. _Hab._ Whole of North America; - Guatemala and Mexico. Rare in Eastern United States. - - 2. C. cryptoleucus. Length about 21.00; wing, 14.00; - tail, 8.50; graduation of tail, about 1.25. Feathers - of neck and breast snowy-white beneath surface. - _Hab._ Llano Estacado, or Staked Plain of Texas; - Arizona; Colorado. - - CROWS. Feathers of chin and throat soft, short, broad, - obtuse, and with their webs blended. - - A. Angle of mouth feathered—North American Crows. - - _a._ Tarsus longer than the bill. First quill not - longer than tenth. - - 3. C. americanus. The gloss of the plumage - purplish-violet, and hardly perceptible on head and - neck, middle toe and claw rather shorter than - tarsus, measured from beginning of scutellæ. - - Wing, 12.25; tail, 7.20; culmen, 1.85; tarsus, - 2.00; middle toe, 1.45; wing-formula, 4, 3, 5, 6, - 2; first quill equal to tenth. _Hab._ North - America generally var. _americanus_.[50] - - Wing, 12.50; tail, 7.20; culmen, 2.10; tarsus, - 2.30; middle toe, 1.60. Wing-formula? (moulting). - _Hab._ South Florida var. _floridanus_. - - 4. C. ossifragus. The gloss of plumage - violaceous-blue, almost green on the head, neck, and - breast, where very perceptible. Middle toe and claw - longer than tarsus, as above. Wing, 10.50; tail, - 6.50; culmen, 1.55; tarsus, 1.65; middle toe, 1.35. - Wing-formula, 4, 3, 5; first quill slightly shorter - than tenth. _Hab._ Atlantic Coast of the United - States. - - _b._ Tarsus shorter than the bill. First quill longer - than tenth. - - 5. C. caurinus. Gloss of the plumage as in - _americanus_, but deeper. Wing, 10.50; tail, 6.40; - culmen, 1.95; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 1.25. - Wing-formula, 4, 3, 5. _Hab._ Northwestern coast of - North America. - - 6. C. mexicanus.[51] Plumage highly lustrous, - blended. Soft burnished steel-blue, changing to - violet on the crown, and with a greenish cast on - lower parts. Wing, 9.00; tail, 6.50; culmen, 1.60; - tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, 1.10. Wing-formula, 4, 3, - 5. First quill very much longer than tenth. _Hab._ - Western Mexico (Mazatlan, etc.). - - B. Angle of mouth naked—West Indian Crows. - - _a._ Tarsus much shorter than the bill. - - 7. C. nasicus.[52] Nostrils scarcely concealed by - the short nasal bristles. Entirely violaceous-black, - the feathers smoky-gray beneath the surface. Wing, - 11.00; tail, 7.75; culmen, 2.45; depth of bill, .80; - tarsus, 1.95; middle toe, 1.50; graduation of tail - about 1.00; wing-formula, 4, 3, 5, 6, 2; first quill - shortest. _Hab._ Cuba. - - 8. C. leucognaphalus.[53] Nostrils well concealed by - the longer, but rather scant, nasal bristles. - Entirely violaceous-black, the feathers of the neck - all round, breast and sides, pure white below the - surface. Wing, 12.50; tail, 9.00; culmen, 2.45; - depth of bill, .95; tarsus, 2.15; middle toe, 1.50; - graduation of tail about 1.25. Wing-formula, 4, 5, - 3, 6, 2; first quill much the shortest. _Hab._ Porto - Rico. - - _b._ Tarsus about equal to bill. - - 9. C. jamaicensis.[54] Nostrils just covered by the - short but dense tuft of nasal bristles. Entirely - dark sooty-plumbeous, inclining to black on the - head, wings, and tail, where is a very faint - violaceous gloss. Wing, 9.50; tail, 6.50; culmen, - 2.00; depth of bill, 1.70; tarsus, 2.05; middle toe, - 1.35; graduation of tail, about .60. Wing-formula, - 5, 4, 3, 6, 2; first shortest. _Hab._ Jamaica. - - - [50] The measurements given are of a California specimen, in - order the better to show the great distinction to be made - between this species and _caurinus_, which is probably not - found in California, being a more northern species, and - having the coast of Washington Territory, or perhaps Oregon, - as about its southern limit. - - [51] _C. mexicanus_, GMEL. Syst. Nat. p. 375. This species - is perfectly distinct from all the others. The plumage has a - silky blended character, and very high lustre, almost - exactly as in the larger Grakles (_Quiscalus major_, etc.). - - [52] _C. nasicus_, TEMM. Pl. Col. 413.—GUNDL. Rev. y Catal. - de las Aves de Cuba., 1865, 290. _Corvus americanus_, LEMB. - Aves de Cuba, 1830, 65. _Hab._ Cuba. - - [53] _C. leucognaphalus_, DAUD. Tr. d’Orn. II, 231.—SALLÉ, - P. Z. S. 1857, 232.—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1866, XI, 94. - _Hab._ Porto Rico and Santo Domingo. - - [54] _C. jamaicensis_, GM. S. N. I, 367.—GOSSE, B. Jam. - 209.—SCL. Catal. Am. B. 1860, 146.—BONAP. Consp. - 385.—SALLÉ, P. Z. S. 1857, 232.—MARCH, P. A. N. S. 1863, - 300.—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1866, XI, 94. _Hab._ Jamaica - and Santo Domingo. - - The _C. minutus_ of Cuba we have not seen; it seems, - however, to be rather nearly related to _C. ossifragus_, and - possesses more lengthened nasal plumes than the three West - Indian species diagnosed above. Its synonomy is as - follows:— - - _Corvus minutus_, GUNDL. Cab. J. 1856, 20, p. 97.—IB. Rev. - y Catal. de las Aves de Cuba. _Hab._ Cuba. - - -Corvus corax, var. carnivorus, BARTRAM. - -AMERICAN RAVEN. - - _Corvus carnivorus_, BARTRAM, Travels in E. Florida, 1793, - 290.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 560, pl. xxi.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 210, pl. xxi.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 225.—LORD, - Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 121 (British Columbia).—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Ch. Ac. I, 1869, 285 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 282.—SAMUELS, 355. _Corvus corax_, WILSON, Am. - Orn. IX, 1825, 136, pl. lxxv. f. 3.—BONAP. Obs. Wils. 1825, - No. 36.—IB. Syn. 1828, 56.—DOUGHTY, Cab. N. H. I, 1830, 270, - pl. xxiv.—RICH. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 290.—NUTTALL, Man. I, - 1832, 202.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 476, pl. ci.—IB. Syn. - 1839, 150.—IB. Birds Am. IV. 1842, 78, pl. ccxxiv.—HEERM. X, - _S_, 54.—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 40 (Alaska). _Corvus - cacalotl_, “WAGLER,” ? BONAP. Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1837, 115 (perhaps - true _cacalotl_).—IB. List, 1838 (probably not of - Wagler).—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 387.—MAXIMILIAN, Reise - innere Nord Amer. II, 1841, 289 (does not consider it different - from European).—NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 82. - _Corvus lugubris_, AGASSIZ, Pr. Bost. Soc. N. H. II, Dec. 1846, - 188.—IB. Caban. J. VI, 1858, 195.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 563, pl. xx.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. X. b. pl. xxii. _Corvus_, var. - _littoralis_, “HOLBÖLL, Kroger Tidsk. IV, 1843, - 390.”—SCHLEGEL, note on _Corvus_. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill longest; third and fifth about equal; second -between fifth and sixth; first nearly equal to the eighth. Length, -about 24.00 or 25.00; extent, 50.00 to 51.00; wing, about 17.00; tail, -10.00. Tail moderately graduated; the outer feather about 1.60 to 2.40 -inches less than the middle. Entirely glossy black, with burnished -violet reflections. - -HAB. Entire continent of North America. Rare east of the Mississippi. -South to Guatemala. - - [Illustration: _Corvus carnivorus._] - -Though easily distinguishable from the European bird, the American -Raven is so nearly related to it as to be beyond doubt referrible to -it as a variety. The differences presented in a very large series of -both forms are, however, very constant and tangible. In the American -bird the bill is always longer and less deep, and the plumage is more -highly burnished, while the wings, especially the secondaries, are -perceptibly of a more reddish violet than the other portions. Though -in an immense series of American specimens many differences of form -and size are noted, yet there is nothing sufficiently characteristic -of any particular region to indicate more than one variety. As a rule, -however, specimens from the high north exceed in size those from -elsewhere, and have the bill more robust, though not so short as in -the European bird; while those from the Middle Province and Mexico to -Guatemala (= “_cacalotl_,” Baird et Auct.) have the plumage more -brilliant than others, and frequently the bill very narrow. - -HABITS. Assuming that we must consider as but one species the two -differing forms of Raven found in North America, we find this bird -more or less common throughout nearly the whole continent. It is much -more abundant in some regions than in others, and, as a general rule, -is much more common and also more generally distributed in the western -portion, where also its habits are remarkably different from the -manners of its eastern representative. - -It seems to be more or less common throughout the Arctic regions. Mr. -Kennicott met with Ravens at Lake Winnipeg. Mr. MacFarlane found them -abundant at Lockhart River, at Fort Anderson, and on the Lower -Anderson River. Mr. Ross obtained them at Fort Simpson, Mr. Reid at -Big Island, Mr. Clarke at Fort Rae, Mr. Lockhart at Fort Resolution, -and Mr. Dall at Nulato, in Alaska. - -Richardson speaks of it as abounding in the fur countries, where it -frequents the barren grounds even in the intense winter cold, and -where its movements are regulated by those of reindeer, musk-oxen, and -other animals, which it follows, to assist in devouring whatever may -be killed. Ravens are seen to collect from various quarters wherever -any animal is slain, in order to feast on the offal, and considerable -numbers are in constant attendance upon the several fishing-stations. -He mentions a singular instance of the disposition of this bird to -appropriate glittering objects of no value to it for food or anything -else. A Raven was seen flying off with something in its claws, pursued -by a number of its clamorous companions. Having been fired at, it -dropped the object of contention, which proved to be the lock of a -chest. - -Mr. MacFarlane’s notes in regard to the nesting of these birds -describe certain variations as to position, etc. One nest was on a -ledge of a cliff of shale, and was composed of dry willow sticks, -lined with pieces of rabbit skin and the hair of moose. Both parents -were seen,—one on the nest, the other on a tree,—but both flew away -on being approached. A second nest was in the top crotch of a tall -pine on the river-bank. It was made of dry sticks, and thickly lined -with reindeer hair. There were eight eggs in this nest. A third was in -a tall pine, and was forty-five feet from the ground. It was -constructed in a manner precisely similar to the preceding. A fourth -was on the top of a tall pine, and only differed in having been lined -with dry grass, moss, and a few reindeer hairs. The other nests appear -to have been similarly situated and constructed. Nearly all were in -high trees, built of dry sticks, and lined with dry grasses, mosses, -and the hair of various quadrupeds. The maximum number of eggs was -eight, their average six. - -Mr. MacFarlane states that the Raven is found throughout the winter in -the Arctic regions, and that, though he has met with it north of -latitude 69°, he has never known it to breed north of that line. He -informs us that it is seldom that more than a single pair is to be -seen at a time, and occasionally they may be noted singly, flying -alone, or feeding on garbage. Sometimes a dead fox or wolf will -attract quite a number to the spot. On one occasion he observed as -many as twenty Ravens amicably associated together around the -carcasses of two wolves that had been poisoned with strychnine. In -many cases he has known the partaking of a poisoned animal prove fatal -to them, as also the eating of bait laid for foxes and wolves. - -According to this same correspondent, one of these birds became almost -domesticated at Fort Anderson, during February and March, 1865. At -first it fed about the fort with a companion; soon after, coming -alone, it grew bolder and bolder, alighted within the square, allowed -itself to be closely approached, where the young dogs soon became -familiar with it, and would even frolic and gambol with it, the Raven -joining heartily in the sport in its own way. It was never known to -attempt to injure even the smallest of the young dogs, nor did any of -the dogs ever offer to annoy it. It at length came to be considered by -all as an inmate of the establishment. While it seemed to have full -confidence in the people of the fort, it kept at a careful distance -from all Indian or Esquimaux visitors. - -Mr. B. R. Ross speaks of Ravens as common as far north as the Arctic -Ocean. They feed on carrion, and act as scavengers to the -establishments. Their sight is remarkably keen, and the sagacity with -which they follow the trapper is wonderful. Early as the hunter may -start, these harpies will have been before him, and torn out the eyes -and entrails of each hare. They will break into marten-traps for the -sake of the bait or the captured animal, thrusting aside or pulling -out with their beaks the sticks that compose the enclosure. Sometimes -they are caught in steel traps that are set for foxes, or eat the -strychnine baits laid for the same animals, and slowly succumb to this -powerful poison. Their flesh is so rank that even a fox, unless sorely -pressed by hunger, will not eat it. They pair in April, and usually -construct their nests in the loftiest trees. They have various -call-notes, one of which is like that of the Canada Goose, and another -is said by Mr. Ross to be very liquid and musical. - -Mr. Dall states that these birds were abundant all the year at Nulato, -and indeed everywhere throughout Alaska, but much more common near the -Indian villages and trading-posts than elsewhere. They build on the -sandstone cliffs at Nulato, in cavities that have been occupied for -years. They lay about the 20th of April, and the young are hatched -before open water. He also speaks of them as very intelligent, and -states that on several expeditions made to obtain their eggs, the -instant he stopped at the foot of the bluff the whole colony would -arrange themselves on the edge of the rock in anxious consultation, -uttering repeated cries of warning. On one occasion, where the nest -was inaccessible and the party went back unsuccessful, their departure -was announced by significant and joyous croaks and derisive screeches. -Ravens were also found by Mr. Bannister common all the year on the -small islands lying off the northeast point of St. Michaels. - -In the Eastern States the Raven is a comparatively rare bird, except -in a few special localities. These are usually mountain-ranges, high -precipitous banks of rivers and lakes and of the ocean, and among wild -and lonely islands. It occurs on the Labrador coast, at Grand Menan in -the Bay of Fundy, the Adirondacks, Lake George, the Hudson River, etc. -Mr. Lawrence speaks of it as quite common on the coast of New Jersey. -It is found among the mountains of Buncombe and other counties in -North Carolina, and Mr. Audubon mentions its occurrence at Table -Mountain, in the district of Pendleton, South Carolina. Dr. Coues -found Ravens not rare at Labrador, where the almost inaccessible -cliffs afford them safe and convenient retreats. They were so -excessively wary that it was found impossible to shoot them. They -descended in pairs to the sea-shore to feed on dead fish, crabs, and -other animal substances thrown up by the sea. - -Mr. Ridgway informs me of the presence of this bird in the heavy -forests of the bottom-lands in Southern Illinois. It is there quite -rare, however, as he has met with but a few pairs. These were -resident, and nested in the tall timber of the Big Creek bottoms, in -Richland Co. - -Audubon’s party found it equally impossible to obtain a specimen at -Labrador. One afternoon Mr. Audubon hid himself under a nest several -hours, to no purpose. The old Ravens would not show themselves while -he was within gunshot, though the young clamored for food. As soon as -he had left the spot the female alighted on the nest, fed her young, -and was off again before she could be approached. - -At Grand Menan, where they are not rare, and where they breed among -the high cliffs, I found them so wild that it was almost impossible -even to obtain sight of them. Passing high in the air above our heads, -their loud, hoarse croak attested their alarm at the sight of their -enemy, man. They are looked upon with aversion by the islanders, and -are persecuted by them without mercy. They rob the nests of the -Herring Gulls, interfering with the islanders in this privilege, and -are, wrongfully I believe, charged with destroying young lambs. - -Years afterwards, when I again encountered individuals of this species -at Cheyenne, on the Plains, I could not but notice the immense -difference in their character. There perfect confidence in man took -the place of dread. Unmolested by the people, who regard them as -desirable scavengers, valueless for food and useful in removing -nuisances, they were as tame and familiar as the European Sparrow in -the parks of New York or Boston. On one occasion I found one engaged -in eating the remains of a dead cow just outside the city. It allowed -me to approach to within five or six feet, when with a very stately -and dignified stride it moved out of my way, and kept me at about this -distance. I could not compel it to fly to any distance, even when I -hastened my steps. - -In New England these birds are very rare, and their occurrence is only -accidental. One has been shot on the Connecticut, and another on the -Merrimack, in Massachusetts. They are not unfrequently met with in -Northern New York. - -On the Pacific Coast the Raven is common from Sitka to San Diego. -Throughout Washington Territory it is said to be plentiful, more -scattered in the summer, and in the winter congregating about -settlements and the sea-shore. At Vancouver, during the winter, it was -observed amicably associating with the Crows, and on the coast with -the Fish Crows, but during the spring, when the latter had nests, they -boldly attacked the Ravens, and drove them away. - -In California and in all the adjacent regions, Dr. Cooper states, the -Raven is found everywhere in pairs, more numerous than in the Atlantic -States, and abundant even in the most barren desert districts. It -follows trains and herds of cattle, and keeps on the lookout for -anything befalling them. It is omnivorous, eating snakes, lizards, -eggs, carrion, and even grain, though the last very rarely. It is -accused of destroying young chickens and lambs. - -In Arizona Dr. Coues speaks of it as resident, and very abundant about -the cattle enclosures, where it congregates in immense numbers during -the autumn and winter. During the severe winter of 1864-65 great -numbers perished of cold and hunger at Fort Whipple. Dr. Coues has -favored us with the following interesting sketch of the habits of this -bird as observed by him in that Territory. - - “The geographical distribution of the Raven seems to be in great - measure complementary to that of the Crow. On the prairies, in - the desert, among the mountains, of the Western States and - Territories, where the Ravens and their congenial companions, the - coyotes, abound, the Crows are rare or wanting altogether. In - travelling westward, I saw no Crows after leaving the settlements - this side of the Plains, while the Ravens were conspicuous, until - in some parts of Southern California Crows reappeared, but no - Ravens amongst them. I saw a fair number of Ravens along the - Arkansas River, and they were frequent in the valley of the Rio - Grande; after crossing the river, while traversing the wild - region thence to the Colorado, they were our inseparable - companions; hundreds, if not thousands, of them lived about Fort - Whipple all the year, seemingly attracted from miles around by - probabilities of finding abundant food. Throughout the Western - wilds they hang on the footsteps of man, needy adventurers, - claiming their share of his spoils, disputing with the wolves and - vultures for the refuse of his camp, and polishing the skeletons - of the buffalo, with which he sometimes strews the plain. The - more desolate the land, the closer the Raven follows in the trail - of the emigrant, till its dismal croaking sounds ominous of - hardship, and its plumage seems to foreshadow days as dark. - - “One accustomed to the shrewdness and prudence of Crows in - populous districts is at first surprised at an apparent - familiarity the Raven often shows in the West. There no one would - think of wasting ammunition on the worthless bird, and it comes - to look upon man more as its provider than as an enemy. - Nevertheless, like the rest of its tribe, the Raven is a - sagacious bird, not likely to be twice deceived, and very ready - to take a hint; he always has his wits about him, and keeps a - bright lookout when anything stranger than a coyote is near. This - wariness is something altogether different from the childlike - timidity of little birds like Sparrows, that scurry away in - terror from any unusual sight or sound, and unquestionably - implies keen powers of observation coupled with no small degree - of reasoning faculty. Almost every day during the winter of - 1864-65 I must have passed within a few paces of Ravens stalking - about the fort; and yet, when I wanted a specimen, it was not an - easy matter to secure one. The birds assuredly knew the - difference between a person going quietly about his business and - one “on mischief bent,” and their intelligent watchfulness - rendered it quite impossible to approach them openly with gun in - hand. - - “Ravens are resident in the region about Fort Whipple, and their - apparently diminished number in summer is simply due to the fact - that they are then spread over a greater surface, are less - restless, and better provided for in the matter of food. In - winter, and especially when snow covered the ground, their - numbers at the fort were simply incalculable. They dotted the - ground everywhere during the day, and roosted in crowds on the - neighboring pines by night. One patriarchal tree, that stood - somewhat isolated, was a favorite resting-place for the Ravens - and Buzzards, and gradually assumed a singular appearance, as if - it had been whitewashed. This great pine overlooked a little open - space where our beeves were slaughtered, and the banqueting there - was never ended. All night long the wolves howled and barked as - they tugged at the offal, till daylight sent them reluctant to - their rocky fastnesses, when the great dark birds, with a - premonitory stretching of the wings, flapped down to renew the - feast. The Ravens and Buzzards seemed to get along very well - together, quarrelling no more with each other than each species - did with its own kind; but in the occasional disputes the smaller - birds seemed to have rather the advantage of the heavier and - clumsier gluttons. This comparative good-fellowship was in - striking contrast to the behavior of Crows towards Turkey - Buzzards. - - “The Raven is not, on the whole, so noisy a bird as the Crow, - though he croaks vigorously on occasion, and his caw may claim to - be impressive, if not agreeable. But the queer sounds that the - bird can utter, if he be so minded, are indescribable; even his - ordinary cawing is susceptible of considerable modulation. A - favorite amusement of his, when, his hunger appeased for the - time, he feels particularly comfortable, is to settle snugly on - the top of a pine-tree, and talk to himself. The performance - generally begins with a loud caw, self-asserting, followed by a - complacent chuckle; and then comes a series of comical syllables, - so low as to be scarcely audible from the ground below, as if he - were musing aloud, and tickled with his own fancies. Then he will - raise his voice again, and file away at some old saw for a while, - finishing with the inimitable ‘cork-drawing’ for which his tribe - is famous. - - “A Raven that I had slightly wounded in the wing and captured - soon became quite tame, and developed a variety of amusing - traits. Proving rather obtrusive and inconvenient in my narrow - quarters, I undertook to tie him in a corner with a string round - his leg. This he objected to, and it was astonishing to see the - perseverance he showed in untying any number of knots I might - make. It was a task that sometimes took him hours, but he never - rested until it was done. I had no chain light enough for the - purpose, but I finally got the better of him by twisting a wire - with the cord. His intelligence did not reach in that direction - more than six inches from his leg.” - -Mr. Dresser observed the Raven common at San Antonio, frequenting the -slaughter-houses. In November, in the Baudera Hills, several came to -his camp to feast on the offal of deer. Dr. Woodhouse also found them -very abundant in Texas, the Indian Territory, and New Mexico, and -especially so on the buffalo plains. In the Mexican Boundary Survey, -Dr. Kennerly observed these birds everywhere in Northern Mexico, -flocks of them following the train from point to point. They were not -at all shy, but often came into camp in search of food. - -Captain Blakiston, having enjoyed unusual opportunities for observing -the habits of the American Raven during his residence in high northern -regions, characterizes the species as anything but solitary. During -the day they are usually met with in pairs, except when drawn together -in large numbers around the carcass of a dead animal. At night, during -the winter, they repair to some chosen resting-place, usually a clump -of trees on the edge of a prairie, and there roost in one immense -body. One of these roosting-places was about a mile from Fort Carlton, -and Captain Blakiston’s attention was first drawn to it by noticing -that about sunset all the Ravens, from all quarters, were flying -towards this point. Returning to the fort in the evening by that -quarter, he found a clump of aspen-trees, none of them more than -twenty-five feet high, filled with Ravens, who, at his approach, took -wing and flew round and round. He also noted the wonderful regularity -with which they repaired to their roosting-place in the evening and -left it again in the morning, by pairs, on their day’s hunt. They -always left in the morning, within a minute or two of the same time, -earlier and earlier as the days grew longer, on cold or cloudy -mornings a little later, usually just half an hour before sunrise. In -April they all paired off, and their roosting-place became deserted. -During an excursion about one hundred and fifty miles southwest of -Fort Carlton, Captain Blakiston found several nests of Ravens with -eggs, one of which was in a small tree near a lake, and was not more -than fifteen feet above it. It contained six eggs, was about a foot in -diameter, composed of sticks, and was lined with buffalo-hair and -pieces of scarlet cloth, evidently picked up about an Indian -camping-ground. - -Dr. Heermann states that while in California he always found the nests -of the Raven placed high on bold precipitous cliffs, secure against -danger; in the vast desolate plains of New Mexico he saw these birds -building on low trees, and even on cactus-plants, less than three feet -from the ground, showing how much circumstances and localities affect -the habits of birds regarding incubation. - -A Raven, probably this species, is abundant on the plateau of Mexico. -The Cerro Colorado, near Tehuacan, is the rendezvous of a large number -of these birds, where, according to Sumichrast, at the time of the -flowering of the _maguey_, they gather in great abundance, to feed on -the blossoms of this plant, which are their favorite food. - -Mr. Boardman writes me that he has several times collected Ravens’ -eggs at Grand Menan, but always found the nest a hard one to take, as -they usually build it under some high cliff. They make a very large -and bulky nest, and, where not disturbed, use it several years in -succession. They also breed very early. He once took a nest with eight -eggs on the 10th of April, when the snow all around was quite deep. -This was sent to the Smithsonian Institution. Its contents nearly -filled a bushel basket. He does not regard the Ravens as migratory. -Though they are apparently more numerous in winter than in summer, -this is probably because they forsake the woods and come about the -open fields and the banks of rivers for dead fish, and thus are more -noticed. They are very shy, sagacious, and vigilant, so much so that -it is almost impossible for one to get a shot at them. Crows avoid -them, and the two are never seen together. The farmers of Grand Menan -accuse them of pecking the eyes out of young lambs, and always try to -destroy them, and they grow less and less numerous every year. The -Ravens, he adds, appear to be on good terms with the Duck Hawks, as he -has known a nest of the former within a few rods of one of the latter. - -An egg of this species, from Anderson River, measures 1.96 inches in -length by 1.32 in breadth. Two from Grand Menan measure, one 2.05 -inches by 1.30, the other 1.95 by 1.25. The ground-color of two of -these is a soiled sea-green, that of the third is a light -bluish-green. This is more sparingly marked with dots, blotches, and -cloudings of faint purple and purplish-brown, chiefly at the larger -end. The others are marked over the entire egg with blotches of -varying size and depth of coloring, of a deep purple-brown; some of -the markings are not readily distinguishable from black. - - -Corvus cryptoleucus, COUCH. - -WHITE-NECKED CROW. - - _Corvus cryptoleucus_, COUCH, Pr. A. N. Sc. VII, April, 1854, 66 - (Tamaulipas, Mexico).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 565, pl. - xxii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 284. - -SP. CHAR. The fourth quill is longest; the third and fifth equal; the -second longer than the sixth; the first about equal to the seventh. -Glossy black, with violet reflections; feathers of neck all round, -back, and breast, snow-white at the base. Length, about 21.00; wing, -14.00; tail, 8.50. Feathers of throat lanceolate; bristly feathers -along the base of the bill covering it for nearly two thirds its -length. - -HAB. Valley of Rio Grande and Gila. Abundant on the Llano Estacado, -and at Eagle Pass, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 494). Colorado (AIKEN). - -In the white bases to the feathers of the neck, etc., there is a -resemblance in this species to the _C. leucognaphalus_ of Porto Rico; -but the latter has entirely different proportions, blended instead of -lanceolate feathers on the throat, exceedingly short instead of -unusually long nasal plumes, and many other differences, and is in -every feature totally distinct. - -HABITS. Of the distinctive habits or the extent of the distribution of -the White-necked Raven we have very little knowledge. It was first -described by Lieutenant Couch, in 1854, from specimens obtained by him -at Charco Escondido, Mexico, in May, 1853. Other specimens were -afterwards procured by Dr. Kennerly, at Janos, Mexico, in 1855, and by -Mr. Dresser at Eagle Pass, Texas, in March, 1864. The latter gives no -notes as to its habits. - -Dr. Kennerly’s note in regard to it is that it was not very common, -and when seen was generally associated with the larger species of -Raven. Lieutenant Couch merely mentions it as found in small numbers -in Eastern Tamaulipas, generally near ranches. - -Mr. J. H. Clark writes that this species does not seem to possess the -cunning or wariness of its congeners. It was met with, in the greatest -abundance, about watering-places. It was not found habitually in great -flocks, though at the head of the Limpia many were congregated and -flying about the face of an immense rocky mountain wall, where they -were probably nesting. Their note he describes as coarse, and less -shrill than that of the common Crow. He met with the supposed nest in -an arborescent cactus. - -Dr. Coues does not appear to have met with this species in Arizona, -but Lieutenant Bendire writes to Professor Baird from Tucson, April -12, 1872, that it is the most common Crow or Raven there. This he -discovered accidentally, finding that three fourths of the Ravens he -shot proved to be of this species; the others were the Colorado race -of the Raven. Specimens of this Crow were obtained at Fort Buchanan by -Dr. Irwin, at Pecos River by Dr. Anderson, and in the Indian Territory -by Mr. McCarthy. - -An egg of this species, from Trout Creek, Texas, obtained June 20 by -Charles S. McCarthy, measures 1.75 inches in length by 1.25 in -breadth. The ground-color is a light grayish-green, and is pretty -uniformly marked with fine dottings of mingled purple and brown. - - -Corvus americanus, AUD. - -COMMON CROW. - - _Corvus corone_, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 79, pl. xxv, f. 3.—BON. - Obs. Wils. 1824, No. 37.—IB. Syn. 1828, 56.—RICH. F. B. Am. - II, 1831, 291.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 209 (not _Corvus corone_ - of LINN.). CORVUS AMERICANUS, AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 317; V, - 477, pl. clvi.—IB. Syn. 1839, 150.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, - 87, pl. ccxxv.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, - 385.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 221.—MAXIM. Reise, I, - 1839, 140.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, P. R. R. Rep. VI, - IV, 1857, 82.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 566, pl. xxiii.—MAX. - Caban. J. VI, 1858, 198.—SCHLEGEL, Notice sur les Corbeaux, - 10, pl. i, f. 16.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1861, 226.—SAMUELS, - 357.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 297 (in part). - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill longest; second shorter than sixth; first -shorter than ninth. Glossy black with violet reflections, even on the -belly. Length, 19.00 to 20.00; wing, 13.00 to 13.50; tail about 8.00. -Tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw. - -HAB. United States, from Atlantic to Pacific; rare in the Middle -Province and on Missouri Plains, and on northwest coast. N. E. Texas -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 494). North to Great Slave Lake, Fort Rae, and -Nelson River, H. B. T. - -The _C. americanus_ has no analogue in Europe, though the _C. corone_ -somewhat resembles it. The most important feature of distinction -appears to lie in the structure of the feathers of the head and neck, -which in _C. corone_ are narrow, with the tips distinct, while in the -American bird these tips are blended together and do not maintain -their individuality. The feathers on the fore-neck in _corone_ are -also lanceolate and distinct, showing the outline of each one as in -the Raven, while in the American Crow they are three times as broad, -rounded, and entirely blended. Mr. Audubon further remarks that the -neck of the European bird is glossed with green and blue, while that -of the American has a decided purplish-brown tinge. - -Prince Maximilian states, in addition, that the note differs in the -two species. - -HABITS. The Common Crow of North America is found in great abundance -in all the Eastern States, from Texas to Florida, and from the -Missouri to Nova Scotia. A few are found beyond the Great Plains, and -they also extend their migrations, in summer, into high Arctic -regions. Richardson found them as far north as the 55th parallel, but -was in error when he stated that beyond this they do not go. He adds -that none approach within five or six hundred miles of Hudson’s Bay. -They were observed at Cross Lake and at Lake Winnepeg by Mr. -Kennicott, at Big Island by Mr. Reid, at Fort Rae by Mr. Clarke, and -at Fort Anderson and on the Lower Anderson River by Mr. MacFarlane, -who also found them breeding even at this high latitude. They were not -seen in Russian America, and Dr. Cooper thinks that the species does -not occur in California, or, if at all, only rarely, but that it is -there replaced by _C. caurinus_. - -Mr. Ridgway found the Crow of very rare occurrence in the interior. A -very few were seen in the Truckee meadows, in November, and others at -the Humboldt marshes, in October. These western birds were exceedingly -unsuspicious and familiar, so much so that those seen in the Humboldt -marshes were walking about with all the familiarity of domestic -pigeons, only hopping aside as they were approached. None were seen -either in spring or summer. - -In Western Iowa Mr. Allen states that he saw but very few of this -species, and even in Northern Illinois it was not very common. At the -West this bird is reported to be held in better estimation than at the -East, by the farmers. It is not known to pull corn, and seems to be -entirely unsuspicious. It is regarded generally as a benefactor, and -not only deserves, but receives, good treatment. In Indiana he found -it more common. - -Dr. Coues met with a single individual on the Labrador coast. In Nova -Scotia it is much more abundant, and there, as on the Western -prairies, being unmolested by the inhabitants, it is exceedingly -unsuspicious, and will permit a very near approach before it will fly, -and even then will not move to a distance. In all of the United States -east of the Mississippi it is very abundant. In Texas, between San -Antonio and the Mexican frontier, it is not common; but Mr. Dresser -found it very common in the northeast part of the State during the -whole year. - -Probably no one of our birds, so wholly worthless for food, has been -more hunted and destroyed than this species. In certain parts of the -country it is held in great aversion by the farmers, and in some -States bounty-laws have been enacted by legislatures to promote its -destruction. Had not these birds been possessed of an extraordinary -intelligence, they must long since have been exterminated or driven -from a large part of the country. In some sections their numbers have -been of late much diminished by the use of strychnine. During the -month of May the Crow is very destructive in the cornfield, pulling up -the grains as soon as they begin to vegetate, and compelling the -farmer to replant perhaps several times. Wilson remarks that in the -State of Delaware these birds collect in immense flocks and commit -great devastation upon crops of standing corn. They also occasionally -commit depredations in the barn-yard, robbing hens’-nests of their -eggs, and even destroying young chickens. They also destroy the eggs -and young of other birds. The mischief they thus do is doubtless very -great, and the ground for the prevalent prejudice against them is -quite apparent. Yet it is equally demonstrable that this bird is -surpassed, and probably is equalled, by no other in the vast amount of -the benefits conferred upon agriculturalists. The evil it perpetrates -is very limited, and is confined to but a short period, but during all -the time it is resident the Crow is constantly engaged in the -destruction of injurious insects and rodent quadrupeds. In the early -spring it feeds almost wholly upon the most destructive grubs, and in -extensive districts of Massachusetts, where these birds have been -largely destroyed, the ravages of the May-bugs and the grasshoppers in -pasture-lands have been a natural consequence of so short-sighted a -policy. - -The persecutions to which the Crow is subjected have developed in them -a wariness and a distrust that is foreign to their nature. They can -only live by keeping on a constant lookout for dangers, and by -learning to distinguish the weapons that threaten their destruction. -As soon as anything is seen that causes alarm, the signal is at once -given, and the warning passed from one to another. - -In New Jersey and in Pennsylvania, during the winter months, the Crows -assemble in immense flocks, and their movements appear to be regulated -by the guidance of a few chosen leaders. I received from the lips of -the late John Cassin, an ornithologist hardly less remarkable for his -outdoor observations than for his researches in the closet, only a few -days before his death, a very surprising account of the movements of a -large army of Crows, witnessed by himself, in the spring of 1868. - -On a Sunday morning in April, when Philadelphia was enveloped in a fog -so dense and impenetrable that it was hardly possible to distinguish -objects across its streets, Mr. Cassin’s attention was called to an -immense accumulation of these birds in Independence Square. The whole -park he found, to his utter astonishment, occupied by an immense army -of Crows. They filled all the trees, bending down the overloaded -branches, and swarmed over and covered the ground. The entire space -seemed alive with Crows. They had evidently become bewildered in the -fog, and had strangely taken refuge in this small park in the very -heart of Philadelphia. As if aware of their close proximity to danger, -the whole assembly was quiet, orderly, and silent. A few birds, -evidently acting as leaders, moved noiselessly back and forth through -their ranks, as if giving tacit signals. These movements were followed -by the departure of a few scouts, as if sent to make explorations, but -they soon returned unsuccessful. Again were repeated the uneasy -movements of their leaders, passing slowly and cautiously through -their close ranks. After an apparently much longer consultation, -another small party ascended to explore, wheeling round and round in -wider and wider zones. At length, satisfied with their observations, -they quietly returned, and made their report in a manner evidently -understood, though not audibly expressed; for immediately the leaders -passed again among the crowd, and, as if signals were given for a -general movement, the whole of this immense congregation, numbering, -Mr. Cassin estimated, hundreds of thousands, rose slowly and silently, -preceded by their scouts, and, moving off in a westerly direction, -were soon lost to view. - -When taken young, the Crow can be easily domesticated, and becomes a -very entertaining, but a very mischievous pet. It is very secretive, -hiding objects of no value to itself, and seems to delight in -mischief. It displays often a wonderful intelligence, appears to -understand and to obey certain directions, and manifests also -remarkable quickness of vision. A tame Crow belonging to a family -resident near Boston, and permitted to go at large, manifested all the -attachment of a dog. It especially enjoyed the society of the -children, and played with them in their games of hide and seek, -surpassing them by its readiness in finding the secreted object. It -was especially attached to the mistress of the house, flying to her -whenever she approached, hovering over her head, and alighting on her -shoulder. - -In a few instances the Crow has been taught to imitate articulate -sounds. In one of these, in Grafton, Mass., the Crow not only -vociferated a single monosyllable repeatedly, but at other times -enunciated a short sentence of five syllables. - -A few are resident in Massachusetts during the year, but the greater -portion move south in November and return in March. Those who remain -during the winter are chiefly resident near the sea-shore. The Crow -breeds from April to June, varying with the latitude of its residence. -In Massachusetts it has full-grown young by June 1. It builds, usually -in March, a large rudely constructed nest of sticks, moss, and bark, -lined with finer mosses, and sometimes with hair. The parent birds are -very watchful and vigilant if their nest is in danger, and often -expose their lives in their anxiety for their young. The male bird is -attentive to his mate during incubation, and assists in feeding the -young. The young are fed chiefly on insects, frogs, mice, and similar -food. - -The eggs of the Crow vary from 1.60 to 1.55 inches in length, and from -1.20 to 1.10 in breadth. In their markings they exhibit surprising -variations. They usually have a ground of a light sea-green, over -which are scattered, more or less thickly, blotches, some of them -quite large, of a dark-brown, almost black, with purplish reflections. -These are chiefly about the larger end. Another quite common variety -is of a deeper ground of green, very uniformly and thickly sprinkled -with fine dottings of a sepia-brown. Others have a ground nearly -white, slightly tinged with green, more sparingly spotted with small -blotches of light purplish-brown. A nest found near Springfield -contained eggs having the ground-color on one side a pinkish-gray, the -rest being greenish-white, all spotted with brown. Another set of eggs -from Hudson, Mass., were of a light bluish-green, entirely unspotted, -resembling large Robin’s eggs; and Dr. Wood mentions another four, the -ground of which was flesh-color, and the spots red. - - -Corvus americanus, var. floridanus, BAIRD. - -FLORIDA CROW. - - _Corvus americanus_, var. _floridanus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 568, pl. - lxvii, f. 1. _C. americanus_, ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 297. - -SP. CHAR. About the size of _C. americanus_, but bill and feet larger. -Tail less rounded. Third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal; third -rather longer than fifth. Color less violet above. Length, 19.50; -wing, 12.00; tail, 7.70; tarsus, 2.60. - -HAB. Southern peninsula of Florida. - -This resident Crow of Florida differs in some marked features from -that of the more northern localities in several characters. Although -perhaps rather smaller, the bill and feet, especially the latter, are -very considerably larger. The nasal feathers extend over the basal two -fifths of the bill, instead of the half. The proportions of the bill -are about the same; in the Florida bird it is rather the longer. The -greatest difference is in the feet. The tarsal joint of the tibia is -bare, the feathers scarcely coming below it, even anteriorly, instead -of projecting some distance. The tarsus is almost a quarter of an inch -longer, covered anteriorly by nine scutellæ, instead of eight. The -outer lateral toe is shorter, not reaching the base of the middle -claw. The middle toe and claw are considerably shorter than the -tarsus; the middle claw is shorter than in the northern bird. - -The wing-formula differs somewhat; the third, fourth, and fifth quills -are nearly equal, the third even longer than the fifth, instead of -shorter. The tail is short and very nearly even, the difference in -length of feathers being less than half an inch, instead of an inch. -This, however, may in part be owing to the absence of the middle pair. - -The colors differ somewhat from those of the common Crow. There is -less violet, and the feathers of the back have almost a brassy gloss -on their margins, as in _Crotophaga_. - -The specimen upon which these remarks are based, though apparently -perfectly mature, is changing some of its feathers, such as the inner -primaries, the middle tail-feathers, and the greater coverts. The long -primaries and ten tail-feathers, however, are of full length. It is -possible that the bird is really as large as the northern Crow, -although this is hardly probable. It was killed on the mainland of the -extreme southern portion of Florida, not far from Fort Dallas. - -No comparison of this bird is required with the Fish Crow, which has -the middle toe and claw longer than the tarsus, not shorter, and the -proportions much less. - -HABITS. The common resident Crow of Florida exhibits so many -peculiarities differing from the northern species, that Professor -Baird, in his Birds of America, deemed it worthy of mention at least -as a race, if not a distinct species. We have no account of its -habits, and do not know if, in any respects, they differ from those of -the common Crow. Dr. J. C. Cooper, in his brief manuscript notes on -the birds of Florida, made in the spring of 1859, speaks of the -Florida Crow as very common, as being quite maritime in its habits, -and as having full-fledged young on the 20th of April. Three eggs of -this race, obtained in Florida in the spring of 1871, by Mr. Maynard, -differ not more from those of the Crow than do those of the latter -occasionally from one another. They measure 1.73 by 1.20 inches; 1.70 -by 1.20; and 1.54 by 1.25. Their ground-color is a bright -bluish-green, and they are all more or less marked, over the entire -egg, with blotches of a mingled bronze and brown with violet shadings. -The latter tints are more marked in one egg than in the others, and in -this the spots are fewer and more at one end, the larger end being -nearly free from markings. Their average capacity, as compared with -the average of the _C. americanus_, is as 5.1 to 4.2. - - -Corvus caurinus, BAIRD. - -NORTHWESTERN FISH CROW. - - _Corvus caurinus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 569, pl. xxiv.—COOPER - & SUCKLEY, 211, pl. xxiv.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, - 1869, 286 (Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 41 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 285. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill longest; fifth and third about equal; second -longer than sixth; first shorter than ninth. Color black, glossed with -purple. Tail nearly even. Tarsus longer than middle toe and claw. -Length about 16.50; wing about 11.00; tail about 7.00. - -HAB. Northwestern coast, from Columbia River to Sitka. - -This species is readily distinguished from the eastern Fish Crow by -the larger size; the absence of green gloss on the belly; the tarsi -longer than the middle toe and claw, instead of shorter; and the -second quill being generally shorter than the sixth instead of longer, -and considerably shorter than the culmen, instead of longer. - -It is rather to be compared with _C. americanus_, with which it agrees -in colors, but from which it differs, essentially, in having the wing -and tail very much shorter, while the bill is considerably longer, and -in having the tarsus shorter than the culmen, instead of longer, as in -all the other North American species. In this last respect it agrees -with _C. mexicanus_ (see synopsis, p. 829) of Western Mexico; in this, -however, the color and proportions are entirely different. - -HABITS. This species appears to be confined to the seaboard of the -Pacific, from Alaska to California inclusive. Smaller than the common -Crow, in its more essential features it closely resembles that bird, -while in all its habits it appears the exact counterpart of the Fish -Crow, from which it is specifically and essentially distinct. - -It is found as far north as Sitka, several specimens having been -procured at that point by Mr. Bischoff. - -In the opinion of Dr. Suckley, the marked differences in the habits of -this species from those of the common Crow, even more than the great -difference in size, sufficiently mark them as entirely distinct. The -western Fish Crow is never wary or suspicious, like the common -species, but in its impudent familiarity with man resembles the -English Jackdaw, and hardly learns to be shy even after having been -annoyed with the gun. In Oregon and Washington Territory, he states, -this Crow is very abundant, and is one of the marked ornithological -features of the country. The great abundance of fish, especially of -salmon, in both of these divisions, amply supplies this species with -food. At Puget Sound it is abundant throughout the year. During the -winter it subsists principally upon the refuse food and offal thrown -out by the natives from their lodges. He describes it as cunning, but -very tame and impudent, allowing a very near approach, and retiring -but a short distance when pursued. Like the Raven and the Herring -Gull, these birds are in the habit of carrying clams high into the air -and then dropping them, in order to break the shell. Dr. Suckley -observed one fruitlessly trying to break the shell of a clam by -letting it drop on soft ground. In this effort he persisted -perseveringly as long as he was watched. - -Dr. Suckley found a nest of this species at Fort Dalles. It was -situated in a dense willow-thicket, near a lagoon on the Columbia, and -contained three eggs. He describes them as about an inch and a half -long, and very wide in their short diameter, of a dirty green ground -with brown spots. - -Dr. Cooper speaks of it as much more gregarious and familiar than the -common Crow, but otherwise resembling that bird in habits, being very -sagacious, feeding upon almost everything animal and vegetable, -differing rather in the tone than in the character of its cries. Its -chief dependence for food being on the sea, it is generally found -along the beach, devouring dead fish and other objects thrown up by -the waves. At high tide the birds leave the shore and resort to -dwellings near the sea, where they devour the offal and any refuse, -vegetable or animal. As soon as the tide changes they are sure to -notice it and to return to their favorite feeding-ground. They are -very troublesome to the Indians, stealing their fish exposed for -drying, and other articles of food. From some superstitious awe of -them the Indians never molest these birds, but set their children to -watch and drive them away. They build in trees near the shore, and the -young are fledged in May. - -In the southern half of California, Dr. Cooper states, these birds are -rarely seen near the sea, preferring inland districts, and only -occasionally coming to the shores of the bays to feed. During most of -the year they associate in large flocks, feeding in company, and are -gregarious even in the breeding-season, building in close proximity to -one another. Frequently several nests may be found on the same tree. -In this respect they are very unlike the eastern species, which never -permit another pair near their nest. - -These birds were found by Dr. Cooper breeding as far south as San -Diego, where they selected for their breeding-places the groves of -evergreen oaks growing in ravines. Their nests were from twelve to -forty feet from the ground. In the north they generally build in -spruces. He describes their nests as strongly built of sticks, coarse -on the outside, but finer on the inside, where they are mingled with -roots, grasses, moss, horse-hair, etc., to form a soft lining. The -eggs, four in number, have a ground-color of a dark shade of green, -thickly marked with dark brown and olive. He gives their average -measurement as 1.60 by 1.10 inches. At San Diego they are laid about -April 15. - -Where unmolested, these birds have not yet become so shy as in the -older districts, but they soon learn to apprehend the danger of a gun, -and to evince the cunning characteristics of their tribe. They have -not, as yet, manifested any disposition to disturb the growing crops, -and the small depredations they commit are far more than -counterbalanced by their destruction of immense numbers of grubs, -grasshoppers, and other injurious insects. They obtain a large supply -of food around the cattle-ranches. - -In northern California they feed largely on fish, and on the Columbia -on clams and oysters. - -For reasons not well understood, they avoid particular districts -during the breeding-season. Dr. Cooper has never noticed one, during -this season, on the coast south of Santa Clara, has never seen one in -the Colorado Valley, nor in the Sierra Nevada. - -At Visalia, where an extensive forest of oaks forms an oasis in the -great Tulare plain, he met with large flocks of these birds, with the -same gregarious habits as were observed on the coast. - -During the month of July, 1866, a large number of these Crows came -every evening to roost in an alder-grove near the town of Santa Cruz. -They gathered in long, continuous flocks from the neighboring fields, -flying rather high. All at once they would descend, with zigzag turns, -to the low trees, sportively chasing and pecking at one another, and -chattering in the air. - -Mr. John K. Lord, who enjoyed an unusually good opportunity of -comparing the habits of our common Crow with those of this species, -has not the slightest doubt as to their distinctness, though so very -like in all essential respects, as far as color, form of bill, and -other details are concerned. The smaller size of this bird, the -difference in voice, and their habit of building with mud a domed -nest, sufficiently demonstrate their difference. This Crow he found -principally near the sea-coast; retiring to the trees at high tide, -following out its ebb and retreating before its flood, they feed on -any marine food they can find. The caw of this species reminded him of -the Jackdaws of Europe. During the breeding-season they abandoned the -coast, from early May resorting by pairs to the interior. Selecting -patches of open prairie, they build their nests in the bushes of the -crab-apple or wild thorn, and something in the manner of the Magpie, -arching over the top with sticks, with two openings for entrance and -exit on either side. The inside is plastered with mud, and lined with -a few loose grass-stalks. The eggs he found generally small, and of a -lighter color than those of the common Crow. After nesting, they -return with their young to the sea-coast, and remain in large flocks. -During the breeding-season they feed on small reptiles, freshwater -mollusks, insects, grubs, etc. Mr. Lord noticed them capturing -butterflies flying near their nests. Their eggs range in number from -five to seven. - -An egg of this species from Sitka measures 1.62 inches in length by -1.12 in breadth. It is of an oblong-oval shape, pointed at one end. -The ground-color is a light sea-green, with marks and blotches of -olive-brown, of varying size and different shades. - - -Corvus ossifragus, WILSON. - -FISH CROW. - - _Corvus ossifragus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. V, 1812, 27, pl. xxxvii, f. - 2.—BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 39.—IB. Syn. 1828, 57.—IB. - Conspectus, 1850, 385.—WAGLER, Syst. Avium, 1827, _Corvus_, - No. 12.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 216.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, - 268; V, 479, pl. cxlvi.—IB. Syn. 1839, 151.—IB. Birds Am. IV, - 1842, 94, pl. ccxxvi.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 571, pl. - lxvii, f. 2.—SAMUELS, 363.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 297. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill longest; second rather longer than seventh; -first shorter than the ninth. Glossy black, with green and violet -reflections; the gloss of the belly greenish. Length, about 15.50; -wing, 10.50; tail, less than 7.00; tarsus shorter than the middle toe -and claw. - -HAB. Atlantic coast, from New Jersey to Florida. - -The Fish Crow of the Atlantic States is readily distinguishable from -the common Crow by the much smaller size (16 inches instead of 20; -wing, about 11 inches instead of 13); the bill is broader at the base -and tapers more rapidly to the end; the middle toe and claw are longer -than the scutellate portion of the tarsus, not shorter, the inner claw -not reaching to the base of the middle one. The tail is less rounded. -The gloss on the belly is green instead of violet; that on the back is -mixed with green, not entirely violet. - -HABITS. The Fish Crow of Eastern North America has a distribution -restricted to the Southern Atlantic and the Gulf shore. It is found in -the States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, -the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, and, according to Audubon, thence -to the mouth of the Mississippi. West of that river it appears to be -very rarely met with. Dr. Würdemann obtained it at Calcasieu, La. Mr. -Allen, in a list of the birds of Massachusetts, published in 1864, -names this species as an occasional visitor along the southern coast -of that State, but I am not able to find any corroboration of the -statement, and believe it to be a mistake. Dr. De Kay, in his Report -on the birds of New York, states that this Crow is occasionally seen -on the shores of Long Island, but Mr. Lawrence is confident that it -never occurs farther north than Squaw Beach, in New Jersey. So, too, -Mr. Townsend is quoted by both Audubon and Nuttall as authority for -its occurrence on the Columbia River, of which we have no -confirmation. - -This species was first described by Wilson, who met with it and -observed its habits on the sea-coast of Georgia. In some respects its -habits were the exact reverse of those of the common Crow, as the -former regularly retired at evening into the interior to roost, and -came down to the shores of the river Savannah, on the first appearance -of day, to feed. Its voice first attracted his notice; there was -something in it very different from the utterances of the Crow, being -more hoarse and guttural, and more varied in its modulations. The mode -of flight was also observed to be quite different, as the Fish Crow -occasionally soars about in the manner of the Raven and of Hawks, -without flapping its wings,—a flight which the Crow is never observed -to make, and is probably not able to execute. - -The food was also observed to be unlike, as well as the manner of -procuring it. The favorite haunt of this species seemed to be the -banks of the river, up and down which they soared, and in a very -dexterous manner snatched up with their claws dead fish, or other -garbage found floating on the surface. This Crow was also seen to -perch frequently on the back of cattle, in the manner of the Jackdaw -of Europe. It was never seen to mingle with the common Crows; and -never, like the latter, roosts among the reeds and marshes near the -water, but always seeks the shelter of the woods, in which to pass the -night. - -Afterwards, in his journey near the Mississippi, Wilson observed the -same birds frequenting the borders of rivers and ponds, and feeding on -the reptiles found in those waters. They were close attendants upon -the cow-yards, and were more solitary, but much less shy and -suspicious, than the common Crow. This species was also observed by -Wilson in Cape May County, New Jersey, and in the regions bordering on -the Schuylkill and the Delaware, near Philadelphia, during the shad -and herring fishing, or from March till June. - -During the breeding-season they were observed to separate into pairs, -and to build their nests in tall trees near the sea or the river -shore. One of their nests was in a tall wood at Great Egg Harbor, and -they were presumed to have four or five young at a time. - -In the District of Columbia, Dr. Coues found the Fish Crow to be an -abundant resident throughout the year, less wary and suspicious than -the common Crow, and more confined to the borders of rivers. It was -generally confounded with _C. americanus_. - -The Fish Crow appears to have received, even if it does not merit, an -exemption from the general unpopularity of its race. It is generally -believed to be at least a harmless species, and in its destruction of -reptiles and vermin to be even beneficial. This belief, we apprehend, -is for the most part well founded. Yet Mr. Audubon accuses these Crows -of entering gardens and feeding upon the best fruits. He also states -that, near Charleston, they commit such depredations upon the ripe -figs, and become so troublesome generally in the gardens, that it is -often found necessary to station a man near the fig-trees to shoot and -destroy them. - -The Fish Crow is confined either to the maritime districts or to the -banks of rivers branching from them. Audubon states that they ascend -the Delaware to quite a distance, and that some breed in New Jersey -every year, but that all retire to the South on the approach of cold -weather. Some go up the Mississippi to the distance of five hundred -miles, but return to the seashore in the winter. In East Florida, -where they were very abundant, Mr. Audubon found them breeding in -February, in South Carolina on the 20th of March, and in New Jersey a -month later. On the St. John’s River, during February, he saw them in -flocks of several hundred, but all seemed mated and to move in pairs, -sailing high in the air in the manner of Ravens. After these aerial -excursions the whole body descended to the water’s edge to feed. When -their fishing was over, they would alight in flocks on the live-oaks -near the shore, and there keep up their gabbling, while they plumed -themselves, for hours. They then returned to their fishing-grounds, -where they remained until near sunset, moving into the interior to -great distances, to roost on the loblolly-pines. These retreats were -made in silence, but their return to the sea-shore in the early -morning was made with noisy and lively demonstrations. They were then -to be seen among the bays, rivers, salt ponds, and marshes, searching -for small fry, and picking up any garbage they might find. - -Mr. Audubon also accuses them of robbing other birds of their eggs and -young. This was especially observed on the Florida Keys, where they -even dared to plunder the nests of the Cormorants and White Ibis. They -feed largely on the small crabs called fiddlers, which they pursue and -easily capture in their burrows. He has also seen them attack and -pursue small Gulls and Terns, and attempt to make them disgorge the -fish they have caught; but as the flight of the latter is swifter, -they are frequently unsuccessful in these attempts at robbery. This -Crow can catch living fish with considerable dexterity, but cannot -feed while on the wing. - -During the winter and early spring, Mr. Audubon states that these -birds feed on various kinds of berries, especially those of the _Ilex -cassina_ and of the common holly, and those of the exotic tallow-tree, -now so common near Charleston (_Stillingia sebifera_). In January and -February these trees are much resorted to by the Crows, who greedily -devour their white and oily seeds. - -Mr. Audubon found these birds breeding generally on moderate-sized -trees of the loblolly-pine, building their nests towards the -extremities of the branches, about twenty feet from the ground. The -nests are smaller than those of the Crow, and are built of sticks, -lined with dry grasses and moss, and neatly finished with fine fibrous -roots. The eggs are five or six in number, and resemble those of the -Crow, but are smaller. - -Two eggs of this species, from St. Simon’s Island, measure, one 1.50 -in length by 1.10 in breadth, the other 1.52 by 1.09. Their -ground-color is a light blue with a slight greenish tinge, marked over -the entire egg with small blotches of a light brown. An egg from Great -Egg Harbor, obtained by Wilson, from the old Peale Museum, and which -may be a faded specimen, has no tinge of blue or green, but a ground -of pinkish-gray, marked with smaller blotches and cloudings of dark -drab. It measures 1.46 inches in length by one inch in breadth. - - -GENUS PICICORVUS, BONAP. - - _Picicorvus_, BONAPARTE, Consp. Av. 1850, 384. (Type, _Corvus - columbianus_, WILS.) - - [Illustration: _Picicorvus columbianus._] - -GEN. CHAR. Leaden-gray color, with black wings and tail. Bill longer -than the head, considerably longer than the tarsus, attenuated, -slightly decurved; tip without notch. Culmen and commissure curved; -gonys straight or slightly concave, as long as the tarsi. Nostrils -circular, completely covered by a full tuft of incumbent white bristly -feathers. Tail much shorter than the wings, nearly even or slightly -rounded. Wings pointed, reaching to the tip of tail. Third, fourth, -and fifth quills longest. Tarsi short, scarcely longer than the middle -toe, the hind toe and claw very large, reaching nearly to the middle -of the middle claw, the lateral toe little shorter. A row of small -scales on the middle of the sides of tarsus. Color of the single -species leaden-gray, with black wings and tail. - - [Line drawing: _Picicorvus columbianus._ - 4461] - - [Line drawing: _Nucifraga caryocatactes._ - 9673] - -This genus is so similar to _Nucifraga_ as to be hardly separable; the -principal difference being in the slender and more decurved and -attenuated bill, with a slightly concave, instead of convex, culmen, -and plain instead of spotted plumage. The differences of form are -expressed by the accompanying outlines of the generic features of the -two. But one species is known, this being peculiar to Western North -America. - - -Picicorvus columbianus, BONAP. - -CLARKE’S CROW. - - _Corvus columbianus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 29, pl. xx.—BON. - Obs. Wilson, 1824, No. 38.—IB. Syn. 1828, 57.—NUTTALL, I, - 1832, 218. _Nucifraga columbiana_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, - 459, pl. ccclxii.—IB. Syn. 1839, 156.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, - 127, pl. ccxxxv.—BON. List, 1838.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) - 251. _Picicorvus columbianus_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, - 384.—NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1837, 83.—BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 573.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 121 (British - Columbia).—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, - 286.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 289. “_Corvus megonyx_, - WAGLER.” - -SP. CHAR. Tail rounded or moderately graduated, the closed wings -reaching nearly to its tip. Fourth quill longest; second considerably -shorter than the sixth. General color bluish-ash, changing on the -nasal feathers, the forehead, sides of head (especially around the -eye), and chin, to white. The wings, including their inner surface, -greenish-black, the secondaries and tertials, except the innermost, -broadly tipped with white; tail white, the inner web of the fifth -feather and the whole of the sixth, with the upper tail-coverts, -greenish-black. The axillars plumbeous-black. Bill and feet black. -Young similar in color, without additional markings of any kind. The -gonys, however, convex, and the bill generally more like that of the -Jays. Length of male (fresh), 12.00; wing, 7.00; tail, 4.30; tarsus, -1.20. - -HAB. From Rocky Mountains to Pacific. East to Fort Kearney, north to -Sitka, south to Arizona. - -HABITS. Clarke’s Crow was first met with by the parties composing the -celebrated exploring party to the Rocky Mountains under the direction -of Lewis and Clarke. It was described by Wilson in 1811, who was -informed by individuals belonging to the expedition that these birds -were found inhabiting the shores of the Columbia and the adjacent -country in great numbers, frequenting the rivers and sea-shore, and -that it seemed to have all the noisy and gregarious habits of the -common Crow of Europe. - -In his account of this species, Mr. Nuttall states that during his -journey westward in the month of July, he first observed individuals -of this bird in a small grove of pines on the borders of Bear River, -near where it falls into Lake Timpanagos. This was at a height of -about seven thousand feet above the sea level, and in the 42d -parallel. Their habits appeared to him to correspond with those of the -Nutcrackers of Europe. - -He afterwards saw a considerable flock of the young birds early in -August, in a lofty ravine near the Three Buttes, a remarkable isolated -mountain group about forty miles west of the Lewis River. They -appeared somewhat shy, and were scattered through a grove of aspens, -flying, with a slight chatter, from the tops of bushes and trees, to -the ground. He was of the opinion that this species never descends -below the mountain plains, but that it has a constant predilection for -the pine forests. - -Mr. Townsend afterwards found this species abundant on the Blue -Mountains of Oregon. He describes its flight as very unlike that of a -Crow, being performed in jerks, in the manner of a Woodpecker. At -times, when sitting, it is said to keep up a constant scream, in a -very harsh and grating voice, and in an unvaried and prolonged tone. -He states that it breeds in very high pine-trees, and that he did not -meet with it within five hundred miles of the Columbia River. - -Mr. Ridgway found this species one of the most abundant birds of the -pine forests of the Sierra Nevada. East of this range it was also met -with, though only in smaller numbers, in the cedar and piñon woods of -the East Humboldt Mountains. He adds that it is a bird so curiously -striking as at once to attract attention. It bears but very little -resemblance to any bird of its family, and in its general appearance, -flight, and notes approaches so nearly to the Woodpeckers as to be -usually known to the settlers as a bird of that tribe. - -He further remarks that its flight much resembles that of _Melanerpes -torquatus_, and, as it alights from the top of a tall dead tree, and -sits quietly gazing around, it might readily be mistaken for one of -the _Picidæ_. He describes them as being very active in their -movements, now flying from a tree to the ground to pick up some -article of food, now examining the excavations of an old dead stump or -snag, or, on being approached, as flying up and alighting upon the -extreme summit of a tree, out of gunshot. It is a very noisy bird, and -its notes are harsh and discordant, though less so than are those of -the Steller’s Jay, which is generally seen in the same localities. Its -usual note is a harsh guttural _churr-churr_, generally uttered when -two or more alight on the same tree. Occasionally an individual takes -up a peculiar piping strain, which is immediately answered by all the -others in the neighborhood, thus awakening the echoes of the -surrounding solitude with their discordant cries. In regard to its -nest he can give no positive information, but thinks that they breed -in cavities in old dead trees and stumps, having found a nest in such -a situation in the East Humboldt Mountains, which he thinks belonged -to a pair of these birds which were flying about, and seen to enter -this cavity. - -Dr. Newberry, in his Report on the zoölogy of his route, states that -he found this species rather common along a large portion of it, and -was thus enabled to study its habits at leisure. He found it strictly -confined to the highlands and mountains, never, where he saw it, -descending to a lower altitude than about four thousand feet. On the -other hand, while crossing the Cascade Mountains at the line of -perpetual snow, seven thousand feet above the sea-level, he has seen -this bird, in company with the _Melanerpes torquatus_, flying over the -snow-covered peaks three thousand feet above him. - -He first met with this bird on the spur of the Sierra Nevada, near -Lassen’s Butte, and found it constantly, when in high and timbered -regions, from there to the Columbia. He describes its habits as a -compound, in about equal parts of those of the Jays and of the -Woodpeckers. Its cry he speaks of as particularly harsh and -disagreeable, something like that of Steller’s Jay, but louder and -more discordant. It seems to combine the shrewdness with all the -curiosity of the Jays and Crows, and from its shyness is a very -difficult bird to shoot, the Doctor never being able to get directly -within killing distance of one of them, but only obtaining specimens -by concealing himself and waiting for them to approach him. Apparently -from excess of caution, it almost invariably alights on a dry tree. -Even when going to a living tree for its food, it always flies first -into a dry one, if one is near, to reconnoitre, and, if the coast is -clear, it begins to feed. At the first movement of an intruder, -without uttering a note, it puts a safe distance between itself and -its enemy. - -The food of this bird, at the time when Dr. Newberry visited its -haunts, consisted exclusively of the seeds of the yellow pine (_P. -ponderosa_), in dislodging which from the cones the bird displays -great dexterity. Both Maximilian’s Jay and Steller’s Jay were, at that -time, feeding on the same seeds, but not so exclusively. - -Dr. Suckley obtained a specimen of this bird as far east as Milk -River, in Nebraska, about two hundred miles east of the Rocky -Mountains. - -In crossing the Cascade Mountains, in 1853, Dr. Cooper found these -birds quite abundant on the banks of the Yakima River, and from thence -north wherever there were trees of the long-leaved pine, the seeds of -which were its principal food. On returning to Vancouver during the -severe cold weather of the following January, these birds appeared -there in considerable numbers. At no other season of the year has he -met with them west of the Cascade Mountains, and believes these -migrations westward are only made in the severest weather. They extend -eastward throughout Washington Territory, as Dr. Cooper has shot them -at Fort Laramie, and met with a straggling pair even as far east as -Fort Kearney. Dr. Cooper has never known these birds to eat anything -except seeds and berries. They rarely descend to the ground, and never -frequent river-banks, or other places, for fish or carrion. They may -be seen on the tops of trees extracting seeds from cones, hanging head -downwards, like a Chickadee. Dr. Cooper has observed this bird pecking -at dead bark, in quest of insects. When feeding they are very shy, -flying off, if approached, to a great distance before alighting. They -are not known to visit the Coast Mountains south of San Francisco, but -abound in the Rocky Mountains throughout our limits. - -Mr. J. K. Lord notes the arrival of this species at Fort Colville, in -May, in large flocks. They were hopping busily from branch to branch, -amidst pine-trees. - -The statement made to Wilson that this species frequents rivers and -seashores, and his inference that its formidable claws indicated that -they feed on living animals, is controverted by Mr. Lord. They never -frequent river-banks, never by any chance eat fish, and never capture -any living thing. Their habits are strictly arboreal, and their food -the seeds of pine-trees. These noisy seed-hunters use their formidable -claws to enable them to hang on to the pine cones while they are -extracting the seed, which they are obliged to get out from under -scaly coverings. For this nature has given them feet and claws that -serve the purpose of hands, and a powerful bill, like a small crowbar. -The cone must be steadied when they pry it open, or it would snap and -fall. One foot clasps it, and the powerful claws hold it firmly. The -other foot, encircling a branch, supports the bird in every possible -position, the long grasping claws being equal to any emergency. The -cone is thus fixed, and the seeds are forced out from under the -scales. Mr. Lord collected a large packet of seeds of the _Abies -douglassi_ from the crops of these birds. - -On their arrival they assemble in immense flocks, and the noise they -make he describes as a most discordant, continuous, grating clatter, -intensified at times into a perfect shriek. These assemblies last -about a week, after which they separate in pairs. - -A nest of this bird was found by Mr. Lord in the top of a lofty pine -at least two hundred feet high,—felled in cutting the boundary line. -By chance he discovered the nest, about which the old birds were -hovering, leaving no doubt of its identity. This nest was very large -and composed of fir twigs, bits of bark, the leaves of the pine, fine -root-fibres, with small pieces of moss, and gray lichens mixed -carelessly with the other materials. It was shallow and round, and -presented a large extent of surface beyond the margins of the hollow -containing the eggs. The eggs were in fragments, much like the eggs of -Steller’s Jay in color, but of a lighter shade of bluish-green. He -thinks that their habit is to build in the very tallest pines. - -Dr. Kennerly also met with this Crow west of Albuquerque, in New -Mexico, in the thick pine woods skirting the eastern slope of the -Rocky Mountains, where it was quite abundant. He rarely saw more than -two or three together. None were met with after leaving the mountains. - -A single specimen of this crow was obtained at Sitka, by Bischoff. - - -GENUS GYMNOKITTA, PR. MAX. - - _Gymnorhinus_, PR. MAX. Reise Nord. Amer. II, 1841, 21. (Type, _G. - cyanocephala_.) - _Gymnokitta_, PR. MAX. “1850,” GRAY. - _Cyanocephalus_, BONAP. “1842,” preoccupied in Botany. - - [Line drawing: _Gymnokitta cyanocephala._ - 16247] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill elongated, depressed, shorter than the tarsus, longer -than the head, without notch, similar to that of _Sturnella_ in shape. -Culmen nearly straight; commissure curved; gonys ascending. Nostrils -small, oval, entirely exposed, the bristly feathers at the base of the -bill being very minute. Tail short, nearly even, much shorter than the -pointed wings, which cover three fourths of the tail. Tarsi -considerably longer than the middle toe. Color of the single species -blue, most intense anteriorly; the throat streaked with white. - -The bill in this genus is not unlike that of _Sturnus_ and -_Sturnella_, and conspicuous among _Corvinæ_ by its uncovered nostrils. - - -Gymnokitta cyanocephala, PR. MAX. - -MAXIMILIAN’S JAY. - - _Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus_, PR. MAXIMILIAN, Reise in das innere - Nord-Amerika, II, 1841, 21.—IB. Voyage dans l’Am. du Nord, - III, 1843, 296. _Gymnokitta cyanocephala_, “PR. MAX. 1850,” BP. - Conspectus, 1850, 382.—CASSIN, Illust. I, VI, 1854, 165, pl. - xxviii.—NEWBERRY, Rep. P. R. R. VI, IV, 1857, 83.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 574.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 193.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 292. _Psilorhinus cyanocephalus_, GRAY, - Genera. _Cyanocorax cassini_, M’CALL, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, June, - 1851, 216. - - [Illustration: _Gymnokitta cyanocephala._] - -SP. CHAR. Wings considerably longer than the tail, and reaching to -within an inch of its tip. Tail nearly even. General color dull blue, -paler on the abdomen, the middle of which is tinged with ash; the head -and neck of a much deeper and more intense blue, darker on the crown. -Chin and forepart of the throat whitish, streaked with blue. Length, -10.00; wing, 5.90; tail, 4.50; tarsus, 1.50. Young bird not differing -in markings. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains of Colorado, to Cascade Mts. of California and -Oregon. Not on the Pacific coast? South to New Mexico and Arizona. - -The female is appreciably different from the male, both in size and -plumage, being smaller, and of a light bluish-ash tint. This -difference is readily appreciable when the birds are seen flying. - -HABITS. Maximilian’s Jay was discovered and first described by that -eminent naturalist, Maximilian, Prince of Wied, in his book of travels -in North America, published in 1841. Mr. Edward Kern, who was -connected with Colonel Fremont’s exploring expedition in 1846, was the -first to bring specimens of this interesting and remarkable bird to -the notice of American naturalists, transmitting them to the -Philadelphia Academy. The specimens procured by its discoverer were -met with by him on Maria’s River, one of the tributaries of the Upper -Missouri, in the extreme northern portion of our northwestern -territory, a point much farther north than it has been met with by any -other naturalist. As this species has since been seen in large numbers -in New Mexico, it may be presumed to extend its movements over quite -an extended area of distribution in the region of the Rocky Mountains. - -According to the more recent observations of Mr. Ridgway, the -Maximilian Jay inhabits exclusively the nut-pine and cedar woods on -the interior mountain ranges, and is one of the most characteristic -birds of those regions. This species he states to be eminently -gregarious, even breeding in colonies, and in winter congregating in -flocks, sometimes of thousands. Ever restless and in motion, as it -moves it is constantly uttering its curious, querulous notes. It is a -very conspicuous bird, and is one well worthy of particular attention. -Its blue color is the only thing suggestive of its affinity to the -Jay. All its habits are different, and its appearance is quite -peculiar. It is as essentially migratory as the _Ectopistes -migratoria_, its coming and its going being quite as sudden and -uncertain. On one occasion, in visiting a nut-pine wood, Mr. Ridgway -found it full of roving, noisy troops of these birds, but upon -visiting the same locality the next day not one could be seen. - -He also states that these birds are exceedingly early in their -nesting, as he met with companies of fully fledged young flying about -on the 21st of April. Near Carson City, April 20, 1868, he found these -birds abundant among the scattered cedars and nut-pines on the lower -slopes of the hills. They were in pairs, often three or four pairs in -company. - -The notes of this bird are both peculiar and curious. The usual ones -are said to have some resemblance to the querulous wailings of the -Screech Owl; but none, in his opinion, have any resemblance to the cry -of the Catbird. - -It flies very swiftly, but with a gentle floating motion, very much in -the manner of the Robin. In its movements among the small cedars, it -generally alighted upon the summit of a tree, and, quietly sitting -there, would look about in the manner of the _Picicorvus columbianus_. -In flying, it continually uttered a very peculiar querulous note, -resembling very much one of the notes of the Magpie,—the peculiarly -soft note of that bird uttered during the love-season, or when its -nest is approached. In searching among the cedars, Mr. Ridgway found -several of its nests. Nearly all had been deserted, and there were -several families of fully fledged young flying about. One nest -contained four fully feathered young. When these had been taken, and -placed in a hat, they all jumped out, squalling vociferously. These -nests were all saddled upon horizontal branches of cedars, and, except -in their greater bulk, they closely resembled the nest of the eastern -Blue Jay. - -In autumn and in winter the large flocks of these birds, as they fly -back and forth over the hills, present a very peculiar appearance. -Their flight is then very swift. - -Dr. Kennerly, in November, 1853, frequently saw large flocks of these -birds between the Puebla of Laguna and the Sierra Madre, about a -hundred miles west of Albuquerque, in New Mexico. They were found -chiefly frequenting the watercourses, and when startled would circle -around, rising higher above their heads, uttering their singular -cries; then suddenly descending they would alight in the top of some -tree on the adjoining cliffs. He compares its voice to that of the -common Catbird. - -Dr. T. C. Henry also repeatedly noticed these birds in the vicinity of -Fort Webster, in New Mexico. He first met with them near San Miguel, -in July, 1852, where he observed a party of about thirty flitting -through the cedars along the roadside. They were chiefly young birds, -and were constantly alighting on the ground for the purpose of -capturing lizards, which they killed with great readiness, and -devoured. After that he repeatedly, in winter, saw these birds near -Fort Webster, and usually in flocks of about forty or fifty. They -evinced great wariness, and were very difficult of approach. - -The flocks would usually alight near the summit of a hill and pass -rapidly down its sides, all the birds keeping quite near to each -other, and frequently alighting on the ground. They appeared to be -very social, and kept up a continual twittering note. This bird, so -far as Dr. Henry observed it, is exclusively a mountain species, and -never seen on the plains or bottom-lands, and was never observed -singly, or even in a single pair, but always in companies. - -Dr. Newberry met with this species in the basin of the Des Chutes, in -Oregon. He first noticed it in September. Early every morning flocks -of from twenty-five to thirty of these birds came across, in their -usual straggling flight, chattering as they flew to the trees on a -hill near the camp, and then, from tree to tree, they made their way -to the stream to drink. He describes their note, when flying or -feeding, as a frequently repeated _ca-ca-că_. Sometimes, when made by -a straggler separated from mate or flock, it was rather loud and -harsh, but was usually soft and agreeable. When disturbed, their cry -was harsher. They were very shy, and could only be shot by lying in -wait for them. Subsequently he had an opportunity of seeing them feed, -and of watching them carefully as they were eating the berries of the -cedars, and in their habits and cries they seemed closely to resemble -Jays. A specimen, previously killed, was found with its crop filled -with the seeds of the yellow pine. - -Dr. Cooper has seen specimens of this bird from Washoe, just east of -the California State line, and he was informed by Mr. Clarence King -that they frequent the junipers on mountains near Mariposa. - -From Dr. Coues we learn that this bird is very abundant at Fort -Whipple, where it remains all the year. It breeds in the retired -portions of the neighboring mountains of San Francisco and Bill -Williams, the young leaving the nest in July. As the same birds are -ready to fly in April, at Carson City, it may be that they have two -broods in Arizona. During the winter they collect in immense flocks, -and in one instance Dr. Coues estimates their number at a thousand or -more. In a more recent contribution to the Ibis (April, 1872), Dr. -Coues gives a more full account of his observations in respect to this -bird. In regard to geographical range he considers its distribution -very nearly the same with that of the _Picicorvus_. Mr. Aiken has -recently met with these birds in Colorado Territory, where, however, -Mr. Allen did not obtain specimens. General McCall found these birds -abundant near Santa Fé, in New Mexico, at an altitude Of seven -thousand feet; and the late Captain Feilner obtained specimens at Fort -Crook, in Northeastern California. Dr. Coues considers its range to be -the coniferous zone of vegetation within the geographical area bounded -eastward by the foot-hills and slopes of the Rocky Mountains; westward -by the Cascade and Coast ranges; northward, perhaps to Sitka, but -undetermined; and somewhat so southward, not traced so far as the -_tierra fria_ of Mexico. - -Dr. Coues adds that, like most birds which subsist indifferently on -varied animal or vegetable food, this species is not, strictly -speaking, migratory, as it can find food in winter anywhere except at -its loftiest points of distribution. A descent of a few thousand feet -from the mountains thus answers all the purposes of a southward -journey performed by other species, so far as food is concerned, while -its hardy nature enables it to endure the rigors of winter. According -to his observations, this bird feeds principally upon juniper berries -and pine seeds, and also upon acorns and other small hard fruits. - -Dr. Coues describes this bird as garrulous and vociferous, with -curiously modulated chattering notes when at ease, and with extremely -loud harsh cries when excited by fear or anger. It is also said to be -restless and impetuous, as if of an unbalanced mind. Its attitudes on -the ground, to which it frequently descends, are essentially -Crow-like, and its gait is an easy walk or run, very different from -the leaping manner of progress made by the Jays. When perching, its -usual attitude is stiff and firm. Its flight resembles that of the -_Picicorvus_. After breeding, these birds unite in immense flocks, but -disperse again in pairs when the breeding-season commences. - -Nothing, so far, has been published in regard to the character of the -eggs. - - - - - SUBFAMILY GARRULINÆ. - - -CHAR. Wings short, rounded; not longer or much shorter than the tail, -which is graduated, sometimes excessively so. Wings reaching not much -beyond the lower tail-coverts. Bristly feathers at base of bill -variable. Bill nearly as long as the head, or shorter. Tarsi longer -than the bill or than the middle toe. Outer lateral claws rather -shorter than the inner. - -The preceding diagnosis may perhaps characterize the garruline birds, -as compared with the Crows. The subdivisions of the group are as -follows:— - - A. Nostrils moderate, completely covered by incumbent - feathers. - - _a._ Tail much longer than the wings; first primary - attenuated, falcate. - - Pica. Head without crest. - - _b._ Tail about as long as the wings; first primary not - falcate. - - Cyanura. Head with lengthened narrow crest. Wing and - tail blue, banded with black. - - Cyanocitta. Head without crest. Above blue, with a - gray patch on the back. No bands on wing and tail. - - Xanthoura. Head without crest. Color above greenish; - the head blue; lateral tail-feathers yellow. - - Perisoreus. Head full and bushy. Bill scarcely half the - head, with white feathers over the nostrils. Plumage - dull. - - B. Nostrils very large, naked, uncovered by feathers. - - Psilorhinus. Head not crested; tail broad; wings two - thirds as long as the tail. - - Calocitta. Head with a recurved crest; wings less than - half as long as the tail. - -There is a very close relationship between the Jays and the Titmice, -the chief difference being in size rather than in any other -distinguishing feature. The feathers at the base of the bill, however, -in the Jays, are bristly throughout, with lateral branches reaching to -the very tip. In _Paridæ_ these feathers are inclined to be broader, -with the shaft projecting considerably beyond the basal portion, or -the lateral branches are confined to the basal portion, and extended -forwards. There is no naked line of separation between the scutellæ on -the outer side of the tarsi. The basal joint of the middle toe is -united almost or quite to the end to the lateral, instead of half-way. -The first primary is usually less than half the second, instead of -rather more; the fourth and fifth primaries nearly equal and longest, -instead of the fifth being longer than the fourth. - - -GENUS PICA, CUVIER. - - _Coracias_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. 1735 (GRAY). - _Pica_, BRISSON, Ornithologia, 1760, and of Cuvier (AGASSIZ). (Type, - _Corvus pica_, L.) - _Cleptes_, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d Ser. I, 1847, 47. - -GEN. CHAR. Tail very long, forming much more than half the total -length; the feathers much graduated; the lateral scarcely more than -half the middle. First primary falcate, curved, and attenuated. Bill -about as high as broad at the base; the culmen and gonys much curved, -and about equal; the bristly feathers reaching nearly to the middle of -the bill. Nostrils nearly circular. Tarsi very long; middle toe -scarcely more than two thirds the length. A patch of naked skin -beneath and behind the eye. - -The peculiar characteristic of this genus, in addition to the very -long graduated tail, lies in the attenuated, falcate first primary. -_Calocitta_, which has an equally long or longer tail, has the first -primary as in the Jays generally (besides having the nostrils exposed). - - [Line drawing: _Pica hudsonica._ - 4547] - -A specimen of _P. nuttalli_ has the lateral tarsal plates with two or three -transverse divisions on the lower third. This has not been observed by us -to occur in _P. hudsonica_. - - -Species and Varieties. - - P. caudata. Head, neck, breast, interscapulars, lining of - wing, tail-coverts and tibiæ, deep black: wings metallic - greenish-blue; tail rich metallic green, the feathers - passing through bronze and reddish-violet into - violet-blue, at their tips. Scapulars, abdomen, sides, - flanks, and inner webs of primaries, pure white. Sexes - alike; young similar. - - _a._ Bill and bare space around the eye black. - - Wing, 7.50; tail, 9.50 or less, its graduation less - than half its length, 4.50; culmen, 1.20; tarsus, - 1.75; middle toe, 1.05. _Hab._ Europe var. _caudata_.[55] - - Wing, over 8.00 (8.50 maximum); tail over 10.00 - (13.50, max., its graduation more than half its - length, 7.70); culmen, 1.55; tarsus, 1.75; middle toe, - 1.05. _Hab._ Northern and Middle North America, - exclusive of the Atlantic Province of United States - and California var. _hudsonica_. - - _b._ Bill and bare space around the eye yellow. - - Wing, 7.50; tail, 10.50; its graduation, 5.00; culmen, - 1.50; tarsus, 1.75; middle toe, 1.05. _Hab._ - California var. _nuttalli_. - - - [55] _Pica caudata_, FLEM. Brit. An. p. 87. _Corvus pica_, - LINN. Faun. Suec. p. 31. _Pica melanoleuca_, VIEILL. N. D. - XXVI, 121. _Pica albiventris_, VIEILL. Faun. Franc. p. 119, - t. 55, f. 1. _Pica european_ (CUV.) BOIE, Isis, 1822, 551. - _Pica rusticorum_, LEACH, Syst. Cat. Mamm. and Birds in - Brit. Mus. p. 18. - - -Pica caudata, var. hudsonica, BONAP. - -MAGPIE. - - _Corvus pica_, FORSTER, Phil. Trans. LXXII, 1772, 382.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. IV, 1811, 75, pl. xxxv.—BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. - 40.—IB. Syn. 1828, 57.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 219.—AUD. Orn. - Biog. IV, 1838, 408, pl. ccclvii (not of LINNÆUS). _Corvus - hudsonica_, JOS. SABINE, App. Narr. Franklin’s Journey, 1823, - 25, 671. _Picus hudsonica_, BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, - 1850, 383.—MAXIM. Reise Nord Amer. I, 1839, 508.—IB. Cabanis, - Journ. 1856, 197.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. R. - R. VI, IV, 1857, 84.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 576, pl. - xxv.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 121 (British Columbia).—COOPER - & SUCKLEY, 213, pl. xxv.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, - 1869, 286 (Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 39 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 296. _Cleptes - hudsonicus_, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d Ser. I, Dec. 1847, 47. - _Pica melanoleuca_, “VIEILL.” AUD. Syn. 1839, 157.—IB. Birds - Am. IV, 1842, 99, pl. ccxxvii. - - [Illustration: _Pica nuttalli._] - -SP. CHAR. Bill and naked skin behind the eye black. General color -black. The belly, scapulars, and inner webs of the primaries white; -hind part of back grayish; exposed portion of the tail-feathers glossy -green, tinged with purple and violet near the end; wings glossed with -green; the secondaries and tertials with blue; throat-feathers spotted -with white in younger specimens. Length, 19.00; wing, 8.50; tail, -13.00. Young in color and appearance similar generally to the adult. - -HAB. The northern regions of North America. The middle and western -Provinces of the United States exclusive of California; Wisconsin, -Michigan, and Northern Illinois, in winter. - -The American Magpie is almost exactly similar to the European, and -differs only in larger size and disproportionably longer tail. -According to Maximilian and other authors, the iris of the American -bird has a grayish-blue outer ring, wanting in the European bird, and -the voice is quite different. It is, however, difficult to consider -the two birds otherwise than as geographical races of one primitive -stock. - -HABITS. The American Magpie has an extended western distribution from -Arizona on the south to Alaska on the northwest. It has been met with -as far to the east as the Missouri River, and is found from there to -the Pacific. It is abundant at Sitka; it was observed at Ounga, one of -the Shumagin Islands, and was obtained by Bischoff at Kodiak. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXVIII. - 1. Pica hudsonica. ♂ Nev., 53629. - 2. Gymnokitta cyanocephala. ♂ Cal., 16247. - 3. Pica nuttalli. ♂ Cal., 3938. - 4. Picicorvus columbianus. Oregon, 4461.] - -Richardson observed these birds on the Saskatchewan, where a few -remain even in winter, but are much more frequent in summer. - -Mr. Lord, the naturalist of the British branch of the Northwest -Boundary Survey, characterizes our Magpie as murderous, because of its -cruel persecution of galled and suffering mules, its picking out the -eyes of living animals, and its destruction of birds. These birds -caused so much trouble to the party, in winter, at Colville, as to -become utterly unbearable, and a large number were destroyed by -strychnine. They were then so tame and impudent that he repeatedly -gave them food from his hand without their showing any evidence of -fear. He says they nest in March. - -Dr. Suckley states that this Magpie is abundant throughout the central -region of Oregon and Washington Territory. He first met with it a -hundred miles west of Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone. It -became more abundant as the mountains were approached, and so -continued almost as far west as the Cascade Mountains, where the dense -forests were an effectual barrier. On Puget Sound he saw none until -August, after which, during the fall, it was tolerably abundant. It -breeds throughout the interior. He obtained a young bird, nearly -fledged, about May 5, at Fort Dalles. At this place a few birds remain -throughout the winter, but a majority retire farther south during the -cold weather. One of its cries, he says, resembles a peculiar call of -Steller’s Jay. - -Mr. Ridgway regards this Magpie as one of the most characteristic and -conspicuous birds of the interior region, distinguished both for the -elegance of its form and the beauty of its plumage. While not at all -rare in the fertile mountain cañons, the principal resort of this -species is the rich bottom-land of the rivers. The usual note of the -Magpie is a frequently uttered chatter, very peculiar, and, when once -heard, easily recognized. During the nesting-season it utters a softer -and more musical and plaintive note, sounding something like -_kay´-e-ehk-kay-e_. It generally flies about in small flocks, and, -like others of its family, is very fond of tormenting owls. In the -winter, in company with the Ravens, it resorts to the slaughter-houses -to feed on offal. The young differ but little in plumage from the -adult, the metallic colors being even a little more vivid; the white -spotting of the throat is characteristic of the immature bird. - -The nests were found by Mr. Ridgway in various situations. Some were -in cedars, some in willows, and others in low shrubs. In every -instance the nest was domed, the inner and real nest being enclosed in -an immense thorny covering, which far exceeded it in bulk. In the side -of this thorny protection is a winding passage leading into the nest, -possibly designed to conceal the very long tail of the bird, which, if -exposed to view, would endanger its safety. - -Dr. Cooper first met this bird east of the Cascade Mountains, near the -Yakima, and from there in his journey northward as far as the 49th -degree it was common, as well as in all the open unwooded regions -until the mountains were passed on his return westward. - -Dr. Kennerly met with these birds on the Little Colorado in New -Mexico, in December. He found them in great numbers soon after leaving -the Rio Grande, and from time to time on the march to California. They -seemed to live indifferently in the deep cañons among the hills or in -the valleys, but were only found near water. - -Dr. Newberry first met with these birds on the banks of one of the -tributaries of the Des Chutes, one hundred miles south of the -Columbia, afterwards on the Columbia, but nowhere in large numbers. He -regards them as much less gregarious in their habits than _Pica -nuttalli_, as all the birds he noticed were solitary or in pairs, -while the Yellow-bills were often seen in flocks of several hundreds. - -All accounts of this bird agree in representing it as frequently a -great source of annoyance to parties of exploration, especially in its -attacks upon horses worn down and galled by fatigue and privations. In -the memorable narrative of Colonel Pike’s journey in New Mexico, these -birds, rendered bold and voracious by want, are described as -assembling around that miserable party in great numbers, picking the -sore backs of their perishing horses, and snatching at all the food -they could reach. The party of Lewis and Clark, who were the first to -add this bird to our fauna, also describe them as familiar and -voracious, penetrating into their tents, snatching the meat even from -their dishes, and frequently, when the hunters were engaged in -dressing their game, seizing the meat suspended within a foot or two -of their heads. - -Mr. Nuttall, in his tour across the continent, found these birds so -familiar and greedy as to be easily taken, as they approached the -encampment for food, by the Indian boys, who kept them prisoners. They -soon became reconciled to their confinement, and were continually -hopping around and tugging and struggling for any offal thrown to -them. - -Observers have reported this bird from different parts of Arizona and -New Mexico; but Dr. Coues writes me that he never saw it at Fort -Whipple, or elsewhere in the first-named Territory. He found it -breeding, however, in the Raton Mountains, in June, under the -following circumstances, recorded at the time in his journal. - - “Yesterday, the 8th, we were rolling over smooth prairie, - ascending a little the while, but so gradually that only the - change in the flora indicated the difference in elevation. The - flowery verdure was passed, scrubby junipers came thicker and - faster, and pine-clad mountain-tops took shape before us. We made - the pass to-day, rounding along a picturesque ravine, and the - noon halt gave me a chance to see something of the birds. Troops - of beautiful Swallows were on wing, and as their backs turned in - their wayward flight, the violet-green colors betrayed the - species. A colony of them were breeding on the face of a cliff, - apparently like _H. lunifrons_, but the nests were not - accessible. Whilst I was watching their movements, a harsh scream - attracted my attention, and the next moment a beautiful Magpie - flew swiftly past with quivering wings, and with a flirt of the - glittering tail and a curious evolution dashed into a dense - thicket close by. In the hope of seeing him again, and perhaps of - finding his nest, I hurried to the spot where he had disappeared, - and pushed into the underbrush. In a few moments I stood in a - little open space, surrounded on all sides and covered above with - a network of vines interlacing the twigs and foliage so closely - that the sun’s rays hardly struggled through. A pretty shady - bower! and there, sure enough, was the nest, not likely to be - overlooked, for it was as big as a bushel basket,—a globular - mass, hung in the top of one of the taller saplings, about twelve - feet from the ground. The mother bird was at home, and my - bustling approach alarmed her; she flew out of the nest with loud - cries of distress, which brought the male to her side in an - instant. As I scrambled up the slender trunk, which swayed with - my weight, both birds kept flying about my head with redoubled - outcry, alighting for an instant, then dashing past again so - close that I thought they would peck at me. As I had no means of - preserving the nest, I would not take it down, and contented - myself with such observations as I could make whilst bestriding a - limb altogether too slender for comfort. It was nearly spherical - in shape, seemed to be about eighteen inches in diameter, arched - over, with a small hole on one side. The walls, composed entirely - of interlaced twigs bristling outwardly in every direction, were - extremely thick, the space inside being much less than one would - expect, and seemingly hardly enough to accommodate the bird’s - long tail, which I suppose must be held upright. The nest was - lined with a little coarse dried grass, and contained six young - ones nearly ready to fly. Authors state that the American Magpie - lays only two eggs; but I suppose that this particular pair lived - too far from scientific centres to find out what was expected of - them. Other birds, noticed to-day, were Steller’s Jays among the - pines and cedars, a flock of _Chrysomitris_, apparently _pinus_, - feeding on willow-buds along the rivulet that threaded the gorge, - and some Robins.” - -The eggs of this Magpie are somewhat larger than any I have seen of -_P. nuttalli_, and are differently marked and colored. Six specimens -from the Sierra Nevada exhibit the following measurements: 1.40 × -0.98, 1.22 × 1.00, 1.41 × 0.95, 1.28 × 0.95, 1.26 × 0.92, 1.32 × 0.96. -Their ground-color is a grayish-white, or light gray with a yellowish -tinge, spotted with blotches, dottings, and dashes of a purplish or -violet brown. In some they are sparsely distributed, showing plainly -the ground, more confluent at the larger end. In others they are -finer, more generally and more thickly distributed. In others they are -much larger and of deeper color, and cover the whole of the larger end -with one large cloud of confluent markings. None of these closely -resembles the eggs of _P. nuttalli_. The usual number of eggs in a -nest, according to Mr. Ridgway, varies from six to nine, although it -is said that ten are sometimes found. - - -Pica caudata, var. nuttalli, AUD. - -YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. - - _Pica nuttalli_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 450, pl. ccclxii.—IB. - Syn. 1839, 152.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 104, pl. - ccxxviii.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, - 383.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 236.—NEWBERRY, Rep. P. - R. R. VI, IV, 1857, 84.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 578, pl. - xxvi.—HEERM. X, _S_, 54.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 295. - _Cleptes nuttalli_, GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d Series, I, - 1847, 46. - -SP. CHAR. Bill, and naked skin behind the eye, bright yellow; -otherwise similar to _P. hudsonica_. Length, 17.00; wing, 8.00; tail. -10.00. - -HAB. California (Sacramento Valley, and southern coast region). - -We cannot look upon the Yellow-billed Magpie otherwise than as a local -race of the common kind, since it is well known that among the Jays -many species have the bill either black or yellow according to sex, -age, or locality; and as the Yellow-billed Magpie occupies a more -southern locality than usual, and one very different from that of the -black-billed species, it well may exhibit a special geographical -variation. The great restriction in range is another argument in favor -of its being a simple variety. - -HABITS. The Yellow-billed Magpie seems to be exclusively a bird of -California, where it is very abundant, and where it replaces almost -entirely the more eastern form. Mr. Ridgway, who met with this variety -only in the valley of the Sacramento, states that he there found it -very abundant among the oaks of that region. It differed from the -common Magpie in being exceedingly gregarious, moving about among the -oak groves in small companies, incessantly chattering as it flew, or -as it sat among the branches of the trees. He saw many of their nests -in the tops of the oaks,—indeed, all were so situated,—yet he never -met with the nests of the other species in a high tree, not even in -the river valleys. The young of this Magpie have the white of the -scapulars marked with rusty triangular spots. - -Dr. Cooper found this Magpie abundant in the valleys of California, -especially near the middle of the State, except during the spring -months, when none were seen in the Santa Clara Valley, the supposition -being that they had retired eastward to the mountains to build their -nests. At Santa Barbara he found them numerous in April and May, and -saw their nests in oak-trees. The young were already fledged by the -25th of April. The nest, he states, is composed of a large mass of -coarse twigs twisted together in a spherical form, with a hole in the -side. The eggs he saw resembled those of the other species, and are -described as being whitish-green, spotted with cinereous-gray and -olive-brown. They also breed abundantly about Monterey. They have not -been traced to the northern border of the State. - -Their food, Dr. Cooper adds, consists of almost everything animal and -vegetable that they can find, and they come about farms and gardens to -pick up whatever they can meet with. They have a loud call that sounds -like _pait-pait_, with a variety of chattering notes, in tone -resembling the human voice, which, indeed, they can be taught to -imitate. - -An egg of this species from Monterey, California, is of a rounded oval -shape, a little less obtuse at one end than the other. The -ground-color is a light drab, so closely marked with fine cloudings of -an obscure lavender color as nearly to conceal the ground, and to give -the egg the appearance of an almost uniform violet-brown. It measures -1.20 inches in length by .90 in breadth. - - -GENUS CYANURA, SWAINSON. - - _Cyanurus_, SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 495, Appendix. (Type, - _Corvus cristatus_, LINN.) - _Cyanocitta_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851 (not of STRICKLAND, 1845). - -GEN. CHAR. Head crested. Wings and tail blue, with transverse black -bars; head and back of the same color. Bill rather slender, somewhat -broader than high at the base; culmen about equal to the head. -Nostrils large, nearly circular, concealed by bristles. Tail about as -long as the wings, lengthened, graduated. Hind claw large, longer than -its digit. - - [Line drawing: _Cyanura cristata._ - 1423] - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Wings and tail deep blue, the latter, -with the secondaries and tertials, sometimes also the greater -coverts, barred with black. - - A. Greater coverts, tertials, secondaries, and - tail-feathers tipped broadly with white; lower parts - generally, including lateral and under parts of head, - whitish. - - C. cristata. Head above, back, scapulars, lesser - wing-coverts, rump and upper tail-coverts, light ashy - purplish-blue; a narrow frontal band, a loral spot, - streak behind the eye, and collar round the neck, - commencing under the crest, passing down across the end - of the auriculars and expanding into a crescent across - the jugulum, black; throat tinged with purplish-gray, - the breast and sides with smoky-gray; abdomen, anal - region, and crissum pure white. Wing, 5.70; tail, 6.00; - bill, 1.25; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, .85; crest, 2.20. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America. - - B. No white on wing or tail; lower parts deep blue. - - C. stelleri. Color deep blue, less intense than on wings - and tail, except dorsal region, which may be deep blue, - ashy-brown, or sooty-black. Head and neck dark - grayish-brown, dusky-blue, or deep black, the throat - more grayish. - - _a._ No white patch over the eye; throat and chin not - abruptly lighter than adjacent parts; secondary - coverts not barred with black. - - Whole head, neck, jugulum, and dorsal region plain - sooty-black; no blue streaks on forehead, or else - these only faintly indicated. The blue everywhere of - a uniform dull greenish-indigo shade. Depth of bill, - .45; crest, 2.60; wing, 6.00; tail, 6.00; culmen, - 1.35; tarsus, 1.75; middle toe, 1.00. _Hab._ - Northwest coast, from Sitka to the Columbia var. _stelleri_. - - Whole head, neck, jugulum, and dorsal region - plumbeous-umber; the forehead conspicuously streaked - with blue, and the crest washed with the same. The - blue of two very different shades, the wings and - tail being deep indigo, the body and tail-coverts - greenish cobalt-blue. Depth of bill, .35; crest, - 2.80; wing, 6.00; tail, 6.00; culmen, 1.25; tarsus, - 1.55; middle toe, .90. _Hab._ Sierra Nevada, from - Fort Crook to Fort Tejon var. _frontalis_. - - _b._ A patch of silky white over the eye; throat and - chin abruptly lighter than the adjoining parts; - secondary coverts barred distinctly with black. - - Whole crest, cheeks, and foreneck deep black; the - crest scarcely tinged with blue; dorsal region light - ashy-plumbeous; forehead conspicuously streaked with - milk-white. The blue contrasted as in var. - _frontalis_. Depth of bill, .35; crest, 3.00; wing, - 6.10; tail, 6.10; culmen, 1.25; tarsus, 1.65; middle - toe, .90. _Hab._ Rocky Mountains of United States - var. _macrolopha_. - - Whole crest, cheeks, and foreneck deep black, the - crest strongly tinged with blue; dorsal region - greenish plumbeous-blue. The blue nearly uniform; - forehead conspicuously streaked with bluish-white. - Depth of bill, .35; crest, 2.80; wing, 5.90; tail, - 5.90; culmen, 1.30; tarsus, 1.60; middle toe, .90. - _Hab._ Highlands of Mexico var. _diademata_.[56] - - Whole crest, cheeks, and foreneck deep blue, lores - black; dorsal region deep purplish-blue; forehead - conspicuously streaked with light blue. The blue of - a uniform shade—deep purplish-indigo—throughout. - Depth of bill, .40; length of crest, 2.50; wing, - 5.80; tail, 5.80; culmen, 1.30; tarsus, 1.60; middle - toe, .95. _Hab._ Southeastern Mexico (Xalapa, - Belize, etc.) var. _coronata_.[57] - -The different varieties just indicated under _Cyanura stelleri_, -namely, _stelleri_, _frontalis_, _macrolopha_, _diademata_, and -_coronata_, all appear to represent well-marked and easily defined -races of one primitive species, the gradation from one form to the -other being very regular, and agreeing with the general variation -attendant upon geographical distribution. Thus, beginning with _C. -stelleri_, we have the anterior part of head and body, including -interscapular region, black, without any markings on the head. In -_frontalis_ the back is lighter, and a glossy blue shows on the -forehead. In _macrolopha_ the blue of posterior parts invades the -anterior, tingeing them very decidedly, leaving the head black, with a -blue shade to the crest; the forehead is glossed with bluish-white; -the upper eyelids have a white spot. In _coronata_ the blue tinge is -deeper, and pervades the entire body, except the side of the head. The -shade of blue is different from _macrolopha_, and more like that of -_stelleri_; _diademata_, intermediate in habitat between _macrolopha_ -and _coronata_, is also intermediate in colors. The tail becomes -rather more even, and the bill more slender, as we proceed from -_stelleri_ to _coronata_. The bars on the secondary coverts become -darker in the same progression. - - [56] _Cyanura diademata_ (BONAP.), _Cyanogarrulus - diadematus_, BONAP. Consp. p. 377. _Cyanocitta diad._, - SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 1862, 143. The _C. galeata_, CAB., - from Bogota, we have not seen. - - [57] _Cyanura coronata_, SWAINS. Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 437. - - -Cyanura cristata, SWAINSON. - -BLUE JAY. - - _Corvus cristatus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, (10th ed.,) 1758, 106; (12th - ed.,) 1766, 157.—GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 369.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. I, 1808, 2, pl. i, f. 1.—BON. Obs. Wilson, 1824, No. - 41.—DOUGHTY, Cab. N. H. II, 1832, 62, pl. vi.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - II, 1834, 11; V, 1839, 475, pl. cii. _Garrulus cristatus_, - “VIEILLOT, Encyclop. 890.”—IB. Dict. XI, 477.—BON. Syn. 1828, - 58.—SW. F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 293.—VIEILLOT, Galerie, I, - 1824, 160, pl. cii.—AUD. Birds Am. IV, 110, pl. ccxxxi.—MAX. - Caban. J. 1858, VI, 192. _Pica cristata_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. - 1827, _Pica_, No. 8. _Cyanurus cristatus_, SWAINSON, F. - Bor.-Am. II, 1831, App. 495.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 580.—SAMUELS, 364.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 297. _Cyanocorax - cristatus_, BON. List, 1838. _Cyanocitta cristata_, STRICKLAND, - Ann. Mag. N. H. 1845, 261.—CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 221. - _Cyanogarrulus cristatus_, BON. Consp. 1850, 376. - -SP. CHAR. Crest about one third longer than the bill. Tail much -graduated. General color above light purplish-blue; wings and -tail-feathers ultramarine-blue; the secondaries and tertials, the -greater wing-coverts, and the exposed surface of the tail, sharply -banded with black and broadly tipped with white, except on the central -tail-feathers. Beneath white; tinged with purplish-blue on the throat, -and with bluish-brown on the sides. A black crescent on the forepart -of the breast, the horns passing forward and connecting with a -half-collar on the back of the neck. A narrow frontal line and loral -region black; feathers on the base of the bill blue, like the crown. -Female rather duller in color, and a little smaller. Length, 12.25; -wing, 5.65; tail, 5.75. - -HAB. Eastern North America, west to the Missouri. Northeastern Texas -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 494). North to Red River and Moose Factory. - -Specimens from north of the United States are larger than more -southern ones. A series of specimens from Florida, brought by Mr. -Boardman, are quite peculiar in some respects, and probably represent -a local race resident there. In these Florida specimens the wing and -tail are each an inch or more shorter than in Pennsylvania examples, -while the bill is not any smaller. The crest is very short; the white -spaces on secondaries and tail-feathers more restricted. - - [Illustration: _Cyanura cristata._] - -HABITS. The common Blue Jay of North America is found throughout the -continent, from the Atlantic coast to the Missouri Valley, and from -Florida and Texas to the fur regions nearly or quite to the 56th -parallel. It was found breeding near Lake Winnepeg by Donald Gunn. It -was also observed in these regions by Sir John Richardson. It was met -with by Captain Blakiston on the forks of the Saskatchewan, but not -farther west. - -The entire family to which this Jay belongs, and of which it is a very -conspicuous member, is nearly cosmopolitan as to distribution, and is -distinguished by the remarkable intelligence of all its members. Its -habits are striking, peculiar, and full of interest, often evincing -sagacity, forethought, and intelligence strongly akin to reason. These -traits belong not exclusively to any one species or generic -subdivision, but are common to the whole family. - -When first met with in the wild and unexplored regions of our country, -the Jay appears shy and suspicious of the intruder, man. Yet, curious -to a remarkable degree, he follows the stranger, watches all his -movements, hovers with great pertinacity about his steps, ever keeping -at a respectful distance, even before he has been taught to beware of -the deadly gun. Afterwards, as he becomes better acquainted with man, -the Jay conforms his own conduct to the treatment he receives. Where -he is hunted in wanton sport, because of brilliant plumage, or -persecuted because of unjust prejudices and a bad reputation not -deserved, he is shy and wary, shuns, as much as possible, human -society, and, when the hunter intrudes into his retreat, seems to -delight to follow and annoy him, and to give the alarm to all dwellers -of the woods that their foe is approaching. - -In parts of the country, as in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and other -Western States, where the Jay is unmolested and exempt from -persecution, we find him as familiar and confiding as any of the -favored birds of the Eastern States. In the groves of Iowa Mr. Allen -found our Blue Jay nearly as unsuspicious as a Black-capped Titmouse. -In Illinois he speaks of them as very abundant and half domestic. And -again, in Indiana, in one of the principal streets of Richmond, the -same gentleman found the nest of these birds in a lilac-bush, under -the window of a dwelling. In the summer of 1843 I saw a nest of the -Jay, filled with young, in a tree standing near the house of Mr. -Audubon, in the city of New York. The habits of no two species can -well be more unlike than are those which persecution on the one hand -and kind treatment on the other have developed in this bird. - -The Blue Jay, wherever found, is more or less resident. This is -especially the case in the more southern portions of its area of -reproduction. In Texas, Dr. Lincecum informs us, this Jay remains both -summer and winter. It is there said to build its nest of mud, a -material rarely if ever used in more northern localities; and when -placed not far from dwelling-houses, it is lined with cotton thread, -rags of calico, and the like. They are, he writes, very intelligent -and sensible birds, subsisting on insects, acorns, etc. He has -occasionally known them to destroy bats. In Texas they seem to seek -the protection of man, and to nest near dwellings as a means of safety -against Hawks. They nest but once a year, and lay but four eggs. In a -female dissected by him, he detected one hundred and twelve ova, and -from these data he infers that the natural life of a Jay is about -thirty years. - -Mr. Allen mentions finding the Blue Jay in Kansas equally at home, and -as vivacious and even more gayly colored than at the North. While it -seemed to have forgotten none of the droll notes and fantastic ways -always to be expected from it, there was added to its manners that -familiarity which characterizes it in the more newly settled portions -of the country, occasionally surprising one with some new expression -of feeling or sentiment, or some unexpected eccentricity in its varied -notes, perhaps developed by the more southern surroundings. - -The Blue Jay is arboreal in its habits. It prefers the shelter and -security of thick covers to more open ground. It is omnivorous, eating -either animal or vegetable food, though with an apparent preference -for the former, feeding upon insects, their eggs and larvæ, and worms, -wherever procurable. It also lays up large stores of acorns and beech -mast for food in winter, when insects cannot be procured in sufficient -abundance. Even at this season it hunts for and devours in large -quantities the eggs of the destructive tent caterpillar. - -The Jay is charged with a propensity to destroy the eggs and young of -the smaller birds, and has even been accused of killing full-grown -birds. I am not able to verify these charges, but they seem to be too -generally conceded to be disputed. These are the only serious grounds -of complaint that can be brought against it, and are more than -outweighed, tenfold, by the immense services it renders to man in the -destruction of his enemies. Its depredations on the garden or the farm -are too trivial to be mentioned. - -The Blue Jay is conspicuous as a musician. He exhibits a variety in -his notes, and occasionally a beauty and a harmony in his song, for -which few give him due credit. Wilson compares his position among our -singing birds to that of the trumpeter in the band. His notes he -varies to an almost infinite extent, at one time screaming with all -his might, at another warbling with all the softness of tone and -moderation of the Bluebird, and again imparting to his voice a grating -harshness that is indescribable. - -The power of mimicry possessed by the Jay, though different from, is -hardly surpassed by that of the Mocking-Bird. It especially delights -to imitate the cries of the Sparrow Hawk, and at other times those of -the Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks are given with such similarity -that the small birds fly to a covert, and the inmates of the -poultry-yard are in the greatest alarm. Dr. Jared P. Kirtland, of -Cleveland, on whose grounds a large colony of Jays took up their abode -and became very familiar, has given me a very interesting account of -their habits. The following is an extract: “They soon became so -familiar as to feed about our yards and corn-cribs. At the dawn of -every pleasant day throughout the year, the nesting-season excepted, a -stranger in my house might well suppose that all the axles in the -country were screeching aloud for lubrication, hearing the harsh and -discordant utterances of these birds. During the day the poultry might -be frequently seen running into their hiding-places, and the gobbler -with his upturned eye searching the heavens for the enemy, all excited -and alarmed by the mimic utterances of the adapt ventriloquists, the -Jays, simulating the cries of the Red-shouldered and the Red-tailed -Hawks. The domestic circle of the barn-yard evidently never gained any -insight into the deception by experience; for, though the trick was -repeated every few hours, the excitement would always be re-enacted.” - -When reared from the nest, these birds become very tame, and are -perfectly reconciled to confinement. They very soon grow into amusing -pets, learning to imitate the human voice, and to simulate almost -every sound that they hear. Wilson gives an account of one that had -been brought up in a family of a gentleman in South Carolina that -displayed great intelligence, and had all the loquacity of a parrot. -This bird could utter several words with great distinctness, and, -whenever called, would immediately answer to its name with great -sociability. - -The late Dr. Esteep, of Canton, Ohio, an experienced bird-fancier, -assured Dr. Kirtland that he has invariably found the Blue Jay more -ingenious, cunning, and teachable than any other species of bird he -has ever attempted to instruct. - - [Illustration: PLATE XXXIX. - 1. Cyanura stelleri. ♂ Oregon, 46040. - 2. ” ” _var_. frontalis. ♂ Sierra Nevada, 53639. - 3. ” macrolopha. ♂ Ariz., 41015. - 4. ” coronata. ♂ Xalapa, 16313.] - -Dr. Kirtland has also informed me of the almost invaluable services -rendered to the farmers in his neighborhood, by the Blue Jays, in the -destruction of caterpillars. When he first settled on his farm, he -found every apple and wild-cherry tree in the vicinity extensively -disfigured and denuded of its leaves by the larvæ of the _Clisiocampa -americana_, or the tent caterpillar. The evil was so extensive that -even the best farmers despaired of counteracting it. Not long after -the Jays colonized upon his place he found they were feeding their -young quite extensively with these larvæ, and so thoroughly that two -or three years afterwards not a worm was to be seen in that -neighborhood; and more recently he has searched for it in vain, in -order to rear cabinet specimens of the moth. - -The Jay builds a strong coarse nest in the branch of some forest or -orchard tree, or even in a low bush. It is formed of twigs rudely but -strongly interwoven, and is lined with dark fibrous roots. The eggs -are usually five, and rarely six in number. - -The eggs of this species are usually of a rounded-oval shape, obtuse, -and of very equal size at either end. Their ground-color is a -brownish-olive, varying in depth, and occasionally an olive-drab. They -are sparingly spotted with darker olive-brown. In size they vary from -1.05 to 1.20 inches in length, and in breadth from .82 to .88 of an -inch. Their average size is about 1.15 by .86 of an inch. - - -Cyanura stelleri, SWAINSON. - -STELLER’S JAY. - - _Corvus stelleri_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 370.—LATH. Ind. Orn. - I, 1790, 158.—PALLAS, Zoog. Rosso-As. I, 1811, 393.—BONAP. - Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 49.—IB. Suppl. Syn. 1828, 433.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 453, pl. ccclxii. _Garrulus stelleri_, - VIEILLOT, Dict. XII, 1817, 481.—BONAP. Am. Orn. II, 1828, 44, - pl. xiii.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 229.—AUD. Syn. 1839, - 154.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 107, pl. ccxxx (not of SWAINSON, - F. Bor.-Am.?). _Cyanurus stelleri_, SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, - 1831, 495, App. _Pica stelleri_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, - _Pica_, No. 10. _Cyanocorax stelleri_, BON. List, 1838. FINSCH, - Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 40 (Alaska). _Cyanocitta stelleri_, CAB. - Mus. Hein. 1851, 221. NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, IV, 1857, 85. - _Cyanogarrulus stelleri_, BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 377. - _Steller’s Crow_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, Sp. 139. LATH. Syn. - I, 387. _Cyanura s._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 581 (in part). - LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 122 (British Columbia; nest).—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, 486 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 298 (in part). - -SP. CHAR. Crest about one third longer than the bill. Fifth quill -longest; second about equal to the secondary quills. Tail graduated; -lateral feathers about .70 of an inch shortest. Head and neck all -round, and forepart of breast, dark brownish-black. Back and lesser -wing-coverts blackish-brown, the scapulars glossed with blue. Under -parts, rump, tail-coverts, and wings greenish-blue; exposed surfaces -of lesser quills dark indigo-blue; tertials and ends of tail-feathers -rather obsoletely banded with black. Feathers of the forehead streaked -with greenish-blue. Length, about 13.00; wing, 5.85; tail, 5.85; -tarsus, 1.75 (1,921). - -HAB. Pacific coast of North America, from the Columbia River to Sitka; -east to St. Mary’s Mission, Rocky Mountains. - -HABITS. Dr. Suckley regarded Steller’s Jay as probably the most -abundant bird of its size in all the wooded country between the Rocky -Mountains and the Pacific. He describes it as tame, loquacious, and -possessed of the most impudent curiosity. It is a hardy, tough bird, -and a constant winter resident of Washington Territory. It is -remarkable for its varied cries and notes, and seems to have one for -every emotion or pursuit in which it is engaged. It also has a great -fondness for imitating the notes of other birds. Dr. Suckley states -that frequently when pleasantly excited by the hope of obtaining a -rare bird, in consequence of hearing an unknown note issuing from some -clump of bushes or thicket, he has been not a little disappointed by -finding that it had issued from this Jay. It mimics accurately the -principal cry of the Catbird. - -Dr. Cooper also found it very common in all the forests on both sides -of the Cascade Mountains. While it seemed to depend chiefly upon the -forest for its food, in the winter it would make visits to the -vicinity of houses, and steal anything eatable it could find within -its reach, even potatoes. In these forages upon the gardens and -farm-yards, they are both silent and watchful, evidently conscious of -the peril of their undertaking, and when discovered they instantly fly -off to the concealment of the forests. They also make visits to the -Indian lodges when the owners are absent, and force their way into -them if possible, one of their number keeping watch. In the forest -they do not appear to be shy or timid, but boldly follow those who -intrude upon their domain, screaming, and calling their companions -around them. Hazel-nuts are one of their great articles of winter -food; and Dr. Cooper states that, in order to break the shell, the Jay -resorts to the ingenious expedient of taking them to a branch of a -tree, fixing them in a crotch or cavity, and hammering them with its -bill until it can reach the meat within. Their nest he describes as -large, loosely built of sticks, and placed in a bush or low tree. - -At certain seasons of the year its food consisted almost entirely of -the seeds of the pine, particularly of _P. brachyptera_, which Dr. -Newberry states he has often seen them extracting from the cones, and -with which the stomachs of those he killed were usually filled. He -found these birds ranging as far north as the line of the British -Territory, and from the coast to the Rocky Mountains. - -In his Western journey Mr. Nuttall met with these birds in the Blue -Mountains of the Oregon, east of Walla-walla. There he found them -scarce and shy. Afterwards he found them abundant in the pine forests -of the Columbia, where their loud trumpeting clangor was heard at all -hours of the day, calling out with a loud voice, _djay-djay_, or -chattering with a variety of other notes, some of them similar to -those of the common Blue Jay. They are more bold and familiar than our -Jay. Watchful as a dog, no sooner does a stranger show himself in -their vicinity than they neglect all other employment to come round -him, following and sometimes scolding at him with great pertinacity -and signs of irritability. At other times, stimulated by curiosity, -they follow for a while in perfect silence, until something seems to -arouse their ire, and then their vociferous cries are poured out with -unceasing volubility till the intruder has passed from their view. - -In the month of May, Mr. Nuttall found a nest of these birds in a -small sapling of the Douglas fir, on the borders of a dense forest, -and, some time after, a second nest with young, in an elevated branch -of another fir, on the border of a rocky cliff. The first nest -contained four eggs, of a pale green, marked with small olive-brown -spots, varied with others inclining to a violet hue. The parents flew -at him with the utmost anger and agitation, almost deafening him with -their cries; and although he took only two of their eggs, the next day -he found they had forsaken their nest. This nest was bulky, made of -interlaced twigs and roots, with a stout layer of mud, and lined with -black rootlets. One of the eggs taken by Mr. Nuttall is in my cabinet, -and is as he describes it, except that the obscure markings of violet -have nearly faded out. It measures 1.20 inches in length, and .90 in -breadth, is oval in shape, and a little more obtuse at one end than at -the other. - -This Jay was obtained by Steller at Nootka, on the west coast of -Vancouver Island, in latitude 50°. It was also found in abundance by -Mr. Dall at Sitka, in British Columbia, where a number of specimens -were obtained by Mr. Bischoff and by Mr. Elliot. - -Mr. J. K. Lord states that this Jay ever makes its presence known by -the constant utterance of discordant screams. It is continually -hopping from bough to bough, darting down to catch an insect, -performing short, erratic flights, and jerking up and down its crest -of bright feathers. Its noisy song seems to be everywhere. It is the -embodiment of restlessness, and, by dint of sheer impudence, attracts -attention even from the hunter. He adds that it seemed fond of -frequenting the haunts of man, and is always plentiful near Indian -lodges or white men’s shanties. It is by no means epicurean in taste, -but readily devours anything, whether seeds or salmon, grasshoppers or -venison. Its nest he found artfully concealed amidst the thick foliage -of a young pine-tree. It was composed of moss, small twigs, lichens, -and fir fronds, and lined with deer’s hair. The average number of eggs -laid appears to be seven. - - -Cyanura stelleri, var. frontalis, RIDGWAY. - -SIERRA JAY. - - _Cyanura stelleri_, AUCT. All reference to Steller’s Jay as - occurring in California, excepting on the northern Coast Range, - relate to this variety. - -SP. CHAR. Head, neck, and dorsal region plumbeous-umber, darker on the -head, and posteriorly changing gradually into the light greenish-blue -of the rest of the body; wings and tail deep indigo-blue, the -tertials, secondaries, and tail conspicuously marked with broad and -rather distant bars of black; primaries greenish light-blue, like the -rump, abdomen, etc. Whole forehead conspicuously streaked with blue -(the streaks forming two parallel series, where the feathers are not -disarranged), and the crest strongly tinged with blue. ♂ (53,639, -Carson City, Nevada, April 30, 1868): wing, 6.00; tail, 6.00; culmen, -1.25; depth of bill, .35; tarsus, 1.55; middle toe, .90; crest, 2.80. -♀ (53,640, Carson City, Nevada, April 30, 1868): wing, 5.70; tail, -5.50. _Young_ with the blue of the body and head entirely replaced by -a sooty grayish; and that of the wings and tail duller, and less -distinctly barred. - -HAB. Whole length of the Sierra Nevada, from Fort Crook (where it -approaches var. _stelleri_) to Fort Tejon. - -In the colors of the body, wings, and tail, this well-marked race -resembles _C. macrolopha_ in every respect, except that the greater -coverts are not barred with black; there being the same abrupt -contrast between the deep blue of the wings and tail, and the light -greenish-blue of the body, tail-coverts, and primaries,—seen only in -these two forms. The variety is confined to the mountains of -California and Western Nevada, extending along the Sierra Nevada about -the entire length of the State, there being specimens in the -collection from Fort Crook and Fort Tejon, and intermediate -localities. - -HABITS. The Blue-fronted Jay, so far as it was observed by Mr. -Ridgway, was found to be exclusively an inhabitant of the pine woods -of the Sierra Nevada, and is, with Clarke’s Nutcracker, one of the -most characteristic birds of that region. In its general habits and -manners, it greatly resembles the eastern Blue Jay, but is rather more -shy, while its notes are very different, and do not possess the -variety and flexibility of the _cristata_, but are in comparison harsh -and discordant. The usual note is a hoarse, deep-toned monosyllabic -squawk. Sometimes it utters a hollow sonorous chatter. - -Near Carson City one of these birds had been winged by a shot, and, in -falling, alighted on the lower branches of a pine-tree. Upon an -attempt to capture it, the bird began to ascend the tree limb by limb, -at the same time uttering a perfect imitation of the cry of the -Red-tailed Hawk, evidently in the hope of frightening away his -tormentors. Dr. Newberry regards this Jay as the western counterpart -of the _C. cristata_. By its more conspicuous crest, its bold, defiant -air, and its excessively harsh and disagreeable cry, it challenges and -secures attention. He found it almost exclusively confined to the -hilly and mountainous districts, choosing in preference those covered -with pines. - -Dr. Heermann found these Jays abundant and resident as far south as -Warner’s Ranch, where, though common, they were for some reason so -unusually wild and vigilant as not to be easily procurable. In -feeding, he observed that they seemed always to begin in the lower -branches and ascend, hopping from twig to twig, to the topmost point, -and, while thus employed, utter a harsh screaming note that can be -heard to a considerable distance. - -This species, Dr. Cooper states, is numerous in the mountains of -California, inhabiting the whole length of the Sierra Nevada, and the -Coast Range as far south, at least, as Santa Cruz. Though showing a -decided preference for the pine forests, they sometimes in winter -frequent those of oaks. They are omnivorous, eating seeds, acorns, -nuts, insects, and in winter even potatoes and dead fish. They are at -times bold and prying, and at others very cautious and suspicious. -They soon learn to appreciate a gun, and show great sagacity in their -movements to avoid its peril. On the Columbia they lay in May, and in -California about a month earlier. - - -Cyanura stelleri, var. macrolopha, BAIRD. - -LONG-CRESTED JAY. - - _Cyanocitta macrolopha_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phila. VII, June, - 1854, 118 (Albuquerque). _? Garrulus stelleri_, SWAINSON, F. - Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 294, pl. liv (head-waters of Columbia; - figure of a bird intermediate between _C. stelleri_ and - _macrolopha_). _Cyanura macrolopha_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 582.—ELLIOT, Illust. Am. B, I, xvii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 300. - -SP. CHAR. Crest nearly twice the length of the bill. Tail moderately -graduated; the lateral feathers about .60 of an inch shorter than the -middle. Fourth and fifth quills longest; second shorter than the -secondaries. Head all round, throat, and forepart of the breast, -black, the crest with a gloss of blue; rest of back dark ashy-brown -with a gloss of greenish. Under parts, rump, tail-coverts, and outer -surfaces of primaries, greenish-blue; greater coverts, secondaries, -and tertials, and upper surface of tail-feathers bright blue, banded -with black; forehead streaked with opaque white, passing behind into -pale blue; a white patch over the eye. Chin grayish. Length, 12.50; -wing, 5.85; tail, 5.85; tarsus, 1.70 (8,351). - -HAB. Central line of Rocky Mountains from northern border of the -United States to table-lands of Mexico; Fort Whipple, Arizona. - -Young birds have the bright blue of body and black of head replaced by -a dull slate; the head unvaried. - -An apparent link between this variety and _C. stelleri_ is represented -in the Smithsonian collection by three specimens from the region -towards the head-waters of the Columbia, where the respective areas of -distribution of the two overlap. In this the anterior parts of the -body are nearly as black as in _stelleri_ (much darker than -_macrolopha_), with the short crest; but the forehead (except in one -specimen) is streaked with blue, and there is a white patch over the -eye. As in _stelleri_, there are no black bars on the greater -wing-coverts. As this is an abundant form, whether permanent race or -hybrid, it may be called var. _annectens_. - -HABITS. The Long-crested Jay appears to occur throughout the central -range of the Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to Mexico, where it -is replaced by a closely allied species or race, the _Cyanura -coronata_ of Swainson. - -Mr. Ridgway met with this Jay only among the Wahsatch and the Uintah -Mountains. They appeared to be rather common in those regions, though -far from being abundant. In their manners and in their notes they are -described as having been almost an exact counterpart of the Sierra -Nevada form. Their notes, however, are said to be not so loud nor so -coarse as those of the more western species. A nest, found by Mr. -Ridgway, June 25, 1869, in Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, was in a -small fir-tree on the edge of a wood. It was saddled on a horizontal -branch about fifteen feet from the ground, and contained six eggs. The -base of the nest was composed of coarse strong sticks, rudely put -together. Upon this was constructed a solid, firm plastering of mud of -a uniform concave shape, lined with fine wiry roots. The external -diameter is about nine inches, and the height of the nest four. The -interior is five inches in diameter, and three in depth. - -The species was first described by Professor Baird, from specimens -obtained by Dr. Kennerly, who writes that he first saw this bird among -the lofty pines of the Sierra Madre in November, 1853. Leaving that -range, he did not meet with it again until his party crossed the Aztec -Mountains, in January, 1854, where it was less abundant than when -first met with. It was, for the most part, found among the cedars on -the high grounds, though occasionally seen among the clumps of large -pines that were scattered along the valley. The party did not meet -with it again. - -Dr. Coues found this species a common and a resident bird in Arizona. -It was observed to be almost exclusively an inhabitant of pine woods, -and was generally to be met with only in small companies, never -congregating in the manner of Woodhouse’s Jay. He describes it as very -shy, vigilant, noisy, and tyrannical. - -The eggs of _C. macrolopha_ measure 1.30 inches in length and .91 in -breadth. Their ground-color is a light sea-green. They are somewhat -sparingly spotted with fine markings of dark olive-brown, and lighter -cloudings of a purplish or violet brown. They are oblong oval in -shape, obtuse at either end, but more tapering at one end. They appear -to be a little larger than the eggs of _stelleri_, and the -ground-color is brighter, and the markings deeper and more of an olive -hue. - - -GENUS CYANOCITTA, STRICKLAND. - - _Cyanocitta_, STRICKLAND, Annals and Mag. N. H. XV, 1845, 260. - (Type, _Garrulus californicus_, VIGORS.) - _Aphelocoma_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 221. (Same type.) - -CHAR. Head without crest. Wings and tail blue, without any bands. Back -usually with a gray patch, different from the head. Bill about as -broad as high at the base, and the culmen a little shorter than the -head. Nostrils large, nearly circular, and concealed. Tail nearly -equal to the wings, lengthened, graduated, or else shorter and nearly -even. - -This genus is readily distinguished from the preceding by the entire -absence of crest and of black bars on the blue of wings and tail. The -species and races hitherto described will be found detailed in the -accompanying synopsis. The characters indicated above are of no very -great generic value, but as the group is a very natural one it will be -as well to retain it. As in _Cyanura_, the species are peculiar to the -United States and Mexico, one indeed being apparently confined to the -Peninsula of Florida. - - [Line drawing: _Cyanocitta californica._ - 8455] - -It would perhaps be not very far out of the way to consider Sections A -and B as representing in their general characters, respectively, the -types from which their subdivisions have sprung. - - A. Tail longer than wings. A superciliary stripe of - whitish streaks; jugular and pectoral feathers faintly - edged with bluish, posteriorly forming an indistinct - collar, interrupted medially. Ear-coverts dusky, except in - var. _woodhousei_. - - _a._ Forehead and nasal tufts hoary white; the - superciliary stripe a continuous wash of the same. - Scapulars blue like the wings; dorsal region (the - interscapulars) as light-colored as the lower parts. - - C. floridana. Back and lower parts pale ashy-brown; - lower tail-coverts bright blue. Wing, 4.50; tail, - 5.70; bill, 1.20 and .35; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, - .85. Wing-formula, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, 8, 9, 2, 10; first, - 1.80 shorter than longest. Graduation of tail, 1.50. - _Hab._ Florida (only). - - _b._ Forehead and nasal tufts bright blue; superciliary - stripe composed of narrow streaks; scapulars ashy like - the back; back much darker than the lower parts. - - C. californica. - - Lower tail-coverts bright blue, dorsal region not - well-defined ashy; auriculars bluish, beneath - continuous pure ash. Superciliary streak well - defined. Wing, 5.15; tail, 6.00; bill, 1.35 and .30; - tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, .85. Wing-formula, fourth, - fifth, and sixth equal; 7, 3, 8, 9 = 2; first, 1.80 - shorter than longest. Graduation of tail, .90. - _Hab._ Rocky Mountains and Middle Province of United - States var. _woodhousei_. - - Lower tail-coverts pure white; dorsal region - well-defined ashy; auriculars blackish; beneath dull - white, approaching ash on breast. Superciliary - streak indistinct. Wing, 5.65; tail, 6.00; bill, - 1.20 and .35; tarsus, 1.42; middle toe, .90. - Wing-formula, 5, 6, 7, 4, 8, 3, 9, 10 = 2; first, - 2.20 shorter than longest. Graduation of tail, .80. - _Hab._ Mexico (Orizaba; City of Mexico) var. _sumichrasti_.[58] - - Superciliary streak sharply defined, conspicuous. - Wing, 5.00; tail, 5.60; bill, 1.20 and .37; tarsus, - 1.55; middle toe, .95. Wing-formula, 4, 5, 6, 7, 3, - 8, 9, 2, 10; first, 2.10 shorter than longest. - Graduation of tail, 1.15. _Hab._ Pacific Province of - United States; Cape St. Lucas var. _californica_. - - B. Tail not longer than wings, or considerably shorter. No - superciliary stripe, and no streaks on throat or jugulum. - Auriculars blue like the crown. - - C. ultramarina. Lower parts whitish, conspicuously - different from the upper. - - _Tail nearly, or perfectly even._ - - Length, 13.00; tail even; bill, 1.50; tail, 7.00. - _Hab._ Mexico var. _ultramarina_.[59] - - Length, 11.50; tail very slightly rounded (graduation, - .25 only); bill, 1.28 and .35; tail, 50. Above bright - blue, dorsal region obscured slightly with ashy; - beneath dull pale ash, becoming gradually whitish - posteriorly, the crissum being pure ash. Lores blue. - Tarsus, 1.45; middle toe, .95. Wing-formula, 5, 4 = 6, - 7, 3, 8, 9, 10, 2; first, 2.10 shorter than longest. - Graduation of tail, .25. _Hab._ Lower Rio Grande var. _couchi_. - - _Tail considerably rounded._ - - Colors as in _couchi_, but dorsal region scarcely - obscured by ashy. Lores black. Wing, 7.50; tail, 7.50; - bill, 1.30 and .40; tarsus, 1.60; middle toe, .90. - Wing-formula, 5, 4, 6, 3 = 7, 8, 9, 2; first, 2.75, - shorter than longest. Graduation of tail, 1.15. _Hab._ - Mexico (Orizaba, Mirador, etc.) var. _sordida_.[60] - - Graduation of the colors as in _sordida_, but the - blue, instead of being a bright ultramarine, is very - much paler and duller, and with a greenish cast, the - whole dorsal region decidedly ashy; ash of the - pectoral region much paler, and throat similar, - instead of decidedly whitish, in contrast; pure white - of posterior lower parts covering whole abdomen - instead of being confined to crissum. Wing, 6.20; - tail, 5.70; bill, 1.30 and .40; tarsus, 1.50; middle - toe, .97. Wing-formula, fourth, fifth, and sixth - equal; 7, 3, 8, 9, 2; first, 2.20, shorter than - longest. Graduation of tail, .50. _Hab._ Southern - Rocky Mountains (Fort Buchanan, and Copper Mines, - Arizona) var. _arizonæ_. - - C. unicolor.[61] Lower parts bright blue, like the - upper. Entirely uniform rich ultramarine-blue; lores - black. Wing, 6.70; tail, 6.70; bill, 1.30 and .50; - tarsus, 1.45; middle toe, .95. Wing-formula, 5, 6, 4, 7, - 3, 8, 9, 2; first, 2.60 shorter than longest. Graduation - of tail, 1.50. _Hab._ Southern Mexico (Cordova, Mirador, - etc.); Guatemala. - -In the first section of this group we see the same indication of -variation from a common type with the region that is so evident in -_Cyanura_. Thus, _Cyanocitta woodhousei_ differs from _californica_, -much as _Cyanura macrolopha_ does from _C. stelleri_ (var. -_frontalis_), in more slender bill and a greater percentage of blue; -this invading the back and under parts, the lower tail-coverts -especially. But here the parallel of modification ends, for the -Mexican representative of the species (_C. sumichrasti_) appears to -revert back to the characters of _californica_, having like it a -minimum amount of blue, though this almost obliterates the -superciliary stripe of white. In this respect there is more -resemblance to the case of _Pipilo fusca_ and its three races in the -three regions inhabited by these representative forms of _Cyanocitta -californica_; for, while the Mexican (_P. fusca_) and Californian (_P. -crissalis_) are very much alike, the one from the intervening region -(_P. mesoleuca_) is more different from the two extreme races than -they are from each other. - -In the other section of the genus the relation between _arizonæ_ and -_sordida_ is a parallel to that between _Cyanura macrolopha_ and _C. -coronata_; the southern forms (_sordida_ and _coronata_) differing -principally in the greater intensity and prevalence or amount of the -blue. The relations of _couchi_ and _ultramarina_ to the two above -mentioned are yet obscure, owing to the small material at -command,—there being only two specimens of the former, and none of -the latter, in the National Museum at Washington. - - - [58] _Cyanocitta sumichrasti_, RIDGWAY, Rep. U. S. Geol. - Expl. 40th Par. All Mexican _Cyanocittas_ with a whitish - superciliary streak, blue edgings to jugular feathers, etc., - are to be referred to this strongly marked race. A very - conspicuous character of this variety is the strong “hook” - to the upper mandible; the tip beyond the notch being much - elongated, or unusually “produced.” In the collection is a - specimen (60,058 ♀, Mexico, A. BOUCARD) which we have - referred to this race, but which differs in such an - important respect from all other specimens of the several - races referrible to _californica_, as extended, that it may - belong to a distinct form. Having the precise aspect of - _sumichrasti_ in regard to its upper plumage, it lacks, - however, any trace of the blue edgings and pectoral collar, - the whole lower parts being continuously uninterrupted dull - white, purer posteriorly. The appearance is such as to cause - a suspicion that it may be a link between _sumichrasti_ and - one of the races of _ultramarina_. It measures: wing, 5.50; - tail, 6.00; graduation of tail, .70. - - [59] _Cyanocitta ultramarina_, (BONAP.) - STRICKLAND.—_Garrulus ultramarinus_, BONAP. J. A. N. S. IV, - 1825, 386 (not of Audubon). - - [60] _Cyanocitta sordida_, (SWAINS.) (not of BAIRD, Birds N. - Am., which is _arizonæ_).—SCLATER, Cat. Am. B. 1862, 143. - _Garrulus sordidus_, SWAINS. Phil. Mag. 1827, i, 437. - - [61] _Cyanocitta unicolor_, (DU BUS) BONAP. Consp. p. - 378.—_Cyanocorax unicolor_, DU BUS, Bull. Acad. Brux. XIV, - pt. 2, p. 103. - - -Cyanocitta floridana, BONAP. - -FLORIDA JAY. - - _Corvus floridanus_, BARTRAM, Travels, 1791, 291.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - I, 1831, 444, pl. lxxxvii. _Garrulus floridanus_, BON. Am. Orn. - II, 1828, 11, pl. xi.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 230.—AUD. Syn. - 1839, 154.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 118, pl. ccxxxiii. - _Cyanurus floridanus_, SWAINSON, F. B. A. II, 1831, 495. - _Cyanocorax floridanus_, BON. List, 1838. _Cyanocitta - floridana_, BON. Consp. 1850, 377.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 586.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 298. _Aphelocoma floridana_, CABANIS, - Mus. Hein. 1851, 22. _Garrulus cyaneus_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. - XII, 1817, 476 (not described). _? Garrulus cærulescens_, - VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XII, 1817, 480.—ORD. J. A. N. Sc. I, - 1818, 347. _Pica cærulescens_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, _Pica_, - No. 11. - -SP. CHAR. Tail much graduated; lateral feathers nearly 1.50 inches -shortest. Tail an inch longer than the wings. Above blue, including -scapulars; interscapular region and back brownish-ash, the former -lighter. Forehead and sides of the crown, including the nasal -feathers, hoary white. Sides of head and neck blue; the former tinged -with blackish, the latter sending a streaked collar of the same -entirely across the breast; region anterior to this collar dirty -white, streaked on the edges of the feathers with blue; rest of under -parts dirty whitish-brown; under tail-coverts blue, the tibia tinged -with the same. Length, 11.00; wing, 4.50; tail, 5.70; tarsus, 1.45. - -HAB. Florida only, and quite local. - -HABITS. This beautiful species appears to be exclusively confined to -the peninsula of Florida, and there is no authentic evidence that it -has ever been found outside of the limits of that State. The statement -of Bonaparte, that these birds are found in the States of Louisiana -and Kentucky, has never been confirmed, and Mr. Audubon, who was for -many years a resident of both States and familiar with the birds of -each, was very positive the statement was without foundation. It has -never been observed even in Georgia or Alabama, and Mr. Nuttall states -that it is not found in any part of West Florida. - -Mr. Allen, in his recent paper on the winter birds of East Florida, -speaking of this species, states that it is numerous in the scrub, but -does not appear to frequent the pine woods, the hummocks, or the -swamps. He saw none along the St. John’s, except at Blue Springs, but -they occur in numbers a few miles back from the river. - -Dr. Bryant, in his Notes on the birds of Florida, mentions that this -species is tolerably plentiful in the vicinity of Enterprise. He -regarded it as exceedingly interesting on account of its limited -geographical distribution. With no apparent obstacle to its movements, -it is yet confined to a small part of the peninsula of Florida, its -area of distribution north and south not exceeding three degrees of -latitude, if so much. He saw none north of St. Augustine, and none -south of Jupiter’s Inlet. So far as he observed them, they were -exclusively confined to the growth of scrub-oak, which in many places -is so entangled with creeping plants that it is impossible to walk -through without cutting a path. This growth is generally found on -elevated ridges running parallel to the sea-coast. The most extensive -of these, near Enterprise, is about three miles wide, and eighty feet -above the lake. - -The flight of this species is said by Mr. Audubon to be performed at a -short distance from the ground, and to consist either of a single -sailing sweep, as it passes from one tree to another, or of continuous -flappings with a slightly undulating motion, in the manner of the -Canada Jay. Its notes are described as softer than those of the Blue -Jay, and more frequently uttered. Its motions are also quicker and -more abrupt. Its food is said to consist of snails, which it collects -on the ground, insects, and various kinds of fruits and berries. It is -also charged with being very destructive of eggs and young birds. - -The Florida Jay is said to be easily kept in confinement, feeding -readily on dried or fresh fruit and the kernels of various nuts, and -soon appears to be reconciled to its loss of liberty. It secures its -food between its feet, and breaks it into pieces before swallowing it. -In this way it feeds on the acorn of the live-oak, snails, and the -seeds of the sword-palmetto. - -The nest of this Jay is formed of dry sticks, placed across each -other, and, although rounded in form, is so lightly made that the -birds may be seen through its interstices. It is lined with fibrous -rootlets. Only one brood is raised in a season. Audubon’s descriptions -of its eggs are inaccurate, and only applicable to those of the Blue -Jay. - -Mr. Audubon observed a pair of these birds in confinement in New -Orleans. They were fed upon rice and dry fruit. At dessert they were -allowed their liberty, when they would fly to the table, feed on the -almonds given them, and drink claret diluted with water. They -attempted to mimic various sounds, but did so very imperfectly. - -Mr. Nuttall states that at the approach of winter these birds retire -to the south of St. Augustine. He regards their voice as less harsh -than that of the Blue Jay, and states that they have a variety of -notes, some of which are probably imitations, and are said to resemble -the song of the Wood Thrush and the calls of the common Jay. - -An egg of the Florida Jay before me is of a rounded oval shape, being -nearly equally obtuse at either end. The ground-color is a light -bluish-gray, marked almost exclusively at the larger end with a few -small spots of a light rufous-brown. It has no near resemblance to the -eggs of the California Jay, nor to those of any other Jay that I have -seen. It measures 1.05 inches by .80. - -In its flight and action, Dr. Bryant thought the Florida Jay resembled -the Mocking-Bird. It has none of the restless, suspicious manner of -the Blue Jay. He never heard it utter more than a single note, this -being much softer than the usual cry of the Blue Jay; its song he -regarded as rather monotonous. It seldom flies more than a short -distance at a time, and seems to trust for protection to the -difficulty of access to its abode. It also evinces a great partiality -for particular localities. Generally only a single pair is seen at a -time, though in one place he has seen three pairs together. It is not -fond of civilization, and is seldom known to frequent the vicinity of -dwellings. - -A nest found by Dr. Bryant on the 15th of April was built in a -scrub-oak about three feet from the ground. It was made of small -twigs, compactly and carefully lined with fibres of the dwarf -palmetto, that had apparently been brought a distance of half a mile. -The cavity measured about five inches in breadth and one and a half in -depth. The nest contained three eggs of a light blue, sparingly -sprinkled with rufous, the spots being larger and more numerous -towards the larger end. Another nest, found a few days later, -contained five eggs of a more neutral tint, with the spots darker, -larger, and more evenly distributed. - - -Cyanocitta californica, STRICKLAND. - -CALIFORNIA JAY. - - _Garrulus californicus_, VIGORS, Zoöl. Beechey’s Voyage, 1839, 21, - pl. v. _Cyanocitta californica_, STRICKLAND, Ann. Mag. XV, - 1845, 342.—GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d series, I, Dec. 1847, - 45.—BON. Conspectus, 1850, 377.—NEWBERRY, P. R. R. Rep. VI, - IV, 1857, 85.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 584.—HEERM. X, _S_, - 55.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 302. _Cyanocorax californicus_, - GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. III, Ap. 1847, 201. _Aphelocoma - californica_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, 221.—BON. Comptes - Rendus, XXXVII, Nov. 1853, 828; Notes Orn. Delattre. _Corvus - ultramarinus_, AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 456, pl. ccclxii (not - _Garrulus ultramarinus_, BON.). _Garrulus ultramarinus_, AUD. - Syn. 1839, 154.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 115, pl. ccxxxii (not - of BONAPARTE). _Cyanocitta superciliosa_, STRICKLAND, Ann. Mag. - XV, 1845, 260 (type of genus _Cyanocitta_). “_Corvus - palliatus_, DRAPIEZ,” BONAP. - -SP. CHAR. Width of bill at base of lower mandible rather more than -half the length of culmen. Lateral tail-feathers about an inch the -shortest. Tail an inch longer than the wings. General color above, -including the surface of the wings, bright blue, without bars. The -whole back, including to some extent the scapulars, brownish-ash, very -faintly glossed with blue in the adult. À streaked white superciliary -line from a little anterior to the eye as far as the occiput. Sides of -the head and neck blue, the region around and behind the eye, -including lores and most of ear-coverts, black. The blue of the sides -of the neck extends across the forepart of the breast, forming a -crescent, interrupted in the middle. The under parts anterior to the -crescent white, the feathers edged with blue; behind it dull white; -the sides tinged with brown. Length, 12.25; wing, 5.00; tail, 6.15; -tarsus, 1.55. (No. 2,841.) - -HAB. Pacific Province from Columbia River to Cape St. Lucas; Carson -City, Nevada (RIDGWAY). - - [Illustration: _Cyanocitta californica._] - -Specimens from Cape St. Lucas are rather smaller and perhaps whiter -beneath than elsewhere; those from the eastern slope of Sierra Nevada -are very large. Upon a careful comparison, we find that the supposed -specimens of _C. californica_ in the Smithsonian collection from -Mexico (Orizaba, etc.) constitute a quite different form, -characterized by very indistinct superciliary white and bluish edges -to throat and jugular feathers, and especially by the lengthened -wings, which average 5.75 inches instead of 5.00. In general respects -the resemblance, as suggested by Sclater, is to _californica_, and not -to _woodhousei_. The dorsal patch is very distinct. - - [Illustration: PLATE XL. - 1. Cyanocitta californica. ♂ Nev., 56642. - 2. ” ” _var._ sumichrasti. ♂ Orizaba, 42129. - 3. ” woodhousii. ♂ Nev., 53647. - 4. ” floridana. ♂ Fla., 13734.] - -One Mexican specimen (8,465 from Real del Monte?), presented by Mr. -John Gould, differs again in having the dorsal patch obscured by a -bluish wash; an unusual amount of blue edging to the throat and -jugular feathers, and a dull brownish tinge to the belly. It almost -suggests the possibility of a hybrid form between _sumichrasti_ and -_ultramarina_. - -HABITS. The California Jay appears to be a Pacific coast species, -occurring from the Columbia River southward to Cape St. Lucas, but not -found in the interior at any considerable distance from the coast. Mr. -Ridgway speaks of it as the Valley Jay of California, having been -observed by him in abundance only among the oaks of the Sacramento -Valley, the brushwood of the ravines, and the scattered pines of the -foot-hills along the western base of the Sierra Nevada. It was also -quite common, in April, in the vicinity of Carson City, where he found -it breeding. Its notes and manners, he adds, are very similar to those -of the Woodhouse Jay, belonging to the wooded regions of the interior, -but the shrill cries of this species are even more piercing. There is, -moreover, something in its appearance, caused by the sharp contrast of -the bright blue, the light ash, and the pure white colors, by which it -may be distinguished at a glance from the more uniformly colored -_woodhousei_. - -Dr. Heerman speaks of it as frequenting to some extent the same -districts as Steller’s Jay, but also found in greater abundance -throughout the valleys. He likewise describes it as noisy, alert, and -cunning in its habits, wild and wary, and yet often seeking the -habitations of man, near which to rear its young, drawn thither by the -abundance of food found in such localities. Their nests, he states, -are built in a thick-leaved bush, or on the lower branches of an oak, -at but little height from the ground. They are constructed of twigs, -and are lined with fine rootlets. The eggs, four in number, are, he -says, emerald-green in color, profusely dotted with umber-brown spots. - -Dr. Newberry states that he found the trees and the thickets bordering -the streams in the valleys the favorite haunts of the California Jay. -As his party ascended among the evergreen forests of the higher -grounds, and passed northeasterly from the Sacramento Valley, these -birds were no longer met with, and long before reaching the Oregon -line they lost sight of it altogether. Nor did they meet with it again -until their return to California. This Jay, he adds, has all the -sprightliness and restlessness of the family, but is less noisy, and -its notes are far more agreeable than those of Steller’s Jay, by which -it is replaced at the north. - -The Smithsonian Museum has a specimen of this species obtained on the -Columbia by Townsend, and Mr. Nuttall mentions that early in October, -on arriving at the forests of the Columbia, near Fort Vancouver, he -met with it in company with Steller’s Jay. They were breeding in the -dark pine woods, and by the 15th of June they were feeding their fully -fledged young. He also states that they were found as far north as -Fraser’s River, migrating to the south at the approach of winter. -Without questioning the correctness of this statement, it is worthy of -mention that these birds have not been met there by more recent -collectors, and that Dr. Newberry nowhere met with them in Oregon. Dr. -Cooper suggests that, since then, the increased severity of the -winters may have driven them permanently farther south. - -Mr. Nuttall describes its habits as very much like those of the Blue -Jay. It usually flies out to the tops of the tallest pines, jerks its -tail, and perches playfully on some extreme branch, where, as if in -anger, it calls _woit, woit-woit_, with an occasional recognition note -of _twee-twee_. When pursued, it retreats to the shade of the loftiest -branches. It feeds on insects, acorns, which it breaks up, and pine -seeds. He describes it as a graceful, active, and shy bird, with a -note much less harsh and loud than that of Steller’s Jay. - -Dr. Cooper remarks that this species is one of the most common and -conspicuous of the birds of the State of California. They frequent -every locality in which oak-trees are found, even within the limits of -large towns, where they enter gardens and audaciously plunder the -fruit. They have all the usual cunning of their tribe, and when -alarmed become very quiet, and conceal themselves in the thick -foliage. They are usually noisy and fearless, and their odd cries, -grotesque actions, and bright plumage make them general favorites in -spite of their depredations. They are also said to have a talent for -mimicry, besides notes to express their various wants and ideas. - -They breed abundantly throughout the western parts of California, and -construct a large and strong nest of twigs, roots, and grass. These -are placed in a low tree or bush. They lay about five eggs, which Dr. -Cooper describes as dark green marked with numerous pale brown -blotches and spots, and measure 1.80 by 1.04 inches. At San Diego he -found these eggs laid as early as April 5. - -This Jay inhabits the Coast Range of mountains to their summit, south -of San Francisco, and the Sierra Nevada as far as the oaks extend, or -to an elevation of from 1,000 to 5,000 feet. Dr. Cooper saw none on -the east side of the Sierra Nevada in latitude 39°. - -He describes their flight as slow and laborious, on account of their -short wings, and states that they never fly far at a time. He also -accuses them of being very destructive to the eggs of smaller birds, -hunting for them in the spring, and watching the movements of other -birds with great attention. - -Mr. Xantus found these birds very abundant at Cape St. Lucas, being, -like all the other resident species there, much smaller than those -occurring in more northern localities. Their habits are said to be -very much the same. - -This species was taken in winter near Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. Boucard. - -Four eggs of this species from different parts of California present -the following measurements: 1.20 × 0.85; 1.10 × 0.80; 1.13 × 0.80; -1.05 × 0.80. The measurements given by Dr. Cooper we are confident -must be a mistake. Their ground-color is a bright, but not a dark, -emerald-green; and they are marked and blotched with faint -purplish-brown, and deeper spots of dark umber. These spots are -sparingly distributed, and are chiefly about the larger end. In one -they are wholly of a light violet-brown. These eggs are of a perfectly -oval shape. - -Mr. Charles D. Gibbes, of Stockton, writes that he found in a garden -in that city a nest built by a pair of these birds that had become -half domesticated. It was placed in a very thick arbor of honeysuckle. -The body of the nest was composed of clippings from a hedge of osage -orange, with thorns on them half an inch long. These twigs were tied -and interlaced with twine and bits of cotton strings. Within this -frame was a layer of fine weeds and grasses nicely arranged, the whole -lined with horse-hair. The nest was found in May, and contained five -eggs. The parents kept a good deal about the kitchen door, and would -steal anything they had an opportunity to take. They made use of an -old nest in the same garden as a receptacle for their stolen goods; -among other things was found a large slice of bread-and-butter. - - -Cyanocitta californica, var. woodhousei, BAIRD. - -WOODHOUSE’S JAY. - - _Cyanocitta woodhousei_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 585, pl. - lix.—IB. Mex. B. II, Birds, 20, pl. xxi.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 304. - -SP. CHAR. Size and general appearance of _C. californica_. Bill -slender. Graduation of tail one inch. Blue, with a very obscure ashy -patch on the back. Sides of the head and neck and incomplete pectoral -collar, blue; throat streaked with the same. Breast and belly uniform -brownish-ash, glossed with blue; under tail-coverts bright blue. Sides -of head, including lores, black, glossed with blue below; a streaked -white superciliary line. Length, 11.50; wing, 5.35; tail, 6.10; -tarsus, 1.60. _Young._ All the blue, except that of the wings and -tail, replaced by dull ash. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains and Middle Province of United States; north to -Idaho and Wyoming (RIDGWAY); south to Northern Mexico; east to Wyoming -and Colorado. - -The bluish wash on the back nearly obscuring the dorsal patch, the -general ashy tinge of the under parts, the decided blue under -tail-coverts, and the longer and much slenderer bill, distinguish this -form from _californica_, although probably both are geographical races -of the same species. - -HABITS. This bird was first met with by Dr. Woodhouse among the San -Francisco Mountains of New Mexico, and was given by him, in his Report -of the Sitgreaves Expedition, as the California Jay. He states in -regard to it, that wherever he found the piñon, or nut-pine (_Pinus -edulis_), growing in New Mexico, this bird was sure to be there in -great numbers, feeding upon the fruit of those trees. Among the men it -was known as the piñon bird. Its notes are said to be harsh and -disagreeable. It was extremely restless, and was continually in -motion, flying from tree to tree, uttering its well-known cries. - -Mr. Ridgway calls this a very interesting species, and states that it -was found very abundant in the fertile cañons of the West Humboldt -Mountains, as well as in all the extensive nut-pine and cedar woods to -the eastward. On the Toyaba and East Humboldt Mountains, and the -extensive piñon woods in Southern Idaho, it was equally common. In -Utah, in the cañons of the Wahsatch Mountains, it was occasionally -seen, though oftener observed in the valley of the Weber. When -unmolested, this bird is, he states, very unsuspicious, and anything -unusual at once excites its curiosity. Often when at work, in camp, -skinning birds, on the edge of bushes, one of them would approach -within a few feet, and quietly watch every movement. At Unionsville -they were quite common in the gardens and around the door-yards of the -town, and were very familiar and unsuspicious. Their cries greatly -resembled those of the California Jay, and consisted of a repetition -of harsh screeching notes. - -This species, according to Dr. Coues, is a resident and a very -abundant species in Arizona, where it is one of the most -characteristic species. It was found in all situations, but seemed to -shun dense pine woods, and to prefer to keep on the open hillsides, -among the scrub-oaks, etc. In winter it collects in rather large -flocks, sometimes as many as fifty together. They are, however, -usually seen in small groups of six or seven individuals. They are -said to be a restless, vigilant, shy, and noisy species. - -Mr. C. E. Aiken found this bird a common and resident species in -Colorado. He met with it along the foot of the mountains, in brush -thickets, in which they also breed. The base and periphery of a nest -found by him were composed of dead twigs, intermingled within with -fine rootlets and horsehair. The eggs, four or five in number, are -said to be laid about the first of May. They have a ground-color of a -light bluish-green, and marked with reddish-brown specks, thickest at -the larger end. They are of a rounded oval shape, much more pointed at -one end, and rounded at the other, and average 1.06 inches in length -by .80 of an inch in breadth. - - -Cyanocitta ultramarina, var. arizonæ, RIDGWAY. - - _Cyanocitta sordida_ (not of SWAINS.!), BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 587, pl. lx. f. 1.—IB. Mex. B. II, Birds, 21, pl. xxii, f. - 1.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 305. _Cyanocitta sordida_ var. - _arizonæ_, RIDGWAY, Rep. U. S. Geol. Expl. 40th Par. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLI. - 1. Cyanocitta sordida. Orizaba, 38209. - 2. ” ” _var._ arizonæ. ♂ Ariz., 18279. - 3. Perisoreus canadensis. ♂ Nova Scotia, 26940. - 4. ” ” _var._ capitalis. ♂ Colorado, 51642.] - -SP. CHAR. Bill short, thick; half as high as long. Wing considerably -longer than the tail, which is slightly graduated (.50 of an inch). -Upper surface (including whole side of head to the throat) light -sky-blue, the whole dorsal region inclining to pure bluish-ashy. -Beneath fine, uniform, pale ash for anterior half (including the -throat), this gradually fading into white on the posterior portions -(including whole abdomen), the lower tail-coverts being pure white. -Lores blue. Length, 13.00; wing, 6.20; tail, 5.70; culmen, 1.30; depth -of bill, .40; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, .97. Fourth, fifth, and sixth -quills equal and longest, second shorter than ninth; first 2.20 -shorter than longest. (18,279, Fort Buchanan, Arizona, December; Dr. -Irwin.) _Immature_ (8,469 ♂, Copper Mines, Arizona). The blue, except -that of the wings and tail, replaced by dull ash; the blue feathers -appearing in scattered patches. - -HAB. Arizona (Copper Mines, J. H. Clark; and Fort Buchanan, Dr. Irwin, -U. S. A.). - -The nearest ally of this race is the var. _sordida_ of Mexico, which, -however, differs in many important respects; the differences between -the two being giving in the synopsis (page 880), it is unnecessary to -repeat them here. In both there is a tendency towards a party-colored -bill; each example of the northern style, and most of those of the -southern, having more or less whitish on the lower mandible. - -Nothing definite is known as to the habits or reproduction of this -bird. - - -Cyanocitta ultramarina, var. couchi, BAIRD. - -ULTRAMARINE JAY. - - _Garrulus ultramarinus_, BONAP. J. A. N. Sc. IV, 1825, 386 (not of - AUDUBON).—TEMM. Pl. Col. II, 439. _Cyanocitta ultramarina_, - STRICKLAND, Ann. & Mag. XV, 1845, 260.—GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d - Ser. I, 1847, 45.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 588, pl. 60, f. 2.—IB. - Mex. B. II, Birds 21, pl. xxii. _Cyanogarrulus ultramarinus_, - BON. Consp. 1850, 378. _Cyanocitta couchi_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 588. - -SP. CHAR. Tail rounded, but little graduated; lateral feather about a -quarter of an inch shortest. Wings longer than the tail; when closed, -reaching nearly to its middle. Above and on sides of head and neck -bright blue; the lores blackish; the middle of the back slightly -duller, the tips of some of the feathers dark brown. Beneath -brownish-ash, paler on the chin and towards the anal region, which, -with the crissum, is white. No trace of white or black on the sides of -the head, nor of any streaks or collar on the breast. Length, (fresh,) -11.50; wing, 6.00; tail, (dried,) 5.40; tarsus, 1.50. - -HAB. South side of valley of Rio Grande, near the coast, and -southward. - -This well-marked species is quite different in form from the _C. -californica_, having a shorter, more even tail, much longer wings, and -stouter feet. The absence of any collar or streaks on the breast and -throat, of black or white on the side of the head, and of decided ash -on the back, are very well marked features. There is also much more -green in the blue of the head. - -As suggested in the P. R. R. Report, the birds collected by Lieutenant -Couch at Monterey, Mexico, although agreeing almost exactly with the -original description of Bonaparte, are much smaller, and perhaps -entitled to recognition as a separate form. The tail is nearly two -inches less, 5.40 instead of 7.00, or over. - -HABITS. The Ultramarine Jay is a well-marked species, and is -specifically quite distinct from the _C. californica_. It is found in -the valley of the Rio Grande, and thence southward and eastward in the -northern provinces of Mexico. Though we know of no specimens having -been procured on this side of the boundary line, their occurrence is -quite probable. Lieutenant Couch met with this species near Monterey, -Mexico, and from thence west to Parras. He describes it as being -gregarious and eminently Jay-like in its habits. They are very noisy -and vociferous in their outcries, and three or four of them suffice to -keep a whole forest in an uproar. Near Guyapuco a large snake -(_Georgia obsoleta_) was seen pursued by three or four of this -species. The reptile was making every effort to escape from their -combined attacks, and would, no doubt, have been killed by them, had -they not been interfered with. The cause of so much animosity against -the snake was explained when, on opening its stomach, three young of -this species, about two thirds grown, were found. - -In the Department of Vera Cruz, Sumichrast found what he calls _C. -ultramarina_ in company with _Cyanura coronata_ and _Cyanocitta nana_, -“_californica_” (_Sumichrasti_), and _sordida_, occurring in the -alpine region, and with the three first named restricted to that -locality. The limit of their extension is about that of the alpine -region, that is, from an elevation of about 4,500 feet to the height -of 10,500 feet. The _sordida_ is also found on the plateau. - - -GENUS XANTHOURA, BONAP. - - _Xanthoura_, BONAPARTE, Consp. Av. 1850. (Type, “_Corvus - peruvianus_, GM.”) - - [Line drawing: _Xanthoura luxuosa._ - 4052] - -CHAR. Head without crest. Throat black. Lateral tail-feathers bright -yellow. Bill very stout, rather higher than broad; culmen curved from -the base. Nostrils rather small, oval, concealed by a nasal tuft -varying in length with species. Tail longer than the wings; graduated. -The wings concave, rounded; the secondaries nearly as long as the -primaries. Legs very stout; hind claw about half the total length of -the toe. - -The genus _Xanthoura_ is composed of three so-called species, of -different geographical distribution, and exhibits a progressive change -from one to the other, with variation of latitude that enforces assent -to the hypothesis of their all belonging to one primitive form. These -differences may be expressed as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Nasal tufts, patch on side of lower jaw -and one above eye, (both eyelids,) bright blue; remainder of -face and throat black. Back, and upper surface of wings and -tail (the four central feathers), green, the latter tinged -with blue at end; the rest of tail-feathers bright yellow. -Belly and crissum varying from bright yellow to green. -Forehead yellowish or whitish. - - _a._ Nasal tufts short, only covering the nostrils; whole - top of head (except anteriorly) and nape bright blue. - - 1. Body beneath, and crissum, green. _Hab._ Mexico and - South Texas var. _luxuosa_. - - 2. Body beneath, and crissum, yellow, sides more - greenish. _Hab._ Guatemala and Honduras var. _guatemalensis_. - - _b._ Nasal tuft elongated, forming an anterior crest, the - feathers reaching far beyond nostrils. Whole top of head - pale heavy yellow, glossed behind with bluish. - - 3. Body beneath, and crissum, very bright - gamboge-yellow. _Hab._ Colombia, Ecuador, Bogota, and - Bolivia var. _incas_. - -Thus, starting with the green-bellied _luxuosa_ of the Rio Grande, we -come to the yellow-bellied _guatemalensis_; but intermediate -localities show different proportions of the two colors. The nasal -tufts in the first do not extend beyond the nasal fossæ; and the -frontal yellowish is very narrow. In the second these tufts reach -beyond the fossæ, and the frontal yellowish is more extended. In -_incas_ again the nasal tufts have reached their maximum, while the -frontal yellowish extends over the whole cap, leaving only a trace of -blue on the nape. - - -Xanthoura incas, var. luxuosa, BONAP. - -GREEN JAY. - - _Garrulus luxuosus_, LESSON, Rev. Zoöl. April, 1839, 100. - _Cyanocorax luxuosus_, DU BUS, Esquisses Ornithologiques, IV, - 1848, pl. xviii.—CASSIN, Illust. I, 1853, I, pl. i. _Xanthoura - luxuosa_, BON. Consp. 1850, 380.—CABANIS, Mus. Hein. 1851, - 224.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 589. _Pica chloronota_, WAGLER, - Isis, 1829, 750 (young male; name belongs to _Corvus - peruvianus_, GM.). _Cyanocorax cyanicapillus_, CABANIS, Fauna - Peruana, 1844-46, 233 (note). _Cyanocorax yncas_, “BODDÆRT,” - LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, April, 1851, 115 (first added here - to fauna of United States). - -SP. CHAR. Wings shorter than the tail, which is much graduated, the -lateral feathers 1.25 inches shorter. Above green; beneath yellow, -glossed continuously with green; inside of wings and outer four -tail-feathers straw-yellow; rest of tail feathers green, glossed with -blue. Sides of the head, and beneath from the bill to the forepart of -the breast, velvet-black. Crown, nape, and a short maxillary stripe -running up to the eye and involving the upper eyelid, brilliant blue; -the nostril-feathers rather darker; the sides of the forehead whitish. -Bill black; feet lead-color. Length, 11.00; wing, 4.75; tail, 5.40; -tarsus, 1.65. - -HAB. Valley of Rio Grande, of Texas, and southward. - -As remarked above, the passage into the yellow-bellied _guatemalensis_ -is gradual as we proceed south; and the latter, and perhaps even the -_incas_, can only be considered as fellow races of a common original -species. - - [Illustration: _Xanthoura luxuosa._] - -HABITS. Within the limits of the United States this beautiful species -has thus far been only met with in Southeastern Texas in the lower -valley of the Rio Grande. It was first described in 1839, by M. -Lesson, a French naturalist, from a Mexican specimen, and in 1851 was -first brought to our notice as a bird of the United States by Mr. Geo. -N. Lawrence of New York. Specimens of this bird were obtained by the -party of the Mexican Boundary Survey, and by Lieutenant Couch on the -Rio Grande, at Matamoras, New Leon, and San Diego, Mexico. The only -note as to its habits by Lieutenant Couch is to the effect that it -eats seeds and insects. - -The late Dr. Berlandier of Matamoras obtained specimens of this bird -in the vicinity of that city, which were found among his collections. -Among his manuscript notes occurs a description of the plumage and -habits of this species, which he had described under the name of _Pica -cervantesii_. In this he states that this bird inhabits the whole -eastern coast of Mexico, but that he has only met with it on the banks -of the Rio Bravo del Norte, in the vicinity of Matamoras. It is said -to be both carnivorous and graminivorous, and comes about the houses -in search of the refuse. Although it can swallow whole grains of corn, -before eating it breaks them with its beak, holding them between its -claws, in the manner of birds of prey, and biting with great force. It -is commonly known as _Pajaro verde_, or Greenbird. - -Mr. Dresser states that this species was common on the lower Rio -Grande during the winter, but was not found on the Upper Rio Grande or -in Texas, except as a straggler from Mexico. - -This bird, Mr. Sumichrast states, is common throughout the Department -of Vera Cruz, where it is generally known by the name of _Verde -detoca_ and _Sonaja_. It is said to be one of the birds most generally -diffused throughout the whole department. It inhabits both the hot and -the temperate regions, and is found even at the foot of the alpine, to -the altitude of nearly six thousand feet above the sea. It is also -said to be abundant in other parts of Mexico. It was observed to be -quite numerous on the _Tierra templada_, or table-lands, and also -among the hills that bound the plains of Perote and Puebla on the -east, by Mr. William S. Pease, a naturalist who was with General -Scott’s army in its campaign in Mexico. Mr. Pease stated that it lived -on the sides of the hills throughout the year, and that its local name -was _Pepe verde_. - -Colonel George A. McCall, Inspector-General of the United States Army, -was the first person to collect these birds within our limits. He -obtained them in the forests that border the Rio Grande on the -southeastern frontier of Texas. There he found them all mated in the -month of May, and he felt no doubt that they had their nests in the -extensive and almost impenetrable thickets of mimosa, commonly called -chaparral. From the jealousy and pugnacity which these birds -manifested on the approach, or appearance even, of the large -boat-tailed Blackbirds of that country (_Quiscalus macrurus_), which -were nesting in great numbers in the vicinity, Colonel McCall was -satisfied that the Jays were at that time also engaged in the duties -of incubation and rearing their young. In character and temperament -these birds appeared to be very active and lively, though less noisy -than some other species of the family. Their gay plumage was exhibited -to great advantage as they flitted from tree to tree, or dashed boldly -in pursuit of such of their more plainly attired neighbors as ventured -to intrude upon their domain. - -Captain J. P. McCown, also quoted by Mr. Cassin, furnishes some -additional observations in regard to these birds. He states that -during the several years that he was in Texas, he frequently saw these -Jays, but never met with them above Ringgold Barracks, or north of the -woods that skirt the Rio Grande. They seemed to prefer the acacia -groves which have sprung up where the ground has been overflowed. He -regards it as a rather cautious bird. He observed nests high up in the -trees above mentioned, which he supposes belong to this species, -though this was never positively ascertained. He had no doubt that -they breed in Texas. - - -GENUS PERISOREUS, BONAP. - - _Perisoreus_, BONAP. Saggio di una dist. met. 1831. (Type, _Corvus - canadensis?_) - _Dysornithia_, SWAINSON, F. B. Am. II, 1831, 495. (Same type.) - -CHAR. Feathers lax and full, especially on the back, and of very dull -colors, without any blue. Head without distinct crest. Bill very -short; broader than high. Culmen scarcely half the length of the head; -straight to near the tip, then slightly curved; gonys more curved than -culmen. Bill notched at tip. Nostrils round, covered by bristly -feathers. Tail about equal to the wings; graduated. Tarsi rather -short; but little longer than the middle toe. Plumage very soft, and -without any lustre. - -The Canada Jay has a near ally in a species of northern Europe and -Siberia,—the Siberian Jay (_P. infaustus_). In size and proportions -the two are quite identical, there being about the same proportionate -length of wing and tail, and a general correspondence in the minutiæ -of external anatomy. In colors, however, they differ entirely; the _P. -infaustus_ having the head darker than the body, and uniform (instead -of the contrary), and in having the lower primary and lower feathers -of the greater coverts, as well as the greater part of the tail, -bright rufous. - - A. Dusky nuchal hood reaching forward to, or in front of, - the eyes; plumbeous-black. - - _Dorsal feathers with white shafts in old and - young. Tail-feathers not distinctly paler at ends._ - - 1. White frontal patch narrower than length of the bill; - blending gradually with the blackish of the crown. Upper - parts umber-brownish. Wing, 5.50; tail, 5.40; bill, .90 - and .30. _Young._ Entirely plumbeous-brown, feathers of - head above bordered with paler. Beneath paler, whitish - brown. _Hab._ Oregon, Washington Territory, British - Columbia, etc. var. _obscurus_. - - _Dorsal feathers without white shafts in old or - young. Tail-feathers broadly tipped with dull - white._ - - 2. White frontal patch much broader than length of bill; - abruptly defined, with a convex outline behind, against - the dusky of the occiput. Upper parts plumbeous, with a - slight brownish cast. Wing, 5.25; tail, 5.80; bill, .95 - and .35. _Young._ Entirely uniform dark plumbeous. _Hab._ - Canada, Maine, and Labrador to the Yukon var. _canadensis_. - - B. Dusky nuchal hood not reaching to the eyes, but - confined to the nape; bluish-plumbeous. - - 3. White frontal patch covering whole crown, melting - gradually into the ashy of the nape; upper parts - bluish-ashy. Wing, 6.00; tail, 6.00; bill, 1.00 and .31. - _Young._ Bluish-plumbeous, inclining to ashy-white on - the crown and cheeks. _Hab._ Rocky Mountains of United - States var. _capitalis_. - - [Line drawing: _Perisoreus canadensis._ - 18440 8452] - -In the more slender form, longer and narrower bill, and paler tints -with a predominance of the light colors, of the var. _capitalis_, -compared with the typical, or standard, var. _canadensis_, we see the -peculiar impression of the middle region; while in the var. -_obscurus_, the more dusky tints, and predominance of darker colors, -the influence of the well-known law affecting colors in birds of the -northwest coast region is seen. - - -Perisoreus canadensis, BONAP. - -CANADA JAY; WHISKEY-JACK; MOOSE-BIRD. - - _Corvus canadensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 158.—FORSTER, Phil. - Trans. LXII, 1772, 382.—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 33, pl. - xxi.—BON. Obs. 1824, No. 42.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 53; V, - 1839, 208, pl. cvii. _Garrulus canadensis_, BON. (Saggio, - 1831?) Syn. 1828, 58.—SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, - 295.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 232.—AUD. Syn. 1839, 155.—IB. - Birds Am. IV, 1842, 121, pl. ccxxxiv. _Dysornithia canadensis_, - SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, Appendix. _Perisoreus - canadensis_, BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 375.—CAB. - Mus. Hein. 1851, 219.—NEWBERRY, Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, IV, - 1857, 85.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 590.—COUES, P. A. N. S. - 1861, 226.—SAMUELS, 366. _Garrulus fuscus_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. - Dict. XII, 1817, 479. _Pica nuchalis_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827 - (Pica No. 14). _Garrulus trachyrrhynchus_, SWAINSON, F. - Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 296, pl. lv (young). “_Coracias mexicanus_, - TEMMINCK,” GRAY. - - [Illustration: _Perisoreus canadensis._] - -SP. CHAR. Tail graduated; lateral feathers about one inch shortest. -Wings a little shorter than the tail. Head and neck and forepart of -breast white. A rather sooty plumbeous nuchal patch, becoming darker -behind, from the middle of the cap to the back, from which it is -separated by an interrupted whitish collar. Rest of upper parts dark -ashy-plumbeous; the outer primaries margined, the secondaries, -tertials, and tail-feathers obscurely tipped with white. Beneath -smoky-gray. Crissum whitish. Bill and feet black. Length, 10.70; wing, -5.75; tail, 6.00; tarsus, 1.40. - -HAB. Eastern Northern America into the northern part of United States; -British America to Upper Yukon. - -The young of this species are everywhere of a dull sooty-plumbeous, -lighter on the middle of the belly, and more bluish-plumbeous on the -wings and tail. With increasing age the region about the base of the -bill whitens. - -There is a decided bluish cast to the plumbeous of the tail. The white -frontal patch has a convex posterior outline, and is abruptly defined -against the blackish of the occiput and nape. - -All specimens from Canada and the Northeastern United States, to the -interior of British America, are referrible to this variety; in the -Yukon Territory specimens show a tendency to var. _obscurus_ of the -northwest coast, having a narrower whitish frontal patch. - -HABITS. The Canada Jay was procured at Fort Simpson by Mr. Kennicott -in August, September, and December, and at the same point by Mr. Ross -in March and April, in the years 1860 and 1861. It was found breeding -in May at Anderson River Fort by Mr. MacFarlane. It was also procured -at Big Island by Mr. Reid, at Nulato and Unalakleet by Mr. Dall, at -St. Michael’s by Colonel Bulkley, at Fort Kenai by Bischoff, and at -Fort Rae by Mr. Clarke. From the memoranda of Mr. MacFarlane, we have -valuable information in regard to the nesting and breeding habits of -this species. May 24, at Fort Anderson, an Indian lad discovered a -nest of this Jay. It was built in a tree, was composed of hay and -feathers, and contained, with two young birds a few days old, an egg -that was perfectly fresh. This bird, Mr. MacFarlane states, is -tolerably numerous in that quarter. During the severe cold of winter -it is not quite so common as at other seasons. It is by no means a -difficult bird to shoot, as it will always venture into close -proximity to man. Flesh or fish are certain to attract numbers of -them, and they also cause great annoyance to the marten-hunter, by -eating the bait placed in the traps used for capturing those animals. -None of this species were observed on the Arctic coast, nor east of -Horton River, Fort Anderson being the most northern point where Mr. -MacFarlane saw any, in his journeys across the barren grounds. - -Other nests found in the same region were usually built in -spruce-trees, on branches near the trunk, well concealed from view, -and about ten feet from the ground. They were constructed of hay and -feathers, supported underneath by a few willow sticks laid crosswise. - -Mr. Dall characterizes this species as a very bold and familiar bird, -that will frequently fly down and steal away his dinner from some -hungry dog, if he is not on the alert, or devour the fish hung up in -camp by the Indians to dry. They breed very early, and occupy the same -nest year after year. The nest is very large, and composed entirely of -soft materials, moss, hair, and the like. On the 20th of April, Mr. -Dall received a nest of this Jay containing four half-fledged young, -so that they must lay in March. The bird was abundant everywhere on -the Yukon River. - -These birds are known throughout the fur countries by the name of -Whiskey-Jack, not from any supposed predilection for that beverage, -but probably, as Mr. Kennicott has suggested, from a corruption of the -Indian name for these birds, Wiss-ka-chon, which has been contorted -into Whiskey-John and thence into Whiskey-Jack. Richardson observed -these birds from Canada to the fur countries as far as latitude 69°. -Throughout that region it is a constant attendant at the fur-posts and -fishing-stations, and becomes so tame in the winter as to feed from -the hand. Yet it is impatient of confinement, and soon pines away if -deprived of its liberty. Its voice is said to be plaintive and -squeaking, though it occasionally makes a low chattering. It hoards -berries, pieces of meat, etc., in hollow trees, or between layers of -bark, by which it is enabled to feed its young while the ground is -still covered with snow. - -Dr. Newberry found this Jay as far to the south, in California, as the -upper end of the Sacramento Valley, in latitude 40°. The fact that the -isothermal line of this region passes south of Cincinnati, shows that -climate and temperature do not regulate the range of this species. As -observed in the summer months among the forests of Oregon, the Canada -Jay appeared as a rather shy bird, exhibiting none of the familiarity -and impudence exhibited in winter when made bold by hunger. - -Wilson mentions the St. Lawrence as the southern boundary of this -bird, a few only wintering in Northern New York and Vermont. But this -is inexact. They are found resident throughout the year in a large -part of Maine and in all the highlands of New Hampshire and Vermont. -They are resident at Calais, where they breed in March at about -latitude 45°, and descend in the winter to the southwest corner of -Vermont, whence it is quite probable a few cross into Massachusetts, -at Williamstown and Adams, though none have been detected, that I am -aware. Wilson himself states that he was informed by a gentleman -residing near Hudson, N. Y., that these birds have been observed in -that neighborhood in the winter. - -Dr. Coues met with these birds in Labrador. The first he saw were in a -dense spruce forest. These were very shy, alighting only on the tops -of the tallest trees, and flying off with loud harsh screams on his -approach. Subsequently, at Rigolet, he found them abundant and very -familiar. One or more were always to be seen hopping unconcernedly in -the garden-patches around the houses, not in the least disturbed by -the near presence of man, and showing no signs of fear even when very -closely approached. He describes their voice as a harsh, discordant -scream. - -Mr. Edward Harris, of Moorestown, N. J., informed Mr. Audubon, that -once, when fishing in a canoe in one of the lakes in the interior of -Maine, these Jays were so fearless as to light on one end of his boat -while he sat in the other, and helped themselves to his bait without -taking any notice of him. - -A nest of the Canada Jay, found by Mr. Boardman near St. Stephen’s, -New Brunswick, measures four and a half inches in diameter and three -inches in height. The cavity is about three inches wide and two deep. -The nest is woven above a rude platform of sticks and twigs crossed -and interlaced, furnishing a roughly made hemispherical base and -periphery. Upon this an inner and more artistic nest has been wrought, -made of a soft felting of fine mosses closely impacted and lined with -feathers. The nest contained three eggs. - -The egg of the Canada Jay measures 1.20 inches in length, by .82 of an -inch in breadth. They are of an oblong-oval shape, and are more -tapering at the smaller end than are most of the eggs of this family. -The ground-color is of a light gray, with a slightly yellowish tinge -over the entire egg, finely marked, more abundantly about the larger -end, with points and blotches of slate-color and brown, and faint -cloudings of an obscure lilac. - - -Perisoreus canadensis, var. obscurus, RIDGWAY. - -ALASKAN GRAY JAY. - - _Perisoreus canadensis_, COOPER & SUCKLEY, 216.—DALL & BANNISTER, - Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, 286 (Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, - 1872, 40 (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 307. - -SP. CHAR. (8,454 Shoalwater Bay, W. T., March 10, 1854; Dr. J. G. -Cooper.) Above plumbeous-umber, inclining to grayish-plumbeous on -wings and tail; shafts of the dorsal feathers conspicuously white. -Whole crown and nape, above the lores and auriculars, sooty-black; -separated from the brown of the back by a whitish tint. Forehead -(narrowly), nasal tufts, lores, whole lateral and under side of head, -with jugulum, pure white, rest of lower parts a duller and more -brownish white. Wing, 5.50; tail, 5.30; culmen, .93; tarsus, 1.20. -_Young_ (5,904, Shoalwater Bay). Entirely plumbeous-brown, inclining -to brownish-white beneath. Dorsal feathers with white shafts, and -those of the forehead, crown, and nape, as well as the wing-coverts, -with obsolete whitish borders. - -This form, as described above, seems to be peculiar to the northwest -coast, reaching its extreme development in Washington Territory and -Oregon. North of Sitka, and in the Yukon Territory, specimens incline -toward the var. _canadensis_, in broader frontal white, and purer -plumbeous colors. - -HABITS. Dr. Cooper met with this variety at the mouth of the Columbia -River in March in small scattered flocks, industriously seeking -insects and seeds among the spruce-trees, occasionally whistling in a -loud melodious tone like that of the Cardinal Grosbeak. He also states -that the notes of this bird differ much from the other Jays in being -clear and musical, and they sometimes show a considerable variety of -song. - -This Jay, Mr. Lord states, is so familiar and confiding, and so fond -of being near the habitations of man, that the settlers never harm it. -In the cold weather he has seen it hop by the fire, ruffle up its -feathers and warm itself without the least fear, keeping a sharp -lookout for crumbs, and looking so beseechingly with its glittering -gray eyes, that no one could refuse such an appeal for a stray morsel. -It winters in British Columbia and Vancouver Island. - - -Perisoreus canadensis, var. capitalis, BAIRD. - -ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRAY JAY. - -SP. CHAR. (61,084, Henry’s Fork, Wyoming Territory, F. V. Hayden.) -Above fine light bluish-plumbeous, becoming much lighter on the -anterior portion of the back; tertials, secondaries, wing-coverts, -primaries, and tail-feathers passing into whitish terminally, on the -latter forming quite broad and distinct tips. A nuchal patch of a -slightly darker tint than the back, and separated from it by the hoary -whitish of the anterior dorsal region. Whole of the head (except the -nuchal patch), with the anterior lower parts, as far as the breast, -pure white; rest of lower parts ashy-white, becoming gradually more -ashy posteriorly. Wing, 5.80; tail, 6.00; culmen, 1.00. _Young_ -(18,440, Fort Benton, April 23, J. A. Mullan). Generally -ashy-plumbeous, with a decided bluish cast to wings and tail; orbital -region, lores, forehead, and nasal tufts blackish; crown, a broad -space below the eye from the bill across the auriculars, with the -middle of the abdomen, pale hoary-ashy. Wings and tail as in the -adult. - -This race, very different from the two styles found to the westward -and eastward of it, is peculiar to Rocky Mountain regions, and -apparently only occurring south of the northern boundary of the United -States. A very large series of specimens, brought in at various times -from numerous localities, substantiate the constancy of the characters -pointed out above. - - -Genus PSILORHINUS, RÜPPELL. - - _Psilorhinus_, RÜPPELL, Mus. Senck. 1837, 188. (Type, _Pica morio_, - WAGLER.) - - [Line drawing: _Psilorhinus morio._ - 4114] - -CHAR. Color very dull brown above. Bill very stout, compressed, -without notch; higher than broad at the nostrils; culmen curved from -the base. Nostrils rounded; the anterior extremity rounded off into -the bill; not covered by bristles, but fully exposed. Tail rather -longer than the wings, graduated; the lateral feather three fourths -the longest; secondaries and tertials nearly as long as the primaries. -Legs stout and short, not equal to the head, and little longer than -the bill from base. - -This genus embraces Jays of large size and very dull plumage. The -thick bill, with the much curved culmen, the moderate tail, and the -open nostrils, may serve to distinguish it from its allies. The -nostril is very large, and its anterior portion is bevelled off to a -greater degree than in any genus, except in _Calocitta_. This -last-mentioned genus has the same form of bill and of nostrils, but -the head has a long recurved crest; the tail is twice as long as the -wings; the lateral feather nearly half the middle; the lateral tarsal -plates scutellate for the inferior half, etc. - -In the shape of the bill and the shortness of the primaries, compared -with the broad tertials and secondaries, there is much resemblance to -_Xanthoura_. The nostrils are, however, uncovered, the legs much -stouter and shorter, being shorter than the head instead of longer; -the tail-feathers are broader, etc. - - -Psilorhinus morio, GRAY. - -BROWN JAY. - - _Pica morio_, WAGLER, Isis, 1829, VII, 751.—IB. Isis, 1831, - 527.—Voyage de la Favorite, V, 1839, 54 (said to have been - killed at San Francisco, Cal., by Botta). _Psilorhinus morio_, - GRAY, List, genera, 1841, 51.—BONAP. Consp. 1850, 381.—CAB. - Mus. Hein. 1851, 226.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 592, pl. - lxviii, f. 1, 2. “_Pica fuliginosa_, LESSON, Traite d’Orn. - 1831, 333.” _Psilorhinus mexicanus_, RÜPPELL, Mus. Senck, 1837, - pl. xi, f. 2. - - [Illustration: _Psilorhinus morio._] - -SP. CHAR. Tail much graduated; the lateral feathers about two inches -shortest. Second quill equal to the secondaries; third and fourth -longest. General color dark smoky-brown, becoming almost black on the -head; the breast brownish-gray; nearly white about the anus; under -tail-coverts tinged with brown; the exposed portion of the tail with a -decided gloss of blue; bill and feet, in some specimens yellow, in -others black. Length, 16.00; wing, 8.00; tail. 8.25; tarsus. 1.80. - -HAB. Rio Grande Valley, north-eastern Mexico, southward. Cordova (SCL. -1856, 300); ? Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 22); Honduras (SCL. II, 113); -Costa Rica (CABAN. J. 1861, 83); Vera Cruz, hot and temperate regions -(SUMICH. Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 554). - -The difference in the color of the bill appears to be independent of -sex. The feet of the yellow-billed birds are not of the same pure -yellow. - -The _Psilorhinus mexicanus_ of Rüppell is described as having white -tips to the tail-feathers; of these there is no trace in the adult -specimens, male and female, from the Rio Grande, before us. He speaks -of a supposed young bird sent from Tamaulipas, by Lindheimer, as being -without these white tips. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLII. - 1. Xanthoura luxuosa. New Leon, New Mex., 4052. - 2. Psilorhinus morio. ♀ New Leon, Mex., 4114. - 3. Cyanura cristata. ♂ D. C., 12408. - 4. Perisoreus canadensis. _Juv._, Maine, 1920.] - -A series of specimens of this species exhibits considerable -diversities. Some skins from Mirador, Mex., not far from Vera Cruz, -perhaps best represent the species as first described by Wagler. In -these the head and neck are sooty-brown, becoming lighter on the -jugulum and on the back. The wings and tail show a trace of dull -bluish. In No. 23,915 the under parts are sooty-gray, the bill and -legs black; in 23,916 the colors are similar, with a fulvous tinge on -the breast, the bill and feet yellow. In both the under surface of -tail is brown to the end. In 23,917 the under parts, from breast to -crissum inclusive, with the tibiæ, are brownish-white, the -tail-feathers (excepting the two median) tipped with white for over an -inch, the bill and feet black. This one also has an obscure dull -bluish wash or patch along the feathers of the ramus of lower jaw not -observed in other specimens. - -The specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch, and described in the -Pacific Railroad Report are considerably smaller, and exhibit other -differences which may prove of specific importance. In this case they -will appropriately bear Rüppell’s name of _P. mexicanus_. - -HABITS. This is a Mexican species, occasionally extending its -movements as far north as the valley of the Rio Grande, and probably -crossing our lines into Texas, although of this there is as yet no -positive evidence. - -Specimens of this species were procured by Lieutenant Couch at -Boquillo, San Diego, and at China, in north-eastern Mexico, and were -found by him living in forests of high trees. It is Jay-like in its -habits, being decidedly gregarious, and having harsh and loud notes. -Though making more noise than any other bird in the neighborhood, if -one of their number is brought down by the discharge of a gun, the -noise hushes them at once, and the rest move off in perfect silence. - -Mr. Sumichrast, in his paper on the Distribution of the Birds of Vera -Cruz, states that this species abounds in both the hot and the -temperate regions of that department, and, indeed, the greater -portions of Vera Cruz. He speaks of it as a bird well known and -generally detested on account of its troublesome and noisy habits. It -is found everywhere except in the alpine region, and it does not -appear ever to go beyond a vertical elevation of 4,500 feet. This -gentleman has been assured that the bird never makes any nest of its -own, but invariably lays its eggs in those belonging to other birds. -He does not so state, but we infer that he means to convey the idea -that this Jay appropriates the nests of other birds in which to hatch -its own young, not that, like the Cowbird, it leaves its eggs to be -brought up by strangers. - -This Jay was met with by Mr. G. C. Taylor at Taulevi, in Honduras; and -from that place eastward, as far as the Atlantic, he found it very -common. It was generally seen or heard shrieking in the bushes by the -roadsides. It was also found by Mr. Salvin to occur on the eastern -road between Quiriqua and Iguana, on the road to Guatemala. - -Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common both in Honduras and the -Belize. It occurred in small flocks, which were very noisy, and -annoyed the hunter by always giving the alarm. - - - - -FAMILY TYRANNIDÆ.—TYRANT FLYCATCHERS. - - -PRIMARY CHARACTERS. Primaries ten. Bill in typical forms broad, -triangular, much depressed, abruptly decurved and notched at tip, with -long bristles along gape. Tarsi with scutellæ extending round the -outer face of tarsus from the front to back; sometimes divided on the -outer side. Bill with culmen nearly as long as the head, or shorter; -straight to near the tip, then suddenly bent down into a conspicuous -hook, with a notch behind it; tip of lower jaw also notched. -Commissure straight to near the notch; gonys slightly convex. Nostrils -oval or rounded, in the anterior extremity of the nasal groove, and -more or less concealed by long bristles which extend from the -posterior angle of the jaws along the base of the bill, becoming -smaller, but reaching nearly to the median line of the forehead. These -bristles with lateral branches at the base. Similar bristles are mixed -in the loral feathers and margin the chin. Tarsi short, generally less -than middle toe, completely enveloped by a series of large scales, -which meet near the posterior edge of the inner side, and are -separated either by naked skin or by a row of small scales. Sometimes -a second series of rather large plates is seen on the posterior face -of the tarsus, these, however, usually on the upper extremity only. -Basal joint of middle toe united almost throughout to that of the -outer toe, but more than half free on the inner side; outer lateral -toe rather the longer. Wings and tail variable; first quill always -more than three fourths the second. The outer primaries sometimes -attenuated near the tip. - -The primary characters given above will serve to distinguish the North -American _Tyrannidæ_ from their allies; the essential features -consisting in the peculiarity of the scales of the tarsus and the ten -primaries. In the _Sylvicolidæ_ there are species as truly -“flycatching,” and with a depressed bristly bill, but the nine (not -ten) primaries, and the restriction of the scales to the anterior face -of the tarsus, instead of extending entirely round the outer side, -will readily separate them. - -The relationships of the _Tyrannidæ_ are closest to the _Cotingidæ_. -These last differ mainly in having the tarsus more or less -reticulated, or covered in part at least with small angular scales, -instead of continuous broad ones; and in the greater adhesion of the -toes. The legs are shorter, and the body broader and more depressed. -The bill is less abundantly provided with bristles, and the species do -not appear to be strictly flycatchers, feeding more on berries and on -stationary insects and larvæ, rather than capturing them on the wing. -Two species of this family, _Hadrostomus affinis_[62] and -_Pachyramphus major_,[63] were introduced into the Birds of North -America, from specimens collected by Lieutenant Couch in the valley of -the Rio Grande, not far from the border of the United States, but as -they have not yet been detected within our limits, we have concluded -to omit them in the present work. - -The bird fauna of America may be said to have one of its chief -features in the great number and variety of its _Tyrannidæ_, the -family being strictly a New World one. Nearly every possible diversity -of form is exhibited by different members; the size, however, usually -varying from that of our common Robin to that of the Kinglet, our -smallest bird with exception of the Humming-Bird. Of the numerous -subfamilies, however, only one, the _Tyranninæ_ proper, belongs to -North America, and will be readily distinguished from other of our -land birds by the family characters given at the head of this article, -and which, as drawn up, apply rather to the subfamily than to the -_Tyrannidæ_ generally. - -The North American species of the _Tyranninæ_ may, for our present -purposes, be divided into _Tyranni_ and _Tyrannuli_. The former are -large, generally with bright color, pointed wings, with attenuated -primaries and a colored crest in the middle of the crown. The others -are plainer, smaller, without colored crest; the primaries not -attenuated. - -The genera of our Flycatchers may be arranged as follows:— - - TYRANNI. Size large; colors generally brilliant; crown - with a brightly colored crest, usually concealed; outer - primaries abruptly contracted or attenuated near the tip; - upper scales of tarsus usually continuing round on the - outside and behind. Nest in trees, very bulky, containing - much downy material; eggs white or pinkish, with ovate - dots of rich brown, of various shades. - - Milvulus. Tail excessively forked and lengthened; more - than twice as long as the wings. - - Tyrannus. Tail moderate; nearly even or slightly - forked; less than the wings. - - TYRANNULI. Size generally small; colors usually plain; - crown without any colored crest concealed by the tips of - the feathers; primaries normal; scales of the upper part - of the tarsus usually continuing only to the middle of the - outer face, and a second series opposite to them behind. - - 1. Tail lengthened; about equal to the wings, which - reach scarcely to its middle. - - Myiarchus. Tarsus equal to the middle toe, which is - decidedly longer than the hinder one. Tail even or - rounded. Throat pale ash, rest of lower parts yellow - generally, the primaries edged with rufous, and inner - webs of tail-feathers with more or less of the same - color. Nest in a cavity of a tree, of loose material; - eggs whitish, with intricate tangled lines and streaks - of dark brown, the general effect salmon-color. - - Sayornis. Tarsus rather longer than the middle toe, - which is scarcely longer than the hind toe. Tail - slightly forked. Bill very narrow. No light orbital - ring, nor distinct bands on wings; both mandibles - black. Nest attached to rocks or parts of buildings, - very compact and bulky, containing much mud in its - composition; eggs pure white, immaculate, or with very - minute sparse dots near larger end. - - 2. Tail decidedly shorter than the wings, which reach - beyond its middle. Tarsus shorter than the middle toe. - - Contopus. Hind toe much longer than the lateral. Tail - considerably forked. Wings long, pointed; much longer - than the tail, reaching beyond the middle of the - latter; first quill about equal to the fourth. Bill - broad. Color olive-gray, and white, sometimes with a - yellowish tinge beneath. Lower mandible pale-colored. - Nest saucer-shaped, compact, and very small, saddled - very securely upon a thick branch; eggs cream-colored, - with a zone of lilac and rich brown blotches round the - larger end. - - 3. Tail shorter than the wings, as in the last. Tarsus - considerably longer than the middle toe; hind toe much - longer than lateral. Tail nearly even, sometimes - slightly rounded, but little shorter than the wings; - first primary much shorter than the fourth. - - Empidonax. Head moderately crested; tail about even. - Bristles of bill reaching about half-way to tip. Legs - stout. A conspicuous light orbital ring, and distinct - bands on the wing. More or less tinged with - sulphur-yellow on lower parts. Nest variously - constructed, deeply cup-shaped, compact or loose, - entirely of either grassy or fibrous and downy - material, and fixed to slender twigs or lodged in a - crotch between thick branches; eggs white, immaculate, - or with blotches of brown round larger end. - - Mitrephorus. Head decidedly crested. Tail forked. - Bristles of bill reaching nearly to tip. Legs very - weak and slender. Beneath more or less tinged with - fulvous or ochraceous. - - Pyrocephalus. Head with a full crest. Tarsus but - little longer than the middle toe; hind toe not longer - than the lateral. Tail broad, even; first quill - shorter than the fifth. Beneath, with whole crown - bright red (except in _P. obscurus_). Female very - different, lacking the red, except posteriorly - beneath, and with the breast obsoletely streaked. - - - [62] _Hadrostomus affinis. Platypsaris affinis_, ELLIOT, - Ibis, 1859, 394, pl. xiii. _Pachyramphus aglaiæ_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 164, pl. xlvii, f. 1.—IB. Rep. Mex. - Bound. II, Birds, 7, pl. xix, f. 1. _Hadrostomus aglaiæ_, - CABANIS, Mus. Hein. II, 85 (Xalapa).—IB. Journ. 1861, - 252.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1864, 176 (City Mex.). _Hab._ - Northern Mexico, Jalapa, Nicaragua (SCL. Catalogue, p. 240); - Yucatan (LAWRENCE). - - [63] _Pachyramphus major. Bathmidurus major_, CAB. Orn. Nat. - 1847, I, 246.—CAB. ET HEIN. Mus. Hein. II, 89.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 165, pl. xlvii, f. 2 ♀.—IB. Rep. Mex. - Bound. II, Birds, 7, pl. xix, f. 2. _Pachyramphus major_, - SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1857, 78; 1864, 176 (City of Mex.). _Hab._ - Mexico and Guatemala. - - -GENUS MILVULUS, SWAINSON. - - _Milvulus_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 165. - _Despotes_, REICHENBACH, Avium Syst. Naturale, 1850 (in part). - - [Line drawing: _Milvulus forficatus_ (tail abnormal). - 7374 ♀] - -SP. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, and nearly equal to the tarsus. -Tail nearly twice as long as the wing, excessively forked; the middle -feathers scarcely half the lateral. First primary abruptly attenuated -at the end, where it is very narrow and linear. Head with a concealed -crest of red. - -This group is distinguished from _Tyrannus_ by the very long tail, but -the two species assigned by authors to North America, although -agreeing in many respects, differ in some parts of their structure. -The peculiarities of coloration are as follows:— - - M. forficatus. Whitish-ash above; rump black. - Tail-feathers rose-white with black tips; shoulders, - axillars, and belly light vermilion. _Hab._ Middle - America, and open portions of Texas, Indian Territory, - etc.; accidental in New Jersey. - - M. tyrannus.[64] Head above and tail black; the latter - edged externally with white. Back ashy. Beneath pure - white. _Hab._ Middle America, accidental in Eastern United - States. - - - [64] _M. tyrannus_, var. _violentus_ (_Tyrannus violentus_, - VIEILL. N. D. XXXV, p. 89. _Milvulus v._, SCL. Catal. Am. B. - 1862, 237), is the South American race of this species. It - is exceedingly similar, but differs slightly, though - constantly, in certain characters. We have not at present - the means of comparing the two. - - -Milvulus tyrannus, BON. - -FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa tyrannus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 325. _Milvulus - tyrannus_, BONAP. Geog. List, 1838.—AUDUBON, Synopsis, 1839, - 38.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 196, pl. lii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 168.—CABAN. Journ. 1861, 251.—SCL. List, 1862, - 237.—FINSCH, P. Z. S. 1870, 572 (Trinidad; considers - _violentus_, _tyrannus_, and _monachus_ as identical). - _Despotes tyrannus_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, 1854, 87. _Tyrannus - savana_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 72, pl. - xliii.—SWAINSON, Mon. Ty. Shrikes; Quarterly Jour. XX, Jan. - 1826, 282. _Muscicapa savana_, BONAP. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 1, pl. - i, f. 1.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 387, pl. clxviii. _Milvulus - savanus_, GRAY, List, 1841. _Tyrannus milvulus_, NUTTALL, Man., - (2d ed.,) I, 1840, 307. _Fork-tailed Flycatcher_, PENNANT, - LATHAM. _Tyran a queue fourchue_, BUFFON, pl. enl. 571. - -SP. CHAR. Outer four primaries abruptly attenuated at the end, the -sides of the attenuated portion parallel. Second and third quills -longest; fourth little shorter, and not much exceeding the first. Tail -very deeply forked; the external feather linear, and twice as long as -the head and body alone. Top and sides of the head glossy black. Rump, -upper tail-coverts, and tail almost black; the outer web of outer -tail-feather yellowish-white for more than the basal half; rest of -upper parts ash-gray. Under parts generally pure white. Wings dark -brown; the outer primary and tertials edged with white. Crown with a -concealed patch of yellow. Length, 14.00; wing, 4.75; tail, 10.00; -depth of fork, 7.00. _Young._ No colored patch on crown; wing-coverts -(including the lesser) and tail-feathers, with their upper coverts, -bordered with rusty ochraceous. Black of head, tail, etc., duller than -in adult. - -HAB. Mexico to South America. Accidental in the United States. (New -Jersey, Kentucky, and Mississippi, AUDUBON.) - -This species claims a place in the fauna of the United States on -account of two specimens captured in New Jersey, at long intervals, -and one or two seen by Mr. Audubon in the southwest. It is, however, -hardly proper to include it in our work on so slight a basis, and we -only retain it for the purpose of referring to the notice of it by Mr. -Audubon. - -HABITS. The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is of purely accidental occurrence -in the United States. Two specimens, taken at long intervals, are said -to have been captured in the United States. One of these was shot by -Mr. Audubon, in June, 1832, near the city of Camden, N. J. It was -first observed flying over a meadow, in pursuit of insects. It -afterwards alighted on the top of a small detached tree, when it was -secured. The bird appeared to have lost its way, was unsuspicious, and -paid no attention when approached. On the wing, it seemed to make use -of its long tail whenever it sought to suddenly turn in pursuit of its -prey. On the ground, it vibrated its tail in the manner of a -Sparrow-Hawk. - -When the bird fell to the ground severely wounded, it uttered a sharp -squeak, which it repeated, accompanied by a smart clicking of the -bill, when Mr. Audubon approached it. It lived only a few moments, and -from this specimen he made his drawing. - -Several years previous to this, one of these birds had been shot near -Henderson, Ky., but it was so far decayed when given to Mr. Audubon -that it could not be preserved. It had been obtained among the Barrens -late in October. Near Natchez, Miss., in August, 1822, Mr. Audubon was -confident he saw two others of this species. They were high in the -air, and were twittering in the manner of a Kingbird. He was, however, -unable to secure them. - -Another straggler was obtained near Bridgton, N. J., early in -December. From this specimen was made the engraving in Bonaparte’s -Ornithology. It was given to Titian Peale by Mr. J. Woodcraft of that -place. - -This Flycatcher is a resident in tropical South America from Guiana to -La Plata, and in its habits resembles the swallow-tailed species of -our southern fauna. It is said to be a solitary bird, remaining -perched on the limb of a tree, from which, from time to time, it darts -after passing insects; while standing, it is said to vibrate its long -tail in the manner of the European Wagtail. It also occasionally -utters a twitter not unlike the common note of the Kingbird. Besides -insects, this bird also feeds on berries, as the bird obtained near -Bridgton had its stomach distended with the fruit of the poke-weed. - -This species, according to Sumichrast, is found abundantly in winter -in the savannas of the hot lands of Vera Cruz, and occurs to the -height of about two thousand feet. He is not aware of its being -resident. - -Mr. Leyland found this species frequenting Old River and the pine -ridges of Belize. They were also plentiful on the flats near Peten, -and were occasionally found at Comayagua and Omoa, Honduras. - -Mr. C. W. Wyatt met with this Flycatcher in Colombia, South America, -on the savanna in the neighborhood of Aquachica. When at Ocaña, he -used to see them congregated in considerable numbers just before -sunset, whirling round high up in the air, and darting down like -rockets to the ground. He only found it frequenting the open part of -the country, and he never met with it at a greater elevation than five -thousand feet. - -An egg of this species obtained by Dr. Baldamus, from Cayenne, -exhibits a strong resemblance to the egg of the common Kingbird. It -has a clear white ground, and is spotted with deep and prominent -marking of red and red-brown. They are of an oblong-oval shape, are -tapering at one end, and measure .90 by .68 of an inch. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLIII. - 1. Milvulus forficatus. ♂ Texas, 7375. - 2. Tyrannus verticalis. ♂ Cal., 16137. - 3. Myiarchus crinitus. ♂ Pa., 1489. - 4. Tyrannus carolinensis. ♂ E. U. S., 6482. - 5. ” vociferans. ♂ Cal., 31887. - 6. Myiarchus cinerascens. ♂ Cal., 13719. - 7. Tyrannus couchi. ♂ Tamaulipas, 4001. - 8. ” dominicensis. ♂ Fla., 13737. - 9. Myiarchus lawrencii. ♂ N. Mex., 29344.] - - -Milvulus forficatus, SWAIN. - -SCISSOR-TAIL; SWALLOW-TAIL FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa forficata_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 931.—VIEILLOT, - Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 71.—STEPHENS, in Shaw’s Zoöl. X, II, - 413, pl. iii.—BONAP. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 15, pl. ii, f. 1.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 426, pl. ccclix, f. 3. _Tyrannus - forficatus_, SAY, Long’s Exped., II, 1823, 224.—NUTTALL’S - Manual, I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 309. _Milvulus forficatus_, - “SWAINS.” RICH. List, 1837.—AUDUBON, Synopsis, 1839, 38.—IB. - Birds Am. I, 1840, 197, pl. liii.—CABAN. Mus. Hein. II, - 79.—SCL. List, 1862, 237.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 169.—IB. - Mex. B. II, Zoöl. 7.—HEERM. X, c. p. 11. _Tyrannus mexicanus_, - STEPHENS, Shaw, Gen. Zoöl. Birds, XIII, II, 1826, 135. - _Moucherolle a queue fourchue du Mexique_, BUFFON, pl. enl. - 677. _Bird of Paradise_ of the Texans. - - [Illustration: _Milvulus forficatus._] - -SP. CHAR. Wing with the outer primary only abruptly attenuated, and -narrowly linear (for about .85 of an inch); the second but slightly -emarginate; second quill longest; first and third equal. Tail very -deeply forked, the lateral feathers twice as long as the body, all -narrow and linear or subspatulate. Top and sides of the head very pale -ash; the back a little darker, and faintly tinged with light -brick-red; under parts nearly pure white, tinged towards the tail with -light vermilion, rather more rose on the under wing-coverts; a patch -on the side of the breast and along the fore-arm dark vermilion-red. -Tail-feathers rosy white, tipped at the end for two or three inches -with black. Rump dark brown, turning to black on the coverts. Wings -very dark brown; the coverts and quills, excepting the primaries (and -including the outer of these), edged with whitish. Crown with a -concealed patch of white, having some orange-red in the centre. -Length, 13.00; wing, 4.75; tail, 8.50; depth of fork, 5.80. - -HAB. Middle America, from Panama northward; prairies and oak barrens -of Texas, Indian Territory, and occasionally Southwest Missouri and -Kansas. Accidental in Eastern States (New Jersey, TURNBULL; District -of Columbia? COUES); Xalapa (SCL. 1857, 204); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, -121; Mus. S. I.); Honduras (SCL. II, 114); Costa Rica (CABAN. J., -1861, 252); Vera Cruz, hot and temperate regions (SUM. M. B. S. I, -556). - -This exquisitely beautiful and graceful bird is quite abundant on the -prairies of Southern Texas, and is everywhere conspicuous among its -kindred species. It is usually known as the Scissor-tail from the -habit of closing and opening the long feathers of the tail like the -blades of a pair of scissors. The adult female is very similar, though -rather smaller. The young is not conspicuously different, only lacking -the concealed patch of the head. - -HABITS. The Swallow-tailed Flycatcher appears to be a common species -from Central Texas to the Rio Grande, and thence throughout Mexico to -Central America, as far south at least as Guatemala. It is also found -in the Indian Territory, where it breeds, specimens of the nest and -eggs having been obtained at the Kioway Agency by Dr. E. Palmer. - -It was found very plentiful at Langui, in Honduras, by Mr. G. C. -Taylor, and also in fewer numbers in other localities. In the evening, -just before roosting time, they were in the habit of assembling on the -tops of certain favorite trees, where they remained until nearly dark. -They then all went off to the woods. He generally met with them on -open ground, not much encumbered by trees or brushwood. - -Mr. Dresser states that he found this very graceful bird quite -abundant at Matamoras and in Western Texas, where it is known by the -name of “Texan Bird of Paradise.” He found it as far east as the river -Guadaloupe. It arrives, he states, in the neighborhood of San Antonio, -late in March, and remains until the middle or latter end of October. -It breeds abundantly near San Antonio, building its nest in a mesquite -or other tree, and lays from three to four eggs, which, as he states, -are pure white, blotched with large spots of a dark red color. - -He adds that these birds are of a quarrelsome and fearless -disposition, rarely brooking intruders near their homes. During the -breeding-season Mr. Dresser has often, when travelling, stopped to -admire four or five of them fighting on the wing. They show their long -tail-feathers and the rich scarlet color under their wings to the -fullest advantage. After passing Guadaloupe River, he saw none of -these birds to the eastward, though he was told they have occasionally -been seen on Galveston Island. - -This Flycatcher was met with at Eagle Pass, in Lower Texas, and in -Tamaulipas by Mr. Clark and Lieutenant Couch, in the Mexican Boundary -Survey. None were found occurring west of the valley of the Rio Pecos. -Mr. Clark states that he always saw them either following one another -through the air, or perched upon some solitary twig. In their -gyrations the scissors were always more or less expanded, suggesting -the idea of balancers. Their nests were built of sticks, lined on the -inside, though not very softly, with grass, and were placed almost -invariably on dry limbs of the mesquite. They contained from three to -five eggs, and, what was quite remarkable, more than one pair always -seemed to have an interest in the same nest, over which they were all -very watchful, and gave proofs of their courage by darting at the -intruders. He describes their notes as short and sharp, without much -variation, and they can be heard at quite a distance. The Mexicans -imagine that this Flycatcher lives on the brains of other birds. - -Lieutenant Couch describes the Scissor-tail as shy, but of a very -lively disposition. Usually four or more are seen in company, and seem -to prefer the thinly wooded prairies to close thickets. In beauty, -Lieutenant Couch considers it the queen of all the birds found in -Northern Tamaulipas. This superiority is not owing so much to the -brilliancy of its plumage, for in that it is excelled by several -species, but to the inimitable grace and charm of its flight. Rising -from the topmost branch of some acacia, it seems to float, rather than -to fly; then descending perpendicularly, it retakes its position, -uttering its usual note. He did not see it west of the Cadereita. Dr. -Kennerly, in his march from the Gulf of Mexico into Western Texas, -frequently met with these Flycatchers along his route. He usually saw -them in the open prairie, or among the mesquite-bushes. When perched, -they were generally on the top of a bush or a tall weed, and their -tails were constantly in motion. When they darted off after some -passing insect, they usually circled around, displaying the singular -bifurcation of their tail, but seldom alighting again on the same -bush. It was occasionally seen on the open prairie, flying for a long -distance near the earth, as if in search of insects. - -In Vera Cruz this species is an inhabitant of the hot lands. A few -individuals ascend, though very rarely, to the height of the city of -Orizaba, or about 3,700 feet. - -Mr. Nuttall states that he met with this Flycatcher rather common -along the banks of the Red River, near the confluence of the Kiamesha. -He again met them, even more frequently, near the Great Salt River of -Arkansas, in August. They seemed to be preying upon grasshoppers. - -Dr. Woodhouse not only found this species abundant in Texas, in the -vicinity of San Antonio, but in the Indian Territory also it was quite -common, particularly near the Cross Timbers. He found them breeding in -the beginning of the month of July, on the Great Prairie. Its nest was -built on the horizontal branch of a small scrub-oak, about six feet -from the ground, and was composed of coarse dry grass and sticks. It -contained four young birds nearly able to fly. On his approach the -female flew from the nest to a bush near by. The male bird flew to a -great height above him, circling round in the air, apparently watching -his movements, and at the same time uttering a coarse scolding chirp. - -Dr. Gideon Lincecum, of Texas, writes that the Scissor-tail -Flycatchers have greatly increased in numbers in that State since -1848. They are severe hunters of insects, and make great havoc among -honey-bees. They are exclusively prairie birds. He adds that they -construct their nests far out on the top branches of the live-oak or -any other lone tree on the prairies. They seem to be a very playful -bird, and delight in shooting rapidly upwards, cutting the air with -their strong wings with such force that the sound may be heard to the -distance of three hundred yards or more. Their notes are harsh and -inharmonious. They leave Texas late in autumn, and return again about -the first of April. The resounding strokes of their wings and their -oft-repeated cries are heard just before the dawn of day. They usually -have but three eggs. - -A single individual of _Milvulus_, and supposed to be one of this -species, was seen by Mr. C. Drexler, May 6, 1861, but was not -obtained, in the vicinity of Washington. Another bird of this species -is mentioned by Mr. Abbott as having been taken near Trenton, N. J., -April 15, 1872. It was a male bird in full health and feather. Its -stomach was found to be full of small coleoptera, insects’ eggs, -flies, etc. - -The eggs of this species vary greatly in size, from .92 by .75 to .80 -by .60 of an inch. They are in shape a rounded oval, and tapering at -one end. The ground-color is white, marked with a few very large dark -red spots, and occasionally of an obscure purple. - - -GENUS TYRANNUS, CUVIER. - - _Tyrannus_, CUVIER, Leçons Anat. Comp. 1799, 1800 (AGASSIZ). - - [Line drawing: _Tyrannus carolinensis._ - 1513] - -GEN. CHAR. Tail nearly even, or moderately forked; rather shorter than -the wings; the feathers broad, and widening somewhat at the ends. -Wings long and pointed; the outer primaries rather abruptly attenuated -near the end, the attenuated portion not linear, however. Head with a -concealed patch of red on the crown. - -The species of this genus are especially characterized by their long, -attenuated primaries, their moderately forked or nearly even tail, and -the concealed colored crest in the crown. Their affinities are nearest -to _Milvulus_, from which the tail, shorter than the wings, instead of -twice as long, or more, will always serve as a point of distinction. -The attenuation of the primary differs in being less abrupt, and not -truly linear, sloping gradually, and not bounded behind by a notch. We -are unable to appreciate any other differences of importance. - -The character and extent of the attenuation of the primaries, the -depth of the fork of the tail, with the size of the legs and bill, all -vary considerably, and may, perhaps, serve as ground for further -subdivisions. The bill, in particular, varies much in size in the -North American species, from that of _T. carolinensis_, where the -culmen is but little more than half the head, to that of _T. -dominicensis_ (genus _Melittarchus_ of Cabanis), where it is decidedly -longer than the head, and almost as stout as that of _Saurophagus_. - -The North American species of _Tyrannus_ (with their nearest Mexican -allies) may be arranged by colors, accordingly as they are white -beneath or yellow, in the following manner:— - - A. Under parts whitish, without any shade of yellow. A - faint grayish-plumbeous pectoral band. - - 1. T. carolinensis. Tail slightly rounded. Bill much - shorter than the head. Above black, shading into dark - plumbeous on the back. Tail abruptly and broadly - margined and tipped with pure white. (_Tyrannus._) - _Hab._ Whole of North America, north to the British - Provinces, and south to Panama. Rare in the Western - Province of North America. - - 2. T. dominicensis. Tail moderately forked. Bill - longer than the head. Above gray; the tail and wings - brownish. The edges and tips of the tail narrowly - margined with soiled white. (_Melittarchus._) _Hab._ - West Indies, New Granada, Panama, Florida, Georgia, - and South Carolina. - - B. Above ashy-olive, becoming purer ash on the head. Tail - brown or black. Beneath yellow; the chin paler; the breast - strongly shaded with olivaceous or ashy. (_Laphyctes._) - - _a._ Tail nearly black; the outer edges of the outer - webs of the feathers with the fibres united closely - throughout, and colored similarly to the rest of the - feathers; beneath sulphur-yellow. - - 3. T. verticalis. Tail slightly forked; external - feather with the entire outer web and the outer half - of the shaft abruptly yellowish-white. Pectoral band - pale ashy, lighter than the back. _Hab._ Western - Province of United States. - - 4. T. vociferans. Tail nearly even or slightly - rounded; external feather with the shaft brown; the - outer edge only of the outer web obscurely - yellowish-white, and all the feathers fading into - paler at the tip. Throat and breast broadly tinged - with dark ashy-olive like the back. _Hab._ Plains and - southern Middle Province of United States, south into - Middle America. - - _b._ Tail brown, scarcely darker than the wings; outer - edges of the outer webs of the tail-feathers olivaceous - like the back, in contrast with the brown; the fibres - loosened externally; shafts of tail-feathers white - beneath. Beneath bright gamboge-yellow. - - 5. T. melancholicus.[65] Tail quite deeply forked (.70 - of an inch), brownish-black, the lighter edgings - obsolete, and those on wings indistinct. Throat ashy. - _Hab._ South America var. _melancholicus_. - - Tail moderately forked (.30 of an inch), - grayish-brown, the light edges conspicuous, as are - also those of the wings. Throat white. _Hab._ Middle - America, north to southern boundary of United States - var. _couchi_. - -In the Birds of North America a supposed new species, _T. couchi_, was -mentioned as coming so close to the boundary line of the United States -in Texas as to warrant its introduction into our fauna. We have, -however, concluded to give in the present work nothing but what has -actually been found within its prescribed limits. - - - [65] _Tyrannus melancholicus_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. xxxv, - 1819, 84.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 176.—SCLATER, Catal. - Am. Birds, 1862, 235. _Hab._ South America. A more northern - race scarcely distinguishable (Panama, Costa Rica, etc.), - separated as _T. satrapa_, LICHT. - - -Tyrannus carolinensis, BAIRD. - -KINGBIRD; BEE MARTIN. - - _? Lanius tyrannus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 136. This belongs to - the Cuban _T. matutinus_, according to Bonaparte. _Muscicapa - tyrannus_, (BRISSON?) WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, 66, pl. - xiii.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 403; V, 1839, 420, pl. - lxxix.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 204, pl. lvi. _Lanius tyrannus_, - var. γ, _carolinensis_, δ, _ludovicianus_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. - I, 1788, 302. _Muscicapa rex_, BARTON, Fragments N. H. Penna. - 1799, 18. _Tyrannus pipiri_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, - 73, pl. xliv.—CAB. Journ. Orn. III, 1855, 478.—SCL. List, - 1862, 236. _Tyrannus intrepidus_, VIEILLOT, Galerie Ois. I, - 1824, 214, pl. cxxxiii.—SWAINSON, Mon. Ty. Shrikes, Quart. - Jour. 1826, 274. _Muscicapa animosa_, LICHT. Verz. Doubl. 1823, - No. 558. _Gobe Mouche de la Caroline_, BUFFON, Ois. V, 281, - enl. pl. 676. _Tyrannus leucogaster_, STEPHENS, Shaw, Gen. - Zoöl. XIII, II, 1826, 132. _Tyrannus carolinensis_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 171.—CABAN. Mus. Hein. II, 79.—LORD, Pr. - R. A. Inst. IV, 64, 113.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 167.—SAMUELS, - 128.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 311. - - [Illustration: _Tyrannus carolinensis._] - -SP. CHAR. Two, sometimes three, outer primaries abruptly attenuated at -the end. Second quill longest; third little shorter; first rather -longer than fourth, or nearly equal. Tail slightly rounded. Above dark -bluish-ash. The top and sides of the head to beneath the eyes -bluish-black. A concealed crest on the crown vermilion in the centre, -white behind, and before partially mixed with orange. Lower parts pure -white, tinged with pale bluish-ash on the sides of the throat and -across the breast; sides of the breast and under the wings similar to, -but rather lighter than, the back. Axillaries pale grayish-brown -tipped with lighter. The wings dark brown, darkest towards the ends of -the quills; the greater coverts and quills edged with white, most so -on the tertials; the lesser coverts edged with paler. Upper -tail-coverts and upper surface of the tail glossy black, the latter -very dark brown beneath; all the feathers tipped, and the exterior -margined externally with white, forming a conspicuous terminal band -about .25 of an inch broad. Length, 8.50; wing, 4.65; tail, 3.70; -tarsus, .75. - -HAB. Eastern North America to Rocky Mountains. Occasional in various -parts of the Western Province (Washington Territory, Salt Lake Valley, -Truckee River, Nevada, etc.). South to Panama. Oaxaca, lowlands, March -(SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, 302); Honduras (MOORE, P. Z. S. 1859, 55); -Guatemala (SCL. Ibis I, 120); Cuba (CAB. J. III, 476; GUNDL. Rep. -1865, 239, “_T. pipiri_”); Panama, (Mus. S. I.; LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. -VII, 295); Greytown, Nic. (LAWR. Ann. VIII, 183); East of San Antonio, -Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 472; breeds); Upper Amazon, Peru, Nauta -(SCL. and SALV. P. Z. S. 1866, 189); Vera Cruz, hot region, resident -(SUMICHRAST, M. B. S. I, 557). - -The young of the year is similar; the colors duller, the concealed -colored patch on the crown wanting. The tail more rounded; the -primaries not attenuated. - -Specimens vary in the amount of white margining the wing-feathers; the -upper tail-coverts are also margined sometimes with white. - -HABITS. The common Kingbird or Bee Martin of North America is found -throughout the continent, from Texas and Florida, on the south, as far -to the north as the 57th parallel of north latitude. Westward, north -of the 44th parallel, it is found from the Atlantic to the Pacific, -but south of this it has not been found west of the Rocky Mountains. -It is included by Dr. Cooper among the birds of California, but I am -not aware that it has ever been taken within the limits of that State. -Mr. Allen regards the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains its extreme -western limit; but Mr. Ridgway states that this species was met with -by him in various portions of the Great Basin, though always in less -abundance than the _T. verticalis_. Among the cottonwoods of the -Truckee Valley, in Western Nevada, two or three pairs were seen in -July and August. In the fertile Salt Lake Valley it was nearly or -quite as common as the _T. verticalis_, and was also met with in the -fertile “parks” of the Wahsatch Mountains. - -This species not only has this widely extended area, but is also quite -abundant wherever found. It is apparently as abundant throughout Nova -Scotia as it is in the State of Florida. Richardson even found it -common on the banks of the Saskatchewan, where he traced its northern -migrations beyond the 57th parallel of latitude. It was found at the -Carlton House early in May, and retired southward in September. It -winters in Central and South America, and has been received by Mr. -Lawrence from Panama. - -Dr. Suckley found this species quite plentiful at the eastern base of -the Rocky Mountains, in Washington Territory, and more sparingly at -Puget Sound, where he obtained several specimens. They appeared to -shun the dense forests near Puget Sound, but were moderately plentiful -in the groves of low oaks, and among the cottonwood-trees fringing the -lakes on Nisqually Plains, where, August 5, he obtained a nest with -newly fledged young. - -Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species near Omoa, in Honduras, -migratory. They came in flocks of two or three hundred, but remained -only a short time before departing farther south. They flew high, and -seemed very wild. This species was also met with, in May, at Playa -Vicente, in the low lands of the State of Oaxaca, Mexico, by Mr. -Boucard, and during the winter months is found throughout Mexico. - -No one of our common birds possesses more strongly marked -characteristics of manners and habits than this species. Its -pugnacious disposition during the breeding-season, the audacious -boldness with which it will attack any birds larger than itself, the -persistent tenacity with which it will continue these attacks, and the -reckless courage with which it will maintain its unequal warfare, are -well-known peculiarities of this interesting and familiar species. Its -name, Kingbird, is given it on the supposition that it is superior to -all other birds in these contests. My own observations lead me to the -conclusion that writers have somewhat exaggerated the quarrelsome -disposition of this bird. I have never, or very rarely, known it to -molest or attack any other birds than those which its own instinct -prompts it to drive away in self-defence, such as Hawks, Owls, Eagles, -Crows, Jays, Cuckoos, and Grakles. These it will always attack and -drive off to quite a distance from their nests. Nothing can be more -striking than the intrepidity with which one of these birds will -pounce upon and harass birds vastly larger and more powerful than -itself. The Kingbird is always prompt to perceive the approach of one -of these enemies, and always rushes out to meet it. Mounting in the -air high above, it pounces down upon its back, upon which it will even -rest, furiously pecking at the exposed flanks of its victim, and only -leaving it to descend again and again with the same unrelenting -animosity. In these encounters it always comes off conqueror. - -Wilson states that his jealous affection for his mate and for his nest -and young makes him suspicious of every bird that happens to pass near -his residence. But this is not the case in all instances. A pair of -these birds nested, in the summer of 1871, and peacefully reared their -young, in an apple-tree near my residence, within four feet of the -nest of the Baltimore Oriole, and not more than eight or ten feet from -the nest of a Robin, all in the same tree. The three pairs were on -evident terms of amity and mutual good-will. The male Kingbird kept a -sharp lookout for danger from the topmost bough, and seemed to have -all under his special guardianship, but showed no disposition to -molest or annoy them. - -The Purple Martin is said to be the implacable enemy of the Kingbird, -and one of the few birds with which the latter maintains an unequal -contest. Its superiority in flight gives the former great advantages, -while its equal courage and strength render it more than a match. -Audubon relates an instance in which the Kingbird was slain in one of -these struggles. - -Wilson also narrates an encounter, of which he was an eyewitness, -between one of this species and a Red-headed Woodpecker, in which the -latter, while clinging on the rail of a fence, seemed to amuse itself -with the violence of the Kingbird, playing bo-peep with it round the -rail, while the latter became greatly irritated, and made repeated but -vain attempts to strike at him. - -The Kingbird feeds almost exclusively upon winged insects, and -consumes a vast number. It is on this account one of our most useful -birds, but, unfortunately for its popularity, it is no respecter of -kinds, and destroys large numbers of bees. In districts where hives of -honey-bees abound, the Kingbird is not in good repute. Wilson suggests -that they only destroy the drones, and rarely, if ever, meddle with -the working bees. But this discrimination, even if real, is not -appreciated by the raisers of bees, who regard this bird as their -enemy. - -The Kingbirds arrive in Pennsylvania the latter part of April, and in -New England early in May, and leave for the South in September. They -nest in May, selecting an upper branch, usually of an isolated tree, -and often in an exposed situation. Their nests are large, broad, and -comparatively shallow, and coarsely, though strongly, made of rude -materials, such as twigs, withered plants, bits of rags, strings, etc. -These are lined with fine rootlets, horse-hair, and fine grasses. - -The Kingbird has no song, but, instead, utters an incessant monotonous -succession of twitterings, which vary in sharpness and loudness with -the emotions that prompt them. - -The flight of the Kingbird when on the hunt for insects is peculiar -and characteristic. It flies slowly over the field, with rapid -vibrations of the wings, in the manner of Hawks, and soars or seems to -float in the air in a manner equally similar. At other times it flies -with great rapidity, and dives about in the air in the manner of a -Swallow. It also exhibits great power and rapidity of flight when -rushing forth to encounter a Hawk or an Eagle. - -As they are known occasionally to plunge into the water, and, emerging -thence, to resume their seat on a high branch, to dry and dress their -plumage, it has been conjectured that they feed on small fish, but -this is unsupported by any positive evidence. - -Though the Kingbird usually builds in trees, it does not always select -such situations. In the summer of 1851, passing over a bridge near the -village of Aylesford, in Nova Scotia, I observed a Kingbird fly from a -nest built on the projecting end of one of the planks of which the -bridge was made. So remarkably exposed a position, open to view, and -on a level with and within a few feet of a highway, must be quite -unusual. - -The eggs of this bird are five, sometimes six, in number, and vary -considerably in size. Their ground-color is white with a more or less -decided roseate tinge, beautifully spotted with blotches and markings -of purple, brown, and red-brown. In some, these are disposed in a -confluent crown around the larger end; in others they are irregularly -distributed over the entire egg. In length they vary from 1.05 to .86 -of an inch, and in breadth from .72 to .70 of an inch. - - -Tyrannus dominicensis, RICH. - -GRAY KINGBIRD. - - _Tyrannus dominicensis_, BRISSON, Ois. II, 1760, 394, pl. xxxviii. - fig. 2.—RICH. List, 1837.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 172. - _Lanius tyrannus_, var. β, _dominicensis_, GMELIN, - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 302. _Muscicapa dominicensis_, AUD. Orn. - Biog. II, 1834, 392, pl. xlvi.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 201, - pl. lv. _Melittarchus dominicensis_, CABANIS, Journal für - Ornith. III, Nov. 1855, 478. _Tyrannus griseus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. - Am. Sept. I, 1807, 76, pl. xlvi.—SWAINSON, Mon. Shrikes, - Quart. Jour. XX, 1826, 276.—BP. Consp. 1850, 192 (Bonaparte - makes two species).—SCL. List, 1862, 236. _Tyrannus - matutinus_, VIEILL. De La Sagra, pl. xiv. - -SP. CHAR. Bill very large and stout. Tail conspicuously forked. Wings -long; the first six quills attenuated abruptly, much longer than the -seventh. Tertials much developed, nearly intermediate in length -between the longest primaries and the shortest secondary. Above, and -on the sides of the head and neck, ash-gray, shaded in places with -brown, which forms the middle portion of each feather. Downy portion -at the base of each feather above light ash, then light brown, tipped -and edged with darker ash-gray. The mottled appearance is caused by -the brown showing from under the feathers; the ear-coverts darker. A -concealed colored patch on the crown, formed by the base of the -feathers, white before and behind, orange in the middle. Lower parts -grayish-white, tinged with ash across the breast, deepest anteriorly. -Sides of the breast similar to, but lighter than, the back. Under -wing-coverts and axillars pale sulphur-yellow. The wings brown, darker -to the tips; the secondaries narrowly, the tertials more broadly, -edged with dull white. Edges of the coverts paler. Alula dark brown. -Tail similar in color to the quills. Upper tail-coverts brown. Bill -and feet black. Length, 8.00; wing, 4.65; tail, 4.00; tarsus, .76. - -_Young._ Lesser wing-coverts and upper tail-coverts distinctly -bordered with pale ochraceous; tail-feathers bordered all round with a -deeper shade of the same. No colored patch on the crown. - -HAB. South Carolina coast, accidental; Florida Keys and West Indies; -Nicaragua; New Granada; Santa Cruz (NEWTON, Ibis I, 146, eggs); -Carthagena, N. G. (CASS. P. A. N. S. 1860, 143); Cuba (CAB. J. III, -478, breeds; GUNDL. Rep. 1865, 238, “_Mel. griseus_”); Jamaica (GOSSE, -B. J. 169, breeds; MARCH, P. A. N. S. 1863, 287); St. Thomas (CASS. P. -A. N. S. 1860, 375); Sombrero (LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, 1864, 99, -“_griseus_”); Greytown, Nicar. (LAWR. Ann. 183); Sta. Bartholemy -(SUND. 1869, 584); Massachusetts (MAYNARD, B. E. Mass. 1870, 124). - -This species, though about the same size as the _T. carolinensis_, is -much more powerfully built, the bill and feet being much stronger, the -former considerably longer than the head, and as large as that of -_Saurophagus sulphuratus_, though less compressed. - -Specimens from Nicaragua and New Granada appear to be almost perfectly -identical with those from Florida and the West Indies, differing only -in being just appreciably smaller, which, however, might be expected -from their more southern habitat. - -HABITS. The Gray Kingbird—the Pipiry Flycatcher of Audubon, or Gray -Petchary of Jamaica—is, except in Florida, of scarcely more than -occasional occurrence within the limits of the United States. A single -specimen has been taken in Massachusetts. This was shot in Lynn, -October 23, 1868, and was in immature plumage. The bird was shot on a -tree near one of the streets of that city by Mr. Charles Goodall. Mr. -Audubon also found these birds quite common on the Florida Keys, -almost every Key, however small, having its pair. A pair was observed -breeding in the college yard at Charleston, S. C., by Dr. Bachman; and -for at least three years in succession they regularly returned each -year, and raised two broods in a season. This Flycatcher is abundant -in St. Croix, Cuba, Jamaica, and in the other West India Islands. In -the first-named locality Mr. Alfred Newton found it one of the most -conspicuous and commonest birds over the entire island. Its favorite -station, he states, was the top of the spearlike unexpanded frond of a -tall mountain-cabbage tree, from which place, in the breeding-season, -it darted down to attack almost any animal that passed near. Its -favorite object of attack was the Green Heron (_Butorides virescens_), -at which it would make several well-directed swoops, never leaving it -until it had driven it into some shelter, when, much pleased with its -prowess, it would return to its lookout station and celebrate its -victory with cries of triumph. On one occasion Mr. Newton observed a -Gray Kingbird pursue a Green Heron out to sea for a quarter of a mile -and back. It is described as a very clamorous bird, even when there is -apparently no need; taking alarm from the domestic poultry, its -oft-repeated notes were heard every morning before the dawn. This -noise it continued pertinaciously till sundown. Its food consists of -insects, which are caught with great dexterity on the wing. It also -feeds very largely on the black berries of a myrtle-leaved parasite -that grows abundantly on the orange-trees. The nest is often -placed under the fronds or among the spathes of a cocoanut or -mountain-cabbage tree, and sometimes in any ordinary situation. It is -described as flat in construction and large for the size of the bird, -being nearly a foot in diameter, composed of a platform of twigs, in -the midst of which is hollowed a cup lined with fine roots. In St. -Croix the eggs rarely exceeded three in number, and are spoken of as -exceedingly beautiful when fresh, of a delicate creamy white, marked -at the larger end with blotches and spots of pink or orange-brown, -often disposed in a zone. He found their eggs from May till August. - -Mr. Richard Hill, of Spanishtown, Jamaica, in some interesting notes -furnished to Mr. Gosse, states that along the seaside savannas of that -island migrant flocks of these birds swarm early in September. Numbers -then congregate on the trees around the cattle ponds and about the -open meadows, pursuing the swarms of insects which fill the air at -sundown. These throngs are immediately joined by resident birds of -this species, which gather about the same places, and do not return to -their usual abodes until the breeding-season is at hand. - -The Jamaica bird is not exclusively an insect-feeder, but eats very -freely of the sweet wild berries, especially those of the pimento. -These ripen in September, and in groves of these this bird may always -be found in abundance. By the end of September most of the migrant -birds have left the island. - -This is among the earliest to breed of the birds of Jamaica. As early -as January the mated pair is said to be in possession of some lofty -tree, sounding at day-dawn a ceaseless shriek, which is composed of a -repetition of three or four notes, sounding like _pē-chēē-ry_, -according to Mr. Hill, and from which they derive their local name. In -these localities they remain until autumn, when they quit these haunts -and again congregate about the lowland ponds. In feeding, just before -sunset, they usually sit, eight or ten in a row, on some exposed twig, -darting from it in pursuit of their prey, and returning to it to -devour whatever they have caught. They are rapid in their movements, -ever constantly and hurriedly changing their positions in flight. As -they fly, they are able to check their speed suddenly, and to turn at -the smallest imaginable angle. At times they move off in a straight -line, gliding with motionless wings from one tree to another. When one -descends to pick an insect from the surface of the water, it has the -appearance of tumbling, and, in rising again, ascends with a singular -motion of the wings, as if hurled into the air and endeavoring to -recover itself. - -In the manner in which the male of this species will perch on the top -of some lofty tree, and from that vantage-height scream defiance to -all around him, and pursue any large bird that approaches, as -described by Mr. Hill, all the audacity and courage of our Kingbird is -exhibited. At the approach of a Vulture or a Hawk, he starts off in a -horizontal line, after rising in the air to the same height as his -adversary, and, hovering over him for a moment, descends upon the -intruder’s back, rising and sinking as he repeats his attack, and -shrieking all the while. In these attacks he is always triumphant. - -This Flycatcher is also charged by Mr. Hill with seizing upon the -Humming-Birds as they hover over the blossoms in the garden, killing -its prey by repeated blows struck on the branch, and then devouring -them. - -The nest, according to Mr. Hill, is seldom found in any other tree -than that of the palm kind. Among the web of fibres around the -footstalk of each branch the nest is woven of cotton-wool and grass. -The eggs, he adds, are four or five, of an ivory color, blotched with -deep purple spots, intermingled with brown specks, the clusters -thickening at the greater end. Mr. Gosse, on the contrary, never found -the nest in a palm. One, taken from an upper limb of a bitterwood-tree -that grew close to a friend’s door, at no great height, was a cup made -of the stalks and tendrils of a small passion flower, the spiral -tendrils very prettily arranged around the edge, and very neatly and -thickly lined with black horse-hair. The other, made in a spondias -bush, was a rather loose structure, smaller and less compact, almost -entirely composed of tendrils, with no horse-hair, but a few shining -black frond-ribs of a fern. - -Mr. March states that the migrant birds of this species return to -Jamaica about the last of March, gradually disperse, and, like the -resident birds, occupy their selected trees in solitary pairs, and -immediately set about preparing their nests. At St. Catharine’s the -first nest found was on the 14th of April, and the latest in the -middle of July. They seldom build in the tree in which they perch, but -select a lower tree near it. Some make their nests high, others low, -usually at the extremity of a lateral branch. He describes them as -loose structures of twigs and the stems of trailing plants, with the -cup of grass, horse-hair, and vegetable fibre. The eggs are three, -rarely four, of a long oval, with a ground of light cream-color, -dashed around the larger end more or less thickly with blotches of -burnt sienna, and with cloudings of pale bistre underneath. - -Mr. Audubon states that this Flycatcher reaches the Florida Keys about -the first of April. He describes their usual flight as performed by a -constant flutter of the wings, except when in chase, when they exhibit -considerable power and speed. He noticed them pursue larger birds, -such as Herons, Crows, Cuckoos, Grakles, and Hawks, following them -quite a distance. They did not molest the Doves. They built their -nests in a manner similar to the Kingbird, on the horizontal branches -of the mangrove, almost invariably on the western side of the tree and -of the island. Some were not more than two feet above the water, -others were twenty feet. On one of the keys, although of small size, -he saw several of their nests, and more than a dozen of the birds -living amicably together. - -Dr. J. G. Cooper, who visited Florida in the spring of 1859, informed -me, by letter, on his return, that when he reached Cape Florida, March -8, none of this species were to be seen on any of the keys. The first -he noticed were about the first of May, near Fort Dallas on the -mainland. As, however, it rarely appears at this place, he supposes -they reached the keys some weeks sooner. About May 14 he found several -pairs at the Cape, and, going up the coast to New Smyrna, he found -them abundant about the marshy islands. On the first of June, with a -companion, he went in a small boat for the express purpose of finding -their nests; and, pushing the boat about among the islands which -almost filled Mosquito Lagoon, he discovered three in one afternoon. -They were all built among the small branches of low dead -mangrove-trees, about ten feet from the ground, formed of a loose, -open flooring of small twigs, with scarcely any lining of a finer -material. One contained four eggs half hatched, another three young -and one egg, the third four young just hatched. He preserved one nest -and all the eggs, and presented them to the National Museum in -Washington. The old birds showed no resentment, and neither came near -nor followed him, differing very much in this respect from the -fearless and devoted Kingbird. The only notes this bird was heard to -utter were loud and harsh rattling cries. Dr. Bachman informed Dr. -Cooper that these birds had become quite regular summer visitants of -Charleston, where they continued to breed each season. Dr. Cooper saw -none away from the Florida coast, and thinks that none go inland. - -The eggs of this species measure from 1 to 1.05 inches in length, and -from .70 to .72 of an inch in breadth. They are of an oblong oval -shape, variously marked with large blotches and smaller spots of -purple, red-brown, and a dark purplish-brown. The latter color, in a -few cases, is found in large masses, covering nearly a fifth of the -entire surface of the egg; not inaptly compared by Mr. Gosse to the -sinuous outlines of lands, as represented on a terrestrial globe. - - -Tyrannus verticalis, SAY. - -ARKANSAS FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannus verticalis_, SAY, Long’s Exped. II, 1823, 60.—NUTTALL, - Man. II, (2d ed.,) 1840, 306.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 173.—SCL. Catal. 1862, 235.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 113 - (Br. Col.).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 168.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 312. _Muscicapa verticalis_, BONAP. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 18, pl. - xi.—AUD. Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 422, pl. ccclix.—IB. Birds Am. - I, 1840, 199, pl. liv. _Laphyctes verticalis_, CABAN. Mus. - Hein. II, 1859, 77.—HEERM. X. _S_, 37. - -SP. CHAR. The four exterior quills attenuated very gently at the end, -the first most so; third and fourth quills longest, second and fifth -successively a little shorter. Tail slightly forked; bill shorter than -the head. Crown, sides of head above the eyes, nape, and sides of neck -pale lead-color, or ash-gray; a concealed crest on the crown, -vermilion in the centre, and yellowish before and behind. Hind neck -and back ash-gray, strongly tinged with light olivaceous-green, the -gray turning to brown on the rump; upper tail-coverts nearly black, -lower dusky; chin and part of ear-coverts dull white; throat and upper -part of breast similar to the head, but lighter, and but slightly -contrasted with the chin; rest of lower parts, with the under -wing-coverts and axillars, yellow, deepening to gamboge on the belly, -tinged with olivaceous on the breast. Wing brown, the coverts with -indistinct ashy margins; secondaries and tertials edged with whitish; -inner webs of primaries whitish towards the base. Tail nearly black -above and glossy, duller brownish beneath; without olivaceous edgings. -Exterior feather, with the outer web and the shaft, yellowish-white; -inner edge of latter brown. Tips of remaining feathers paler. Bill and -feet dark brown. _Female_ rather smaller and colors less bright. -Length of male, 8.25; wing about 4.50. - -HAB. Western North America, from the high Central Plains to the -Pacific; Colima, Mexico. Accidental in Eastern States (New Jersey, -TURNBULL; Plymton, Maine, Oct. 1865, BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc., X, 1865, -96). - -The young bird is, in general, quite similar, with the exception of -the usual appearance of immaturity, the colored patch on the crown -wanting. In one specimen the first primary only is attenuated, in -others none exhibit this character. - -A specimen of this bird, shot at Moorestown, N. J., is in the museum -of the Philadelphia Academy, but this locality can only be considered -as very exceptional. - -HABITS. The Arkansas Flycatcher was first discovered by the party in -Long’s Expedition in 1823, and described by Mr. Say. It is a bird of -western North America, found from the great plains to the Pacific, and -only accidentally occurring east. A single specimen is said to have -been shot in Moorestown, N. J., near Philadelphia. It has been met -with in Texas as far east as the river Mimbres, and in Nebraska nearly -to the Missouri River. The specimen from which the first description -was made was obtained in the beginning of July, near the Platte River. - -Mr. Nuttall, in his Western tour, first met with this species early in -July, among the scanty wood on the banks of the northwest branch of -the Platte River. He characterizes it as a bold and querulous bird. He -found it all the way from thence to the forests of the Columbia and -the Wahlamet, and throughout California to latitude 32°. He speaks of -them as remarkably noisy and quarrelsome with each other, and, like -the Kingbird, suffering nothing of the bird kind to approach them -without exhibiting their predilection for dispute. He describes -their note as a discordant, clicking warble, resembling -_tsh’k-tsh’k-tshivait_,—sounding not unlike the creaking of a rusty -door-hinge, something in the manner of a Kingbird, with a blending of -the notes of the common Purple Grakle. - -Mr. Townsend mentions finding this bird numerous along the banks of -the Platte, particularly in the vicinity of trees. From that river to -the banks of the Columbia, and as far as the ocean, it was a very -common species. The males were wonderfully belligerent, fighting -almost constantly and with great fury. - -Dr. J. G. Cooper states that in California this is an abundant -species, arriving in that State about the 20th of March. None are -known to remain within the State during the winter. Small parties of -males come first, and are very quarrelsome until each one has selected -its mate. This is not done for several weeks, and the earliest nest -with eggs that he has found was on the 12th of May at Santa Barbara. -The nest, built on a branch of a low oak near the town, was five -inches wide, constructed of lichens, twigs, coarse grass, and wool, -lined with hair. It contained four eggs, measuring .94 by .70 of an -inch. He describes them as creamy-white, spotted with purple of two -shades near the larger end. - -These birds are said to be almost an exact counterpart of the -Kingbird, exhibiting the same courage in defence of their nests. Their -notes are more varied and noisy, and they utter them almost constantly -during the spring, often when flying and fighting. They are very -destructive to bees, but compensate for this damage by destroying -great quantities of noxious insects. They leave the State in October. -At Puget Sound, early in June, Dr. Cooper found this species -associating with the common Kingbird without any signs of -disagreement, though their similar habits would naturally lead to -disputes. He has even seen them together in parties of four about the -period of mating. They do not approach the coast in Washington -Territory. - -Dr. Suckley found this species abundant in the central and western -portions of Oregon and Washington Territory. He first noted their -arrival from the South about May 15. The first notification of their -presence is given by the skirmishes and quarrels incident to the -love-season. Their battles are generally fought in the air, and -present ludicrous alternations of pursuit and flight. At Fort Dalles -their favorite breeding-places were oak-trees for the most part. - -Mr. Charles D. Gibbes, of Stockton, informs us that these birds -occasionally build their nests in the shrubbery about the gardens, but -more frequently in large oak-trees, fifteen or twenty feet from the -ground. They are constructed of weeds and grass firmly woven together, -and lined with cotton, feathers, strings, and other soft materials. -They are usually secured to the limb on which they are placed by a -portion of the string. The diameter of the cavity of the nest is about -three inches, depth one and a half. Their eggs are laid in May and -June, and are four, five, or six in number. They are described as -white, marked with dark brown spots on the larger end. In some the -spots, decreasing in size, extend to the smaller end. - -Dr. Hoy informs me that he has never detected this bird within the -limits of Wisconsin, though he has no doubt that they may occasionally -straggle into its limits, as have many of the birds peculiar to the -Missouri region. - -Mr. Ridgway gives it as one of the most abundant and familiar of the -_Tyrannidæ_ in the Sacramento Valley and the fertile portions of the -Great Basin. He notes their excessively quarrelsome disposition, which -far exceeds that of the eastern Kingbird, for fighting among -themselves seems to be their chief amusement. As many as half a dozen -of these birds were sometimes noticed pitching at one another -promiscuously, in their playful combats; and when a nest was -disturbed, the cries of the parents invariably brought to the vicinity -all the birds of this species in the neighborhood, which, as soon as -gathered together, began their aerial battles by attacking each other -without regard apparently to individuals, accompanying the fight by a -shrill twitter, very different from the loud rattling notes of the _T. -carolinensis_. Indeed, all the notes of the western Kingbird are very -conspicuously different from those of the eastern species, being -weaker, and more twittering in their character. The nesting habits, -the construction of the nest, and appearance of the eggs, are, -however, almost perfectly identical. - -Mr. Ridgway gives an interesting account (Am. Nat., Aug., 1869) of a -young bird of this species which became quite domesticated with his -party in the geological survey of the 40th parallel. It had been taken -about the middle of July, fully fledged, from the nest, by some -Indians, and was fed with grasshoppers and flies until able to catch -them for itself. When not in quest of food it remained quietly perched -on Mr. Ridgway’s shoulder or his hat, or would perch on a rope -extending from the top of the tent to a stake. At night it frequently -roosted under an umbrella which hung outside of the tent. If -permitted, it would have preferred to keep on its master’s shoulder, -snuggling against his neck. In the morning it was sure to come -fluttering about his head, singling him out from a dozen or more -persons who lay around upon the ground. It had an insatiable appetite, -and was ascertained by actual count to consume one hundred and twenty -fat grasshoppers in a day. It soon learned its own name, Chippy, and -always answered to the call. It followed Mr. Ridgway when on -horseback, occasionally leaving to sport with other birds, but always -returning to his shoulder or hat. It evidently preferred the society -of the camp to that of his own race. It was once, by accident, nearly -shot, and ever after held the gun in great dread. It went with Mr. -Ridgway from camp to camp, continuing perfectly tame and domesticated, -until, as was supposed, it fell a prey to a Hawk. - -The eggs of this species are not easily distinguishable from those of -the common Kingbird. They have a ground-color of a crystalline -whiteness, marked with bold dashes of reddish and purplish brown, the -latter fewer and faint. They are oblong in shape, are pointed at one -end, and measure 1 inch in length by .70 of an inch in breadth. - - -Tyrannus vociferans, SWAINSON. - -CASSIN’S FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannus vociferans_, SWAINSON, Mon. Tyrant Shrikes in Quarterly - Journal Sc. XX, Jan. 1826, 273.—IB. Philos. Mag. I, 1827, - 368.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 174, pl. xlviii.—IB. M. B. II, - Birds 8, pl. x.—SCL. Catal. 1862, 235.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 314. _Laphyctes vociferans_, CABAN. Mus. Hein. II, 77. - _Tyrannus cassini_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. N. H. V, 1852, - 39, pl. iii, fig. 2 (Texas). - -SP. CHAR. Bill from the forehead about as long as the head. Tail even -or slightly rounded. Outer five primaries attenuated; the first four -abruptly and deeply emarginated; third quill longest, second and -fourth a little less, first shorter than the sixth, and half an inch -less than the longest. Head and neck above and on the sides rather -dark bluish-ash; the throat and breast similar, and only a little -paler. Rest of upper parts olive-green tinged with gray, mixed with -brown on the rump; the upper tail-coverts and surface of the tail -nearly black; the outer web of the external feather and the tips of -all pale brown. The chin is white, in strong contrast to the dark ash -of the throat; the rest of the under parts bright sulphur-yellow (the -sides olivaceous), palest on the under tail-coverts and inside of -wing. A concealed vermilion patch in the crown, bordered by -straw-yellow. Wing-feathers brown, tinged with olive, becoming paler -towards the edge. Length, 8.80; wing, 5.25; tail, 4.25. - -HAB. Valley of Gila and southern California, eastward to Pecos River, -Texas, and into Mexico, on table-lands; north along the Plains to Fort -Laramie, south to Costa Rica. Oaxaca (SCL. P. Z. S. 1859, 383); Vera -Paz (SCL. Ibis I, 121); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 59); Vera -Cruz, hot and temp. regions, and Plateau (SUM. M. Bost. Soc. I, 557.) - -The table of specific characters presented under the generic head will -readily serve to distinguish this species from its near ally, _T. -verticalis_. The white outer web of the exterior tail-feather in -_verticalis_, compared with the brown web, only edged with whitish of -the present bird, is always sufficient to separate them; while the -deep ash of the jugulum, and the much lighter, more brownish shade of -the wings, are entirely peculiar features. - -HABITS. This bird is abundant in Vera Cruz, where it is known by the -name of _Portuguéz_. According to Sumichrast, it belongs to the hot -and temperate regions, rather than the alpine. It is also common in -the Plateau, and is found in all parts of Mexico. - -In Arizona Dr. Coues states this bird to be an abundant summer -resident, arriving in that Territory during the third week in April, -and remaining until the latter part of September. It was found in -every kind of locality. He furnishes no information as to its habits. - -During the Mexican Boundary Survey this species was taken on the -Colorado River, in California, by Dr. A. Schott, and at Los Nogales, -Mexico, by Dr. Kennerly. It was also met with in the Sacramento Valley -by Dr. Heermann; at Fort Thorn, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry; on the -Pecos, Texas, by Captain Pope; and specimens from Mexico have been -received from Mr. Gould. It does not appear to have been observed in -Southwestern Texas by Mr. Dresser. - -This species Dr. Cooper states to be quite common throughout the -southern half of California, and resident throughout the year at least -as far north as Los Angeles. In color they greatly resemble the _T. -verticalis_, but are less lively and not so quarrelsome in their -habits. During the early part of the year they begin to sing by -daylight, generally from the top of some high tree. Their notes are -said to be loud and much more musical than those of the other species, -and their song exhibits considerable variety for a bird of this -family. During the middle of the day they are rather quiet, and sit -much of the time on their perch, occasionally catching an insect that -comes very near, but they are supposed by Dr. Cooper to feed mostly in -the very early morning. This observer found them breeding at San Diego -as early as March 28, as well as subsequently. Their nest is said to -be much larger and more firmly built than are those of others of the -genus, being five and a half inches in external diameter and about two -and a half in height. The cavity is three inches wide at the rim. The -eggs, which he describes as white, with large scattered reddish-brown -and umber blotches, measure .96 of an inch in length and .70 in -breadth. He found some of these birds in Santa Clara Valley in May, -1864. They appeared to be smaller and greener on the back than those -from the South. They winter in large numbers at Santa Clara, in -latitude 37°. - -Dr. Coues found this a very abundant summer resident at Fort Whipple, -breeding there in considerable numbers, and all leaving early in -October. - -Mr. Ridgway did not meet with this species anywhere in the Great -Basin, nor in the Sacramento Valley. On the plains it is found as far -north as Cheyenne and Laramie Peak, and in the southern portion of the -Western Provinces extends westward to California. - -Specimens were obtained by Mr. George M. Skinner from Salamá, Vera -Paz, in Central America. It was also taken, in February, near Oaxaca, -Mexico, by Mr. Boucard. - -A nest of this bird (No. 1,828), in the Smithsonian Museum, was taken -at Volcan de Colima, June, 1863, by Mr. John Xantus. It is a slight -structure composed chiefly of wiry grass, mixed with bits of wool, and -lined with finer grasses. The eggs are two in number, having a -pure-white ground, freckled on the larger end with purplish-brown and -grayish-lilac. These markings are more sparse and are finer than those -of the eggs of any other species of this genus, so far as I am aware. -One of the eggs has a few blotches of umber on the larger end. They -measure, one .93 by .68 of an inch, the other .93 by .65. - - -Tyrannus melancholicus, var. couchi, BAIRD. - -COUCH’S KINGBIRD. - - _Tyrannus couchi_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 175, pl. xlix, f. - 1.—SCL. Catal. Am. B. 1862, 235. - -SP. CHAR. Bill long as the head. Feet stout. Five outer primaries -abruptly attenuated at the end; the third and fourth longest; the -first a little longer than the sixth. Tail considerably forked (depth -of fork about .30 of an inch, or more). Head, neck, and jugulum -bluish-ashy, becoming nearly white on the throat, and shaded with -yellow on the breast. Rest of lower parts gamboge-yellow. Rest of -upper parts olive-green, tinged with ash anteriorly. Tail and -primaries grayish-brown, the tail not the darker. Wing-coverts passing -externally into pale, the tertials edged with almost white. Crown with -a concealed patch of bright orange-red. Length, 9.00; wing, 5.00; -tail, 4.70. - -HAB. Middle America (both coasts), from southern border of United -States, south to Guatemala; Tucson, Arizona (BENDIRE). - -All specimens of _T. melancholicus_ from regions north of Guatemala -are referrible to var. _couchi_; all from Costa Rica southward, to -_melancholicus_. - -It is only by comparing specimens from near the extreme northern and -southern limits of the range of the species, that differences are -readily discernible; and between these two extremes there is so -gradual a transition that it is impossible to draw a line separating -two well-marked varieties, so that it is necessary to assume an -arbitrary geographical line, and determine specimens from the middle -regions by their position, whether to the north or south of the line -established. Specimens from Buenos Ayres, the Parana, and Brazil, to -Peru and New Granada, are identical. Costa Rica specimens (_T. -satrapa_, LICHT.) have the dark tail of var. _melancholicus_ and white -throat of _couchi_. - - -GENUS MYIARCHUS, CABANIS. - - _Myiarchus_, CABANIS, Fauna Peruana, 1844-46, 152.—BURMEISTER, - Thiere Brasiliens, II, Vögel, 1856, 469. - -GEN. CHAR. Tarsus equal to or not longer than the middle toe, which is -decidedly longer than the hinder one. Bill wider at base than half the -culmen. Tail broad, long, even, or slightly rounded, about equal to -the wings, which scarcely reach the middle of the tail; the first -primary shorter than the sixth. Head with elongated lanceolate -distinct feathers. Above brownish-olive, throat ash, belly yellow. -Tail and wing feathers varied with rufous. - -This genus is well marked among the American Flycatchers, and -constitutes what Bonaparte called _Ultimi Tyrannorum sive Tyrannularum -primæ_. The type is the _Muscicapa ferox_ of Gmelin, (_M. -tyrannulus_,) which, as identified by Cabanis and Burmeister as above, -appears to resemble our species very closely. - - [Line drawing: _Myiarchus mexicanus._ - 1449] - -For an elaborate discussion of the various forms of this exceedingly -difficult genus, we are indebted to a recent monograph by Dr. Coues, -in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, for June and July, -1872 (pp. 56-81). With the same material for our investigations, we -have been led, after a very careful perusal of the valuable paper -mentioned, and tedious critical comparison of the large material at -our command, to adopt a somewhat difficult view of the relationship of -the forms characterized. The following synopsis expresses their -affinity as at present understood:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Above olivaceous, usually uniform, sometimes -darker, sometimes more ashy, on the head above. Head and jugulum more -or less ashy, though the latter is sometimes very pale. Rest of lower -parts sulphur-yellow, sometimes almost or quite white. Primaries, -secondaries, and rectrices usually more or less edged on either web -with rufous; but sometimes entirely destitute of this color. - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Bill sub-conical; sometimes nearly terete, its depth - equal to, or exceeding, its breadth in the middle portion; - its lateral outlines moderately divergent basally; - terminal hook abrupt, strong. (_Myionax._) - - 1. M. tyrannulus. No trace of rufous edgings on either - wings or tail. Above ashy-olive, the pileum similar, the - outer webs of wing-coverts and secondaries edged with - whitish. Head, laterally and beneath, ashy, the throat - and jugulum more whitish; rest of lower parts - sulphur-yellow. Tail slightly rounded. - - Pileum and nape umber-brown; upper surface - umber-grayish. Bill dark brown. Wing, 3.50-3.70; tail, - 3.60-3.90; culmen, .90-.95; tarsus, .80-.90. _Hab._ - South and Central America, from Bolivia and Southern - Brazil to Costa Rica var. _tyrannulus_.[66] - - Whole head and neck pure ash, paler on the throat, and - darker on the pileum; upper surface greenish-ash. Bill - black. Wing, 3.70; tail, 4.00; culmen, .82; tarsus, - .91. _Hab._ Ecuador and Guayaquil var. _phæocephalus_.[67] - - 2. M. validus.[68] All the wing-coverts, tertials, - secondaries, primaries, and rectrices distinctly edged - with rufous (the latter on both webs). Above olivaceous, - more ashy anteriorly; the upper tail-coverts more - rufescent; remiges broadly rufous on exterior edges; - rectrices with the whole inner web (except a narrow - streak along the shaft) and edge of outer web rufous. - Head beneath, and entire throat and breast, deep ash; - rest of lower parts sulphur-yellow, the junction of the - two colors not well defined. Wing, 3.80-4.20; tail, - 3.80-4.20; culmen, 1.00; tarsus, .80-91; tail even; - third and fourth quill longest. _Hab._ Jamaica. - - 3. M. crinitus. Outer webs of primaries distinctly edged - with rufous (no other rufous on wings); inner webs of - rectrices broadly, sometimes entirely, rufous, none on - outer webs (except in young). Above olivaceous, varying - from a greenish to an ashy cast, the pileum more - brownish. Wing-coverts (both rows) broadly tipped with - brownish ashy-whitish; tertials, secondaries, and - lateral tail-feather broadly edged on outer web with the - same. Head laterally and beneath ashy paler on the - throat and jugulum; rest of lower parts delicate yellow, - varying from a rich lemon to a pale sulphur tint. _Hab._ - Continental America. - - Bill dark brown (never black). Upper parts decidedly - greenish; ash of throat and jugulum, and yellow of - abdomen, etc., very deep. - - Inner webs of rectrices wholly rufous, or with only - a narrow strip of dusky along the shaft. Wing, - 3.75-4.25; tail, 3.75-4.20; culmen, .95-1.00; - tarsus, .85-.90. _Hab._ Eastern Province of North - America; in winter south through Eastern Mexico to - Guatemala (grading into var. _irritabilis_ in - Nicaragua) var. _crinitus_. - - Bill deep black; upper parts without a greenish, but, - instead, an ashy-brownish cast; ash of throat and - jugulum, and yellow of abdomen, etc., very pale. - - Inner webs of rectrices broadly (but not entirely) - rufous to the extreme tip, with a broad dusky stripe - next the shaft. - - Wing, 4.10-4.50; tail, 4.00-4.70; culmen, - 1.10-1.20; tarsus, 1.00-1.05. _Hab._ Southern and - Western Mexico (Tehuantepec, Yucatan, Mazatlan, - etc.) var. _cooperi_.[69] - - Wing, 3.60-3.90; tail, 3.50-3.75; culmen, - .90-1.00; tarsus, .80-.85. _Hab._ Eastern South - America, and Central America, from Paraguay to - Costa Rica (grading into var. _cooperi_ in - Guatemala, and into var. _cinerascens_ in - Tehuantepec) var. _irritabilis_.[70] - - Inner webs of rectrices almost entirely rufous to - near the extreme tip, the end of the web, however, - being brownish-dusky like the outer. - - Wing, 3.35-4.10; tail, 3.35-4.10; culmen, - .80-1.00; tarsus, .80-.91. _Hab._ Western Province - of United States, and Western Mexico (grading into - var. _irritabilis_ in Tehuantepec, and in winter - migrating into Eastern Mexico) var. _cinerascens_. - - 4. M. stolidus. Colors essentially nearly as the - varieties of _M. crinitus_. Primaries more or less - distinctly edged with rufous, especially on inner - quills; rectrices with inner webs more or less edged - with rufous (found only terminally in var. - _antillarum_). Wing-coverts broadly tipped with dull - ashy-whitish. Above brownish-slaty, with an olivaceous - cast, the pileum more or less appreciably darker. - Beneath ashy-white, without distinct yellow (except in - var. _stolidus_, in which the abdomen, etc., are pale - sulphury yellow). Tail varying in shape from slightly - rounded to distinctly emarginated. _Hab._ West Indies. - - Beneath entirely white, only faintly, or hardly - appreciably, tinged with sulphur-yellow on the flanks. - - Inner web of rectrices broadly edged with rufous for - the whole length. Crown scarcely darker than the - back. Tail distinctly emarginated. Wing, 3.15-3.50; - tail, 3.30-3.60; culmen, .85-.95; tarsus, .80-85. - (Bahaman specimens the larger). _Hab._ Bahamas and - Cuba var. _phœbe_.[71] - - Inner web of rectrices not edged with rufous except - at extreme tip, where sometimes also absent. Crown - decidedly darker than the back. Tail slightly - rounded. Wing, 3.25-3.50; tail, 3.20-3.60; culmen, - .85-95; tarsus, .85-90. _Hab._ Porto Rico var. _antillarum_.[72] - - Beneath white only on throat and jugulum, the abdomen, - etc., being sulphur-yellow. - - Inner webs of rectrices more or less distinctly - edged with rufous for whole length. Pileum very much - darker than the back. Wing, 3.35-3.50; tail, - 3.35-3.65; culmen, .90-.95; tarsus, .80-.85. Tail - faintly doubly-rounded. _Hab._ Hayti, Jamaica, (and - Yucatan?) var. _stolidus_.[73] - - B. Bill much depressed, its depth only about half its - width, in the middle portion; lateral outlines widely - divergent basally; terminal hook weak. (_Myiarchus._) - - 5. M. tristis. Colors very variable, and amount of - rufous exceedingly different in the different races. - Inner webs of rectrices seldom edged with rufous; rufous - sometimes entirely absent on both wings and tail, and - sometimes the whole wing and both webs of rectrices - distinctly edged with it. Above ashy-olive, usually with - more or less of a greenish cast, the pileum decidedly - darker (except in var. _lawrencei_); throat and jugulum - ashy-white; rest of lower parts sulphur-yellow. _Hab._ - Central and South America, and Jamaica. - - Pileum sooty-brown, decidedly darker than the back; - wings and tail entirely destitute of rufous edgings, - except a faint tinge on outer webs of inner - secondaries and rectrices, towards the base. Tail - faintly rounded. Wing, 3.00; tail, 3.10; culmen, .80; - tarsus, .65. _Hab._ Jamaica var. _tristis_.[74] - - Pileum grayish-brown, not appreciably darker than the - back; outer webs of inner secondaries and primaries - and rectrices faintly edged with rufous. Wing, - 2.80-3.40; tail, 2,85-3.45; culmen, .85-.90; tarsus, - .75-.80. _Hab._ Northern Mexico, from northern - boundary, south to Colima, Tehuantepec, Yucatan, and - Salvador var. _lawrencei_.[75] - - Pileum sooty-blackish, decidedly and abruptly darker - than the back. Outer webs of wing-coverts, primaries, - secondaries, and rectrices distinctly edged with - rufous. Yellow beneath brighter than in _lawrencei_. - Wing, 3.20-3.30; tail, 3.15-3.30; culmen, .80-.85; - tarsus, .75-.80. _Hab._ Central America from Panama to - Guatemala (grading into var. _lawrencei_ in - Tehuantepec, and Orizaba) var. _nigricapillus_.[76] - - Pileum deep black, abruptly different from the - greenish-olive of the back, and separated from it by a - more ashy shade. Wings and tail wholly destitute of - rufous edgings. Yellow beneath brighter than in var. - _nigricapillus_. Wing, 3.20; tail, 3.20; culmen, .85; - tarsus, .78. Tail about even. _Hab._ Northwest South - America, from Ecuador northward (grading into - _nigricapillus_ on Isthmus of Panama) var. _nigriceps_.[77] - - [66] _Myiarchus tyrannulus_ (MÜLL.), COUES. _Muscicapa - tyrannulus_, MÜLL. (G. R. GR. Hand List, No. 5,527). - _Myiarchus t._ COUES, P. A. N. S. Phila. July, 1872, 71. - (_M. aurora_, BODD.; _flaviventris_, STEPH.; _ferox_, GM.; - _swainsoni_, CABAN.; _panamensis_, LAWR.; _venezuelensis_, - LAWR.) - - [67] _Myiarchus tyrannulus_, var. _phæocephalus_ (SCLATER). - _Myiarchus phæocephalus_, SCL. P. Z. S. 1860, 481.—COUES, - P. A. N. S. 1872, 73. - - [68] _Myiarchus validus_, CABANIS. _Tyrannus crinitus_, - GOSSE, B. Jam. 186 (nec Auct.). _Myiarchus validus_, CABAN. - Orn. Nat. II, 351, et Auct. COUES, P. A. N. S. July, 1872, - 62. - - [69] _Myiarchus crinitus_, var. _cooperi_ (KAUP). BAIRD. - _Tyrannula cooperi_, KAUP. P. Z. S. 1851, 51. _Myiarchus - cooperi_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 180. _Myiarchus - crinitus_, var. _cooperi_, COUES, P. A. N. S. July, 1872, - 67. - - [70] _Myiarchus crinitus_, var. _irritabilis_ (VIEILL.), - COUES. _Tyrannus irritabilis_, VIEILL. Enc. Meth. 1823, II, - 847. _Myiarchus crinitus_, var. _irritabilis_, COUES, P. A. - N. S. July, 1872, 65. (_M. erythrocercus_, SCL.; _M. - mexicanus_, KAUP, LAWR.; _M. yucatanensis_, LAWR.) - - _Obs._—It is, perhaps, probable that in Yucatan this race - grades into the _M. stolidus_ (var. _stolidus_), since there - is a specimen in the collection from Merida (39,213, April - 9, 1865, A. Schott) which seems to be very nearly - intermediate in every way between the two. It has the very - black hill, restricted rufous on inner webs of rectrices, - and pale yellow of lower parts of _M. stolidus_, and the - brown pileum and more robust proportions of _irritabilis_. - The specimen, however, is in poor condition, being of worn - and faded plumage, and much distorted, so that its true - characters cannot be ascertained satisfactorily. - - [71] _Myiarchus stolidus_, var. _phœbe_ (D’ORB.), COUES. - _Tyrannus phœbe_, D’ORB. Sagra’s Cuba, Ois. p. 84. - _Myiarchus stolidus_, var. _phœbe_, COUES, P. A. N. S. July, - 1872, 78. (_Sagræ_, GUNDL.; _stolida_, var. _lucaysiensis_, - BRYANT). - - [72] _Myiarchus stolidus_, var. _antillarum_ (BRYANT), - COUES. _Tyrannus (Myiarchus) antillarum_, BRYANT, P. B. S. - N. H. 1866, p. 2. _Myiarchus stolidus_, var. _antillarum_, - COUES, P. A. N. S. July, 1872, 79. - - [73] _Myiarchus stolidus_, var. _stolidus_ (GOSSE), CABANIS. - _Myiobius stolidus_, GOSSE. B. Jam. p. 168. _Myiarchus s._ - CABANIS, J. für Orn. 1855, 479.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1872, - 77. (_Stolidus_ var. _dominicensis_, BRYANT.) - - [74] _Myiarchus tristis_ (GOSSE), COUES. _Myiobius tristis_, - GOSSE, B. Jam. 167, pl. xli. _Myiarchus t._ COUES, P. A. N. - S. July, 1872, 80. - - [75] _Myiarchus tristis_, var. _lawrencei_ (GIRAUD), BAIRD. - _Tyrannula lawrencei_, GIRAUD, 16 sp. Tex. B. pl. ii. - _Myiarchus l._ BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 181, pl. xlvii, f. - 3.—COUES, P. A. N. S. July, 1872, 74. - - _Obs._—The most typical specimens are from Mazatlan and - northward, across the northern portion of Mexico. On the - eastern coast, specimens from Mirador and Orizaba already - strongly incline toward var. _nigricapillus_. - - [76] _Myiarchus tristis_, var. _nigricapillus_, CABANIS. - “_Myiarchus nigricapillus_, CABAN.” SCL. Cat. Am. B. 1862, - 233, et Auct. _M. lawrencei_, COUES, P. A. N. S. 1872, 74 - (in part). - - _Obs._—A very strongly differentiated form, but - unquestionably grading into var. _lawrencei_ on the one - hand, and var. _nigriceps_ on the other. - - [77] _Myiarchus tristis_, var. _nigriceps_, SCLATER. - _Myiarchus nigriceps_, SCL. P. Z. S. 1860, 68, 295.—COUES, - P. A. N. S. July, 1872, 75. - - _Obs._—The last three races appear to be all reducible to - one species, as, taking the large series of specimens before - us (over 30 skins), we find it impossible to draw the line - between them. Specimens from Southern Mexico are referrible, - with equal propriety, to _lawrencei_ or to _nigricapillus_, - while skins from Panama of _nigriceps_ are less typical than - those from Ecuador. This case of gradually increasing - melanistic tendency as we proceed southward affords an exact - parallel to that of _Vireosylvia gilvus_ and _V. josephæ_, - _Sayornis nigricans_ and _S. aquaticus_, and many other - cases. - - -Myiarchus crinitus, CABANIS. - -GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa crinita_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 325.—WILSON, - Am. Orn. II, 1810, 75, pl. xiii.—LICHT. Verzeichniss - Doubl. 1823, No. 559.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 176; V, - 423, pl. cxxix.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 209, pl. lvii. - _Tyrannus crinitus_, SWAINSON, Mon. Tyrant Shrikes in - Quarterly Journal, XX, Jan. 1826, 271.—NUTTALL, Man. I, - (2d ed.,) 1840, 302.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 182. - _Myiobius crinitus_, GRAY, Genera, I, 248. _Tyrannula - crinita_, BONAP. Consp. 1850, 189.—KAUP, Pr. Zoöl. Soc. - 1851, 51. _Myiarchus crinitus_, CABANIS, Journ. für - Ornith. III, 1855, 479.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 178.—SCL. Catal. 1862, 232.—SAMUELS, 131. _Myionax - crinitus_, CABAN. Mus. Hein. 1859, 73 (type, Journ. 1861, - 250). _Muscicapa ludoviciana_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, - 934.—LATHAM, Ind. _Tyrannus ludovicianus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. - Am. Sept. I, 1807, pl. xlv. _Muscicapa virginiana - cristata_, BRISSON, II, 1760, 412. _Crested Flycatcher_, - PENNANT, LATHAM. - Figure: BUFFON, pl. enl. 569, fig. 1. - - [Illustration: _Myiarchus cinerascens._] - -SP. CHAR. Head with a depressed crest. Third quill longest; -fourth and second successively but little shorter; first a little -longer than seventh; much shorter than sixth. Tail decidedly -rounded or even graduated; the lateral feather about .25 of an -inch shorter. Upper parts dull greenish-olive, with the feathers -of the crown and to some extent of the back showing their brown -centres; upper tail-coverts turning to pale rusty-brown. Small -feathers at the base of the bill, ceres, sides of the head as -high as the upper eyelid, sides of the neck, throat, and forepart -of the breast, bluish-ashy; the rest of the lower parts, -including axillaries and lower wing-coverts, bright -sulphur-yellow. A pale ring round the eye. Sides of the breast -and body tinged with olivaceous. The wings brown; the first and -second rows of coverts, with the secondary and tertial quills, -margined externally with dull white, or on the latter slightly -tinged with olivaceous-yellow. Primaries margined externally for -more than half their length from the base with ferruginous; great -portion of the inner webs of all the quills very pale ferruginous. -The two middle tail-feathers light brown, shafts paler; the rest have -the outer web and a narrow line on the inner sides of the shaft brown, -pale olivaceous on the outer edge; the remainder ferruginous to the -very tip. Outer web of exterior feather dull brownish-yellow. Feet -black. Bill dark brown above and at the tip below; paler towards the -base. Length, 8.75; wing, 4.25; tail, 4.10; tarsus, .85. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the Missouri and south to Eastern -Texas (not yet observed farther west). Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, -121); Cuba (GUNDL. Repert. 1865, 239; CAB. J. III, 479); ? -Jamaica (GOSSE, B. J. 186); Panama (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 329); -Costa Rica (CABAN. J. 1861, 250; LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 115); San -Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 473, rare). - -The female appears to have no brown on the inner web of the -quills along the shaft, or else it is confined chiefly to the -outer feathers. - -The young is hardly appreciably different, having merely the -wing-coverts tinged with rusty at the ends. - -HABITS. The common Great-crested Flycatcher of eastern North -America has a much more extended northern distribution than has -been generally given it by earlier writers. Wilson speaks of it -only as a bird of Pennsylvania. Audubon mentions their occurring -as far as Massachusetts, but as confined to the mountains, and as -entirely unknown farther eastward. Mr. Nuttall refers to it as -nearly unknown in New England, and as never appearing near the -coast. - -It is now known to be a regular though a somewhat rare summer -resident, at least as far to the northeast as St. Stephen, New -Brunswick, latitude 45° north, longitude 67° west, and as far to -the north in Vermont as Randolph, and Hamilton in Canada, both in -about latitude 44°. Mr. Boardman mentions it as a regular summer -visitant, and as breeding near Calais. Professor Verrill gives it -as a rare summer visitant of Western Maine. Mr. McIlwraith states -it to be a common summer resident of Hamilton, Canada West, where -it arrives about the 10th of May, after which its harsh cry is -heard in all parts of the woods. It winters in Central America -and Panama. - -In a letter dated June 17, 1865, Mr. C. S. Paine of Randolph, -Vt., informed me that he had, within a few days, found a nest of -this Flycatcher. It was built in the hollow of a decayed -apple-tree, in one of its limbs. The nest was built up from the -bottom of the cavity some eight inches, and contained six eggs. -Though not very abundant in that neighborhood, Mr. Paine had been -aware, for several years, of the occurrence of this Flycatcher, -but had never before been able to ascertain its manner of -nesting. He has since informed me that these Flycatchers have -continued to occur every summer, as they always make their -presence known by their harsh notes, which may be heard to quite -a distance, and he knows that they breed there regularly every -year. They are shy, and do not come about the buildings, but are -generally seen in the woods and orchards. - -In Eastern Massachusetts they are not common, but scattered pairs -have been met with in Concord, Acton, Newton, Hingham, and in -other places. - -Dr. Coues states that the Great-crested Flycatcher reaches -Washington the third week in April, and leaves the last of -September. It is a common summer resident, but is most numerous -in the spring and autumn. It is found on the edge of open woods, -and betrays its presence by its peculiar notes. In the western -part of Massachusetts, Mr. Allen gives it as a rare summer -visitant, having been taken by him from May 15 to September 17, -and having been found breeding on Mount Tom by Mr. C. W. Bennett. -It is found abundantly in the Middle and Southern States as far -south as Florida and Texas, and occurs as far to the west as the -Missouri River. Dr. Woodhouse found it very abundant in Texas and -in the Indian Territory, and Mr. Dresser obtained specimens at -San Antonio in the month of April. - -In speaking of the habits of this species, Wilson accuses it of -being addicted to eating bees equally with the Kingbird; but as -this bird is known to feed largely on berries, and to feed its -young to some extent with the same, the extent of such propensity -may well be doubted. It is not so prone to attack birds larger -than itself as is the Kingbird, which Wilson characterizes as -cowardice, but which it would be more charitable to call -prudence. It is said to be harsh, cruel, and vindictive to -smaller birds and to weaker individuals of its own species. - -In its flight it moves with power, steadiness, and swiftness, and -when in pursuit of insects follows its prey with great zeal and -perseverance. When it captures a large insect, it retires to its -perch and beats it against the limb. These birds are not in the -least gregarious. They occur in isolated pairs, and appear to -have no interest or sympathy with others than those of their own -household. To each other, however, they are attentive and -considerate, and they are devoted in their solicitude for their -young. - -Their usual call-note is a sharp disagreeable squeak, which, once -known, is easily recognized. Besides this it has a monotonous -succession of squeaking, harsh notes, only a little less -unpleasant. They raise but one brood in a season, and remain -together in a family group of from six to eight until they leave, -in the middle of September. - -During the early summer this species feeds chiefly upon insects -of various kinds, which it catches with great facility, skill, -and assiduity; afterwards, as if from choice, it chiefly eats -ripe berries of various kinds of shrubs and plants, among which -those of the poke-weed and the huckleberry are most noticeable. -It nests altogether in hollows in trees, stumps, or limbs. It -lines the bottoms of these hollows with a great variety of -miscellaneous materials, and in quantities that vary with the -size and shape of the place to be occupied. These beds are -composed of loose hay, feathers, the hair of various small -quadrupeds, etc., while the exuviæ of snakes are almost always to -be met with. - -The eggs, four, five, or six in number, are peculiar and -noticeably varied and beautiful in their style of markings, -varying also somewhat in shape. Generally they are nearly -spherical, and equally obtuse at either end. Occasionally they -are an oblong oval, one end a very little more tapering than the -other. Their ground-color is a beautiful light buff, rather than -a cream-color, over which are waving lines, marblings, markings, -and dots of a brilliant purple, and others of a more obscure -shading. The lines are variously distributed, generally running -from one pole of the egg to the other with striking effect, as if -laid on with the delicate brush of an artist. In some eggs the -whole surface is so closely covered with these intercrossing and -waving lines, blending with the obscure cloudings of lilac, as -nearly to conceal the ground. Usually the buff color is -conspicuously apparent, and sets off the purple lines with great -effect. - -An oblong-oval egg from New Jersey measures 1.10 inches in length -by .70 of an inch in breadth. A more nearly spherical egg from -Florida measures .90 by .75 of an inch. These well represent the -two extremes. Their average is about 1 inch by .75 of an inch. - -The eggs of all the members of this genus have a remarkable -similarity, and can scarcely be mistaken for those of any other -group. - - -Myiarchus crinitus, var. cinerascens, LAWR. - -ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannula cinerascens_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. N. Hist. V, Sept. - 1851, 109. _Myiarchus cinerascens_, SCL. List, 1862, 133.—IB. - P. Z. S. 1871, 84.—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. July, 1872, 69. - _Myiarchus mexicanus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 179, pl. - 5.—HEERM. X, _S_, 37, pl. v.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 316. - _Myiarchus mexicanus_, var. _pertinax_, BAIRD, P. A. N. S. - 1859, 303 (Cape St. Lucas). - -SP. CHAR. Bill black, the width opposite the nostrils not half the -length of culmen. Head crested. Tail even, the lateral feathers -slightly shorter. Second, third, and fourth quills longest; first -rather shorter than the seventh. Above dull grayish-olive; the centres -of the feathers rather darker; the crown, rump, and upper tail-coverts -tinged with brownish. The forehead and sides of the head and neck -grayish-ash; the chin, throat, and forepart of the breast ashy-white; -the middle of the breast white; the rest of the under parts very pale -sulphur-yellow; wings and tail brown. Two bands across the wing, with -outer edges of secondaries and tertials, dull white; the outer edges -of the primaries light chestnut-brown (except towards the tip and on -the outer feather); the inner edges tinged with the same. Whole of -middle tail-feathers, with the outer webs (only) and the ends of the -others brown; the rest of the inner webs reddish-chestnut, the outer -web of exterior feather yellowish-white. Legs and bill black; lower -mandible brownish at the base. Length about 8.00; wing, 4.00; tail, -4.10; tarsus, .90. - -HAB. Coast of California, to Cape St. Lucas, and across by the valley -of Gila and Rio Grande to Northeastern Mexico. Seen as far north in -Texas as San Antonio. Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 384); ? Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, -I, 129); Vera Cruz hot regions, resident (SUM. M. Bost. Soc. I); San -Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 473). - -In a young specimen the crown is more tinged with brown; the upper -tail-coverts and the middle tail-feathers are chestnut, and, in fact, -all the tail-feathers are of this color, except along both sides of -the shaft on the central feathers, and along its outer side in the -lateral ones. - -This species is easily distinguished from _T. crinitus_ and _T. -cooperi_ by the brown tip of the tail; the colors paler than in the -former, bill slenderer, and tarsi longer. - -A variety of this species (_pertinax_[78]) is found at Cape St. Lucas, -and distinguished chiefly by the considerably larger and stouter bill. - -HABITS. The Ash-throated or Mexican Flycatcher appears to be a common -species, from San Antonio, Texas, its extreme northeastern point, -southwesterly throughout Mexico as far south as Guatemala, and -westward to the Pacific coast. It has been obtained in various parts -of California by Mr. Cutts, Mr. Schott, Dr. Heermann, and others, as -also on the Gila River. Dr. Kennerly procured specimens at Los -Nogales, Mexico, and others have met with it near the city of Mexico, -at Saltillo, and in different parts of Western Texas. It was found -breeding at Cape San Lucas by Mr. Xantus. - -In the Department of Vera Cruz, Mr. Sumichrast found this species -apparently confined to the hot region. He did not meet with it -anywhere else. - -Mr. Dresser thinks that this Flycatcher does not reach San Antonio -before the latter part of April. The first that came under his notice -was one that he shot, on the 23d of that month, on the Medina River. -It breeds near the Medina and the San Antonio Rivers, making its nest -in a hollow tree, or taking possession of a deserted Woodpecker’s -hole. Mr. Dresser observed these birds as far to the east as the -Guadaloupe River, where they were common. Farther east he saw but very -few. Their eggs he speaks of as peculiarly marked with a multitude of -purple and brown dashes and lines on a dull yellowish-brown ground, -and very similar to those of _Myiarchus crinitus_. - -In the Mexican Boundary Survey, individuals of this species were taken -by Mr. A. Schott, March 31, on the Colorado Bottom; near the Gila -River, New Mexico, December 31; and also at Eagle Pass, in Texas, date -not given. Mr. J. H. Clark obtained a specimen at Frontera, Texas, -where he mentions finding it in great abundance in damp places, or -near the water. In May, 1853, Lieutenant Couch secured several near -Saltillo, and notes its occurrence among mesquite-bushes. In the -following June, Dr. Kennerly found them very abundant at Los Nogales. -Where two were found together, they were generally noticed to be -uttering a loud chattering noise. - -Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds observed in the survey of -Lieutenant Williamson’s route between the 32d and the 35th parallels, -mentions finding this species abundant. His specimens were obtained -near Posa Creek. He describes them as of shy and retiring habits, -preferring the deep and shady forests where its insect food abounds. -The nests, found in hollows of trees or in a deserted squirrel’s or -Woodpecker’s hole, were composed of grasses and lined with feathers. -The eggs, five in number, he describes as cream-colored, marked and -speckled with purplish-red dashes and faint blotches of a neutral -tint. - -Dr. Coues found them a common summer resident in Arizona, where they -arrived in the third week in April and remained until the middle of -September. They were seldom found among pine-trees, but appeared to -prefer ravines, hillsides, and creek bottoms. Some wintered as high up -in the Colorado Valley as Fort Mohave. At Fort Whipple young birds -were first observed early in July. - -Dr. Cooper obtained one of this species at Fort Mohave, January 15, -and is of the opinion that some may habitually winter in the Colorado -Valley. In California they begin to arrive about March 10, and extend -their range through very nearly the whole of the State. He describes -their notes as few, loud, and harsh, but little varied, and uttered -from time to time as they fly after an insect from an accustomed -perch, usually a lower dead limb of a forest tree. They prefer shady -situations, and are said to feed late in the evening. - -Mr. Ridgway met with this species in all suitable localities, from the -Sacramento Valley eastward to the Wahsatch Mountains. It was most -abundant among the oaks of the plains between the Sacramento River and -the Sierra Nevada; but in the wooded river valleys of the interior, as -well as in the cedar and piñon or mahogany woods on the mountains of -the latter region, it was also more or less frequently met with. In -its manners it is described as a counterpart of the eastern _M. -crinitus_, but its notes, though generally similar in character, have -not that strength which makes the vociferous screaming whistles of the -eastern species so noticeable. - -This species, or a very closely allied race of it (var. _pertinax_) -was procured at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus. It had the peculiarities -of a southern race, stronger feet, stouter bill, and a generally -smaller size. - -A few individuals of this species were found by Mr. Grayson inhabiting -the islands of the Three Marias, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. He -usually saw them among low bushes, darting from their perch after -flies and other winged insects. They were very silent, and seldom -uttered a note. - -Four eggs of this species from Matamoras, collected by the late Dr. -Berlandier, have the following measurements: .82 by .75, .91 by .71, -.95 by .75, .98 by .75 of an inch. Though having a very close -resemblance to the eggs of _M. crinita_, there are noticeable certain -constant variations. The ground-color is a little lighter, and has a -tinge of pinkish not found in the eggs of the eastern species. The -markings are more in oblong plashes of irregular shape, and rarely -exhibit the waving lines. There are more and larger blotches of a -light purplish-brown. The eggs are a little more spherical in their -general shape, and the markings are less abundant. The eggs of _M. -cooperi_ have a still more roseate tint in the buff of the -ground-color, are marked with smaller blotches of bright purple and -much larger ones of lilac-brown. They measure .92 by .75 of an inch. - - - [78] _Myiarchus mexicanus_, var. _pertinax_, BAIRD, Pr. - Phil. Acad. 1859, 303. - - -GENUS SAYORNIS, BONAP. - - _Sayornis_, BONAP. ? Ateneo italiano, 1854.—IB. Comptes Rendus, - 1854, Notes Orn. Delattre. - _Aulanax_, CABANIS, Journal für Orn. 1856, 1 (type, _nigricans_). - -GEN. CHAR. Head with a blended depressed moderate crest. Tarsus -decidedly longer than middle toe, which is scarcely longer than the -hind toe. Bill rather narrow; width at base about half the culmen. -Tail broad, long, slightly forked; equal to the wings, which are -moderately pointed, and reach to the middle of the tail. First primary -shorter than the sixth. - -This genus agrees with the preceding in the length of the broad tail, -but has a longer tarsus and a different style of coloration. The -species are distinguished as follows:— - - S. nigricans. Sooty black; abdomen and edge of outer web - of lateral tail-feather pure white. - - _a._ Lower tail-coverts pure white. - - Greater wing-coverts paler toward tips of outer webs. - Wing, 3.60; tail, 3.45. _Hab._ Pacific Province, - United States, and Mexico var. _nigricans_. - - _b._ Lower tail-coverts blackish. - - Greater coverts not appreciably paler at ends. Wing, - 3.35; tail, 3.30. _Hab._ Middle America, north of - Panama var. _aquaticus_.[79] - - Both rows of wing-coverts distinctly tipped with - white; white edgings of secondaries very conspicuous. - Wing, 3.35; tail, 3.30. _Hab._ New Granada; Venezuela - var. _cinerascens_.[80] - - S. fuscus. Grayish-olive above, and on sides of breast; - beneath (including throat) white, tinged with - sulphur-yellow. Wing, 3.40; tail, 3.20. _Hab._ Eastern - Province United States; Eastern Mexico. - - S. sayus. Brownish-ashy, the tail and upper tail-coverts - black; abdomen and crissum deep ochraceous. _Hab._ Western - Province of United States, and whole of Mexico. - - - [79] _Sayornis nigricans_, var. _aquaticus_. _Sayornis - aquaticus_, SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, p. 119 - (Guatemala). - - [80] _Sayornis nigricans_, var. _cineracens_. _Sayornis - cineracea_, LAFR. Rev. Zoöl. 1848, p. 8.—SCL. Catal. Am. - Birds, 1862, 200. The above races are clearly shown to be - merely modifications, with latitude, of one type, by the - series of specimens before us. Thus, specimens of _S. - nigricans_ from Orizaba show more or less dusky on the lower - tail-coverts, while in more northern specimens (i. e. - typical var. _nigricans_) there is not a trace of it. - Typical specimens of _aquaticus_, from Guatemala, show - merely a more advanced melanism, the lighter markings on the - wings becoming greatly restricted; there is still, however, - a decided presence of white on the lower tail-coverts. - Specimens from Costa Rica (typical _aquaticus_) exhibit the - maximum degree of melanism, the white beneath being confined - to a central spot on the abdomen. In _cineraceus_ (from New - Granada) the white beneath is similarly restricted, but on - the wings is very conspicuous, showing a reversion back to - the character of _nigricans_, though surpassing the latter - in the amount of white on the coverts and secondaries. - - The _S. latirostris_ (_Aulanax l._ CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. - ii, p. 68; _Sayornis l._ SCL. Cat. Am. B. 1862, 200), from - Ecuador, we have not seen. It is probably also referrible to - the same type. - - -Sayornis nigricans, BONAP. - -BLACK PEWEE. - - _Tyrannula nigricans_, SWAINSON, Syn. Birds Mex. Taylor’s Phil. Mag. - I, 1827, 367.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, Rep. P. R. R. - Surv. VI, IV, 1857, 81. _Muscicapa nigricans_, AUD. Orn. Biog. - V, 1839, 302, pl. cccclxxiv.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 218, pl. - lx. _Tyrannus nigricans_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 326. - _Myiobius nigricans_, GRAY. _Myiarchus nigricans_, CABANIS, - Tschudi Fauna Peruan. 1844-46, 153 (Peru). _Sayornis - nigricans_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus XXVIII, 1854, notes Orn. - 87.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 183.—HEERM. X, _S_, - 38.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 319. _Aulanax nigricans_, - CABANIS, Cab. Journ. für Ornith. IV, Jan. 1856, 2 (type of - genus).—IB. M. H. II, 68. _Muscicapa semiatra_, VIGORS, Zoöl. - Beechey Voy. 1839, 17. - - [Line drawing: _Sayornis nigricans._ - 3906] - -SP. CHAR. Wings rounded; second, third, and fourth longest; first -rather shorter than sixth. Tarsi with a second row of scales behind. -The head and neck all round, forepart and sides of the breast, dark -sooty-brown; the rest of the upper parts similar, but lighter; faintly -tinged with lead-color towards the tail. The middle of the breast, -abdomen, and lower tail-coverts white; some of the latter, with the -shafts and the centre, brown. The lower wing-coverts grayish-brown, -edged with white. Wings dark brown; the edges of secondary coverts -rather lighter; of primary coverts dull white. Edge of the exterior -vane of the first primary and of secondaries white. Tail dark brown, -with the greater part of the outer vane of the exterior tail-feather -white; this color narrowing from the base to the tip. Bill and feet -black. The tail rounded, rather emarginate; feathers broad; more -obliquely truncate than in _sayus_. The bill slender; similar to that -of _S. fuscus_. Length, nearly 7 inches; wing, 3.60; tail, 3.45. - -HAB. California coast (Umpqua Valley, Oregon, Newberry), and across by -valley of Gila and Upper Rio Grande to New Leon, and south; Mazatlan. -Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 383); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 296); Vera Cruz, temp. -and alp. regions, breeding (SUM. M. B. Soc. I, 557); W. Arizona -(COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 60). - -The female appears to differ only in the smaller size. A young bird -from San Francisco has two bands of rusty on the wing; the shoulders -and hinder part of the back tinged with the same. - -HABITS. Within our limits the Black Flycatcher has a distribution very -nearly corresponding with that of _Myiarchus cinerascens_. It is found -from Oregon and California on the Pacific coast, to the valley of the -Rio Grande, and thence south throughout Mexico. It also occurs as a -resident in Guatemala. Specimens in the Smithsonian Museum are from -various parts of Mexico, from New Mexico, and California. - -During his explorations in Northern Mexico, Lieutenant Couch first met -with this species at Cadereita, Mexico, in April, occurring in -abundance under the high banks of the stream which supplies the town -with water. Its habits appeared to him to be much the same with those -of the common Phœbe-Bird (_Sayornis fuscus_). Its nest was supposed to -be in the bank. Dr. Kennerly, who found it at Espia, Mexico, could not -observe any difference in the habits from those of the _Pyrocephalus -rubineus_. They were both observed in the same vicinity, feeding alike -on insects and having the same movements. - -In the Department of Vera Cruz, Mr. Sumichrast says that this species -is known by the common name of _Aguador_. It is very common in both -the temperate and the colder regions of that State. It nests within -the dwelling-houses in the city of Orizaba. - -Dr. Kennerly states that after passing the mountains of California, -and descending into the valley of the San Gabriel River, he found -these birds quite abundant on the Pueblo Creek in New Mexico, though -he had noticed none previously. They were generally found perched upon -the summit of a bush, from which they would occasionally make short -excursions in search of prey. At the season in which they were -observed, March, they were rarely found in pairs, from which he -inferred they were already hatching. - -Dr. Heermann speaks of it as abundant throughout all California, and -as constructing its nests in situations similar to those of the common -eastern species (_S. fuscus_). It seems to have a marked predilection -for the vicinity of streams and lakes, where it is nearly always to be -seen, perched upon a stake or branch. It occasionally darts into the -air for an insect, and returns to the same place to renew its watch -and to repeat these movements. The nest, composed of mud and mosses -and lined with hair, is placed against the rocks, the rafters of a -house or bridge, or against the inside of a large hollow tree, and the -eggs, four or five in number, are pure white, speckled with red. - -Dr. Coues found this Flycatcher a very abundant and permanent resident -in the valleys of the Gila and Colorado, and the more southern -portions of the Territory of Arizona generally. It was not observed in -the immediate vicinity of Fort Whipple, though it was detected a few -miles south of that locality. As it has been found on the Pacific -coast so much farther north than the latitude of Fort Whipple, he -thinks it may yet be met with, at least as a summer visitant to that -place. In his journey from Arizona to the Pacific, he ascertained that -it is common throughout Southern Arizona, being, among land birds, his -most constant companion on the route. Perched generally in pairs upon -the dense verdure that in many places overhangs the river, it pursued -its constant vocation of securing the vagrant insects around it, -constantly uttering its peculiar unmelodious notes. In all its -movements the Pewee of the Eastern States was unmistakably reproduced. -It was rather shy and wary. In Southern Arizona and California it -remains throughout the winter. It seems to delight not only in river -bottoms, but also in deep mountain gorges and precipitous cañons with -small streams flowing through them. - -Dr. Newberry found this species quite common in Northern California, -and specimens were also obtained as far to the north as the Umpqua -Valley in Oregon. According to Dr. Cooper it is an abundant and -resident species in all the lower parts of California, except the -Colorado Valley, where he found none later than March 25, as they had -all evidently passed on farther north. At San Diego, at that date, the -following year (1862), all these birds had nests and eggs, and were -there, as elsewhere, the first birds to build. Their nest, he states, -is formed of an outer wall of mud about five and a quarter inches wide -and three and a half high. It is built like that of the Barn Swallow, -in little pellets, piled successively, as they dry, in the shape of a -half-cup. They are fastened to a wall, or sometimes placed on a shelf, -beam, or ledge of a rock, but are always under some protecting cover, -often under a bridge. They are lined with fine grass or moss, and -horse or cow hair. The eggs, four or five in number, he describes as -pure white, measuring .74 by .55 of an inch. - -This bird is said to prefer the vicinity of human habitations, and -also to keep about water, on account of the numerous flies they find -in such situations. It will often sit for hours at a time on the end -of a barn, or some other perch, uttering a monotonous but not -unpleasant ditty, which resembles, according to Dr. Cooper, the sound -of _pittic pittit_, alternately repeated, and quite like the cry of -the eastern _Sayornis fuscus_, which is its exact counterpart in -habits. It is said to fly only a short distance at a time, turning and -dodging quickly in pursuit of its prey, which it captures with a sharp -snap of the bill. - -This species was met with by Mr. Ridgway only in the vicinity of -Sacramento City, Cal., where it seemed to replace our eastern Pewee, -having the same familiarity and general habits, and with notes not -distinguishable from some belonging to _S. fuscus_. - -The eggs of this species, as described by Dr. Cooper and by Dr. -Heermann, are either pure white unspotted, or else white with fine red -dots, in this respect resembling the eggs of the _S. fuscus_, which -present the same variations. The measurements of those in my cabinet -vary from .75 by .56 of an inch to .78 by .60. - -Mr. Salvin says that _Sayornis nigricans_ is a resident species at -Dueñas, in Guatemala, where it may always be found at a short distance -from the village, up the stream of the river Guacatate. It also occurs -about the lake. In its actions it is described as a lively and -restless species, in this respect having but little resemblance to the -Tyrant Flycatchers. It may always be found near water, generally -sitting on a stone on the margin, from which it constantly darts to -seize a fly or an insect from the surface. His remarks may, however, -refer to the var. _aquaticus_. - - -Sayornis fuscus, BAIRD. - -PEWEE; PHŒBE-BIRD. - - _Muscicapa fusca_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 931.—LATHAM, Index, - Orn. II, 1790, 483.—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 68, pl. - xl.—BONAP. Obs. Wilson, 1825, no. 115.—IB. Synopsis, - 68.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 122; V, 1839, 424, pl. cxx.—IB. - Synopsis, 1839, 43.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 223, pl. - lxiii.—GIRAUD, Birds L. Island, 1844, 42. _Tyrannula fusca_, - RICH. List, 1837.—BONAP. List, 1838. _Tyrannus fuscus_, - NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 312. _? Aulanax fuscus_, - CABANIS, Cab. Journ. IV, 1856, 1. _Muscicapa atra_, GMELIN, - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 946.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 278. - _Muscicapa phœbe_, LATHAM, Index Orn. II, 1790, 489. _Muscicapa - nunciola_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 78, pl. xiii. _Myiobius - nunciola_, GRAY, Genera, I, 248. _Muscicapa carolinensis - fusca_, BRISSON, Orn. II, 1760, 367. _Black-headed Flycatcher_, - PENNANT, Arc. Zoöl. II, 389, 269. _Black-cap Flycatcher_, - LATHAM, Synopsis, I, 353. _Empidias fuscus_, CABAN. M. H. II, - Sept. 1859, 69 (type).—SCL. Catal. 1862, 234. _Sayornis - fuscus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 184.—SAMUELS, 133.—ALLEN, - B. Fla. 1871, 299. - - [Illustration: _Sayornis nigricans._] - -SP. CHAR. Sides of breast and upper parts dull olive-brown, fading -slightly towards the tail. Top and sides of head dark brown. A few -dull white feathers on the eyelids. Lower parts dull yellowish-white, -mixed with brown on the chin, and in some individuals across the -breast. Quills brown, the outer primary, secondaries, and tertials -edged with dull white. In some individuals the greater coverts faintly -edged with dull white. Tail brown; outer edge of lateral feather dull -white; outer edges of the rest like the back. Tibiæ brown. Bill and -feet black. Bill slender, edges nearly straight. Tail rather broad and -slightly forked. Third quill longest; second and fourth nearly equal; -the first shorter than sixth. Length, 7 inches; wing, 3.42; tail, -3.30. - -HAB. Eastern North America; Eastern Mexico to Mirador and Orizaba. -Cuba (CABAN. J. IV, 1); Xalapa, (SCL. List, 234); Vera Cruz, winter -(SUMICHRAST, M. B. S. I, 557); San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, -1865, 773, rare). - -In autumn, and occasionally in early spring, the colors are much -clearer and brighter. Whole lower parts sometimes bright -sulphur-yellow; above, greenish-olive; top and sides of the head -tinged with sooty. In the young of the year the colors are much -duller; all the wing-coverts broadly tipped with light ferruginous, as -also the extreme ends of the wings and tail-feathers. The brown is -prevalent on the whole throat and breast; the hind part of the back, -rump, and tail strongly ferruginous. - -HABITS. The Pewee, or Phœbe-Bird, a well-known harbinger of early -spring, is a common species throughout the whole of eastern North -America, from the Rio Grande, on the southwest, to the provinces of -Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on the northeast, and as far west as the -Missouri River. - -Dr. Woodhouse found it common both throughout Texas and in the Indian -Territory. It was taken by Sumichrast in the Department of Vera Cruz, -but he was in doubt whether it occurs there as a resident or is only -migratory. It was observed at San Antonio, Texas, but only as a -migrant, by both Dresser and Heermann; but at Houston, in that State, -it evidently remains and breeds, as individuals were seen there in -June by Dresser. Specimens were taken in February at Brownsville, -Texas, by Lieutenant Couch, and afterwards in March on the opposite -side of the river,—in Tamaulipas, Mexico. - -In South Carolina, Dr. Coues found these birds most common in the -months of February and March, and again in October and November. He -had no doubt that some remain and pass the winter, and that others are -resident in the State during the summer months, but believes the great -majority go farther north to breed. - -In Western Maine it is a common summer visitant, breeding there in -considerable numbers. Professor Verrill states that it is frequently -seen there the first of March, becoming quite common by the first of -April. It is also a summer visitant about Calais, where it breeds, but -is rather rare. At Hamilton, Canada, Mr. McIlwraith reports it as a -common summer resident, arriving about April 15. - -In Pennsylvania this species arrives among the earliest spring -visitants, sometimes as early as the first week in March, and -continues in that region until late in October. Wilson has seen -specimens as late as the 12th of November. He states that in the month -of February he met with them feeding on the smilax berries in the low, -swampy woods of North and South Carolina. They were already chanting -their simple, plaintive notes. In Massachusetts they usually arrive -from the 15th to the 25th of March. In the warm spring of 1870 they -were already abundant by the 10th. They were nesting early in April, -and their first brood was ready to fly by the middle of May. They have -two broods in a season, and occasionally perhaps three, as I have -known fresh eggs in the middle of August. They leave late in October, -unless the season be unusually open, when a few linger into November. - -Their well-known and monotonous, though not unpleasing, note of -_pē-w[ēē]_, or, as some hear it, _phœ-bēē_, is uttered with more force -and frequency in early spring than later in the season, though they -repeat the note throughout their residence north. It usually has some -favorite situation, in which it remains all the morning, watching for -insects and continually repeating its simple song. As he sits, he -occasionally flirts his tail and darts out after each passing insect, -always returning to the same twig. - -This species is attracted both to the vicinity of water and to the -neighborhood of dwellings, probably for the same reason,—the -abundance of insects in either situation. They are a familiar, -confiding, and gentle bird, attached to localities, and returning to -them year after year. They build in sheltered situations, as under a -bridge, under a projecting rock, in the porches of houses, and in -similar situations. I have known them to build on a small shelf in the -porch of a dwelling; against the wall of a railroad-station, within -reach of the passengers; and under a projecting window-sill, in full -view of the family, entirely unmoved by the presence of the latter at -mealtime. - -Their nests are constructed of small pellets of mud, placed in layers -one above the other, in semicircular form, covered with mosses, and -warmly lined with fine straw and feathers. When the nest is placed on -a flat surface,—a shelf or a projecting rock,—it is circular in -form, and mud is not made use of. A nest of this description, taken by -Mr. Vickary in Lynn, and containing five eggs, was constructed on a -ledge, protected by an overhanging rock, only a few feet from the -ground. It measured four and a half inches in diameter and three in -height. The cavity was nearly three inches wide and one and a half -deep. Its base was constructed of layers of fine leaves, strips of -bark, roots of plants, and other miscellaneous materials. The great -mass of the nest itself was made up of fine mosses closely interwoven, -and strengthened by an intermixture of firmer plant fibres. The whole -was carefully and softly lined with strips of the inner bark of -various deciduous shrubs, fine roots, and finer grasses. The -semicircular nests are usually placed out of reach of the weather -under some projecting shelter. - -Wilson states that they often nest in eaves, and occasionally in an -open well, five or six feet down, among the interstices of the -side-walls. Nuttall has known them to nest in an empty kitchen. - -Their attachment to a locality, when once chosen, is remarkable, and -is often persevered in under the most discouraging circumstances. In -one instance, Nuttall states that a nest was built in the boathouse at -Fresh Pond, Cambridge,—a place so common as to be almost a -thoroughfare. Although with its young brood this nest was torn down by -ruffian hands, the female immediately built a new one in the same -spot, and laid five additional eggs. This was lined with the silvery -shreds of a manilla rope, taken from the loft over the boathouse. - -Besides the common call-note, from which these birds derive their -name, they have, during the love-season, a low twittering song with -which they entertain their mates, but which is heard only when the -birds are in company, and for a brief season. - -The flight of the Pewee is an alternation of soaring and a succession -of light fluttering motions, more rapid when pursuing its prey than in -its ordinary movements. Its crest is usually erected when it is in -motion, or on the lookout for insects. - -Mr. Audubon found these birds in full song in Florida during the -winter, and as lively as in spring, but met with none breeding south -of Charleston. They leave Louisiana in February, and return to it in -October. They feed largely on berries, especially during the winter, -and Mr. Maynard found some in the spring of 1868 with hawthorn berries -in their stomachs. - -The eggs of the Pewee measure .80 of an inch in length and .60 in -breadth. They are of a rounded oval shape, pointed at one end and much -larger at the other. Their ground-color is a pure bright white, and -generally unspotted; but a certain proportion, one set in every five -or six, is distinctly marked with reddish-brown dots at the larger end. - - -Sayornis sayus, BAIRD. - -SAY’S PEWEE. - - _Muscicapa saya_, BONAP. Am. Orn. I, 1825, 20, pl. xi, fig. 3.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. IV, 1838, 428, pl. ccclix.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, - 217, pl. lix. _Tyrannus saya_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, - 311. _Myiobius saya_, GRAY, Genera, I, 1844-49, 249. _Ochthœca - sayĭ_, CABANIS, Wiegmann Archiv, 1847, I, 255 (not type). - _Tyrannula saya_, BONAP. Conspectus, 1850.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, - 1858, 183. _Aulanax sayus_, CABANIS, Journ. Orn. 1856, 2. - _Tyrannula pallida_, SWAINSON, Syn. Birds Mex. No. 15, in - Taylor’s Phil. Mag. I, 1827, 367. _Sayornis pallida_, - BONAP.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1857, 204. _Sayornis sayus_, BAIRD, Birds - N. Am. 1858, 185.—IB. M. B. II, Birds, 9.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 320. _Theromyias saya_, CABAN. M. H. II, Sept. 1859, - 68 (type). - -SP. CHAR. Above and on the sides of the head, neck, and breast, -grayish-brown, darker on the crown; region about the eye dusky. The -chin, throat, and upper part of the breast similar to the back, but -rather lighter and tinged with the color of the rest of the lower -parts, which are pale cinnamon. Under wing-coverts pale rusty-white. -The wings of a rather deeper tint than the back, with the exterior -vanes and tips of the quills darker. Edges of the greater and -secondary coverts, of the outer vane of the outer primary, and of the -secondaries and tertials, dull white. The upper tail-coverts and tail -nearly black. Edge of outer vane of exterior tail-feather white. Bill -dark brown, rather paler beneath. The feet brown. Second, third, and -fourth quills nearly equal; fifth nearly equal to sixth; sixth much -shorter than the fifth. Tail broad, emarginate. Tarsi with a posterior -row of scales. Length, 7 inches; wing, 4.30; tail, 3.35. - -HAB. Missouri and central High Plains, westward to the Pacific and -south to Mexico. Xalapa (SCL. 1859, 366); Orizaba (SCL. List, 199); -Vera Cruz, winter? (SUM. M. Bost. Soc. I, 557); S. E. Texas (DRESSER, -Ibis, 1865, 473, breeds); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 60). - -The young of the year have the upper parts slightly tinged with -ferruginous; two broad (ferruginous) bands on the wings formed by the -tips of the first and second coverts. The quills and tail rather -darker than in an adult specimen. - -Autumnal specimens are simply more deeply colored than spring -examples, the plumage softer and more blended. - -HABITS. Say’s Flycatcher has an extended distribution throughout -western North America, from Mexico, on the south, to the plains of the -Saskatchewan on the north, and from the Rio Grande and the Missouri to -the Pacific Ocean. - -It was first discovered by Mr. Titian Peale on the Arkansas River, -near the Rocky Mountains, and described by Bonaparte. Mr. Peale -noticed a difference in its voice from that of the common _S. fuscus_, -and found it nesting in a tree, building a nest of mud and moss, lined -with dried grasses. Its young were ready to fly in July. Richardson -obtained individuals of this species at the Carlton House, May 13. It -is not given by Cooper and Suckley in their Zoölogy of Washington -Territory, but Dr. Newberry found it not uncommon throughout both -Oregon and California. - -Mr. Sumichrast ascertained the presence of this bird within the -Department of Vera Cruz, but whether there as resident or as -exclusively migratory he was not able to state. It has also been found -in winter throughout Mexico. Mr. J. H. Clark met with it near Fort -Webster, in New Mexico, and describes it as particularly abundant -about the copper mines. One of the shafts near the fort, and which was -partially filled up, served as a sinkhole for the offal of the town, -and around this quite a number of these birds could always be seen in -pursuit of flies and insects attracted to the place. Mr. Clark -observed that their sudden darting from their perch and their -instantaneous return were not always attended with the capture of an -insect, but seemed at times to be done only for amusement or exercise. -Mr. Dresser first noticed these birds in November, when walking in the -gardens of the arsenal at San Antonio. On his journey to Eagle Pass in -December, he saw several daily, generally in pairs. They would perch -on a bush by the roadside, occasionally darting off after some insect, -and, as soon as he drew near, would fly off to a convenient perch some -distance ahead, thus keeping in advance for miles. During the months -of January and February they were not uncommon, but after that he lost -sight of them altogether. They seemed to prefer the open country, as -he generally found them on the prairies, and never in the mesquite -thickets. Their stomachs were found to contain small insects. - -Dr. Woodhouse frequently met with these birds in Western Texas and in -New Mexico. They seemed more silent and more shy than the _fuscus_, -but otherwise similar in their habits. - -Dr. Kennerly met with this species at Bill Williams’s Fork, New -Mexico, February 10, 1854. He states that he found them common in -Texas, and as far to the westward as the Great Colorado River. They -built their nests under the cliffs along the stream, and in notes and -in every other respect closely resembled the common Pewee. - -Dr. Heermann mentions finding this species abundant in Southern -California. It was more especially plentiful in the fall, at the time -of its migration southward. He also found it in New Mexico, in the -northern part of Texas, near El Paso, and in Sacramento Valley, though -somewhat rare. In migrating, it prefers the deep valleys bordered by -high hills, but also occurs on the open plains, where, perched on the -stalk of some dead weed, or on a prominent rock, it darts forth in -pursuit of its prey, to return to the same point. - -In Arizona, Dr. Coues found this Flycatcher common throughout the -Territory. At Fort Whipple it was a summer resident. It was one of the -first of the migratory birds to make its appearance in spring, -arriving early in March, and remained among the last, staying until -October. It winters in the Colorado Valley and the southern portions -of the Territory generally. He found it frequenting almost exclusively -open plains, in stunted chaparral and sage brush. In some other points -of habits it is said to differ remarkably from our other Flycatchers. -It does not habitually frequent cañons, rocky gorges, and secluded -banks of streams, as does _S. fuscus_, nor does it inhabit forests, -like other Flycatchers. - -Dr. Cooper regards this bird as mostly a winter visitor in the -southern and western parts of California, where he has seen none later -than March. In summer it is said to migrate to the great interior -plains as far to the north as latitude 60°. It arrives from the north -at Los Angeles in September, and perhaps earlier in the northern part -of the State, and possibly breeds there east of the Sierras. Mr. Allen -found it common in Colorado Territory, among the mountains. - -In the arid portions of the Great Basin this species was often seen by -Mr. Ridgway. In its natural state it preferred rocky shores of lakes -or rivers, or similar places in the cañons of the mountains, where it -attached its bulky down-lined nests to the inside of small caves or -recesses in the rocks, usually building them upon a small projecting -shelf. Wherever man has erected a building in those desert wastes,—as -at the stage-stations along the road, or in the mining towns,—it -immediately assumed the familiarity of our eastern Pewee, at once -taking possession of any outbuilding or any abandoned dwelling. Its -notes differ widely from those of the _S. fuscus_ and _S. nigricans_, -the common one consisting of a wailing _peer_, varied by a tremulous -twitter, and more resembling certain tones of the Wood Pewees -(_Contopus virens_ and _richardsoni_), with others which occasionally -call to mind the _Myiarchus cinerascens_. - -This species has been observed as far to the east as Racine, -Wisconsin, where it was taken by Dr. P. R. Hoy. The specimen was sent -to Mr. Cassin, and its identity fully established. Dr. Palmer found it -breeding near Fort Wingate, in Arizona, June 11, 1869, and Mr. Ridgway -obtained its nests and eggs at Pyramid Lake, Nevada, May 23, 1868. One -of these nests (No. 13,588) he describes as a nearly globular mass, -more flattened on top, 3.50 inches in depth by 4.00 in diameter, and -composed chiefly of spiders’ webs, with which is mixed very fine -vegetable fibres, of various descriptions. This composition forms the -bulk of the nest, and makes a closely matted and tenacious, but very -soft structure; the neat but rather shallow cavity is lined solely -with the grayish-white down of wild ducks. The nest was placed on a -shelf inside a small cave on the shore of the island, at about ten or -twelve feet from the water. - -Their eggs are rounded at one end and pointed at the other, measure -.82 of an inch in length by .65 in breadth. They are of a uniform -chalky white, and, so far as I am aware, entirely unspotted. - - -GENUS CONTOPUS, CABANIS. - - _Contopus_, CABANIS, Journ. für Ornith. III, Nov. 1855, 479. (Type, - _Muscicapa virens_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Contopus borealis._ - 942 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Tarsus very short, but stout; less than the middle toe and -scarcely longer than the hinder; considerably less than the culmen. -Bill quite broad at the base; wider than half the culmen. Tail -moderately forked. Wings very long and much pointed, reaching beyond -the middle of the tail; the first primary about equal to the fourth. -All the primaries slender and rather acute, but not attenuated. Head -moderately crested. Color olive above, pale yellowish beneath, with a -darker patch on the sides of the breast. Under tail-coverts streaked -in most species. A tuft of cottony-white feathers on each side of the -rump (concealed in most species). - -This genus is pre-eminently characterized among North American -Flycatchers by the very short tarsi, and the long and much pointed -wings. - -In most other genera, as _Sayoris_, _Myiarchus_, and _Empidonax_, a -trace of a cottony tuft may be discovered by careful search on the -flanks; but in the present genus, there is, in addition, the tufts on -the rump, not found in the others. The species are as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Cottony patch of white feathers on sides of the rump - greatly developed, and conspicuous. Rictal bristles very - short (about one fourth the length of the bill). Lower - parts distinctly and abruptly white medially (somewhat - interrupted on the breast). - - 1. C. borealis. First quill longer than the fourth, - generally exceeding the third. Wing, 4.00 to 4.40; - tail, 2.90 to 3.00; culmen, .90; tarsus, .60. Above - dark olive-plumbeous, the tertials edged with whitish; - lower parts a lighter shade of the same, laterally and - across the breast (narrowly), the throat and middle - line of the abdomen being abruptly white. Young not - different. _Hab._ Northern parts of North America, to - the north border of United States; on the - mountain-ranges, farther south, on the interior - ranges, penetrating through Mexico to Costa Rica. - - B. Cottony patch on side of rump rudimentary and - concealed. Rictal bristles strong (one half, or more, the - length of the bill). Lower parts not distinctly white - medially. - - _a._ First primary shorter than fifth, but exceeding the - sixth. Tail shorter than wings. - - 2. C. pertinax. Wing more than 3.50. Grayish-olive, - becoming lighter on the throat (indistinctly) and - abdomen (decidedly). No distinct light bands on the - wing. Rictal bristles about half the length of bill. - - The olive of a grayish cast, and not darker on the - crown. Wing, 4.45; tail, 3.90; depth of its fork, - .35; culmen, .92; tarsus, .70. _Hab._ Mexico, - generally north into Arizona (Fort Whipple, COUES) - var. _pertinax_. - - The olive of a sooty cast, and darker on the crown. - Wing, 3.60; tail, 3.10; its fork, .20; culmen, .83; - tarsus, .61. _Hab._ Costa Rica var. _lugubris_.[81] - - 3. C. brachytarsus. Wing less than 3.00; colors much - as in _pertinax_, var. _pertinax_, but wing-bands - distinct, breast less grayish, and pileum decidedly - darker than the back. Rictal bristles two thirds as - long as the bill. - - Wing, 2.65; tail, 2.55; culmen, .60; tarsus, .53. - _Hab._ Panama var. _brachytarsus_.[82] - - Wing, 2.90; tail, 2.55; culmen, .67; tarsus, .53. - _Hab._ Yucatan var. _schotti_.[83] - - _b._ First primary shorter than the sixth. Tail - variable. - - 4. C. caribæus. Bill much depressed, very long and - broad, the sides more nearly parallel on the basal - than on the terminal half; rictal bristles very strong - (two thirds, or more, the length of the bill). Above - olivaceous, generally rather dark, but varying in - tint. Beneath whitish, or dull light-ochraceous, more - brownish along the sides and (more faintly) across the - breast. Axillars and lining of the wing deep - light-ochraceous. - - Tail longer than wings; bill moderately depressed; - rictal bristles three fourths as long as the bill. - - Dark greenish-olive above; beneath dingy - ochrey-yellowish. Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.90; culmen, - .78; tarsus, .58. _Hab._ Cuba var. _caribæus_.[84] - - Dark olive-gray above; beneath whitish, with - scarcely any yellowish tinge. Wing, 3.00; tail, - 3.05; culmen, .70; tarsus, .59. _Hab._ Hayti - var. _hispaniolensis_.[85] - - Brownish-olive above; beneath deep dingy - ochrey-yellowish. Wing, 2.85; tail, 2.90; culmen, - .66; tarsus, .56. _Hab._ Jamaica var. _pallidus_.[86] - - Tail shorter than wing; bill excessively - depressed; rictal bristles only one half as long - as the bill. - - Olive-plumbeous above; beneath dingy white (not - interrupted on the breast); tinged posteriorly - with sulphury (not ochrey) yellow; wing-bands pale - ash. Wing, 2.80; tail, 2.65; culmen, .79; tarsus, - .63. _Hab._ Bahamas var. _bahamensis_.[87] - - C. First quill much longer than fifth (sometimes equal to - fourth). Tail much shorter than the wing. Bill much - smaller, less depressed, and more triangular; rictal - bristles about one half the bill. - - 5. C. virens. Colors of _caribæus_ var. _bahamensis_, - but rather more olivaceous above, and more distinctly - tinged with sulphur-yellow posteriorly beneath. Lining - of the wings, and axillars, without any ochraceous - tinge; lower tail-coverts distinctly grayish - centrally. - - Whitish of the lower parts not interrupted on the - breast. Wing, 3.40; tail, 2.90; culmen, .67; tarsus, - .54. _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States var. _virens_. - - Whitish of medial lower parts interrupted by a - grayish wash across the breast. Wing, 3.40; tail, - 2.65 to 2.70; culmen, .70; tarsus, .54 to .56. - _Hab._ Western Province of United States, south - throughout Middle America to Ecuador var. _richardsoni_.[88] - - - [81] _Contopus lugubris_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VIII, 1865, - 134 (Costa Rica, Baranca). - - [82] _Contopus brachytarsus_, SCLATER, Cat. Am. B. 1862, - 231. (_Empidonax brachyt._ SCL. Ibis, 1859, p. 441.) A - strongly marked race, but distinguishable from _schotti_ - only by just appreciable differences in color (being paler - beneath), and shorter wing and bill, the latter broader at - the tip. - - [83] _Contopus_ (_brachytarsus_ var. ?), var. _schotti_, - LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 1869, 202 (Yucatan). Very nearly - related to _C. richardsoni_, but easily distinguished by the - very different proportions. - - [84] _Contopus caribæus_ (D’ORB.) _Muscipeta caribæa_, - D’ORB. (R. de la Sagra), Hist. Cuba, 1839, 77. - - [85] _Contopus caribæus_, var. _hispaniolensis_, BRYANT. - _Tyrannula caribæa_, var. _hispaniolensis_, BRYANT, Pr. - Bost. Soc. XI, 1866, 91. - - [86] _Contopus caribæus_, var. _pallidus_ (GOSSE). _Myiobius - pallidus_, GOSSE, Birds Jam. 166. _Blacicus pallidus_, SCL. - P. Z. S. 1861, 77. _Contopus p._ SCL. Catal. Am. B. 1862, - 231.—MARCH, Pr. Ph. A. N. Sc. 1863, 290. - - [87] _Contopus_ (_caribæus_ var. ?) _bahamensis_, BRYANT. - _Empidonax bahamensis_, BRYANT, List of Birds of the - Bahamas, 1859, p. 7. Young with the colors more ashy above, - and less yellowish beneath; the upper parts with feathers - faintly tipped with paler, causing an obsolete transverse - mottling; two distinct bands on wing of pale ochraceous. - - Of the above, _caribæus_, _hispaniolensis_, and _pallidus_ - are clearly to be referred to one species; the _C. - bahamensis_ also has many characters in common with them, - and no violence would be done by referring it, also, to the - same type; it is, however, more modified from the standard - than any of the others, though the modifications are not of - importance. - - [88] These measurements are not only those of United States - and Mexican examples, but also of Middle American examples - (“_sordidulus_,” SCLATER, and “_plebeius_,” CABANIS), and of - a series from Ecuador and New Granada (= “_bogotensis_,” - SCLATER). In comparing a quite large number of such Middle - American and Equatorial specimens with the large series of - Northern examples, we have been utterly unable to appreciate - even the slightest difference between them. - - The _C. punensis_ (LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 1869, 237; Puna - Island, Guayaquil) is founded upon an immature specimen, so - the characters of the species cannot be given with - exactness. The relationship appears very close to the _C. - caribæus_, there being the same large, very depressed bill, - with the long bristles reaching nearly to its tip, and the - tail about as long as the wing; while the upper plumage has - the light faint transverse mottling seen in the young - _caribæus_, var. _bahamensis_, and the lining of the wing - ochraceous. In colors, however, the two are very different, - the young of _punensis_ being ashy-green, instead of pure - ash, on the back, the crown very much darker, instead of not - appreciably so; the wing-bands are white instead of - ochraceous, while the breast and sides are dull - sulphur-yellowish, instead of ashy, without any yellow - tinge. The measurements are as follows: Wing, 2.60; tail, - 2.60; culmen, .72; tarsus, .56. - - The _C. ochraceus_, SCLATER & SALVIN (P. Z. S. 1869, 419; - SALV. Ibis, 1870, 115), of Costa Rica, we have not seen. - From the description, however, it seems to be scarcely - different from _C. lugubris_, and it is probably the same. - The size (wing, 3.30) appears to be a little smaller, and - the belly more deeply yellowish. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLIV. - 1. Contopus borealis. ♂ Wyoming, 38325. - 2. ” pertinax. ♂ Mex., 42141. - 3. ” virens. ♂ Pa., 1632. - 4. ” richardsoni. ♂ Col. R., 2962. - 5. Pyrocephalus mexicanus. ♂ Mex., 38206. - 6. Empidonax obscurus. ♂ Nevada, 53294. - 7. ” hammondii. ♂ Nevada, 53305. - 8. ” traillii. ♂ Pa., 1025. - 9. ” pusillus. ♂ Cal., 41517. - 10. ” minimus. ♂ Pa., 2649. - 11. ” acadicus. ♂ Pa., 1825. - 12. ” flaviventris. ♂ Pa., 2330. - 13. Mitrephorus palescens. ♂ Arizona, 40601.] - - -Contopus borealis, BAIRD. - -OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannus borealis_, SW. & RICH. F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 141, plate. - _Myiobius borealis_, GRAY, Genera, I, 248. _Muscicapa cooperi_, - NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 282.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 422; V, - 1839, 422, pl. clxxiv.—IB. Synopsis, 1839, 41.—IB. Birds Am. - I, 1840, 212, pl. lviii. _Tyrannus cooperi_, BONAP. List, - 1838.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 298. _Contopus - cooperi_, CABANIS, Journal für Ornithol. III, Nov. 1855, 479. - _Muscicapa inornata_, NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 282. _Contopus - borealis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 188.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 169.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 230.—SAMUELS, 135.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 323. _Contopus mesoleucus_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1859, 43.—IB. Ibis, 1859, 122, 151. _Tyrannus nigricans_, MAX. - Cab. J. VI, 1858, 184. - - [Illustration: _Contopus borealis._] - -SP. CHAR. Wings long, much pointed; the second quill longest; the -first longer than the third. Tail deeply forked. Tarsi short. The -upper parts ashy-brown, showing darker brown centres of the feathers; -this is eminently the case on the top of the head; the sides of the -head and neck, of the breast and body, resembling the back, but with -the edges of the feathers tinged with gray, leaving a darker central -streak. The chin, throat, narrow line down the middle of the breast -and body, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts white, or sometimes with a -faint tinge of yellow. The lower tail-coverts somewhat streaked with -brown in the centre. On each side of the rump, generally concealed by -the wings, is an elongated bunch of white silky feathers. The wings -and tail very dark brown, the former with the edges of the secondaries -and tertials edged with dull white. The lower wing-coverts and -axillaries grayish-brown. The tips of the primaries and tail-feathers -rather paler. Feet and upper mandible black, lower mandible brown. The -young of the year similar, but the color duller; edges of -wing-feathers dull rusty instead of grayish-white. The feet light -brown. Length, 7.50; wing, 4.33; tail, 3.30; tarsus, .60. - -HAB. Northern portions of whole of North America, throughout Rocky -Mountains, south through elevated regions of Mexico to Costa Rica. -Localities: Oaxaca, high regions, Oct. (SCL. 1858, 301); Xalapa (SCL. -1859, 366); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 122); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 115); -Veragua (SALV. 1870, 199); San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, -474, winter). - -There is wonderfully little variation in this species, both in -coloration and size, with different regions; in fact none other than -individual can be observed. Contrary to the usual rule, spring -specimens have a more appreciable sulphur-yellow tinge below. - -HABITS. This still comparatively rare species was first obtained by -Richardson and described by Swainson. The specimen was shot on the -Saskatchewan. No other was taken, and no information was obtained in -reference to its habits. It appears to have been next met with by Mr. -John Bethune, in Cambridge, June 7, 1830, in the woods of Mount -Auburn. This and a second specimen, obtained soon after, were females, -on the point of incubation. A third female was shot in the following -year, June 21. Supposed to be a new species, it was described by Mr. -Nuttall as _Tyrannus cooperi_. All the specimens procured had their -stomachs filled with torn fragments of bees, wasps, and similar -insects. - -Mr. Nuttall, who watched the motions of two other living individuals -of this species, states that they appeared tyrannical and quarrelsome -even with each other. Their attacks were always accompanied with a -whining, querulous twitter. The disputes seemed to be about the -occupancy of certain territories. One bird, a female, appeared to -confine herself to a small clump of red cedars, in the midst of a -sandy piece of forest. From the tree-tops she kept a sharp lookout for -passing insects, and pursued them, as they appeared, with great vigor -and success, sometimes chasing them to the ground, and returning to -her perch with a mouthful which she devoured at her leisure. When she -resumed her position, she would occasionally quiver her wings and -tail, erect her crest, keeping up a whistling call of _pŭ-pŭ_, uttered -with variations. Besides this call the male had a short song which -sounded like _ch’-phe’bēē_. - -The nest of this pair Mr. Nuttall discovered in the horizontal branch -of a tall red cedar, fifty feet from the ground. It was made -externally of interlaced dead twigs of the cedar, lined with wiry -stems, and dry grasses, and fragments of lichens. It contained three -young, which remained in the nest twenty-three days, and were fed on -beetles and other insects. Before they left their nests they could fly -as well as their parents. The male bird was very watchful, and would -frequently follow Mr. Nuttall half a mile. They were in no way timid, -and allowed him to investigate them and their premises without any -signs of alarm. - -In 1832 the same pair, apparently, took possession of a small juniper, -near the tree they had occupied the year before, in which, at the -height of fifteen feet, they placed their nest. It contained four eggs -which, except in their superior size, were precisely similar to those -of the Wood Pewee, yellowish cream-color, with dark brown and -lavender-purple spots, thinly dispersed. After removing two of these -eggs, the others were accidentally rolled out of the nest. The pair -constructed another nest, again in a cedar-tree, at a short distance. -The next year they did not return to that locality. Mr. Nuttall -afterwards met with individuals of this species in the fir woods on -the Columbia. - -On the 8th of August, 1832, Mr. Audubon, in company with Mr. Nuttall, -obtained the specimen of this species in Brookline, Mass., from which -his drawing was made. In the course of his journey farther east, -Audubon found it in Maine, on the Magdeleine Islands, and on the coast -of Labrador. He afterwards met with it in Texas. - -Mr. Boardman reports the Olive-sided Flycatcher as having of late -years been very abundant during the summer in the dead woods about the -lakes west of Calais, where formerly they were quite uncommon. Mr. -Verrill mentions it as a summer visitant in Oxford County, in the -western part of the State, but not very common, and as undoubtedly -breeding there. It was never observed there before the 20th of May. It -is said to be more abundant at Lake Umbagog. - -In Western Massachusetts Mr. Allen regards this bird as a not very -rare summer visitant. It arrives about May 12, breeds in high open -woods, and is seldom seen at any distance from them. It leaves about -the middle of September. - -Mr. William Brewster, who resides in Cambridge, in the neighborhood in -which this species was first observed by Mr. Nuttall, informs me that -these birds still continue to be found in that locality. He has -himself met with five or six of their nests, all of which were placed -near the extremity of some long horizontal branch, usually that of a -pitch-pine, but on one occasion in that of an apple-tree. The eggs -were laid about the 15th of June, in only one instance earlier. The -females were very restless, and left their nest long before he had -reached it, and, sitting on some dead branch continually uttered, in a -complaining tone, notes resembling the syllables _pill-pill-pill_, -occasionally varying to _pu-pu-pu_. The males were fierce and -quarrelsome, and attacked indiscriminately everything that came near -their domain, sometimes seeming even to fall out with their mates, -fighting savagely with them for several seconds. When incubation was -at all far advanced, the birds evinced considerable courage, darting -down to within a few inches of his head, if he approached their nest, -at the same time loudly snapping their bills. - -A nest of this Flycatcher was found in Lynn, Mass., by Mr. George O. -Welch, in June, 1858. It was built on the top of a dead cedar, and -contained three eggs. It was a flat, shallow structure, five inches in -its external diameter, and with a very imperfectly defined cavity. The -greatest depth was less than half an inch. It was coarsely and loosely -built of strips of the bark and fine twigs of the red cedar, roots, -mosses, dry grasses, etc. The nest was so shallow, that, in climbing -to it, two of the eggs were rolled out and broken. - -Mr. Charles S. Paine has found this bird breeding in Randolph, Vt. On -one occasion he found its nest on the top of a tall hemlock-tree, but -was not able to get to it. - -In Philadelphia, Mr. Trumbull found this species very rare. It passed -north early in May, and south in September. Near Hamilton, Canada, it -is very rare, none having been seen; and two specimens obtained near -Toronto are all that Mr. McIlwraith is aware of having been taken in -Canada West. - -Dr. Hoy informs me that this species used to be quite common near -Racine, frequenting the edges of thick woods, where they nested. They -have now become quite scarce. Some years since, he found one of their -nests, just abandoned by the young birds, which their parents were -engaged in feeding. It was on the horizontal branch of a maple, and -was composed wholly of _usneæ_. - -In Washington Territory this bird appears to be somewhat more common -than in other portions of the United States. Dr. Suckley obtained a -specimen at Fort Steilacoom, July 10, 1856. It was not very abundant -about Puget Sound, and showed a preference for shady thickets and -dense foliage, where it was not easily shot. Dr. Cooper speaks of it -as very common, arriving early in May and frequenting the borders of -woods, where, stationed on the tops of tall dead trees, it repeats a -loud and melancholy cry throughout the day, during the whole of -summer. It frequents small pine groves along the coast, and also in -the interior, and remains until late in September. - -In California Dr. Cooper found this species rather common in the Coast -Range towards Santa Cruz, where they had nests in May; but as these -were built in high inaccessible branches, he was not able to examine -them. He also found it at Lake Tahoe in September. - -This species was only met with by Mr. Ridgway in the pine woods high -up on the East Humboldt, Wahsatch, and Uintah Mountains. There it was -breeding, but was nowhere abundant, not more than two pairs being -observed within an area of several miles. They preferred the rather -open pine woods, and were shot from the highest branches. Their common -note was a mellow _puer_, much like one of the whistling notes of the -Cardinal Grosbeak (_Cardinalis virginianus_). - -Mr. Dresser states it to be not uncommon near San Antonio in the -winter season. Dr. Heermann mentions that two specimens of this -species were obtained, to his knowledge, on the Cosumnes River, in -California. It has been taken in winter, in the State of Oaxaca, -Mexico, by Mr. Boucard, and has been met with at Jalapa, and even as -far south as Guatemala. - -A single specimen of this bird was taken, August 29, 1840, at -Nenortalik, Greenland, and sent to Copenhagen. - -The eggs of this species measure .86 of an inch in length by .62 in -breadth, and are rounded at one end and sharply tapering at the other. -The ground-color is a rich cream-color with a roseate tint. They are -beautifully marked around the larger end with a ring of confluent -spots of lilac, purple, and red-brown. These vary in number and in the -size of this crown, but the markings are invariably about the larger -end, as in _Contopus virens_. - - -Contopus pertinax, CABANIS & HEINE. - -MEXICAN OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER. - - _Contopus pertinax_, CAB. et HEIN. Mus. Hein. II, p. 72.—SCLATER, - Catal. Am. B. 1862, 231.—COUES, Pr. Ac. Phil. 1866, - 60.—ELLIOT, Illust. B. Am. I, pl. viii.—COOPER, Geol. Surv. - Calif. Orn. I, 324.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 324. _Contopus - borealis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 301; 1859, 43; Ibis, 1859, - 122, 440. - -SP. CHAR. Nearly uniformly olive-gray, lighter on the throat and -abdominal region, where is a strong tinge of ochraceous-yellow; -feathers of the wings with faintly lighter edges. Length about 8.00; -wing, 4.45; tail, 3.90; depth of its fork, .35; culmen, .92; tarsus, -.70. Rictal bristles long, about half the bill; lower mandible -whitish. _Young._ Similar, but with a stronger ochraceous tinge on the -abdomen and lining of the wings, and two distinct ochraceous bands -across the wing. - -HAB. Mexico generally, into southern borders of United States (Fort -Whipple, Arizona; DR. COUES). - -HABITS. Dr. Coues found this species a rare summer resident at Fort -Whipple, where a single specimen was taken August 20, in good plumage. -This was its first introduction into the fauna of the United States. -It is one of several Mexican and peninsular birds found in Upper -Arizona, probably following the course of the valley of the Great -Colorado River. No observations were made in reference to its habits. - -This species is abundant in the Department of Vera Cruz, according to -Mr. Sumichrast, who gives it as confined to the alpine region. He -found both it and _C. virens_ common in the mountains of Orizaba, -between the height of 3,600 and 7,500 feet. - - -Contopus virens, CABANIS. - -WOOD PEWEE. - - _Muscicapa virens_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 327.—GMELIN, Syst. - Nat. I, 1788, 936.—LATHAM, Index Orn.—LICHT. Verz. 1823, - 563.—NUTTALL, Man. I, 1832, 285.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, - 93; V, 1839, 425, pl. cxv.—Ib. Synopsis, 1839, 42.—IB. Birds - Am. I, 1840, 231, pl. lxiv.—GIRAUD, Birds L. Island, 1844, 43. - _Muscicapa querula_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 68, pl. - xxxix (not of WILSON). _Muscicapa rapax_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, - 1810, 81, pl. xiii, f. 5. _Tyrannula virens_, RICH. App. Back’s - Voyage.—BONAP. List, 1838. _Myiobius virens_, GRAY. _Tyrannus - virens_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 316. _Contopus - virens_, CABANIS, Journal für Ornithologie, III, Nov. 1855, - 479.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 190.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, - 231.—SAMUELS, 137. - -SP. CHAR. The second quill longest; the third a little shorter; the -first shorter than the fourth; the latter nearly .40 longer than the -fifth. The primaries more than an inch longer than the secondaries. -The upper parts, sides of the head, neck, and breast, dark -olivaceous-brown, the latter rather paler, the head darker. A narrow -white ring round the eye. The lower parts pale yellowish, deepest on -the abdomen; across the breast tinged with ash. This pale ash -sometimes occupies the whole of the breast, and even occasionally -extends up to the chin. It is also sometimes glossed with olivaceous. -The wings and tail dark brown; generally deeper than in _S. fuscus_. -Two narrow bands across the wing, the outer edge of first primary and -of the secondaries and tertials, dull white. The edges of the -tail-feathers like the back; the outer one scarcely lighter. Upper -mandible black; the lower yellow, but brown at the tip. Length, 6.15; -wing, 3.50; tail, 3.05. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the borders of the high Central Plains. -Localities: ? Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 122); Mexico (SCL. Ibis, I, -441); Cuba? (CAB. J. III, 479; GUNDL. Rep. 1865, 239); Costa Rica -(CAB. J. 1861, 248; LAWR. IX, 115); Coban (SCL. List); Vera Cruz, -alpine region, breeds (SUM. M. Bost. Soc. I, 557); San Antonio, Texas -and Eastern Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 474, breeds). - -Young birds are duller in plumage; the whitish markings of wing tinged -with ferruginous; the lower mandible more dusky. - -HABITS. The common Wood Pewee of eastern North America occurs in -abundance from the Atlantic to the great plains, and from Texas to New -Brunswick. It breeds from South Carolina and Texas north. It is found -in Central and Southern Maine, but is not so abundant as it is farther -south. It is found near St. Stephens, N. B., and breeds in that -vicinity, but is not common. It is a summer visitant at Norway, Me., -but Professor Verrill states that it is much less common than in -Massachusetts, where it arrives the last of May. At Hamilton, in -Canada, Mr. McIlwraith records this species as abundant in the summer, -arriving there the middle of May. I am not aware of its having been -taken north of the 45th parallel of latitude, with the exception of -one at Red River, Minnesota, and another at Fort William by Mr. -Kennicott. It is said by Dr. Coues to be a summer resident of South -Carolina from the middle of April to the middle of October, and Mr. -Dresser states that he found it very common in the wooded -river-bottoms near San Antonio during the summer, not arriving there -until late in April or early in May. Their call-note, he states, is a -low prolonged whistle. Their stomachs were found to contain minute -coleopterous insects. Dr. Woodhouse also speaks of it as common in -Texas and in the Indian Territory. In the Department of Vera Cruz, Mr. -Sumichrast found this species, as well as the _Contopus pertinax_, -common in the mountains of Orizaba, between the height of 3,600 and -7,500 feet. - -In Pennsylvania, Wilson states that the Wood Pewee is the latest of -the summer birds in arriving, seldom coming before the 12th or 15th of -May. He found it frequenting the shady high-timbered woods, where -there is little underwood and an abundance of dead twigs and branches. -It was generally found in low situations. He adds that it builds its -nest on the upper side of a limb or branch, formed outwardly of moss -and lined with various soft materials, and states that the female lays -five white eggs, and that the brood leave the nest about the middle of -June. Probably the last statement is correct as applied to -Pennsylvania, but the intimation as to the color of the egg and some -of the characteristics of the nest is so inaccurate as to make it -doubtful whether Wilson could have ever seen the nest for himself. - -This species, like all its family, is a very expert catcher of -insects, even the most minute, and has a wonderfully quick perception -of their near presence, even when the light of day has nearly gone and -in the deep gloom of thick woods. It takes its station on the end of a -low dead limb, from which it darts out in quest of insects, sometimes -for a single individual, which it seizes with a peculiar snap of its -bill; and, frequently meeting insect after insect, it keeps up a -constant snapping sound as it passes on, and finally returns to its -post to resume its watch. During this watch it occasionally is heard -to utter a low twitter, with a quivering movement of the wings and -tail, and more rarely to enunciate a louder but still feeble -call-note, sounding like _pēē-ē_. These notes are continued until -dark, and are also uttered throughout the season. - -Mr. Nuttall states that this species at times displays a tyrannical -disposition, and that it has been observed to chase a harmless Sparrow -to the ground, because it happened to approach his station for -collecting insects. - -According to Mr. Audubon, some of these birds spend the winter months -in the extreme Southern States, Louisiana and Florida, where they feed -upon berries as well as insects. - -In Massachusetts the Wood Pewee is a very abundant species, and may -usually be found in any open woods, or in an orchard of large -spreading trees. In the latter situation it frequently breeds. It -usually selects a lower dead limb of a tree, from ten to thirty feet -from the ground, and occasionally, but more seldom, a living -moss-grown branch. It always chooses one that is covered with small -lichens, and saddles its nest upon its upper surface, so closely -assimilated by its own external coating of lichens as not to be -distinguishable from a natural protuberance on the limb. This -structure is extremely beautiful, rivalling even the artistic nests of -the Humming-Bird. It is cup-shaped, and a perfect segment of a sphere -in shape. The periphery of the nest is made of fine root fibres, small -lichens, and bits of cobwebs and other similar materials. The outer -sides are entirely covered with a beautiful coating of mosses and -lichens, glued to the materials with the saliva of the builder. The -eggs are usually four in number, measure .78 of an inch in length and -.55 in breadth. They are obtuse at one end and tapering at the other, -have a ground of a rich cream-color, and are marked about the larger -end with a wreath of blended purple, lilac, and red-brown in large and -confluent spots. They hatch about the middle of June, leave the nest -in July, and have but a single brood. - -A nest of this species, taken in Lynn by Mr. Welch, and built on the -dead branch of a forest tree, has a diameter of three and a height of -one and a half inches. The cavity has a depth of one inch, and a -diameter, at the rim, of two and a half inches. The base is flattened -by its position. Its walls are strongly woven of fine dry stems, -intermingled with vegetable down, covered externally with lichens, -cemented to the exterior, apparently by the secretions of the bird. -The base is thinner, and made of softer materials. - -During the winter months this species is present as a migrant in -various parts of Mexico, south to Guatemala. - - -Contopus virens, var. richardsoni, BAIRD. - -SHORT-LEGGED PEWEE; WESTERN WOOD PEWEE. - - _Tyrannula richardsoni_, SWAINSON, F. Bor.-Am. II, 1831, 146, plate. - _Muscicapa richardsoni_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 299, pl. - ccccxxxiv. _Tyrannula phœbe_, BON. List, 1838, 24. _Muscicapa - phœbe_, AUDUBON, Synopsis, 1839, 42.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, - 219, pl. lxi (not of LATHAM). _Tyrannus phœbe_, NUTTALL, Man. - I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 319. _Tyrannus atriceps_, D’ORBIGNY (fide G. - R. GRAY). _Contopus richardsoni_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 189.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 231.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 325. _Contopus sordidulus_, SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 231. - _Contopus plebeius_, (CABAN.) SCLATER, Cat. 1862, 231. - _Contopus bogotensis_, (BONAP.) SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 459. - (_Tyrannula b._ BONAP. Comp. Rend. p. 196.) - -SP. CHAR. General appearance of _C. virens_. Bill broad. Wings very -long and much pointed, considerably exceeding the tail; second quill -longest; third a little shorter; first shorter than fourth, and about -midway between distance from second to fifth (.60 of an inch). -Primaries 1.20 inches longer than secondaries. Tail moderately forked. -Above dark olive-brown (the head darker); the entire breast and sides -of head, neck, and body of a paler shade of the same, tingeing -strongly also the dull whitish throat and chin. Abdomen and under -tail-coverts dirty pale-yellowish. Quills and tail dark -blackish-brown; the secondaries narrowly, the tertials more broadly -edged with whitish. Two quite indistinct bands of brownish-white -across the wings. Lower mandible yellow; the tip brown. Length, 6.20; -wing, 3.65; tail, 3.10. - -HAB. High central dry plains to the Pacific; Rio Grande Valley, -southward to Mexico; Labrador (AUDUBON). Localities: Orizaba, -Guatemala, Coban (SCL. Catal. 1862, 231); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 115); -Matamoras, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 474, breeds); San Antonio, -Texas (DRESSER, one spec.); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 61). - -This species has a very close relationship to _C. virens_, agreeing -with it in general shape of wings and in color. The wings are, -however, still longer and more pointed; the primaries exceeding the -secondaries by nearly 1.25 inches. The proportions of the quills are -nearly the same in both; the primaries, too, are similarly a little -emarginated or attenuated towards the end. The tail is rather more -deeply forked, the feathers broader. The bills are similar; the feet -are larger and stouter. - -The general colors are almost precisely the same. The outer primary, -however, lacks the decidedly white margin. The under parts are much -darker anteriorly, the entire breast being nearly a uniform -olive-brown, but little paler than the back; the throat, too, in some -specimens, being scarcely paler. There is little or none of the pale -sulphur-yellow of _C. virens_ on the abdomen, and the under -wing-coverts and axillaries are much darker olivaceous. In _C. virens_ -the middle line of the breast is always paler than the sides, or at -least the connecting space is short. - -The lower mandible is generally yellow; in a few specimens, however, -it is quite dusky, especially on its terminal half. - -The young bird has the darker head and broader light edgings, with the -ferruginous tinge on the wing-markings, usually seen in young of the -_Tyrannulas_. - -A large series shows considerable variations; autumnal specimens have -a more appreciable tinge of yellow on the lower parts, while summer -individuals are more grayish. - -HABITS. This species was first obtained by Richardson in the Arctic -regions, and described by Swainson. It was found in the neighborhood -of the Cumberland House, where it frequented moist shady woods by the -banks of rivers and lakes. It was supposed likely to travel in summer -as far as the shores of the Great Slave Lake. - -Since its discovery by Richardson, this Flycatcher has been found to -have a widely extended geographical range, as far to the south as -Guatemala, and even Panama, and northward as far as the 60th parallel -of latitude, and from the great plains to the Pacific. - -During the survey of the Mexican Boundary, specimens of this bird were -obtained by Mr. J. H. Clark in El Paso, Texas, and in the month of May -by Lieutenant Couch in Monterey, Mexico. - -Mr. Dresser found that this bird was very common near Matamoras during -the summer, and that they were breeding there. He also shot one -specimen near San Antonio in May. Its stomach contained small insects. -Dr. Coues thinks this Flycatcher an exceedingly abundant summer -resident in the Territory of Arizona. It arrives there in spring about -the first of May, the latest of the Flycatchers, and is deemed by the -Doctor a counterpart of the eastern _Contopus virens_. It departs from -that Territory about the third week in September. It is found in all -situations, but most especially in open forests. - -This species arrives in California, according to Dr. Cooper, at least -a fortnight earlier than the date of its earliest advent in Arizona as -given by Dr. Coues, or about the 15th of April, and spends its summers -in the most mountainous parts of the State. It is said to perch mainly -on the lower dead limbs, watching for the passing insects, uttering -occasionally a plaintive _pe-ah_. It is usually very silent, and seems -to prefer the dark, solitary recesses of the forests. - -Dr. Hoy informs me that this Flycatcher is occasionally found in the -neighborhood of Racine, but that it is rare. It keeps in the deep -forest, and never comes near dwellings in the manner of _C. virens_. - -This bird was found breeding at Fort Tejon by Mr. Xantus, at Napa -Valley by Mr. A. J. Grayson, and both in the Sacramento Valley and at -Parley’s Park, among the Wahsatch Mountains, by Mr. Ridgway. - -A nest of this bird in the Smithsonian Museum (10,076) from -California, collected by W. Vuille, had been apparently saddled on the -limb of a tree, in the manner of _C. virens_, having a broad flattened -base, and a general resemblance to the nests of that species. It -differs, however, somewhat in regard to materials, and most especially -in having no lichens attached to the exterior. It has a diameter of -three inches and a height of one and a half. The cavity is about one -inch deep and two wide at the rim. The base and sides of this nest are -largely composed of the exuviæ of chrysalides, intermingled with -hemp-like fibres of plants, stems, and fine dry grasses. The rim is -firmly wrought of strong wiry stems, and a large portion of the inner -nest is of the same material. The whole is warmly and thoroughly lined -with the soft fine hair of small quadrupeds and with vegetable fibres. - -According to Mr. Ridgway, this is the most abundant and generally -diffused of all the _Tyrannuli_ of the Great Basin, as well as of -California. It inhabits every grove of the lowest valleys, as well as -the highest aspen copses on the mountains in the alpine region, and -breeds abundantly in all these places. Resembling the eastern _C. -virens_ in its general habits, its appearance, and its every motion, -it yet differs most widely from it in notes, the common one being a -disagreeable weird squeak, very unlike the sad, wailing, but not -unpleasant one of the eastern Wood Pewee. Mr. Ridgway relates that -having shot a female bird, and taken her nest and eggs, he was -surprised, a few days afterwards, to find the male with another mate, -and a new nest built in precisely the same spot from which the other -had been taken. Upon climbing to the nest, it was found to contain one -egg; and the parents exhibited very unusual distress. When visited two -or three days after, it was found to be deserted and the egg broken. - -The eggs, three in number, measure .69 of an inch in length and .53 in -breadth. They have a ground of beautiful cream-color slightly tinged -with a roseate tint, surrounded at the larger end with a wreath of -purple and reddish-brown spots. A few smaller markings are sparingly -distributed, but nearly all are about the larger end. - - -GENUS EMPIDONAX, CABANIS. - - _Empidonax_, CABANIS, Journal für Ornithologie, III, Nov. 1855, 480. - (Type, _Tyrannula pusilla_.) _Tyrannula_ of most authors. - - [Line drawing: _Empidonax acadicus._ - 1225] - -GEN. CHAR. Tarsus lengthened, considerably longer than the bill, and -exceeding the middle toe, which is decidedly longer than the hind toe. -Bill variable. Tail very slightly forked, even, or rounded; a little -shorter only than the wings, which are considerably rounded; the first -primary much shorter than the fourth. Head moderately crested. Color -olivaceous above, yellowish beneath; throat generally gray. - -The lengthened tarsi, the short toes, the short and rounded wings, and -the plain dull olivaceous of the plumage, readily distinguish the -species of this genus from any other North American Flycatchers. The -upper plates of the tarsi in a good many species do not encircle the -outside, but meet there a row on the posterior face. - -There are few species of North American birds more difficult to -distinguish than the small Flycatchers, the characters, though -constant, being very slight and almost inappreciable, except to a very -acute observer. - -The following synopsis may aid in distinguishing the species:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Inner webs of secondaries edged with pinkish-buff. - - _a._ Olive-brown above, whitish beneath; tibiæ - ochraceous. - - E. brunneus.[89] Third quill longest, first equal to - seventh; tail slightly rounded. Russet-olive above, - the crown, wings, and tail with a reddish-brown tinge; - a yellowish-gray shade across the breast, and a faint - sulphur-yellow tinge to posterior lower parts. - Wing-bands broad, sharply defined, deep ochraceous; - lining of wing and tibiæ slightly tinged with the - same. Wing, 2.35; tail, 2.30; bill, .57 and .27; - tarsus, .56; middle toe, .33. _Hab._ Parana. - - E. axillaris.[90] Third quill longest, first equal to - seventh; tail? Dark grayish-brown above, nearly - uniform, breast ochraceous-olive; a just appreciable - tinge of sulphur-yellow on abdomen. Wing-bands narrow, - badly defined, in color nearly like the back; lining - of the wing and tibiæ very deep ochraceous. Wing, - 2.40; tail, 2.50; bill, .60 and .30; tarsus, .60; - middle toe, .43. _Hab._ Orizaba. - - _b._ Olive-green above, yellow beneath; tibiæ greenish. - - E. flavescens.[91] Third, or third and fourth quills - longest; first equal to eighth. Tail decidedly - emarginated. Intense greenish-olive above, the crown - with a decided russet tinge; beneath bright - lemon-yellow, with a shade of fulvous-brown across the - breast. Wing, 2.35 to 2.70; tail, 2.20 to 2.40; bill, - .59 and .30; tarsus, .66; middle toe, .35. _Hab._ - Costa Rica. - - E. bairdi.[92] Fourth quill longest, first shorter - than eighth. Tail slightly emarginated. Dull - greenish-olive above, nearly uniform; beneath clear - sulphur-yellow, with a greenish-olive shade across the - breast. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.50; bill, .62 and .29; - tarsus, .65; middle toe, .35. _Hab._ Eastern Mexico - (MIRADOR). - - B. Inner webs of secondaries edged with yellowish or - grayish white. - - _a._ Olive-green above, yellowish beneath. - - §. _Young not mottled above._ - - E. flaviventris. Bill broad, twice as wide as deep, - and the culmen less than twice the breadth. Outer web - of lateral tail-feather dusky, like the inner. - Wing-bands narrow, whitish. Tail square. - - Clear olive-green above, sulphur-yellow beneath; - wing-bands sulphur-yellowish; lining of wing clear - sulphury-yellow. Wing, 2.60; tail, 2.35, or less; - bill, .57 and .27; tarsus, .66; middle toe, .37. - _Hab._ Eastern Province North America, south through - Eastern Mexico to Guatemala var. _flaviventris_. - - Dull olive-gray above, pale, somewhat ochraceous, - yellow beneath; wing-bands grayish-white; lining of - wing strongly tinged with fulvous. Wing, 2.75; tail, - 2.60 to 2.75. _Hab._ Western Province of North - America, south, through Western Mexico, to Colima - var. _difficilis_. - - E. fulvipectus.[93] Bill narrow, the width but little - more than the depth, and the culmen considerably more - than twice the breadth at base. Outer web of lateral - tail-feather distinctly whitish, very different from - the dusky of the inner web. Tail deeply emarginated. - Colors of _flaviventris_ var. _difficilis_, but - wing-bands broad and buffy olive, and a deep shade of - fulvous-olive across the breast. Wing, 3.00; tail, - 2.90; bill, .61 and .22; tarsus, .60; middle toe, .37. - _Hab._ City of Mexico. - - _b._ Grayish or greenish olive above, whitish beneath. - - ¶. _Tail deeply emarginated._ - - E. obscurus. Exact form and proportions of - _fulvipectus_, but tarsus much longer proportionally. - Ashy above, with a slight olive tinge; white beneath - with no yellow tinge, and without distinct ashy shade - across breast; sides of breast like the back. Orbital - ring, wing-markings, and outer web of lateral - tail-feather pale clear ashy. Wing, 3.00; tail, 2.80; - bill, .64 and .24; tarsus, .77; middle toe, .42. - - E. hammondi. Very similar, but bill much smaller and - less elongated. Color of upper parts the same as in - _obscurus_; but anterior lower parts nearly uniform - ashy, the throat only indistinctly paler, and the - posterior portions distinctly uniform pale - sulphur-yellow. Outer web of lateral tail-feather less - distinctly whitish. Wing, 2.85; tail, 2.55; bill, .50 - and .20; tarsus, .64; middle toe, .34. - - E. minimus. Very similar to _hammondi_, but bill much - larger, broader, and the lateral outlines less - straight. Outer web of lateral tail-feather not - appreciably paler than the inner; whole throat - distinctly whitish; wing-bands only about half as wide - as in _hammondi_. - - Wing, 2.70; tail, 2.60; bill, .57 and .27; tarsus, - .66; middle toe, .35. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - North America, and Eastern Mexico var. _minimus_. - - ¶. _Tail doubly rounded._ - - Wing, 2.35; tail, 2.20; bill, .54 and .25; tarsus, - .62; middle toe, .33. Colors of _minimus_, but - wing-markings whiter. _Hab._ Panama (var. ?) _pectoralis_.[94] - - E. griseipectus.[95] Colors of _hammondi_, but - wing-bands whiter and narrower, very sharply defined; - sides tinged with clear greenish; jugulum and sides of - throat clear ashy. Wing, 2.40; tail, 2.40; bill, .56 - and .27; tarsus, .60; middle toe, .35. _Hab._ - Guayaquil, Ecuador. - - ¶. _Tail square, or slightly rounded; feathers acute at - tips._ - - E. pusillus. Brownish-olive or olive-gray above, - wing-bands olive or gray; beneath whitish, with a - grayish shade across the breast, and a sulphur-yellow - tinge posteriorly. - - Olive-grayish above, wing-bands much lighter, or - whitish-gray. Wing, 2.90; tail, 2.70; bill, .69 and - .26; tarsus, .67; middle toe, .40. _Hab._ Western - Province of North America, and Middle and Western - Mexico var. _pusillus_. - - Brownish-olive above, wing-bands but little lighter. - Wing, 2.90; tail, 2.50; bill, .64 and .27; tarsus, - .66; middle toe, .38. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - North America, and Eastern Mexico var. _trailli_. - - §. _Young with upper plumage transversely mottled. - Wing-bands with a pale buff tinge; upper mandible - brown._ - - E. acadicus. Grayish-green above, greenish-white - beneath; throat purer white. Wing, 3.10; tail, 2.80; - bill, .67 and .30; tarsus, .60; middle toe, .34. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of United States, and Eastern - Mexico var. _acadicus_. - - Wing, 2.65; tail, 2.50; bill, .66 and .30; tarsus, - .62; middle toe, .33. Wing-bands whiter. _Hab._ - Panama var. _griseigularis_.[96] - -In _Empidonax_, as well as _Contopus_, autumnal birds have the plumage -softer and the colors brighter than in spring; the brilliancy of the -yellow shades is especially enhanced. The young of the year resemble -the parents, but there is a greater tendency to light bands on the -wings, which with the other markings of this region show an ochraceous -tinge. The lower mandible is also usually tinged with dusky. In the -young of _E. acadica_, alone, there are light transverse bars over -upper surface, as in the young of some species of _Contopus_ (_C. -bahamensis_ and _C. punensis_). - - - [89] _Empidonax brunneus_, RIDGWAY. A very distinct species, - not needing comparison with any other. - - [90] _Empidonax axillaris_, RIDGWAY. - - [91] _Empidonax flavescens_, LAWR. May be the southern form - of _bairdi_, but differ in some apparently essential - features. - - [92] _Empidonax bairdi_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 301; Ibis, - 1859, 442; Catal. Am. B. 1862, 230.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, - 1860, 36. (_Hab._ Cordova, Coban, Mazatlan, Mirador, etc.) - - [93] _Empidonax fulvipectus_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. Feb. - 1871, 11. (Type examined.) A very distinct species, most - nearly related to _obscurus_, from which it differs totally - in color and in much shorter tarsus. - - [94] _Empidonax minimus_, var. _pectoralis_. _Empidonax - pectoralis_, LAWR. It seems but reasonable to consider this - bird as the southern race of _minimus_, as the - differences—i. e. smaller size and whiter wing-bands—are - just what we find in several other species of the same - region, compared with allied and probably co-specific - northern types,—as _griseigularis_ and _acadicus_, southern - specimens of _trailli_ var. _pusillus_ in which the - wing-bands are much whiter than in northern specimens of the - same bird. - - [95] _Empidonax griseipectus_, LAWR. May possibly be another - seasonal plumage of the same species as _pectoralis_, but - differs in some seemingly important respects. - - [96] _Empidonax acadicus_, var. _griseigularis_. _Empidonax - griseigularis_, LAWR. Differing from _acadicus_ only in - smaller size and whiter wing-bands. - - The remaining described American species of _Empidonax_, - which we have not seen, are the following:— - - _Empidonax magnirostris_, GOULD, Voy. Beagle, pl. 8.—GRAY, - Hand List. - - _Empidonax albigularis_, SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, p. - 122 (Orizaba).—SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 1862, 229. This may - possibly be the species described above as _E. axillaris_. - - -Empidonax pusillus, CABANIS. - -LITTLE FLYCATCHER. - - _? Platyrhynchus pusillus_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. I, May, 1827, 366. - _Tyrannula pusilla_, SW. F. B. Am. II, 1831, 144, pl.—RICH. - App. Back’s Voyage, 1834-36, 144.—GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. III, - 1847, 156. _Muscicapa pusilla_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 288; - pl. ccccxxxiv.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 236, pl. lxvi. _Tyrannus - pusilla_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840. _Empidonax - pusillus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 194. COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 176.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 229. _Empidonax trailli_, COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 327 (Colorado River). - - [Illustration: _Empidonax pusillus._] - -SP. CHAR. Second, third, and fourth quills longest; first shorter than -the sixth. Bill rather broad; yellow beneath. Tail even. Tarsi rather -long. Above dirty olive-brown, paler and more tinged with brown -towards the tail. Throat and breast white, tinged with grayish-olive -on the sides, shading across the breast; belly and under tail-coverts -very pale sulphur-yellow. Wings with two dirty narrow brownish-white -bands slightly tinged with olive; the secondaries and tertials -narrowly and inconspicuously margined with the same. First primary -faintly edged with whitish; the outer web of first tail-feather paler -than the inner, but not white. Under wing-coverts reddish -ochraceous-yellow. A whitish ring round the eye. Length, 5.50; wing. -2.80; tail, 2.75. _Young._ Wing-bands ochraceous instead of grayish. - -HAB. High Central Plains to the Pacific. Fur countries. Southward into -Mexico. Fort Whipple, Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 61); Vera -Cruz, temp. reg. resident (SUM. Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 557). - -This race represents the var. _trailli_ in the region west of the -Rocky Mountains. The present bird is paler colored than _trailli_, the -olivaceous above much more grayish anteriorly, and more brownish -posteriorly, the olive being thus less greenish and less uniform in -tint; the brownish shade across the breast is lighter and more ashy, -and the yellow tinge posteriorly beneath more faint; the wing-bands -lighter and more grayish. In color, _pusillus_ thus approximates -somewhat to _E. minimus_, which, however, is a very distinct species, -and more closely related to _E. hammondi_; _minimus_ may be -distinguished by much smaller size (the bill especially), the -wing-bands grayish-white instead of olive-gray, and the tail -emarginated instead of appreciably rounded; _minimus_ lays a white egg -like _E. obscurus_, while _pusillus_ and _trailli_ lay distinctly -spotted ones, and build a very different nest. - -HABITS. Professor Baird, in his Birds of North America, assigns to -this species an area of distribution extending from the Great Plains -to the Pacific, southward into Mexico, and north to the fur country. -Dr. Hoy cites it as of Wisconsin in his List of the birds of that -State, but without positive data for this claim; it has, however, -since been actually taken, a summer resident breeding in Jefferson -County, in that State. This is its most eastern known occurrence. In -the Smithsonian Museum are skins from Fort Steilacoom, Fort Tejon, and -Mexico. This species is probably identical with the Little Tyrant -Flycatcher, described by Swainson in the Fauna Boreali as both from -Mexico and from the Arctic regions. Dr. Richardson was not able to -supply anything in regard to its habits. They were first seen by him -at the Carlton House on the 19th of May. For a few days they were -found flitting about among low bushes on the banks of the river, after -which they retired to moist shady woods lying farther north. - -Mr. Ridgway mentions the _E. pusillus_ as the most common of the -_Empidonaces_ in the Great Basin, as well as in California and the -Rocky Mountains. It is chiefly, if not entirely, confined to the -willows along streams, but it is as common in the river valleys as in -the mountain “parks.” In all respects it is a counterpart of the _E. -trailli_; its notes, as well as its manners, being the same. In -Parley’s Park, in the Wahsatch Mountains, at an elevation of over -7,000 feet, they were breeding abundantly; about nightfall they became -particularly active, chasing each other, with a merry twitter, through -the willow thickets, or, as they perched upon a dry twig, uttered -frequently, with swelling throats and raised crest, their odd but -agreeable enunciation of _pretty dear_, as their notes were translated -by the people of the locality. - -In the Department of Vera Cruz, Mexico, Mr. Sumichrast gives this -species as a summer resident within the temperate region. He found it -quite common around Orizaba in the months of June and July. - -It was also met with on the Mexican Boundary Survey in summer, having -been taken in June at Los Nogales by Dr. Kennerly, and at Rio Nazas, -in Durango, by Lieutenant Couch, the same month. - -Dr. Coues mentions it as moderately plentiful as a summer resident in -Arizona. None of this genus were very common at Fort Whipple, but this -one was by far the most characteristic species. It arrives there about -the middle of April, and remains through September. - -Dr. Suckley found this species quite abundant in the vicinity of Fort -Steilacoom, where it arrives early in May. It seems to prefer the -vicinity of bushes and low trees at the edges of dense forests. This -species, he adds, is rather less pugnacious than others of the group, -and in habits generally more resembles the Vireo family. Its notes are -said to be short but sweet, and just after sundown on warm summer -evenings particularly low, plaintive, and soothing. - -Dr. Cooper speaks of it as found by him frequenting the dark and -gloomy spruce forests, which it seems to prefer to more open places. -He found it most numerous near the coast, but also saw a few at Puget -Sound, where it arrived about the 25th of April. He speaks of its song -as lively but monotonous. He found it very difficult to get a sight of -this bird among the upper branches of the tall spruces, its color -making it almost invisible in the shade. One of these birds was -observed to keep constantly on the border of a small pond and to drive -away a Kingbird from the place. He adds that it has a peculiar short -and lisping song of three notes, very different from those of the -other species. In the fall the young birds uttered a very different -call-note. - -Mr. Ridgway found this species breeding, June 23, at Parley’s Park, -Utah. One nest was built on the horizontal branch of a willow, over a -stream, about four feet from the ground. It was partly pensile. It was -three inches deep and four in diameter; the cavity was two inches wide -and one and a half deep. Externally the nest was somewhat loosely -constructed of flaxen fibres of plants, soft strips of inner bark and -straw, and lined more firmly with fine roots of plants. This structure -was firmly bound around the smaller branches of the limb. The inner -nest was much more compactly interwoven than the periphery. The eggs, -four in number, were of a chalky whiteness, more pinkish when unblown, -finely sprinkled at the larger end with reddish-brown dots. Length, -.77 of an inch; breadth, .51. - -Another nest from the same locality was built in the upright fork of a -wild rose, in the undergrowth of a willow thicket, and about four feet -from the ground. It is a much more compact and homogeneous nest. Its -external portion was almost wholly composed of the interweaving of the -fine inner bark of deciduous shrubs, blended with a few stems of -grasses, feathers, etc., and is lined with a few fine grass stems and -fibrous roots. The eggs, four in number, have a pinkish-white ground, -and are spotted at the larger end with reddish-brown and chestnut -spots, in scattered groups. - -In the summer of 1870 a son of Mr. Thure Kumlien, of Jefferson Co., -Wisconsin, found the nest and eggs of this species. Both parents were -obtained, and were fully identified by Professor Baird. The nest was -placed in a thick mass of coarse marsh grasses, near the ground, and -firmly interwoven with the tops of the surrounding herbage. The grass -and reeds, among which it was made, grew in the midst of water, and it -was discovered by mere accident in a hunt for rail’s eggs. It was -found, June 28, on the edge of Lake Koskonong. It is a large nest for -the bird; its base and sides are made of masses of soft lichens and -mosses, and within this a neat and firm nest is woven of bits of wool -and fine wiry stems of grasses, and lined with the same. The eggs -measure .70 by .54 of an inch, are white with a pinkish tinge, and are -marked with reddish-brown and fainter lilac blotches at the larger end. - - -Empidonax pusillus, var. trailli, BAIRD. - -TRAILL’S FLYCATCHER. - - _Muscicapa trailli_, AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 236; V, 1839, 426, pl. - xlv.—IB. Syn. 1839, 43.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 234, pl. lxv. - _Tyrannula trailli_, RICH. List, 1837.—BONAP. List, 1838. - _Tyrannus trailli_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 323. - _Empidonax trailli_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 193.—SCLATER, - Catal. 1862, 231.—SAMUELS, 140. - -SP. CHAR. Third quill longest; second scarcely shorter than fourth; -first shorter than fifth, about .35 shorter than the longest. -Primaries about .75 of an inch longer than secondaries. Tail even. -Upper parts dark olive-green; lighter under the wings, and duller and -more tinged with ash on nape and sides of the neck. Centre of the -crown-feathers brown. A pale yellowish-white ring (in some specimens -altogether white) round the eye. Loral feathers mixed with white. Chin -and throat white; the breast and sides of throat light ash tinged with -olive, its intensity varying in individuals, the former sometimes -faintly tinged with olive. Sides of the breast much like the back. -Middle of the belly nearly white; sides of the belly, abdomen, and the -lower tail-coverts, sulphur-yellow. The quills and tail-feathers dark -brown, as dark (if not more so) as these parts in _C. virens_. Two -olivaceous yellow-white bands on the wing, formed by the tips of the -first and second coverts, succeeded by a brown one; the edge of the -first primary and of secondaries and tertials a little lighter shade -of the same. The outer edge of the tail-feathers like the back; that -of the lateral one rather lighter. Bill above dark brown; dull -brownish beneath. Length, nearly 6.00; wing, 2.90; tail, 2.60. _Young_ -with the wing-bands ochraceous instead of grayish-olive. - -HAB. Eastern United States and south to Mexico. Localities: ? Isthmus -of Panama (LAWR. VIII, 63); ? San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, -474, breeds); ? Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 114); Yucatan (LAWR. IX, 201). -All these localities, except perhaps the last, are to be questioned, -as being more properly in the habitat of var. _pusillus_. - -This species is most closely related to _E. minimus_, but differs in -larger size and the proportions of quills. The middle of the back is -the same color in both, but instead of becoming lighter and tinged -with ash on the rump and upper tail-coverts, these parts very rarely -differ in color from the back. The markings on the wings, instead of -being dirty white, are decidedly olivaceous-grayish. The yellow of the -lower parts is deeper. The tail-feathers are rather broad, acuminate, -and pointed; in _minimus_ they are narrow and more rounded, while the -tail itself is emarginated, instead of square, as in the present bird. -The bill is larger and fuller. The legs are decidedly shorter in -proportion. - -HABITS. Traill’s Flycatcher was first described by Mr. Audubon as a -western bird, procured from Arkansas. In his subsequent reference to -this species he also speaks of it as identical with several birds -obtained by Townsend near the Columbia River, but which our present -knowledge as to the distribution of this species compels us to presume -to have been specimens of the _Empidonax pusillus_, a closely allied -species or race. That Traill’s Flycatcher does occur in Arkansas, on -the other hand, is rendered probable by its abundance in other parts -of the country, making this region directly within its range of -migration. Dr. Woodhouse found it very common both in Texas and in the -Indian Territory. Mr. Dresser found it common during the summer season -near San Antonio, and to the eastward, breeding there, and building a -small hanging nest. He also had its eggs sent to him from Systerdale. -The stomach of the specimen he procured contained minute insects. It -is mentioned by Dr. E. Coues as found in South Carolina, but whether -as a migrant or as a resident is not stated. Dr. William P. Turnbull -refers to it as rare near Philadelphia, and as only a spring and -autumnal migrant. Mr. McIlwraith cites it as a rare summer visitant -near Hamilton, Canada West. It is mentioned by Mr. Boardman as found -near Calais, but has not been recorded as occurring in Nova Scotia, as -far as I am aware. In Western Maine, Professor Verrill found it a -regular but not a common summer visitant, arriving there the third -week in May. And Mr. Brewster found it breeding in considerable -abundance near Lake Umbagog in the summer of 1872. - -In Massachusetts it has been found to occur very irregularly, and so -far chiefly as a migrant, at least I am not aware that it has been -known, except in a single instance, to breed within the limits of that -State. It passes through the State about the middle of May, is rare -some seasons, much more abundant for a few days in others. Near -Springfield Mr. Allen regarded it as a rather rare summer visitant, -arriving from the 10th to the 15th of May, and also mentioned it as -probably breeding. A number have been taken in Lynn by Mr. Welch, but -none have been observed to remain more than a day or two. Mr. Maynard -once met with it on the 1st of June, 1869, in a swampy thicket. It was -very shy, and he heard no note. - -This species was observed by Mr. Paine, at Randolph, Vt., where it was -found to be a not uncommon, though very retiring and shy species. It -was found frequenting shady thickets, on the borders of the mountain -streams, and several of its nests were procured. The bird was -thoroughly identified, specimens of the parents having been sent to -Professor Baird for verification. Mr. Paine was not able to obtain -much insight into the manners and habits of this species, on account -of its shyness. The nests were always placed in low alder-bushes, near -running streams, and not more than three or four feet from the ground. - -Mr. Paine has since informed me that Traill’s Flycatcher reaches -Central Vermont from the 20th to the 25th of May, and is one of the -last birds to arrive, coming in company with _Contopus virens_ and _C. -borealis_. They all leave before the close of September. Mr. Paine has -met with a great many nests of this species, but has only found one -containing more than three eggs. It has a very simple song, consisting -of but two notes. It has also a sort of twitter as it plays with its -mate. They are usually found in thickets, for the most part near -water, but not always, and are never seen in tall woods. They are -occasionally seen chasing one another in the open fields. - -Mr. William Brewster informs me that he found Traill’s Flycatcher -moderately common and breeding at the foot of Mount Washington, in the -Glen, in August, 1869, and in the township of Newry, Me., in June, -1871. Their favorite haunts were the dense alder thickets along the -runs and small streams, over these dark retreats, perched on some tall -dead branch, full in the rays of the noonday sun. The male sang -vigorously, occasionally darting out after some insect, and returning -to the same perch. His song consisted of a single dissyllabic refrain, -_ke´wing_, uttered in a harsh peevish tone at an interval of about -thirty seconds, varied occasionally to _ke´wink_, or _ki-winch_. At -each utterance his head is thrown upwards with a sudden jerk. They -were retiring, but not shy, were easily approached, and were -apparently not so restless as most Flycatchers. - -Near Washington, Dr. Coues found Traill’s Flycatcher a rare spring and -fall visitant, a few possibly remaining to breed. They came about the -last of April, and passed south the last of September. Professor Baird -frequently met with them about Carlisle, Pa. - -In Southern Illinois, Mr. Ridgway has found this species a rather -common summer resident, chiefly met with in the open woods. It was -found nesting in Northwestern Massachusetts by Mr. A. Hopkins, in -Illinois by Mr. Tolman, in New Brunswick by Mr. Barnstow, and at Fort -Resolution by Messrs. Kennicott, Ross, and Lockhart. - -I have myself found this species on the banks of the Androscoggin and -Peabody Rivers in Gorham, and met with several of their nests. They -were all in similar situations, and it was quite impossible to obtain -a glimpse of the bird after she had left her nest. The nests were all -made like those of the Indigo-Bird, externally of dry grasses and fine -strips of bark, and lined with finer stems of grasses. The eggs were -five in number, and incubation commenced about the first of June. I -have discovered their nests at the same time among the foot-hills at -the base of Mount Washington, its wooded sides being, at the time, -covered with snow to the depth of several feet. - -Among the memoranda of Mr. Kennicott I find one dated Fort Resolution, -July 9, mentioning the procuring of the parent nest and egg of this -species. The nest was three feet from the ground, in a small spruce -among thick low bushes. The female was shot on the nest, which -contained two young and two eggs. Eggs of this species from Gorham, N. -H., and Coventry and Randolph, Vt., do not essentially vary in size or -shape. They measure .63 of an inch in length, by .56 in breadth. Their -ground-color is white, with a distinctly roseate tinge. They are oval -in shape, a little less obtuse at one end, and marked almost entirely -about the larger end with large and well-defined spots and blotches of -purplish-brown. - - -Empidonax minimus, BAIRD. - -LEAST FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannula minima_, WM. M. and S. F. BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. I, July, - 1843, 284.—IB. Sillim. Am. Jour. Sc. July, 1844.—AUD. Birds - Am. VII, 1844, 343, pl. ccccxci. _Empidonax minimus_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 195.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 229.—SAMUELS, - 141. - -SP. CHAR. Second quill longest; third and fourth but little shorter; -fifth a little less; first intermediate between fifth and sixth. Tail -even. Above olive-brown, darker on the head, becoming paler on the -rump and upper tail-coverts. The middle of the back most strongly -olivaceous. The nape (in some individuals) and sides of the head -tinged with ash. A ring round the eye and some of the loral feathers -white; the chin and throat white. The sides of the throat and across -the breast dull ash, the color on the latter sometimes nearly -obsolete; sides of the breast similar to the back, but of a lighter -tint; middle of the belly very pale yellowish-white, turning to pale -sulphur-yellow on the sides of the belly, abdomen, and lower -tail-coverts. Wings brown; two narrow white bands on the wing, formed -by the tips of the first and second coverts, succeeded by one of -brown. The edge of the first primary, and of the secondaries and -tertials, white. Tail rather lighter brown, edged externally like the -back. Feathers narrow, not acuminate, with the ends rather blunt. In -autumn the white parts are strongly tinged with yellow. Length, about -5.00; wing, 2.65; tail, 2.50. Young with ochraceous, instead of -grayish-white wing-bands. - -HAB. Eastern United States to Missouri Plains; Mirador; Orizaba; -Belize. Localities: Oaxaca (SCL. 1859, 384); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, -122); Orizaba (SCL. Ibis, I, 441, and Mus. S. I.); Coban, Escuintla, -Dueñas (SCL. Catal. 1862, 229); San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, -1865, 474, common, summer). - -HABITS. The distinctness of this species from the _acadica_, with -which it had been previously confused, was first pointed out by the -Messrs. Baird in 1843, but it was some time before the complete -differences between the two species and their distinctive habits and -distribution were fully appreciated and known. This species, one of -the commonest birds in the State of Massachusetts, where the _E. -acadica_ is nearly or quite unknown, was supposed by Mr. Nuttall to be -the latter species, and under that name is treated and its history -given. Wilson contributed to cause this error. For although his -account of the _acadica_ is in part correct, it is not wholly free -from error, and probably the nest and eggs described as belonging to -the latter were those of the _minima_. The discovery, by Professor -Baird, of the nest and eggs of the _acadica_, and their marked -difference in all respects from those of the _minima_, which had -hitherto been attributed to it, at once pointed out the errors that -had prevailed, and permitted the real facts to be appreciated. - -This bird is an abundant species throughout Eastern North America, -occurring as a migrant in all the States between the Atlantic and the -Great Plains, and breeding from the 40th parallel northward over an -extent not fully defined, but probably to within the Arctic Circle. It -occurs in great numbers from Maine to Nebraska, and, unlike all the -other species of this genus, is not shy or retiring, but frequents the -open grounds, visits gardens, is found in the vicinity of dwellings, -and breeds even in the vines that half conceal their windows and -doors. - -This Flycatcher reaches Washington, according to Dr. Coues, the last -of April, and remains about two weeks. It returns in autumn the third -week in August, and remains till the last of September. It is only a -spring and autumnal visitant, none breeding, and is rather common. It -frequents the margins of small streams and brooks. - -I am not aware that the nest of this species has ever been procured -farther south than New York City, yet it is given by Mr. Dresser as -having been found common by him, through the summer, near San Antonio. -It is not, however, mentioned by Dr. Woodhouse, nor by the Mexican -Survey, nor was it met with by Sumichrast in Vera Cruz. It is cited by -Dr. Coues as only a migrant in South Carolina. Near Philadelphia Mr. -Turnbull gives it as a somewhat rare migrant, passing north in April -and returning in September, but adds that a few remain to breed. I did -not find it breeding in the vicinity of Newark, nor, among a very -extensive collection of nests and eggs made in that neighborhood, were -there any eggs of this species. It is mentioned by Mr. Boardman as -occurring at Calais, and in the western part of the State Mr. Verrill -found it a very common summer visitant, arriving there about the -middle of May and breeding there in numbers. It is also an exceedingly -frequent summer visitant at Hamilton, Canada West, according to Mr. -McIlwraith. It is found during the winter months near Oaxaca, Mexico, -according to Mr. Boucard, and has been met with throughout Mexico and -south to Guatemala. - -In Massachusetts this Flycatcher is one of the most abundant and -familiar species, arriving from about the 20th of April to the 1st of -May. It is found most frequently in orchards, gardens, and open -grounds, and very largely on the edges of woods, remaining until -October. They are much addicted to particular localities, and return -to the same spot year after year, if undisturbed. A pair that had -established their hunting-grounds in an open area north of a dwelling -in Roxbury returned to the same spot for several successive years, and -would come regularly to the piazza of the house, where bits of cotton -were exposed for the benefit of such of the whole feathered tribe as -chose to avail themselves of it. Each year they drew nearer and nearer -the house, until at last the nest was made in a clump of honeysuckle -on the corner of the piazza, from which they would sally forth in -quest of insects, entirely unmindful of the near presence of the -family. I never observed the quarrelsome disposition that Nuttall -speaks of, nor have I ever seen them molest other birds, even when the -summer Yellow-Birds and the Chipping Sparrows have nested in the same -clump. They are very silent birds, having no song and no other cry or -note than a very feeble, guttural utterance, given out either as a -single sound or as a succession of twitters. Their nest is a very -common receptacle for the eggs of the Cow Blackbird. - -This species was found breeding at Fort Resolution, latitude 62°, by -Mr. Kennicott, the nest being in an alder-bush, and about five feet -from the ground. It was also found nesting in the same locality by Mr. -Ross and by Mr. Lockhart. Its nest was found at Lake Manitobah by Mr. -McTavish, and at Fort Simpson by Mr. Ross. - -This species has been gradually undergoing certain modifications of -habits and manners in consequence of its contact with civilization and -becoming familiarized to the society of man. In nothing is this made -more apparent than in the construction of its nests. Those made on the -edge of woodlands or in remote orchards are wrought almost entirely of -fine deciduous bark, hempen fibres of vegetables, feathers, dried -fragments of insect cocoons, and other miscellaneous substances felted -and impacted together; within this is a lining of fine strips of -vegetable bark, woody fibres, fine lichens, and soft downy feathers. -In some the lining is exclusively of fine pine leaves, in others with -the seeds or pappus of compositaceous plants. The nests are always -quite small, rarely measuring more than three inches in diameter or -two in height. Those made in the vicinity of dwellings indicate their -neighborhood by the variety of miscellaneous and convenient materials, -such as bits of paper, rags, cotton, wool, and the larger and more -conspicuous feathers of the poultry-yard. Where raw cotton was -abundantly provided, I have known this material, strengthened with a -few straws and woody fibres, with a lining of feathers, constitute the -whole substance of the nest. - -One nest, constructed in a thick tamarack swamp in Wisconsin, is -composed of a dense, impacted mass of a dirty white vegetable wool, -intertwined at the base with shreds of bark, vegetable stems, and -small black roots. The inner rim and frame of the nest are made of -black, shining rootlets, intermingled with slender leaves and stems of -dry sedges, and lined with the pappus of a small composite plant and a -few feathers. - -The eggs of this species are pure white, never, so far as I am aware, -spotted, of a rounded-oval shape, nearly equally obtuse at either end, -and measuring about .60 of an inch in length by .50 in breadth. - - -Empidonax acadicus, BAIRD. - -SMALL GREEN-CRESTED FLYCATCHER. - - _? Muscicapa acadica_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 947.—LATHAM, - Index Orn. II, 1790, 489.—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 71 - (from LATHAM).—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 256; V, 1839, 429, - pl. cxliv.—IB. Birds Am. I, 1840, 221, pl. lxii.—NUTTALL, - Man. I, 1832, 208.—GIRAUD, Birds L. Island, 1844, 40. - _Muscicapa querula_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 77, pl. xiii, - f. 3 (not of VIEILLOT). “_Platyrhynchus virescens_, VIEILLOT.” - _Tyrannula acadica_, RICHARDSON, ? Bon. List, _Tyrannus - acadica_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 320. _Empidonax - acadicus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 197.—SCLATER, Catal. - 1862, 229.—SAMUELS, 143. - -SP. CHAR. The second and third quills are longest, and about equal; -the fourth a little shorter; the first about equal to the fifth, and -about .35 less than the longest. Tail even. The upper parts, with -sides of the head and neck, olive-green; the crown very little if any -darker. A yellowish-white ring round the eye. The sides of the body -under the wings like the back, but fainter olive; a tinge of the same -across the breast; the chin, throat, and middle of the belly white; -the abdomen, lower tail and wing coverts, and sides of the body not -covered by the wings, pale greenish-yellow. Edges of the first -primary, secondaries, and tertials margined with dull yellowish-white, -most broadly on the latter. Two transverse bands of pale yellowish -(sometimes with an ochrey tinge) across the wings, formed by the tips -of the secondary and primary coverts, succeeded by a brown one. Tail -light brown, margined externally like the back. Upper mandible light -brown above; pale yellow beneath. In autumn the lower parts are more -yellow. Length, 5.65; wing, 3.00; tail, 2.75. _Young_ (60,892 Mt. -Carmel, Ill., August 11, 1870; R. RIDGWAY.) Whole upper surface with -indistinct transverse bars of pale ochraceous; wing-markings light -ochraceous. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Mississippi; Yucatan. Localities: -Cuba (LAWR. VII, 1860, 265; GUNDL. Rept. 1865, 240); San Antonio, -Texas, summer (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 475). - -This species is very similar to _E. trailli_, but the upper parts are -of a brighter and more uniform olive-green, much like that of _Vireo -olivaceus_. The feathers of the crown lack the darker centre. There is -less of the olivaceous-ash across the breast. The bands across the -wing are light yellowish, instead of grayish-olive. There is much more -yellow at the base of the lesser quills. The wings are longer, both -proportionally and absolutely. The primaries exceed the secondaries by -nearly an inch, instead of by only about .70; the proportions of the -quills are much the same. - -HABITS. This species belongs to Eastern North America, but its -distribution north and east is not determined with entire certainty. I -have never met with or received any evidence of its breeding northeast -of Philadelphia. Nuttall’s account of this bird so blends what he had -ascertained in regard to the habits of a different species with what -he derived from other writers, that his whole sketch must be passed as -unreliable. It is shy and retiring in its habits, frequenting only -lonely places, and would readily escape notice, so that its presence -in New Jersey, New York, and even New England, may not be uncommon, -although we do not know it. Mr. Lawrence mentions its occurring in the -vicinity of New York City; but I can find no evidence whatever that a -single specimen of this bird has ever been procured in any part of New -England, except Mr. Allen’s mention of finding it near Springfield. -That it is found in the immediate neighborhood of Philadelphia I have -positive evidence, having received its nest and eggs, found in West -Philadelphia. Mr. Turnbull gives it as of frequent occurrence from the -beginning of May to the middle of September. He generally met with it -in the most secluded parts of woods. Mr. McIlwraith calls it a rare -summer resident near Hamilton, Canada West. - -I am informed by Mr. Thomas H. Jackson, an accurate observer, resident -in Westchester, Pa., that this Flycatcher arrives in that neighborhood -early in May, constructing its nest about the first of June. This is -generally placed on a drooping limb of a beech or dogwood tree at the -height of from six to ten feet from the ground. It is never saddled on -a limb like that of a Wood Pewee, neither is it pensile like those of -the Vireos, but is built in the fork of a small limb, and securely -fastened thereto by a strip of bark. The nest itself is mostly made of -fine strips of bark or weed-stalks, woven together without much care -as to neatness or strength, and so very slight is the structure that -you may often count the eggs in the nest from below. Occasionally this -bird constructs its nest of the blossoms of the hickory-tree, and when -thus made is very neat and pretty. - -The eggs are generally three in number (Mr. Jackson has never known -more in a nest), and they are said to be of a rich cream-color, thinly -spotted near the greater end. The Cow-Bird sometimes imposes on this -species with its parasitic offspring, but not so often as upon other -birds. - -Mr. Jackson also informs me that this is quite a common bird in some -localities. In one piece of woodland, half a mile east of West -Chester, he can every season meet with six or eight of their nests, -while in another direction, in a wood apparently similar in every -respect, he has never met with any. - -Mr. J. A. Allen mentions finding this Flycatcher as a rare summer -visitant in Western Massachusetts, where, as he states, it breeds in -swamps and low moist thickets, which are its exclusive haunts. He -characterizes it as one of the most spirited and tyrannical of this -genus. It is said to have a short quick note, sounding like -_quequeal_, which it utters hurriedly and sharply, and to have an -erect, hawk-like attitude. He adds that it is very quarrelsome with -its own species, a battle ensuing whenever two males meet. They pursue -each other fiercely, with snapping bills and sharp, querulous, -twittering notes. He found it a very shy bird, and difficult to -collect, frequenting exclusively, so far as he was able to observe, -thick alder-swamps and swampy thickets, keeping concealed among the -thick bushes, or at a great distance. - -Wilson’s history of this species is quite brief, and he expressly -states that it is a bird but little known. His account of its nest and -eggs is inaccurate, and refers probably to that of the _minimus_, as -also the statement that it extends its migrations as far as -Newfoundland. He found it inhabiting only the deepest solitary parts -of the woods, stationed among the lower branches, uttering at short -intervals a sudden, sharp squeak, heard at considerable distance -through the woods. As it flies, it utters a low, querulous note, which -it changes, on alighting, to its usual sharp cry. He adds that it is a -rare and very solitary bird, always haunting the most gloomy, moist, -and unfrequented parts of the forest, feeding on flying insects, -devouring wild bees and huckleberries in their season. - -To this account Audubon furnishes but little additional that is -reliable. He evidently confounded with it the _minimus_, repeats -Wilson’s description of its eggs, and is incorrect as to its northern -distribution. He speaks of it as extremely pugnacious, chasing from -its premises every intruder, and when once mated seldom leaving the -vicinity of its nest except in pursuit of food. His description of the -nest applies to that of the _minimus_, but not to that of this -species. - -Mr. Ridgway writes me that in Southern Illinois it is the most -abundant of the _Empidonaces_, breeding in the same woods with _E. -trailli_. It is so exceedingly similar to that species in manners and -general habits that they are hard to distinguish, and it requires a -long acquaintance with the two in the woods to learn to distinguish -them when seen or heard. A close attention, however, shows that the -notes of the two are quite distinct. - -Mr. Dresser mentions finding this species not uncommon near San -Antonio, Texas, during the summer. Its stomach was found to contain -small insects. Dr. Woodhouse also speaks of it as common in Texas, New -Mexico, and the Indian Territory, but at what season is not mentioned. - -Dr. Hoy writes me that this bird, quite common about Racine some -twenty-five years ago, has now almost entirely disappeared. - -Near Washington Dr. Coues found this Flycatcher a common summer -resident, the most abundant of the kind, and the only one that breeds -there in any numbers. They arrive the last of April, and remain until -the last of September. - -A beautiful nest of this species was found by Mr. George O. Welch near -Indianapolis, Indiana. It was fully identified, and the parent shot. -This nest has a diameter of four inches, and a height of two. Its base -is composed to a large extent of dried grasses, intermingled with -masses of withered blossoms of different herbaceous plants. Above this -is constructed a somewhat rudely interwoven nest, composed entirely of -long, fine, wiry stems of grasses. The cavity is two inches wide and -less than one in depth. The eggs, three in number, are exceedingly -beautiful, and differ from all the eggs of this genus, having more -resemblance to those of _Contopi_. They have an elongated oval shape, -and are quite pointed at one end. They measure .78 by .56 of an inch. -Their ground is a rich cream-color, tinged with a reddish-brown -shading, and at the larger end the eggs are irregularly marked with -scattered and vivid blotches of red and reddish-brown. The nest was -found on the 3d of June. - - -Empidonax flaviventris, BAIRD. - -YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannula flaviventris_, WM. M. and S. F. BAIRD, Pr. Ac. Nat. Sc. - Phila. I, July, 1843, 283.—IB. Am. Journ. Science, April, - 1844.—AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1844, 341, pl. ccccxc. _Tyrannula - pusilla_ (SWAINSON), REINHARDT, Vidensk. Meddel. for 1853, - 1854, 82.—GLOGER, Cab. Jour. 1854, 426. _Empidonax - hypoxanthus_, BAIRD (provisional name for eastern specimens). - Empidonax difficilis, BAIRD (provisional name for western). - _Empidonax flaviventris_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1859, - 198.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 229.—MAYNARD, B. E. Mass. 1870, - 126. - -SP. CHAR. Second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal; first -intermediate between fifth and sixth. Tail nearly even, slightly -rounded. Tarsi long. Above bright olive-green (back very similar to -that of _Vireo noveboracensis_); crown rather darker. A broad yellow -ring round the eye. The sides of the head, neck, breast and body, and -a band across the breast like the back, but lighter; the rest of the -lower parts bright greenish sulphur-yellow; no white or ashy anywhere -on the body. Quills dark brown; two bands on the wing formed by the -tips of the primary and secondary coverts, the outer edge of the first -primary and of the secondaries and tertials pale yellow, or -greenish-yellow. The tail-feathers brown, with the exterior edges like -the back. The bill dark brown above, yellow beneath. The feet black. -In the autumn the colors are purer, the yellow is deeper, and the -markings on the wings of an ochrey tint. Length, 5.15; wing, 2.83; -tail, 2.45. - -HAB. Eastern United States, and Eastern Middle America, south to Costa -Rica. Localities: Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 122); Xalapa (SCL. Ibis, I, -441); Choctun, Dueñas (SCL. Catal. 1862, 230); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, -114); Panama (LAWR. VIII, 63); Vera Cruz, winter, resident? (SUM. M. -B. S. I, 557); San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 475). - -Specimens from the eastern regions of North and Middle America, though -varying slightly among themselves, all agree in the characters which -distinguish them from the western series. - -HABITS. This well-marked species was first obtained in Carlisle, -Penn., and described by the Bairds in 1843. It has since remained a -comparatively rare and scattered species, and has been only seldom met -with. I found it breeding in the vicinity of Halifax, and also among -the Grand Menan Islands, and in both cases was so fortunate as to be -able to obtain its nest and eggs. It has been found near Calais by Mr. -Boardman, and its nest also procured. It has also been found breeding -near Trenton, N. J., by Dr. Slack, and in a not distant locality in -the same State by Dr. Abbott. - -Dr. Coues observed the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher to be a rather rare -spring and autumnal visitant at Washington. As specimens were taken -there July 28, undoubtedly they occasionally breed there. They appear -early in May, and go south the latter part of September. - -Two specimens of Flycatcher, identified as of this species, are -recorded by Professor Reinhardt as having been taken at Godthaab, -Greenland, in 1853. - -Sumichrast met with this species in Vera Cruz, but whether as a -resident or only as a migrant he could not determine. Mr. Dresser -states that it is common in the summer near San Antonio, arriving -there in April. Dr. Coues met it in its migrations through South -Carolina. Dr. Turnbull speaks of it as rare in the neighborhood of -Philadelphia, where it arrives in the middle of April on its way -north. It has been found throughout Eastern Mexico and Guatemala, and -as far south as Panama. - -Mr. Verrill regarded this species as a summer resident in Western -Maine, though he never met with its nest, and at no time very common. -Specimens were procured between the last of May and the middle of -June. It was found, though very rare, by Mr. McIlwraith, at Hamilton, -where it was supposed to be a summer resident. Specimens were taken -about the middle of May. - -Dr. Hoy detected this species in the summer of 1869, in the vicinity -of Racine, and although he had no doubt that they had a nest in the -vicinity, he was not able to discover it. He was surprised to find -that the male of this species has quite a pretty song. This fact has -since been confirmed by the observations of Mr. Boardman, who has -heard this bird give forth quite a pleasing, though somewhat -monotonous trill. This, according to Dr. Hoy, resembles -_Pēa-wāyk-pēa-wāyoc_, several times repeated in a soft and not -unpleasant call or song. - -In Western Massachusetts Mr. Allen has found this species rather rare. -Those met with have all been taken from May 15 to June 5. Dr. Coues, -in his List of the birds of New England, expresses his conviction that -this species is probably much less rare than collectors have generally -supposed. It harbors very closely in shady woods and thickets, and is -very rarely to be met with anywhere else. In the distance it is not -easily distinguished from other species of this genus, and may have -been allowed to go unsought, mistaken for a much more common species. -Mr. Allen has generally met with quite a number each year in May, -sometimes several in a single excursion. Mr. Maynard took eight -specimens in a few hours, May 31, in Eastern Massachusetts, and Mr. -Welch obtained an unusual number in a single season. Dr. Coues has -also met with them near Washington during their breeding-season. - -At Grand Menan I found the nest of this species in a low alder-bush, -on the edge of a thicket, but within a few feet of the shore. The nest -was about two feet from the ground, placed in the fork of the bush, -and bearing a close resemblance to the nest of the _Cyanospiza -cyanea_. It was loosely made of soft strips of the inner bark of -deciduous trees, and lined with yellow stems of grasses. It was not -large for the bird, but the conspicuous color of the materials at once -betrayed the nest as we chanced to land within a few feet of it. The -female immediately slid from it, and was not seen again, but her mate -was undisturbed by our presence. Afterwards other nests were obtained -at Halifax, on the edge of swampy woods, made of stubble, and placed -in low bushes. All the eggs I obtained were white, of a slightly more -chalky hue than those of the _minimus_, and more oblong. Those -procured by Mr. Boardman were sprinkled with minute dots of -reddish-brown. Their measurement is .68 by .52 of an inch. - - -Empidonax flaviventris, var. difficilis, BAIRD. - -WESTERN YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. - - _Empidonax difficilis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 198 (under _E. - flaviventris_), pl. lxxvi, f. 2.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 230. - _Empidonax flaviventris_, COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 328. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _flaviventris_, but tail much longer, and colors -lighter and duller. The olive above less green, and the sulphur-yellow -beneath less pure, having an ochraceous cast, this especially marked -on the edge of the wing; wing-bands grayish rather than yellowish -white. Measurements, ♂ (58,550, Parley’s Park, Wahsatch Mountains, -Utah, August 5, 1869; C. KING, R. RIDGWAY): Wing, 2.90; tail, 2.80; -wing-formula, 3, 4, 2, 5, 6, 1. _Young._ Wing-bands ochraceous, -instead of grayish-white, with a sulphur-yellow tinge. - -HAB. Western Province of United States, and Western Mexico. (Mazatlan, -Colima, etc.) Fort Whipple, Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 62). - -HABITS. This Flycatcher is a western form, closely allied to our -eastern _E. flaviventris_. It was met with by Dr. Coues in Arizona, -where it was rather rare, and appeared to be a summer resident. It -arrives in that Territory about the middle of April, and remains there -until the latter part of September. Dr. Coues found it difficult to -distinguish this form from our eastern _flaviventris_. - -Dr. Cooper obtained at Monterey, Cal., specimens of the western types -of this bird, having darker markings on the wing, which, however, he -regards as only indicative of a young plumage, and not of specific -distinctness. He found these birds chiefly frequenting woods of -_Coniferæ_, and very silent, which, so far as the observation has any -value, indicates a marked difference between the eastern and the -western birds. - -The eggs of this species are also different from any of the eastern -_E. flaviventris_ that I have ever seen, and are more like the eggs of -_E. trailli_ than of the other species of _Empidonax_. They measure -.73 of an inch in length, by .58 in breadth, have a creamy-white -ground, marked at the larger end with reddish-brown and purplish -markings. They are of an oblong-oval shape. Mr. Ridgway met with this -species only once in his western explorations, when he obtained a pair -in a thick pine woods on the Wahsatch Mountains, in June. They were -exceedingly retiring, and frequented dark woods, whose solitudes were -shared besides only by the _Turdus auduboni_ and _Myiadestes -townsendi_. Their note was a _pit_, much more like that of some -Warblers than like the notes of the other _Empidonaces_. - -This species, called by Mr. Grayson “The Lonely Flycatcher,” was found -by him quite common in the Three Marias, islands off the Pacific coast -of Mexico, as well as on the main coast, and also in California. The -accustomed places of resort of this solitary little bird were, he -states, the most retired and secluded dells of the forest. He there -met with it beneath the canopy of the natural and shady grottos formed -by the overlapping branches, intermingled with innumerable creeping -plants, sitting upon some low twig watching for a passing fly. At -other times it might be seen frequenting some secluded and shady -little brook, near the surface of which it often darted upon the flies -that skimmed over the surface of the water, ever and anon uttering a -low and plaintive one-syllabled note. - - -Empidonax obscurus, BAIRD. - -WRIGHT’S FLYCATCHER. - - _? Tyrannula obscura_, SWAINSON, Syn. Mex. Birds, in Philos. Mag. I, - 1827, 367. _Empidonax obscurus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 200, - pl. xlix, f. 3.—IB. M. B. II, Birds 9, pl. xi, f. 3.—SCL. - Catal. 1862, 230.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 329. _Empidonax - wrighti_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 200 (name proposed in case - this should prove not to be the _T. obscura_ of Swainson). - -SP. CHAR. Bill very narrow. Tarsi long. Wing rounded. Second, third, -and fourth quills longest; first shorter than sixth, sometimes than -seventh and eighth. Tail rounded. Above dull brownish-olive, paler on -the rump, tinged with gray on the head. Loral region and space round -the eye whitish. Throat and forepart of the breast grayish-white, -slightly tinged with olive across the latter; the rest of the under -parts pale yellowish. Wings and tail brown; the former with two -conspicuous bands of brownish-white; the outer primary edged, the -secondaries and tertials edged and tipped with the same. The outer web -of the external tail-feather white, in strong contrast. Length, 5.75; -wing, 2.75; tail, 2.55; tarsus, .70. _Young._ Wing-bands -yellowish-gray, or grayish-buff (not ochraceous); upper parts with a -brownish wash; abdomen tinged with dull buff. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains and Middle Province of United States, and -table-lands of Mexico. Localities: La Parada, Mexico (SCL. Catal. -1862, 230); Vera Cruz, winter, perhaps resident (SUM. M. B. S. I, -557); Fort Whipple, Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 63). - -The most decided character of this species is seen in the combination -of the narrow bill and the white outer margin of the external -tail-feather, together with the long tarsi. The bill measured across -opposite the middle of the nostrils is less than half its length from -the forehead, instead of being considerably more, as in nearly all the -other North American species, except _hammondi_. From this, however, -the longer tail, edged externally with white; the longer bill and -tarsus, the more rounded wings, the paler throat, etc., will -distinguish it. Some specimens (spring and summer individuals) are -very pale, showing scarcely any yellow beneath; the upper parts more -tinged with gray. Sometimes there is a decidedly hoary frontlet. - -A young specimen (53,303, ♀, Upper Humboldt Valley, Nev., September -16, 1868; C. King, R. Ridgway) is remarkable for its pale and -unusually grayish colors. There is nowhere any tinge of yellow, and -scarcely any of brown, the colors being simply clear ash and pure dull -white, except the dusky of wings and tail. In these respects it -differs from all others in the collection; there can be no doubt, -however, that it is the same species as the brownish individuals -obtained in the same locality. - -HABITS. This Flycatcher appears to have been first described as a -Mexican species by Swainson in 1827. Since then it has been obtained -by Sumichrast in the Department of Vera Cruz, but whether resident or -only migratory he was unable to decide. Specimens were obtained at El -Paso, in Texas, by Mr. C. Wright, on the Mexican Boundary Survey. Dr. -Coues found this bird a summer resident in Arizona, but rare. It -arrives there early in April, and remains until October. Dr. Cooper -first observed this species at Fort Mohave about April 1, and a few -afterwards until May 25. They kept among low bushes, were generally -silent, or with only a single lisping chirp. Occasionally they flew a -short distance after insects in the general manner of this genus. We -are indebted to Mr. Ridgway for all the knowledge we possess in -reference to the habits and nesting of this rare species. - -He met with them in all the aspen groves and thickets of the high -mountain regions, from the Sierra Nevada to the Wahsatch and Uintah -Mountains. The aspen copses at the head of the cañons of the highest -and well-watered ranges of the Great Basin were their favorite resort; -but they were sometimes seen in the “mahogany” woods on the spurs, and -occasionally, even, on the willows in the river valleys. Their common -note was a weird _sweer_, much like the call of _Chrysomitris pinus_, -but very often, especially when the nest was approached, they uttered -a soft liquid _whit_. In the Toyabe Mountains, where these little -Flycatchers were breeding abundantly in the aspen copses, Mr. Ridgway -found them to be so unsuspicious that several were taken from the nest -with his hand; and one which was shot at and slightly wounded returned -to her nest and suffered herself to be taken off without showing any -alarm. - -A nest obtained by Mr. Ridgway near Austin, in Nevada, July 3, 1868, -was built in the crotch of a small aspen, about five feet from the -ground. This nest is a very neat, homogeneous, compact structure, -cup-like in shape, three inches in diameter, and two and a half in -height. Its cavity is one and a half inches in depth, and three inches -across the rim. It is composed almost entirely of strips of soft and -bleached fragments of the inner bark of deciduous trees and shrubs, -and hempen fibres of various plants. The inner nest is a lining made -of finer materials of the same, with a few fine roots and feathers. - -The eggs, three in number, are of a uniform creamy white, unspotted, -and not unlike the eggs of _Empidonax minimus_. They measure .73 of an -inch in length, and .60 in breadth. - -The nest and eggs of this species were also found by Mr. C. S. -McCarthy, in Dodge Valley, July 2, 1859. The nest was in a low -flowering bush, and was a few feet from the ground. It was likewise -found breeding at Camp Grant, Arizona, by Dr. Palmer. - - -Empidonax hammondi, BAIRD. - -HAMMOND’S FLYCATCHER. - - _Tyrannula hammondi_, DE VESEY (XANTUS), Pr. A. N. Sc. May, 1858. - _Empidonax hammondi_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 199, pl. lxxvi, - f. 1.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 230.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 330. - -SP. CHAR. Tail moderately forked; the feathers acutely pointed. Third -quill longest; second and then fourth a little shorter. First much -shorter than fifth, a little longer than sixth. Bill very slender; -dark brown. Above dark olive-green, considerably darker on the head. -Breast and sides of the body light olive-green, the throat -grayish-white; the rest of under parts bright sulphur-yellow. A -whitish ring round the eye. Wings and tail dark brown; the former with -two olivaceous gray bands across the coverts; the latter with the -outer edge a little paler than elsewhere, but not at all white. -Length, 5.50; wing, 2.80; tail, 2.50; tarsus, .67. - -HAB. Mexico and Western Province of United States (Clark’s Fork; Fort -Laramie; Fort Tejon, Orizaba, and numerous intermediate points). North -to Lesser Slave Lake, where breeding abundantly (S. JONES, Mus. S. -I.). Localities: Vera Cruz, winter, perhaps resident (SUM. M. B. S. I, -557); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 62). - -In this species the olive-green on the sides is scarcely -distinguishable from that on the back, although becoming more yellow -on the middle of the breast. There is a decided ashy shade on the -whole head. The only light edging to the quills is seen on the -terminal half of the secondaries. The upper mandible and feet are -black; the tip of the lower (and in one specimen the whole) dark -brown. The fork of the tail measures a quarter of an inch in depth; -the longest quill exceeds the first by .40. - -This species is at once distinguishable from all the North American -_Tyrannulas_, except _obscurus_, by the extreme narrowness as well as -shortness of the bill. This is only .25 of an inch wide at the -posterior angle of the mouth, and only .19 at the nostrils. Its colors -above are those of _acadicus_, while the general effect is much more -that of _flaviventris_, although less brightly olive. The throat is -grayish, not of the same yellow with the belly; the ring round the eye -white, not yellow; the olive of the breast much more continuous and -distinct; the bands on the wings dull grayish instead of clear -greenish-yellow. The tail, instead of being nearly even, is quite -deeply forked. The bill is scarcely half as wide, and brownish, not -yellow, beneath. The tarsus has the same peculiar scutellation. - -The differences from _T. obscurus_ are less easily expressed. It is, -however, considerably smaller, and more olivaceous above and below, -the tarsi very much shorter; the most tangible character is seen in -the absence of the white on the outer web of the external -tail-feather, which is only a little paler brown than elsewhere. The -abdomen is much more distinctly yellowish. - -HABITS. This species was first discovered in the vicinity of Fort -Tejon, Cal., by Mr. Xantus, in 1858, and described by him in the -Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy. It has since been taken in -other parts of California and Mexico. Sumichrast found it in the -Department of Vera Cruz; and Dr. Coues has taken it in Arizona, where -he regarded it as a rather rare summer resident, arriving late in -April and remaining until the third week in October. - -Dr. Cooper obtained a single specimen of this species at Fort Mohave, -May 20. It closely resembled _E. obscurus_ in its habits at that time, -and he mistook it for that species. He afterwards met with others, as -supposed, of these birds, on Catalina Island, in June. They kept in -low trees, and uttered a few faint lisping notes. The first of this -species arrived at Santa Cruz, March 13, and they were numerous during -the summer, disappearing in September. April 27, Dr. Cooper found the -first nest. It was built on the horizontal branch of a negundo-tree, -about eighteen feet from the ground. He found four others afterwards, -from four to ten feet high, either on horizontal branches or on forks -of small trees. They contained three or four eggs each, or young. The -last one with eggs was found as late as June 29, probably a second -nest of a pair that had been robbed. These nests were all thick -walled, composed externally of dry mosses and downy buds, with a few -strips of bark and leaves, and slender woody fibres, and often with a -few hairs or feathers lining the inside. Externally the nests were -about four inches wide and two and a half high. The cavity was two -inches wide and one and a half deep. The eggs were white with brown -blotches and specks near the larger end, disposed mostly in a circle. -They measured .68 by .52 of an inch. - -These birds, he further states, frequented only the darkest groves -along the river, and had a very few simple call-notes of a monotonous -character. They were so very shy that he could not get near enough to -determine the species, which in all probability was not this species, -but the _E. pusillus_. - -The _E. hammondi_ was met with by Mr. Ridgway only in the East -Humboldt Mountains, where, in September, it was found in the thickest -groves of tall aspens. It seemed to be confined to these localities, -and was much more secluded than the _E. obscurus_. Its common note was -a soft _pit_. - -A number of nests and eggs sent, with the parent birds, from Lesser -Slave Lake, by Mr. Strachan Jones, show that its eggs are unspotted -creamy-white, like those of _E. minimus_ and _E. obscurus_. Indeed, a -number of nests and eggs of the former of these two species, also -accompanied by the parent birds, could not be distinguished, except by -their apparently just appreciably larger size, on the average. - - -GENUS MITREPHORUS, SCLATER. - - _Mitrephorus_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 44. (Type, _M. phæocercus_.) - -GEN. CHAR. Similar in general character to _M. empidonax_, but with -fulvous, fulvous-olive and rufous tints, instead of clear olive, gray, -white, and sulphur-yellow. Head crested; bristles of gape reaching -nearly to tip of bill. Feet very weak. - - [Line drawing: 40602 ♀] - -The type of this genus (_M. phæocercus_) is quite different in form -from _Empidonax_, the nearest North American ally, but both _M. -pallescens_ and _fulvifrons_ could with little violence be placed in -it. There is no positive character to separate the latter from the -average of species of _Empidonax_, except it be the color. The crest -is not at all conspicuous, nor is there any appreciable difference of -form; while in the form of the bill these species are much nearer -_Empidonax_ than _Mitrephorus_. The legs, however, are weaker, and the -rictal bristles longer. - -There are two forms of the group, as defined by Sclater: one embracing -_E. phæocercus_, Sclater (Mexico and Guatemala), and _E. -aurantiiventris_, Lawr. (Costa Rica); the other _E. fulvifrons_, -Giraud, and _pallescens_, Coues. The differences between the last two, -which are probably merely races of one species, may be expressed as -follows:— - - M. fulvifrons. Olivaceous above; beneath - ochraceous-fulvous; darkest on the breast, paler on throat - and crissum. External edge of outer tail-feathers whitish. - - Olive of back fulvous; under parts decided - ochrey-fulvous. Wing-bands tinged with ochraceous; wing - rather pointed. First quill equal to sixth; third, - longest. Wing, 2.65; tail, 2.40; tarsus, .61. _Hab._ - Northern Mexico var. _fulvifrons_.[97] - - Olive of back grayish; beneath obscurely ochrey-fulvous - and much paler; wing-bands grayish-white; wing rather - rounded. First quill shorter than sixth; fourth longest. - Length, 4.75; wing, 2.15; tail, 2.00; tarsus, .55. - _Hab._ Arizona var. _pallescens_. - - [97] _Mitrephorus fulvifrons. Muscicapa fulvifrons_, GIRAUD, - 16 species Texas birds, 1841, pl. ii (Mexico?). _Empidonax - fulvifrons_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 301. _Mitrephorus - fulvifrons_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 45. _Empidonax - rubicundus_, CABANIS, Mus. Hein. ii, 1859, 70 (Mexico). - _Hab._ Northern Mexico. - - -Mitrephorus fulvifrons, var. pallescens, COUES. - -BUFF-BREASTED LEAST FLYCATCHER. - - _Mitrephorus pallescens_, COUES, Pr. Philad. Ac. 1866, 63 (Fort - Whipple, Arizona).—COOPER, Orn. Calif. I, 334. _Mitrephorus - fulvifrons_, ELLIOT, Illust. B. Am. I, pl. xix. - -SP. CHAR. Above fulvous-gray, with an ashy cast on the tail and crown; -lighter across the nape. Two grayish-white bands across the wings, and -the terminal half of the secondaries and outer web of lateral -tail-feather broadly edged with the same. Whole lower parts, including -the lores and cheeks, and lining of wing, light ochraceous, very -deeply ochraceous across the breast and on the sides, nearly white on -the abdomen and crissum. Upper mandible deep black, lower whitish -(“bright orange-yellow” in life); feet deep black. Wing-formula: -second, third, and fourth quills equal and longest, 5, 6, 1. Tail very -slightly emarginated, but lateral feather a little the shortest. -_Male._ Length, 4.75; wing, 2.25; tail, 2.00; culmen, .54 (measured to -concealed base); breadth of bill, .24; tarsus, .54; middle toe, .28. -_Female._ Colors paler; deep ochraceous of breast, etc., less -distinct. - -HAB. Southern border of Middle Province of United States (Fort -Whipple, Arizona). - -The true _M. fulvifrons_ of Mexico differs simply in deeper colors, -the shade above being decidedly fulvous, instead of grayish, and the -lower parts much more deeply ochraceous, the abdomen not approaching -white; the wing-markings are also tinged with ochraceous. - -HABITS. This species, both new to our fauna and previously -undescribed, was taken by Dr. Coues at Fort Whipple. It belongs to a -newly established genus of Flycatchers, recently established by Mr. -Sclater, similar to _Empidonax_. So far as known, its members are more -or less tropical in their residence. It is a rare summer resident at -Fort Whipple, arriving there early in May. Nothing is stated in -reference to its habits, except that they correspond with those of the -_Empidonaces_. - - -GENUS PYROCEPHALUS, GOULD. - - _Pyrocephalus_, GOULD, Zoöl. of Beagle, 1838, 44. - - [Line drawing: _Pyrocephalus rubineus._ - 38206 ] - -GEN. CHAR. Tarsus moderate, very little longer than the middle toe; -hind toe not longer than the lateral. Bill slender, very narrow at the -base. Tail broad, even, considerably shorter than the wings (about -four fifths), which reach beyond the middle of the tail. First quill -shorter than the fifth. Head with a conspicuous rounded crest. Sexes -dissimilar. Male with the crown and lower parts red (except in _E. -obscurus_); tail, back, and wings dark brown. - -The single North American species of this genus is readily -distinguished among other Flycatchers by the bright red of the under -parts. The female is quite different in color from the male, being -peculiar in this respect among North American Flycatchers. - - -Species and Varieties. - - E. obscurus.[98] Entirely uniform sepia-brown beneath, - with a wine-purple tinge posteriorly and on the forehead. - _Hab._ Peru. - - E. rubineus. Whole crown, and entire lower parts (except - lining of wing), brilliant scarlet-red; a stripe on side - of the head, and entire upper parts, sepia-brownish. - _Female._ Whitish anteriorly beneath, more or less reddish - posteriorly; anterior portion with dusky streaks; crown - dusky. _Young_ without any red; feathers above bordered - with lighter; streaks beneath numerous. Length, about - 5.50. - - The brown of a dark sepia cast, edges of wing-feathers - not appreciably paler, the red with a slight carmine - shade. No whitish on the edge of outer nor on tips of - other tail-feathers. _Hab._ South America var. _rubineus_.[99] - - Similar to last, but outer web of lateral tail-feather - distinctly whitish, the rest tipped slightly with - whitish. _Hab._ Northern South America (Bogota and - Guayaquil) var. _nanus_.[100] - - The brown of a decided grayish cast, and edges of - wing-feathers very distinctly paler; red more scarlet - (but equally intense). No whitish tips to tail-feathers, - and no white edge to the outer. _Hab._ Middle America; - north into southern border of United States var. _mexicanus_. - - - [98] _Pyrocephalus obscurus_, GOULD, Zoöl. Voy. Beag. iii, - 45.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 46; Catal. Am. B. 1862, 228 - (Peru). - - [99] _Pyrocephalus rubineus_, (BODD.) CAB. _Muscicapa - rubinea_, BODD. (ex Buff. pl. enl. cclxv, f. 1). - _Pyrocephalus r._ CABANIS et HEIN. Mus. Hein. ii, p. - 67.—SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 1862, 227. - - [100] _Pyrocephalus rubineus_, var. _nanus_, GOULD, Zoöl. - Beag. iii, 45, pl. vii.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1859, 46, 144; - 1860, 282, 295; Catal. Am. B. 1862, p. 228. The last is - hardly separable by the characters given, as, although they - are never seen in southern specimens, they are not constant - in the northern ones. Specimens of _nanus_ are as large as - any of _rubineus_, there being in every region a great range - of variation in dimensions. - - -Pyrocephalus rubineus, var. mexicanus, SCLATER. - -RED FLYCATCHER. - - _Pyrocephalus rubineus_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, May, 1851, - 115. CASSIN, Ill. I, IV, 1853, 127, pl. xvii.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 201.—SALVADORI, Atti. Milan. vii, 1864.—HEERM. X, - _S_, 38. _Tyrannula coronata_, SWAINSON, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, - 529. _Pyrocephalus nanus_, WOODHOUSE, Sitgreave’s Report, 1853, - 75 (not of GOULD). _Pyrocephalus mexicanus_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1859, 45, 56, 366; 1864, 176.—IB. Ibis, 1859, 442.—IB. Catal. - 227.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1860, 399 (Guatemala).—CABANIS, - Mus. Hein. ii, 1859, 68.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 333. - -SP. CHAR. Head with a full rounded or globular crest. Tail even. Crown -and whole under parts bright carmine-red; rest of upper parts, -including the cheeks as far as the bill, and the lining of the wing, -dull grayish-brown; the upper tail-coverts darker; the tail almost -black; greater and middle wing-coverts and edges of secondaries and -tertials dull white towards the edges. _Female_ similar, without the -crest; the crown brown, like the back; the under parts whitish -anteriorly, streaked with brown; behind white, tinged with red or -ochraceous. Length of male about 5.50; wing, 3.25; tail, 2.75. _Young_ -resembling the female, but lacking any trace of red, and with each -feather of the upper parts bordered with whitish, producing a very -variegated appearance. - -HAB. Valleys of Rio Grande and Gila southward. Localities: Honduras -(MOORE, P. Z. S. 1859, 55); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 296); Vera Cruz, hot -to alpine regions (SUM. M. B. S. I, 557); Yucatan (LAWR. IX, 201); -Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 64). - - [Illustration: _Pyrocephalus rubineus._] - -Every stage between the youngest plumage described and the adult male -may be found in a large series of immature specimens: the shade of the -red in both sexes frequently varies, it being sometimes of a slightly -rosaceous tint, and again decidedly inclining to orange; its amount in -the female varies almost with the individual. The two South American -races (var. _nanus_ and var. _rubineus_; see synopsis) differ in -having the brown of upper parts, etc., very decidedly darker; no -appreciable light edgings to wing-feathers, and sometimes an -appreciably more intense red. One of them (_nanus_) has a distinct -white outer edge to lateral tail-feather, and slight whitish tips to -the other; the other has no more than a trace of these markings. - -HABITS. This brilliant species is a rare summer visitant to Texas, New -Mexico, Arizona, and probably Southern California. It is found -throughout Middle America. It has only within a few years been known -as a resident within our territory, but was first observed in Texas by -Captain McCown, of the United States Army, in 1850, and its claim to a -place in our fauna publicly made by Mr. G. N. Lawrence. Captain -McCown, in some notes on the habits of certain Texan birds, published -in the Annals of the N. Y. Lyceum, speaks of this Flycatcher as being -seldom seen, and of his having noticed not more than a dozen in -Western Texas. He always found them near ponds of water, in the -vicinity of the Rio Grande, generally on a tree or a stake near the -water. He only met with one nest, and this was inaccessible. It was -built on an acacia over the water. - -Lieutenant Couch, in a letter to Mr. Cassin, states that he first met -with this bird at Charco Escondido, in Tamaulipas, on the 10th of -March. The males had come in advance of the females, as the latter -were not observed until several weeks afterwards. Early in the -morning, and again about sunset, one of these birds came to the -artificial lake constructed there for the supply of water to the -inhabitants. It appeared to be of a very quiet and inoffensive -disposition, usually sitting on the upper branches of the trees, -occasionally uttering a low chirp. He subsequently met with these -birds in Nueva Leon. In their habits they appeared to be in some -respects similar to the smaller northern Flycatchers. - -Dr. Henry also met with these birds in the vicinity of Fort Webster, -in New Mexico; he found them exceedingly rare, and his observations -were confirmatory of their partiality for the neighborhood of water. -His first specimen was obtained on the Rio Mimbres, near Fort Webster, -in the month of March. - -Dr. Woodhouse met with an individual of this Flycatcher near the -settlement of Quihi, in Texas, in the month of May. It was breeding in -a thicket. He did not hear it utter any note. - -According to the observations of Mr. Sumichrast, this bird is very -abundant throughout the entire Department of Vera Cruz, common -everywhere, at all heights, in the hot, the temperate, and the alpine -regions. Mr. Dresser obtained a fine male specimen from the San Pedro -River, near San Antonio, in August. Another, a young male, was -obtained September 25. It was very shy, and made its way through the -low bushes like the Hedge Sparrow of Europe. A third was obtained -April 5, after much difficulty. It was not so shy as the others, but -kept more in the open country, always perching on some elevated place. -Its note resembled that of the _Milvulus forficatus_. - -This bird, according to Dr. Coues, is not found as far to the north as -Fort Whipple, among the mountains, though it extends up the valley of -the Colorado to an equally high latitude. It is also said to be common -in the valley of the Gila and in Southern Arizona generally. - -Mr. E. C. Taylor (Ibis, VI, p. 86) mentions finding this Flycatcher -tolerably abundant both at Ciudad Bolivar and at Barcelona, but he did -not meet with a specimen on the island of Trinidad. He notes its great -resemblance in habits to the _Muscicapæ_ of Europe. - -Dr. Kennerly reports that these birds were often observed by him at -various points on the road, from Boca Grande to Los Nogales. It -generally selected its perch on the topmost branch of some bush or -tree, awaiting the approach of its insect food, and then sallying out -to capture it. Sometimes it poised itself in a graceful manner in the -air, while its bright plumage glistened in the sun like some brightly -colored flower. - -Dr. Heermann procured a specimen of this Flycatcher at Fort Yuma, -where he was informed that it was quite common in spring. He saw other -individuals of this species at Tucson in Sonora. These birds, he -states, station themselves upon the topmost branches of trees, and -when pursued appear quite wild, flying to a considerable distance -before again alighting. - -Dr. Cooper saw at Fort Mohave, May 24, a bird which he had no doubt -was an individual of this species, but he was not able to procure it. -It perched upon the tops of bushes, and would not suffer him to -approach within shooting distance. One has since been taken by Mr. W. -W. Holden in Colorado Valley, lat. 34°, April 18. - -Mr. Joseph Leyland found this species common on the flats near Peten, -in Guatemala, as also on the pine ridges of Belize. They have, he -states, a singular habit of spinning round and round on the wing, and -then dropping suddenly with wings loose and fluttering as though -shot,—apparently done for amusement. They lay three or four -light-colored eggs in a small nest composed of light grass and lined -with cottony materials. Mr. Xantus found the nest and eggs of this -species at San José, Mexico, May 16, 1861. - - - - -FAMILY ALCEDINIDÆ.—THE KINGFISHERS. - - -CHAR. Head large; bill long, strong, straight, and sub-pyramidal, -usually longer than the head. Tongue very small. Wings short; legs -small; the outer and middle toes united to their middle. Toes with the -usual number of joints (2, 3, 4, 5). - -The gape of the bill in the Kingfishers is large, reaching to beneath -the eyes. The third primary is generally longest; the first decidedly -shorter; the secondaries vary from twelve to fifteen in number, all -nearly equal. The secondaries cover at least three quarters of the -wing. The tail is short, the feathers twelve in number; they are -rather narrow, the outer usually shorter. The lower part of the tibia -is bare, leaving the joint and the tarsus uncovered. The tarsus is -covered anteriorly with plates; behind, it is shagreen-like or -granulated. The hind toe is connected with the inner, so as to form -with it and the others a regular sole, which extends unbroken beneath -the middle and outer as far as the latter are united. The inner toe is -much shorter than the outer. The claws are sharp; the middle expanded -on its inner edge, but not pectinated. - -The North American species of Kingfisher belong to the subfamily -_Cerylinæ_, characterized by the crested head, and the plumage varying -with sex and age. The single genus _Ceryle_ includes two types, -_Streptoceryle_ and _Chloroceryle_. - - -GENUS CERYLE, BOIE. - - _Ceryle_, BOIE, Isis, 1828, 316, ch. (Type, _Alcedo rudis_ of Africa.) - _Ispida_, SW. Birds, II, 1837, 336. (Type, _A. alcyon_, in part.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill long, straight, and strong, the culmen slightly -advancing on the forehead and sloping to the acute tip; the sides much -compressed; the lateral margins rather dilated at the base, and -straight to the tip; the gonys long and ascending. Tail rather long -and broad. Tarsi short and stout. - -This genus is distinguished from typical _Alcedo_ (confined to the Old -World) by the longer tail, an indented groove on each side the culmen, -inner toe much longer than the hinder instead of equal, etc. - -The two species of North American Kingfishers belong to two different -subgenera of modern systematists, the one to _Streptoceryle_, Bonap., -the other to _Chloroceryle_, Kaup. The characters of these subgenera -are as follows:— - - Streptoceryle, Bonap. (1854). Bill very stout and thick. - Tarsus about equal to the hind toe; much shorter than the - inner anterior. Plumage without metallic gloss; the - occipital feathers much elongated, linear, and distinct. - Type, _C. alcyon_. - - Chloroceryle, Kaup (1849). Size smaller and shape more - slender than in the preceding. Bill long, thin. Tarsi - longer than hind toe; almost or quite as long as the inner - anterior. Plumage with a green metallic gloss above; the - occiput with a crest of rather short, indistinct feathers. - Type, _A. amazona_. - - [Line drawing: _Ceryle alcyon._ - 1640] - -The genus _Ceryle_ was established by Boie on the _Alcedo rudis_, of -Linnæus, an African species. Modern systematists separate the American -Kingfishers from those of the Old World, and if correct in so doing, -another generic name must be selected for the former. If the two -American sections be combined into one, _Chloroceryle_ of Kaup (type, -_Alcedo amazona_) must be taken as being the older, unless, indeed, -_Ispida_ of Swainson (1837) be admissible. This appears to have been -based on _Alcedo alcyon_, although including also some Old World -species. - - -Ceryle alcyon, BOIE. - -BELTED KINGFISHER. - - _Alcedo alcyon_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 180.—WILSON, Am. Orn. - III, 1811, 59.—AUDUBON, Orn. Biog. I, 1831, 384; pl. - lxxvii.—IB. Birds America.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 102. - _Ceryle alcyon_, BOIE, Isis, 1828, 316.—BREWER, N. Am. Oology, - I, 1857, 110, pl. iv, fig. 52 (egg).—WOOD, Am. Naturalist, - 1868, 379 (nesting).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 158.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 167.—DALL & BANNISTER, Ch. Ac. I, i, 1869, 275 - (Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 29 (Alaska).—SAMUELS, - 125.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 337.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 300. - _Megaceryle alcyon_, REICHENB. Handb. Sp. Orn. I, II, 1851, 25, - pl. ccccxii, fig. 3108-9. _Ispida ludoviciana_, GMELIN, Syst. - Nat. I, 1788, 452. “_Alcedo jaguacate_, DUMONT, Dict. Sc. Nat. - I, 1816, 455” (CASSIN). “_Alcedo guacu_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. - XIX, 1818, 406,” (CASSIN). _Streptoceryle alcyon_, CABANIS, - Mus. Hein. II, 151. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLV. - 1. Sayornis nigricans. ♂ Cal., 3906. - 2. ” fuscus. ♂ Pa., 957. - 3. ” sayus. ♂ Nevada, 52286. - 4. Nephœcetes niger. ♀ Puget Sound, 11871. - 5. Panyptila melanoleuca. ♂ Nevada, 53277. - 6. Ceryle alcyon. ♂ D. C., 25207. ½ nat. size. - 7. Chætura pelagica. ♂ Pa., 1010. - 8. ” vauxi. ♀ Puget Sound, 15955. - 9. Ceryle americana, _var._ cabanisi. ♂ Texas, 6194. ½ nat. size.] - - -SP. CHAR. Head with a long crest. Above ashy-blue, without metallic -lustre. Beneath, with a concealed band across the occiput, and a spot -anterior to the eye, pure white. A band across the breast, and the -sides of the body under the wings, like the back. Primaries white on -the basal half, the terminal unspotted. Tail with transverse bands and -spots of white. _Female_ and _young_ with sides of body and a band -across the belly below the pectoral one light chestnut; the pectoral -band more or less tinged with the same. Length of adult about 12.75 -inches; wing, 6.00. - - [Illustration: _Ceryle alcyon._] - -HAB. The entire continent of North America to Panama, including West -Indies. Localities: Honduras (MOORE, P. Z. S. 1859, 53; SCL. Ibis, II, -116); Sta. Cruz, winter (NEWTON, Ibis, I, 67); Belize (SCL. Ibis, I, -131); York Factory, H. B. T. (MURRAY, Edinb. Phil. J. Jan. 1860); Cuba -(CAB. J. IV, 101; GUNDL. Rep. I, 1866, 292); Bahamas (BRYANT, Bost. -Soc. VII, 1859); Jamaica (GOSSE, Birds Jam. 81); Orizaba (SCL. P. Z. -S. 1860, 253); Panama (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. 1861, 318 n.); Costa Rica -(CAB. J. 1862, 162; LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 118); Tobago (JARD. Ann. Mag. -19, 80); Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471); Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. -1866, 59); Sta. Bartholemy (SUND. Ofv. 1869, 585). - -This species varies considerably in size with locality, as do so many -others. Western specimens are appreciably larger, especially those -from the northwest coast. According to Nuttall and Audubon, it is the -female that has the transverse band of chestnut across the belly. In -this they may be correct; but several specimens in the Smithsonian -collection marked female (perhaps erroneously) show no indication of -the chestnut.[101] - -Two closely allied but much larger species belong to Middle and South -America. They differ in having the whole body beneath of a reddish -color. - -HABITS. The common Belted Kingfisher of North America is a widely -distributed species at all times, and in the summer is found in every -portion of North America, to the Arctic Ocean on the north, and from -the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is more or less resident throughout -the year, and in mild and open winters a few have been known to linger -throughout New England, and even in higher latitudes. In 1857 Captain -Blakiston found it remaining on the lower part of the Saskatchewan -River until the 7th of October; and afterwards, in 1859, at Pembina, -on the 1st of May, he observed them to be present, although the river -was not yet open. Those that have migrated to the south make their -reappearance in spring throughout the continent as soon as, and not -unfrequently before, the ice has disappeared from the rivers and -ponds. - -It occurs in extreme northern latitudes. Mr. MacFarlane received skins -from the Eskimos obtained on the Arctic coast, and Mr. Dall found them -breeding at Fort Yukon, where it was quite common on all the small -streams flowing into that river. It was also found by Dr. Richardson -frequenting all the large streams of the fur countries, as far at -least as the 67th parallel. In California a larger race than our -Atlantic species is found abundantly along the coast, and about nearly -every stream or lake in which the water is not turbid and muddy. - -Mr. A. Newton reports this bird as a winter visitant at St. Croix, -leaving the island late in April. It frequents mangrove swamps and the -mouths of small streams, sometimes fishing half a mile out at sea. The -stomach of one contained shells of crabs. The occurrence of two -specimens of this species in Ireland is recorded by Mr. Thompson. - -The Kingfisher is an eminently unsocial species. It is never found -other than in solitary pairs, and these are very rarely seen together. -They feed almost entirely upon fish, which they capture by plunging -into the water, and which they always swallow whole on emerging from -their bath. Undigested portions of their food, such as scales, bones, -etc., they have the power of occasionally ejecting from their -stomachs. They may usually be noticed by the side of streams, -mill-ponds, and lakes, stationed on some convenient position that -enables them to overlook a deep place suitable for their purpose, and -they rarely make a plunge without accomplishing their object. - -The cry of the Kingfisher, uttered when he is disturbed, or when -moving from place to place, and occasionally just as he is about to -make a plunge, is loud and harsh, and resembles the noise made by a -watchman’s rattle. This noise he makes repeatedly at all hours, and -most especially at night, during the breeding-season, whenever he -returns to the nest with food for his mate or young. - -They nest in deep holes excavated by themselves in the sides of -streams, ponds, or cliffs, not always in the immediate vicinity of -water. These excavations are often near their accustomed -fishing-grounds, in some neighboring bank, usually not many feet from -the ground, always in dry gravel, and sufficiently high to be in no -danger of inundation. They make their burrow with great industry and -rapidity, relieving one another from time to time, and working -incessantly until the result is satisfactorily accomplished. When -digging through a soft fine sand-bank their progress is surprising, -sometimes making a deep excavation in a single night. The pages of -“The American Naturalist” contain several animated controversies as to -the depth, the shape, and the equipments of these passages. The result -of the evidence thus given seems to be that the holes the Kingfishers -make are not less than four nor more than fifteen feet in length; that -some are perfectly straight, while some, just before their -termination, turn to the right, and others to the left; and that all -have, at or near the terminus, an enlarged space in which the eggs are -deposited. Here the eggs are usually laid on the bare sand, there -being very rarely, if ever, any attempt to construct a nest. The use -of hay, dry grass, and feathers, spoken of by the older writers, does -not appear to be confirmed by more recent testimony. Yet it is quite -possible that in certain situations the use of dry materials may be -resorted to to protect the eggs from a too damp soil. - -The place chosen for the excavation is not always near water. In the -spring of 1855 I found the nest of a Kingfisher in a bank by the side -of the carriage path on Mount Washington, more than a mile from any -water. It was a shallow excavation, made that season, and contained -fresh eggs the latter part of May. The food of the pair was taken near -the dam of a sawmill on Peabody River. In another instance a pair of -Kingfishers made their abode in a sand-bank in the midst of the -village of Hingham, within two rods of the main street, and within a -few feet of a dwelling, and not in the near vicinity of water. Here -the confidence they displayed was not misplaced. They were protected, -and their singular habits carefully and curiously watched. During the -day they were cautious, reticent, and rarely seen, but during the -night they seemed to be passing back and forth continually, the return -of each parent being announced by a loud rattling cry. Later in the -season, when the young required constant attention, these nocturnal -noises seemed nearly incessant, and became almost a nuisance to the -family. - -The Kingfisher, having once selected a situation for its nest, is very -tenacious of it, and rarely forsakes it unless compelled to by too -great annoyances. They will submit to be robbed time after time, and -still return to the same spot and renew their attempts. They are -devoted to their young, exhibit great solicitude if their safety is -threatened, and will suffer themselves to be taken from their nest -rather than leave it, and immediately return to it again. - -Mr. Dall observed a male bird of this species digging other holes in -the bank near his nest, apparently for amusement or occupation. They -were never more than two feet in length and about eight inches in -diameter. He seemed to abandon them as soon as made, though seen to -retire into one to eat a fish he had captured. - -The eggs are usually six, rarely seven, in number, and are of a -beautifully clear crystal whiteness. They are very nearly spherical in -shape, and measure 1.31 by 1.06 inches. - - - [101] This confounding of the two sexes has probably - resulted from guess-work of the collector, who, noticing the - marked difference between the male and female, and naturally - supposing the former to be the more brightly colored, marked - the rufous-breasted specimens accordingly; while the few - marked correctly may have been thus labelled after careful - dissection. - - -Ceryle americana, var. cabanisi, TSCHUDI. - -TEXAS KINGFISHER; GREEN KINGFISHER. - - _Alcedo americana_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 451 (in part). - _Ceryle americana_, LAWRENCE, Annals N. Y. Lyceum, V, 1851, 118 - (first introduction into the fauna of United States).—CASSIN, - Illustrations, I, 1855, 255.—BREWER, N. Am. Oology, I, 1857, - 3, pl. iv, f. 53 (egg).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 159, pl. - xlv.—IB. Mex. B. II; Birds 7, pl. vii.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 339. _Alcedo viridis_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. XIX, 1818, - 413 (CASSIN). _Ceryle cabanisi_, REICHENB. Handb. sp. Orn. I, - 27.—CABAN. Mus. Hein. II, 147. _Alcedo cabanisi_, TSCHUDI. - -SP. CHAR. Head slightly crested. Upper parts, together with a pectoral -and abdominal band of blotches, glossy green, as also a line on each -side the throat. Under parts generally, a collar on the back of the -neck, and a double series of spots on the quills, white. _Female_ with -a broad band of chestnut across the breast. _Young_ of both sexes -similar to the adult, but white beneath tinged with buff, and marking -on breast more obsolete. Length about 8.00; wing, 3.14. - -HAB. Rio Grande region of Texas and southward. Localities: Honduras -(SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, 358); Bogota (SCL. P. Z. S. 1853, 130); Cordova -(SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 286); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 131); Honduras -(Ibis, II, 117); S. E. Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 472, breeds); -Colorado River (COUES P. A. N. S. 1866, 59); Costa Rica (LAWR. N. Y. -Lyc. IX, 118). - -This species is much smaller than the Northern or Belted Kingfisher, -and is easily distinguishable by the diagnostic marks already given. -The sexes appear to differ, like those of _C. alcyon_, namely, the -female being distinguished by a rufous pectoral band, which is wanting -in the male. - -Tschudi and Cabanis separate the northern from the more southern bird -under the name of _C. cabanisi_; Tschudi retaining the name of _C. -americana_ for specimens resident in eastern South America. The -differences are said to consist in the larger size, longer bill, -greater extension of the white of the throat, and the decided spotting -on the wing-coverts and quills of _cabanisi_. Though these differences -are readily appreciable, they correspond so entirely with natural -laws, distinguishing northern and southern individuals of most -resident species, that it is only fair to consider them as merely -modifications of a single species. - -Several other species of _Chloroceryle_ proper are found in Tropical -America. - -HABITS. So far as is certainly known, this species is only found -within our fauna as a bird of Texas, where it is occasional, rather -than common, and confined to its western limits. From information -received, I am confident that it will yet become known as at least of -rare occurrence in Southern Florida, and possibly along the whole gulf -coast. It was first noticed as a bird of the United States by Captain -McCown, and added to our list by Mr. Lawrence, in 1851. It has since -then been occasionally taken near the Rio Grande and in all the -northeastern portions of Mexico. It is said to be found nearly -throughout Mexico, and to be abundant also in Central America. - -Mr. Dresser noticed several of these birds at Matamoras, in August, -and afterwards found them common on the Nueces and the Leona Rivers, -in which places they were breeding. In December he saw others near -Eagle Pass. They were nowhere so abundant as the common belted -species. - -Dr. Coues states that they have been observed on several points on the -Colorado River between Fort Mohave and Fort Yuma,—the only instances -of their occurrence in the United States other than on the Rio Grande. -We have but little information in regard to their habits, but there is -no reason to suppose that they differ in this respect. - -Mr. Salvin states that this species occurs abundantly everywhere upon -the small streams in the Atlantic coast region, and in the interior of -Central America. It was frequently observed near Dueñas, both on the -Guacalate and on the outlet of Lake Dueñas. And Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in -his Notes on the birds from the province of Santo Paulo, in Brazil, -states that he found this species several times in the vicinity of -shallow pools, most especially those of which the banks were well -wooded. Several times he saw them perched on logs projecting a few -feet out of the water. Dr. Burmeister speaks of this bird (var. -_americana_) as the most common species of Kingfisher in Brazil. It is -there met with everywhere near the small brooks, on the overhanging -branches, and plunging into the water after its prey, which consists -especially of small fish. It is less shy than other species, coming -quite near to the settlements and being easily shot. Its nest is found -in holes in the banks. - -Mr. E. C. Taylor also mentions finding this species pretty common in -the island of Trinidad, especially among the mangroves in the swamps -and lagoons. - -Eggs marked as those of Kingfishers were found in the collection of -the late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, and are presumed to belong to -this species, though no notes in relation to their parentage, and none -referring to this bird, were found among his papers. Except in size, -they closely resembled eggs of the _C. alcyon_, being of a pure bright -crystal-white color, and measuring 1.06 inches in length by .61 in -breadth. - - [Illustration: Sternum of _Ceryle alcyon_.] - - - - -FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ.—THE GOATSUCKERS. - - -CHAR. Bill very short; the gape enormously long and wide, opening to -beneath or behind the eyes. Culmen variable. Toes connected by a -movable skin; secondaries lengthened; plumage soft, sometimes very -full and loose, as in the Owls. - -The preceding diagnosis in connection with that of the order will -suffice to separate the _Caprimulgidæ_ from their allies. Their -closest relatives are the _Cypselidæ_, next to which perhaps may be -reckoned the _Trochilidæ_. - -In defining the subdivisions of this family, we make use of an -excellent monograph of the American species by Dr. Sclater, in -Proceedings of the Zoölogical Society, London, 1866, 123. He -establishes three subfamilies as follows:— - - I. Podarginæ. Claw of middle toe not pectinated; outer toe - with five phalanges. Sternum with two pairs of posterior - fissures. - - Outer pair of posterior sternal fissures much deeper - than inner pair; tarsus long and naked. Eggs - colorless. _Podargus_, _Batrachostomus_, _Ægotheles_, - Old World. - - Outer pair of posterior fissures much deeper than - inner pair; tarsus extremely short and feathered. - _Nyctibius_, New World. - - II. Steatornithinæ. Claw of middle toe not pectinated; - outer toe with five phalanges. Sternum with one pair of - shallow posterior fissures. Eggs colorless. _Steatornis_, - New World. - - III. Caprimulginæ. Claw of middle toe pectinated; outer - toe with four phalanges only. Sternum with one pair of - shallow posterior fissures. Eggs colored (colorless in - _Antrostomus nuttalli_, Baird). - - _a._ _Glabrirostres._ Rictus smooth. _Podager_, - _Lurocalis_, _Chordeiles_, New World. _Lyncornis_, - _Eurystopodus_, Old World. - - _b._ _Setirostres._ Rictus armed with strong bristles. - _Caprimulgus_, _Scotornis_, _Macrodipteryx_, Old World; - _Antrostomus_, _Stenopsis_, _Hydropsalis_, - _Heleothreptus_, _Nyctidromus_, _Siphonorhis_, New World. - -Dr. Sclater is of the opinion that _Podargus_ may ultimately have to -be placed in a different family from the _Caprimulgidæ_, with or -without the other genera placed under _Podarginæ_; of these -_Nyctibius_, the sole New World genus has species in Middle (including -Jamaica) and South America. _Steatornis caripensis_, the single -representative of the second subfamily, is found in Trinidad, -Venezuela, and Colombia. It lives in caverns and deep chasms of the -rocks, becoming excessively fat (whence the scientific name), and is -said to feed on fruits. The bill is large and powerful, more like that -of a Hawk than a Goatsucker. - - - - - SUBFAMILY CAPRIMULGINÆ. - - -CHAR. Outer toes with four digits only; claw of middle toe pectinated. -Sternum with one pair only of sternal fissures or notches. Toes -scutellate above. Hind toe directed a little more than half forward, -nostrils separated; rather nearer the commissure than the culmen. - -The _Caprimulginæ_ have been divided by Dr. Sclater as follows:— - - A. Glabrirostres. Rictus smooth. - - I. Tarsus stout, longer than middle toe, entirely naked _Podager_. - - II. Tarsus moderate, shorter than middle toe, more or less - clothed with feathers. - - _a._ Tail short, almost square _Lurocalis_. - - _b._ Tail elongated, a little forked _Chordeiles_. - - B. Setirostres. Rictus bristled. - - III. Aerial. Tarsi short, more or less clothed. - - _a._ Wings normal, second and third quills longest. - - 1. Tail moderate, rounded at tip _Antrostomus_. - - 2. Tail elongated, even at tip _Stenopsis_. - - 3. Tail very long, forked or bifurcate _Hydropsalis_. - - _b._ Wings abnormal in male; outer six quills nearly - equal _Heleothreptus_. - - IV. Terrestrial. Tarsi elongated, naked. - - _a._ Bill moderately broad; nasal aperture scarcely - prominent _Nyctidromus_. - - _b._ Bill very broad; nasal aperture much projecting - (Jamaica) _Siphonorhis_. - - [Line drawing: _Chordeiles popetue._ - 1605 ♂] - -Of the genera enumerated above, only two certainly belong to the fauna -of the United States (_Chordeiles_ and _Antrostomus_), although there -is some reason to suppose that _Nyctidromus_ should be included, as -among the manuscript drawings of Dr. Berlandier, of birds collected at -Matamoras on the Lower Rio Grande, is one that can be readily referred -to no other than _N. albicollis_. The briefest diagnoses of these -three genera will be as follows:— - -Chordeiles. Gape without bristles; tarsi moderate, partly feathered; -tail narrow, slightly forked; plumage rather compact. Antrostomus. -Gape with bristles; tarsi moderate, partly feathered; tail broad, -considerably rounded; plumage soft. - -Nyctidromus. Gape with bristles; tarsi lengthened, bare; tail broad, -rounded; plumage soft. - - - [102] _Nyctidromus albicollis. Caprimulgus albicollis_ and - _guianensis_, GMELIN, S. N. I, 1788, 1030. _Nyctidromus - americanus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1851, 179. _Nyctidromus - guianensis_, _derbyanus_, _grallarius_,—_affinis_ of - authors. _Nyctidromus albicollis_, SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1866, - 145. _Hab._ From Northern Mexico southward to Ecuador and - Brazil. - - -GENUS CHORDEILES, SWAINSON. - - _Chordeiles_, SWAINSON, Fauna Bor. Amer. II, 1831, 496. (Type, - _Caprimulgus virginianus_.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill small, the nostrils depressed; the gape with feeble, -inconspicuous bristles. Wings long, narrow, and pointed; the first -quill nearly or quite equal to the second. Tail rather narrow, -slightly forked; plumage quite compact. Habits diurnal or crepuscular. - -Many species of this genus belong to America, although but two that -are well characterized enter into the fauna of the United States. -These are easily distinguished as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - C. popetue. White patch on primaries extending over the - five outer quills, anterior to their middle portion. No - rufous spots on quills, anterior to the white patch. - - _a._ Dark mottling predominating on upper parts; lower - tail-coverts distinctly banded. - - Wing, 8.00; tail, 4.40. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - United States and Northwest coast var. _popetue_. - - Wing, 6.90; tail, 4.00. More rufous mottling on - scapulars and jugulum, and a decided ochraceous tinge - below. _Hab._ West Indies var. _minor_.[103] - - _b._ Light mottling predominating on upper parts; lower - tail-coverts only very indistinctly and sparsely banded. - - Size of var. _popetue_. _Hab._ Middle Province of - United States var. _henryi_. - - C. acutipennis. White patch on primaries extending over - only four outer quills, and beyond their middle portion; - distinct rufous spots on quills, anterior to the white - patch. - - Wing, 6.20 to 6.50; tail, 3.90 to 4.10. _Hab._ South - America var. _acutipennis_.[104] - - Wing, 7.00 to 7.30; tail, 4.40 to 4.75; Colors not - appreciably different. _Hab._ Middle America, north - into southern border of United States var. _texensis_. - - - [103] _Chordeiles popetue_, var. _minor_, CABANIS. - _Chordeiles minor_, CAB. Journ. f. Orn. 1856, p. - 5.—SCLATER, Catal. Am. B. 1862, 279. _Ch. gundlachi_, LAWR. - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, 165. - - [104] _Chordeiles acutipennis_, (BODD.) CASS. _Caprimulgus - acutipennis_, BODDÆRT, Tab. Pl. Enl. p. 46 (1783). - _Chordeiles a._ CASSIN, P. A. N. S. 1851 (Catalogue of - _Caprimulgidæ_, in Mus. Philad. Acad.). _Caprimulgus - acutus_, GMEL. _C. pruinosus_, TSCHUDI. _C. exilis_, LESSON. - _Chordeiles labeculatus_, JARDINE. “_Caprimulgus - semitorquatus_, L., GM., PR. MAX.” TSCHUDI. _Chordeiles - peruvianus_, PEALE. _Hab._ South America. - - -Chordeiles popetue, var. popetue, BAIRD. - -NIGHT-HAWK; BULL-BAT. - - _Caprimulgus popetue_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 56, pl. - xxiv ♀. _Chordeiles popetue_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 151.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. IV, 1864, 113 (Br. Col. - nesting).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 166.—SAMUELS, 122. _Caprimulgus - americanus_, WILSON, V, 1812, 65, pl. cxl. f. 1, 2. _Chordeiles - americanus_, DEKAY, N. Y. Zoöl. II, 1844, 34, pl. xxvii. - _Caprimulgus virginianus_, BRISSON, II, 1760, 477 (in part - only).—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 273, pl. cxlvii.—MAX. Cab. - J. VI, 1858.—WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, 373 (nesting). - _Caprimulgus (Chordeiles) virginianus_, SW. F. Bor.-Am. II. - 1831, 62. _Chordeiles virginianus_, BON. List, 1838.—AUD. - Birds Am. I, 1840, 159, pl. xliii.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. and - Oregon Route, 79; Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, 1857. _Long-winged - Goatsucker_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 1785, 337. - - [Illustration: _Chordeiles popetue._] - -SP. CHAR. Male, above greenish-black, but with little mottling on the -head and back. Wing-coverts varied with grayish; scapulars with -yellowish-rufous. A nuchal band of fine gray mottling, behind which is -another coarser one of rufous spots. A white V-shaped mark on the -throat; behind this a collar of pale rufous blotches, and another on -the breast of grayish mottling. Under parts banded transversely with -dull yellowish or reddish-white and brown. Wing-quills quite uniformly -brown. The five outer primaries with a white blotch (about half an -inch long) midway between the tip and carpal joint, not extending on -the outer web of the outer quill. Tail with a terminal white patch, -which does not reach the outer edge of the feathers. _Female_ without -the caudal white patch, the white tail-bands more mottled, the white -of the throat mixed with reddish. Length of male, 9.50; wing, 8.20. - -HAB. United States and north to Hudson Bay; in winter visits Greater -Antilles, and southward to Central America (Rio Janeiro, PELZELN); -said to breed in Jamaica. In Rocky Mountains, replaced by the variety -_henryi_. Localities: Trout Lake, H. B. T. (MURRAY, Edinb. Phil. -Journ. 1860); Bahamas (BRYANT, Bost. Soc. VII, 1859); Guatemala. (SCL. -Ibis, II, 275); Cuba (LAWR.); Jamaica (MARCH, P. A. N. S. 1863, 285, -breeds); Matamoras (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471, breeds); Rio Janeiro, -January (PELZ., Orn. Bras. I, 14); Veragua (SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1870, -203). - -HABITS. The common Night-Hawk of North America is a very common -species throughout a widely extended area, and within the United -States breeds wherever found. Its range extends from Florida and Texas -to the extreme northern latitudes, and from the Atlantic at least to -the great Central Plains. It has been found as far to the south as -Panama. - -At Matamoras Mr. Dresser found this species abundant during the summer -season, and towards dusk thousands of these birds and of _C. texensis_ -and _C. henryi_ might be seen flying in towards the river from the -prairies, this one being the least common of the three. In Northern -Florida it is also a common species, and I have rarely received any -collection of eggs from that State without the eggs of this bird being -found among them. They are known there as Bull-bats. - -In many of its habits, as well as in its well-marked generic -distinctions, this species exhibits so many and such well-marked -differences from the Whippoorwill that there seem to be no good -reasons for confounding two birds so very unlike. It is especially -much less nocturnal, and has, strictly speaking, no claim to its -common name, as indicating it to be a bird of the night, which it is -not. It is crepuscular, rather than nocturnal, and even this habit is -more due to the flight of the insects upon which it feeds at morning -and at evening than to any organization of the bird rendering it -necessary. It may not unfrequently be seen on the wing, even in bright -sunny weather, at midday, in pursuit of its winged prey. This is -especially noticeable with such birds as are wont to frequent our -large cities, which may be seen throughout all hours of the day -sailing high in the air. Generally, however, it is most lively early -in the morning and just before nightfall, when its supply of insect -food is most abundant. But it is never to be found on the wing after -dark. As soon as the twilight deepens into the shades of night all -retire to rest as regularly, if not at quite as early an hour, as -other birds in regard to the diurnal habits of which there is no -question. - -This species appears to be equally abundant throughout the fur -countries, where, Dr. Richardson states, few birds are better known. -In the higher latitudes to which these birds resort the sun does not -set during their stay, and all their pursuit of insects must be made -by sunlight. - -In the winter this species leaves the United States, retiring to -Mexico, Central America, and the northern portions of South America. -Specimens from Mexico were in the Rivoli collection. They were taken -by Barruel in Nicaragua, by Salvin in Guatemala, in Jamaica by Gosse, -and in Cuba by both Lembeye and Gundlach. - -The movements, evolutions, and general habits of this species, in the -pursuit of their prey, bear little resemblance to those of the -_Antrostomi_, but are much more like those of the _Falconidæ_. They -fly high in the air, often so high as to be hardly visible, and -traverse the air, moving backward and forward in the manner of a Hawk. -At times they remain perfectly stationary for several moments, and -then suddenly and rapidly dart off, their wings causing a very -peculiar vibratory sound. As they fly they utter a very loud and -shrill cry which it is almost impossible to describe, but often -appearing to come from close at hand when the bird is high in the air. -Richardson compares this sound to the vibration of a tense cord in a -violent gust of wind. - -In some of the peculiarities of its breeding the Mosquito-Hawk -displays several very marked variations of habit from the -Whippoorwill. While the latter always deposits its eggs under the -cover of shady trees and in thick woods, these birds select an open -rock, a barren heath, or an exposed hillside for their breeding-place. -This is not unfrequently in wild spots in the vicinity of a wood, but -is always open to the sun. I have even known the eggs carelessly -dropped on the bare ground in a corner of a potato-field, and have -found the female sitting on her eggs in all the bright glare of a -noonday sun in June, and to all appearance undisturbed by its -brilliance. A more common situation for the eggs is a slight hollow of -a bare rock, the dark weather-beaten shades of which, with its brown -and slate-colored mosses and lichens, resembling both the parent and -the egg in their coloring, are well adapted to screen them from -observation or detection. - -The great abundance of insect life of certain kinds in the vicinity of -our large cities has of late years attracted these birds. Each summer -their number in Boston has perceptibly increased, and through June and -July, at almost all hours of the day, most especially in the -afternoon, they may be seen or heard sailing high in the air over its -crowded streets. The modern style of house-building, with flat Mansard -roofs, has also added to the inducements, affording safe and -convenient shelter to the birds at night, and serving also for the -deposition of their eggs. In quite a number of instances in the -summers of 1870 and 1871 they were known to lay their eggs and to rear -their young on the flat roofs of houses in the southern and western -sections of the city. I have also been informed by the late Mr. -Turnbull, of Philadelphia, that the flat roofs of large warehouses -near the river in that city are made similar use of. - -If approached when sitting on her eggs, the female will suffer herself -to be almost trodden on before she will leave them, and when she does -it is only to tumble at the feet of the intruder and endeavor to draw -him away from her treasures by well-feigned lameness and pretended -disability. Her imitation of a wounded bird is so perfect as to -deceive almost any one not aware of her cunning devices. - -The eggs of this bird are always two in number, elliptical in shape, -and equally obtuse at either end. They exhibit marked variations in -size, in ground-color, and in the shades and number of their markings. -In certain characteristics and in their general effect they are alike, -and all resemble oblong-oval dark-colored pebble-stones. Their safety -in the exposed positions in which they are laid is increased by this -resemblance to the stones among which they lie. They vary in length -from 1.30 to 1.13 inches, and in breadth from .84 to .94 of an inch. -Their ground is of various shades of stone-color, in some of a dirty -white, in others with a tinge of yellow or blue, and in yet others a -clay-color. The markings are more or less diffused over the entire -egg, and differ more or less with each specimen, the prevailing colors -being varying shades of slate and of yellowish-brown. With all these -variations the eggs are readily recognizable, and bear no resemblance -to any others except those of _texensis_ and _henryi_. From the former -they are easily distinguished by the greater size, but from the latter -they can only be separated by considerations of locality. - - -Chordeiles popetue, var. henryi, CASSIN. - -WESTERN NIGHT-HAWK. - - _Chordeiles henryi_, CASSIN, Illust. Birds of Cal. & Tex. I, 1855, - 233.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 153, pl. xvii.—SCLATER, P. Z. - S. 1866, 133.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 343. - -SP. CHAR. Similar to var. _popetue_, but the male considerably -lighter, with a greater predominance of the light mottlings, producing -a more grayish aspect; the female more rufous. Wing-patch of the male -larger (at least an inch long), and, like the tail-patch, crossing the -whole breadth of the feather. - -HAB. Western Province of North America, except Pacific Coast region. -Matamoras to San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471); Arizona -(COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 58). - -In examining a large series of Night-Hawks, we find the differences -indicated above, in specimens from the Black Hills, Rocky Mountains, -and the adjacent regions, to be quite decided and constant. Skins, -however, from Washington, Oregon, and California, seem darker even -than the typical eastern. There is no prominent difference beyond the -lighter colors of male, and greater distinctness, extent, and purity -of the white or light markings, and in the white patches of wing and -tail, crossing the outer webs of all the feathers; the general -proportions and pattern of coloration being quite the same. It will -therefore seem proper to consider _C. henryi_ as a local race, -characteristic of the region in which it occurs, and as such -noteworthy, but not entitled to independent rank. - -Another race, _C. minor_, Cab., similar to var. _popetue_, but -considerably smaller (7.50, wing, 7.00), is resident in Cuba and -Jamaica. _C. popetue_ is also said to breed in the latter island, but -_minor_ is probably referred to. - -HABITS. This form, whether we regard it as a good species, or only a -western race of the common Night-Hawk, was first described as a new -variety by Mr. Cassin, in 1855, from specimens procured at Fort -Webster, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, in honor of whom it was named. Its -claim to be considered a distinct race or species rests chiefly upon -its constantly different colorations. - -Dr. Cooper, who regarded this form not specifically distinct from the -Night-Hawk, states that it is not found near the coast border of -California. - -Dr. Kennerly encountered it in abundance in the vicinity of Los -Nogales, in Sonora, in June. Late in the afternoon they came in great -numbers around the camp. They kept circling round and round, and -approached the earth nearer and nearer with the declining sun. - -Mr. Dresser found them very abundant at Matamoras, and as far east as -the Sal Colorado, beyond which he did not meet with any. About dusk, -thousands of these birds might be seen flying in towards the river -from the prairies. At San Antonio, where Mr. Dresser found both _C. -popetue_ and _C. texensis_, he never procured a single specimen of -this bird, nor did Dr. Heermann ever meet with one there. - -Dr. Coues says these birds are abundant throughout the Territory of -Arizona. At Fort Whipple it is a summer resident, arriving in April -and remaining until October, being particularly numerous in August and -September. Mr. Drexler made a large collection of these birds at Fort -Bridger, in Utah, all of which showed such constant differences from -eastern specimens as to indicate in his opinion the propriety of a -specific separation. - -An egg of this bird taken at Fort Crook, California, by Lieutenant -Fulner, measures 1.25 inches in length by .92 of an inch in breadth. -While resembling in general effect an egg of _C. popetue_, it is -lighter in colorings, and varies from any of that bird I have ever -seen. Its ground-color is that of clay, over which are diffused -curious aggregations of small spots and cloudings of yellowish-brown, -mingled with lilac. These markings are quite small and separate, but -are grouped in such close proximity into several collections as to -give them the appearance of large blotches; and the blending of these -two shades is so general as to produce the effect of a color quite -different from either, except upon a close inspection, or an -examination through a magnifying glass. - -This variety was met with at the Forks of the Saskatchewan, in June, -1858, by Captain Blakiston, and specimens were obtained on the -Saskatchewan Plains, by M. Bourgeau, in the summer of the same year. -The latter also procured its eggs. These are said to have been three -in number, described as light olive, blotched with black more thickly -at one end than the other. No mention of shape is made. This -description, incomplete as it is, indicates a great dissimilarity with -eggs of this bird, fully identified in the Smithsonian collection. - -The western variety was met with by Mr. Ridgway throughout the entire -extent of his route across the Great Basin. It bred everywhere, laying -its eggs on the bare ground, beneath a sage-bush, usually on the -foot-hills of the mountains, or on the mesas. In August and September -they congregate in immense flocks, appearing in the evening. Not the -slightest difference in habits, manners, or notes, was observed -between this and the eastern Night-Hawk. - - -Chordeiles acutipennis, var. texensis, LAWRENCE. - -TEXAS NIGHT-HAWK. - - _Chordeiles brasilianus_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum, V, May, 1851, - 114 (not of GMELIN).—CASSIN, Ill. I, 1855, 238. _Chordeiles - sapiti_, BON. Conspectus Avium, I, 1849, 63. _Chordeiles - texensis_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, Dec. 1856, - 167.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 154, pl. xliv.—IB. M. B. II, - Birds, 7, pl. vi.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 345. _Caprimulgus - texensis_, WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, 376 (nesting). - -SP. CHAR. Much smaller than _C. virginianus_, but somewhat similar. -White on the wing extending over only four outer primaries, the bases -of which, as well as the remaining ones, with other quills, have round -rufous spots on both webs. Under tail-coverts and abdomen with a -strong yellowish-rufous tinge. Female more rufous and without the -white spot of the tail. Length, 8.75; wing, 7.00. - -HAB. Basins of Rio Grande, Gila, and Colorado Rivers, and west to Gulf -of California; South as far, at least, as Costa Rica. Localities: -Matamoras to San Antonio (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471, breeds); W. -Arizona (COUES; P. A. N. S. 1866, 58); Costa Rica (LAWR. An. N. Y. -Lyc. IX, 120); Yucatan (LAWR. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 204). - -The markings of this species are quite different from those of -_Chordeiles popetue_. In average specimens the prevailing color above -may be described as a mixed gray, yellowish-rusty, black, and brown, -in varied but very fine mottlings. The top of the head is rather -uniformly brown, with a few mottlings of grayish-rusty, although the -concealed portion of the feathers is much varied. On the nape is a -finely mottled collar of grayish and black, not very conspicuously -defined, and rather interrupted on the median line. A similar collar -is seen on the forepart of the breast. The middle of the back and the -rump exhibit a coarser mottling of the same without any rufous. The -scapulars and wing-coverts are beautifully variegated, much as in some -of the Waders, the pattern very irregular and scarcely capable of -definition. There are, however, a good many large round spots of pale -yellowish-rusty, very conspicuous among the other markings. There is -quite a large blotch of white on the wing, situated considerably -nearer the tip than the carpal joint. It only involves four primaries, -and extends across both outer and inner webs. The four first primaries -anterior to the white blotches, and the remaining ones nearly from -their tips, exhibit a series of large round rufous spots not seen in -the other North American species. The other wing-quills have also -similar markings. There is a large V-shaped white mark on the throat, -as in _C. virginianus_, though rather larger proportionally. Posterior -to this there are some rather conspicuous blotches of rufous, -behind which is the obscure finely mottled collar of gray and brown -already referred to. The breast and remaining under parts are dull -white transversely banded with brown, with a strong tinge of -yellowish-rufous on the abdomen, about the vent, and on the under -tail-coverts. The tail is dark brown with about eight transverse bars -of lighter; the last are white, and extend across both vanes; the -others less continuous, and yellowish-rufous beneath as well as above, -especially on the inner vane. - -The females are quite similar, but lack the white patch of the tail, -have more numerous rufous spots on quills, and are perhaps more -fulvous in general appearance. Young birds, however, would hardly be -recognized as the same, except when taken with adults, owing to the -predominance of a pale cinnamon shade above, and a decided tinge of -the same on all the white and gray markings. Nearly all the primaries -have a border of this color. - -The variety _acutipennis_ of South America (see synopsis) is very -similar, differing merely in smaller dimensions. - -HABITS. The Texan Night-Hawk occurs in the valley of the Rio Grande -from Texas on the east, through New Mexico, Arizona, Southern -California, and Cape San Lucas. It is found in the northern provinces -of Mexico during the summer months, and thence southward to Central -America. It was found at Dueñas, in Guatemala, by Mr. Salvin, and also -at Coban. Mr. Xantus found it breeding at Cape San Lucas in May. - -This species was first added to our fauna by Mr. Lawrence, in 1851, as -a bird of Texas, supposed to be _C. brasilianus_, and in 1856 -described by the same writer as a new species. - -According to Dr. Cooper, it makes its first appearance at Fort Mohave -by the 17th of April, and soon after becomes quite numerous, hunting -in companies after sunset, and hiding during the day on the ground -under low bushes. By the 25th of May they had all paired, but -continued nearly silent, making only a low croaking when approached. -They flew in the manner of the common species, but seemed to sail in -rather smaller circles. Dr. Cooper found them as far west as the Coast -Mountains. - -Dr. Coues states that this species is common in the Colorado Valley, -even farther north than the latitude of Fort Whipple. It was not, -however, met with by him at that port, nor indeed for some fifty miles -to the south of it, and then only in the summer. He adds that it -extends from the Rio Grande Valley westward to the Pacific. It was -found abundant at Cape St. Lucas by Dr. Xantus. - -Mr. Dresser found it very common at Matamoras during the summer -season, and thence to San Antonio and to the eastward of that place. -At San Antonio, in the spring, he first noticed them on the 2d of May, -when he saw seven or eight flying about at noonday. A few days later -they had become very numerous. They remained about San Antonio until -the end of September, and soon after disappeared. He noticed none -later than the first week in October. - -Mr. J. H. Clark met with this species at Ringgold Barracks, Texas, in -June. They were to be seen sitting about in the heat of the day, at -which time they could be easily approached. During the hottest days -they did not sally forth in quest of food until late in the evening. -On one occasion, near El Paso, Mr. Clark saw these birds congregated -in such quantities over a mud-hole from which were issuing myriads of -insects, that he felt that the discharge among them of mustard-seed -shot would involve a wanton destruction. This species is not known, -according to his account, to make a swoop in the manner of the common -species. It does not utter the same hoarse sounds, nor does it ever -fly so high. - -Among the notes of the late Dr. Berlandier, of Matamoras, we find -references to this species, to which he gives the common name of -_Pauraque_, and in his collection of eggs are many that unquestionably -are those of this bird, and which are, in all respects but size, in -close affinity to the eggs of the common Night-Hawk. These eggs -measure 1.18 inches in length by .87 of an inch in breadth. Their -ground-color, seen through a magnifying glass, is of clear crystal -whiteness, but is so closely covered by overlaying markings as not to -be discernible to the eye. They are marked over the entire surface -with small irregular confluent spots and blotches, which are a -blending of black, umber, and purplish-gray markings. These -combinations give to the egg the appearance of a piece of polished -marble of a dark gray color. They are both smaller and of a lighter -color than those of the common eastern bird. - - -GENUS ANTROSTOMUS, GOULD. - - _Antrostomus_, GOULD, ICONES AVIUM, 1838. (Type, _Caprimulgus - carolinensis_, GM.) - - [Illustration: _Antrostomus nuttalli._] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill very small, with tubular nostrils, and the gape with -long, stiff, sometimes pectinated bristles projecting beyond the end -of the bill. Tarsi moderate, partly feathered above. Tail broad, -rounded; wings broad and rounded; first quill shorter than third; -plumage soft and lax. Habit nocturnal. - -In what the genus _Antrostomus_ really differs from _Caprimulgus_ -proper, we are quite unable to say, as in the many variations of form -of both New and Old World species of these two divisions respectively, -it is said to be not difficult to find species in each, almost -identical in form. In the want of suitable material for comparison, we -shall follow Sclater in using _Antrostomus_ for the New World species. - - -Species and Varieties.[105] - - A. Bristles of gape with lateral filaments. Light - tail-spaces confined to inner web of feathers. - - _Dark markings on crown longitudinal. Ochraceous or - white gular collar in form of a narrow band across - jugulum._ - - A. carolinensis. Throat ochraceous, with sparse, - narrow, transverse bars of black; jugular collar more - whitish, with broader but more distant black bars. - Crissum barred, and inner webs of primaries with black - prevailing. Wing, 8.90; tail, 6.30. _Hab._ Louisianian - region of the Eastern Province of United States - (Florida and the Carolinas to Arkansas). Costa Rica. - - B. Bristles of gape without lateral filaments; light - tail-spaces covering both webs. - - _a._ Throat black, with sparse, narrow, transverse bars - of pale brown. Crissum barred, and inner webs of - primaries with black greatly predominating. - - A. macromystax. Crown pale brown and whitish very - coarsely mottled with dusky; lower parts clouded with - whitish, in conspicuous contrast with the ground - color. Light tail patch restricted to less than - terminal third, and decreasing in breadth toward the - middle feathers. Bristles of gape enormously long and - stout; bill compressed, nostrils large. - - White patch on end of tail confined to three outer - feathers, and decreasing very rapidly in extent to - the inner. Wing, 6.60; tail, 5.30; rictal bristles, - 1.40. _Hab._ Mexico (Mirador, La Parada) var. _macromystax_.[106] - - White patch on end of tail, on four outer feathers, - and just appreciably decreasing in extent toward the - inner. Wing, 7.00; tail, 5.50; rictal bristles, - 2.00. _Hab._ Cuba var. _cubanensis_.[107] - - A. vociferus. Crown ash, finely mottled or minutely - sprinkled with dusky; lower parts without whitish - cloudings. White tail-patch covering more than - terminal half, and decreasing in breadth toward the - outer feather. Bristles of gape moderate, slender; - bill weaker, less compressed, and nostrils smaller. - Wing, 6.40; tail, 5.10; rictal bristles, 1.50 or less. - _Hab._ Eastern Province of North America, south to - Guatemala. - - _Dark markings of crown transverse. Gular collar pure - white, covering nearly whole throat._ - - _b._ Throat pure white, without any markings. Crissum - immaculate; inner webs of primaries with ochraceous very - largely predominating. - - A. nuttalli. White space of tail occupying about the - terminal fourth, or less, on three feathers, and - gradually decreasing inwardly. Wing, 5.75; tail, 3.90; - rictal bristles less than 1.00. _Hab._ Western - Province of United States, from the Plains to the - Pacific. - - - [105] The females differ simply in having the light - tail-space much reduced in size, and dull ochraceous, - instead of whitish; in that of _carolinensis_ it is wanting - altogether. - - [106] _Antrostomus macromystax_ (WAGL.?) SCLATER, P. Z. S. - 1866, 137 (La Parada, Mex.). _? Caprimulgus macromystax_, - WAGL. Isis, 1831, p. 533. - - [107] _Antrostomus macromystax_, var. _cubanensis_ (LAWR.) - _Antrostomus cubanensis_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, May, - 1860, p. 260. - - -Antrostomus carolinensis, GOULD. - -CHUCK-WILL’S WIDOW. - - _Caprimulgus carolinensis_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 1028.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 273, pl. lii; V, 1839, 401.—IB. Birds Am. - I, 1840, 151, pl. xli.—WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, 368 - (nesting). _Antrostomus carolinensis_, GOULD, Icones Avium, - 1838?—CASSIN, Illust. N. Am. Birds, I, 1855, 236.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 147.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 300. _Caprimulgus - rufus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 57, pl. xxv (♀). - _Caprimulgus brachypterus_, STEPHENS, Shaw’s Zoöl. X, I, 1825? - 150. _Short-winged Goatsucker_, PENNANT, Arctic Zoöl. II, 1785, - 434. - - [Line drawing: _Antrostomus carolinensis._ - 6493 ♂] - -SP. CHAR. Bristles of the bill with lateral filaments. Wing nearly -nine inches long. Top of the head finely mottled reddish-brown, -longitudinally streaked with black. The prevailing shade above and -below pale rufous. Terminal two-thirds of the tail-feathers (except -the four central) rufous white; outer webs of all mottled, however, -nearly to the tips. _Female_ without the white patch on the tail. -Length, 12.00; wing, 8.50. - -HAB. South Atlantic and Gulf States to Veragua; Cuba in winter. Cuba -(CABAN. J. IV, 6, winter); San Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, -70, breeds); Costa Rica (LAWR. IX, 120); Veragua (SALVIN, P. Z. S. -1870, 303). - -This, according to Sclater, is the largest of the _Antrostomi_ and the -only species with lateral filaments to the bristles of the mouth. - -The extent of the white spaces on the inner webs of tail-feathers -varies with the individual, but in none does it occupy less than the -terminal half. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLVI. - 1. Antrostomus carolinensis. ♂ Florida, 17160. - 2. ” vociferus. ♂ D. C., 12085. - 3. ” nuttalli. ♂ Wyoming, 38324. - 4. Chordeiles henryi. ♂ Wyoming, 38323. - 5. ” texensis. ♂ Texas, 42189. - 6. Centronyx ochrocephalus. Colorado. - 7. Setophaga picta. ♂ Mexico, 30705. - 8. Peucæa carpalis. Arizona, 62372. - 9. Passerculus caboti. Nahant, 62373.] - -The _A. rufus_ (_Caprimulgus rufus_, BODD. et GMEL. ex Pl. Enl. 735 -(?); _Antrostomus r._ SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1866, 136; _A. rutilus_, BURM. -Syst. Ueb. II, 385) and _A. ornatus_ (SCL. P. Z. S. 1866, 586, pl. -xlv), of South America, appear to be the nearest relatives of this -species, agreeing very closely in coloration; but both have the rictal -bristles simple, without lateral filaments, and would thus seem to be -distinct species. In the latter, the white spaces of the tail are -found only on the second and third feathers, instead of on the outer -three, while the former is said to have no such markings at all. - -HABITS. The exact extent of the geographical range of this species is -not very clearly defined. Rarely anywhere a very abundant species, it -is more common throughout Florida than in any other State. It is also -found, more or less frequently, in the States of Georgia, South -Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Dr. Woodhouse -mentions finding it common in the Creek and Cherokee countries of the -Indian Territory, and also extending into Texas and New Mexico. Mr. -Dresser noticed several of this species on the Medina River, in Texas, -April 28, and afterwards in May. On the 18th of the same month he -again found it very numerous at New Braunfels, and also, on the 20th, -at Bastrop. Dr. Heermann states that these birds visit the -neighborhood of San Antonio in the spring, and remain there to raise -their young. - -James River, Virginia, has been assigned as the extreme northern limit -of its migrations, but I can find no evidence of its occurring so far -north, except as an accidental visitant. Wilson, indeed, claims to -have met with it between Richmond and Petersburg, and also on the -Cumberland River. Dr. Bachman states that it is not a common bird even -in the neighborhood of Charleston. Mr. Audubon, who claimed to be a -very close and careful observer of the habits of this species, states -that it is seldom to be met with beyond the then southern limits of -the Choctaw nation, in Mississippi, or the Carolinas on the Atlantic -coast. - -I have been informed by Dr. Kollock that these birds are rather common -at Cheraw, in the northern part of South Carolina. Dr. Bryant found -them quite abundant near Indian River, in Florida, though he makes no -mention of them in his paper on the birds of that State. Mr. Cassin -informed me that Colonel McCall met with this bird in New Mexico. -Lembeye includes it among the birds of Cuba, but in reality refers to -_cubanensis_. - -These birds, according to Mr. Audubon, are not residents, but make -their appearance within the United States about the middle of March. -They are nocturnal in their habits, remaining silent and keeping -within the shady recesses of the forests during the daytime. As soon -as the sun has disappeared and the night insects are in motion, this -species issues forth from its retreat, and begins to give utterance to -the peculiar cries from which it receives its trivial name, and which -are said to resemble the syllables _chuck-wills-wi-dow_. These sounds -are said to be repeated with great rapidity, yet with clearness and -power, six or seven times in as many seconds. They are only uttered -for a brief period in the early evening. - -Mr. Audubon states that deep ravines, shady swamps, and extensive pine -groves, are resorted to by this species for safety during the day, and -for food during the night. Their notes are seldom heard in cloudy -weather, and never during rain. They roost in hollow trees, standing -as well as prostrate, which they never leave by day except during -incubation. He adds that whenever he has surprised them in such -situations they never attempt to make their escape by flying out, but -draw back to the farthest corner, ruffle their feathers, open their -mouths to the fullest extent, and utter a hissing sound. When taken to -the light, they open and close their eyes in rapid succession, snap -their bills in the manner of a Flycatcher, and attempt to shuffle off. -When given their liberty, they fly straight forward until quite out of -sight, readily passing between the trees in their course. - -The flight of this bird is light, like that of the Whippoorwill, and -even more elevated and graceful. It is performed by easy flapping of -the wings, with occasional sailings and curving sweeps. It sweeps, at -night, over the open fields, ascending, descending, or sailing with -graceful motions in pursuit of night beetles, moths, and other -insects, repeatedly passing and repassing over the same area, and -occasionally alighting on the ground to capture its prey. Occasionally -it pauses to alight on a stake or a tall plant, and again utters its -peculiar refrain, and then resumes its search for insects. And thus it -passes pleasant summer nights. - -Like all the birds of this family, the Chuck-will’s Widow makes no -nest, but deposits her eggs on the ground, often among a collection of -dry deciduous leaves, in the forest. These are two in number, and the -spot chosen for them are thickets, and the darker and more solitary -portions of woods. Dr. Bryant, who took several of their eggs in -Florida, informed me that they were in each instance found deposited -on beds of dry leaves, but with no attempt at any nest, and always in -thick woods. - -Sometimes, Mr. Audubon thinks, the parent bird scratches a small space -on the ground, among the leaves, before she deposits her eggs. If -either their eggs or their young are meddled with, these birds are -sure to take the alarm and transport them to some distant part of the -forest. In this both parents take part. After this removal Mr. Audubon -found it impossible, even with the aid of a dog, to find them again. -On one occasion he actually witnessed the act of removal of the eggs, -and presumed that they also treat the young in the same manner when -they are quite small. The eggs were carried off in the capacious -mouths of these birds, each parent taking one and flying off, skimming -closely to the ground until lost to sight among the branches and the -trees. To what distance they were carried he was unable to ascertain. - -During the period of incubation they are silent, and do not repeat -their peculiar cries until just before they are preparing to depart on -their southern migrations, in August. - -The food of these birds consists chiefly, if not altogether, of the -larger nocturnal insects, for swallowing which their mouths are -admirably adapted, opening with a prodigious expansion, and assisted -by numerous long bristles, which prevent the escape of an insect once -within their enclosure. In a single instance the remains of a small -bird are said to have been found within the stomach of one of this -species. - -The inner side of each middle claw of the _Chuck-will’s Widow_ is -deeply pectinated. The apparent use of this appendage, as in the other -species in which it is found, appears to be as an aid in adjusting the -plumage, and perhaps to assist in removing vermin. - -The eggs of this bird are never more than two in number. They are oval -in shape, large for the size of the bird, and alike at either end. -Their ground-color is a clear crystal white. They are more or less -spotted, and marked over their entire surface with blotches of varying -size, of a dark purplish-brown, and cloudings of a grayish-lavender -color, with smaller occasional markings of a light raw-umber brown. In -shape and markings they very closely resemble those of the -Whippoorwill, differing chiefly in their much larger size. They -measure 1.44 inches in length by 1.06 in breadth. - - -Antrostomus vociferus, BONAP. - -WHIPPOORWILL. - - _Caprimulgus vociferus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. V, 1812, 71, pl. xli, f. - 1, 2, 3.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 443; V, 405, pl. lxxxv.—IB. - Birds Am. I, 1840, 155, pl. xlii.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 98. - _Antrostomus vociferus_, BONAP. List, 1838.—CASSIN, J. A. N. - Sc. II, 1852, 122.—IB. Ill. I, 1855, 236.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 148.—SAMUELS, 119.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 300. _Caprimulgus - virginianus_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. I, 1807, 55, pl. xxv. - “_Caprimulgus clamator_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. X, 1817, 234” - (CASSIN). _Caprimulgus vociferans_, WARTHAUSEN, Cab. J. 1868, - 369 (nesting). - -SP. CHAR. Bristles without lateral filaments. Wing about 6.50 inches -long. Top of the head ashy-brown, longitudinally streaked with black. -Terminal half of the tail-feathers (except the four central) dirty -white on both outer and inner webs. Length, 10.00; wing, 6.50. -_Female_ without white on the tail. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Plains; south to Guatemala -(Tehuantepec, Orizaba, Guatemala). Coban (SALV. Ibis, II, 275). - -In this species the bristles at the base of the bill, though stiff and -long, are without the lateral filaments of the Chuck-will’s Widow. The -wings are rather short; the second quill longest; the first -intermediate between the third and fourth. The tail is rounded; the -outer feathers about half an inch shorter than the middle ones. - -The colors of this species are very difficult to describe, although -there is quite a similarity to those of _A. carolinensis_, from which -its greatly inferior size will at once distinguish it. The top of the -head is an ashy gray, finely mottled, with a broad median stripe of -black; all the feathers with a narrow stripe of the same along their -centres. The back and rump are somewhat similar, though of a different -shade. There is a collar of white on the under side of the neck, -posterior to which the upper part of the breast is finely mottled, -somewhat as on the top of the head. The belly is dirty white, with -indistinct transverse bands and mottlings of brown. The wings are -brown; each quill with a series of round rufous spots on both webs, -quite conspicuous on the outer side of the primaries when the wings -are folded. The terminal half of the outer three tail-feathers is of a -dirty white. - -The female is smaller; the collar on the throat is tinged with -fulvous. The conspicuous white patch of the tail is wanting, the tips -only of the outer three feathers being of a pale brownish-fulvous. - -Mexican and Guatemalan specimens are identical with those from the -United States. - -HABITS. The well-known Whippoorwill has an extended range throughout -the eastern portion of North America, from the Atlantic to the valley -of the Missouri, and from Southern Florida to about the 50th parallel -of north latitude. Dr. Richardson observed this bird on the northern -shores of Lake Huron, but did not meet with it at any point farther -north. It is found throughout New England and in portions of New -Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but is rare in the latter places, and is -not common in the vicinity of Calais. It breeds from Florida -northward. It has not been found as far west as Texas. It was noticed -by Mr. Say at Pembina. It is given by Dr. Hall, of Montreal, as common -in that neighborhood, and by Mr. McIlwraith as an abundant summer -resident around Hamilton, Canada. Dr. Lembeye names it as a resident -Cuban species, and Dr. Gundlach informed me that he had taken its eggs -within that island. I have also received its eggs from various -portions of Florida. - -The Whippoorwill is nowhere a resident species in any portion of the -United States. They make their appearance in the Southern States early -in March, and very gradually proceed northward, entering Pennsylvania -early in April, but not being seen in New York or New England until -the last of that month, and sometimes not until the 10th of May. Mr. -Maynard mentions their first appearance in Massachusetts as from the -19th to the 24th of May, but I have repeatedly known them in full cry -near Boston at least a fortnight earlier than this, and in the western -part of the State Mr. Allen has noted their arrival by the 25th of -April. They leave in the latter part of September. Mr. Allen also -observed the abundant presence of these birds in Western Iowa, where -he heard their notes as late as the 20th of September. - -In its habits the Whippoorwill is very nearly the counterpart of the -_carolinensis_. Like that bird, it is exclusively nocturnal, keeping, -during the day, closely within the recesses of dark woods, and -remaining perfectly silent, uttering no note even when disturbed in -these retreats. In very cloudy weather, late in the day, these birds -may be seen hunting for insects, but this is not usual, and they utter -no sound until it is quite dark. - -Like the preceding species, this bird receives its common name of -Whippoorwill from its nocturnal cry, which has some slight resemblance -to these three sounds; but the cry is so rapidly enunciated and so -incessantly repeated that a fertile imagination may give various -interpretations to the sounds. They are never uttered when the bird is -in motion, but usually at short intervals, when resting on a fence, or -bush, or any other object near the ground. - -Their flight is noiseless to an incredible degree, and they rarely fly -far at a time. They are usually very shy, and are easily startled if -approached. At night, as soon as the twilight disappears, these birds -issue from their retreats, and fly out into more open spaces in quest -of their favorite food. As many of the nocturnal insects, moths, -beetles, and others, are attracted about dwellings by lights, the -Whippoorwill is frequently enticed, in pursuit, into the same -vicinity. For several successive seasons these birds have appeared -nearly every summer evening within my grounds, often within a few feet -of the house. They never suffer a very near approach, but fly as soon -as they notice any movement. Their pursuit of insects is somewhat -different from that narrated of the preceding species, their flights -being usually quite brief, without any perceptible sailing, and more -in the manner of Flycatchers. Their song is given out at intervals -throughout the night, until near the dawn. - -The nocturnal habits of this bird have prevented a general or accurate -knowledge of its true character. Strange as it may seem, in many parts -of the country the Night-Hawk and the Whippoorwill are supposed to be -one and the same bird, even by those not ill informed in other -respects. This was found to be the case in Pennsylvania by Wilson, and -is equally true of many portions of New England, though disputed by -Mr. Audubon. - -Like the Chuck-will’s Widow, this species removes its eggs, and also -its young, to a distant and safer locality, if they are visited and -handled. Wilson once, in passing through a piece of wood, came -accidentally upon a young bird of this species. The parent attempted -to draw him away by well-feigned stratagems. Wilson stopped and -sketched the bird, and, returning again, after a short absence, to the -same place, in search of a pencil he had left behind, found that the -bird had been spirited away by its vigilant parent. - -When disturbed by an intrusive approach, the Whippoorwill resorts to -various expedients to divert attention to herself from her offspring. -She flutters about as if wounded and unable to fly, beats the ground -with her wings as if not able to rise from it, and enacts these feints -in a manner to deceive even the most wary, risking her own life to -save her offspring. - -The Whippoorwills construct no nest, but deposit their eggs in the -thickest and most shady portions of the woods, among fallen leaves, in -hollows slightly excavated for that purpose, or upon the leaves -themselves. For this purpose elevated and dry places are always -selected, often near some fallen log. There they deposit two eggs, -elliptical in shape. Their young, when first hatched, are perfectly -helpless, and their safety largely depends upon their great similarity -to small pieces of mouldy earth. They grow rapidly, and are soon able -to follow their mother and to partially care for themselves. - -The egg of the Whippoorwill has a strong family resemblance to those -of both species of European _Caprimulgi_, and is a complete miniature -of that of _A. carolinensis_. In shape it is oblong and oval, equally -obtuse at either end. Resembling the egg of the Chuck-will’s Widow, it -is yet more noticeable for the purity of its colors and the beauty of -their contrast. The ground-color is a clear and pure shade of -cream-white. The whole egg is irregularly spotted and marbled with -lines and patches of purplish-lavender, mingled with reddish-brown. -The former are fainter, and as if partially obscured, the brown -usually much more distinct. The eggs measure 1.25 inches in length by -.88 of an inch in breadth. Wilson’s account of its egg is wholly -inaccurate. - -In the extreme Southern States these eggs are deposited in April, in -Virginia and Pennsylvania about the middle of May, and farther north -not until early in June. The young are hatched and able to care for -themselves during July, but, with the female, rarely leave the woods. -The notes of the male are once more occasionally heard in August. Mr. -Allen has heard them late in September, but I have never happened to -notice their cries later than August. - -Mr. Nuttall states that the young of these birds, at an early age, run -about with remarkable celerity, and that they utter, at short -intervals a _pé-ūgh_, in a low mournful tone. Their food appears to -consist of various kinds of nocturnal insects, besides ants, -grasshoppers, and other kinds not nocturnal, frequenting decaying wood -and shady thickets. - - [Line drawing: Left foot of _Antrostomus vociferus_.] - - [Line drawing: Left foot of _Nyctibius jamaicensis_.] - - -Antrostomus nuttalli, CASSIN. - -NUTTALL’S WHIPPOORWILL; POOR-WILL. - - _Caprimulgus nuttalli_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, pl. ccccxcv, - Appendix. _Antrostomus nuttalli_, CASSIN, J. A. N. Sc. Phila. - 2d series, II, 1852, 123.—IB. Ill. I, 1855, 237.—NEWBERRY, - Zoöl. Cal. and Oregon Route, 77; Rep. P. R. R. Surv. VI, - IV.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 149.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 166.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 341. - -SP. CHAR. Rictal bristles without any lateral filaments; wing, about -5.50; the top of the head hoary gray, with narrow and transverse, not -longitudinal bands. Tail above, except the central feathers, nearly -black on the terminal half, the extreme tip only (in the outer feather -of each side) being white for nearly an inch, diminishing on the -second and third. Length, 8.00; wing, 5.50. _Female_ without the white -tip of tail. Audubon describes the male as follows: “Bill, black; -iris, dark hazel; feet, reddish-purple; scales and claws, darker; -general color of upper parts dark brownish-gray, lighter on the head -and medial tail-feathers, which extend half an inch beyond the others, -all which are minutely streaked and sprinkled with brownish-black and -ash-gray. Quills and coverts dull cinnamon color, spotted in bars with -brownish-black; tips of former mottled with light and dark brown; -three lateral tail-feathers barred with dark brown and cinnamon, and -tipped with white. Throat brown, annulated with black; a band of white -across foreneck; beneath the latter black, mixed with bars of light -yellowish-gray and black lines. Under tail-coverts dull yellow. -Length, 7.25; wing, 5.75; bill, edge, .19; second and third quills -nearly equal. Tail to end of upper feathers, 3.50; tarsus, .63; middle -toe, .63; claw, .25; strongly pectinated.” - -HAB. High Central Plains to the Pacific coast. San Antonio, Texas -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 471, breeds); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. -1866, 58); Guanajuata, Mex. (SALVIN, p. 1014). - -Nuttall’s Whippoorwill is readily distinguished from the other North -American species by the transverse, not longitudinal, lines on the top -of head, the narrow white tip of tail on both webs, and the inferior -size, as well as by numerous other points of difference. - -HABITS. This species was first described by Mr. Audubon from a -specimen obtained near the Rocky Mountains, but with no information in -regard to any peculiarities of habit. From Mr. Nuttall we learn that -these birds were first observed by him on the 10th of June, amidst the -naked granite hills of the sources of the Upper Platte River, called -Sweet-Water. It was about twilight, and from the clefts of the rocks -they were uttering at intervals a low wailing cry, in the manner of -the Whippoorwill, and sounding like the cry of the young of that -species, or _pē-cū_. Afterwards, on the 7th of August, when encamped -on the high ravine of the insulated mountains so conspicuous from -Lewis River, called the Three Buttes, this bird was again observed, as -it flew from under a stone near the summit of the mountain. It flew -about hawking for insects near their elevated camp, for two or three -hours, but was now silent. On the 16th of June, near the banks of the -Sandy River of the Colorado, Mr. Nuttall again heard its nocturnal -cry, which he says sounded like _pēvai_. - -Dr. Cooper did not meet with this bird in the Colorado Valley, but he -heard their nocturnal call, which he says sounds like _poor-will_, on -the barren mountains west of the valley, in May. He has never seen or -heard any west of the Coast Range, nor in the Santa Clara Valley in -the spring. They are, however, said to be common in the hot interior -valleys, and remain near San Francisco as late as November, usually -hiding on the ground, and flying at dusk in short, fitful courses in -pursuit of insects. Dr. Cooper adds that they inhabit the almost bare -and barren sage-plains east of the Sierra Nevada, where their rather -sad whistle is heard all night during the spring, sounding like an -echoing answer to the cry of the eastern species. - -Dr. Suckley, in the Report on the Zoölogy of Washington Territory, -speaks of this species as moderately abundant in the interior of that -Territory, as well as of Oregon. East of the Cascade Mountains, at -Fort Dalles, they can be heard on almost any fine night in spring or -early summer. Their cries closely resemble those of the _vociferus_, -but are more feeble, and not so incessantly kept up. Dr. Cooper, in -the same report, also speaks of finding this bird common near the -Yakima River, in 1853. Two specimens were killed in the daytime by a -whip. Late in the evening he found them flying near the ground. Dr. -Woodhouse, in passing down the Little Colorado River, in New Mexico, -found this bird quite abundant, as also among the San Francisco -Mountains. - -Dr. Newberry met with this species in all the parts of California and -Oregon visited by him. Near the shores of Rhett Lake he met with its -nest containing two young nearly ready to fly. The old bird fluttered -off as if disabled, and by her cries and strange movements induced one -of the party to pursue her. The young resembled those of the eastern -species, were of a gray-brown color, marbled with black, and had -large, dark, and soft eyes. They were quite passive when caught. - -This species was observed by Mr. J. H. Clark near Rio Mimbres, in New -Mexico. From the manner in which it flew, it seemed so similar to the -Woodcock that until a specimen was obtained it was supposed to belong -to that family. He saw none east of the Rio Grande, but met with it as -far west as Santa Cruz. It was nowhere abundant, and was generally -solitary. It was found usually among the tall grass of the valleys, -and occasionally on the plains. It was only once observed to alight -upon a bush, but almost invariably, when started up, it flew down -again among the grass at a short distance. - -A single specimen of this bird was taken by Dr. Kennerly on the Great -Colorado River. Dr. Heermann met with two specimens among the -mountains bordering the Tejon Valley, and he was informed by Dr. -Milhau that a small species of Whippoorwill was abundant round that -fort in the spring and summer. - -Dr. Heermann killed one of these birds on the Medina, in Texas; and -during the summer, passing along Devil’s River, he heard their notes -every evening, and judged that the birds were abundant. Mr. Dresser -obtained a single specimen, shot near the town of San Antonio, where -it was of uncommon occurrence. He received also another specimen from -Fort Stockton. During his stay at Matamoras he did not notice this -bird, but was informed that a kind resembling this species was very -common at a rancho about twenty-five miles distant, on the Monterey -road. Dr. Coues found this species particularly abundant throughout -Arizona. At Fort Whipple it was a summer resident, arriving there late -in April and remaining until October. So numerous was it in some -localities, that around the campfires of the traveller a perfect -chorus of their plaintive two-syllabled notes was continued -incessantly through the night, some of the performers being so near -that the sharp click of their mandibles was distinctly audible. - -Mr. J. A. Allen found this species abundant on the lower parts of the -mountains in Colorado, and heard the notes of scores of them near the -mouth of Ogden Cañon on several occasions after nightfall. Though so -numerous, all efforts to procure specimens were futile, as it did not -usually manifest its presence till after it became too dark for it to -be clearly distinguished. He saw it last, October 7, during a severe -snow-storm on the mountains north of Ogden. It had been quite common -during the greater part of September. He also met with this bird at an -elevation of 7,000 feet. He had previously ascertained its presence -throughout Kansas from Leavenworth to Fort Hays. - -From these varied observations the range of this species may be given -as from the valley of the Rio Grande and the more northern States of -Mexico, throughout New Mexico, Arizona, and the Great Plains nearly to -the Pacific, in California, Oregon, and Washington Territory. - -The egg of this species (13,587) was obtained among the East Humboldt -Mountains, by Mr. Robert Ridgway, July 20, 1868. Its measurement is -1.06 inches in length by .81 of an inch in breadth. It is of a -regularly elliptical form, being equally rounded at either end. Its -color is a clear dead-white, entirely unspotted. The egg was found -deposited on the bare ground beneath a sage-bush, on a foot-slope of -the mountains. The nest was nothing more than a bare spot, apparently -worn by the body of the bird. When found, the male bird was sitting on -the egg, and was shot as it flew from the spot. - -Mr. Salvin (Ibis, III, p. 64) mentions taking, April 20, 1860, on the -mountains of Santa Barbara, Central America, a species of -_Antrostomus_, a female, with two eggs. This is spoken of as nearly -allied to, perhaps identical with, _A. vociferus_. Its eggs are, -however, spoken of as white, measuring 1.05 inches by .80 of an inch, -almost exactly the size of the eggs of this species. Mr. Salvin adds: -“I do not quite understand these eggs being white, except by supposing -them to be accidentally so. In other respects, i. e. in form and -texture, they agree with the eggs of other species of _Caprimulgidæ_. -These eggs, two in number, were on the ground at the foot of a large -pine-tree. There was no nest.” - -In regard to the parentage of the eggs thus discovered, the coloration -and size of which correspond so closely with those of the Poor-will, -Mr. Salvin writes, in a letter dated March 10, 1872: “In respect to -the _Antrostomus_ which lays white eggs in Guatemala, I have carefully -examined the skin of the female sent to me with the eggs in question, -and represented as their parent. It certainly is not _A. nuttalli_, -but appears to belong to the species described by Wagler as _A. -macromystax_. This species is very closely allied to _A. vociferus_, -but appears to be sufficiently distinct, inasmuch as the rictal -bristles are very long, the throat is almost without white feathers, -and the white on the tail is more limited in extent than in _A. -vociferus_. The true _A. vociferus_ is frequently found in winter in -Guatemala, but is probably only a migrant. The other species would -certainly appear to be a resident in South Mexico and Guatemala. With -respect to _A. nuttalli_, I may add that I have recently acquired a -skin from Guanajuata, in Mexico. This is the first instance of the -occurrence of the species in Mexico at all, that I am aware of.” - -Mr. Ridgway met with the Poor-will from the eastern slope of the -Sierra Nevada to the Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains. He describes its -notes as much like those of the eastern _A. vociferus_, except that -the first syllable is left off, the call sounding like simply -_poor-will_, the accent on the last syllable. It frequents chiefly the -dry _mesa_ and foot-hills of the mountains, and lives almost entirely -on the ground, where its two white unspotted eggs are deposited -beneath some small scraggy sage-bush, without any sign of a nest -whatever. Both sexes incubate. - - [Line drawing: Sternum of _Chordeiles virginianus_.] - - [Line drawing: Sternum of _Nyctibius jamaicensis_.] - - [Line drawing: Sternum of _Caprimulgus stictomus_.] - - - - -FAMILY CYPSELIDÆ.—THE SWIFTS. - - -CHAR. Bill very small, without notch, triangular, much broader than -high; the culmen not one sixth the gape. Anterior toes cleft to the -base, each with three joints, (in the typical species,) and covered -with skin or feathers; the middle claw without any serrations; the -lateral toes nearly equal to the middle. Bill without bristles, but -with minute feathers extending along the under margin of the nostrils. -Tail-feathers ten. Nostrils elongated, superior, and very close -together. Plumage compact. Primaries ten, elongated, falcate. - -The _Cypselidæ_, or Swifts, are Swallow-like birds, generally of -rather dull plumage and medium size. They were formerly associated -with the true Swallows on account of their small, deeply cleft bill, -wide gape, short feet, and long wings, but are very different in all -the essentials of structure, belonging, indeed, to a different order -or suborder. The bill is much smaller and shorter; the edges greatly -inflected; the nostrils superior, instead of lateral, and without -bristles. The wing is more falcate, with ten primaries instead of -nine. The tail has ten feathers instead of twelve. The feet are -weaker, without distinct scutellæ; the hind toe is more or less -versatile, the anterior toes frequently lack the normal number of -joints, and there are other features which clearly justify the wide -separation here given, especially the difference in the vocal organs. -Strange as the statement may be, their nearest relatives are the -_Trochilidæ_, or Humming-Birds, notwithstanding the bills of the two -are as opposite in shape as can readily be conceived. The sternum of -the _Cypselidæ_ is also very different from that of the _Hirundinidæ_, -as will be shown by the accompanying figure. There are no -emarginations or openings in the posterior edge, which is regularly -curved. The keel rises high, for the attachment of the powerful -pectoral muscles. The manubrium is almost entirely wanting. - - [Line drawing: _Chætura pelagica._] - - [Line drawing: _Progne subis._] - -In this family, as in the _Caprimulgidæ_, we find deviations in -certain forms from the normal number of phalanges to the toes, which -serve to divide it into two sections. In one, the _Chæturinæ_, these -are 2, 3, 4, and 5, as usual; but in the _Cypselinæ_ they are 2, 3, 3, -and 3, as shown in the accompanying cut borrowed from Dr. Sclater’s -masterly memoir on the _Cypselidæ_, (Pr. Zoöl. Soc. London, 1865, -593), which also serves as the basis of the arrangement here presented. - - [Line drawing: Left foot of _Chætura zonaris_.] - - [Line drawing: Left foot of _Panyptila melanoleuca_.] - - Cypselinæ. Tarsi feathered; phalanges of the middle and - outer toes three each (instead of four and five). Hind toe - directed either forward or to one side, not backward. - - Tarsi feathered; toes bare; hind toe directed forward _Cypselus_. - - Both tarsi and toes feathered; hind toe lateral _Panyptila_. - - Chæturinæ. Tarsi bare; phalanges of toes normal (four in - middle toe, five in outer). Hind toe directed backwards, - though sometimes versatile. - - Tarsi longer than middle toe. - - Tail-feathers spinous. - - Shafts of tail-feathers projecting beyond the - plumage _Chætura_. - - Shafts not projecting, (_Nephæcetes_) _Cypseloides_. - - Tail-feathers not spinous _Collocallia_. - - Tarsi shorter than middle toe _Dendrochelidon_. - -The Swifts are cosmopolite, occurring throughout the globe. All the -genera enumerated above are well represented in the New World, except -the last two, which are exclusively East Indian and Polynesian. -Species of _Collocallia_ make the “edible bird’s-nests” which are so -much sought after in China and Japan. These are constructed entirely -out of the hardened saliva of the bird, although formerly supposed to -be made of some kind of sea-weed. All the _Cypselidæ_ have the -salivary glands highly developed, and use the secretion to cement -together the twigs or other substances of which the nest is -constructed, as well as to attach this to its support. The eggs are -always white. - -There are many interesting peculiarities connected with the -modification of the _Cypselidæ_, some of which may be briefly adverted -to. Those of our common Chimney Swallow will be referred to in the -proper place. _Panyptila sancti-hieronymæ_ of Guatemala attaches a -tube some feet in length to the under side of an overhanging rock, -constructed of the pappus or seed-down of plants, caught flying in the -air. Entrance to this is from below, and the eggs are laid on a kind -of shelf near the top. _Chætura poliura_ of Brazil again makes a very -similar tube-nest (more contracted below) out of the seeds of _Trixis -divaricata_, suspends it to a horizontal branch, and covers the -outside with feathers of various colors. As there is no shelf to -receive the eggs, it is believed that these are cemented against the -sides of the tube, and brooded on by the bird while in an upright -position. _Dendrochelidon klecho_, of Java, etc., builds a narrow flat -platform on a horizontal branch, of feathers, moss, etc., cemented -together, and lays in it a single egg. The nest is so small that the -bird sits on the branch and covers the egg with the end of her belly. - -Owing to the almost incredible rapidity in flight of the Swifts, and -the great height in the air at which they usually keep themselves, the -North American species are, of all our land birds, the most difficult -to procure, only flying sufficiently near the surface of the ground to -be reached by a gun in damp weather, and then requiring great skill to -shoot them. Their nests, too, are generally situated in inaccessible -places, usually high perpendicular or overhanging mountain-cliffs. -Although our four species are sufficiently abundant, and are -frequently seen in flocks of thousands, it is only the common Chimney -Swift that is to be met with at all regularly in museums. - - - - - SUBFAMILY CYPSELINÆ. - - -The essential character of this subfamily, as stated already, is to be -found in the feathered tarsus; the reduction of the normal number of -phalanges in the middle toe from 4 to 3, and of the outer toe from 5 -to 3, as well as in the anterior or lateral position of the hind toe, -not posterior. Of the two genera assigned to it by Dr. Sclater, one, -_Cypselus_, is enlarged by him so as to include the small West Indian -Palm Swifts, _Tachornis_ of Gosse. - - -GENUS PANYPTILA, CABANIS. - - _Panyptila_, CABANIS, Wiegm. Archiv, 1847, I, 345.—BURMEISTER, - Thiere Bras. Vögel, I, 1856, 368. (Type, _Hirundo cayanensis_, GM.) - _Pseudoprocne_, STREUBEL, Isis, 1848, 357. (Same type.) - - [Line drawing: _Panyptila melanoleuca._ - 6018 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Tail half as long as the wings, moderately forked; the -feathers rather lanceolate, rounded at tip, the shafts stiffened, but -not projecting. First primary shorter than the second. Tarsi, toes, -and claws very thick and stout; the former shorter than the middle toe -and claw, which is rather longer than the lateral one; middle claw -longer than its digit. Hind toe very short; half versatile, or -inserted on the side of the tarsus. Tarsi and toes feathered to the -claws, except on the under surfaces. - -Three species of this genus are described by authors, all of them -black, with white throat, and a patch of the same on each side of -rump, and otherwise varied with this color. The type _P. cayanensis_ -is much the smallest (4.70), and has the tail more deeply forked than -_P. melanoleuca_. - - -Synopsis of Species. - - P. cayanensis. Glossy intense black; a supraloral spot of - white; white of throat transversely defined posteriorly. - Tail deeply forked, the lateral feathers excessively - attenuated and acute. - - Wing, 4.80; middle tail-feather, 1.20, external, 2.30. - _Hab._ Cayenne and Brazil var. _cayanensis_.[108] - - Wing, 7.30; middle tail-feather, 1.90, external, 3.60. - _Hab._ Guatemala var. _sancti-hieronymi_.[109] - - P. melanoleuca. Lustreless dull black; no supraloral white - spot, but instead a hoary wash; white of throat extending - back along middle of abdomen to the vent. Tail moderately - forked, the lateral feathers obtuse. Wing, 5.75; middle - tail-feather, 2.30, outer, 2.85. _Hab._ Middle Province of - United States, south to Guatemala. - - - [108] _Panyptila cayanensis_ (GMEL.), CAB. _Hirundo cay._ - GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1024. _Panyptila cay._ CABAN. Wiegm. - Archiv, XIII, 345 (1847).—SCL. P. Z. S. 1866, 606. - - [109] _Panyptila sancti-hieronymi_, SALVIN (P. Z. S. 1863, - 190, pl. xxii; SCL. P. Z. S. 1866, 607). May be the northern - form of _cayanensis_, which, however, we have not seen. - - -Panyptila melanoleuca, BAIRD. - -WHITE-THROATED SWIFT. - - _Cypselus melanoleucus_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. VII, June, 1854, - 118 (San Francisco Mountains, N. M.).—CASSIN, Illust. I, 1855, - 248. _Panyptila melanoleuca_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 141, - pl. xviii, f. 1.—SCLATER & SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 125 - (Guatemala).—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1865, 607.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. - X, b, 36, pl. xviii, f. 1.—HEERMANN, IB. X, c, 10.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 347. - -SP. CHAR. Wings very long; tail forked; tarsi and feet covered with -feathers. Black all over, except the chin, throat, middle of the belly -as far as the vent, a patch on each side of the rump, the edge of the -outer primary, and blotches on the inner webs of the median -tail-feathers, near the base, which are white, as is also a band -across the ends of the secondaries. Length, 5.50; wing, 5.50; tail, -2.70. - -HAB. Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and southern Rocky Mountains, to -Guatemala. Localities: Cajon Pass (COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. 1861, 122); -Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 57); San Diego (COOPER). - -Although there is no difference in size between Rocky Mountain and -Guatemalan specimens, the only two of the latter in the collection are -darker colored, showing scarcely any indication of the frontal and -supraloral whitish so conspicuous in most northern skins. In the -Guatemalan female (30,837, Dueñas, February 13) the dusky of the -lateral, and white of the medial, portions of the breast blend -gradually together, there not being that sharp line of junction seen -in all the others, including the male from Guatemala (30,836, Dueñas, -Nov.). - - [Illustration: _Panyptila melanoleuca._] - -HABITS. This new species was first discovered by Dr. Kennerly on Bill -Williams Fork, New Mexico, February 16, 1854. He speaks of it as a -very curious and interesting bird, found by him only among the cañons -of that stream, and not observed elsewhere during their journey. Large -flocks could be seen at any time in the vicinity of those cañons, -flying and circling around very high, and far beyond the reach of -shot. Towards the close of the day, when the sun had sunk behind the -hills, they occasionally descended lower. He only met with them where -the walls of the cañons were very high, and consisted of almost -perpendicular masses of rock. At times they were seen to sweep low -down, and then to ascend nearly perpendicularly very near the stones, -as if examining them in order to select a place for their nests. The -construction of these had obviously not then commenced. Dr. Kennerly -saw none engaged in the work, nor did he observe any old nests, unless -they build after the manner of the common Cliff Swallow, which were -also abundant in that region. Mr. Möllhausen was of the opinion that -these birds build in the holes and crevices of the cliffs. In their -flight and habits they appeared to closely resemble the common -_Chætura pelagica_. - -Dr. Heermann met with this species several times, first in San -Fernando Pass, near Los Angelos, and again near Palm Spring, between -the Colorado desert and Vallicita, at another time near Tucson, and -once also in Texas. He always found them flying at a great height, -either far beyond or on the extreme limit of gunshot range. From the -extent of their wings they seemed formed to live in the air, where -they pass most of their time gliding about in extensive circles, with -apparently very little motion of the wings. During pleasant weather -they found their insect prey in the upper air, but, when cloudy or -rainy, they flew nearer the ground in their pursuit. When on the -ground, they were observed to rise with difficulty, owing to the -shortness of their legs and the length of their wings. When they rest, -they always alight on some elevated point whence they can throw -themselves into the air, and take to wing. Numbers were observed -flying about the rocks near Tucson, but none were heard to utter a -note. They were sociable among themselves, gathering in large flocks, -but never mingled with the Swallows. He states that they construct -their nests in the crevices of rocks, and that their eggs are pure -white, and of an elongated form. - -Dr. Coues found this species rather sparingly distributed throughout -Arizona, always in the neighborhood of cliffs and precipices, which it -exclusively inhabits. From Inscription Rock, about one day’s march -from Whipple’s Pass, to the San Francisco Mountains of Arizona, he -found these birds in great numbers, except along the valley of the -Colorado Chiquito, where there were no suitable cliffs for their -habitation. He generally found them congregated in considerable, -sometimes in immense, numbers in the vicinity of huge cliffs and piles -of rocks. Their note, he adds, is an often and quickly repeated -twitter, loud and shrill, and quite different from that of the _C. -pelagica_. He states that they build their nest upon the vertical -faces of precipitous rocks. - -Dr. Woodhouse met with a Swift in the same region referred to by Dr. -Coues, which he called _Acanthylis saxatilis_, which may possibly be -the same species, but of which no specimen was procured. They were -breeding in the crevices of the rocks. The description, however, does -not at all correspond. - -This species has lately been met with by Mr. Salvin, in Guatemala, -where it is by no means common, and so very local that its presence -might readily have been overlooked. He found it near Dueñas, in a -gorge with precipitous rocks on the right hand, along the course of -the river Guacalate. His attention was drawn to a noise coming from -the rocks, which he at first took to be bats in some of the cracks. -After watching for some time, he saw two Swifts dart into a crack in -the rock twenty feet from the ground, and the noise became louder than -before. Resorting to several expedients, in vain, to make them fly -out, he climbed up part way, and there found one of them killed by a -random shot of his gun. Another discharge of his gun brought out five -or six more, which were immediately pursued by the _Cotyle -serripennis_. He obtained three specimens in all. The spot was -evidently their common roosting-place, and by the noise they made he -judged they were there in large numbers. He found them about the -middle of February. - -Dr. Cooper met with this species near Fort Mohave, but saw none before -May. On the 7th of June, near the head of Mohave River, he found a few -about some lofty granite cliffs, and succeeded in obtaining one. Their -flight was exceedingly swift and changeable, and they were very -difficult to shoot. He also found them about some high rocky bluffs -close to the sea-shore, twelve miles north of San Diego. They were -seen the last of March, but may have been there for a month -previously. - -Mr. Allen encountered this little-known Swift near Colorado City, -where it was quite numerous about the high cliffs in the “Garden of -the Gods,” and of which, with great difficulty, he procured four -specimens. It was nesting in inaccessible crevices and weather-beaten -holes in the rocks, about midway up the high vertical cliffs, some of -which were not less than three hundred feet high. It seemed to be very -wary, and flew with great velocity, rarely descending within reach of -the guns. - -The White-throated Swift was met with in great abundance by Mr. -Ridgway at the East Humboldt Mountains, and was seen by him more -sparingly in the Toyabe and Wahsatch. In the former mountains it -inhabited the high limestone cliffs which walled the cañons, -congregating in thousands, and nesting in the chinks or crevices of -the rocks, in company with the Violet-green Swallow (_Tachycincta -thalassina_). It was a very noisy species, having a vigorous chatter, -reminding one somewhat of the notes of young Baltimore Orioles when -being fed by their parents. It was also very pugnacious, a couple now -and then being seen to fasten upon one another high up in the air, -and, clinging together, falling, whirling round and round in their -descent, nearly to the ground, when they would let go each other, and -separate. A couple would often rush by with almost inconceivable -velocity, one in chase of the other. Their flight was usually very -high, or, if they occasionally descended, it was so swiftly that Mr. -Ridgway only succeeded in shooting three specimens, while he found it -utterly impossible to reach their nests, which were in the horizontal -fissures in the face of the overhanging cliff. - - - - - SUBFAMILY CHÆTURINÆ. - - -This subfamily is characterized by having the normal number of -phalanges to the middle and outer toes (4 and 5, instead of 3 and 3), -the backward position of the hind toe, and the naked tarsi, which do -not even appear to be scutellate, but covered with a soft skin. Of the -two North American genera, _Chætura_ has spinous projections at the -end of the tail-feathers, while in _Nephœcetes_ the shafts of the -tail-feathers, though stiffened, do not project beyond the plume. - -This subfamily appears to be composed of two definable sections, with -subdivisions as follows:— - - A. Tail forked; spinous points of the feathers not - extending far beyond the webs, or entirely wanting. - Feathering of the sides of the forehead extending forward - outside the nostrils nearly to their anterior end. - - _a._ No trace of spinous points to tail-feathers. - Feathering of frontal points almost completely enclosing - the nostrils between them. No light collar round the - neck; sides of the forehead with a hoary suffusion _Nephœcetes_. - - _b._ Spinous points of tail-feathers distinct. A light - collar round the neck. - - 1. Nostril as in _Nephœcetes_. Sides of forehead with - a hoary suffusion. Collar chestnut. Wing less than - 5.50. (_C. rutila._) - - 2. Feathered frontal points narrower, not reaching - anterior end of nostril. Sides of forehead without - hoary suffusion. Collar white. Wing more than 8.00 _Hemiprocne_. - - B. Tail rounded; spinous points of the feathers much - elongated and projecting. Feathering of sides of forehead - scarcely reaching beyond posterior end of nostril. Wing - less than 5.50 _Chætura_. - - -GENUS NEPHŒCETES, BAIRD. - - _Nephœcetes_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 142. (Type, _Hirundo nigra_, - GMEL.) - - [Line drawing: _Nephœcetes niger._ - 11871 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Tail rather less than half the wings; quite deeply forked -(less so in the female); the feathers obtusely acuminate; the shafts -scarcely stiffened. First quill longest. Tarsi and toes completely -bare, and covered with naked skin, without distinct indications of -scutellæ. Tarsus rather longer than middle toe; the three anterior -toes about equal, with moderately stout claws. Claw of middle toe much -shorter than its digit. Hind toe not versatile, but truly posterior -and opposite, with its claw rather longer than the middle toe without -it. Toes all slender; claws moderate. Nostrils widely ovate, the -feathers margining its entire lower edge. - - [Illustration: _Nephœcetes niger._] - -The comparative characters of this genus will be found in the -diagnostic tables at the head of the family. According to Sclater, -_Cypseloides_ of Streubel (ISIS, 1848, 366) with _C. fumigatus_ as -type, may have to be taken for this genus, as it was named by Streubel -as an alternative to _Hemiprocne_, which belongs to _Chætura_. Until -this question of synonymy can be decided positively, we retain -_Nephœcetes_. - -The single North American species, _N. niger_, has a singular -distribution, being abundant near Puget Sound in summer, and again -found in Jamaica and Cuba, without having been met with in any -intermediate locality, except in the Province of Huatasco, Mex. The -West India specimens are rather smaller, but otherwise not -distinguishable. - - -Nephœcetes niger, BAIRD. - -BLACK SWIFT. - - _? Hirundo niger_, GMEL. S. N. I, 1788, 1025. _Cypselus niger_, - GOSSE, B. Jam. 1847, 63.—IB. Illust. B. Jam. pl. x.—GUNDL. & - LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VI, 1858, 268.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1865, 615. - _Nephœcetes niger_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 142.—ELLIOT, - Illust. Birds N. Am. I, xx.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 349. - _Cypselus borealis_, KENNERLY, P. A. N. S. Philad. IX, Nov. - 1857, 202.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1865, 615. _Hirundo apus - dominicensis_, BRISSON, II, 1760, 514, pl. xlvi, f. 3. - -SP. CHAR. Wing the length of the body. General color rather lustrous -dark sooty-brown, with a greenish gloss, becoming a very little -lighter on the breast anteriorly below, but rather more so on the neck -and head above. The feathers on top of the head edged with light gray, -which forms a continuous wash on each side of the forehead above, and -anterior to the usual black crescent in front of the eye. Occasionally -some feathers of the under parts behind are narrowly edged with gray. -Bill and feet black. Length, 6.75; wing, 6.75; tail, 3.00, the depth -of its fork about .45 in the male, and scarcely .15 in the female. - -HAB. Washington Territory, Oregon, Nevada, and Orizaba (var. -_borealis_); Cuba and Jamaica (var. _niger_), breeds. Vera Cruz; -breeds (SUMICHRAST, Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 562). - -The tail is considerably more forked in the male than in the female, -in which it is sometimes nearly even, and in the males its depth -varies considerably. - -Jamaican specimens (var. _niger_) are rather smaller, considerably -blacker, and seem to have narrower tail-feathers, even when the other -dimensions are about equal. - -Whether the Puget Sound bird visits the West Indies is not known; but -the difference in size and colors between them and the West Indian -birds would seem to indicate that they select a more directly southern -region. The fact that the Orizaba specimen is most like the Northwest -Coast birds favors this latter supposition. - -HABITS. This Swift is of irregular and local occurrence in the West -Indies and in Western North America. Specimens were obtained at -Simiahmoo Bay, Washington Territory, by Dr. Kennerly, in July, 1857. -Dr. Cooper saw a black Swift, which he thinks may have been this -species, in Pah-Ute Cañon, west of Fort Mohave, May 29, 1861, and -again at Santa Barbara, May, 1863. - -Dr. Gundlach, in his ornithological explorations in Cuba, in 1858, met -with this species among the mountains between Cienfuegos and Trinidad, -on the southern coast of that island, and also in the eastern parts of -the Sierra Maestra. He saw these birds for the first time in the month -of May, near Bayamo, where they commonly arrived every morning about -one hour after sunrise, and flew in a circular direction over the -river at a considerable height, making their evolutions always in the -same place, apparently employed in catching the insects attracted by -the proximity of the river. In the month of June they came every day -towards noon, whenever it threatened to rain, and sometimes returned -again after sunset. When tired of their exercise they always flew -together towards the mountains, where he had no doubt their -breeding-places existed. He states that when one of these birds flies -in chase of another, it emits a soft continued note, not unlike a -song. Having taken many young birds in the month of June, he supposes -that these Swifts breed in April and May. - -It is stated by Sumichrast to have been occasionally met with in the -table-lands of Mexico, and that it is resident and breeds within the -State of Vera Cruz, Mexico. - -A single specimen of this bird was known to Gosse to have been taken -near Spanishtown in Jamaica, in 1843, in company with many others. Mr. -March, in his paper on the birds of this island, gives a similar -account of the habits of this species to that of Dr. Gundlach. He -states that it was rarely seen except at early dawn, or in dull and -cloudy weather, or after rain in an afternoon. He has sometimes -procured specimens from Healthshire and the St. Catharine Hills. The -only place known to him as their actual resort is a cave in the lower -St. Catharine Hills, near the ferry, where they harbor in the narrow -deep galleries and fissures of the limestone rocks. - -Mr. J. K. Lord cites this species as among the earliest of the spring -visitors seen by him in British Columbia. On a foggy morning early in -June, the insects being low, these birds were hovering close to the -ground, and he obtained four specimens. He saw no more until the fall -of the year, when they again made their appearance in large numbers, -among the many other birds of that season. He again saw this Swift at -Fort Colville. - -Captain Prevost, R. N., obtained a single specimen of this bird on -Vancouver Island, which Mr. Sclater compared with Gosse’s _Cypselus -niger_, from Jamaica. He, however, is not satisfied as to their -identity, and is inclined to regard the two birds as distinct. - -According to Captain Feilner, this species breeds in the middle of -June, on high rocks on the Klamath River, about eight miles above -Judah’s Cave. - -The Black Swift was seen by Mr. Ridgway, during his western tour, only -once, when, about the middle of June, an assembly of several hundreds -was observed early one morning hovering over the Carson River, below -Fort Churchill, in Nevada. In the immediate vicinity was an immense -rocky cliff, where he supposed they nested. In their flight they much -resembled Chimney-Swallows (_Chætura_), only they appeared much -larger. They were perfectly silent. On the Truckee River, near Pyramid -Lake, in May of the same year, he found the remains of one which had -been killed by a hawk, but the species was not seen there alive. - - -GENUS CHÆTURA, STEPHENS. - - _Chætura_, STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zoöl. Birds, XIII, II, 1825, 76. - (Type, _C. pelagica_.) - _Acanthylis_, BOIE, Isis, 1826, 971. (_Cypselus spinicauda._) - - [Line drawing: _Chætura pelagica._ - 1010 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Tail very short, scarcely more than two fifths the wings; -slightly rounded; the shafts stiffened and extending some distance -beyond the feathers in a rigid spine. First primary longest. Legs -covered by a naked skin, without scutellæ or feathers. Tarsus longer -than middle toe. Lateral toes equal, nearly as long as the middle. -Hind toe scarcely versatile, or quite posterior; including claw, less -than the middle anterior without it. Toes slender; claws moderate. -Feathers of the base of the bill not extending beyond the beginning of -the nostrils. - -By the arrangement of the genera on page 1018, the _C. rutila_ and -large white-collared species are excluded from the present genus as -restricted. _Chætura_, as here defined, is a genus of very extensive -distribution, species occurring not only in North and South America, -but also in Africa and Asia. Among the several American members, three -styles are distinguishable, these probably representing only as many -species; the several more closely allied forms being, in all -probability, but geographical modifications of these three types. They -may be arranged as follows:— - - _Plumage with no marked contrast of shades._ - - C. pelagica. Nearly uniformly dusky grayish-brown, the - throat, however, very much lighter, and the rump just - appreciably so. - - Above glossy dusky-brown, hardly appreciably paler on - the rump; abdomen scarcely paler than the back. Wing, - 5.20. _Hab._ Eastern Province North America var. _pelagica_. - - Above glossy blackish-dusky, very decidedly paler on the - rump; abdomen very much paler than the back. Wing, 4.50. - _Hab._ Pacific Province of North America, south to - Guatemala (from whence specimens are much darker, almost - black above, and slightly smaller) var. _vauxi_. - - Above glossy black, fading into sooty dusky on the rump; - abdomen like the rump. Wing, 4.80. _Hab._ Northern South - America (Cayenne, Tobago) var. _poliura_.[110] - - _Plumage with marked contrast of shades._ - - C. cinereiventris.[111] Upper parts, except the rump, - glossy, intense blue-black; rump and lower parts - bluish-cinereous, conspicuously different. - - C. spinicauda.[112] Upper parts glossy black, with a white - band across the rump. Below sooty-whitish, with indistinct - black marks on the breast, wing, 3.90. _Hab._ Cayenne and - Brazil. - - - [110] _Chætura poliura_, (TEMM.) SCL. Cat. Am. B. 1862, 101; - P. Z. S. 1866, 611. (_Cypselus polivurus_, TEMM. Tab. Méth. - p. 78.) - - [111] _Chætura cinereiventris_, SCL. Cat. Am. B. 1862, p. - 283; P. Z. S. 1863, p. 101, pl. xiv, f. 1; P. Z. 1866, 612. - _C. sclateri_, PELZ. Orn. Braz. I, 1868, pp. 16, 56, is also - referrible to it as perhaps a race. - - [112] _Chætura spinicauda_, SCL. Cypselus spinicaudus, TEM. - Tabl. Méth. p. 78 (ex Buff. Pl. Enl. 726, f. 1). _Acanthylis - s._ BOIE, Isis, 1826, p. 971; BONAP. Consp. p. 64. _Chætura - s._ SCL. Catal. Am. Birds, 1862, 283. _Hirundo pelasgia_, - var., LATH. Ind. Orn. II, 581. _Hab._ Cayenne and Brazil. - - -Chætura pelagica, BAIRD. - -CHIMNEY SWALLOW. - - _Hirundo pelagica_, LINN. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, 192. _Hirundo - pelasgia_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 345.—WILS. Am. Orn. V, - 1812, 48, pl. xxxix, fig. 1. _Cypselus pelasgia_, AUD. Orn. - Biog. II, 1834, 329; V, 419, pl. clviii. _Chætura pelasgia_, - STEPHENS, in Shaw’s Gen. Zoöl. Birds, XIII, II, 1825, 76.—IB. - Birds America, I, 1840, 164, pl. xliv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 144.—SAMUELS, 116.—ALLEN, Birds Fla. 301. _Acanthylis - pelasgia_, “TEMM.”—BON. Consp. 1850, 64.—CASSIN, Ill. I, - 1855, 241. _Hemiprocne pelasgia_, STREUBEL, Isis, 1848, 363. - _Aculeated Swallow_, PENN. Arc. Zoöl. II, 1785, 432. _Cypselus - pelasgius_, MAX. Cab. Journ. 1858. - - [Illustration: _Chætura pelagica._] - -SP. CHAR. Tail slightly rounded. Sooty-brown all over, except on the -throat, which becomes considerably lighter from the breast to the -bill. Above with a greenish tinge; the rump a little paler. Length, -5.25; wing, 5.10; tail, 2.15. - -HAB. Eastern United States to slopes of Rocky Mountains? - -The etymology of the specific name of _pelasgia_, used by Linnæus, of -this bird, in the twelfth edition of Systema Naturæ, has always been a -question. We find that the word in the tenth edition is _pelagica_, -referring probably to the supposed passage over the Caribbean Sea in -its annual migrations. - -_Chætura vauxi_, the western representative of this bird, is extremely -similar, but distinguishable by considerably smaller size, much -lighter, almost white, throat, paler rump, and under parts decidedly -lighter than the back. _C. poliura_, which much resembles it, is -blacker above, and much darker below. (See synopsis on page 1027.) - -HABITS. The common Chimney Swallow of North America has an extended -range throughout the eastern portions of the continent, from the -Atlantic to the 50th parallel of northern latitude. It was not met -with by Dr. Richardson in the fur regions, but was found by Say at -Pembina, on the Red River, in what is now the northern part of -Minnesota. Its western range is not well determined, but is presumed -to be terminated by the great plains. It has been found as far west as -Bijoux Hill, in Nebraska. - -In its habits, especially during the breeding-season, this Swift -presents many remarkable differences from the European species. While -the latter are shy and retiring, shunning the places frequented by -man, and breeding chiefly in caves or ruined and deserted habitations, -their representatives in eastern North America, like all the Swallow -family here, have, immediately upon the erection of the dwellings of -civilized life, manifested their appreciation of the protection they -afford, by an entire change in their habits in regard to the location -of their nests. When the country was first settled, these birds were -known to breed only in the hollow trunks of forest trees. The chimneys -of the dwellings of civilized communities presented sufficient -inducements, in their greater convenience, to tempt this bird to -forsake their primitive breeding-places. The change in this respect -has been nearly complete. And now, in the older portions of the -country, they are not known to resort to hollow trees for any other -purpose than as an occasional roosting-place. - -In wild portions of the country, where natural facilities are still -afforded to these Swifts, they are occasionally found breeding within -the hollows of decaying trees. Mr. George A. Boardman, of St. Stephen, -N. B., writes that in his neighborhood this bird continues to build in -the hollows of trees. He adds, that in the summer of 1863 he found -them building within a hollow birch. He also met with one of their -nests built against a board in an old winter logging-camp, at a -distance from any chimney. Mr. Ridgway has also met with the nest of -this bird inside the trunk of a large sycamore-tree, and also mentions -finding another attached to the planks of an outbuilding, in the -Wabash valley of Southeastern Illinois. - -Mr. J. A. Allen found this species quite numerous in Kansas, where it -was breeding chiefly in the hollow trees of the forests, which it -always seems naturally to prefer to chimneys, to which it is compelled -to resort, in most of the longer settled districts, or else wholly to -abandon the country. - -The Chimney Swallow is known to breed throughout the Central and -Northern States, from Virginia to Canada. Dr. Woodhouse states that he -found this species very abundant throughout the Indian Territory, as -also in Texas, and New Mexico, even to California. It was not, -however, taken at San Antonio by Mr. Dresser, nor in any portion of -Texas, and was not procured by any of the naturalists in the other -Western expeditions. - -The Chimney Swallow is crepuscular, rather than nocturnal, in its -habits, preferring to hunt for its insect prey in dull and cloudy -weather, or in the early morning and the latter part of the afternoon. -In this it is probably influenced by the abundance or scarcity of -insects, as it is not unfrequently to be seen hawking for insects in -the bright glare of noon. When they have young, they often continue to -feed them until quite late at night. They are not, however, to be -regarded as nocturnal, as they are only known to do this during a -brief period. - -The nest of this species is a very peculiar and remarkable structure. -It is composed of small twigs of nearly uniform size, wrought and -interwoven into a neat semicircular basket. In selecting the twigs -with which they are to construct their nests, the Swifts break from -the tree the ends of living branches, which they gather with great -skill and adroitness while on the wing. Sweeping upon the coveted twig -somewhat as a Hawk rushes on its prey, it divides it at the desired -place, and bears it off to its nest. This is a well-attested fact, -familiar to all who have ever watched these birds in the early morning -as they are at work constructing their nests. - -Each one of these twigs is strongly fastened to its fellows by an -adhesive saliva secreted by the bird, and by the same cement the whole -structure is made to adhere to the side of the chimney in which it is -built. This saliva, as it dries, hardens into a tough glue-like -substance, as firm even as the twigs it unites. In separating nests -from the sides of chimneys, I have known portions of the brick to -which it was fastened part sooner than the cement. When moistened, -however, by long-continued rains, the weight of their contents will -sometimes cause these nests to part, and the whole is precipitated to -the bottom. The young birds cling very tenaciously to the sides of the -chimneys with their bills and claws. They not only are often able, in -these accidents, to save themselves from falling, but even at a very -early age can cling to the sides of the chimney and work their way to -the top. They always leave their nest and climb to the upper part of -the chimney several days before they can fly, and are there fed by -their parents. - -Occasionally the young birds fall to the bottom of the chimney, out of -the reach or notice of their parents. I have never been able to induce -them to take any food, although they keep uttering pitiful cries of -hunger. In such cases the young birds placed on the roof near their -native chimney soon manage to climb to its base, and there receive the -aid of the old birds. - -Their eggs are four in number, somewhat elliptical in form, though -somewhat less obtuse at one end than the other. They are of a pure -white color, and are never spotted. They vary but little in size or -shape, and measure from .75 to .81 of an inch in length, and from .50 -to .55 in breadth. - -In New England the Chimney Swallow raises but one brood in a season. -In Pennsylvania it is said to have two. - - -Chætura (pelagica var. ?) vauxi, (TOWNS.) DEKAY. - -OREGON CHIMNEY SWIFT. - - _Cypselus vauxi_, TOWNSEND, J. A. N. Sc. VIII, 1839, 148 (Columbia - River).—IB. Narrative, 1839. _Chætura vauxi_, DEKAY, N. Y. - Zoöl. II, 1844, 36.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 145, pl. - xviii.—SCLATER, Cat. 282.—IB. P. Z. S. 1863, 100 - (Guatemala).—KENNERLY, P. R. R. x, b, pl. xviii, f. 2.—COOPER - & SUCKLEY, 165.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 351. _Acanthylis - vauxi_, BONAP. Comptes Rendus, XXVIII, 1854; notes Delattre, - 90.—CASSIN, Ill. I, 1855, 250.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. and Or. - Route, 78; P. R. R. Surv. VI, 1857. - -SP. CHAR. Light sooty-brown; rump and under parts paler; lightest on -the chin and throat. Length, 4.50; wing, 4.75; tail, 1.90. - -HAB. Pacific coast, from Puget’s Sound to California. West coast to -Guatemala (SCL. P. Z. S. 1863, 100); Yucatan (LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. -IX, 204). - -This species bears a very close resemblance to the common Chimney -Swallow of the Eastern States, being only readily distinguishable by -its much smaller size, 4.50 inches instead of 5.25. The wing, too, is -nearly an inch shorter. The tarsus and the middle toe, however, seem -absolutely longer. The rump is a little paler than in _C. pelagica_, -as well as the under parts, where the chin and throat are lighter, -almost dirty white, and gradually becoming a little darker behind, -although even the hinder part of the belly is much lighter than the -back, even in strong contrast, instead of being of the same color with -it. Guatemalan specimens are much darker. - -HABITS. This western Swift was first discovered by Mr. Townsend on the -Columbia River, where he found it having the primitive habits of the -eastern species, and breeding in hollow trees, forming a nest in a -similar manner, and laying four pure-white eggs. It differs from the -common bird in its smaller size and lighter color. It is said to occur -from Puget Sound to California. - -Dr. Cooper met with these birds May 4, 1864, in the Coast Range, -twelve miles south of Santa Clara. He was of the opinion that they had -nests in hollow trees at the summit of the mountains, but he was not -able to find any. He did not observe any at Fort Vancouver in the -summer of 1853, nor did he learn whether these birds are found in the -central valleys of California. In 1866 they were observed to make -their first appearance at Santa Cruz on the 4th of May, though as they -rarely descended to the town they might have been on the hills earlier -than this. On the 5th of October he observed five of them, in company -with a large flock of _Hirundo bicolor_, spending the morning in -hunting insects near the town. They were apparently delayed in their -migration southward by a thick fog and cold south-wind. They may have -been a late brood from the north. - -Dr. Kennerly obtained a single specimen of this species at the Straits -of Fuca, showing that these birds sometimes extend their migrations up -to the 49th parallel. Neither Dr. Suckley nor Dr. Cooper was able to -find this Swift anywhere in Washington Territory. - -Dr. Newberry observed this species quite common in California, but -could obtain no specimens, owing to the height at which they flew. He -saw nothing of it in Oregon. - -Two specimens of this species obtained in Mexico by M. de Saussure are -in the collection of Dr. Sclater. - -Mr. Ridgway saw on the Truckee River, near Pyramid Lake, in May, 1868, -what he supposes to have been this species. It was not common, only a -few individuals being observed every evening just before dusk, flying -overhead exactly in the manner of Chimney Swallows (_C. pelagica_), -which they also exactly resembled in appearance. They flew so high -that specimens could not be obtained. They were entirely silent, and -appeared at no other time than in the evening, in these respects -differing strikingly from the eastern species. - - - - -FAMILY TROCHILIDÆ.—THE HUMMING-BIRDS. - - -CHAR. Least of all birds; sternum very deep; bill subulate, and -generally longer than the head, straight, arched, or upcurved. Tongue -composed of two lengthened cylindrical united tubes, capable of great -protrusion, and bifid at tip; nostrils basal, linear, and covered by -an operculum; wings lengthened, pointed; first quill usually longest -except in _Aithurus_, where it is the second; primaries, 10; -secondaries, 6; tail of ten feathers. Tarsi and feet very diminutive, -claws very sharp. (GOULD.) - -There is no group of birds so interesting to the ornithologist or to -the casual observer as the Humming-Birds, at once the smallest in -size, the most gorgeously beautiful in color, and almost the most -abundant in species, of any single family of birds. They are strictly -confined to the continent and islands of America, and are most -abundant in the Central American and Andean States, though single -species range almost to the Arctic regions on the north and to -Patagonia on the south, as well as from the sea-coast to the frozen -summits of the Andes. Many are very limited in their range; some -confined to particular islands, even though of small dimensions, or to -the summits of certain mountain-peaks. - -The bill of the Humming-Bird is awl-shaped or subulate; thin, and -sharp-pointed; straight or curved; sometimes as long as the head, -sometimes much longer. The mandibles are excavated to the tip for the -lodgement of the tongue, and form a tube by the close apposition of -their cutting edges. There is no indication of stiff bristly feathers -at the base of the mouth. The tongue has some resemblance to that of -the Woodpecker in the elongation of the cornua backwards, so as to -pass round the back of the skull, and then anteriorly to the base of -the bill. The tongue itself is of very peculiar structure, consisting -anteriorly of two hollow threads closed at the ends and united behind. -The food of the Humming-Bird consists almost entirely of insects, -which are captured by protruding the tongue in flowers of various -shapes without opening the bill very wide. - -The genera of Humming-Birds are very difficult to define. This is -partly owing to the great number of the species, of which nearly four -hundred and fifty have been recognized by authors, all of them with -but few exceptions diminutive in size and almost requiring a lens for -their critical examination, so that characters for generic separation, -distinct enough in other families, are here overlooked or not fully -appreciated. A still greater difficulty, perhaps, is the great -difference in form, especially of the tail, between the male and -female, the young male occupying an intermediate position. The -coloration, too, is almost always very different with sex and age, and -usually any generic characters derived from features other than those -of bill, feet, and wing do not apply to the females at all. - -In the large number of species of Humming-Birds arranged in about one -hundred and thirty genera, only two subfamilies have been recognized, -as follows:— - -Phæthornithinæ. Anterior toes connected at the base. No metallic -lustre to the dull plumage. - -Trochilinæ. Anterior toes not connected at the base. Plumage -brilliant, with more or less of metallic lustre, at least in the -males. - -The first-mentioned subfamily embraces five genera, and about fifty -species, none of which are found in the United States. The -_Trochilinæ_ count nearly four hundred species and one hundred and -twenty-five genera, and in the absence of any successful attempt to -arrange them in subordinate groups, the difficulties of determination -on the part of the tyro may readily be imagined. - -Of the seven genera accredited to North America, with their ten -species, we cannot pretend to do more than present an artificial -analysis, which may serve to define them as compared with each other, -but bear little reference to the family as a whole. The characters are -selected partly from the shape of tail and partly from color. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. All the North American _Trochilidæ_ have metallic -green backs, excepting _Selasphorus rufus_, this color extending over -the top of head, except in _Calypte_ (metallic red and violet), and -_Heliopædica_ (bluish-black). The latter alone has a white stripe -through the eye. _Atthis heloisæ_ alone has the tail tipped with white -in the male. Females of all the species except _Heliopædica_ have tail -tipped with white; all have it rounded. All females lack the metallic -throat. The males of the several genera belonging to North America may -be distinguished as follows:— - -I. _Bill covered with feathers between nostrils._ - - A. Top of head green. - - Feathers of throat not elongated. - - Tail rounded or slightly emarginated, the feathers - broad, rounded, and metallic rufous-purple, or - greenish-blue. Wing more than 2.50 _Lampornis_. - - Tail more or less forked; feathers pointed, narrow, - and without rufous or blue. Wing much less than 2.00 - _Trochilus_. - - Throat-feathers elongated laterally into a kind of ruff. - Tail-feathers edged or banded with cinnamon at base. - - Tail cuneate, the outer primary attenuated at end. - Innermost tail-feather green above. - - Tail dusky at end _Selasphorus_. - - Tail tipped with white _Atthis_. - - Tail nearly even, and emarginated. Outer primary not - attenuated at end. Innermost tail-feather brown above - _Stellula_. - - B. Top of head metallic red or violet. - - Metallic feathers of side of throat much elongated _Calypte_. - -II. _Bill bare of feathers between the nostrils._ - - C. Top of head bluish-black; a white line through eye. - - Metallic feathers of side of throat not elongated. - - Tail nearly even, and slightly emarginated. Lateral - feathers very broad and obtuse at end _Heliopædica_. - -We have included _Lampornis_ in the list of United States genera on -exceedingly doubtful evidence of the occurrence of _L. mango_, which -was said to have been taken at Key West, and sent to Mr. Audubon, who -figured it. The species, however, proves to be one belonging to -Brazil, and not the Jamaican form (_L. porphyrura_, Gould), which -might possibly have straggled there. - -In reference to the large number of species of _Trochilidæ_, it may be -well to remark that many differ by very slight, sometimes quite -inappreciable characters, and are to be looked on as only climatic or -geographical varieties. All those given for the United States are, -however, well marked. - -Additional species of _Trochilidæ_ will doubtless yet be detected -within our limits, especially in Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern -Texas, where almost any of the Mexican table-land species may be -looked for, such as _Calypte floresi_, _Calothorax cyanopogon_, etc. -South Florida will probably yet furnish to us the Bahaman _Doricha -evelynæ_. - -The following synopsis expresses, perhaps, a more natural arrangement -of the genera:— - - A. Nasal operculum entirely covered by the frontal - feathers; base of the bill narrow. - - _a._ Tail forked, and unvariegated in the male. Outer - primary strongly bowed, or curved inward at the end. - - Stellula. Tail deeply emarginated in ♂, somewhat - doubly rounded in ♀, but outer feather not longest; - the feathers spatulate; outer primary very strongly - bowed, and very broad at end. ♂. Gorget feathers - linear, much elongated; only their terminal half - colored; crown green like the back. ♀. Similar in - form, but the intermediate feathers of tail longer - than the external, instead of shorter. - - Trochilus. Tail deeply emarginated in the male, the - feathers attenuated toward tips; doubly rounded in ♀, - and broader; outer primary strongly bowed, but narrow - at end. ♂. Gorget feathers broad, short, squamate; - colored blue or crimson to their bases. Crown green - like the back. - - Calypte. Tail as in _Trochilus_, but the external - feather abruptly narrower than the next, with its - edges nearly parallel. Outer primary as in - _Trochilus_. Crown metallic (violet or crimson) like - the throat. _Female_ like that of _Trochilus_. - - _b._ Tail rounded or graduated, and variegated in the - male. Outer primary only slightly bowed, and narrow at - end, except in ♀ of _Atthis_. - - Selasphorus. Tail graduated in the ♂, the feathers - attenuated at ends. Outer primary abruptly attenuated, - the end turned outwards. Gorget feathers broad, - elongated laterally, rose-purple or fire-color; crown - green like the back; tail-feathers edged with rufous. - ♀ with tail less graduated, and the feathers broader - at ends. Outer primary broader, and not attenuated and - turned outward at end. - - Atthis. Sexes alike in form. Tail rounded; outer - primary bowed at end, rather narrow in the ♂. Gorget - feathers much elongated, posteriorly and laterally; - tail-feathers tipped with white. - - _c._ Tail rounded, or slightly emarginated, and usually - unvariegated in either sex; the feathers very broad, and - rounded at the ends; primaries normal, the outer broad - to the end, and moderately bowed. - - Lampornis.[113] Bill cylindrical, considerably curved. - Wing very long, reaching to, or beyond, the tip of the - very broad tail. Size large (wing, 2.50, or more). The - male dark-colored (green or black) beneath. Sexes - sometimes alike (in West Indies). - - B. Nasal operculum entirely uncovered; base of bill very - broad. Female with tail-feathers not tipped with white. - - Heliopædica. Sexes alike in form. First primary - longest, much bowed toward end. Tail more than two - thirds the wing, nearly square (a little emarginated - in the ♂, slightly rounded in the ♀), the feathers - very broad, rounded at ends. Color, metallic green - above, white or rufous glossed with green below; a - conspicuous white post-ocular stripe, and an auricular - one of black beneath it. ♂. Forehead and chin black or - metallic blue; throat rich metallic green. ♀. Forehead - dull brownish-green; chin and throat white, glossed - with green, or plain ochraceous; tail plain - bluish-black or purplish-rufous, the middle feathers - more or less green. - - Thaumatias. Sexes alike in form and color. General - form of _Heliopædica_, but tail emarginated, instead - of rounded. Color nearly uniform green, with or - without white throat and abdomen. Tail grayish-dusky, - with an obscure subterminal band of black (with basal - three fourths white in _T. chionurus_). - -HABITS. The habits and manners of the whole family of _Trochilidæ_ -are, in many striking respects, entirely peculiar to themselves, and -without any known correspondence or close resemblance to those of any -other kinds of birds, either in America or elsewhere. This family is -found exclusively in America, either in the islands or on the -continent, and number in all not far from four hundred species, -distributed into various subdivisions and genera, but all possessing, -to a very large degree, the same common peculiarities, of which the -well-known Ruby-throat of eastern North America may be taken as -eminently typical. The habits and peculiarities of this numerous -family have been closely studied, and many valuable facts in relation -to them have been contributed by various naturalists; by none, -perhaps, with more intelligent attention than by the eminent Swiss -naturalist, M. H. de Saussure, in his visit to the West India Islands -and Mexico, to whose observations we are largely indebted. - -On the first visit of this naturalist to a savanna in the island of -Jamaica, he at once noticed what he at first took to be a brilliant -green insect, of rapid flight, approaching him by successive -alternations of movements and pauses, and rapidly gliding among and -over the network of interlacing shrubs. He was surprised by the -extraordinary dexterity with which it avoided the movements of his -net, and yet more astonished to find, when he had captured it, that he -had taken a bird, and not an insect. - -He soon satisfied himself that this entire family not only have the -form and aspect of insects, but that they have also the same -movements, the same habits, and the same manner of living, with -certain insects. Their flight is exactly like that of an insect, and -in this respect they form a remarkably exceptional group among birds. -When we notice their long wings in our cabinet specimens, we naturally -suppose that they use these instruments of flight in the same manner -with the Swallow or the Swift. Yet investigation shows that, so very -far from this, these wings, comparatively so very long, vibrate even -more rapidly than do those of birds with proportionately the smallest -wings, such as the Grebe, the Loon, and the Penguin, and that, more -than this, they vibrate with an intensity so vastly superior, that -they become wholly invisible in the wonderful rapidity of their -movements. - -The altogether exceptional character of their flight is a subject for -never-ceasing astonishment. Until we actually witness it, we should -never conceive it to be possible for a bird to vibrate its wings with -so great a rapidity, and by them to support itself in the air in the -same manner with the _Anthraces_ and other aerial insects. This feat -is rendered all the more surprising by the extreme narrowness of the -wing and the comparative weight of the body, which is quite -considerable, on account of the compactness of the flesh and bones, -and the small size of the birds themselves, whose wings displace but a -small quantity of air. The resistance of the air to the stroke of the -wing of a bird should be, not in proportion to the surface of that -wing, but to its square, or even to its cube, if the movement is very -rapid. Hence it follows that a due proportion being required as -between the weight of the body and the surface of this organ, a small -bird cannot keep itself poised in the air except by means of -vibrations more rapid than those of a larger kind. This is, without -doubt, one explanation of the fact that Humming-Birds, in their -flight, are so insect-like. They pass from bush to bush as if -suspended in the air, and pause over each flower, vibrating their -wings, in precisely the same manner with the Sphinxes, and with the -same humming sounds. - -The flight of the Humming-Bird is of two kinds. One of these is used -for a horizontal movement, and is so rapid that one can hardly follow -it with the eye. This is accompanied by a kind of hissing sound. The -other seems to keep the body in the air immovable, in one spot. For -the latter purpose the bird assumes a position nearly vertical, and -beats its wings with great intensity. These organs must vibrate all -the more rapidly, because the immobility of the body requires a -shorter stroke, and therefore the more frequently repeated. The -equilibrium of the body is preserved by the alternate up and down -strokes of the wings, no inconsiderable force being required to keep -its immobility, besides that requisite for neutralizing the weight of -the body. - -The Humming-Bird is entirely aerial. They pass with the rapidity of an -arrow, stop, rest for a few seconds on some small branch, and then -suddenly depart with so much rapidity that we cannot trace its flight. -They disappear as if by enchantment. Their life is one of feverish -excitement. They seem to live more intensely than any other being on -our globe. From morning to night they traverse the air in quest of -honeyed flowers. They come like a flash of light, assume a vertical -position without any support, throw their tail forward, expanding it -like a fan, vibrating their wings with such rapidity that they become -absolutely invisible, plunging, at the same time, their thread-like -tongues to the bottom of some long corolla, and then they have gone as -suddenly as they came. They are never known to rest on a branch in -order more at their leisure to plunge their tongue into the flower. -Their life is too short for this delay; they are in too great haste; -they can only stop long enough to beat their wings before each flower -for a few seconds, but long enough to reach its bottom and to devour -its inhabitants. When we take into consideration how entirely aerial -is their life, and the prodigious relative force requisite to enable -them to keep suspended in the air during the entire day, almost -incessantly, either in rapid motion or accomplishing the most violent -vibrations, we can but be amazed at the extraordinary powers of flight -and endurance they manifest. - -The Humming-Bird enjoys even the most tropical heat, avoids shade, and -is easily overcome by cold. Though some travellers speak of having met -with these birds in the depths of forests, Saussure discredits their -statements, having never found any in such situations. They prefer -open flowery fields, meadows, gardens, and shrubbery, delighting to -glitter in the sun’s rays, and to mingle with the swarm of resplendent -insects with which tropical regions abound, and with the habits of -which their own so well accord. Nearly all live in the open sun, only -a very few are more or less crepuscular and never to be seen except -very early in the morning or in the evening twilight. - -Mr. Salvin is of the opinion that Humming-Birds do not remain long on -the wing at once, but rest frequently, choosing for that purpose a -small dead or leafless twig at the top, or just within the branches of -the tree. While in this position they trim their feathers and clean -their bill, all the time keeping up an incessant jerking of their -wings and tail. - -In Mexico, where these birds are very abundant, they are attracted by -the blossoms of the _Agave americana_, and swarm around them like so -many beetles. As they fly, they skim over the fields, rifle the -flowers, mingling with the bees and the butterflies, and during the -seasons of bloom, at certain hours of the day, the fields appear -perfectly alive with them. The ear receives unceasingly the whistling -sounds of their flight, and their shrill cries, resembling in their -sharp accent the clash of weapons. Although the Humming-Bird always -migrates at the approach of cold weather, yet it is often to be found -at very considerable elevations. The traveller Bourcier met with them -on the crater of Pichincha, and M. Saussure obtained specimens of -_Calothorax lucifer_ in the Sierra de Cuernavaca, at the height of -more than 9,500 feet. - -While we must accept as a well-established fact that the Humming-Birds -feed on insects, demonstrated long since by naturalists, it is equally -true that they are very fond of the nectar of flowers, and that this, -to a certain extent, constitutes their nourishment. This is shown by -the sustenance which captive Humming-Birds receive from honey and -other sweet substances, food to which a purely insectivorous bird -could hardly adapt itself. - -Notwithstanding their diminutive size the Humming-Birds are notorious -for their aggressive disposition. They attack with great fury anything -that excites their animosity, and maintain constant warfare with -whatever is obnoxious to them, expressly the Sphinxes or Hawk-Moths. -Whenever one of these inoffensive moths, two or three times the size -of a Humming-Bird, chances to come too early into the garden and -encounters one of these birds, he must give way or meet with certain -injury. At sight of the insect the bird attacks it with his pointed -beak with great fury. The Sphinx, overcome in this unlooked-for -attack, beats a retreat, but, soon returning to the attractive -flowers, is again and again assaulted by its infuriated enemy. Certain -destruction awaits these insects if they do not retire from the field -before their delicate wings, lacerated in these attacks, can no longer -support them, and they fall to the ground to perish from other -enemies. - -In other things the Humming-Bird also shows itself all the more -impertinent and aggressive that it is small and weak. It takes offence -at everything that moves near it. It attacks birds much larger than -itself, and is rarely disturbed or molested by those it thus assails. -All other birds must make way. It is possible that in some of these -attacks it may be influenced by an instinctive prompting of advantages -to be gained, as in the case of the spider, in whose nets they are -liable to be entangled, and whose webs often seriously incommode them. -When a Humming-Bird perceives a spider in the midst of its net, it -rarely fails to make an attack, and with such rapidity that one cannot -follow the movement, but in the twinkling of an eye the spider has -disappeared. This is not only done to small spiders, which doubtless -they devour, but also to others too large to be thus eaten. - -Not content with thus chastising small enemies, the Humming-Bird also -contends with others far more powerful, and which give them a good -deal of trouble. They have been known to engage in an unequal contest -with the Sparrow-Hawk, yet rarely without coming off the conquerors. -In this strife they have the advantage of numbers, their diminutive -size, and the rapidity and the irregularity of their own movements. -Several unite in these attacks, and, in rushing upon their powerful -enemy, they always aim at his eyes. The Hawk soon appreciates his -inability to contend with these tormenting little furies, and beats an -ignominious retreat. - -Advantage is taken of this aggressive disposition of these birds, by -the hunter, to capture them. In their combats with one another, or in -their rash attacks upon various offensive objects, even upon the -person of the snarer himself, they are made prisoners through their -own rashness and reckless impetuosity. - -In enumerating the prominent characteristics of this remarkable -family, we should not omit to refer to the lavish profusion of colors -of every tint and shade, excelling in lustre and brilliancy even the -costliest gems, with which Nature has adorned their plumage. And not -only are nearly all the birds of this group thus decked out with hues -of the most dazzling brightness and splendor, when alive and -resplendent in the tropical sun, but many also display the most -wonderfully varying shades and colors, according to the position in -which they are presented to the eye. The sides of the fibres of each -feather are of a different color from the surface, and change as seen -in a front or an oblique direction, and while living, these birds, by -their movements, can cause these feathers to change very suddenly to -very different hues. Thus the _Selasphorus rufus_ can change in a -twinkling the vivid fire-color of its expanded throat to a light -green, and the species known as the Mexican Star (_Cynanthus lucifer_) -changes from a bright crimson to an equally brilliant blue. - -The nests and the eggs of the Humming-Birds, though in a few -exceptional cases differing as to the form and position of the former, -are similar, so far as known, in the whole family. The eggs are always -two in number, white and unspotted, oblong in shape, and equally -obtuse at either end. The only differences to be noticed are in the -relative variations in size. The nests are generally saddled upon the -upper side of a horizontal branch, are cup-like in shape, and are -largely made up of various kinds of soft vegetable down, covered by an -outward coating of lichens and mosses fastened upon them by the -glue-like saliva of the bird. In _T. colubris_ the soft inner portion -of the nest is composed of the delicate downy covering of the -leaf-buds of several kinds of oaks. In Georgia the color of this down -is of a deep nankeen hue, but in New England it is nearly always -white. At first the nest is made of this substance alone, and the -entire complement of eggs, never more than two, is sometimes laid -before the covering of lichens is put on by the male bird, who seems -to amuse himself with this while his mate is sitting upon her eggs. - - - [113] Genus _Lampornis_, SWAINS. CHAR. Size large (wing, - 2.50); tail large, more than half the wing, the feathers - very broad; usually a little rounded, sometimes slightly - emarginated (as in _L. mango_, _L. virginalis_, and _L. - aurulentus_). Bill cylindrical, considerably curved, its - vertical thickness least at about the middle. Nasal opercula - nearly covered by the frontal feathers; tarsi naked. Wing - very long, reaching to or beyond the tip of the tail; first - primary longest, only slightly bowed, and not attenuated at - tip; inner primaries normal. - - The species of this genus belong chiefly to the West India - Islands and to Tropical America,—principally on the - Atlantic coast. They are all of more than the average size, - and distinguished by broad tail-feathers, and rather dull, - though handsome colors. In _L. porphyrurus_ the sexes are - alike in color. The following species has been accredited to - North America, but probably upon erroneous data, since it - belongs to northern South America, not even being an - inhabitant of any of the West India Islands, except - Trinidad. Still it is possible that, as alleged for - _Thaumatias linnæi_ (see page 1064), it may have wandered - far from its usual habitat, and have reached Florida, as - stated by Mr. Audubon. - - _Lampornis mango_, (L.) SWAINS.—The Mango Hummer. - _Trochilus mango_, L. S. N. I, 191.—GMEL. S. N. I. - 491.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 486; pl. 184.—IB. Birds Am. - IV, 1842, 186, pl. ccli. _Lampornis mango_, SW. Zoöl. Journ. - III, 358.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 130. SP. CHAR.—_Male_: - Above deep golden green; beneath opaque velvety-black - medially, from the bill to the anal region, separated from - the lateral and superior green by a tint of metallic - greenish-blue. Tail richly metallic rufous-purple, the - feathers bordered terminally with blue-black; intermediæ - plain dark bronzy-green. Primaries plain dull dusky. - _Female._ Similar, but white beneath, except laterally, and - with a medial stripe of black, from the bill to the anus. - Wing, 2.60-2.70; tail, 1.50-1.70; bill, .90. _Hab._ Northern - South America (Brazil, Guiana, Venezuela, New Granada, - Panama, and Trinidad); accidental in Florida??? - - -GENUS STELLULA, GOULD. - - _Stellula_, GOULD, Introd. Trochil. 1861, 90. (Type, _Trochilus - calliope_, GOULD.) - - [Line drawing: _Stellula calliope._ - 17992 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill rather longer than the head; straight. Wings much -developed, reaching beyond the tail, which is short, nearly even, or -slightly rounded, and with the inner-most feathers abruptly short; the -outer feather rather narrower and more linear than the others, which -have a rather spatulate form. Metallic throat-feathers elongated and -rather linear and loose, not forming a continuous metallic surface. -Central tail-feather without green. - -This genus, established by Gould, has a slight resemblance to -_Atthis_, but differs in absence of the attenuated tip of outer -primary. The outer three tail-feathers are longest and nearly even -(the second rather longest), the fourth and fifth equal and abruptly a -little shorter, the latter without any green. The feathers are rather -broad and wider terminally (the outermost least so), and are obtusely -rounded at end. The tail of the female is quite similar. The absence -of green on the tail in the male seems a good character. But one -species is known of the genus. - -_Calothorax_ is a closely allied genus, in which the tail is -considerably longer. One species, _C. cyanopogon_, will probably be -yet detected in New Mexico. - - -Stellula calliope, GOULD. - -THE CALLIOPE HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Trochilus calliope_, GOULD, Pr. Z. S. 1847, 11 (Mexico). - _Calothorax calliope_, GRAY, Genera, I, 100.—BON. Rev. Mag. - Zoöl. 1854, 257.—GOULD, Mon. Troch. III, pl. cxlii.—XANTUS, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1859, 190.—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. A. I, xxiii. - _Stellula calliope_, GOULD, Introd. Troch. 1861, 90.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 363. - -SP. CHAR. _Male_ above, except on tail, golden-green, beneath white, -the sides glossed with green, the flanks somewhat with rusty; crissum -pure white. Throat-feathers pure white at base, terminal half -violet-red, more reddish than in _Atthis heloisæ_; the sides of neck -pure white. Tail-feathers brown, edged at base, especially on inner -webs, but inconspicuously, with rufous; the ends paler, as if faded; -central feathers like the rest; under mandible yellow. Length, 2.75; -wing, 1.60; tail, 1.00; bill above to base of feathers, .55. _Female_ -without the metallic gorget (replaced by a few dusky specks), and the -throat-feathers not elongated; no green on sides, and more tinged with -rufous beneath. A white crescent under the eye. Tail more rounded and -less emarginate than in the male. The outer three feathers green at -base, then black, and tipped with white; the fourth green and black; -the fifth green, with a dusky shade at end; all, except central, edged -internally at base with rufous. The under mandible is paler at base -than elsewhere, but not yellowish-white as in the male. - -HAB. Mountains of Washington Territory, Oregon, and California, to -Northern Mexico. East to East Humboldt Mountains (RIDGWAY); Fort Tejon -(XANTUS); Fort Crook (FEILNER). - -The male bird is easily distinguished from other North American -species by its very small size, the snowy-white bases of the elongated -loose throat-feathers, and by the shape of the tail, as also the -absence, at least in the several males before us, of decided metallic -green on the central tail-feathers. The females resemble those of _A. -heloisæ_ most closely, but have longer bills and wings, broader -tail-feathers, and their rufous confined to the edges, instead of -crossing the entire basal portion. _Selasphorus platycercus_ and -_rufus_ are much larger, and have tails marked more as in _A. -heloisæ_. - -HABITS. This interesting species was first met with as a Mexican -Humming-Bird, on the high table-lands of that republic, by Signor -Floresi. His specimens were obtained in the neighborhood of the Real -del Monte mines. As it was a comparatively rare bird, and only met -with in the winter months, it was rightly conjectured to be only a -migrant in that locality. - -This species is new to the fauna of North America, and was first -brought to the attention of naturalists by Mr. J. K. Lord, one of the -British commissioners on the Northwest Boundary Survey. It is presumed -to be a mountain species, found in the highlands of British Columbia, -Washington Territory, Oregon, California, and Northern Mexico. - -Early in May Mr. Lord was stationed on the Little Spokan River, -superintending the building of a bridge. The snow was still remaining -in patches, and no flowers were in bloom except the brilliant pink -_Ribes_, or flowering currant. Around the blossoms of this shrub he -found congregated quite a number of Humming-Birds. The bushes seemed -to him to literally gleam with their flashing colors. They were all -male birds, and of two species; and upon obtaining several of both -they proved to be, one the _Selasphorus rufus_, the other the present -species, one of the smallest of Humming-Birds, and in life conspicuous -for a frill of minute pinnated feathers, encircling the throat, of a -delicate magenta tint, which can be raised or depressed at will. A few -days after the females arrived, and the species then dispersed in -pairs. - -He afterwards ascertained that they prefer rocky hillsides at great -altitudes, where only pine-trees, rock plants, and an alpine flora are -found. He frequently shot these birds above the line of perpetual -snow. Their favorite resting-place was on the extreme point of a dead -pine-tree, where, if undisturbed, they would sit for hours. The site -chosen for the nest was usually the branch of a young pine, where it -was artfully concealed amidst the fronds at the very end, and rocked -like a cradle by every passing breeze. - -Dr. Cooper thinks that he met with this species in August, 1853, on -the summit of the Cascade Mountains, but mistook the specimens for the -young of _Selasphorus rufus_. - -Early in June, 1859, Mr. John Feilner found these birds breeding near -Pitt River, California, and obtained their nests. - -This species was obtained by Mr. Ridgway only on the East Humboldt -Mountains, in Eastern Nevada. The two or three specimens shot were -females, obtained in August and September, and at the time mistaken -for the young of _Selasphorus platycercus_, which was abundant at that -locality. - -Dr. W. J. Hoffman writes, in relation to this species, that on the -20th of July, 1871, being in camp at Big Pines, a place about -twenty-seven miles north of Camp Independence, California, on a -mountain stream, the banks of which are covered with an undergrowth of -cottonwood and small bushes, he frequently saw and heard Humming-Birds -flying around him. He at length discovered a nest, which was perched -on a limb directly over the swift current, where it was sometimes -subjected to the spray. The limb was but half an inch in thickness, -and the nest was attached to it by means of thin fibres of vegetable -material and hairs. It contained two eggs. The parents were taken, and -proved to be this species. There were many birds of the same kind at -this point, constantly on the tops of the small pines in search of -insects. - - -GENUS TROCHILUS, LINNÆUS. - - _Trochilus_, LINNÆUS, Systema Naturæ, 1748 (AGASSIZ). - - [Line drawing: _Trochilus colubris._ - 1101 ♀] - - [Line drawing: _Trochilus colubris._ - 1100 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Metallic gorget of throat nearly even all round. Tail -forked; the feathers lanceolate, acute, becoming gradually narrower -from the central to the exterior. Inner six primaries abruptly and -considerably smaller than the outer four, with the inner web notched -at the end. - -The female has the outer tail-feathers lanceolate, as in the male, -though much broader. The outer feathers are broad to the terminal -third, where they become rapidly pointed, the tip only somewhat -rounded; the sides of this attenuated portion (one or other, or both) -broadly and concavely emarginated, which distinguishes them from the -females of _Selasphorus_ and _Calypte_, in which the tail is broadly -linear to near the end, which is much rounded without any distinct -concavity. - -A peculiarity is observable in the wing of the two species of -_Trochilus_ as restricted, especially in _T. colubris_, which we have -not noticed in other North American genera. The outer four primaries -are of the usual shape, and diminish gradually in size; the remaining -six, however, are abruptly much smaller, more linear, and nearly equal -in width (about that of inner web of the fourth), so that the interval -between the fifth and fourth is from two to five times as great as -that between the fifth and sixth. The inner web of these reduced -primaries is also emarginated at the end. This character is even -sometimes seen in the females, but to a less extent, and may serve to -distinguish both _colubris_ and _alexandri_ from other allied species -where other marks are obscured. - -The following diagnosis will serve to distinguish the species found in -the United States:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Above and on the sides metallic green. A -ruff of metallic feathers from the bill to the breast, behind -which is a whitish collar, confluent with a narrow abdominal -stripe; a white spot behind the eye. Tail-feathers without -light margins. - - Tail deeply forked (.30 of an inch). Throat bright - coppery-red from the chin. Tail of female rounded, - emarginated _T. colubris_. - - Larger. Tail slightly forked (.10 of an inch). Throat - gorget with violet, steel, green, or blue reflections - behind; anteriorly opaque velvety-black. Tail of female - graduated; scarcely emarginated _T. alexandri_. - - -Trochilus colubris, LINNÆUS. - -RUBY-THROATED HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Trochilus colubris_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, - 191.—WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 26, pl. x.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - 1832, 248, pl. xlvii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 190, pl. - ccliii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 131.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, - 154.—SAMUELS, 111.—ALLEN, B. Fla. 301. _Ornisyma colubris_, - DEVILLE, Rev. et Mag. Zool. May, 1852 (habits). _Trochilus - aureigaster_, LAWRENCE (alcoholic specimens). - -SP. CHAR. Tail in the male deeply forked; the feathers all narrow -lanceolate-acute. In the female slightly rounded and emarginate; the -feathers broader, though pointed. Male, uniform metallic green above; -a ruby-red gorget (blackish near the bill), with no conspicuous ruff; -a white collar on the jugulum; sides of body greenish; tail-feathers -uniformly brownish-violet. Female, without the red on the throat; the -tail rounded and emarginate, the inner feathers shorter than the -outer; the tail-feathers banded with black, and the outer tipped with -white; no rufous or cinnamon on the tail in either sex. Length, 3.25; -wing, 1.60; tail, 1.25; bill, .65. _Young_ males are like the females; -the throat usually spotted, sometimes with red; the tail is, in shape, -more like that of the old male. - -HAB. Eastern North America to the high Central Plains; south to -Brazil. Localities: Cordova (SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 288); Guatemala (SCL. -Ibis, I, 129); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 98; Gundl. Rep. I, 1866, 291); S. E. -Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 470, breeds); Veragua (SALV. P. Z. S. -1870, 208). - -The _Trochilus aureigaster_ (_aureigula?_) of Lawrence, described from -an alcoholic specimen in the Smithsonian collection, differs in having -a green throat, becoming golden towards the chin. It is quite -probable, however, that the difference is the result of immersion in -spirits. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLVII. - 1. Trochilus alexandri. ♂ Cal., 44959. - 2. ” colubris. ♂ Pa., 2713. - 3. Heliopædica xantusi. ♂ Cape St. Lucas. - 4. Selasphorus rufus. ♂ Oregon, 2896. - 5. ” platycercus. ♂ Rocky Mts., 10847. - 6. Atthis heloisæ. ♂ Mex., 25874. - 7. Calypte anna. ♂ Cal., 5501. - 8. ” costæ. ♂ Cal., 39397. - 9. Stellula calliope. ♂ Cal., 17992.] - -The red of the throat appears paler in some Mexican and Guatemalan -skins; others, however, are not distinguishable from the northern -specimens. - -HABITS. This species is found throughout eastern North America, as far -west as the Missouri Valley, and breeds from Florida and the valley of -the Rio Grande to high northern latitudes. Richardson states that it -ranges at least to the 57th parallel, and probably even farther north. -He obtained specimens on the plains of the Saskatchewan, and Mr. -Drummond found one of its nests near the source of the Elk River. Mr. -Dresser found this bird breeding in Southwestern Texas, and also -resident there during the winter months, and I have received their -nests and eggs from Florida and Georgia. It was found by Mr. Skinner -to be abundant in Guatemala during the winter months, on the southern -slope of the great Cordillera, showing that it chooses for its winter -retreat the moderate climate afforded by a region lying between the -elevations of three and four thousand feet, where it winters in large -numbers. Mr. Salvin noted their first arrival in Guatemala as early as -the 24th of August. From that date the number rapidly increased until -the first week in October, when it had become by far the most common -species about Dueñas. It seemed also to be universally distributed, -being equally common at Coban, at San Geronimo, and the plains of -Salamá. - -The birds of this species make their appearance on our southern border -late in March, and slowly move northward in their migrations, reaching -Upper Georgia about the 10th of April, Pennsylvania from the last of -April to about the middle of May, and farther north the last of May or -the first of June. They nest in Massachusetts about the 10th of June, -and are about thirteen days between the full number of eggs and the -appearance of the young. They resent any approach to their nest, and -will even make angry movements around the head of the intruder, -uttering a sharp outcry. Other than this I have never heard them utter -any note. - -Attempts to keep in confinement the Humming-Bird have been only -partially successful. They have been known to live, at the best, only -a few months, and soon perish, partly from imperfect nourishment and -unsuitable food, and probably also from insufficient warmth. - -Numerous examinations of stomachs of these birds, taken in a natural -state, demonstrate that minute insects constitute a very large -proportion of their necessary food. These are swallowed whole. The -young birds feed by putting their own bills down the throats of their -parents, sucking probably a prepared sustenance of nectar and -fragments of insects. They raise, I think, but one brood in a season. -The young soon learn to take care of themselves, and appear to remain -some time after their parents have left. They leave New England in -September, and have all passed southward beyond our limits by -November. - -A nest of this bird, from Dr. Gerhardt, of Georgia, measures 1.75 -inches in its external diameter and 1.50 in height. Its cavity -measures 1.00 in depth and 1.25 inches in breadth. It is of very -homogeneous construction, the material of which it is made being -almost exclusively a substance of vegetable origin, resembling wool, -coarse in fibre, but soft, warm, and yielding, of a deep buff color. -This is strengthened, on the outside, by various small woody fibres; -the whole, on the outer surface, entirely and compactly covered by a -thatching of small lichens, a species of _Parmelia_. - -A nest obtained in Lynn, Mass., by Mr. George O. Welch, in June, 1860, -was built on a horizontal branch of an apple-tree. It measures 1.50 -inches in height, and 2.25 in its external diameter. The cavity is -more shallow, measuring .70 of an inch in depth and 1.00 in diameter. -It is equally homogeneous in its composition, being made of very -similar materials. In this case, however, the soft woolly material of -which it is woven is finer in fibre, softer and more silky, and of the -purest white color. It is strengthened on the base with pieces of -bark, and on the sides with fine vegetable fibres. The whole nest is -beautifully covered with a compact coating of lichens, a species of -_Parmelia_, but different from those of the Georgian nest. - -The fine silk-like substance of which the nest from Lynn is chiefly -composed is supposed to be the soft down which appears on the young -and unexpanded leaves of the red-oak, immediately before their full -development. The buds of several of the oaks are fitted for a climate -liable to severe winters, by being protected by separate downy scales -surrounding each leaf. In Massachusetts the red-oak is an abundant -tree, expands its leaves at a convenient season for the Humming-Bird, -and these soft silky scales which have fulfilled their mission of -protection to the embryo leaves are turned to a good account by our -tiny and watchful architect. The species in Georgia evidently make use -of similar materials from one of the southern oaks. - -The eggs measure .50 by .35 of an inch, and are of a pure dull white. - - -Trochilus alexandri, BOURC. & MULSANT. - -BLACK-CHINNED HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Trochilus alexandri_, BOURCIER & MULSANT, Ann. de la Soc. d’Agric. - de Lyons, IX, 1846, 330.—HEERMANN, Jour. A. N. Sc. Phila. 2d - ser. II, 1853, 269.—CASSIN, Ill. N. Am. Birds, I, V, 1854, - 141, pl. xxii.—GOULD, Mon. Trochilidæ, XIV, Sept. 1857, - plate.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 133, pl. xliv, f. 3.—IB. M. - B. II, Birds, 6, pl. v, f. 3.—HEERM. X, S, 56.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 353. - -SP. CHAR. Very similar to _Trochilus colubris_. Tail slightly forked; -the chin and upper part of the throat opaque velvety-black, without -metallic reflections, which are confined to the posterior border of -the gorget, and are violet, sometimes changing to steel blue or green, -instead of coppery-red. _Female_ without the metallic scales; the -tail-feathers tipped with white; the tail graduated, not emarginated; -the innermost feather among the longest. Length of male, 3.30; wing, -1.70; tail, 126; bill, .75. - -_Hab._ Coast of California, southward, and east to the Wahsatch and -Uintah Mountains, Utah. - - [Line drawing: ♂ _juv._ _Trochilus alexandri._ 4963 ♀ ] - -The chief characters of this species are to be found in the violet, -steel-blue, or steel-green reflections of the hinder part of the -gorget, varying with the situation of the feathers and the specimen, -as distinguished from the bright fiery or coppery red of the other. -The chin and upper part of the throat extending beneath the eyes are -opaque velvety or greenish black, without metallic lustre, while in -_T. colubris_ it is only the extreme chin which is thus dull in -appearance. The bill is about .10 of an inch longer, the tail less -deeply forked, and tinged with green at the end. - - [Illustration: _Trochilus alexandri._] - -It is exceedingly difficult to distinguish the female of this species -from that of _T. colubris_. The size is rather larger, and the tail -rounded, without any distinct emargination; the middle feathers being -.15 of an inch longer than the lateral ones, instead of actually -shorter. The color is much the same. The primaries are also much -broader in the present species. - -In both species the outer tail-feathers, though broader than in the -male, are quite acutely pointed on the terminal third, one side or the -other of which is slightly concave, instead of being linear to near -the end, and rounded without any concavity, as in _Selasphorus_ and -_Calypte_. - -HABITS. This Humming-Bird, originally described as a Mexican species, -is found from the highlands of that republic northward, not only to -the southern borders of the western United States, but as far north as -the 58th parallel. It was first discovered on the table-lands of -Mexico, east of the city, by Signor Floresi, a distinguished -naturalist, who devoted himself to the study of the _Trochilidæ_ of -Mexico, but was first added to the fauna of North America by Dr. -Heermann, who detected it, and obtained several specimens, within the -burying-ground of Sacramento City, Cal. There several pairs remained -during the period of incubation, and reared their young, finding both -food and shelter among the flowering plants of that cemetery. He found -several of their nests which were essentially similar to the _T. -colubris_. - -Dr. Cooper met with this species along the Mohave River. He saw the -first on the 3d of June. He also found one of their nests built in a -dark willow-thicket in the fork of a tree, eight feet from the ground. -Those afterwards found near Santa Barbara were all built near the end -of hanging branches of the sycamore, constructed of white down from -willow catkins, agglutinated by the bird’s saliva, and thus fastened -to the branch on which it rested. These were built in the latter part -of April, and early in May contained two eggs, exactly resembling -those of the _T. colubris_, and measuring .51 by .32 of an inch. - -Afterwards Mr. W. W. Holden obtained a specimen in the Colorado -Valley, March 20. - -Mr. J. K. Lord, one of the English commissioners of the Northwestern -Boundary Survey, met with this species near his camping-place on the -western slope of the Rocky Mountains. This was near a lake, by the -margin of which, with other trees, grew a number of the black birch. -On these trees he found a sweet gummy sap exuding plentifully from -splits in the bark, and on this sap hosts of insects, large and small, -were regaling themselves. As the sap was very sticky, numbers of the -smaller winged insects were trapped in it. Busily employed in picking -off and devouring these captive insects were several very -sombre-looking Humming-Birds, poising themselves over the flowers, and -nipping off, as with delicate forceps, the imprisoned insects. Upon -securing one of these birds, he ascertained that it belonged to this -species. This was pretty satisfactory proof that they are -insect-eaters. Not only on this occasion, but many times afterwards, -Mr. Lord saw this bird pick the insects from the tree; and the -stomachs of those he killed, on being opened, were filled with various -kinds of winged insects. He found this bird lingering around lakes, -pools, and swamps, where these birches grow. They generally build in -the birch or alder, selecting the fork of a branch high up. - -This species bears a very close resemblance in size, appearance, and -markings, to the common eastern species, but is readily -distinguishable by the difference in the color of the chin and the -shape of the tail. - -In the spring of 1851, on a trip to Sonora, Mexico, Dr. Heermann found -these birds abundant in the arid country around Guaymas, where amid -the scanty vegetation they had constructed their nests in the month of -April. He also afterwards found them on Dry Creek and the Cosumnes -River. - -According to the observations of Mr. Ridgway, this species has quite -an extended distribution in the West. He found it in varying abundance -from the Sacramento Valley, in California, to the Wahsatch and Uintah -Mountains in Utah. - -At Sacramento it was more abundant than the _C. anna_, nesting in the -door-yards and in gardens, but particularly in the thick copses of -small oaks in the outskirts of the city. In the Great Basin it -associated with the _Selasphorus rufus_ in the western portion, and -with _S. platycercus_ to the eastward, nesting everywhere, from the -lowest valleys to a height of eight or nine thousand feet in the -mountains. - - -GENUS CALYPTE, GOULD. - - _Calypte_, GOULD, Introd. Trochilidæ, 1861, 87. (Type, _Ornysmya - costæ_.) - - [Line drawing: _Calypte costæ._ - 39399 ♂ 39400 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill longer than the head, straight or slightly curved; -tail rather short. Outer primary not attenuated at end. Top of head, -as well as throat, with metallic scale-like feathers, a decided and -elongated ruff on each side the neck. - - [Illustration: _Calypte costæ._] - -The metallic feathers on top of head, the attenuated outer -tail-feathers (except in _C. helenæ_), and the elongated ruff, -distinguish the males of this genus very readily from any other in -North America. - - -Species. - - A. No rufous on tail-feathers; tail forked or emarginated. - - _a._ Lateral tail-feather as broad as the others; tail - emarginated. Rump and middle tail-feathers blue. - - C. helenæ.[114] Very small (wing, 1.15); metallic hood - and ruff of the male purplish-red. _Hab._ Cuba. - - _b._ Lateral tail-feather abruptly narrower than the - others, tail forked. Rump and middle tail-feathers - green. - - C. anna. Large (wing, 2.00); outer tail-feather with a - double curve, the end inclining outward. Metallic hood - and ruff of the male purplish-red. _Hab._ California. - - C. costæ. Small (wing, 1.75); outer tail-feather with - a simple curve, the end inclining inward. Metallic - hood and ruff of the male violet-blue. _Hab._ Southern - California, Arizona, and Mexico. - - B. Inner webs of tail-feathers mostly rufous, and outer - webs edged with the same. Tail rounded. Lateral - tail-feather abruptly narrower than the others. - - C. floresi.[115] Size of _C. anna_. Hood and ruff of - the male crimson. _Hab._ Table-lands of Mexico - (Bolanos). - - - [114] _Calypte helenæ_, (LEMB.) GOULD, Monog. Troch. III, - pl. cxxxvi. _Orthorhynchus helenæ_, LEMB. Aves de l’Isle de - Cuba, p. 70, pl. x, fig. 2. _O. boothi_, GUNDL. MSS. (GOULD, - Monog.). - - [115] _Calypte floresi_, (LODD.) _Trochilus floresi_, LODD. - MSS. _Selasphorus floresi_, GOULD, Monog. Troch. III, pl. - cxxxix. There are certainly few reasons for considering this - bird as a _Selasphorus_, while there are many for referring - it to _Calypte_. The only feature that it shares with the - former is the peculiar coloration, and to some extent the - shape, of the tail. However, in _Selasphorus_ the outer - primary is always (in the male) attenuated and acute at the - tip, and the crown is never metallic, while in _Calypte_ the - outer primary is never attenuated nor acute, and the crown - of the male is always metallic. The form and coloration of - the tail are nothing more than a specific character, since - no two species, of either genus, agree in this respect. In - view, then, of these considerations, we find _floresi_ to be - strictly congeneric with the other species of _Calypte_. - - -Calypte anna, GOULD. - -ANNA HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Ornismya anna_, LESSON, Oiseaux Mouches, 1830, (?) pl. cxxiv. - _Trochilus anna_, JARDINE, Nat. Lib. Humming-Birds, I, 93, - pl. vi.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 428, pl. - ccccxxviii.—IB. Birds America, IV, 1842, 188, pl. - cclii.—HEERM. X, _S_, 56 (nest). _Calliphlox anna_, - GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. Phil. III, 1846, 3.—IB. Journ. 2d - ser. I, 1847, 32. _Trochilus (Atthis) anna_, REICHENBACH, - Cab. Jour. Extraheft for 1853, 1854, App. 12. _Trochilus - icterocephalus_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 712 - (male with forehead covered with yellow pollen). _Atthis - anna_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 137. _Calypte annæ_, - GOULD, Introd. Trochilidæ.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 358. - - [Line drawing: _Calypte anna._ - 5501 ♂ 44953 ♀] - -SP. CHAR. Largest of North American species of Humming-Bird. Tail -deeply forked; external feather narrow, linear. Top of the head, -throat, and a moderate ruff, metallic crimson-red, with purple -reflections. Rest of upper parts and a band across the breast green. -Tail-feathers purplish-brown, darkest centrally. In the female the -tail is slightly rounded, not emarginate; the scales of the head and -throat are wanting. Tail barred with black, and tipped with white. -Length, about 3.60; wing, 2.00; tail, 1.45. - -HAB. Mexico and coast region of California. - - [Illustration: _Calypte anna._] - -The _C. floresi_ of the table-lands of Mexico resembles this species -in every respect except the tail, which is somewhat like that of -_Selasphorus rufus_. The only North American species to which the male -of this bird bears any resemblance is the _A. costæ_, which has the -same metallic crown and other generic features. The latter, however, -is much smaller; has the metallic reflections varied, chiefly violet, -instead of nearly uniform purplish-red. The tail is much less deeply -forked, the depth being only about .10 of an inch, instead of .32; the -outer feather is much narrower. The females of the two, however, -appear to be distinguishable only by their relative size. The absence -of rufous, and the rounded, not graduated, tail always separates the -female of _anna_ from that of _Selasphorus rufus_. The larger size is -the chief distinction from the female _Calypte costæ_, while the size -and less acutely pointed outer tail-feathers distinguish it from the -female _Trochilus colubris_. - -We have never seen any specimens of this bird taken out of California, -nor quoted of late years as occurring in Mexico, although stated by -Gould to belong to the table-lands. - -HABITS. This beautiful Humming-Bird is found from the high table-lands -of Mexico throughout the western portions of that region, and through -all the coast country of California, from the slopes of the Sierra to -the ocean. It was first taken in Mexico, and named in honor of Anna, -Duchess of Rivoli. Mr. Nuttall was the first of our own naturalists to -take it within our territory. He captured a female on its nest near -Santa Barbara. This was described and figured by Audubon. The nest was -attached to a small burnt twig of _Photinia_, and was small for the -bird, being only 1.25 inches in breadth. It was somewhat conic in -shape, made of the down of willow catkins, intermixed with their -scales, and a few feathers, the latter forming the lining. It had none -of the neatness of the nests of our common species, and was so rough -on the outside that Mr. Nuttall waited several days in expectation of -its being completed, and found the female sitting on two eggs when he -caught her. Dr. Cooper, however, thinks this description applies much -better to the nest of _T. alexandri_, as all that he has seen of this -species are twice as large, and covered externally with lichens, even -when on branches not covered with these parasites. - -Dr. Gambel, in his paper published in 1846 on the birds of California, -describes this as a very abundant species, numbers of which pass the -entire winter in California. At such times he found them inhabiting -sheltered hillsides and plains, where, at all seasons, a few bushy -plants were in flower and furnished them with a scanty subsistence. In -the latter part of February and during March they appeared in greater -numbers. About the Pueblo the vineyards and the gardens were their -favorite resort, where they build a delicate downy nest in small -flowering bushes, or in a concealed spot about a fence. In April and -May they may be seen in almost every garden. - -In the wilder portions of the country Dr. Gambel found them attaching -their nest almost exclusively to low horizontal branches of the -_Quercus agrifolia_, or evergreen oak, so common in that region. The -nest he describes as small, only about an inch in depth, and 1.25 -inches in diameter, formed in the most delicate manner of pappus and -down of various plants matted into a soft felt, with spider’s-webs, -which he frequently observed them collecting for the purpose, in the -spring, along hedges and fence-rows. The base of the nest is formed of -a few dried male aments of the oak, which, with the adjoining -felt-like matting of pappus, are agglutinated and bound around the -twig with a thick layer of spider’s-webs. The note of this bird, he -states, is a slender _chep_, frequently repeated. During the -breeding-season they are very pugnacious, darting like meteors among -the trees, uttering a loud and repeated twittering scold. They also -have the habit of ascending to a considerable height, and then of -descending with great rapidity, uttering at the same time a peculiar -cry. The glutinous pollen of a tubular flower upon which these birds -feed often adheres to the rigid feathers of the crown, and causes the -bird to seem to have a bright yellow head. Nuttall, who never obtained -the male of this species, but saw them in this condition, supposed -this to be a yellow spot in the crown, and hence his supposed species -of _icterocephalus_. - -In California, south of San Francisco, this species was also observed, -by Dr. Cooper, to be a constant resident in mild winters, remaining -among the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, at least fifteen hundred -feet above the sea. There he has found them quite common in February. -At that season flowers, and consequently insects, are more abundant -than in the dry summers. The males are in fine plumage early in -January. - -Dr. Cooper states that the nests of this species are built at various -heights and positions, often in gardens, and sometimes on dead -branches, without any attempt at concealment except the outside -covering of lichens. He has found them made almost wholly of mosses, -with only a lining of feathers and down of plants. In the neighborhood -of San Francisco the young are sometimes hatched as early as the -middle of March. This species appears to be more hardy than the -others, being common along the coast border, though Dr. Cooper saw -none near the summits of the Sierra Nevada. - -The notes of the male bird, he states, are like the sound produced by -the filing of a saw or the whetting of a scythe. They enter familiarly -into the city of San Francisco, and even venture into rooms, attracted -by the flowers. They are bold and confident, approach to within a few -feet of man, but at the least motion disappear like a flash. - -Dr. Heermann found this species quite common at San Diego in March, -and in its full spring plumage. In September he procured a number of -specimens on a small island in the Cosumnes River. While on the wing -in pursuit of insects, or after alighting on a small branch, he heard -them utter a very weak twitter, continued for a minute or more. - -A nest of this species from Petaluma is about 1.50 inches in diameter, -and 1.00 in height, and bears no resemblance to the one described by -Nuttall. It is made of a commingling of mosses and vegetable down, -covered externally with a fine yellow lichen. The eggs measure .60 by -.40 of an inch, and are about ten per cent larger than those of any -other North American Humming-Bird. - -Another nest of this Humming-Bird, obtained in Petaluma, Cal., by Mr. -Emanuel Samuels, measures 1.75 inches in diameter, and about 1.00 in -height. Its cavity is one inch in diameter at the rim, and half an -inch in depth. Its lining is composed of such soft materials that its -limits are not well defined. The base of the nest is made of feathers, -mosses, and lichens of several varieties of the smaller kinds. The -periphery and rim of the nest are of nearly the same materials. The -inner fabric consists of a mass of a dirty-white vegetable wool, with -a lining of the very finest and softest of feathers, intermingled with -down from the seeds of some species of silkweed. The predominant -lichen in the base and sides of the nest is the _Ramalina menziesii_, -which is peculiar to California. The nest contained a single egg. - - -Calypte costæ, GOULD. - -COSTA’S HUMMING-BIRD; RUFFED HUMMER. - - _Ornismya costæ_, BOURCIER, Rev. Zoöl. Oct. 1839, 294 (Lower - California).—IB. Ann. Sc. Phys. et d’Hist. Nat. de Lyon, 1840, - 225, tab. ii.—PREVOST & DES MURS, Voyage de la Venus, Zool. I, - 1855, 194, Atlas, tab. ii, f. 1, 2. _Selasphorus costæ_, BON. - Conspectus Avium, I, 1850, 82. _Atthis costæ_, REICHENBACH, - Cab. Jour. für Orn. Extraheft, 1853, 1854.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 138, pl. xix.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. x, b, 36, pl. xix. - _Calypte costæ_, GOULD, Mon. Humming-Birds.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 360. - -SP. CHAR. Tail very slightly emarginated and rounded; exterior feather -very narrow, and linear. A very long ruff on each side of the throat. -Head above and below, with the ruff, covered with metallic red, purple -and violet (sometimes steel green). Remaining upper parts and sides of -the body green. Throat under and between the ruffs, side of head -behind the eye, anal region, and under tail-coverts whitish. Female -with the tail rounded, scarcely emarginate; barred with black, and -tipped with white. The metallic colors of the head wanting. Length, -3.20; wing, 1.75; tail, 1.10; bill, .68. - -HAB. Mexico, Southern California, and the Colorado Basin, Monterey -(NEBOUX). Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 57). - -Specimens vary considerably in the color of the ruff, which, however, -is only occasionally green; violet being the prevailing shade. The -length of this appendage varies considerably. - -The female of this species differs much from the male in the absence -of the metallic scales on the head and throat. It has a close -resemblance to the female _T. colubris_, although the bill is smaller -and narrower. The tail-feathers are narrower, more linear, and less -acutely pointed at the tip. The black on the outer tail-feathers, -instead of extending very nearly to the base, is confined to the -terminal half, the basal portion being green. All the tail-feathers -are terminated by white, although that on the fourth and fifth is very -narrow. In _T. colubris_ this color is confined to the three outer -ones. The much smaller size will alone distinguish it from the female -of _C. anna_. - -HABITS. This species is a Mexican bird, first discovered by Signor -Floresi among the valleys of the Sierra Madre, in that country, -throughout the western portions of which it is said to be an abundant -species, as well as along our southern borders, whence it extends into -New Mexico, the Colorado Valley, Southern California, and Arizona. It -was first described by Bourcier in 1839, and named in honor of the -Marquis de Costa, of Chambery. - -Mr. Xantus found this species exceedingly abundant at Cape St. Lucas. -It has also been found on the eastern coast of the Gulf of California, -at Guaymas, and Mazatlan, and also on the table-lands of Mexico. - -It was first added to our fauna by Dr. Kennerly, who obtained -specimens near Bill Williams Fork, in New Mexico, February 9, 1854. At -that early season a few flowers had already expanded beneath the -genial rays of the sun, and around them the party rarely failed to -find these beautiful birds. They had already paired, and were -constantly to be seen hovering over the flowers. Their notes consisted -of a rapid chirping sound. As Dr. Kennerly’s party approached the -coast of California, where the valleys abounded with flowers of every -hue, these birds continued flitting before them in great numbers. Dr. -Coues states that this species was not taken at Fort Whipple, though -abundantly distributed throughout the Territory, particularly in its -southern and southwestern portions, and found about fifty miles south -of Prescott. It is presumed to winter within the Territory, and also -within the valley of the Colorado. Dr. Cooper did not observe any at -Fort Mohave until March 5, and they were not numerous afterwards. At -San Diego, in 1862, when the spring was unusually backward, he saw -none before April 22, and he has since met with them as far north as -San Francisco, where, however, they are rare. The notes uttered by the -male he compares to the highest and sharpest note that can be drawn -from a violin. Nothing more is known as to their distinctive specific -peculiarities. - - -GENUS SELASPHORUS, SWAINSON. - - _Selasphorus_, SWAINSON, F. B. A. II, 1831, 324. (Type, _Trochilus - rufus_.) - - [Line drawing: _Selasphorus rufus._ - 2896 ♂] - -As already stated, the characters of _Selasphorus_, as distinguished -from _Calypte_ (to which it is most nearly related, through the _C. -floresi_), consist in the lack of metallic feathers on the crown, and -in the attenuation of the outer primary, and the pointed and acuminate -cuneate (instead of forked) tail. - -As distinguished from _Trochilus_, the quills diminish gradually, -instead of showing an abrupt transition between the fourth and fifth, -so characteristic of the two species of _Trochilus_, as restricted. -The very attenuated tip of the outer primary is a character entirely -peculiar to _Selasphorus_. - -The two North American species, though strictly congeneric, differ -from each other considerably in details of form, as well as in color. -They may be distinguished from each other and from their two Central -American allies as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Feathers of the metallic gorget not elongated - laterally. - - S. platycercus. Above continuous metallic green; - tail-feathers merely edged with rufous. Gorget - purplish-red. - - Wing, 1.90; tail, 1.40; bill (from forehead), .66. - Gorget rich solferino-purple, the feathers - grayish-white beneath the surface. Outer primary with - its attenuated tip turned outward. _Hab._ Rocky - Mountains and Middle Province of United States, south - to Guatemala var. _platycercus_. - - Wing, 1.65; tail, 1.20; bill, .41. Gorget dull - velvety-crimson, the feathers ochraceous beneath the - surface. Outer primary apparently with its attenuated - tip curved inward. _Hab._ Costa Rica var. _flammula_.[116] - - B. Feathers of the metallic gorget much elongated - laterally. - - S. rufus. Above chiefly rufous, overlaid by green - (except in _S. scintilla_, which is almost wholly green - above); tail-feathers rufous with a shaft-streak of - dusky. Gorget fiery red. Attenuated tip of outer primary - curved inwards. - - Wing, 1.60; tail, 1.30; bill, .65. Rufous prevailing - above; gorget very brilliant. _Hab._ Western Province - of North America, from East Humboldt Mountains to the - Pacific. North to Sitka, south to Mirador var. _rufus_. - - Wing, 1.35; tail, 1.00 to 1.10; bill, .42. Continuous - green above; gorget not brilliant, but with a dusty - appearance. Tail less graduated. _Hab._ Costa Rica and - Chiriqui var. _scintilla_.[117] - - - [116] _Selasphorus_ (_platycercus_, var. ?) _flammula_ - (SALV.). _Selasphorus flammula_, SALVIN, P. Z. S. 1864 - (Costa Rica). (Described above from specimen in Mr. - Lawrence’s collection.) - - [117] _Selasphorus_ (_rufus_ var. ?) _scintilla_ (GOULD). - _Selasphorus scintilla_, GOULD, P. Z. S. 1850, 162, Monog. - Troch. III, pl. cxxxviii. The foregoing species are so - similar in all essential respects to the northern _S. - platycercus_ and _S. rufus_, that it is exceedingly probable - that they are merely the southern forms of those species. - Both differ in exactly the same respects from their northern - representatives, namely, in smaller size and less burnished - throat, and to a very slight degree only in form. The only - specimen of the _S. flammula_ that we have examined is a - badly shot male in Mr. Lawrence’s collection; what appears - to be the outer primary in this specimen is not attenuated - at the tip, which is curved inward, instead of acutely - attenuated and turned outward as in _platycercus_; the wings - are badly cut with shot, however, and the first primary may - be wanting. - - -Selasphorus rufus, SWAINSON. - -RUFOUS-BACKED HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Trochilus rufus_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 497.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - IV, 1838, 555, pl. ccclxxii. _Selasphorus rufus_, SWAINSON, - F.-Bor. Am. II, 1831, 324.—AUD. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 200, pl. - ccliv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 134.—_Cooper & Suckley_, - 164.—_Dall & Bannister_, Tr. Chic. Ac. I, 1869, 275 - (Alaska).—_Finsch_, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 29 (Alaska).—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 355. _Trochilus collaris_, LATH. - (Bonaparte). _Trochilus sitkensis_, RATHKE (Bonaparte). - _Ornysmia sasin_, LESSON (Bonaparte). - -SP. CHAR. Tail strongly cuneate and wedge-shaped. Upper parts, lower -tail-coverts, and breast cinnamon. A trace of metallic green on the -crown, which sometimes extends over the back, never on the belly. -Throat coppery red, with a well-developed ruff of the same; below this -a white collar. Tail-feathers cinnamon, edged or streaked at the end -with purplish-brown. _Female_ with the rufous of the back covered or -replaced with green; less cinnamon on the breast. Traces only of -metallic feathers on the throat. Tail rufous, banded with black and -tipped with white; middle feathers glossed with green at the end. Tail -still cuneate. Length of male, 3.50; wing, 1.55; tail, 1.30. - -HAB. West coast of North America, and across from Gulf of California -to the Upper Rio Grande Valley, and along the table-lands of Mexico, -south; in Middle Province east to East Humboldt Mountains. - -Specimens from the table-lands of Mexico are smaller than those from -Oregon, and have yellower, less ruby throats. - - [Illustration: _Selasphorus rufus._] - -HABITS. This brilliant species has an extended distribution throughout -the western part of North America, being found from the valley of the -Rio Grande to the Pacific, and from Mexico to Sitka. It was first -discovered near Nootka Sound, by that distinguished navigator, Captain -Cook, and described by Latham, and has been met with as far to the -south as Real del Monte, on the table-lands of Mexico, by Mr. Taylor, -whose specimens were described by Mr. Swainson. - -Dr. Coues found it very abundant at Arizona, near Fort Whipple, as it -is also along the whole slope of the Rocky Mountains. It is a summer -resident in that Territory, and breeds there abundantly, arriving at -Fort Whipple April 10, and remaining until the middle of September, -being found in all situations, particularly meadows, open copses, -ravines, etc., where flowers are most abundant. - -Mr. Dall gives them as common summer residents at Sitka. Bischoff -obtained sixteen specimens. Dr. Suckley says they are very abundant in -the western provinces of both Oregon and Washington Territory, and in -Vancouver Island. They appear to be very hardy, and are one of the -earliest of the migratory birds to arrive in spring. At Fort -Steilacoom, latitude 47°, they appeared April 10. They are supposed to -commence their southern migrations from that region in September,—a -move induced by the scarcity of flowers and lack of means of -captivating insects, rather than by cold. In Washington Territory -their incubation commences about the 10th of May, and is made evident -by the fierce and angry battles continually occurring between the male -birds, in which they tilt at each other at full speed, at the same -time keeping up a loud and vociferous squeaking and buzzing. - -A nest with eggs, of this species, obtained by Dr. Cooper near Fort -Slaughter, May 23, was found in the forked branch of a snowberry-bush. -It was composed principally of fine green moss, lined internally with -the delicate floss of the cottonwood, and externally bordered most -artistically with rock lichens. The female was on the nest, and -allowed so near an approach as almost to admit of being grasped by the -hand. The nest was 2.00 inches in diameter and 1.50 in height. The -eggs measured .45 by .33 of an inch, and were white, as in all the -species. - -Dr. Cooper states that the appearance of this species at the Straits -of Fuca is coincident with the blossoming of the red-flowering -currant, which begins to bloom on the Columbia March 10. The male of -this species has a remarkable habit, when a stranger or a wild animal -approaches its nest, of rising to a great height in the air, and of -then darting down perpendicularly upon the intruder, producing a -hollow rushing sound, like that of the Night-Hawk, but of a much -sharper tone. These sounds are produced by the wings. In July, when -flowers are more abundant among the mountain summits, they leave the -lower country. Dr. Cooper found them abundant in August at an -elevation of nearly six thousand feet, and where ice was formed at -night in their camp. - -In California, Dr. Cooper has not found any of this species remaining -in winter, even at San Diego, where, however, he has known them to -arrive as early as the 5th of February. He also saw several on the 22d -of the same month feeding among the flowers of the evergreen -gooseberry. By the first of April they were swarming about San Diego. -Their young are hatched before the middle of June. When perching, this -species is said to utter a shrill wiry call, like the highest note of -a violin. They also produce a curious kind of bleating sound. They are -among the most noisy and lively of their race, are very quarrelsome, -chase each other away from favorite flowers, rising into the air until -out of sight, chirping as they go in the most excited manner. - -Mr. Lord noticed the arrival of this species at Little Spokan River, -in latitude 49°, early in May. He found their nests usually in low -shrubs and close to rippling streams. The females of this and other -species are said to arrive about a week later than the males. - -Dr. Heermann for several successive seasons found many pairs of these -birds breeding in the vicinity of San Francisco. - -Mr. Nuttall compares the appearance of the male birds of this species, -when he approached too near their nests, to an angry coal of brilliant -fire, as they darted upon him, passing within a few inches of his face -as they returned again and again to the attack, making a sound as of a -breaking twig. - -Dr. Woodhouse, who found this bird abundant in New Mexico, -particularly in the vicinity of Santa Fé, speaks of the great noise -they make for so small a bird, and of their quarrelsome and pugnacious -disposition. - -Mr. R. Brown, in his synopsis of the birds of Vancouver Island, notes -the appearance of this species, from the end of March to the beginning -of May, according to the state of the season. Its nest was built on -the tips of low bushes, or the under branches of trees. This was the -only species of Humming-Bird seen west of the Cascade Mountains. - -The Rufous Hummer was first noticed by Mr. Ridgway in the valley of -the Truckee River, in August, where it was the only species shot, and -was extremely abundant among the sunflowers which ornament the -meadows. In May of the succeeding year, when the same locality was -again visited, not one of this species was to be found, its place -being apparently supplied by the _T. alexandri_, which was quite -common, and breeding. Eastward it was met with as far as the East -Humboldt Mountains, where, however, only a single pair was seen, and -one of them shot, in September. - - -Selasphorus platycercus, GOULD. - -BROAD-TAILED HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Trochilus platycercus_, SW. Philos. Mag. I, 1827, 441 (Mexico). - _Selasphorus platycercus_, GOULD, Mon. Trochilid. or - Humming-Birds, III, May, 1852.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 135, - pl. xliii, figs. 1 and 2.—COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. 1868 (Lake - Tahoe).—IB. Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 357. _Ornismia tricolor_, - LESSON, Colibris, 125 (no date), pl. xiv (Brazil).—IB. - Trochilide. 1831, 156, pl. lx (Mexico).—JARDINE, Nat. Lib. II, - 77, pl. xiii. _Ornismya montana_, LESSON, Trochilid. 1831, 161, - pl. lxiii, adult, and 163; pl. lxiv, young (Mexico). - - [Line drawing: ♂ 10847 _Selasphorus platycercus._ 10750 ♀] - -SP. CHAR. Outer primaries greatly attenuated at the end and turned -outward. Outer tail-feathers nearly linear, but widening a little from -the base; its width .20 of an inch. Tail slightly graduated and -emarginate. _Male_ above and on the sides metallic green; chin and -throat light reddish-purple, behind which, and along the belly to the -tail, is a good deal of white. Wings and tail dusky purplish; the -tail-feathers, excepting the internal and external ones, edged towards -the base with light cinnamon. _Female_ without the metallic gorget; -the throat-feathers with dusky centres. The tail somewhat cuneate, as -in the male, the feathers less pointed; the outer three -cinnamon-rufous at base (this extending somewhat along the outer -edges), then black, and broadly tipped with white (much as in the male -_Atthis heloisa_), the inner two feathers green, the fourth with black -spot at end, and only edged at base with rufous. The sides and crissum -also tinged with cinnamon. Length, 3.50; wing, 1.92; tail, 1.40. Bill, -gape, .80. - -HAB. Table-lands of Mexico and Rocky Mountains, and Middle Province of -United States, north to Wyoming Territory. Uintah, Wahsatch, and East -Humboldt Mountains (RIDGWAY); Sierra Nevada (COOPER); Cordova (SCL. P. -Z. S. 1856, 288); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 129); Arizona (COUES, P. A. -N. S. 1866, 57). - -A decided character of this species among its North American relatives -is the rufous outer border of the exterior tail-feathers. This rufous -in _S. rufus_ pervades most of the feathers, instead of being -restricted as above. Females of the two species are not dissimilar: -those of _S. platycercus_ are larger, less rufous beneath; the -tail-feathers broader and less pointed, and with the inner two (on -each side) entirely green to base (the fourth edged with rufous), -instead of being principally rufous, except at tip. - -Specimens from Mirador, Mexico, are undistinguishable from those of -Fort Bridger; those from Guatemala are smaller than the Mexican. - -HABITS. Until recently this Humming-Bird has been presumed to be an -exclusively Mexican and Central American species. Until taken within -our limits, it had been supposed to be confined on the north to the -Mexican plateau, westward to the city, and thence southward to -Guatemala, while throughout this region it is said to be very -generally and very plentifully distributed. It was first taken, in -1851, by Mr. J. H. Clark, near El Paso, Texas. Subsequently numerous -specimens were seen by Dr. Coues on the summit of Whipple’s Pass of -the Rocky Mountains, in July, feeding among clumps of wild roses. It -was not noticed near Fort Whipple, though the range of this species is -now well known to include New Mexico and Arizona, as far north, at -least, as Fort Bridger in Wyoming. It was found breeding abundantly in -the vicinity of Fort Grant, Arizona, by Dr. Palmer. - -This Humming-Bird was found by Mr. Allen more or less common among the -foot-hills, as well as among the mountains, of Colorado, and extending -several miles out on the plains. On Mount Lincoln, in Colorado, he -found it exceedingly numerous, and though larger and otherwise -different from the eastern Ruby-throat, it might easily be mistaken -for it. The shrill whistling of its wings, he adds, is a peculiarity -one is sure to notice. This Humming-Bird continued to be common on the -sides of Mount Lincoln to far above the timber line, being apparently -as much at home among the bright flowers growing on the highest parts -of the mountain as in the valleys. - -At Lake Tahoe, at an elevation of six thousand feet, Dr. Cooper found -the young of this species quite common near the middle of September. -Supposing them to be the more common _S. rufus_, he only obtained a -single specimen. He thinks that these birds extend their northern -migrations as far as the Blue Mountains, near Snake River, Oregon, and -that they are the ones referred to by Nuttall as seen by him in -autumn, and supposed to be the _rufus_. - -The nests of this species procured by Dr. Palmer were large for the -size of the bird, unusually broad and shallow, composed of soft downy -pappus from seeds of plants, and vegetable down, with the outer walls -covered with mosses and lichens. The eggs are not distinguishable from -those of the other species. - -The Rocky Mountain or Broad-tailed Hummer, according to Mr. Ridgway’s -observations, is the most abundant species in the Great Basin, though -he did not see it to recognize it west of the East Humboldt Mountains. -It is essentially a bird of the mountains, since in that region there -are few flowers elsewhere; yet in the gardens of Salt Lake City, an -altitude far below its usual habitat, it was abundant. Its favorite -resorts are the flowery slopes of the higher and well-watered -mountain-ranges of the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain system, at an -average elevation of about eight or nine thousand feet, yet it will be -found wherever flowers are abundant. Mr. Ridgway saw one at an -altitude of about twelve thousand feet, in July, on the East Humboldt -Mountains, but it merely passed rapidly by him. In the Wahsatch -Mountains, particularly in the neighborhood of Salt Lake City, this -species was most plentiful. It there nested abundantly in the -scrub-oaks on the hills or slopes of the cañons. - -The male bird is very pugnacious, and was observed to attack and drive -away an _Accipiter fuscus_, the Hawk retreating as rapidly as -possible. When the nest is approached, the male often rises high into -the air and then sweeps down almost to the head of the intruder, its -swift descent being accompanied by a very peculiar shrill, screeching -buzz, of an extraordinary degree of loudness to be produced by so -small a creature. The same sound Mr. Ridgway noticed when the bird was -passing overhead, in a manner not observed in any other species, its -horizontal flight being by a peculiar undulating course. The shrill -noise made by the male of this species he suggests may be caused by -the curious attenuated and stiffened outer primary. He noticed a -curious piece of ingenuity in nest-making on the part of this species. -The nest in question was fastened upon a dead twig of a small -cottonwood-tree; the loosening bark, which probably had separated -after the nest was finished, had allowed the nest to turn around so as -to hang beneath the branch, thus spilling the eggs upon the ground. -The owners, however, built another nest upon the top of the branch, -fastening its sides to that of the old one, and making the new nest -lighter and less bulky, so that the weight of the older nest kept the -other in a permanently upright position. - - -GENUS ATTHIS, REICHENBACH. - - _Atthis_, REICH. Cab. Jour. f. Orn. extraheft für 1853, 1854. - Appendix B. (Type, _Ornysmya heloisa_, LESSON, DEL.) - -GEN. CHAR. Size very diminutive; bill short, scarcely longer than the -head. Outer primary attenuated nearly as in _Selasphorus_; the tail -graduated, the feathers, however, not lanceolate-acute, but rounded at -end, and tipped with white in the male. - - [Line drawing: _Atthis heloisa._ - ♂ 25874 24618 ♀] - -This genus seems closely related to _Selasphorus_, agreeing in -character of throat, the curious attenuation of outer primary, and the -general shape of the tail, with its rufous base and edging. The -feathers, however, are not lanceolate and pointed, either sharply as -in _S. rufus_, or obtusely as in _platycercus_, but are more equal to -near the end, where they round off. The white tip of the tail in the -male seems to be the principal reason why Mr. Gould removes the single -species from _Selasphorus_, where it was previously placed by him, and -where perhaps it might have not inappropriately remained. - - -Atthis heloisa, LESS. & DEL. - -HELOISA’S HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Ornysmya heloisa_, LESSON & DELATTRE, Rev. Zoöl. 1838, 15 (Xalapa). - _Mellisuga heloisa_, GRAY & MITCHELL, Gen. Birds, I, 113. - _Tryphæna heloisa_, BONAP. Consp. Troch. Rev. Mag. Zoöl. 1854, - 257. _Selasphorus heloisæ_, GOULD, Mon. Trochil. III, pl. cxli. - _Atthis heloisæ_, REICH. Cab. Jour. extraheft, 1853, App. - 12.—GOULD, Introd. Trochil. 1861, 89.—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds - N. Am. I, xxi, XII, plate.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 361. - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Above metallic green with golden reflections; -beneath white; the sides of breast glossed with green; the flanks with -rufous, which tinges the crissum very faintly; gorget brilliant violet -or light purplish-red, bordered behind by clear white. All the -tail-feathers rufous-cinnamon for basal half; the three outer black -centrally and tipped with white (mixed with reddish on the third); the -fourth green, centrally tipped with black; the central entirely green -for the exposed portion, perhaps glossed with blackish at the end. -Length, 2.70; wing, 1.35; tail, 1.00; exposed part of bill above, .45. -_Female._ Outer primary not attenuated. Colors similar to male, -wanting the metallic gorget; the feathers spotted with dusky; crissum -and flanks more rufous; innermost tail-feathers entirely green; other -feathers as in male, but with the central black encroaching on the -basal rufous; third and fourth feathers tipped with reddish-white. - -HAB. Southern New Mexico and Texas, to Guatemala. - -The introduction of this species into the fauna of the United States -is based on a female specimen collected by Mr. J. H. Clark at El Paso, -Texas, and for a time supposed to be _Selasphorus rufus_, but after a -careful examination by Mr. Lawrence, pronounced to belong to this -species. Its range is southward along the highlands to Guatemala. - -The species is very much like _Selasphorus_ in shape, and hardly -differs more than _S. rufus_ and _platycercus_ do from each other. The -male is easily distinguished from its allies; the females are closely -related to those of _rufus_, differing in much shorter bill (.55 to -.65), much less rufous on the more nearly even tail, with broader -feathers, etc. - -HABITS. This species claims a place within the fauna of North America, -probably only as an accidental visitor, on the ground of a single -specimen,—a female, taken by Mr. J. H. Clark at El Paso, Texas. It -was at first mistaken for _Selasphorus rufus_. It is a Mexican and -Central American species, ranging throughout the highlands at least as -far to the south as Guatemala, where it was taken by Mr. Salvin. - -It was first discovered on the highlands of Mexico by Mr. Delattre, -who procured his specimens between Jalapa and Quatepu. It is -crepuscular in its habits, collecting its food only in the morning or -in the evening. Mr. Delattre states that the male bird is known to -rise very early in the morning, and is never seen in quest of food -later than nine in the forenoon. It very seldom goes to any distance -from its mate or young, seeming to prefer to frequent the flowers in -the edge of forests, but does not disdain those of the open fields. -Mr. Salvin received specimens of this species taken in a place called -Chimachoyo near Calderas, in the Volcan de Fuego, and other specimens -taken in the _tierra caliente_, near Coban, showing that, like many -other species, it is found in very different climates. - - -GENUS HELIOPÆDICA, GOULD. - - _Heliopædica_, GOULD, Mon. Trochilidæ, II, Introd. Trochil. 1861, - 60. (Type, _Trochilus melanotus_, SWAINSON.) - - [Line drawing: _Heliopædica xantusi._ - ♂ 17767 16935 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill longer than head, depressed, broad at its exposed -base; the frontal feathers not advancing forward beyond the beginning -of the nostrils, nor so far as those of the chin. Hind toe shorter -than the lateral, tarsi feathered; outer primary not attenuated. Tail -nearly even, slightly rounded and emarginate, the feathers broad, the -webs nearly even. Metallic feathers of throat not elongated. Female -quite similar in form. - -This genus is quite peculiar among those of North America in the -exposure of the base of bill, which is entirely bare between the -lengthened nostrils, instead of covered by the frontal feathers. This -makes the bill appear very broad, although it really is more so than -in the other genera. The feathers on the chin extend considerably -beyond those of the forehead, instead of to about the same line. The -tail and its feathers are much broader than in the other genera. - -The two known species of this genus may be distinguished by the -following characters:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Above metallic green; tail plain black or -chestnut, glossed with green, and without white in either -sex. A conspicuous white post-ocular stripe, and a blackish -auricular one beneath it; beneath with more or less green. -♂. Forehead, chin, and side of head deep black or metallic -dark blue; throat and jugulum brilliant green. ♀. Front dull -brownish-green; chin, throat, and jugulum white or -ochraceous, with or without a green gloss. - - H. melanotis.[118] _Male._ Belly white, glossed with - green; tail black beneath; base of bill, all round, - brilliant blue; white cheek-stripe beginning back of the - eye. _Female._ Beneath white glossed with green; tail - bluish-black. _Hab._ Guatemala and table-lands of Mexico. - - H. xantusi. _Male._ Belly cinnamon; tail beneath - purplish-cinnamon; chin black; white cheek-stripe - beginning at the bill. _Female._ Beneath plain pale - rufous; tail deep rufous. _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas. - - - [118] _Heliopædica melanotis_, (SWAINS.) GOULD, Monog. - Troch. II, pl. lxiv. _Trochilus melanotus_, SWAINS. Phil. - Mag. 1827, 441. _Trochilus leucotis_, VIEILL. _Ornismyia - arsenni_, LESS. _Hab._ Mexico and Guatemala. - - -Heliopædica xantusi, LAWRENCE. - -XANTUS’S HUMMING-BIRD. - - _Amazilia xantusi_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, April, 1860, 109. - _Heliopædica xantusi_, GOULD, Mon. Troch. II, pl. lxv.—IB. - Introd. Troch. 61.—ELLIOT, Ill. Birds N. Am. XI, - plate.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 365. _Heliopædica - castaneocauda_, LAWRENCE, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. 1860, 145 - (female).—ELLIOT, Illust. Birds N. Am. I, xxii. - - [Illustration: _Heliopædica xantusi._] - -SP. CHAR. _Male._ Above metallic green; the forehead, cheeks, and chin -velvety black (the former with a deep blue gloss). A distinct white -stripe from bill, through and behind the eye. Throat and forepart of -breast brilliant metallic green; rest of under parts cinnamon-rufous; -all the tail-feathers purplish-rufous,—the central glossed with green -above, near the edges, the others obscurely edged with blackish along -ends. Bill red at base, black at end. Length, 3.50; wing, 2.10; tail, -1.40; exposed portion of bill above, .65. _Female._ Forehead and all -under parts light cinnamon beneath, without any green, or any dusky -specks on throat; white cheek-stripe appreciable, but tinged with -rufous. Tail as in male, but the central feathers entirely green -above, the other, except the outer, with a dusky greenish or purplish -spot on each web near the end. Whole upper mandible apparently dusky; -base of lower, red. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas. - -This well-marked and interesting species we owe to Mr. Xantus, -together with many other birds of the west coast. It is sufficiently -distinct to require no comparison other than that given under the -general head; it can be separated from _H. melanotis_ in all stages of -plumage by the rufous tail. - -Specimens vary sometimes in the intensity of the rufous shade, and, as -stated, it is probable that the forehead, instead of being black, in -full plumage is deep blue, as in _melanotis_. - -HABITS. This is a new and well-marked species, and although belonging -to the North American fauna cannot be claimed for the United States, -having thus far been only taken at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, and -described by Mr. Lawrence in 1860. Nothing is known as to its specific -habits. - - -GENUS THAUMATIAS, BONAP. - -GEN. CHAR. Very similar in general form to _Heliopædica_, but the tail -emarginated, instead of rounded, the feathers narrower and less -rounded at the ends. The coloration quite different. Sexes alike, in -all the species. Color nearly uniform green, with the anal region -white, the wings and tail dusky. Many species with the whole lower -parts, except laterally, pure white. One species (_T. chionurus_) with -the tail white, except the ends of the feathers and the intermediæ. - -The species are all of rather small size and rather plain appearance, -from the uniformity of their green, or green and white, coloring. They -belong to northern South America, and to Central America north to -Guatemala. - -The genus is included in the North American fauna solely upon the -accidental occurrence of one species (_T. linnæi_) in Eastern -Massachusetts. - - -Thaumatias linnæi, BONAP. - -LINNÆUS’S EMERALD. - - _Thaumatias linnæi_, BONAP. Rev. et Mag. de Zoöl. 1854, 255. - _Thaumatias l._ GOULD, Monog. Trochilid. pl. _? Trochilus - tobaci_, GMEL. Syst. Nat. I, 498. _? Trochilus tobagensis_, - LATH. Ind. Orn. I, 316. _? Trochilus tobago_, SHAW, Gen. Zoöl. - viii, 350. _Ornismya viridissima_, LESS. Hist. Nat. 257, pl. - lxxv. _? L’Oiseau-mouche à poitrine verte_ (_Trochilus - maculatus_), AUD. et VIEILL. Ois. Dor. tom. I, 87, pl. xliv. - _Argyrtria maculata_, MAYNARD, Birds E. Mass. 1870, 128 - (Cambridge, Mass.!). - -SP. CHAR. Continuous green, darker above, more brilliant, and of an -emerald tint on the throat and jugulum; crissum, anal region, and -middle of the abdomen, white. Primaries plain dusky. Tail blackish, -with a faint reflection of dark blue subterminally, and of dull green -basally, the lateral feathers obscurely tipped with dull dark ashy. -Sexes alike. Wing, about 2.00; bill, .70. - -HAB. Northern Brazil, Guiana, Tobago, and Bogota (GOULD)?? Accidental -in the eastern United States (Cambridge, Mass., MAYNARD). - -This race much resembles the _T. albiventris_, (REICHENB.) BONAP. -(GOULD, Monog. Troch., Vol. V, p. ccci), of Brazil, but is said to be -smaller and with less white on the abdomen and the under tail-coverts -tinged with gray. - -HABITS. The single specimen of this Humming-Bird, referred to by both -Mr. Maynard and Mr. Allen[119] as having been taken in Massachusetts, -is said to have been shot by Mr. William Brewster in the summer of -1868, in Cambridge, near Mount Auburn. It was secured by accident, and -was presumed to be, when taken, a female specimen of _Trochilus -colubris_. It was sent to Mr. Vickary, of Lynn, to be mounted, and the -question has been raised if by chance a South American bird may not -have been substituted for the original. This, however, Mr. Vickary is -positive could not have happened. Nothing distinctive was observed as -to its habits. In view, however, of the possibility of an error, the -propriety of including it in our fauna is very questionable. - - - [119] Am. Naturalist, 1869-70. - - - * * * * * - - -The three families next in order are those generally known as the -_Zygodactyli_, in their more restricted sense, that is, having the -toes arranged in pairs, two before and two behind. In the present case -the anterior toes are the inner and the middle (the second and third), -the posterior being the hinder and outer (the first and fourth); -where, as is sometimes the case, a hind toe is wanting, it is the -first, or the hind toe proper. - -By this definition we exclude the _Trogonidæ_, the _Bucconidæ_, and -the _Galbuilidæ_, which likewise have the toes in pairs, but in which -they are differently combined. - -The North American families, the _Cuculidæ_, the _Picidæ_, and the -_Psittacidæ_, are defined as follows:— - - A. Upper mandible not movable nor hinged. Tarsus with - transverse scutellæ. Bill without a naked skin, or cere, - at the base; lower mandible much longer than deep, the end - not truncated. - - _a._ Tongue short, and not extensible; not barbed at the - point. - - Bill hooked or curved at tip; not constructed for - hammering. No nasal tufts _Cuculidæ_. - - _b._ Tongue long and cylindrical, and generally capable - of great extension; barbed at the point. - - Bill not hooked, but nearly straight; strong, and - constructed for hammering. Thick nasal tufts at base - of the bill (except in the _Nudinares_). _Picidæ_. - - B. Upper mandible movable or hinged. Tarsus without - transverse scutellæ. Bill with a naked skin, or cere, at - the base; lower mandible not longer than deep, its end - truncated. - - _c._ Tongue short and thick, fleshy. - - Bill enormously large, much curved, the upper mandible - hooked, both much arched _Psittacidæ_. - - - - -FAMILY CUCULIDÆ.—THE CUCKOOS. - - -CHAR. Bill compressed, usually more or less lengthened and with -decurved culmen. Rictal bristles few or none. Nostrils exposed, no -nasal tufts. Tail long and soft, of eight to twelve feathers. Toes in -pairs, deeply cleft or not united, the outer anterior toe usually -versatile, but directed rather laterally than backward. - -The _Cuculidæ_ form a strongly marked group of birds, easily -distinguished among the _Zygodactyli_ by the characters given above. -The outer toe is versatile, but in the American form is more lateral -than posterior in the skin, standing sideways, or even anterior, more -frequently than behind. - -Modern systematists divide the family into six or more subfamilies, of -which two only are American, none of these having more than ten -tail-feathers. These may be characterized as follows:— - - Coccyginæ. Face covered with feathers; bill elongated, - more or less cylindrical, straight or curved. Tail of ten - feathers. - - Bill about the length of the head, or not longer; - curved. Loral feathers soft. Legs weak, tarsus shorter - than the toes. Arboreal _Coccygus_. - - Bill longer than the head; straight. Loral feathers - stiff, bristly. Tarsi much longer than the toes. - Terrestrial _Geococcyx_. - - Crotophaginæ. Face naked. Bill much compressed, with a - sharp crest. Tail of eight feathers. Bill shorter than and - nearly as high as the head. _Crotophaga_. - - - - -SUBFAMILY COCCYGINÆ. - - -GENUS GEOCOCCYX, WAGLER. - - _Geococcyx_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 524. - _Leptostoma_, SWAINSON, Classification Birds, II, 1837, 325. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill long and strong, slightly compressed, and at least as -long as the head; head crested; loral feathers, and those at base of -bill, stiffened and bristly. Nostrils elongated, linear. A naked -colored skin around and behind the eye; the eyelids ciliated. Tarsi -longer than the toes; very stout. Wings very short and concave; the -tertials as long as the primaries. Tail longer than the head and body; -composed of ten narrow, much graduated feathers. - - [Line drawing: _Geococcyx californianus._ - 12925 ♂] - -This remarkable genus is represented in the United States by a single -species, known as the Paisano, Chaparral Cock, or sometimes -Road-Runner, on account of its frequenting public highways. Its very -long legs enable it to run with great rapidity, faster even than a -fleet horse. A second species occurs in Mexico, the _Geococcyx -affinis_ of Hartlaub. This is smaller, and differently proportioned. -In both the feathers above are bronzed brown and green; nearly all -with opaque white edges; beneath white, with black streaks on the -sides of neck and breast; the feathers with broad white tips; the -principal differences are as follows:— - - G. californianus. Bill above, about 2.00; gape nearly - straight to near tip; nostril behind middle of gape. - Feathers of throat and upper part of breast light - brownish, with shaft-streaks of black. _Hab._ Southwestern - United States, from Cape St. Lucas and Southern California - to Texas. - - G. affinis.[120] Bill above about 1.60; gape gently curved - throughout. Nostril opposite middle of gape. Feathers of - throat and breast fulvous-white, without shaft-streaks, - except on the sides, where they are broad and abruptly - defined. _Hab._ Mexico, from Mazatlan to Xalapa. - -This last species is common at Mazatlan, as well as elsewhere in -Mexico, and may yet be found in Arizona. - - - [120] _Geococcyx affinis_, HARTLAUB, Rev. Zoöl. 1844, - 215.—BONAP. 97.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, 305.—SCLATER & - SALVIN, Ibis, 1859, 134.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 325. - _Geococcyx velox_, KARW. BONAP. 97. - - -Geococcyx californianus, BAIRD. - -PAISANO; ROAD-RUNNER; CHAPARRAL COCK. - - _Saurothera californiana_, LESSON, Complem. Buff. VI, 1829, - 420.—BOTTA, Ann. du Mus. 1835, 121, pl. (Cape St. Lucas to San - Francisco). _Geococcyx variegata_, WAGLER, Isis, V, 1831, 524. - _Saurothera bottæ_ (BLAINVILLE), LESSON, Traité d’Orn. I, 1831, - 145. _Diplopterus viaticus_ (LICHT.) BOIE, Isis, 1831, 541 (no - description). _Geococcyx viaticus_, HARTLAUB, Rev. Zoöl. 1844, - 215.—M’CALL, Pr. A. N. Sc. III, July, 1847, 234.—BON. Consp. - 1850, 97.—IB. Consp. Zygod. in Aten. Ital. 1854, 5.—HEERMANN, - J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d series, II, 1853, 270.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. - Cal. and Oregon Route, 91, P. R. R. Rep. VI, 1857. _Saurothera - marginata_, KAUP, Isis, 1832, 991; tab. xxvi (fig. of head and - foot). _Leptostoma longicauda_, SWAINSON, Birds, II, 1837, - 325.—GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. S. I, 1843, 263. _Geococcyx mexicanus_, - GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. 2d series, I, 1849, 215 (not of - GMELIN).—CASSIN, Ill. I, 1855, 213, pl. xxxvi.—SCLATER, - Catal. 324, 1862.—HEERM. X, _S_, 59 (nest). _Geococcyx - californianus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 73.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 368. - -SP. CHAR. Tail very long; the lateral feathers much shortest. An -erectile crest on the head. A bare skin around and behind the eye. -Legs very long and stout. - -All the feathers of the upper parts and wings of a dull metallic -olivaceous-green, broadly edged with white near the end. There is, -however, a tinge of black in the green along the line of white, which -itself is suffused with brown. On the neck the black preponderates. -The sides and under surface of the neck have the white feathers -streaked centrally with black, next to which is a brownish suffusion. -The remaining under parts are whitish, immaculate. Primary quills -tipped with white, and with a median band across the outer webs. -Central tail-feathers olive-brown; the others clear dark green, all -edged, and (except the central two) broadly tipped with white. Top of -the head dark blackish-blue. Length, 20 to 23 inches; wing, about -6.50; tail, 12 to 13. Size generally very variable. - - [Illustration: _Geococcyx californianus._] - -HAB. Middle Texas, New Mexico, and California to Central Mexico. Seen -as far north as Fort Reading, California, and Fort Chadbourne, Texas. -Localities: Southeast Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 466, resident); W. -Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 57); Cape St. Lucas (XANTUS); Kioway -Agency (DR. PALMER). - -There are seemingly no differences of plumage depending on sex, age, -or season. - -In calling this species _Geococcyx californianus_ we do not feel -entirely sure that we have selected the earliest name. Hartlaub and -other authors give 1829 as the date of Lesson’s Vol. VI, of complement -to Buffon (VI, 420). A copy of this volume in the Library of Congress -bears date of 1834 upon the titlepage. It is, however, quoted at the -date of 1829 by Engelmann, so that the copy referred to above may -possibly be a second edition, or with a new post-dated titlepage. In -this uncertainty, however, we prefer to retain the name of -_californianus_. - -Botta, in his description of the bird (the original of Lesson’s -species), speaks of it as occurring from Cape St. Lucas to San -Francisco. Specimens from Cape St. Lucas, brought by Mr. Xantus, are -smaller than those of Upper California, but otherwise apparently -identical. - -HABITS. This very remarkable bird, variously named, in Mexico, Texas, -and California, the Paisano, the Road-Runner, the Chaparral Cock, the -Ground Cuckoo, the Prairie Cock, and the Corre-camino, is one of the -most curious and interesting of the recent additions to our -ornithological lists. It is found throughout Northern Mexico, Texas as -far north as Port Chadbourne, and in California as far as Fort -Reading. It is also abundant in portions of Arizona and New Mexico, -and is supposed to be resident in all these districts. It is described -as very remarkable for great swiftness of foot, in which it appears to -be equalled by no other North American bird. In Mexico, and in some -parts of the United States, it is not unusual to hunt these birds, as -a matter of amusement, on horseback, and to pursue them with -hounds,—a test of their fleetness in which they are said to often -make a longer race than their pursuers anticipated. - -This bird habitually frequents the ground. When walking or running, -its long tail is borne in an erect position, and often assumes a -variety of grotesque positions. While thus more or less terrestrial in -its habits, and sharing with gallinaceous birds many of their -peculiarities, it has no other affinities with them, but ranks in a -very different ornithological division, being classed with the -Cuckoos. - -This bird was first brought to the attention of American naturalists -by Dr. William Gambel, who published a description of it in 1845. Two -years afterwards Colonel McCall published the first satisfactory -account that has been given of its habits and manners of life. He -states that though this bird is zygodactyle, with toes disposed in -opposite pairs, yet that the reversibility of the outer toe favors its -use for climbing or perching, as well as for movements on the ground. - -The food of the Ground Cuckoo consists of coleopterous and almost -every other description of insects, and where snails abound they also -are greedily eaten. These are usually taken either from the ground or -a branch, and carried to a particular spot, where the shell is broken -and its contents eaten. Piles of these shells are often found thus -collected in places frequented by them. They are also said to be ready -and expert in catching their prey in the air, sometimes springing up -to the height of eight or ten feet. In these performances the wings -and tail are expanded for but a moment, the bill is heard to snap as -the insect is seized, and the bird drops again suddenly to the ground. - -Colonel McCall adds that the general impression that its powers of -flight are very limited is not correct. When suddenly alarmed in open -ground, it rises with a light quick motion, and flies some hundreds of -yards continuously with an ease that attests its ability to maintain -even a longer flight. He has often seen it climb to the top of a -straight leafless branch, and there sit, apparently to enjoy the first -rays of the morning sun. - -They are shy and retiring in disposition, wary, vigilant, and -cautious, so that it is generally difficult to approach them on the -open ground. When suddenly surprised and driven to fly a considerable -distance for cover, though they fly with evident ease, they rarely -rise higher than six or eight feet from the ground. In evidence of its -wonderful swiftness of foot, Colonel McCall states that when on one -occasion, approaching Limpia Creek, in Texas, with a small party, he -discovered a Chaparral Cock in the open road, about a hundred yards in -advance, for his amusement he put spurs to his horse, and dashed after -the bird with one of the men. It was thus pursued for full four -hundred yards along a smooth and level road, over which with -straightened neck and slightly expanded wings it swiftly glided -without seeming to touch the ground. When at last it sought shelter in -the thicket, they had not gained upon it more than fifty yards. - -Captain McCown kept a young half-grown bird in confinement, but it -refused to eat, and soon died; others, however, have been more -fortunate, and have succeeded in taming them. - -Dr. Heermann states that the stomachs of all these birds examined by -him were filled with the grasshoppers and the large black beetles -found on the plains. A nest of this bird was found by him, built on -the branches of the cactus, and constructed of loose sticks put -negligently together in a manner similar to the nests of the -Yellow-billed Cuckoos. It contained two large white and nearly -spherical eggs. - -Dr. Gambel states that these birds devour reptiles as well as other -insects, which is also confirmed by the observations of Mr. Arthur -Schott. - -Lieutenant Couch mentions that this bird, called Paisano by the -Mexicans, is also held in high estimation by them on account of its -enmity to the rattle-snake, which it usually succeeds in killing in -fair combat. Though by no means deficient in courage, it is -represented as remarkably quiet and harmless in its habits. The only -note he heard from it was a weak scream, which is seldom uttered. It -is unsocial, is never seen in flocks, and rarely wanders from its -restricted locality. - -In regard to their note, Dr. Cooper mentions hearing one at Fort -Mohave making a low cooing noise like that of a dove, for which it was -at first mistaken. He afterwards heard it cooing harshly and -chattering its mandibles together, at the same time jerking up its -tail and erecting its crest. - -Where not molested, Dr. Cooper states that they become quite tame, and -seem to have a preference for towns and houses. At Santa Barbara he -observed one young bird nearly fledged as early as May. - -Mr. A. J. Grayson had one of these birds in confinement, which became -quite tame, and readily fed upon any kind of raw meat, but preferred -lizards and small birds, the latter of which it swallowed, feathers -and all. If given to him alive, he would play with them awhile before -swallowing them, as a cat does with a mouse. They are sometimes tamed, -and kept about gardens to kill mice and insects. Dr. Kennerly also -states that when taken alive they soon become quite tame, and -willingly remain about a house, soon destroying all the mice in the -vicinity, which they catch with as much dexterity as a cat. - -Mr. Dresser found this bird abundant throughout the mesquite regions, -and more particularly so near the Rio Grande. He found its eggs near -San Antonio in April and May, and received them even as late as the -23d of September. They build a clumsy nest of mesquite twigs, placed -at some height on a bough or in a hollow tree, and lay from two to -four pure white eggs. The stomachs examined by Mr. Dresser were found -to contain small snakes, lizards, and ticks. He had one in a -semi-domesticated state at Matamoras, which became very tame, and was -so mischievous that he could not let it remain in the house. It would -steal and hide everything that it could carry off, and was -particularly fond of tearing up letters and upsetting the inkstand. It -was never caged or tied up, and would frequently pay the neighbors a -visit, always returning before evening. He fed it on raw meat and -lizards. It flew with great ease, and was very fond of perching on the -house-top. This bird had a singular antipathy to a tame parrot, and -whenever the latter was let out of the cage, it would get into a rage, -and either go to the house-top or decamp to some of the neighbors. - -The eggs are white, of a rounded oval, equal at either end, and -measure 1.60 by 1.22 inches. - - -GENUS COCCYGUS, VIEILLOT. - - _Coccyzus_, VIEILLOT, Analyse, 1816. (Type, _Cuculus americanus_, LINN.) - _Erythrophrys_, SWAINSON, Class. Birds, II, 1837, 322. - -GEN. CHAR. Head without crest; feathers about base of bill soft; bill -nearly as long as the head, decurved, slender, and attenuated towards -the end. Nostrils linear. Wings lengthened, reaching the middle of the -tail; the tertials short. Tail of ten graduated feathers. Feet weak; -tarsi shorter than the middle toe. - -The species of _Coccygus_ are readily distinguished from those of -_Geococcyx_ by their arboreal habits, confining themselves mainly to -trees, instead of living habitually on the ground. The plumage is -soft, fine, and compact. - -The American Cuckoos differ from the European (_Cuculus_) by having -lengthened naked tarsi, instead of very short feathered ones. The -nostrils, too, are elongated instead of rounded. The habits of the two -are entirely different, the American species rearing their own young, -instead of laying the eggs in the nests of other birds, like the -European Cuckoo and the American Cowbird (_Molothrus pecoris_). - - [Line drawing: _Coccygus americanus._ - 1541 ♂] - -The following synopsis will serve to distinguish the North American -species of _Coccygus_, with their more nearly related southern allies, -all of them being of a light greenish color above, tinged with ashy -towards the head:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Tail-feathers except two middle ones black, with broad, - sharply defined terminal spaces of white. - - _a._ Lower mandible yellow. - - 1. C. americanus. Beneath pure white, with an ashy - shade across the jugulum. Inner webs of primaries - mostly rufous. Auriculars nearly concolor with the - nape. Length, 12.00; wing, 5.45; tail, 5.64; culmen, - 1.00; tarsus, .90. _Hab._ United States (very rare in - the Western Province), Jamaica, Porto Rico. - - 2. C. minor. Beneath ochraceous, generally paler - anteriorly. Inner webs of primaries without any - rufous. Auriculars blackish, conspicuously different - from the nape. Length, 12.00; wing, 5.30; tail, 7.50; - graduation of tail, 2.75. Tail-spots about 1.00 long. - _Hab._ West Indies, and Northern and Eastern South - America, Southern Florida. - - _b._ Lower mandible blackish like the upper (pale blue - in life). - - 3. C. melanocoryphus.[121] Colors similar to those of - _C. minor_, but upper parts more brown. Wing, 4.50; - tail, 5.85; graduation of the tail, 2.00. Tail-spots - about .50 long. _Hab._ South America (Buenos Ayres, - Peru, La Plata, Cayenne, etc.). - - B. Tail-feathers all grayish-brown, with narrow terminal, - obscure spots of white. - - _c._ Lower mandible blackish like the upper (pale blue - in life?). - - C. erythrophthalmus. No rufous on primaries, except in - young (which have black bill, brown tail-feathers, - etc.). Beneath continuous white, with a faint - ashy-buff shade across the jugulum; above - grayish-brown. Bare eyelids bright red in the adult. - Length, 11.30; wing, 5.12; tail, 6.24; tarsus, .90; - culmen, 1.00. _Hab._ Eastern Province of the United - States, south through eastern Middle America to Bogota. - - - [121] _Coccygus melanocoryphus_, VIEILLOT, Nouv. Dict. VIII, - 271.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 323.—IB. P. Z. S. 1864, 122. - - -Coccygus americanus, BONAP. - -YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. - - _Cuculus americanus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 170, 10. _Coccyzus - americanus_, BON. Obs. Wilson, 1825, No. 47.—IB. Conspectus, - 1850, IV.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 18, V; 520, pl. ii.—IB. - Birds Am. IV, 1842, 293, pl. cclxxv.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 76.—SCL. Cat. 1862, 322.—COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. 1868 - (Sacramento, Cal.)—SAMUELS, 83.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 371. _Erythrophrys americanus_, SW. Birds II, 1837.—BON. List, - 1838. _Cureus americanus_, BON. List, Eur. Birds, 1842. _? - Cuculus dominicensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 170, 13. _? - Cuculus dominicus_, LATHAM, Syst. I, 1790, 221 (considered - distinct by BONAPARTE). _Coccygus dominicus_, BAIRD, pl. - _Cuculus carolinensis_ (BRISSON), WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, - 13, pl. xxviii. _Cuculus cinerosus_, TEMMINCK, Man. IV, 1835, - 277. _Coccyzus pyrrhopterus_, VIEILL. Dict. _Coccygus bairdi_, - SCLATER, P. Z. S. March, 1864, 120 (Jamaica; no rufous - externally on wing). _? Coccygus julieni_, LAWR. Ann. N. Y. - Lyc. VIII, June, 1864, 42, 99 (Sombrero Island; no rufous on - wing). - - [Illustration: _Coccygus americanus._] - -SP. CHAR. Upper mandible and tip of lower, black; rest of lower -mandible and cutting edges of the upper, yellow. Upper parts of a -metallic greenish-olive, slightly tinged with ash towards the bill; -beneath white. Tail-feathers (except the median, which are like the -back) black, tipped with white for about an inch on the outer -feathers, the external one with the outer edge almost entirely white. -Quills orange-cinnamon; the terminal portion and a gloss on the outer -webs olive; iris brown. Length, 12.00; wing, 5.95; tail, 6.35. - -HAB. Eastern United States to the Missouri plains. California and -Nevada (RIDGWAY); Mazatlan; Jamaica; Porto Rico. Localities: ? Sta. -Cruz (NEWTON, Ibis, I, 149, eggs!); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 154; GUNDL. Rep. -I, 1866, 295); Jamaica (GOSSE, B. Jam. 279?) Costa Rica (CAB. J. 1862, -167); Lower Rio Grande (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 466, breeds). - -There is considerable variation in the amount of rufous in the quills; -sometimes this shows very distinctly externally, sometimes it is -entirely replaced by the bronzed olive of the back. A greater amount -of the rufous seems to characterize the more southern and Jamaica -specimens, which also are smaller; northern specimens, however, show -similar variations. In the immature birds the under surface of the -tail-feathers is gray, not black, so that the contrast with the white -tips is very indistinct, as in _erythrophthalmus_, in which, however, -these light tips are much narrower, while the bill is entirely black. - -Specimens of this bird from regions west of the Missouri, and -especially one from Cantonment Burgwyn, New Mexico, are appreciably -larger than eastern, with decidedly longer bill. One brought from -Mazatlan by Mr. Xantus is undistinguishable from the long-billed -western variety. - -HABITS. The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is distributed throughout North -America from Canada to Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to -California. It has been met with in all the principal West India -Islands. I have received specimens of its eggs and nest from -Southwestern Texas. Audubon mentions finding this bird high up on the -Mississippi River, on the upper branches of the Arkansas, and in Upper -Canada, as well as in every State between these limits. Mr. Newton -found it breeding in the island of St. Croix, Mr. Gosse mentions it as -a bird of Jamaica, and Lembeye gives it among those of Cuba, and Mr. -Salvin found it in Central America. It is known to breed from the West -Indies and Florida to Minnesota, and from New Brunswick to Texas. It -does not appear to have been met with in any of the government -expeditions, except by Dr. Woodhouse, who speaks of it as very common -in the Indian Territory, Texas, and New Mexico. - -This species was seen on one occasion, and heard at other times, near -Sacramento City, Cal., by Mr. Ridgway, in June, 1867. It was there -rare, or at least not common, and found principally in the -willow-thickets. It was again met with in July, of the same year, -along the Truckee River, in Nevada, where, also, it appeared to be -very rare. - -Wilson traced it as far north as Lake Ontario, and speaks of finding -it numerous in the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations, and as breeding in -the upper part of Georgia. He seems to have observed very carefully -its habits, and to have enjoyed favorable opportunities for his -observations. His account of their nesting is interesting. He states -that, in marked contrast to the singularly unparental conduct of their -European relatives, the American Cuckoos build their own nest, hatch -their own eggs, and rear their own young, and that in conjugal and -parental affection they seem to be surpassed by no other birds. He -adds that they begin to pair early in May, and commence building about -the 10th of that month. He describes their nest as usually fixed among -the horizontal branches of an apple-tree; sometimes in a solitary -thorn, crab, or cedar, in some retired part of the woods. It is -constructed with little art, and scarcely any concavity, of small -sticks and twigs, intermixed with green weeds and blossoms of the -maple. On this almost flat bed the eggs, usually three or four in -number, are placed; these are of a uniform greenish-blue color, and of -a size proportionate to that of the bird. While the female is sitting, -the male is usually not far distant, and gives the alarm by his notes -when any person is approaching. The female sits so close that you may -almost reach her with your hand, and then precipitates herself to the -ground, feigning lameness to draw you away from the spot, fluttering, -trailing her wings, and tumbling over in the manner of the Woodcock -and other birds. Both parents unite in providing food for the young. -This consists chiefly of caterpillars, particularly such as infest -apple-trees. - -Mr. Audubon speaks of this species as not abundant anywhere, therein -differing from Wilson’s statements, but more in accordance with my own -observations. They are, as a species, pretty generally distributed, -but at the same time their numbers are materially affected by the -character of the locality, as they are chiefly to be met with on low -grounds and in damp places. Mr. Audubon also describes their nest as -simple and flat, composed of a few dry sticks and grass, formed much -like that of the Carolina Dove, and like it fastened to a horizontal -branch, often within reach. He subsequently states that when in -Charleston, S. C., in the early part of June, 1837, he was invited by -Mr. Rhett to visit his grounds in the vicinity of that city, for the -purpose of viewing a nest of this bird. The following is his account -of it: “A nest, which was placed near the centre of a tree of moderate -size, was reached by a son of the gentleman on whose grounds we were. -One of the old birds, which was sitting upon it, left its situation -only when within a few inches of the climber’s hand, and silently -glided off to another tree close by. Two young Cuckoos, nearly able to -fly, scrambled off from their tenement among the branches of the tree, -and were caught. The nest was taken, and carefully handed to me. It -still contained three young Cuckoos, all of different sizes, the -smallest apparently just hatched, the next in size probably several -days old, while the largest, covered with pin-feathers, would have -been able to leave the nest in about a week. There were also in the -nest two eggs, one containing a chick, the other fresh or lately laid. -The two young birds which escaped from the nest clung so firmly to the -branches by their feet, that our attempts to dislodge them were of no -avail, and we were obliged to reach them with the hand. On looking at -all these birds, our surprise was great, as no two of them were of the -same size, which clearly showed that they had been hatched at -different periods, and I should suppose the largest to have been fully -three weeks older than any of the rest. Mr. Rhett assured us that he -had observed the same in another nest, placed in a tree within a few -paces of his house. He stated that eleven young Cuckoos had been -successively hatched and reared in it by the same pair of old birds in -one season, and that young birds and eggs were to be seen in it at the -same time for many weeks in succession.” - -Mr. Nuttall states that the nest of this bird is usually forsaken by -the owner if the eggs are handled before the commencement of -incubation. They are very tenacious and affectionate towards their -young, and sit so close as almost to allow of being taken off by the -hand. They then frequently precipitate themselves to the ground, -fluttering, tumbling, and feigning lameness, in the manner of many -other affectionate and artful birds, to draw the intruder away from -the vicinity of the brood. At such times, the mother also utters the -most uncouth guttural sounds as she runs along the ground. While the -female is engaged in sitting on her charge, the male takes his station -at no great distance, and gives alarm by his notes, on the approach of -an intruder. When the young are hatched, both unite in the labor of -providing them with food. He subsequently states that these birds -hatch several broods in a season, which he inferred from the fact of -his meeting with a nest containing eggs as late as the 28th of August. -He also speaks of finding in one instance an egg of the Cuckoo laid in -the nest of a Catbird, and in another instance (June 15) an egg in the -nest of a Robin. Such instances must, however, be very rare. No other -writer mentions any similar instance, and none have ever fallen under -my observations. - -Mr. Gosse, in his Birds of Jamaica, describes the Yellow-bill as among -the birds of that island, speaks of it as among the regular visitants -in spring, but makes no mention of its breeding there. - -Mr. Edward Newton, in his paper on the birds of St. Croix (Ibis, 1859, -p. 149), gives an interesting account of its breeding in that -locality. He adds his testimony to the general credit given to this -species for the conjugal affection they evince. On one occasion, he -says, a male having been shot, and shrieking as it fell, the female -instantly flew to the spot, and fluttered along the ground in the -manner that an old hen Partridge or other bird would do, to lead -astray the pursuer of her young. On June 2, 1858, he shot a female of -this species, having an egg in her ovary nearly ready for exclusion; -it was quite soft, but had its proper color. On the 29th of the same -month, while riding, he saw the white terminal spots of a Cuckoo’s -tail projecting from a small nest on a manchineel that overhung the -path. It was built in a very open situation, and the bird, as he rode -underneath, was not more than a yard above his head. She sat with -nearly all her neck and breast outside the nest, which was only just -large enough to contain the eggs. She did not fly off until after he -had tied up the pony hard by, and had almost touched her with his -whip. There were three eggs, laid side by side in a row, _along_ which -the bird had been sitting. The nest was at some distance from the stem -of the tree, and placed loosely on the bough. It was a mere platform -of small sticks laid one across another, with a few finer twigs and a -little grass as a lining; so slightly was it put together, that, on -attempting to take it from the tree, it fell to pieces. - -No writer besides Mr. Audubon makes any mention of, or appears to have -been aware of, the peculiar habits of these birds in hatching out -their successive depositions of eggs, one by one. In this respect they -are eccentric, and do not always exhibit this trait. While I have -repeatedly observed facts exactly corresponding with those noticed by -Mr. Audubon in the garden of Mr. Rhett, at other times I have found in -the opening of the season three or four eggs laid before incubation -commenced, and all hatched before others were deposited. Then the -parents seemed to depend, in no small degree, upon the warmth of the -bodies of the older offspring to compensate to the younger for their -own neglect, as well as for the exposed and insufficient warmth of the -nest. I have repeatedly found in a nest three young and two eggs, one -of the latter nearly fresh, one with the embryo half developed, while -of the young birds one would be just out of the shell, one half -fledged, and one just ready to fly. My attention was first called to -these peculiarities of hatching as early as 1834, by finding, in -Cambridge, in a nest with three young birds, an egg which, instead of -proving to be addled, as I anticipated, was perfectly fresh, and -evidently just laid. Subsequent observations in successive seasons led -to the conviction that both this species and the Black-billed Cuckoo -share in these peculiarities, and that it is a general, but not a -universal practice. These facts were communicated to Mr. Audubon, but -not before his attention had been called to the same thing. - -In referring to these peculiarities of the American Cuckoo, Mr. -Audubon finds in them a closely connecting link with the European -bird, and Mr. Darwin, carrying still farther the same idea, finds in -them also data for regarding our birds as only one remove from the -vagaries of the European Cuckoo. At the first glance there may seem to -be some plausibility in these deductions. The mere apology for a nest -of our Cuckoos and their alternations of laying and hatching may, to -some extent, be regarded as but one remove from the total neglect of -the European to build any nest, making, instead, successive -depositions in the nests of other birds. But there are other -peculiarities of our Cuckoos to be taken into consideration, totally -variant from the polygamous, unconjugal, and unparental European. -Their devotion to their mates and to their offspring, in which both -sexes vie with each other; their extended breeding-season, varying -from one to nearly four months,—all these characteristics separate -them by a long interval from their namesakes of the Old World. - -If the nests of the Cuckoos are incomplete and insufficient, so are -also those of the most exemplary of parents, the whole tribe of -Pigeons, and, like the latter, our Cuckoos more than atone for such -deficiencies by the devoted fidelity with which they adhere to their -post of duty even in the face of imminent dangers; while, after the -first offspring of the season have been hatched, the warmth of their -bodies becomes an additional protection from the exposure of the bare -platform on which they are deposited. - -The eggs of this species are of an oblong-oval shape, equally obtuse -at either end, and measure 1.30 inches in length by 1.00 in breadth. -They vary considerably in size, their minimum breadth being .90 of an -inch, and the length 1.20 inches. Their color is a uniform light -bluish-green, extremely fugitive, and fading even in the closed drawer -of a cabinet. - - -Coccygus minor, CABANIS. - -MANGROVE CUCKOO. - - _? Cuculus minor_, GMELIN, Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 411. _? Coccyzus - minor_, CABANIS, Cab. Journal für Orn. 1856, 104 - (Cuba).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 78.—_Cuculus seniculus_, - LATH. Ind. I, 1790, 219. _Coccyzus seniculus_, NUTTALL, Man. I, - 1832, 558.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 390, pl. clxix.—IB. - Birds America, IV, 1842, 303, pl. cclxxvii.—GOSSE, Birds - Jamaica, 281.—BON. Conspectus, 1850, III. _Erythrophrys - seniculus_, BON. List, 1838. _Coccygus dominicus_, SCL. Cat. - 1862, 323. - -SP. CHAR. Lower mandible yellow, except at the tip. Body above -olivaceous, strongly tinged with ashy towards and on the head. Beneath -pale yellowish-brown, darkest on the legs and abdomen, becoming -lighter to the bill. An elongated spot of dark plumbeous behind the -eye. Inner edges of the quills and under wing-coverts like the belly. -Tail-feathers, except the central, black, with a sharply defined tip -of white for about an inch, this color not extending along the outer -web of the quill. Length about 12.00; wing about 5.25. - -HAB. Florida Keys to West Indies. Localities: ? Sta. Cruz (NEWTON, -Ibis, I, 150); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 154; GUNDL. Repert. I, 1866, 295); -Jamaica (GOSSE, B. Jam. 281). - -This species is readily distinguishable by its fulvous under parts, -dark ear-coverts, and lack of rufous on inner webs of quills. It has -the yellow bill and dark tail, with broad white tips, of _C. -americanus_, although the white does not extend along the outer web of -the feathers. - -According to Mr. Audubon, this species is a regular summer visitor to -Key West and the other Florida keys. - -This species is more especially West Indian, occurring in nearly all -the islands. There are some local variations in color (Porto-Rican -being much redder, Bahaman paler), as well as in size, but in a large -series from the same island there will be found such differences as to -warrant us in considering all as one species. In a very large series -before us, we cannot see any tangible difference, although Cabanis and -Sclater recognize a _C. nesiotes_ from the Antillean West Indies, as -distinguished from _C. seniculus_ from South American and the windward -West Indies; the former, smaller and paler, and, according to Cabanis, -with the white of tip of tail confined to the inner web; the latter -darker beneath, and larger. These characters I do not find -substantiated, nor have I seen one specimen without white in both webs -at the ends of the tail-feathers. - -As the name of _C. minor_ is the earliest one for at least the South -American race, we retain it in preference to _seniculus_, as although -scarcely _minor_ in this genus, it is so compared with _Piaya_, -_Geococcyx_, and _Saurothera_. - -HABITS. This species claims a place in the fauna of North America as a -resident of the Florida keys. This is the only locality positively -known as its habitat within the limits of the territory of the United -States. The only specimen referred to in the ninth volume of the -Pacific Railroad Surveys was supposed to have been obtained in -Florida. Mr. Nuttall, who was the first to include the Mangrove Cuckoo -among North American birds, speaks of it as an inhabitant chiefly of -Cayenne, and as occasionally visiting the extreme Southern States. Mr. -Audubon, who was the first to meet with the species within the limits -of the United States, only obtained specimens of it in Florida, near -Key West. I have seen a specimen which was given to Mr. John G. Bell -as having been procured in Southern Mississippi. Mr. Gosse obtained -specimens of this bird in Jamaica, though he had no opportunity of -observing its domestic economy. In the month of January the specimens -he dissected had eggs in their ovaries as large as duck-shot. Dr. -Gundlach gives it as a Cuban bird, but does not mention it as one that -breeds on that island. The Newtons met with this species in St. Croix, -but appear to have regarded it as not a summer resident, but only in -the light of a visitant in the winter. - -Mr. March, referring without doubt to this species, mentions it as a -constant resident in the island of Jamaica, where it is common in the -lowlands during summer. It is said to breed from March to July, -building in the low branches of trees or in shrubs. The nest is -described as a structure composed of a few dry sticks, so loosely put -together that it falls to pieces on any attempt to remove it. Three, -rarely four, eggs are laid, which are of a glaucous-green color, oval, -generally round at both ends, and varying in size from 1.25 inches by -.90 to 1.38 inches by 1 inch. - -Of late years no specimens seem to have been obtained in Florida, -either by Maynard or by the many other explorers of the Peninsula; and -even if the earlier notices are correct, we may have to consider it as -merely a straggler from the Bahamas, like _Certhiola bahamensis_, -_Crotophaga ani_, _Phonipara zena_, _Vireosylvia barbatula_, etc. - -Mr. Audubon, who was the only one of our naturalists who met with the -nest and eggs, discovered them near Key West. He describes the nest as -slightly constructed of dry twigs, and as almost flat, nearly -resembling that of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The eggs are the same in -number and form as those of that species, but are somewhat larger. It -is said to raise two broods in one season, and to feed its young on -insects until they are able to provide for themselves. An old bird, -caught on its nest, which Mr. Audubon saw confined in a cage, refused -all food and soon pined itself to death,—thus evincing, in his -opinion, the great affection these birds have for their own eggs. An -egg in the Smithsonian Institution collection, given me by Mr. John G. -Bell of New York, is said to have been obtained in Mississippi with -the parent bird. Its color has slightly faded, and, except in its -greater comparative breadth, it is not distinguishable from the eggs -of the Yellow-bill. - - -Coccygus erythrophthalmus, BON. - -BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. - - _Cuculus erythrophthalmus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 16, pl. - xxviii. _Coccyzus erythrophthalmus_, BON. Obs. Wils. 1825, - 48.—IB. Consp. 1850, IV.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 170; V, - 523, pl. xxxii.—IB. Birds America, IV, 1842, 300, pl. - cclxxvi.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 77.—SCL. Cat. 1862, - 323.—_Samuels_, 85. _Erythrophrys erythrophthalmus_, BON. - List, 1838. _Coccyzus dominicus_, (LATH.) NUTT. Man. I, 1832, - 556 (not of LATHAM, which belongs rather to _C. americanus_, on - account of the red quills and white edge of outer tail-feather). - -SP. CHAR. Bill entirely black. Upper parts generally of a metallic -greenish-olive, ashy towards the base of the bill; beneath pure white, -with a brownish-yellow tinge on the throat. Inner webs of the quills -tinged with cinnamon. Under surface of all the tail-feathers hoary -ash-gray. All, except the central on either side, suffused with darker -to the short, bluish-white, and not well-defined tip. A naked red skin -round the eye. Length, about 12.00; wing, 5.00; tail, 6.50. - -HAB. United States to the Missouri plains, south to Bogota. -Localities: Cuba (CAB. J. IV, 154, nests; GUNDL. Repert. I, 1866, -295); Guatemala (SALVIN, Ibis, II, 276); Mexico and Bogota (SCL. Cat. -323); Isth. Panama (LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. VII, 62); Costa Rica (LAWR. -N. Y. Lyc. IX, 128). - -This species differs from the _C. americanus_ in the black bill, and -the absence of black on the tail-feathers, the white tips of which are -much shorter and less abruptly defined. One specimen (5,253) from the -Upper Missouri has a much stronger tinge of yellowish-cinnamon on the -inner webs of the quills than the others. The sexes are quite similar. - -HABITS. The Black-billed Cuckoo, so closely allied with the common -species in respect to size, appearance, habits, and all its general -characteristics, is also distributed throughout very nearly the same -localities, where, however, it is usually regarded as a much less -abundant bird. It is found throughout the United States as far west as -the Missouri plains. Dr. Woodhouse met with this bird in his -expedition down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers, but states that he saw -but very few, either in Texas or in the Indian Territory. Lembeye, De -la Sagra, and Dr. Gundlach include it as a visitant, in the winter -months, to Cuba. Mr. Audubon met with this Cuckoo in Louisiana only a -few times in the course of his various researches, and never in any -Western State except Ohio. He does not seem to have been aware that it -ever breeds south of North Carolina. From thence to Maine, and even as -far north as the Canadas, Nova Scotia, and Southern Labrador, he gives -as its distribution during the breeding-season. He also regarded it as -much more common in low and wooded ground on the borders of the sea, -where it frequents the edges of woods rather than their interior, and -chiefly on the edges of creeks, and in damp places. Mr. Nuttall -appeared to have regarded it as very nearly as common as the -Yellow-bill throughout the United States, and as extending its -migrations as far north as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. He states -that it is found in St. Domingo and Guiana, and also, on the authority -of Mr. Abbott, that it breeds in Georgia as early as the 1st of April. -Mr. Audubon says it was never met with by Dr. Bachman in South -Carolina. It certainly breeds, however, as far south, at least, as -Georgia, as the nest and eggs of this species were taken at Varnell -Station, in the northwestern part of that State, by the late Dr. -Alexander Gerhardt. - -It is not mentioned by either Dr. Gambel or Dr. Heermann as among the -birds of the Pacific Coast, and it does not appear to have been -actually obtained by any of the expeditions to the Pacific beyond the -Indian Territory. Its distribution, therefore, during the -breeding-season, would seem to be from Georgia to Canada, and from -Texas to Minnesota, inclusive of all the intermediate territory. Dr. -Newberry frequently saw and heard what he supposed to have been this -species, in the trees bordering Cow Creek, near Fort Reading, but as -he did not secure a specimen, he may have been mistaken. It has been -taken at Devil’s Lake, in Minnesota, and in the Red River Settlement. - -Wilson describes the nest of this bird as generally built in a cedar, -much in the same manner, and of nearly the same materials, as that of -the Yellow-bill; the eggs are smaller than those of that bird, usually -four or five in number, and of a deeper greenish-blue. - -Mr. Audubon speaks of the nest as built in places similar to those -chosen by the other species, as formed of the same materials, and -arranged with quite as little art. He gives the number of eggs as from -four to six, of a greenish-blue, nearly equal at both ends, but rather -smaller than those of the Yellow-bill, rounder, and of a much deeper -tint of green. He gives their measurement as 1.50 inches in length and -.87 of an inch in breadth. - -Mr. Nuttall, whose description more nearly corresponds with my own -observations, speaks of this species as usually retiring into the -woods to breed, being less familiar than the former species, and -choosing an evergreen bush or sapling for the site of the nest, which -is made of twigs pretty well put together, but still little more than -a concave flooring, and lined with moss occasionally, and withered -catkins of the hickory. The eggs are described as smaller, and three -to five in number, of a bluish-green. The female sits very close on -the nest, admitting a near approach before flying. He also speaks of -this species as being less timorous than the Yellow-billed, and states -that near the nest, with young, he has observed the parent composedly -sit and plume itself for a considerable time without showing any alarm -at his presence. - -In all the instances in which I have observed the nest of this -species, I have invariably found it in retired damp places, usually -near the edges of woods, and built, not in trees, after the manner of -the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, but in bushes and in low shrubbery, often -not more than two or three feet from the ground. The nest, without -being at all remarkable for its finish, or the nicety of its -arrangement, is much more artistic and elaborate than that of the -Yellow-bill. It is composed of twigs, roots, fine strips of bark, and -moss, and is sometimes interwoven and partially lined with the soft -catkins of trees and blossoms of plants. The eggs vary from three to -six in number, and are often found to have been deposited, and -incubation commenced on them, at irregular intervals, and to be in -various stages of development in the same nest. I have hardly been -able to observe a sufficient number of their nests to be able to state -whether this species carries this irregularity so far as the -Yellow-bill, nor am I aware that it has ever been known to extend its -incubations into so late a period of the season. It is, if anything, -more devoted to its offspring than the Yellow-bill. Both parents are -assiduous in the duties of incubation, and in supplying food to each -other and to their offspring. In one instance, where the female had -been shot by a thoughtless boy, as she flew from the nest, the male -bird successfully devoted himself to the solitary duty of rearing the -brood of five. At the time of the death of the female the nest -contained two eggs and three young birds. The writer was present when -the bird was shot, and was unable to interpose in season to prevent -it. Returning to the spot not long afterwards, he found the widowed -male sitting upon the nest, and so unwilling to leave it as almost to -permit himself to be captured by the hand. His fidelity and his -entreaties were not disregarded. His nest, eggs, and young, were left -undisturbed; and, as they were visited from time to time, the young -nestlings were found to thrive under his vigilant care. The eggs were -hatched out, and in time the whole five were reared in safety. This -single incident shows how wide is the interval between these Cuckoos -and their European namesakes. - -The egg resembles that of the other, but is more spherical and of a -much darker shade of green. The color is equally fugitive, and even in -a closed cabinet fades so that the eggs of the two species are -undistinguishable, except in size and shape. This egg averages 1.10 -inches in length by .90 of an inch in breadth. - - -GENUS CROTOPHAGA, LINNÆUS. - - _Crotophaga_, LINNÆUS, Systema Naturæ, 1756. (Type, _C. ani_, LINN.). - -GEN. CHAR. Bill as long as the head, very much compressed; the culmen -elevated into a high crest, extending above the level of the forehead. -Nostrils exposed, elongated. Point of bill much decurved. Wings -lengthened, extending beyond the base of the tail, the fourth or fifth -quill longest. Tail lengthened, of eight graduated feathers. Toes -long, with well-developed claws. - -The feathers in this genus are entirely black; those on the head and -neck with a peculiar stiffened metallic or scale-like border. The -species are not numerous, and are entirely confined to America. - - [Line drawing: _Crotophaga ani._ - 8639 ♂] - -Of _Crotophaga_, two species have heretofore been recognized in the -United States, _C. ani_ and _C. rugirostris_. We are, however, -satisfied that there is but one here and in the West Indies, _C. ani_ -(extending to South America). _C. major_ of South America, and _C. -sulcirostris_, found from Mexico southward, are the other species, and -are easily distinguishable by the following characters among others:— - - C. major.[122] Length, 17.00; wing, 7.50; outline of - culmen abruptly angulated in the middle. _Hab._ Brazil and - Trinidad. - - C. ani. Length, 13.00 to 15.00; wing, 6.00; culmen gently - curved from base. Bill smooth or with a few transverse - wrinkles. _Hab._ Northeastern South America, West Indies, - and South Florida. - - C. sulcirostris.[123] Length, 12.00; wing, 5.00; culmen - gently curved. Bill with several grooves parallel to - culmen. _Hab._ Middle America, from Yucatan, south to - Ecuador. - - - [122] _Crotophaga major_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 363.—MAX. - Beitr. iv, 319.—SCL. Cat. 1862, 320. _C. ani_, VIEILL. Gal. - Ois. II, 35, pl. xliii. - - [123] _Crotophaga sulcirostris_, SWAINSON, Phil. Mag. 1827, - I, 440.—BONAP. Consp. 89.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 309, 1859, - pp. 59, 368, 388, et 1860, pp. 285, 297.—IB. Catal. 1862, - 320. _C. casasi_, LESS. Voy. Coq. Zoöl. I, pl. ii, 619, et - Cent. Zoöl. pl. ix. - - -Crotophaga ani, LINN. - -THE ANI; THE SAVANNA BLACKBIRD. - - _Crotophaga ani_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 154.—BURMEISTER, Th. - Bras. (Vögel.) 1856, 254.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 72, pl. - lxxxiv, f. 2.—CABANIS, Mus. Hein. IV, 100. _Crotophaga minor_, - LESS. Traite Orn. 1831, 130. _Crotophaga lævirostra_, SWAINSON, - An. in Menag. 2¼ Cent. 1838, 321. _Crotophaga rugirostra_, - SWAINSON, 2¼ Cent. 1838, 321, fig. 65, bill.—BURM. Th. Bras. - II, 1856, 235.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 71, pl. lxxxiv, f. 1. - - [Illustration: _Crotophaga ani._] - -SP. CHAR. Bill at the nostrils nearly twice as high as broad; the -nostrils elliptical, a little oblique, situated in the middle of the -lower half of the upper mandible. Gonys nearly straight. Indications -of faint transverse wrinkles along the upper portion of the bill, -nearly perpendicular to the culmen. Legs stout; tarsus longer than -middle toe, with seven broad scutellæ anteriorly extending round to -the middle of each side; the remaining or posterior portion of each -side with a series of quadrangular plates, corresponding nearly to the -anterior ones, the series meeting behind in a sharp ridge. The wings -reach over the basal third of the tail. The primary quills are broad -and acute, the fourth longest; the first about equal to the tertials. -The tail is graduated, the outer about an inch and a half shorter than -the middle ones. - -The color generally is black, with steel-blue reflections above, -changing sometimes into violet; duller beneath. The pointed feathers -of the head, neck, and breast, with a bronzy metallic border, -appearing also to some extent on the wing-coverts and upper part of -back. Iris brown. Length, 13.20; wing, 6.00; tail, 8.30; tarsus, 1.48. - -HAB. West Indies; South Florida. Accidental near Philadelphia. -Localities: Sta. Cruz (NEWTON, Ibis, I, 148). - -As already remarked, we do not find reason to admit more than one -species of _Crotophaga_ in the United States and the West Indies, as -in the great variation in size, and to some extent in shape of bill, -there is nothing constant. The species can hardly be considered more -than a straggler in the United States, although a considerable number -of specimens have been seen or taken within its limits. That in the -Smithsonian collection was killed on the Tortugas; but there is one in -the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, killed near Philadelphia -by Mr. John Krider, and presented by him. Mr. Audubon also possessed a -pair said to have been killed near New Orleans. - -HABITS. This species, the common Savanna Blackbird of the West India -Islands, is probably only an accidental visitant of the United States, -and may not strictly belong to the avi-fauna of North America. - -It is common throughout the West Indies, and in South America as far -south as Brazil. Gosse states it to be one of the most abundant birds -of Jamaica. In speaking of its breeding habits he mentions that it was -universally maintained by the inhabitants that these birds unite and -build in company an immense nest of basket-work, made by the united -labors of the flock. This is said to be placed on a high tree, where -many parents bring forth and educate a common family. This statement -is reiterated by Mr. Hill, who says that a small flock of about six -individuals build but one large and capacious nest, to which they -resort in common, and rear their young together. - -In July Mr. Gosse found the nest of one of these birds in a _guazuma_ -tree. It was a large mass of interwoven twigs, and was lined with -leaves. There were eight eggs in the nest, and the shells of many -others were scattered beneath the tree. - -Mr. Newton found these birds very common in St. Croix. He mentions -meeting with a nest of this species June 17. It was about five feet -from the ground, on a large tamarind-tree. He speaks of it as a rude -collection of sticks and twigs, large and deep, partly filled with dry -leaves, among which were fourteen eggs, and around the margin were -stuck upright a few dead twigs of tamarind. Five days afterwards he -went to the nest, where he found but nine eggs, two of which he took. -Three days later he found but four eggs in the nest, it having been -robbed in the interim; but six days afterwards the number had again -been increased to eight. He never found the eggs covered up as if -intentionally done. The nest was evidently common property. There were -generally two or three birds sitting close to or on it, and up in the -tree perhaps four or five more, who would continue screeching all the -time he was there. Mr. Newton adds that when the egg is fresh the -cretaceous deposit on the shell is very soft and easily scored, but it -soon hardens. It is mentioned in De Sagra’s list as one of the common -birds of Cuba. - -Mr. J. F. Hamilton, in his interesting paper (Ibis, July, 1871) on the -birds of Brazil, mentions finding this species very common at Santo -Paulo. There was scarcely an open piece of ground where there were but -few bushes that had not its flock of these birds. They were especially -fond of marshy ground. They were also often to be seen running about -among a herd of cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by the -animals. They seemed utterly regardless of danger, and would scarcely -do more than flit from one bush to another, even when the numbers of -their flock were being greatly thinned. When concealed in the long -grass, they would allow themselves to be almost trodden on before -rising. The Brazilians seldom molest them, as their flesh is not good -to eat. - -This bird is known as the Black Witch in St. Croix,—a name Mr. Newton -supposes to be due to its peculiar call-note, which sounds like -_que-yuch_. Its familiar habits and its grotesque appearance make it -universally known. It is a favorite object of attack to the Chickaree -Flycatcher, in which encounters it is apt to lose its presence of -mind, and to be forced to make an ignominious retreat. - -These birds are said to be attracted by collections of cattle and -horses, upon the bodies of which they are often seen to alight, -feeding upon the ticks with which they are infested. They are at once -familiar and wary, permitting a limited acquaintance, but a too near -approach sets the whole flock in motion. It moves in a very peculiar -gliding flight. In feeding it is omnivorous; besides insects of all -kinds, such as ticks, grasshoppers, beetles, etc., it eats berries of -various kinds, lizards, and other kinds of food. It catches insects on -the ground by very active jumps, pursues them on the wing, and with -its sharp thin bill digs them out in the earth. They hop about and -over the bodies of cattle, especially when they are lying down, and -when grazing they have been observed clinging to a cow’s tail, picking -insects from it as far down even as its extremity. - -Mr. Hill states that these birds are downward, not upward, climbers. -They enter a tree by alighting on the extremity of some main branch, -and reach its centre by creeping along the stem, and seldom penetrate -far among the leaves. - -The eggs of this species are of a regularly oval shape, equally obtuse -at either end. In color they are of a uniform light-blue, with a very -slight tinge of green. This is usually covered, but not entirely -concealed, by a white cretaceous coating. When fresh, this may readily -be rubbed off, but becomes hard and not easily removed. The eggs vary -in size from 1.40 to 1.50 inches in length, and in breadth from 1.10 -to 1.15 inches. - - - - -FAMILY PICIDÆ.—THE WOODPECKERS. - - -CHAR. Outer toe turned backwards permanently, not versatile laterally, -the basal portion of the tongue capable of great protrusion. - -The preceding characters combined appear to express the essential -characters of the _Picidæ_. In addition, it may be stated that the -tongue itself is quite small, flat, and short, acute and horny, -usually armed along the edges with recurved hooks. The horns of the -hyoid apparatus are generally very long, and curve round the back of -the skull, frequently to the base of the bill, playing in a sheath, -when the tongue is thrown forward out of the mouth to transfix an -insect. - -There are twelve tail-feathers, of which the outer is, however, very -small and rudimentary (lying concealed between the outer and adjacent -feathers), so that only ten are usually counted. The tail is nearly -even, or cuneate, never forked, the shafts very rigid in the true -Woodpeckers; soft in _Picumninæ_ and _Yunginæ_. The outer primary is -generally very short, or spurious, but not wanting. The bill is chisel -or wedge shaped, with sharp angles and ridges and straight culmen; -sometimes the culmen is a little curved, in which case it is smoother, -and without the ridges. The tarsi in the North American forms are -covered with large plates anteriorly, posteriorly with small ones, -usually more or less polygonal. The claws are compressed, much curved, -very strong and acute. - -The _Picidæ_ are found all over the world with the exception of -Madagascar, Australia, the Moluccas, and Polynesia. America is well -provided with them, more than half of the described species belonging -to the New World. - -The subfamilies of the _Picidæ_ may be most easily distinguished as -follows, although other characters could readily be given:— - - Picinæ. Tail-feathers pointed, and lanceolate at end; the - shafts very rigid, thickened and elastic. - - Picumninæ. Tail soft and short, about half the length of - wing; the feathers without stiffened shafts, rather - narrow, linear, and rounded at end. - - Yunginæ. Tail soft and rather long, about three fourths - the length of wing; the feathers broad, and obtusely - rounded at end. - -Of these subfamilies the _Picinæ_ alone occur north of Mexico. The -_Yunginæ_, to which the well-known Wryneck of England (_Jynx -torquilla_) belongs, are exclusively Old World; the _Picumninæ_ belong -principally to the tropical regions of America, although a few species -occur in Africa and India. One species, _Picumnus micromegas_, -Sundevall, belongs to St. Domingo, although erroneously assigned to -Brazil. This is the giant of the group, being about the size of the -White-bellied Nuthatch (_Sitta carolinensis_) the other species being -mostly very diminutive, varying from three to four inches in length. - - - - - SUBFAMILY PICINÆ. - - -The diagnosis on the preceding page will serve to distinguish this -group from its allies, without the necessity of going into greater -detail. It includes by far the largest percentage of the _Picidæ_, and -in the great variations of form has been variously subdivided by -authors into sections. Professor Sundevall, in his able -monograph,[124] establishes the following four series, referring all -to the single genus _Picus_:— - - I. Angusticolles. Neck slender, elongated. Nostrils - concealed by bristles. Tail-feathers black or brownish, - immaculate. - - II. Securirostres. Neck not slender, and shorter. Nostrils - concealed by bristles. Bill stout, cuneate, with the nasal - ridges widely distant from each other. - - III. Ligonirostres. Neck not slender. Nostrils covered, - nasal ridges of bill placed near the culmen (or at least - nearer it than the lower edge of the upper mandible), for - the most part obsolete anteriorly. - - IV. Nudinares. Nostrils open, uncovered by bristly hairs. - Neck and bill various. - -Of these series, the first and second correspond with _Piceæ_, as -given below, while _Centureæ_ and _Colapteæ_ both belong to -_Ligonirostres_. The _Nudinares_ are not represented in North America, -and by only one group, _Celeus_, in any portion of the continent. - -In the following account of the _Picinæ_, we shall not pretend to -discuss the relationship of the North American species to the _Picinæ_ -in general, referring to Sundevall’s work, and the monographs of -Malherbe and Cassin, for information on the subject. For our present -purposes they may be conveniently, even if artificially, arranged in -the following sections:— - - Piceæ. Bill variable in length; the outlines above and - below nearly straight; the ends truncated; a prominent - ridge on the side of the mandible springing from the - middle of the base, or a little below, and running out - either on the commissure, or extending parallel to and a - little above it, to the end, sometimes obliterated or - confluent with the lateral bevel of the bill. Nostrils - considerably overhung by the lateral ridge, more or less - linear, and concealed by thick bushy tufts of feathers at - the base of the bill. Outer posterior toe generally longer - than the anterior. - - Centureæ. Bill rather long; the outlines, that of the - culmen especially, decidedly curved. The lateral ridge - much nearest the culmen, and, though quite distinct at the - base, disappearing before coming to the lower edge of the - mandible; not overhanging the nostrils, which are broadly - oval, rounded anteriorly, and not concealed by the bristly - feathers at the base. Outer pair of toes nearly equal; the - anterior rather longer. - - Colapteæ. Bill rather long, much depressed, and the upper - outline much curved to the acutely pointed (not truncate) - tip. The commissure considerably curved. Bill without any - ridges. The nostrils broadly oval, and much exposed. - Anterior outer toe longest. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLVIII. - 1. Geococcyx californianus ♂ Cal., 12925. - 2. Crotophaga ani. ♀ Fla., 8639. - 3. Coccygus americanus. ♂ Penn., 1541. - 4. ” minor. - 5. ” erythrophthalmus. 27028.] - -The preceding diagnoses will serve to distinguish the three groups -sufficiently for our present purposes; the bill being strongest in the -_Picinæ_ and best fitted for cutting into trees by its more perfect -wedge-shape, with strengthening ridges, as well as by the lateral -bevelling of both mandibles, which are nearly equal in thickness at -the base, and with their outlines nearly straight. The lateral ridge -is prominent, extending to the edge or end of the bill, and overhangs -the nostrils, which are narrow and hidden. The _Centureæ_ and the -_Colapteæ_ have the upper mandible more curved (the commissure -likewise), the lower mandible smaller and weaker, the bill with little -or no lateral bevelling. The nostrils are broadly oval and exposed. In -the former, however, there is a distinct lateral ridge visible for a -short distance from the base of the bill; while in the other there is -no ridge at all, and the mandible is greatly curved. - -In all the species of North American Woodpeckers, there is more or -less red on the head in the male, and frequently in the female. The -eggs of all are lustrous polished white, without any markings, and -laid in hollow trees, upon a bed of chips, no material being carried -in for the construction of the nest. - - - [124] _Conspectus avium picinarum._ Stockholm, 1866. - - -SECTION PICEÆ. - -With the common characters, as already given, there are several -well-marked generic groups in this section of Woodpeckers which may be -arranged for the United States species as follows:— - - A. Posterior outer toe longer than the anterior outer one. - (Fourth toe longer than third.) - - _a._ Lateral ridge starting above the middle of the base - of the bill, and extending to the tip. - - 1. Campephilus. Lateral ridge above the middle of the - lateral profile of the bill when opposite the end of - the nostrils, which are ovate, and rounded anteriorly. - Bill much depressed, very long; gonys very long. - Posterior outer toe considerably longer than the - anterior. Primaries long, attenuated towards the tip. - Spurious quill nearly half the second. Shafts of four - middle tail-feathers remarkably stout, of equal size, - and abruptly very much larger than the others; two - middle tail-feathers narrower towards bases than - towards end.[125] A pointed occipital crest. - - 2. Picus. Lateral ridge in the middle of the lateral - profile opposite the end of the nostrils, which are - ovate and sharp-pointed anteriorly. Bill moderate, - nearly as broad as high. - - Outer hind toe moderately longer than the outer fore - toe. Primaries broad to the tip, and rounded. Spurious - primary not one third the second quill. - - 3. Picoides. Lateral ridge below the middle of the - profile, opposite the end of the ovate acute nostrils, - which it greatly overhangs. Bill greatly depressed; - lower mandible deeper than the upper. Inner hind toe - wanting, leaving only three toes. Tufts of nasal - bristles very full and long. - - _b._ Lateral ridge starting below the middle of the base - of the bill, and running as a distinct ridge into the - edge of the commissure at about its middle; the terminal - half of the mandible rounded on the sides, although the - truncate tip is distinctly bevelled laterally. - - 4. Sphyropicus. Nostrils considerably overhung by the - lateral ridge, very small, linear. Gonys as long as - the culmen, from the nostrils. Tips of tail-feathers - elongated and linear, not cuneate. Wings very long; - exposed portion of spurious primary about one fourth - that of second quill. - - B. Posterior outer toe considerably shorter than the - anterior outer one. (Fourth toe shorter than third). - - 5. Hylotomus. Bill depressed. Lateral ridge above the - middle of the lateral profile near the base. Nostrils - elliptical, wide, and rounded anteriorly. Tail almost - as in _Sphyropicus_. A pointed occipital crest, as in - _Campephilus_, and not found in the other genera. - -The arrangement in the preceding diagnosis is perhaps not perfectly -natural, although sufficiently so for our present purpose. Thus, -_Hylotomus_, in having the lateral ridge extending to the end of the -bill, is like _Picus_, but the nostrils are broader, more open, and -not acute anteriorly. The tail-feathers of _Sphyropicus_ differ -greatly from those of the others in being abruptly acuminate, the -points elongated, narrow, and nearly linear, instead of being gently -cuneate at the ends. _Campephilus_ and _Hylotomus_ belong to -Sundevall’s _Angusticolles_, with their long slender neck, and -elongated occipital crest (_Dryocopinæ_, Cab.); the other genera to -_Securirostres_, with shorter, thicker neck, and no crest -(_Dendrocopinæ_, Cab.). But no two genera in the subfamily are more -distinct than _Campephilus_ and _Hylotomus_. - - - [125] A character common to all the members of the genus, - and distinguishing them from the species of every other; - this peculiar form of the middle tail-feathers is caused - principally by a folding of the webs downward, almost - against each other. The under surfaces of the shafts have a - very deep groove their whole length, which is seen in no - other genus. - - -GENUS CAMPEPHILUS, GRAY. - - _Campephilus_, GRAY, List of Genera? 1840. (Type, _C. principalis_.) - _Megapicus_, MALHERBE, Mém. Ac. de Metz, 1849, 317. - -GEN. CHAR. Bill considerably longer than the head, much depressed, or -broader than high at the base, becoming somewhat compressed near the -middle and gradually bevelled off at the tip. Culmen very slightly -curved, gonys as concave, the curve scarcely appreciable; commissure -straight. Culmen with a parallel ridge on each side, starting a little -above the centre of the basal outline of the bill, the ridge -projecting outwards and downwards, and a slight concavity between it -and the acute ridge of the culmen. Gonys considerably more than half -the commissure. Nostrils oval below the lateral ridge near the base of -the bill; concealed by the bristly feathers directed forward. Similar -feathers are seen at the sides of the lower jaw and on the chin. - - [Line drawing: _Campephilus principalis._ - 3869 ♂] - -Feet large; outer hind toe much longest; claw of inner fore toe -reaching to middle of outer fore claw; inner hind toe scarcely more -than half the outer one; its claw reaching as far as the base of the -inner anterior claw, considerably more than half the outer anterior -toe. Tarsus rather shorter than the inner fore toe. Tail long, -cuneate; shafts of the four middle feathers abruptly much larger than -the others, and with a deep groove running continuously along their -under surface; webs of the two middle feathers deflected, almost -against each other, so that the feathers appear narrower at the base -than terminally. Wings long and pointed, the third, fourth, and fifth -quills longest; sixth secondary longest, leaving six “tertials,” -instead of three or four as usual; primaries long, attenuated. Color -continuous black, relieved by white patches. Head with a pointed -occipital crest. - -This genus embraces the largest known kind of Woodpecker, and is -confined to America. Of the two species usually assigned to it, only -one occurs within the limits of the United States, _C. imperialis_, -given by Audubon, and by subsequent authors on his credit, really -belonging to Southern Mexico and Central America. The diagnoses of the -species are as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Bill ivory-white. Body entirely glossy -blue-black. A scapular stripe, secondaries, ends of inner -primaries, and under wing-coverts, white. Crest scarlet in -the male, black in the female. - - 1. C. principalis. A white stripe on each side of the - neck. Bristly feathers at the base of the bill white. - - White neck-stripe not extending to the base of the bill. - Black feathers of crest longer than the scarlet. Wing, - 10.00; culmen, 2.60. _Hab._ Gulf region of United States - var. _principalis_. - - White stripe reaching the base of the bill. Scarlet - feathers of crest longer than the black. Wing, 9.50; - culmen, 2.40. _Hab._ Cuba var. _bairdi_.[126] - - 2. C. imperialis. No white stripe on the sides of the - neck. More white on the wings. Bristly feathers at the - base of the bill black. _Hab._ South Mexico; Guatemala. - - - [126] _Campephilus bairdi_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1863, 322 - (Cuba).—GUNDLACH, Repertorium, I, 1866, 293.—IB. Cab. - Jour. 1866, 352. _Hab._ Cuba. - - -Campephilus principalis, GRAY. - -IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus principalis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 173.—WILSON, Am. - Orn. IV, 1811, 20, pl. xxxix, f. 6.—WAGLER, Syst. Avium, 1827, - No. 1.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 341; V, 525, pl. lxvi.—IB. - Birds America, IV, 1842, 214, pl. cclvi.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. - Pic. 4. _Dendrocopus principalis_, BON. List, 1838. - _Campephilus principalis_, GRAY, List Genera, 1840.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 83.—CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, II, - 100.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468 (breeds in Brazos and Trinity, - Texas).—GRAY, Cat. 53.—ALLEN, Birds E. Florida, 301. - _Dryotomus (Megapicus) principalis_, BON. Con. Zyg. Aten. Ital. - 1854, 7. _Dryocopus principalis_, BON. Consp. 1850, 132. - _White-billed Woodpecker_, CATESBY, Car. I, 16.—PENNANT, - LATHAM. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth and fifth quills equal; third a little shorter. Bill -horn-white. Body entirely of a glossy blue-black (glossed with green -below); a white stripe beginning half an inch posterior to the -commissure, and passing down the sides of the neck, and extending down -each side of the back. Under wing-coverts, and the entire exposed -portion of the secondary quills, with ends of the inner primaries, -bristles, and a short stripe at the base of the bill, white. Crest -scarlet, upper surface black. Length, 21.00; wing, 10.00. _Female_ -similar, without any red on the head, and with two spots of white on -the end of the outer tail-feather. - -HAB. Southern Atlantic and Gulf States. North to North Carolina and -mouth of the Ohio; west to Arkansas and Eastern Texas. Localities: -Brazos and Trinity Rivers, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468, breeds). - -In the male the entire crown (with its elongated feathers) is black. -The scarlet commences just above the middle of the eye, and, passing -backwards a short distance, widens behind and bends down as far as the -level of the under edge of the lower jaw. The feathers which spring -from the back of the head are much elongated above; considerably -longer than those of the crown. In the specimen before us the black -feathers of the crest do not reach as far back as the scarlet. - -Reference has already been made to the Cuban variety of the -Ivory-billed Woodpecker named _C. bairdi_ by Mr. Cassin, and differing -in smaller size; extension of the white cheek-stripe to the very base -of the bill, and the excess in length of the upper black feathers of -the crest over the scarlet. These features appear to be constant, and -characteristic of a local race. - -For the reasons already adduced, we drop _C. imperialis_ from the list -of North American birds, although given as such by Audubon. - - [Illustration: _Campephilus principalis._] - -HABITS. So far as we have information in regard to the geographical -distribution of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, it is chiefly restricted -in its range to the extreme Southern States, and especially to those -bordering on the Gulf of Mexico. Wilson states that very few, if any, -are ever found north of Virginia, and not many even in that State. His -first specimen was obtained near Wilmington, N. C. It is not -migratory, but is a resident where found. - -Mr. Audubon, who is more full than any other writer in his account of -this bird, assigns to it a more extended distribution. He states that -in descending the Ohio River he met with it near the confluence of -that river with the Mississippi, and adds that it is frequently met -with in following the windings of the latter river either downwards -towards the sea, or upwards in the direction of the Missouri. On the -Atlantic he was inclined to make North Carolina the limit of its -northern distribution, though now and then individuals of the species -have been accidentally met with as far north as Maryland. To the -westward of the Mississippi he states that it is found in all the -dense forests bordering the streams which empty into it, from the very -declivities of the Rocky Mountains. The lower parts of the Carolinas, -Georgia, North Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, are, -however, its favorite resorts, and in those States it constantly -resides. - -It was observed by Dr. Woodhouse in the timber on the Arkansas River, -and in Eastern Texas, but quite rarely in both places. It was not, -however, met with in any other of the government expeditions, either -to the Pacific, in the survey of the railroad routes, or in that for -the survey of the Mexican boundary line. It is given as a bird of Cuba -by De la Sagra, in his catalogue of the birds of that island, as -observed by him, October, 1850, and by Dr. John Gundlach, in his list -of the birds that breed in Cuba. It is not mentioned by Gosse among -the birds of Jamaica, nor by the Newtons as found in St. Croix. As it -is not a migratory bird, it may be regarded as breeding in all its -localities, except where it is obviously an accidental visitant. - -Wilson, who never met with the nest of this Woodpecker, states, on the -authority of reliable informants, that it breeds in the large-timbered -cypress swamps of the Carolinas. In the trunks of these trees at a -considerable height from the ground, both parents working alternately, -these birds dig out a large and capacious cavity for their eggs and -young. Trees thus dug out have frequently been cut down with both the -eggs and the young in them. The hole was described to Wilson as -generally a little winding, to keep out the rain, and sometimes five -feet deep. The eggs were said to be generally four, sometimes five in -number, as large as pullets’, pure white, and equally thick at both -ends. The young make their appearance about the middle or end of June. - -Mr. Audubon, whose account of the breeding-habits of the Ivory-bill is -given from his own immediate observations, supplies a more minute and -detailed history of its nesting. He states that it breeds earlier in -spring than any other species of its tribe, and that he has observed -it boring a hole for that purpose as early as the beginning of March. -This hole he believed to be always made in the trunk of a live tree, -generally an ash or a hackberry, and at a great height. It pays great -regard to the particular situation of the tree and the inclination of -the trunk, both with a view to retirement and to secure the aperture -against rains. To prevent the latter injury, the hole is generally dug -immediately under the protection of a large branch. It is first bored -horizontally a few inches, then directly downward, and not in a spiral -direction, as Wilson was informed. This cavity is sometimes not more -than ten inches in depth, while at other times it reaches nearly three -feet downward into the heart of the tree. The older the bird, the -deeper its hole, in the opinion of Mr. Audubon. The average diameter -of the different nests which Mr. Audubon examined was about seven -inches in the inner parts, although the entrance is only just large -enough to admit the bird. Both birds work most assiduously in making -these excavations. Mr. Audubon states that in two instances where the -Woodpeckers saw him watching them at their labors, while they were -digging their nests, they abandoned them. For the first brood, he -states, there are generally six eggs. These are deposited on a few -chips at the bottom of the hole, and are of a pure white color. The -young may be seen creeping out of their holes about a fortnight before -they venture to fly to any other tree. The second brood makes its -appearance about the 15th of August. In Kentucky and Indiana the -Ivory-bill seldom raises more than one brood in a season. Its flight -is described by Audubon as graceful in the extreme, though seldom -prolonged to more than a few hundred yards at a time, except when it -has occasion to cross a large river. It then flies in deep -undulations, opening its wings at first to their full extent, and -nearly closing them to renew their impulse. The transit from tree to -tree is performed by a single sweep, as if the bird had been swung in -a curved line from the one to the other. - -Except during the love-season it never utters a sound when on the -wing. On alighting, or when, in ascending a tree, it leaps against the -upper parts of the trunk, its remarkable voice may be constantly heard -in a clear, loud, and rather plaintive tone, sometimes to the distance -of half a mile, and resembling the false high note of a clarionet. -This may be represented by the monosyllable _pait_ thrice repeated. - -The food of this Woodpecker consists principally of beetles, larvæ, -and large grubs. They are also especially fond of ripe wild grapes, -which they eat with great avidity, hanging by their claws to the -vines, often in the position of a Titmouse. They also eat ripe -persimmons, hackberries, and other fruit, but are not known to disturb -standing corn nor the fruits of the orchard. - -These birds attack decaying trees so energetically as often to cause -them to fall. So great is their strength, that Audubon has known one -of them to detach, at a single blow, a strip of bark eight inches -long, and, by beginning at the top branch of a dead tree, tear off the -bark to the extent of thirty feet in the course of a few hours, all -the while sounding its loud notes. - -Mr. Audubon further states that this species generally moves in pairs, -that the female is the least shy and the most clamorous, and that, -except when digging a hole for the reception of their eggs, they are -not known to excavate living trees, but only those attacked by worms. -When wounded, they seek the nearest tree, and ascend with great -rapidity by successive hops. When taken by the hand, they strike with -great violence, and inflict severe wounds with their bills and claws. - -Mr. Dresser states that these birds were found on the Brazos River, -and also on the Trinity, where they were by no means rare. - -Wilson dwells at some length and with great force upon the great value -of these birds to our forests. They never injure sound trees, only -those diseased and infested with insects. The pine timber of the -Southern States is often destroyed, thousands of acres in a season, by -the larvæ of certain insects. In Wilson’s day this was noticeable in -the vicinity of Georgetown, S. C., and was attributed by him to the -blind destruction of this and other insect-eating birds. - -An egg of this species (Smith. Coll., No. 16,196) taken near -Wilmington, N. C., by Mr. N. Giles, measures 1.35 inches in length by -.95 of an inch in breadth. It is of a highly polished porcelain -whiteness, and is much more oblong in shape and more pointed than are -the eggs of _Hylotomus pileatus_. - - -GENUS PICUS, LINNÆUS. - - _Picus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 1748. (Type, _Picus martius_, L.) - - [Line drawing: _Picus villosus._ - 884 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill equal to the head, or a little longer; the lateral -ridges conspicuous, starting about the middle of the base of the bill; -the basal elongated oval nostrils nearest the commissure; the ridges -of the culmen and gonys acute, and very nearly straight, or slightly -convex towards the tip; the bill but little broader than high at the -base, becoming compressed considerably before the middle. Feet much as -in _Campephilus_; the outer posterior toe longest; the outer anterior -about intermediate between it and the inner anterior; the inner -posterior reaching to the base of the claw of the inner anterior. -Tarsus about equal to the inner anterior toe; shorter than the two -other long toes. Wings rather long, reaching to the middle of the -tail, rather rounded; the fourth and fifth quills longest; the quills -rather broad and rounded. - -In the genus _Picus_, as characterized above, are contained several -subdivisions more or less entitled to distinct rank, and corresponding -with peculiar patterns of coloration. Thus, taking the _P. villosus_ -as the type, _P. borealis_ has proportionally much longer primaries; -the spurious primary smaller; the bill is considerably more -attenuated, and even concave in its lateral outlines. The wings are -still longer in _P. albolarvatus_. The species may be arranged as -follows:— - - A. Black above, and white beneath. Wings spotted with - white; a black maxillary stripe. - - _a._ Two white stripes on the side of the head, one - above, and the other below, the ear-coverts, which are - mostly black. First quill shorter than sixth. - Tail-feathers broad and obtuse at ends, the narrowed - tips of middle feathers very short. - - DRYOBATES, BOIE. Middle of back streaked - longitudinally and continuously with white. Maxillary - and auricular black stripes not confluent; the latter - running into the black of the nape. Beneath white - without spots. Red of head confined to a narrow nuchal - band. - - 1. P. villosus. Outer tail-feathers immaculate - white, great variation in size with latitude. - Length, 7.00 to 10.00. - - All the quills, with middle and greater - wing-coverts, with large white spots. _Hab._ - Eastern North America var. _villosus_. - - Innermost quills and some of the coverts entirely - black, or unspotted with white. Remaining spots - reduced in size. (Var. _jardini_ similar, but much - smaller, 7.00, and lower parts smoky-brown.) - _Hab._ Middle and western North America, and south - to Costa Rica var. _harrisi_. - - 2. P. pubescens. Outer tail-feather white, with - transverse black bands; length about 6.25. - - All the quills, with middle and greater - wing-coverts, with large white spots. _Hab._ - Eastern North America var. _pubescens_. - - Innermost quills and some of the coverts entirely - black; remaining white spots reduced in size. - _Hab._ Western North America var. _gairdneri_. - - DYCTIOPICUS, BON. Whole back banded transversely with - black and white. Beneath white, with black spots on - sides. Maxillary and auricular black stripes confluent - at their posterior ends, the latter not running into - the nape. In the males at least half of top of head - red. Length, about 6.50. - - 3. P. scalaris. Anterior portion of the back banded - with white; lores and nasal tufts smoky brown. Black - stripes on sides of the head very much narrower than - the white ones, and not connected with the black of - the shoulders. _Male_ with the whole crown red. - - Outer web of lateral tail-feathers barred with - black to the base. White bands on back exceeding - the black ones in width; red of the crown very - continuous, on the forehead predominating over the - black and white. (Sometimes the black at base of - inner web of lateral tail-feather divided by white - bars.) _Hab._ Southern and Eastern Mexico, and Rio - Grande region of United States var. _scalaris_. - - Outer web of lateral tail-feather barred with - black only toward end. Red of crown much broken - anteriorly, and in less amount than the black and - white mixed with it. White bands of the back not - wider, generally much narrower than the black - ones. - - Bill, .90; tarsus, .70. Red of crown extending - almost to the bill. _Hab._ Western Mexico, up to - Western Arizona var. _graysoni_. - - Bill, 1.10; tarsus, .75. Red of crown - disappearing about on a line above the eye. - _Hab._ Cape St. Lucas var. _lucasanus_. - - 4. P. nuttalli. Anterior portion of back not banded - with white; lores and nasal tufts white. Black - stripes on side of the head very much broader than - the white ones, and connected by a narrow strip with - the black of the shoulders. _Male_ with only the - nape and occiput red. _Hab._ California (only). - - _b._ One white stripe, only, on side of head, and this - occupying whole auricular region. Tail-feathers narrowed - at ends, the points of the middle ones much elongated. - First quill longer than sixth. Bill very small, much - shorter than head. - - PHRENOPICUS, BONAP. Back and wings transversely banded - with black and white, and sides spotted with black, as - in _Dyctiopicus_. - - 5. P. borealis. Red of male restricted to a - concealed narrow line on each side of the occiput, - at the junction of the white and black. Maxillary - black stripe very broad and conspicuous, running - back to the series of black spots on sides of - breast. Three outer tail-feathers more or less - white, with a few bars of black near their ends, - principally on inner webs. _Hab._ South Atlantic - States. - - B. Body entirely continuous black; head all round - immaculate white. First quill shorter than sixth. - - XENOPICUS, BAIRD. Tail and primaries as in “A,” but - much more lengthened. Bill as in _Dryobates_, but more - slender. - - 6. P. albolarvatus. Red of male a narrow transverse - occipital crescent, between the white and the black. - Basal half, or more, of primaries variegated with - white, this continuous nearly to the end of outer - webs; inner webs of secondaries with large white - spots toward their base. _Hab._ Sierra Nevada and - Coast Ranges, Pacific Province, United States. - - -SUBGENUS DRYOBATES, BOIE. - - _Dryobates_, BOIE, 1826. (Type, _Picus pubescens_, _fide_ CABANIS, - Mus. Hein.) - _Trichopicus_, BONAP. 1854. - _Trichopipo_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. 1863, 62. - -According to Cabanis, as above cited, _Dryobates_, as established by -Boie in 1826, had the _Picus pubescens_ as type, although extended in -1828 to cover a much wider ground. As a subgeneric name, therefore, it -must take preference of _Trichopicus_ of Bonaparte, which, like all -the allied names of this author, Cabanis rejects at any rate as hybrid -and inadmissible. - -The synopsis under the head of _Picus_ will serve to distinguish the -species in brief. - - [Illustration: _Picus harrisi._] - -The small black and white Woodpeckers of North America exhibit great -variations in size and markings, and it is extremely difficult to say -what is a distinct species and what a mere geographical race. In none -of our birds is the difference in size between specimens from a high -and a low latitude so great, and numerous nominal species have been -established on this ground alone. There is also much variation with -locality in the amount of white spotting on the wings, as well as the -comparative width of the white and black bars in the banded species. -The under parts, too, vary from pure white to smoky-brown. To these -variations in what may be considered as good species is to be added -the further perplexities caused by hybridism, which seems to prevail -to an unusual extent among some Woodpeckers, where the area of -distribution of one species is overlapped by a close ally. This, which -can be most satisfactorily demonstrated in the _Colaptes_, is also -probably the case in the black and white species, and renders the -final settlement of the questions involved very difficult. - -After a careful consideration of the subject, we are not inclined to -admit any species or permanent varieties of the group of four-toed -small white and black Woodpeckers as North or Middle American, other -than those mentioned in the preceding synopsis. - - [Illustration: PLATE XLIX. - 1. Campephilus principalis. ♂ Fla., 3869. - 2. ” ” ♀ Arkansas.? - 3. Picus villosus. ♂ Pa., 884. - 4. ” ” ♀ Pa. - 5. ” ” ♂ juv. Iowa, 13172. - 6. ” pubescens. ♂ Pa., 1291. - 7. ” ” ♀ Pa. - 8. ” borealis. ♂ Georgia, 1878.] - - -Picus villosus, LINNÆUS. - -HAIRY WOODPECKER; LARGER SAPSUCKER. - - Var. canadensis.—Northern and Western regions. - - ? _Picus leucomelas_, BODDÆRT, Tabl. Pl. Enl. 1783 (No. 345, f. 1, - GRAY).—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1863, 199. _Dryobates leucomelas_, - CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 67. _? Picus canadensis_, GMELIN, - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 437.—? LATHAM, Ind. Orn. I, 1790, - 231.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 188, pl. ccccxvii.—IB. Syn. - 1839, 177.—IB. Birds America, IV, 1842, 235, pl. - cclviii.—BONAP. Consp. 1850, 137.—IB. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. - _Picus villosus_, FORSTER, Philos. Trans. LXII, 1772, - 383.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 84.—CASSIN, P. A. N. S. 1863, - 199.—GRAY, Catal. 1868, 45.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chicago Ac. - Sc. I, 1869, 274 (Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. Nat. III, 1872, 60 - (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 87. _Picus (Dendrocopus) villosus_, SW. - F.-Bor. Am. II, 1831, 305. _Picus phillipsi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. - V, 1839, 186, pl. ccccxvii.—IB. Syn. 1839, 177.—IB. Birds - Amer. IV, 1842, 238, pl. cclix (immature, with yellow - crown).—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 686.—CASS. P. A. N. - S. 1863, 199. _Picus martinæ_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 181, - pl. ccccxvii.—IB. Syn. 1839, 178.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, - 240, pl. cclx (young male, with red feathers on crown).—CASS. - P. A. N. S. 1863, 199. _Picus rubricapillus_, NUTTALL, Man. I, - (2d ed.,) 1840, 685 (same as preceding). _Picus - septentrionalis_, NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 684. - - Var. villosus.—Middle States. - - _Picus villosus_, LINNÆUS, Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 175.—VIEILLOT, Ois. - Am. Sept. II, 1807, 64, pl. cxx.—WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, - 150, pl. ix.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 22.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - V, 1839, 164, pl. ccccxvi.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 244, pl. - cclxii.—BONAP. Conspectus, 1850, 137.—SUNDEVALL, Mon. Pic. - 17.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 84. _Picus leucomelanus_, - WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 18 (young male in summer). _Hairy - Woodpecker_, PENNANT, LATHAM. _Dryobates villosus_, CAB. & - HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 66. - - Var. auduboni.—Southern States. - - _Picus auduboni_, SWAINSON, F. B. A. 1831, 306.—TRUDEAU, J. A. N. - Sc. Ph. VII, 1837, 404 (very young male, with crown spotted - with yellow).—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 194, pl. ccccxvii.—IB. - Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 259, pl. cclxv.—NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) - 1840, 684.—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1863, 199. _Picus villosus_, - BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1859 (Bahamas, winter).—ALLEN, B. E. - Fla. 302. - -SP. CHAR. Above black, with a white band down the middle of the back. -All the middle and larger wing-coverts and all the quills with -conspicuous spots of white. Two white stripes on each side of the -head; the upper scarcely confluent behind, the lower not at all so; -two black stripes confluent with the black of the nape. Beneath white. -Three outer tail-feathers with the exposed portions white. Length, -8.00 to 11.00; wing, 4.00 to 5.00; bill, 1.00 to 1.25. _Male_, with a -nuchal scarlet crescent (wanting in the female) covering the white, -generally continuous, but often interrupted in the middle. Immature -bird of either sex with more or less of the whole crown spotted with -red or yellow, or both, sometimes the red almost continuous. - -HAB. North America, to the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, and -(var. _canadensis_) along the 49th parallel to British Columbia; -Sitka; accidental in England. - -In the infinite variation shown by a large number of specimens in the -markings of the wings, so relied on by authors to distinguish the -species of the black and white spotted North American Woodpeckers -having a longitudinal band of white down the back, it will be perhaps -our best plan to cut them rigorously down to two, the old-fashioned -and time-honored _P. villosus_ and _pubescens_; since the larger and -more perfect the series, the more difficult it is to draw the line -between them and their more western representatives. The size varies -very greatly, and no two are alike in regard to the extent and number -of the white spots. Beginning at one end of the chain, we find the -white to predominate in the more eastern specimens. Thus in one -(20,601) from Canada, and generally from the north, every wing-covert -(except the smallest) and every quill shows externally conspicuous -spots or bands of white; the middle coverts a terminal band and -central spot; the greater coverts two bands on the outer web, and one -more basal on the inner; and every quill is marked with a succession -of spots in pairs throughout its length,—the outer web as bands -reaching nearly to the shaft; the inner as more circular, larger -spots. The alula alone is unspotted. This is the typical marking of -the _P. leucomelas_ or _canadensis_ of authors. The white markings are -all larger respectively than in other forms. - -The next stage is seen in typical or average _P. villosus_ for the -Middle States. Here the markings are much the same, but the white is -more restricted, and on the outer webs of the feathers forms rounded -spots rather than bands. Some Carlisle specimens have two spots on the -middle coverts as described, others lack the basal one. Another stage -is exhibited by a specimen from Illinois, in which with two spots on -the middle coverts there is but one terminal on the outer web of the -greater, and a reduction in number of spots on the inner webs of -innermost secondaries, terminal outer spots not having the -corresponding inner. This form is quite prevalent westward and on the -Upper Missouri, but cannot be considered as strictly geographical, -since a Massachusetts and a Georgia skin agree in the same characters. - -In all this variation there is little diminution in the number of -spots visible externally, nor so far have we seen any from the region -east of the Missouri plains that lack white spots on every covert -(except the smallest ones) and every quill, and with few exceptions on -both webs of the latter. It is therefore this style that we propose to -consider as pure _P. villosus_, irrespective of variations in the size -or shape of the spots, of the amount of white on tail and back, or of -the bird itself. Any deviation from this may be called a variety. It -has the distribution already mentioned, and extends along the Upper -Missouri to British Columbia and Sitka, straggling into Washington -Territory, where, however, it is found with the more typical western -form, var. _harrisi_. A specimen collected by Mr. Hepburn at Caribou, -on the Upper Fraser, is absolutely undistinguishable from typical _P. -canadensis_ in size and markings. - -We now come to the western race or variety, hardly to be called -species, the _P. harrisi_ of Audubon. Here the extreme of condition -most opposed to typical _villosus_ is shown by the entire absence of -white on the exposed surface of the wing, except on the outer webs of -the four or five longest primaries, where the spots are very small. -(We have never seen them entirely wanting.) The white of the back, -too, may be normal in amount, or else much restricted. Concealed white -spots on some of the feathers will be seen on raising them. The white -of tail-feathers sometimes shows black spots or blotches, especially -on the inner web of the second. These features belong more especially -to specimens from the coast region of Oregon and Washington. - -Proceeding eastward from the Northern Pacific Coast we next find -specimens showing a few white streaks on the greater coverts and next -on the middle coverts. The spots on the secondaries, too, begin to -show themselves; but as a general rule they do not occur on the -innermost of the greater coverts and of the secondaries. This, -therefore, may be considered as the limit of a variety, characterized -by the absence at least of spots in these members of the wing. - -With the variation in spots in the western variety we have, as already -remarked, differences in amount of white on the tail and the back, as -well as in the color of the belly, which is sometimes pure white, -sometimes of a smoky gray; this latter variation not at all parallel -with other differences or with geographical distribution, and equally -observable in eastern _villosus_. The size, too, varies somewhat, but -not to the same extent as on the Atlantic side. Here, however, we have -_Picus jardini_ of Mexico and Central America, as the small southern -race, absolutely undistinguishable from dark-breasted Oregon -specimens, except in size (length, 7.00; wing, 3.90; bill above, .85), -and perhaps a more fulvous tinge on the under parts. The specimens -before me have one or two black spots on the inner web of the next to -the outer tail-feather, as in darker varieties of _harrisi_, but these -are not symmetrical or constant in either, and are to be looked on as -mere indications of the general tendency to melanism. - -HABITS. This common and familiar species of Woodpecker has an extended -range throughout eastern North America. Specimens in the Smithsonian -Institution have been collected from almost every portion of North -America east of the Rocky Mountains. Wilson speaks of it as common -throughout the continent from Hudson’s Bay to Carolina and Georgia. -Mr. Audubon, who regarded _Picus martinæ_, _P. phillipsi_, and _P. -canadensis_ as distinct species, instead of varieties of this -Woodpecker, states, in regard to its distribution, that the _P. -villosus_ is a constant resident both in the maritime and inland -districts from Texas to New Hampshire, as well as in all the wooded -tracts intervening between the junction of the Missouri and -Mississippi, and the northern borders of the great lake. He adds that -not an individual was found by him or by his sons in Maine, where he -did, however, obtain in great abundance the variety he called _P. -canadensis_. According to Sir John Richardson it is found as far to -the north as the 63d parallel. It remains all the year round in the -fur countries, and is the most common species up to the fifty-sixth -degree of latitude, north of which it yields in frequency to the -three-toed species. Dr. Woodhouse speaks of it as common in Texas and -in the Indian Territory. Although not crossing the Rocky Mountains in -the United States, it reaches the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, -and is found north as far as Sitka, and perhaps still farther, thus -replacing the var. _harrisi_. It is a resident, and not a migratory, -species, and wherever found it also breeds. Several specimens have -been killed in England. - -According to the observations of Wilson, this Woodpecker frequents the -orchards and cultivated grounds, and is less wild and more domestic -than most of the species. In May, with its mate, it seeks the -retirement of the woods to breed, selecting a branch already hollowed, -or excavating one for itself. In the former case the nest has been -known to be four or five feet from the opening. When it excavates its -own opening, it digs horizontally six or eight inches into the body of -the tree, and then downward to about twice that distance, carrying up -the chips in the bill or scraping them out with the feet. They not -unfrequently breed in orchards, and have been even known to excavate -their holes in the rails of old fences. The female lays five white -eggs, which are usually hatched out early in June. - -Mr. Audubon observed these birds, at all seasons, in almost every -possible locality, from the isolated trees of large towns and cities, -even to the very midst of the salt marshes about the mouth of the -Mississippi. He found the excavation for the nest more frequently -running obliquely than perpendicularly. In the Southern States they -rear two broods in a season, the first appearing the last of May, the -second usually about the first of August. In the middle and northern -districts they rarely raise more than one. Those which Mr. Audubon -observed to raise more than one brood in a season made use of the same -excavation for both, and not unfrequently within a few yards of a -house. The eggs of the first brood he found usually six in number, and -of the second four. Where they have but one brood, the number varies -from four to six, and in two instances he has found seven. The measure -given by him is one inch in length by .69 of an inch in breadth. They -are elliptical or almost equally rounded at both ends, smooth, pure -white, and translucent. The young remain in the nest until well able -to fly. - -Mr. Audubon states that the Hairy Woodpecker becomes, during the -winter months, a very common bird in all parts of the Southern States, -coming to the farm-yards with the downy species to glean the grains of -corn left by the cattle. At this season their visits to the corn-cribs -are extremely frequent. They may also be seen clinging to the stalks -of the sugar-cane, boring them, and evidently enjoying the sweet -juices of that plant. - -Their flight is short and rapid, resembling that of other allied -species. They are not social, never more than the members of one -family being seen together. They feed chiefly on insects and their -larvæ, often seizing the former on the wing. In the autumn they -occasionally eat berries, seeds, and small fruit. Their notes are -sharp and loud, uttered in monosyllables, at times with great -frequency. - -An egg of this species, taken in Roxbury, Mass., is of a pure crystal -whiteness, oblong in shape, and equally rounded at either end, -measuring 1.01 inches in length by .72 of an inch in breadth. Another, -from Georgia, is more rounded at one end, and measures 1.02 inches in -length and .75 of an inch in breadth. - - -Picus villosus, var. harrisi, AUD. - -HARRIS’S WOODPECKER. - - _Picus harrisi_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 191, pl. ccccxvii.—IB. - Syn. 1839, 178.—IB. Birds America, IV, 1842, 242, pl. cclxi - (dark-bellied variety).—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, - 627.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 87.—SUNDEVALL, Mon. 17.—LORD, - Pr. R. Art. Ass. IV, 111 (nesting).—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, - 52 (Oregon).—SUMICHRAST, Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 1869, 562 (Alpine - regions of Vera Cruz).—GRAY, Catal. 1868, 47.—CABAN. J. 1862, - 175.—CASSIN, P. A. N. S. 1863, 200.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 159.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 375. _? Picus inornatus_, - LICHT. (Bon. Consp.). _Picus (Trichopicus) harrisi_, BP. Consp. - Zyg. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. _Dryobates harrisi_, CAB. & HEIN. - Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 68 (_jardini_, 69.) _Picus jardini_, MALH. - Rev. Zoöl. Oct. 1845, 374 (Mexico).—CAB. Jour. 1862, 175. - _Picus hyloscopus_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 69 - (white-bellied form). - -SP. CHAR. Similar to typical _villosus_; the innermost of the greater -wing-coverts and of the secondary quills without any white spots -externally; varying from this to the entire absence of exposed white -on wing except on the outer web of longest primaries. Belly varying -from pure white to smoky or fulvous gray, white of tail-feathers very -rarely blotched with black. Average length, in north, 9.00; wing, -5.00; exposed part of culmen, 1.15. - -Var. _jardini_ much smaller. Length, 7.00; wing, 3.90; culmen, .85. - -HAB. Whole of Western United States, west of the Missouri plains, -extending into Mexico and Central America, where it passes into the -smallest and darkest southern extreme, known as _P. jardini_. -Localities: West Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 52); Vera Cruz, -Alpine regions (SUMICHRAST, M. Bost. Soc. I, 1869, 562). - -In the preceding article we have given some general remarks on -Harris’s Woodpecker, and shown why we cannot consider it a -well-defined species. If the specimens from the extreme west were -constant in themselves, and the variations, as with _Colaptes -hybridus_, occurred along the line of contact with _villosus_, we -might refer to hybrids many of the intermediate forms; but as scarcely -any two are alike, even on the Pacific coast, such a view is -inadmissible. As, however, in the extreme limits of variation, there -is yet a difference from eastern specimens, and this is characteristic -of a large area of country, it may be proper to recognize the form by -the name _harrisi_. - -The _P. jardini_ appears to be nothing more than the most southern -race of this dark western form of _P. villosus_, and shows the -smallest, as well as the darkest, extreme to which the species -attains. In Southern Mexico typical _P. harrisi_ and this form grade -insensibly together. The minimum of size and maximum darkness of -colors are reached in Costa Rica. - -HABITS. This variety was first described by Mr. Audubon from specimens -obtained by Mr. Townsend on the Columbia River. No information was -obtained in regard to its habits, which, it may be presumed, do not -vary very essentially from those of the more familiar _pubescens_ and -_villosus_. In regard to its geographical distribution, it has been -found in more or less abundance from Nebraska to the Pacific, and from -Mexico to British America. It is known to occur in Texas on the Rio -Grande, in New Mexico, in Arizona, Nebraska, California, Oregon, and -Washington Territory. - -This indicates a very general distribution throughout Western North -America from the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, -and from New Mexico and Texas probably to the limits of the forests in -the northwest. It seems to take the place of the _P. villosus_ in the -far west. Dr. Heermann, in his notes on the birds of California -(Journal of Philadelphia Academy, II, 270), says it is not a common -bird, although it is occasionally met with in that State. Dr. Gambel, -however, states that it occupies, on the western coast, the same place -that the _P. villosus_ does on the Atlantic, but seems to have a -greater partiality for the pine woods. Dr. Woodhouse did not meet with -it in the expedition to the Zuñi and Colorado. Dr. Newberry speaks of -it (U. S. P. B. R. Survey, VI,—Zoölogy, p. 89) as not uncommon in the -wooded districts of Northern California and Oregon. Dr. Kennerly, in -his report on the birds obtained by Lieutenant Whipple’s party, states -that Harris’s Woodpecker was found along the Little Colorado River in -the month of December, wherever the cottonwood trees grew (U. S. P. R. -R. Survey, X, Pt. VI, 21). It is not mentioned by Dr. Heermann in his -Report on the birds of Lieutenant Parke’s explorations near the 32d -parallel. The same writer, in his Report on the birds of Lieutenant -Williamson’s party, speaks of this bird as having been occasionally -observed during the survey, but as a somewhat rare species, though -procured in Northern California and at Tejon Pass. Dr. Suckley speaks -of it as quite abundant at Fort Dalles, where he found it among the -true pines, and at Fort Steilacoom, among the firs (_D. douglasi_), -and as a winter resident in both localities (Natural History of -Washington Territory, Zoölogy, p. 159). Dr. Cooper states that -Harris’s Woodpecker is the most abundant species in Washington -Territory, being found on both sides of the Cascade Mountains, -frequenting the lower parts of the great coniferous trees. He found it -a constant resident in May, burrowing out a nest in a dead tree, -sometimes only four feet from the ground. He describes its cries and -habits as so exactly like those of the larger Sapsucker (_P. -villosus_) of the Atlantic States, that, were there not constant and -unchangeable differences in plumage, it would be taken for the same -species. He furnishes no description of the eggs, but it is quite -probable that there is no appreciable difference between them and -those of the _Picus villosus_. - -Dr. Coues mentions this species as one of the most common and -characteristic birds in the vicinity of Fort Whipple. Dr. Heermann -speaks of its having clear trumpet-like notes that betray its locality -and render it an easy bird to shoot. - -In California Dr. Cooper found this chiefly a northern bird, -frequenting the forests of all kinds up to the summits of the Sierra -Nevada, and also resident as far south as Santa Barbara, descending, -in winter, to the eastern branches of the Colorado and to Tejon Pass. -He found it more common in the higher Coast Range near Santa Cruz, and -still more so toward the Columbia River. Its cry, he adds, is louder -than that of most of the small Woodpeckers, and it is rather shy, -especially when it imagines itself pursued. It feeds at times on -fruits and berries, and sometimes it visits gardens. It is known as -one of the “Sapsuckers,” but does more good than harm in the orchard, -destroying both insects and their larvæ. - -Mr. John K. Lord states that this Woodpecker is by far the most -abundant species in the district through which his party passed. He -found it on Vancouver’s Island, and along the entire course of the -boundary-line, south through Oregon and California, and north to Fort -Simpson. A few remained at Colville during the winter, but the greater -number retired to the coast and returned in April and May. In the -latter month they mate, and bore out a hole in a dead tree. They use -no lining for the nest, but lay the eggs on the bare wood. Their -favorite haunts are the stumps of trees growing round swamps or -prairie-land. - -This Woodpecker was met with by Mr. Ridgway in all wooded portions of -the Great Basin, but was most abundant among the pines on the -mountains. In all respects, it is a perfect counterpart of the _P. -villosus_ of the east. - - -Picus pubescens, LINN. - -DOWNY WOODPECKER; LESSER SAPSUCKER. - - _Picus pubescens_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 15.—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. - Sept. II, 1807, 65, pl. cxxi.—WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, 153, - pl. ix.—WAGLER, Syst. Avium, 1827, No. 23.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - II, 1834, 81; V, 539, pl. cxii.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, 249, - pl. cclxiii.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 89.—SUNDEVALL, Mon. - Pic. 17.—MALB. Mon. Pic. I, 119, pl. xxix.—CASSIN, Pr. 1863, - 20.—SCL. Cat. 1862, 334.—GRAY, Cat. 1868, 44.—DALL & - BANNISTER, Tr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 274 (Alaska).—FINSCH, Abh. - Nat. III, 1872, 60 (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 89.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. - 304. _Picus (Dendrocopus) pubescens_, SW. F. B. A. II, 1831, - 307. _Picus (Trichopicus) pubescens_, BONAP. Consp. Zyg. Ateneo - Italiano, 1854, 8. _? Picus medianus_, SW. F. B. A. II, 1831, - 308. _Picus meridionalis_, SW. F. B. A. II, 1831, 308 (small - southern race). _Picus leconti_, JONES, Ann. N. Y. Lyc. IV, - 1848, 489, pl. xviii (Georgia; three-toed specimen, first toe - wanting. Type of _Tridactylia_, BP.) _Dryobates pubescens_, - CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. 1863, 63. - -SP. CHAR. A miniature of _P. villosus_. Above black, with a white band -down the back. Two white stripes on the side of the head; the lower of -opposite sides always separated behind, the upper sometimes confluent -on the nape. Two stripes of black on the side of the head, the lower -not running into the forehead. Beneath white; all the middle and -greater coverts and all the quills with white spots, the larger -coverts with two series each; tertiaries or inner secondaries all -banded with white. Two outer tail-feathers white, with two bands of -black at end; third white at tip and externally, crissum sometimes -spotted with black. Length, about 6.25; wing, 3.75. _Male_ with red, -terminating the white feathers on the nape. _Young_ with whole top of -head red. - -HAB. Eastern United States, towards the eastern slope of the Rocky -Mountains, into British Columbia and the Humboldt Mountains, and north -to the limits of the woods; along whole Yukon River; perhaps to the -Pacific, north of the 49th parallel; Kodiak. Localities: San Antonio, -Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468). Accidental in England. - -The remarks already made on the variation of _Picus villosus_ apply -equally well here; all the differences in size and markings with -locality being almost exactly reproduced. The western variety, _P. -gairdneri_, is equally uncertain in characters as _P. harrisi_, and as -little entitled to specific distinction. As in the previous instance, -we shall call typical _pubescens_ those specimens in which all the -middle and greater coverts and all the quills including the innermost -secondaries are spotted with white, while those in which any of these -feathers, whether all the coverts, as in Oregon birds, or only a few -of them, are unspotted, may be called var. _gairdneri_. - -Of typical _pubescens_ in the Eastern States there are minor -variations, but not of much account. Thus the forehead itself, apart -from the white nasal tufts, is sometimes white, connecting with the -white superciliary stripe; more frequently, however, the whole -forehead is black. Northern specimens are larger and have larger white -spots, and not unfrequently the black cheek-stripe is invaded -anteriorly by white, which, however, is appreciable at the base of the -feathers. The black bars on the tail are much restricted in specimens -from the Yukon. Southern specimens are smaller and darker, with -smaller spots on the wings. - -In all the changes of the two species, there is no difficulty in -distinguishing _P. pubescens_ from _P. villosus_ by the black bars on -outer tail-feathers of the former, and their absence in the latter. -The crissum of _pubescens_ is sometimes somewhat spotted with -blackish. The white markings on the coverts are larger in proportion, -and there are almost always two series of white spots on the greater -coverts, as in northern varieties of _villosus_, not one, as in most -of those from the Middle States. - -HABITS. This species, like the Hairy Woodpecker, is a resident rather -than a migratory species, and breeds wherever it is met with. It also -seems to have very nearly the same geographical distribution with that -species. Dr. Woodhouse found it common throughout the Indian -Territory, Texas, and New Mexico. It does not, however, appear to have -been collected by any of the parties engaged in the Pacific Railroad -surveys, nor by that upon the survey of the Mexican boundary. Of -seventeen specimens given by Professor Baird in 1858 as in the -collections of the Smithsonian Institution, six are from Pennsylvania, -two from Massachusetts, two from Missouri, one from Bonhomme Island in -Nebraska, and the rest from Fort Leavenworth, Salt Creek, Fort Riley, -and Platte River in Kansas. It is quite common throughout the coast -region of Alaska, exclusive of the Aleutians, and throughout the -entire valley of the Yukon. Wilson makes no mention of its -geographical distribution, probably because he found it everywhere -common, to the extent of his own investigations. Audubon speaks of it -as very generally distributed from the lower parts of Louisiana to -Labrador, and as far westward as he travelled. - -Sir John Richardson states that this species is a constant inhabitant -of the fur countries up to the 58th parallel. It seeks its food -principally on the maple, elm, and ash, and, north of latitude 54°, -where these trees are not found, on the aspen and birch. - -According to Wilson, these birds select a suitable place for the -excavation of their nest, about the middle of May. An apple, pear, or -cherry tree, often in the near neighborhood of a farm-house, is -generally fixed upon for this purpose. The work of excavation is begun -by the male, who cuts a hole in the solid wood as circular as if -described with a pair of compasses. He is occasionally relieved by the -female, both parties working with the most indefatigable diligence. -The direction of the hole, when made in the body of the tree, is -downward by an angle of forty degrees for the distance of six or eight -inches, and then directly downward for ten or twelve more. Within, the -excavation is roomy, capacious, and as smooth as if polished by the -hand of the most finished workman. The entrance is, however, left only -just large enough to admit the bodies of the birds. During their labor -they even take the pains to carry their chips to a distance, to -prevent suspicion. This operation sometimes occupies the chief part of -a week. The eggs are generally six in number, pure white, and laid on -the smooth bottom of the cavity. The male supplies the female with -food while she is sitting. The young generally leave the nest about -the last of June. - -The same writer also gives an interesting account of the impudent -coolness of the House Wren, who, coveting the well-built home of this -Woodpecker, and unable to excavate such an apartment for itself, waits -until the poor Woodpeckers have completed their work, and then attacks -them with violence and drives them off from the nest they have been at -so much pains to prepare. He states that he saw a striking example of -this, where the Woodpeckers, after commencing in a cherry-tree, within -a few yards of the house, and having made considerable progress, were -turned out by the Wren. They began again on a pear-tree in the garden, -a few yards off, when, after digging out a most complete apartment, -and laying one egg, they were once more assaulted by the same -impertinent intruder, and finally forced to abandon the place. - -Mr. Audubon gives substantially the same account of their nesting, -only he assigns an earlier period, the middle of April, for its -commencement, and describes the entrance to the excavation as often -being at right angles to the trunk for a few inches before it -descends. He states that in the Southern and Middle States two broods -are raised in a season, farther north seldom more than one. - -Mr. C. S. Paine, of Randolph, Vt., speaks of this Woodpecker as being -one of the most common and familiar, in Vermont, of the family. They -are to be met with in his neighborhood at all seasons of the year, -though he is of the opinion that many of them go south to spend the -winter. They deposit their eggs about the first of June in the very -snug little excavations they prepare. The male bird will sometimes -prepare a separate apartment for himself, apart from his mate. Mr. -Paine has taken the male in such a hole by himself, and without any -nest or eggs, evidently only prepared for shelter. - -This Woodpecker has a single note or cry, sounding like _chink_, which -it frequently repeats. When it flies, and often when it alights, this -cry is more shrill and prolonged. They are very industrious, and are -constantly employed in search of insects, chiefly in orchards and the -more open groves. The orchard is its favorite resort, and it is -particularly fond of boring the bark of apple-trees for insects. This -fact, and the erroneous impression that it taps the trees for the sap, -has given to these birds the common name of Sapsuckers, and has caused -an unjust prejudice against them. So far from doing any injury to the -trees, they are of great and unmixed benefit. Wilson, who was at great -pains to investigate the matter, declares that he invariably found -that those trees that were thus marked by the Woodpecker were -uniformly the most thriving and the most productive. “Here, then,” -adds Wilson, “is a whole species—I may say genus—of birds, which -Providence seems to have formed for the protection of our fruit and -forest trees from the ravages of vermin, which every day destroy -millions of those noxious insects that would otherwise blast the hopes -of the husbandman, and even promote the fertility of the tree, and in -return are proscribed by those who ought to have been their -protectors.” - -The egg of this species is nearly spherical, pure white, and measures -.83 by .72 of an inch. - - -Picus pubescens, var. gairdneri, AUD. - -GAIRDNER’S WOODPECKER. - - _Picus gairdneri_, AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 317.—IB. Syn. 1839, - 180.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 252 (not figured).—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 91, pl. lxxxv, f. 2, 3.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. - 1866, 17.—GRAY, Cat. 1868, 44.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 159.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, 334.—MALH. Monog. Picidæ, I, - 123.—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1863, 201.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 377.—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. IV, 1864, 111. _Picus - meridionalis_, NUTT. Man. I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 690 (not of - SWAINSON).—GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. I, 1847, 55, 105. _Picus - turati_, MALHERBE, Mon. Pic. I, 125, tab. 29 (small race, 5.50, - from Monterey, Cal., nearest _pubescens_). _Dryobates turati_, - CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 65. _Dryobates homorus_, - CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 65 (larger, more spotted - style). - -SP. CHAR. Similar to _pubescens_ in size and markings, but with less -white on the wings. Varies from entire absence of exposed white spots -on the middle and greater wing-coverts and innermost secondaries, with -small spots on the quills, to spots on most of their feathers, but -absent on some, and the spots generally larger. - -HAB. Pacific coast of United States to Rocky Mountains. Darkest and -with least white in Western Oregon and Washington. - -In the preceding article we have given the comparative characters of -this form, which we can only consider as a variety, and not very -permanent or strongly marked at that. - -As in _pubescens_, this race varies much in the color of the under -parts, which are sometimes pure white, sometimes smoky-brown. It is -suggested that this is partly due to a soiling derived from inhabiting -charred trees. It is, at any rate, of no specific value. - -HABITS. Gairdner’s Woodpecker is the western representative and -counterpart of the Downy Woodpecker of the east, resembling it in size -and general habits, and only differing from it in certain exceptional -characteristics already mentioned. It is found throughout western -North America, probably from Mexico to the British Possessions, and -from the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. - -Dr. Cooper met with it in California, chiefly in the northern parts of -the State, but did not observe any south of the Santa Clara Valley. -Dr. Coues saw none in Arizona, or possibly a single specimen not -positively ascertained. - -Dr. Cooper found one of its nests near Santa Clara, on the 24th of -May, containing young. It had been burrowed in a small and partly -rotten tree, and was about five feet from the ground. From the fact -that they were found breeding so far south he infers that among the -mountains they probably occur much farther to the south, as do most -other northern birds. He found them frequenting chiefly the smaller -trees in the vicinity of the evergreen woods, where they were to be -seen at all seasons industriously tapping the bark to obtain insects. - -Dr. Newberry mentions finding them very common in Oregon, and also in -Northern California. In Washington Territory, Dr. Suckley found them -extremely common on the Lower Columbia, especially among the -willow-trees lining its banks. They were resident throughout the -winter, and in these situations were very abundant. In January, 1856, -he found them so abundant among the willows growing on the islands in -the delta of the Willamette, that he readily obtained eight specimens -in the space of an hour. At that season they were very unwary, giving -little heed to the presence of man, not even allowing the near -discharge of a gun to interfere with their busy search for food. - -Dr. Heermann speaks of it as neither common nor especially rare. He -obtained several specimens among the mountains of Northern California. - -Mr. Lord met with these Woodpeckers abundantly in the Northwestern -Boundary Survey. They differed slightly in their habits from the _P. -harrisi_, generally hunting for insects on the maples, alders, and -stunted oaks, rather than on the pine-trees. Specimens were taken on -Vancouver Island, Sumass Prairie, Colville, and the west slope of the -Rocky Mountains at an altitude of seven thousand feet above the -sea-level. - -Mr. Ridgway found this Woodpecker to be unaccountably rare in the -Sierra Nevada and all portions of the Great Basin, as well as in the -Wahsatch and Uintah Mountains, even in places where the _P. harrisi_ -was at all times abundant. Indeed, he only met with it on two or three -occasions, in the fall: first in the Upper Humboldt Valley, in -September, where it was rare in the thickets along the streams; and -again in the Wahsatch Mountains, where but a single brood of young was -met with in August. - -An egg of this species from Oregon, obtained by Mr. Ricksecker, is -larger than that of the _pubescens_, but similar in shape, being very -nearly spherical. It measures .96 of an inch in length by .85 in -breadth. - - -SUBGENUS DYCTIOPICUS, BONAP. - - _Dyctiopicus_, BONAP. Ateneo Ital. 1854, 8. (Type, _Picus scalaris_, - WAGLER.) - _Dyctiopipo_, CABANIS & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 74. (Same - type.) - -CHAR. Small species, banded above transversely with black or brown and -white. - -Of this group there are two sections,—one with the central -tail-feathers entirely black, from Mexico and the United States (three -species); the other with their feathers like the lateral black, banded -or spotted with white (three species from southern South America). The -northern section is characterized as follows:— - -COMMON CHARACTERS. All the larger coverts and quills with white spots -becoming transverse bands on innermost secondaries. Cheeks black with -a supra-orbital and a malar stripe of white. Back banded alternately -with black and white, but not on upper tail-coverts, nor four central -tail-feathers. Beneath whitish, sides with elongated black spots; -flanks and crissum transversely barred. Tail-feathers, except as -mentioned, with spots or transverse bars of black. Head of male with -red patch above (restricted in _nuttalli_), each feather with a white -spot below the red. _Female_ without red. - -The characters of the species _scalaris_, with its varieties, and -_nuttalli_, will be found under _Picus_. - - -Picus scalaris, WAGLER. - -LADDER-BACKED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus scalaris_, WAGLER, Isis, 1829, V, 511 (Mexico).—BONAP. - Consp. 1850, 138.—SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 307.—SUND. Consp. - 18.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 94, pl. xli, f. 1.—IB. Rep. - Mex. Bound. II, 4, pl. iii.—SCL. Cat. 1862, 333.—CASS. P. A. - N. S. 1863, 195.—GRAY, Cat. 1868, 48.—HEERM. X, _c_, p. - 18.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 379. _Picus (Dyctiopicus) - scalaris_, BON. Consp. Zygod. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. _Dyctiopipo - scalaris_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. 74. _Picus gracilis_, LESS. Rev. - Zoöl. 1839, 90 (Mexico). _Picus parvus_, CABOT, Boston Jour. N. - H. V, 1845, 90 (Sisal, Yucatan). _Picus orizabæ_, CASSIN, Pr. - A. N. S. 1863, 196 (Orizaba). _Picus bogotus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. - N. S. 1863, 196; Jour. A. N. S. V, 1863, 460, pl. lii, f. 1 - (Mex.). _Picus bairdi_ (SCL. MSS.), MALHERBE, Mon. Pic. I, 118, - t. xxvii, f. 7, 8.—SCL. Cat. 333, (?) P. Z. S. 64, 177 (city - of Mex.).—CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 76.—CASSIN, Pr. A. - N. S. 1863, 196.—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 52 (perhaps var. - _graysoni_).—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468. _Hab._ Texas and New - Mexico, to Arizona; south through Eastern Mexico to Yucatan. - _Picus scalaris_, var. _graysoni_, BAIRD, MSS. _Hab._ Western - Arizona; Western Mexico and Tres Marias. - -SP. CHAR. Back banded transversely with black and white from nape to -rump (not upper tail-coverts). Quills and coverts with spots of white; -forming bands on the secondaries. Two white stripes on sides of head. -Top of head red, spotted with white. Nasal tufts brown. Beneath -brownish-white, with black spots on sides, becoming bands behind. -Outer tail-feathers more or less banded. Length, about 6.50; wing, -3.50 to 4.50; tail, about 2.50. - -HAB. Guatemala, Mexico, and adjacent southern parts of United States. -Localities: Xalapa (SCL. P. Z. S. 1859, 367); Cordova (SCL. 1856, -357); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 136); Orizaba (SCL. Cat. 333); S. E. -Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468, breeds); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. -S. 1866, 52); Yucatan (LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 205). - -In the above diagnosis we have endeavored to express the average of -characters belonging to a Woodpecker to which many names, based on -trifling geographical variations, have been assigned, but which -legitimately can be only considered as one species. This is among the -smallest of the North American Woodpeckers, and in all its variations -the wings are long, reaching as far as the short feathers of the tail. -The upper parts generally are black, on the back, rump, and exposed -feathers of the wings banded transversely with white, the black bands -rather the narrower; the quills and larger coverts spotted with the -same on both webs, becoming bands on the innermost secondaries. The -upper tail-coverts and two inner tail-feathers on either side are -black. The white bands of the back extend all the way up to the neck, -without any interscapular interruption. The under parts are of a pale -smoky brownish-white, almost with a lilac tinge; on the sides of the -breast and belly are a few scattered small but elongated spots. The -posterior parts of the sides under the wing and the under tail-coverts -are obscurely banded transversely with black. The top of the head, -extending from a narrow sooty frontlet at the base of the bill to a -short, broad nuchal crest, is crimson in the male, each feather with a -white spot between the crimson and the dark brown base of the -feathers. The brown nasal tuft is scarcely different from the feathers -of the forehead. - -In a large series of specimens of this species, from a wide area of -distribution, considerable differences are appreciable in size, but -fewer in coloration than might be expected. Yucatan birds are the -least (_Picus parvus_, Cabot; _vagatus_, Cassin), the wing measuring -3.30 inches. Those from Southern Mexico are but little larger (wing, -3.60). In Northern Mexico the wing is nearly 4 inches; in New Mexico -it is 4.30. The markings vary but little. The black and white bands on -the back are about of equal width, but sometimes one, sometimes the -other, appears the larger; the more eastern have, perhaps, the most -white. The pattern on the tail is quite constant. Thus, assuming the -three outer feathers to be white, banded with black, the outermost may -be said to have seven transverse bars of black, of which the terminal -four (sometimes five) are distinct and perfect, the basal three (or -two) confluent into one on the inner web (the extreme base of the -feather white). The next feather has, perhaps, the same number of dark -bands, but here only two (sometimes three) are continuous and -complete; the innermost united together, the outer showing as -scallops. The third feather has no continuous bands (or only one), all -the inner portions being fused; the outer mere scallops, sometimes an -oblique edging; generally, however, the interspaces of the dark bands -are more or less distinctly traceable through their dusky suffusion, -especially on the inner web of the outer feather. The number of free -bands thus varies slightly, but the general pattern is the same. This -condition prevails in nearly all the specimens before us from Yucatan -and Mexico (in only one specimen from Arizona, and one or two from -Texas), and is probably the typical _scalaris_ of Wagler. - -In specimens from the Rio Grande and across to Arizona the seven bands -of the outer feather are frequently continuous and complete on both -webs to the base, a slight suffusion only indicating the tendency to -union in the inner web. The other feathers are much as described, -except that the white interspaces of the black scallops penetrate -deeper towards the shaft. This is perhaps the race to which the name -of _P. bairdi_ has been applied. We do not find, however, any decided -reduction in the amount of red on the anterior portion of the head, as -stated for this species (perhaps it is less continuous towards the -front), except in immature birds; young females possibly losing the -immature red of the crown, as with typical _scalaris_. - -A third type of tail-marking is seen in specimens from the Pacific -coast, and from the Tres Marias especially; also in some skins from -Southwestern Arizona. Here the extreme forehead is black, with white -spots; the red of the crown not so continuous anteriorly even as in -the last-mentioned race. The general pattern of tail is as described, -and the bars on the inner webs are also confluent towards the base, -but we have only two or three transverse bars at the end of the outer -feathers; the rest of outer web entirely white, this color also -invading the inner. The second feather is similarly marked, sometimes -with only one spot on outer web; the third has the black scallops -restricted. This may be called var. _graysoni_, as most specimens in -the Smithsonian collection were furnished by Colonel Grayson. The size -is equal to the largest typical _scalaris_. - -We next come to the Cape St. Lucas bird, described by Mr. Xantus as -_P. lucasanus_. Here the bill and feet become disproportionally larger -and more robust than in any described; the black bands of the back -larger than the white, perhaps fewer in number. The continuous red of -the head also appears restricted to a stripe above and behind the eye -and on the occiput, although there are some scattered feathers as far -forward as above the eyes. The specimens are, however, not in very -good plumage, and this marking cannot be very well defined; the red -may really be as continuous forward as in the last variety. The nasal -tufts are brown, as in the typical _scalaris_. The outer three -tail-feathers in most specimens show still more white, with one or two -indistinct terminal bands only on the outer two; one or two additional -spots, especially on inner web, and the sub-basal patch of inner web -greatly reduced. Specimens vary here in this respect, as in other -races of _scalaris_, but the average is as described. - -Notwithstanding the decided difference between typical _scalaris_ and -_lucasanus_, the discovery of the variety _graysoni_ makes it possible -to consider both as extremes of one species. To _nuttalli_, however, -it is but one step farther; a restriction of the red to the posterior -half of the top of head, the white instead of brown nasal feathers, -and the whiter under parts being the only positive characters. The -markings of the tail are almost identical with those of _lucasanus_. -The anterior portion of the back is, however, not banded, as in the -several varieties described. For this reason it may therefore be -questioned whether, if _lucasanus_ and _scalaris_ are one, _nuttalli_ -should not belong to the same series. - -We thus find that the amount of black on the tail is greatest in -Southern and Southeastern Mexican specimens, and farther north it -begins to diminish; in Western Mexico it is still more reduced, while -at Cape St. Lucas the white is as great in amount as in the Upper -Californian _P. nuttalli_. - -The characters given above for the different varieties or races of -_Picus scalaris_, as far as they relate to the tail, may be expressed -in the following table, illustrated by the accompanying diagram, -showing the markings of outer tail-feather in _scalaris_ and -_nuttalli_. - - Outer tail-feathers with seven distinct transverse black - bands. - - These bands confluent on inner web near the base var. _scalaris_. - Bands distinct on inner web var. _bairdi_. - - Bands on outer tail-feather distinct on outer webs at end - only, obsolete or wanting towards base (as in _nuttalli_). - - Tarsus, .68. Bill and legs as in average var. _graysoni_. - Tarsus, .78. Bill and legs very stout var. _lucasanus_. - -HABITS. This species belongs to our southern and -southwestern fauna, entering our borders from Mexico, -occurring from the valley of the Rio Grande to Southeastern -California, and the slopes of the Rocky Mountains south of -the 35th parallel. It is found throughout Mexico to Yucatan -and Guatemala. - - [Line drawing: Outermost tail-feather of _Picus scalaris_. - 6105] - - [Line drawing: Outermost tail-feather of _Picus nuttalli_. - 4482] - -Dr. Samuel Cabot obtained a single specimen of this bird at Yucatan, -which he described under the name of _P. parvus_, in the Boston -Journal of Natural History, V, p. 92. It was procured early in -December, 1841, in the neighborhood of Ticul, Yucatan. Dr. Kennerly -considered it a not uncommon species in the vicinity of Boca Grande; -especially wherever there were large trees. The same naturalist, in -his Report on the birds of Lieutenant Whipple’s expedition, states -that he very often saw this bird near San Antonio, Texas, as well as -during the march several hundred miles west of that place, but that, -after leaving the Rio Grande, he did not meet with it until he reached -the head-waters of Bill Williams Fork. From thence to the Great -Colorado River he saw it frequently, wherever there was any timber; -but it was very shy, alighting on the tops of the leafless cotton-wood -trees, and keeping a vigilant lookout. - -Dr. Heermann, in his Report on the birds of Lieutenant J. G. Parke’s -expedition, states that he observed this Woodpecker in the -southernmost portion of California, and found it more and more -abundant as he advanced towards Texas, where it was quite common. The -same naturalist, in his Report on the birds of Lieutenant Williamson’s -expedition, remarks that he procured this bird first at Vallicita, but -found it abounding in the woods about Fort Yuma. He considered the -species as new to the California fauna, though frequently seen in -Texas, several of the expeditions having collected it. - -Dr. Woodhouse, in his Report on the birds of Sitgreaves’s expedition -to the Zuñi and the Colorado speaks of finding this beautiful little -Woodpecker abundant in Texas, east of the Pecos River. During his stay -in San Antonio and its vicinity, he became quite familiar with it. It -was to be seen, at all times, flying from tree to tree, and lighting -on the trunk of the mesquites (_Algarobia_), closely searching for its -insect-food. In its habits and notes, he states, it much resembles the -common Hairy Woodpecker. Dr. Woodhouse elsewhere remarks that he did -not meet with this bird west of the Rio San Pedro, in Texas. In regard -to its breeding-habits, so far as I am aware, they are inferred rather -than known. It is quite probable they are not unlike those of the -_Picus pubescens_, which it so closely resembles. The eggs in the -collection of the Smithsonian were obtained with the collections of -the late Dr. Berlandier of Matamoras, in the province of Tamaulipas, -Mexico. - -Dr. Cooper states that this Woodpecker is abundant in the Colorado -Valley, and that they are sometimes seen on the bushes covering the -neighboring mountains. In habits he regards them the exact counterpart -of _P. nuttalli_, to which they are allied. - -Mr. Dresser found them resident and very common throughout all Texas -and Northeastern Mexico. It breeds abundantly about San Antonio, -boring into any tree it finds most suitable for its purposes. - -Dr. Coues regards Fort Whipple as about the northern limit of this -species in Arizona. It is not very common, is only a summer resident, -and breeds sparingly there. Farther south, throughout the Territory, -and in the Colorado Valley, he found it abundant. It does not cross -the Colorado Desert into California, and is there replaced by _P. -nuttalli_. It extends south into Central America. A bird shot by Dr. -Coues, June 5, appeared to be incubating; young birds were taken just -fledged July 10. The nest was in the top of a live-oak tree. Malherbe, -who speaks of this Woodpecker as exclusively Mexican, states that he -has been informed that it is abundant in that country, where it may be -seen at all times, climbing over the trunks and branches of trees. It -is said to be very familiar and unwary, living commonly in gardens and -orchards through the greater part of the year, and many of them -nesting there, though in regard to their manner of nesting he has no -information. - -The egg of this Woodpecker in shape is most similar to the _P. -villosus_, being of an oblong-oval. It is larger than the _pubescens_, -and not of so clear a white color. It measures exactly one inch in -length by .75 of an inch in breadth. - - -Picus scalaris, var. lucasanus, XANTUS. - -THE CAPE WOODPECKER. - - _Picus lucasanus_, XANTUS, Pr. A. N. S. 1859, 298, 302.—MALHERBE, - Mon. Picidæ, I, 166.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1863, 195.—COOPER, - Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 381. - -SP. CHAR. General appearance that of _Picus nuttalli_ and _scalaris_. -Bill stout, as long as or longer than the head. Above black, banded -transversely with white on the back and scapulars to the nape, the -white narrower band, the rump and inner tail-feathers entirely black; -quills with a row of white spots on each web; the outer square, the -inner rounded, these spots on the tertials becoming transversely -quadrangular. Beneath brownish-white, with rounded black spots on the -sides of the breast, passing behind on the flanks and under -tail-coverts into transverse bars. Greater inner wing-coverts -transversely barred. Outer two tail-feathers white, with one, -sometimes two terminal bars, next to which are one or two bars on the -inner web only; third feather black, the outer web mostly white, with -traces of a terminal black bar; sometimes there is a greater -predominance of black on the inner web. Two white stripes on side of -head, one starting above, the other below the eye, with a tendency to -meet behind and form a whitish collar on the nape. Male with the -entire top of the head streaked with red, becoming more conspicuous -behind; each red streak with a white spot at base. Feathers covering -the nostrils smoky-brown. Length, 7.15; extent, 12.15; wing, 4.00; -bill above, 1.00; middle toe and claw, .80; tarsus, .76. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas. - -Of the distinctness of this bird as a species from _P. nuttalli_ and -_scalaris_ I had at one time no doubt; but the discovery that the -otherwise typical _scalaris_ from Mazatlan and Western Mexico -generally have the same markings on the tail has induced me to -consider it as a kind of connecting link. I have, however, thought it -best to give a detailed description for comparison. Of about the same -size with _nuttalli_, the bill and feet are much larger. The legs, -indeed, are nearly, if not quite, as large as those of male _P. -villosus_ from Pennsylvania; the bill, however, is somewhat less. The -relations to _P. scalaris_ are seen in the dorsal bands extending to -the nape, the smoky-brown feathers of the nostrils, the red on the -whole top of head (scattering anteriorly), the brownish shade beneath, -the width of the white cheek-bands, etc. On the other hand, it has the -black bands of the back rather wider than the white, as in _nuttalli_, -and the white outer tail-feathers even less banded with black. The two -outer are entirely white, with one terminal black bar; one or two -spots on the outer web; and two or three bands on the inner, with a -sub-basal patch on the inner web, even smaller than in _nuttalli_. It -is rarely that even two continuous transverse bands can be seen to -cross both webs of the tail. The bill and feet are much larger. - -The following measurements taken from the largest specimens before us -of _Dyctiopicus_, and one of _P. villosus_, will illustrate what has -been said of the size of bill and feet of _P. lucasanus_. - - +————————————+—————+—————-+—————+—————+ - | | _P. | _P. | _P. | _P. | - | |villosus._|lucasanus._|nuttalli._|scalaris._| - | +—————+—————-+—————+—————+ - | | 884 ♂ | ♂ 12939 | ♂ 4482 | ♂ 6105 | - | +—————+—————-+—————+—————+ - |Bill from forehead, | 1.26 | 1.10 | .90 | .99 | - |Tarsus, | .76 | .76 | .70 | .68 | - |Middle toe and claw, | .87 | .84 | .75 | .65 | - |Claw alone, | .39 | .34 | .32 | .31 | - |Outer hind toe and claw,| .95 | .84 | .79 | .80 | - |Claw alone, | .40 | .32 | .31 | .31 | - +————————————+—————+—————-+—————+—————+ - -HABITS. Nothing distinctive is known of the habits of this race. - - -Picus nuttalli, GAMBEL. - -NUTTALL’S WOODPECKER. - - _Picus nuttalli_, GAMBEL, Pr. A. N. Sc. I, April, 1843, 259 (Los - Angeles, Cal.).—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 93.—SUNDEVALL, - Consp. Pic. 19.—MALH. Mon. Pic. I, 100.—CASSIN, P. A. N. S. - 1863, 195.—GRAY, Cat. 1868, 50.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 378. _Picus scalaris_, (WAGLER) GAMBEL, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d - ser. I, Dec. 1847, 55, pl. ix, f. 2, 3 (not of WAGLER). _Picus - wilsoni_, MALHERBE, Rev. Zoöl. 1849, 529.—BONAP. Consp. 1850, - 138. _Picus (Trichopicus) wilsoni_, BONAP. Consp. Zyg. Aten. - Ital. 1854, 8. - -SP. CHAR. Back black, banded transversely with white, but not on upper -tail-coverts, nor as far forward as the neck. Greater and middle -coverts and quills with spots or bands of white. Crown black, with -white spots, sometimes wanting. On the nape a patch of white, behind -this unbanded black. Occiput and nape crimson in the male. Tufts of -feathers at the base of the bill white. Sides of the head black, with -two white stripes, one above the eye and passing down on the side of -the neck, the other below and cut off behind by black. Under parts -smoky yellowish-white, spotted on the sides of the breast, and banded -on flank and crissum with black. Predominant character of the outer -tail-feather white, with two or three interrupted bands towards end; -none at base. Length, about 7.00; wing, 4.50. _Female_ with the top of -the head uniform black, or sometimes spotted with white. - -HAB. Coast region of California. - -Third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal and longest; second -intermediate between the seventh and eighth. General color above -black, barred transversely with white on the back, rump, and flanks; -the upper surface of tail and tail-coverts, and a broad patch on the -upper part of the back about half an inch long, pure black. The white -bands measure about .12 of an inch, the black about twice as much. The -top of the head is black, each feather with a short streak of white; -on the extreme occiput and the nape is a transverse patch of crimson, -each feather having a white spot just below the crimson. The crimson -patch is usually as far from the base of the bill above as this is -from its point. The sides of the head may be described as black; a -white stripe commences on the upper edge of the eye, and, passing -backwards, margins the crimson, and extends on down the side of the -neck to a patch of white, apparently connected with its fellow on the -opposite side by white spots. Another narrow white stripe commences at -the nostrils, (the bristles of which are whitish,) and passes as far -as the occiput, where it ceases in the middle of the black of the -cheeks. There are thus two white streaks on the side of the head -bordering a black one passing through the eye. The under parts -generally are white, with a dirty yellow tinge. The sides of the -breast and body are faintly streaked with black; the flanks barred -with the same. The under coverts are barred with black. - -The three outer tail-feathers are yellowish-white, with two or three -interrupted bars of black on the posterior or terminal fourth, and a -concealed patch of black on the inner web near the end. Only the -terminal band is continuous across, sometimes the others; always -interrupted along the shaft, and even reduced to rounded spots of -black on one or both webs. No distinct bands are visible on raising -the crissum. The black patch on inner web of outer tail-feather near -the base increases on the second and third, on the latter leaving the -end only with an oblique white patch. The bands on the under surface -have a tendency to a transversely cordate and interrupted, rather than -a continuous, linear arrangement. - -Young birds have the whole top of head red, as in _P. scalaris_, with -or without white at the base of the red. The white nasal tufts and -other characters will, however, distinguish them. - -This bird, though widely different in appearance from _scalaris_, may -nevertheless, without any violence, be regarded as but one extreme of -a species of which the lighter examples of _scalaris_ (_bairdi_) are -the other, the transition towards _nuttalli_ being through var. -_scalaris_, var. _graysoni_, and var. _lucasanus_, each in that -succession showing a nearer approach to the distinctive features of -_nuttalli_. We have not seen any intermediate specimens, however. The -pure white instead of smoky-brown nasal tufts, and their greater -development, are the only characters which show a marked difference -from the varieties of _scalaris_; but the other differences are -nothing more than an extension of the black markings and restriction -of the red in the male, the result of a melanistic tendency in the -Pacific region. - -HABITS. This species was first discovered by Dr. Gambel near Los -Angeles, Cal., and described by him in the Proceedings of the -Philadelphia Academy. Afterwards, in his paper on the birds of -California, published in the Academy’s Journal, mistaking it for the -_P. scalaris_ of Wagler, he furnished a fuller description of the bird -and its habits, and gave with it illustrations of both sexes. So far -as now known, it appears to be confined to the regions in California -and Oregon west of the Coast Range, extending as far south as San -Diego, representing, in its distribution on the Pacific, the _P. -borealis_ of the Atlantic States. One specimen in the Smithsonian -collections was obtained on Umpqua River, in Oregon Territory; the -others at Santa Clara, San Francisco, Petaluma, Bodega, and Yreka, in -California. Dr. Woodhouse says, in his Report on the birds of the Zuñi -and Colorado expedition, that he has only seen this bird in -California, from which region he has examined numerous specimens. Dr. -Heermann, in his Report on the birds of Lieutenant Williamson’s -expedition, states that this Woodpecker is occasionally found in the -mountains of Northern California, but that it is much more abundant in -the valleys. Dr. Gambel found it abundant in California at all -seasons. He describes it as having the usual habits of Woodpeckers, -familiarly examining the fence-rails and orchard-trees for its -insect-fare. He found it breeding at Santa Barbara, and on the 1st of -May discovered a nest containing young in the dead stump of an oak, -about fifteen feet from the ground. The hole for entrance was -remarkably small, but inside appeared large and deep. The parents were -constantly bringing insects and larvæ. - -Dr. Cooper states that this Woodpecker is quite abundant towards the -coast of California, and among the foothills west of the Sierra -Nevada. It frequents the oaks and the smaller trees almost -exclusively, avoiding the coniferous forests. It is very industrious, -and not easily frightened, when engaged in hammering on the bark of -trees allowing a very near approach. At other times, when pursued, it -becomes more wary and suspicious. April 20, 1862, Dr. Cooper -discovered a nest of this bird near San Diego. It was in a rotten -stump, and was only about four feet from the ground. He captured the -female on her nest, which contained five eggs of a pure pearly -whiteness. - -These birds are said to remain throughout the year in the valleys, and -to migrate very little, if at all. Dr. Cooper has not observed it west -of the Coast Range, except near Santa Barbara, nor has he seen any -around gardens or orchards. None have been observed north or east of -the State. East of the mountains it is replaced by the _scalaris_. - -Mr. Xantus mentions finding a nest containing two eggs in a hole in -the _Cereus giganteus_, about fifteen feet from the ground. The -excavation made by the bird was about a foot and a half deep and six -inches wide. - -This Woodpecker Mr. Ridgway saw only in the Sacramento Valley, where, -in June, it appeared to be a common species among the oaks of the -plains. He did not learn anything of its habits, but describes its -notes as very peculiar, the usual one being a prolonged querulous -rattling call, unlike that of any other bird known to him. - - -SUBGENUS PHRENOPICUS, BONAP. - - _Phrenopicus_, BONAP. Consp. Vol. Zygod. Ateneo Ital. 1854. (Type, - _Picus borealis_, VIEILL.) - _Phrenopipo_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. 1863, 70. Same type. - -This subgenus is closely related in external form to the preceding, -differing in rather longer and more pointed wings and tail, the latter -especially, and a very small, short bill. The first quill (excluding -the spurious one) is considerably longer than the sixth, not shorter. -The tail-feathers are much attenuated at end. The most marked -differences in coloration of the type species, _P. borealis_, consists -in the absence of the post-ocular black patch, leaving the whole -auricular region white, and in the restriction of the red to a very -narrow line on each side, usually concealed. - -Some authors place _Picus stricklandi_ of Mexico (_Phrenopipo_ or -_Xylocopus stricklandi_, Cab. and Hein.) in this section, to which it -may indeed belong as far as the wing is concerned, but the markings -are entirely different. - - -Picus borealis, VIEILL. - -RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus borealis_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 66, pl. - cxxii.—STEPHENS, in Shaw’s Gen. Zoöl. IX, 1817, 174.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 96.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 1863, 201.—GRAY, - Catal. 1868, 50.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 305.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. - 1866, 21. _Threnopipo borealis_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, - 70. _Picus querulus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. II, 1810, 103, pl. xv, - f. 1.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 21.—IB. Isis, 1829, - 510.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 12, pl. ccclxxxix.—IB. Birds - Am. IV, 1842, 254, pl. cclxiv.—BP. Consp. 1850, 137.—CASSIN, - Pr. A. N. S. 1863 (southernmost race). _Picus (Phrenopicus) - querulus_, BP. Consp. Zyg. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. _Picus - leucotis_, ILLIGER (fide Lichtenstein in letter to Wagler; - perhaps only a catalogue name).—LICHT. Verzeich. 1823, 12, No. - 81. _Picus vieilloti_, WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 20. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill (not counting the spurious) longest. First -nearer tip of fifth than of sixth, intermediate between the two. Upper -parts, with top and sides of the head, black. Back, rump, and -scapulars banded transversely with white; quills spotted with white on -both webs; middle and greater coverts spotted. Bristles of bill, under -parts generally, and a silky patch on the side of the head, white. -Sides of breast and body streaked with black. First and second outer -tail-feathers white, barred with black on inner web. Outer web of the -third mostly white. A short, very inconspicuous narrow streak of silky -scarlet on the side of the head a short distance behind the eye, along -the junction of the white and black (this is wanting in the female); a -narrow short line of white just above the eye. Length, about 7.25; -wing, 4.50; tail, 3.25. - -Hab. Southern States, becoming very rare north to Pennsylvania. - -This species differs from the other banded Woodpeckers, as stated in -the diagnosis, in having a large patch of white behind the eye, -including the ears and sides of head, and not traversed by a black -post-ocular stripe. The bands of the back, as in _P. nuttalli_, do not -reach the nape, nor extend over the upper tail-covert. The white patch -occupies almost exactly the same area as the black one in _nuttalli_; -the white space covered by the supra-orbital and malar stripes, and -the white patch on side of nape, of the latter species being here -black. - -According to Mr. Cassin, southern specimens which he distinguishes as -_P. querulus_ from _P. borealis_ of Pennsylvania, differ in smaller -number of transverse bars on the back, and shorter quills, and in -fewer white spots on the wing-coverts and outer primaries. The black -band on the back of neck is wider. This therefore exhibits the same -tendency to melanism, in more southern specimens, that has been -already indicated for _P. villosus_, _scalaris_, etc. - -HABITS. The Red-cockaded Woodpecker has a restricted distribution to -the Southeastern Atlantic States, being rarely met with so far north -as Pennsylvania. Georgia and Florida are the only localities -represented in the Smithsonian collection, though other Southern -States not named have furnished specimens. It has been met with as far -to the west as Eastern Texas and the Indian Territory, where Dr. -Woodhouse speaks of having found them common. (Report of an Expedition -down the Zuñi and Colorado Rivers, Zoölogy, p. 89.) Wilson only met -with it in the pine woods of North Carolina, Georgia, and South -Carolina, and does not appear to have been acquainted with its habits. -Audubon speaks of it as being found abundantly from Texas to New -Jersey, and as far inland as Tennessee, and as nowhere more numerous -than in the pine barrens of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. He -found these birds mated in Florida as early as January, and engaged in -preparing a breeding-place in February. The nest, he states, is not -unfrequently bored in a decayed stump about thirty feet high. The eggs -he describes as smooth and pure white, and as usually four in number, -though he has found as many as six in a nest. The young crawl out of -their holes before they are able to fly, and wait on the branches to -receive the food brought by their parents until they are able to shift -for themselves. During the breeding-season the call of these birds is -more than usually lively and petulant, and is reiterated through the -pine woods where it is chiefly found. - -Wilson compares the common call-notes of these birds to the querulous -cries of young birds. His attention was first directed to them by this -peculiarity. He characterizes the species as restless, active, and -clamorous. - -Though almost exclusively a Southern species, and principally found -south of North Carolina, individuals have been known to wander much -farther north. Mr. G. N. Lawrence obtained a specimen of this bird in -Hoboken, N. J., opposite New York City. - -In quickness of motion this Woodpecker is said to be equalled by very -few of the family. Mr. Audubon states that it glides upwards and -sideways, along the trunks and branches, on the lower as well as the -upper sides of the latter, moving with great celerity, and -occasionally uttering a short, shrill, clear cry, that can be heard at -a considerable distance. Mr. Audubon kept a wounded one several days. -It soon cut its way out of a cage, and ascended the wall of the room -as it would a tree, seizing such spiders and insects as it was able to -find. Other than this it would take no food, and was set at liberty. - -In the stomach of one dissected were found small ants and a few minute -coleopterous insects. In Florida it mates in January and nests in -February. In the winter it seeks shelter in holes, as also in stormy -weather. Mr. Audubon states that it occasionally feeds on grain and on -small fruits. Some go to the ground to search for those that have -fallen from trees. They are always found in pairs, and during the -breeding-season are very pugnacious. - -An egg of this species obtained near Wilmington, N. C., by Mr. N. -Giles, measures .95 by .70 of an inch. It is pure white, appeared less -glossy than the eggs of most Woodpeckers, and was of a more elliptical -shape. Another egg of this bird sent to me by Mr. Samuel Pasco of -Monticello, Fla., measures .98 by .70 of an inch, being even more -oblong in shape, and corresponds also in the absence of that brilliant -polish so common in most Woodpeckers. - - -SUBGENUS XENOPICUS, BAIRD. - - _Xenopicus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 83. (Type, _Leuconerpes - albolarvatus_, CASS.) - _Xenocraugus_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 74. (Same type.) - -This section of _Picus_ is not appreciably different in form from -_Picus villosus_, which may be taken as the American type of the genus -_Picus_. The plumage appears softer, however, and the uniformly black -body with white head and white patch at base of primaries will readily -distinguish it from any allied group. - - -Picus albolarvatus, BAIRD. - -WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER. - - _Leuconerpes albolarvatus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Oct. 1850, 106 - (California). BONAP. Consp. Zyg. At. Ital. 1854, 10. - _Melanerpes albolarvatus_, CASSIN, Jour. A. N. Sc. 2d series, - II, Jan. 1853, 257, pl. xxii.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. and Oreg. - Route, 9, Rep. P. R. R. VI, 1857. _Picus (Xenopicus) - albolarvatus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 96.—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. - Sc. 1863, 202.—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Ins. IV, 1864, 112 (Ft. - Colville; nesting).—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 160.—ELLIOT, Birds N. - Am. IX, plate. _Picus albolarvatus_, SUNDEVALL, Consp. Pic. - 29.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 382. _Xenocraugus - albolarvatus_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 74. - _Xenopicus albolarvatus_, ELLIOT, Illust. Birds Am. I, pl. xxix. - - [Illustration: _Picus albolarvatus._] - -SP. CHAR. Fourth and fifth quills equal and longest; tip of first -equidistant between sixth and seventh. Entirely bluish-black, -excepting the head and neck, and the outer edges of the primaries -(except outermost), and the concealed bases of all the quills, which -are white. Length, about 9.00; wing, 5.25. Male with a narrow crescent -of red on the occiput. - -HAB. Cascade Mountains of Oregon and southward into California. Sierra -Nevada. - -HABITS. This very plainly marked Woodpecker, formerly considered very -rare, is now known to be abundant in the mountains of Northern -California and Nevada, as also in the mountain-ranges of Washington -Territory and Oregon. Dr. Cooper found it quite common near the -summits of the Sierra Nevada, latitude 39°, in September, 1863, and -procured three specimens. Three years previously he had met with it at -Fort Dalles, Columbia River. He thinks that its chief range of -distribution will be found to be between those two points. He also -found it as far north as Fort Colville, in the northern part of -Washington Territory, latitude 49°. He characterizes it as a rather -silent bird. - -Dr. Newberry only met with this bird among the Cascade Mountains, in -Oregon, where he did not find it common. - -Mr. J. G. Bell, who first discovered this species, in the vicinity of -Sutter’s Mills, in California, on the American River, represents it as -frequenting the higher branches of the pines, keeping almost out of -gunshot range. Active and restless in its movements, it uttered at -rare intervals a sharp and clear note, while busily pursuing its -search for food. - -Mr. John K. Lord states that the only place in which he saw this very -rare bird was in the open timbered country about the Colville Valley -and Spokan River. He has observed that this Woodpecker almost -invariably haunts woods of the _Pinus ponderosa_, and never retires -into the thick damp forest. It arrives in small numbers at Colville, -in April, and disappears again in October and November, or as soon as -the snow begins to fall. Although he did not succeed in obtaining its -eggs, he saw a pair nesting in the month of May in a hole bored in the -branch of a very tall pine-tree. It seldom flies far, but darts from -tree to tree with a short jerking flight, and always, while flying, -utters a sharp, clear, chirping cry. Mr. Ridgway found it to be common -in the pine forests of the Sierra Nevada, in the region of the Donner -Lake Pass. It was first observed in July, at an altitude of about five -thousand feet, on the western slope of that range, where it was seen -playing about the tops of the tallest dead pines. On various -occasions, at all seasons, it was afterwards found to be quite -plentiful on the eastern slope, in the neighborhood of Carson City, -Nevada. Its habits and manners are described as much like those of the -_P. harrisi_, but it is of a livelier and more restless disposition. -Its notes have some resemblance to those of that species, but are of a -more rattling character. It is easily recognized, when seen, by its -strikingly peculiar plumage. - - -GENUS PICOIDES, LACEP. - - _Picoides_, LACEP. Mem. Inst. 1799. (Type, _Picus tridactylus_.) - _Tridactylia_, STEPH. Shaw, Gen. Zoöl. 1815. - _Apternus_, SW. F. B. A. II, 1831, 311. - - [Line drawing: _Picoides arcticus._ - 39143 ♂] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill about as long as the head, very much depressed at the -base; the outlines nearly straight; the lateral ridge at its base much -nearer the commissure than the culmen, so as to bring the large, -rather linear nostrils close to the edge of the commissure. The gonys -very long, equal to the distance from the nostrils to the tip of the -bill. Feet with only three toes, the first or inner hinder one being -wanting; the outer lateral a little longer than the inner, but -slightly exceeded by the hind toe, which is about equal to the tarsus. -Wings very long, reaching beyond the middle of the tail, the tip of -the first quill between those of sixth and seventh. Color black above, -with a broad patch of yellow on the crown; white beneath, transversely -banded on the sides. Quills, but not wing-coverts, with round spots. -Lateral tail-feathers white, without bands on exposed portion, except -in European specimens. - -The peculiarities of this genus consist in the absence of the inner -hind toe and the great depression of the bill. The figure above fails -to represent the median ridge of the bill as viewed from above. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. The American species of _Picoides_ agree in being -black above and white beneath; the crown with a square yellow patch in -the male; a white stripe behind the eye, and another from the loral -region beneath the eye; the quills (but not the coverts) spotted with -white; the sides banded transversely with black. The diagnostic -characters (including the European species) are as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - - P. arcticus. Dorsal region without white markings; no - supraloral white stripe or streak, nor nuchal band of - white. Four middle tail-feathers wholly black; the next - pair with the basal half black; the outer two pairs almost - wholly white, without any dark bars. Entire sides heavily - banded with black; crissum immaculate; sides of the breast - continuously black. ♂. Crown with a patch of yellow, - varying from lemon, through gamboge, to orange, and not - surrounded by any whitish markings or suffusion. ♀. Crown - lustrous black, without any yellow, and destitute of white - streaks or other markings. Wing, 4.85 to 5.25; tail, 3.60; - culmen, 1.40 to 1.55. _Hab._ Northern parts of North - America. In winter just within the northern border of the - United States, but farther south on high mountain-ranges. - - P. tridactylus. Dorsal region with white markings, of - various amount and direction; a more or less distinct - supraloral white streak or stripe, and a more or less - apparent nuchal band of the same. Four to six middle - tail-feathers entirely black; when six, the remainder are - white, with distinct black bars to their ends; when four, - they are white without any black bars, except occasionally - a few toward the base. Sides always with black streaks or - markings, but they are sometimes very sparse; crissum - banded with black, or immaculate; sides of the breast not - continuously black. ♂. Crown with a patch of gamboge, - amber, or sulphur-yellow, surrounded by a whitish - suffusion or markings. ♀. Crown without any yellow, but - distinctly streaked, speckled, or suffused with whitish - (very seldom plain black). - - _a._ Six middle tail-feathers wholly black. Europe and - Asia. - - Sides and crissum heavily barred with black (black - bars about as wide as the white ones). - - Back usually transversely spotted with white; - occasionally longitudinally striped with the same in - Scandinavian examples. Wing, 4.80 to 5.10; tail, - 3.80 to 4.00; culmen, 1.20 to 1.35. _Hab._ Europe - var. _tridactylus_.[127] - - Sides and crissum almost free from black bars; black - bars on the outer tail-feathers very much narrower - than the white. - - Back always (?) striped longitudinally with white. - Wing, 4.70 to 4.75; tail, 3.65 to 3.90; culmen, 1.20 - to 1.35. _Hab._ Siberia and Northern Russia - var. _crissoleucus_.[128] - - _b._ Four middle tail-feathers, only, wholly black. - North America. - - Sides heavily barred with black, but crissum without - bars, except beneath the surface. Three outer - tail-feathers without black bars, except sometimes on - the basal portion of the inner webs. Wing, 4.40 to - 5.10; tail, 3.40 to 3.70; culmen, 1.10 to 1.25. - - Back transversely spotted or barred with white. - _Hab._ Hudson’s Bay region; south in winter to - northern border of Eastern United States var. _americanus_. - - Back longitudinally striped with white at all - seasons. _Hab._ Rocky Mountains; north to Alaska - var. _dorsalis_. - - - [127] _Picoides tridactylus_, var. _tridactylus_. _Picus - tridactylus_, LINN. S. N. 12th ed. I, 177 (1766).—DEGLAND, - Orn. Eur. I, 161 (1849). _Apternus tridactylus_, BONAP. - Birds (1838), p. 9.—GOULD, Birds of Europe, pl. ccxxxii. - _Picoides tridactylus_, GRAY. _Picoides europæus_, LESS. - Orn. p. 217 (1831). - - [128] _Picoides tridactylus_, var. _crissoleucus_. _Picus - crissoleucus_, BRANDT, Mus. Petrop. _Apternus crissoleucus_, - BONAP. Consp.—REICH. Syn. p. 362, No. 836; pl. dcxxxi, f. - 4197, 4198. _Picoides crissoleucus_, MALH. Monog. Pic. I, - 180. “_Apternus kamtchatkensis_, BONAP.”—MALH. Monog. Pic. - I, 180 (in synonomy). _Apternus tridactylus_, Mus. de - Mayence.—PALLAS, Zoogr. Ros. As. I, 415. - - -Picoides arcticus, GRAY. - -THE BLACK-BACKED THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus (Apternus) arcticus_, SW. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 313. - _Apternus arcticus_, BP. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, - 139.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. and Oreg. Route, 91, Rep. P. R. R. - Surv. VI, 1857. _Picus arcticus_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 182.—IB. - Birds Amer. VI, 1842, 266, pl. cclxviii.—NUTTALL, Man. I, (2d - ed.,) 1840, 691.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. I, 1866, 15. _Picus - tridactylus_, BON. Am. Orn. II, 1828, 14, pl. xiv, f. 2.—AUD. - Orn. Biog. II, 1834, 198, pl. cxxxii. _Tridactylia arctica_, - CAB. & HEIN. _Picoides arcticus_, GRAY, Gen.—BAIRD, Birds N. - Am. 1858, 98.—LORD, Pr. R. Art. Inst. Woolwich, IV, 1864, 112 - (Cascade Mountains).—COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. Sc. 1868 (Lake Tahoe - and Sierra Nevada).—SAMUELS, 94.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 384. - - [Illustration: _Picoides arcticus._] - -SP. CHAR. Above entirely uniform glossy bluish-black; a square patch -on the middle of the crown saffron-yellow, and a few white spots on -the outer edges of both webs of the primary and secondary quills. -Beneath white, on the sides of whole body, axillars, and inner -wing-coverts banded transversely with black. Crissum white, with a few -spots anteriorly. A narrow concealed white line from the eye a short -distance backwards, and a white stripe from the extreme forehead -(meeting anteriorly) under the eye, and down the sides of the neck, -bordered below by a narrow stripe of black. Bristly feathers of the -base of the bill brown; sometimes a few gray intermixed. Exposed -portion of two outer tail-feathers (first and second) white; the third -obliquely white at end, tipped with black. Sometimes these feathers -with a narrow black tip. - -HAB. Northern North America; south to northern borders of United -States in winter. Massachusetts (MAYNARD, B. E. Mass., 1870, 129). -Sierra Nevada, south to 39°. Lake Tahoe (COOPER); Carson City -(RIDGWAY). - -This species differs from the other American three-toed Woodpeckers -chiefly in having the back entirely black. The white line from the eye -is usually almost imperceptible, if not wanting entirely. Specimens -vary very little; one from Slave Lake has a longer bill than usual, -and the top of head more orange. The size of the vertex patch varies; -sometimes the frontal whitish is inappreciable. None of the females -before me have any white spots in the black of head, as in that of -_americanus_. - -The variations in this species are very slight, being chiefly in the -shade of the yellow patch on the crown, which varies from a sulphur -tint to a rich orange. Sometimes there is the faintest trace of a -whitish post-ocular streak, but usually this is wholly absent. Western -and Eastern examples appear to be identical. - - [Illustration: PLATE L. - 1. Picoides arcticus. ♂ Nova Scotia, 26923. - 2. ” americanus. ♂ New Brunswick. 39143. - 3. Picus nuttalli. ♂ Cal., 4482. - 4. ” scalaris. ♂ Texas, 46804. - 5. ” ” ♀ Texas, 9933. - 6. ” nuttalli. ♀ Cal., 5400. - 7. ” albolarvatus. ♂ Cal., 16066. - 8. ” ” ♀ Cal.] - -HABITS. This species has a well-defined and extended distribution, -from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and from the northern portions of -the United States to the extreme Arctic regions. In the United States -it has been found as far south as Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio, -but rarely; and, so far as I am aware, it is a winter visitant only to -any but the extreme northern portions of the Union, except along the -line of the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. Audubon says it -occurs in Northern Massachusetts, and in all portions of Maine that -are covered by forests of tall trees, where it constantly resides. He -saw a few in the Great Pine Forest of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Bachman -noticed several in the neighborhood of Niagara Falls, and was of the -opinion that it breeds in the northern part of New York. The same -writer describes the nesting-place of the Arctic Woodpecker as -generally bored in the body of a sound tree, near its first large -branches. He observed no particular choice as to the timber, having -seen it in oaks, pines, etc. The nest, like that of most of this -family, is worked out by both sexes, and requires fully a week for its -completion. Its usual depth is from twenty to twenty-four inches. It -is smooth and broad at the bottom, although so narrow at its entrance -as to appear scarcely sufficient to enable one of the birds to enter -it. The eggs are from four to six, rather rounded and pure white. Only -one brood is raised in the season. The young follow their parents -until the autumn. In the southern districts where these Woodpeckers -are found, their numbers are greatly increased in the winter by -accessions from the North. - -Dr. Cooper found this species quite numerous, in September, in the -vicinity of Lake Tahoe and the summits of the Sierra Nevada, above an -altitude of six thousand feet. From thence this bird has a northern -range chiefly on the east side of these mountains and of the Cascade -Range. None were seen near the Lower Columbia. At the lake they were -quite fearless, coming close to the hotel, and industriously rapping -the trees in the evening and in the early morning. Farther north Dr. -Cooper found them very wild, owing probably to their having been -hunted by the Indians for their skins, which they consider very -valuable. He noticed their burrows in low pine-trees near the lake, -where he had no doubt they also raise their young. Dr. Cooper has -always found them very silent birds, though in the spring they -probably have more variety of calls. The only note he heard was a -shrill, harsh, rattling cry, quite distinct from that of any other -Woodpecker. - -The flight of this Woodpecker is described as rapid, gliding, and -greatly undulated. Occasionally it will fly to quite a distance before -it alights, uttering, from time to time, a loud shrill note. - -Professor Verrill says this bird is very common in Western Maine, in -the spring, fall, and winter, or from the middle of October to the -middle or end of March. It is not known to occur there in the summer. -Near Calais a few are seen, and it is supposed to breed, but is not -common. In Massachusetts it is only a rare and accidental visitant, -occurring usually late in winter or in March. Two were taken near -Salem in November. It is also a rare winter visitant near Hamilton in -Canada. - -Mr. Ridgway met with but a single individual of this species during -his Western explorations. This was shot in February, near Carson City, -Nevada; it was busily engaged in pecking upon the trunk of a large -pine, and was perfectly silent. - -Mr. John K. Lord obtained a single specimen of this bird on the summit -of the Cascade Mountains. It was late in September, and getting cold; -the bird was flying restlessly from tree to tree, but not searching -for insects. Both when on the wing and when clinging to a tree, it was -continually uttering a shrill, plaintive cry. Its favorite tree is the -_Pinus contorta_, which grows at great altitudes. It is found chiefly -on hill-tops, while in the valleys and lower plains it is replaced by -the _Picoides hirsutus_. - -Eggs of this species were obtained by Professor Agassiz on the -northern shore of Lake Superior. They were slightly ovate, nearly -spherical, rounded at one end and abruptly pointed at the other, of a -crystal whiteness, and measured .91 of an inch in length by .70 in -breadth. - -An egg received from Mr. Krieghoff is small in proportion to the size -of the bird, nearly spherical in form, and of a uniform dull-white -color. It measures .92 of an inch in length by .76 in breadth. - - -Picoides tridactylus, var. americanus, BREHM. - -THE WHITE-BACKED THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus hirsutus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 68, pl. cxxiv - (European specimen).—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 27 (mixed - with _undulatus_).—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 184, pl. - ccccxvii.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, pl. cclxix.—NUTTALL, Man. - I, (2d ed.,) 1840, 622. _Apternus hirsutus_, BON. List, - _Picoides hirsutus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 98.—SAMUELS, - 95. _? Picus undulatus_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 69 - (based on Pl. enl. 553, fictitious species?) _Picus undatus_, - TEMM. _Picus undosus_, CUV. R. A. 1829, 451 (all based on same - figure). _Tridactylia undulata_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, - 1863, 28. _Picus tridactylus_, SW. F. Bor. Am. 1831, 311, pl. - lvi. _Picoides americanus_, BREHM, Vögel Deutschlands, 1831, - 195.—MALHERBE, Mon. Picidæ, I, 176, pl. xvii, 36.—SCLATER, - Catal.—GRAY, Cat. Br. Mus. III, 3, 4, 1868, 30. _Apternus - americanus_, SWAINSON, Class. II, 1837, 306. _Picus - americanus_, SUNDEVALL, Consp. Av. Picin. 1866, 15. _Picoides - dorsalis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 100, pl. lxxxv, f. - 1.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870 (under _P. americanus_). - _Tridactylia dorsalis_, CAB. & HEIN. _Picus dorsalis_, - SUNDEVALL, Consp. 1866, 14. - -SP. CHAR. Black above. The back markings of white, transverse in -summer, and longitudinal in winter; these extend to the rump, which is -sometimes almost wholly white. A white line from behind the eye, -widening on the nape, and a broader one under the eye from the loral -region, but not extending on the forehead; occiput and sides of head -uniform black. Quills, but not coverts, spotted on both webs with -white, seen on inner webs of inner secondaries. Under parts, including -crissum, white; the sides, including axillars and lining of wing, -banded transversely with black. Exposed portion of outer three -tail-feathers white; that of third much less, and sometimes with a -narrow tip of black. Upper tail-coverts sometimes tipped with white, -and occasionally, but very rarely, banded with the same. Top of the -head spotted, streaked, or suffused with white; the crown of the male -with a yellow patch. Nasal bristles black, mixed with gray. Female -with the whole top of head usually spotted with white, very rarely -entirely black. - -HAB. Arctic regions of North America; southward in the Rocky Mountains -to Fort Buchanan; northern border of the Eastern United States, in -winter (Massachusetts, MAYNARD). - -This species varies considerably in its markings, especially in the -amount of white above. The head is sometimes more coarsely spotted -with white than in the average; very rarely are the white spots -wanting, leaving merely the broad malar and interrupted post-ocular -stripe. The rictal black stripe is sometimes much obscured by white. -In typical specimens from the Hudson Bay and Labrador Provinces, which -seem to be darkest, the feathers of the centre of the back have three -transverse bars of white (one of them terminal), rather narrower than -the intermediate black bars; the basal white ones disappearing both -anteriorly and posteriorly, leaving but two. In specimens from the -Mackenzie River district there is a greater development of white; the -white bands being broader than the black, and sometimes extending -along the shafts so as to reduce the black bars to pairs of spots. The -next step is the disappearance of these spots on one side or the -other, or on both, leaving the end of the feathers entirely white, -especially anteriorly, where the back may have a longitudinal stripe -of white, as in _Picus villosus_. Usually, however, in this extreme, -the upper tail-coverts remain banded transversely. In all the -specimens from the Rocky Mountains of the United States, especially -Laramie Peak, this white back, unbarred except on the rump, is a -constant character, and added to it we have a broad nuchal patch of -white running into that of the back and connected with the white -post-ocular stripe. The bands, too, on the sides of the body, are less -distinct. It was to this state of plumage that the name of _P. -dorsalis_ was applied, in 1858, and although in view of the connecting -links it may not be entitled to consideration as a distinct race, this -tendency to a permanence of the longitudinal direction of the white -markings above seems to be especially characteristic of the Rocky -Mountain region, appearing only in winter birds from elsewhere. This -same character prevails in all the Rocky Mountain specimens from more -northern regions, including those from Fort Liard, and in only one not -found in that region, namely, No. 49,905, collected at Nulato by Mr. -Dall. Here the middle of the back is very white, although the nuchal -band is less distinct. Other specimens from that locality and the -Yukon River generally, as also from Kodiak, distinctly show the -transverse bars. - -In one specimen (29,126) from the Mackenzie River, all the upper -tail-coverts are banded decidedly with white, and the wing-coverts -spotted with the same. Even the central tail-feathers show white -scallops. The back is, however, banded transversely very distinctly, -not longitudinally. - -_P. americanus_ in all stages of color is distinguished from -_arcticus_ by the white along the middle of the back, the absence of -distinct frontal white and black bands, more numerous spots of white -on the head, etc. The inner webs of inner secondaries are banded with -white, not uniform black. The maxillary black stripe is rather larger -than the rictal white one, not smaller. The size is decidedly smaller. -Females almost always have the top of head spotted with white instead -of uniform black, which is the rule in _arcticus_. - -It is probable that the difference in the amount of white on the upper -parts of this species is to some extent due to age and season, the -winter specimens and the young showing it to the greatest degree. -Still, however, there is a decided geographical relationship, as -already indicated. - -This race of _P. tridactylus_ can be easily distinguished from the -European form of Northern and Alpine Europe by the tail-feathers; of -these, the outer three are white (the rest black) as far as exposed, -without any bands; the tip of the third being white only at the end. -The supra-ocular white stripe is very narrow and scarcely appreciable; -the crissum white and unbanded. The back is banded transversely in one -variety, striped longitudinally in the other. In _P. tridactylus_ the -outer two feathers on each side are white, banded with black; the -outer with the bands regular and equal from base; the second black, -except one or two terminal bands. The crissum is well banded with -black; the back striped longitudinally with white; the supra-ocular -white stripe almost as broad as the infra-ocular. _P. crisoleucus_, of -Siberia, is similar to the last, but differs in white crissum, and -from both species in the almost entire absence of dark bands on the -sides, showing the Arctic maximum of white. - -We follow Sundevall in using the specific name _americanus_, Brehm, -for this species, as being the first legitimately belonging to it. _P. -hirsutus_ of Vieillot, usually adopted, is based on a European bird, -and agrees with it, though referred by the author to the American. The -name of _undulatus_, Vieillot, selected by Cabanis, is based on -Buffon’s figure (Pl. enl. 553) of a bird said to be from Cayenne, with -four toes; the whole top of the head red from base of bill to end of -occiput, with the edges of the dorsal feathers narrowly white, and -with the three lateral tail-feathers regularly banded with black, -tipped with red; the fourth, banded white and black on outer web, -tipped with black. None of those features belong to the bird of Arctic -America, and the markings answer, if to either, better to the -European. - -HABITS. This rare and interesting species, so far as has been -ascertained, is nowhere a common or well-known bird. It is probably -exclusively of Arctic residence, and only occasionally or very rarely -is found so far south as Massachusetts. In the winter of 1836 I found -a specimen exposed for sale in the Boston market, which was sent in -alcohol to Mr. Audubon. Two specimens have been taken in Lynn, by Mr. -Welch, in 1868. They occur, also, in Southern Wisconsin in the winter, -where Mr. Kumlien has several times, in successive winters, obtained -single individuals. - -Sir John Richardson states that this bird is to be met with in all the -forests of spruce and fir lying between Lake Superior and the Arctic -Sea, and that it is the most common Woodpecker north of Great Slave -Lake, whence it has frequently been sent to the Smithsonian -Institution. It is said to greatly resemble _P. villosus_ in habits, -except that it seeks its food principally upon decaying trees of the -pine tribe, in which it frequently makes holes large enough to bury -itself. It is not migratory. - - -GENUS SPHYROPICUS, BAIRD. - - _Pilumnus_, BON. Consp. Zygod. Ateneo Italiano, May, 1854. (Type _P. - thyroideus_) preoccupied in crustaceans. - _Sphyropicus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 101. (Type, _Picus varius_,) - LINN., COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 52 (anatomy). - _Cladoscopus_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 2, 1863, 80. (Type, _P. - varius_.) - - [Line drawing: _Sphyropicus nuchalis._ - 20511 ♀] - -GEN. CHAR. Bill as in _Picus_, but the lateral ridge, which is very -prominent, running out distinctly to the commissure at about its -middle, beyond which the bill is rounded without any angles at all. -The culmen and gonys are very nearly straight, but slightly convex, -the bill tapering rapidly to a point; the lateral outline concave to -very near the slightly bevelled tip. Outer pair of toes longest; the -hinder exterior rather longest; the inner posterior toe very short, -less than the inner anterior without its claw. Wings long and pointed; -the third, excluding the spurious, longest. Tail-feathers very broad, -abruptly acuminate, with a very long linear tip. Tongue scarcely -extensible. - -The genus _Sphyropicus_, instituted in 1858, proves to be so strongly -marked in its characters that Dr. Coues proposes to make it the type -of a distinct subfamily, _Sphyropicinæ_ (Pr. Phil. Acad. 1866, 52). In -addition to the peculiarities already indicated, there is a remarkable -feature in the tongue, which, according to Dr. Coues, Dr. Hoy, Dr. -Bryant, and others, is incapable of protrusion much beyond the tip of -the bill, or not more than the third of an inch. Dr. Coues states that -the apo-hyal and cerato-hyal elements of the hyoid bone do not reach -back much beyond the tympano-maxillary articulation, instead of -extending round, as in _Picus_, over the occiput to the top of the -cranium, or even curving into an osseous groove around the orbit. The -basihyals supporting the tongue are shorter and differently shaped. -The tongue itself is short and flattened, with a superior longitudinal -median groove and a corresponding inferior ridge; the tip is broad and -flattened and obtusely rounded, and with numerous long and soft -bristly hairs. This is, of course, very different from the long, -extensile, acutely pointed tongue of other Woodpeckers, with its tip -armed with a few strong, sharp, short, recurved barbs. - -Dr. Hoy and Dr. Coues maintain that the food of these Woodpeckers -consists mainly of the cambium or soft inner bark of trees, which is -cut out in patches sometimes of several inches in extent, and usually -producing square holes in the bark, not rounded ones. As may be -supposed, such proceedings are very injurious to the trees, and justly -call down the vengeance of their proprietors. This diet is varied with -insects and fruits, when they can be had, but it is believed that -cambium is their principal sustenance. - -This strongly marked genus appears to be composed of two sections and -three well-defined species; the first being characterized by having -the back variegated with whitish, and the jugulum with a sharply -defined crescentic patch of black, though the latter is sometimes -concealed by red, when the whole head and neck are of the latter -color, and the sharply defined striped pattern of the cephalic -regions, seen in the normal plumage, obliterated. Comparing the -extreme conditions of plumage to be seen in this type, as in the -females of _varius_ and of _ruber_, the differences appear wide -indeed, and few would entertain for a moment a suspicion of their -specific identity; yet upon carefully examining a sufficiently large -series of specimens, we find these extremes to be connected by an -unbroken transition, and are thus led to view these different -conditions as manifestations of a peculiar law principally affecting a -certain color, which leads us irresistibly to the conclusion that the -group which at first seemed to compose a section of the genus is in -reality only an association of forms of specific identity. Beginning -with the birds of the Atlantic region (_S. varius_), we find in this -series the minimum amount of red; indeed, many adult females occur -which lack this color entirely, having not only the whole throat -white, but the entire pileum glossy-black; usually, however, the -latter is crimson. In adult males from this region the front and crown -are always crimson, sharply defined, and bordered laterally and -posteriorly with glossy-black; and below the black occipital band is -another of dirty white; the crimson of the throat is wholly confined -between the continuous broad, black malar stripes, and there is no -tinge of red on the auriculars; there is a broad, sharply defined -stripe of white beginning with the nasal tufts, passing beneath the -black loral and auricular stripe, and continuing downward into the -yellowish of the abdomen, giving the large, glossy-black pectoral area -a sharply defined outline; the dirty whitish nuchal band is continued -forward beneath the black occipital crescent to above the middle of -the eye. The pattern just described will be found in ninety-nine out -of a hundred specimens from the Eastern Province of North America -(also the West Indies and whole of Mexico); but a single adult male, -from Carlisle, Penn. (No. 12,071, W. M. Baird), has the whitish nuchal -band distinctly tinged with red, though differing in this respect -only, while an adult female, from Washington, D. C. (No. 12,260, C. -Drexler), has the lower part of the throat much mixed with red. - -Taking next the specimens from the Rocky Mountains and Middle Province -of the United States (_S. nuchalis_), we find that _all_ the specimens -possess _both_ these additional amounts of the red, there being always -a red, instead of dirty-white, nuchal crescent, while in the female -the lower part of the throat is always more or less red; in addition, -the male has the red of the throat reaching laterally to the white -stripe, thus interrupting the black malar one, which is always -unbroken in the eastern form; and in addition, the auriculars are -frequently mixed with red. Proceeding towards the Columbia River, we -find the red increasing, or escaping the limits to which it is -confined in the normal pattern, staining the white and black areas in -different places, and tingeing the whitish which borders the black -pectoral area. - -Lastly, in the series from the Pacific coast (_S. ruber_), we find the -whole normal pattern rendered scarcely definable—sometimes entirely -obliterated—by the extension of the red, which covers continuously -the whole head, neck, and breast; but nearly always the normal pattern -may be traced, the feathers of the normally black areas being dusky -beneath the surface, and those of the usual white stripes very white -for the concealed portion. Usually, in this form, the red of the -breast covers only the black pectoral area; but in extreme specimens -it reaches back to the middle of the body beneath, and stains the -white spots of the back. - -With the increase of the red as we proceed westward, there is also a -decrease in the amount of white above; thus, in _varius_ the whole -back is irregularly spotted with dirty white and black,—the former -predominating, the latter most conspicuous as a medial, broken broad -stripe,—and the lateral tail-feathers are much variegated by white -spots. In _nuchalis_ the back is mostly unbroken glossy-black, with -two parallel _narrow_ stripes of white converging at their lower ends; -and the lateral tail-feather is almost wholly black, having merely a -narrow white border toward the end. _S. ruber_ is most like -_nuchalis_, but has the white still more restricted. - -In _varius_ the bill is dark brown, in _nuchalis_ it is deep black, -and in _ruber_ wax-brown. In _varius_ the yellow of the lower parts is -deepest, in _nuchalis_ just appreciable. - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Wing with a white patch on the middle and greater - coverts. Markings along the sides with a longitudinal - tendency. - - 1. S. varius. Back variegated medially with - brownish-white; secondaries with transverse rows of - white spots. - - _White and black stripes on side of head sharply - defined, as is also the black pectoral crescent. Red - confined to isolated patches,—two large ones, one - on the crown and one on the throat; when there is - more, only a tinge on the auriculars, and a crescent - on nape._ - - Crown sometimes glossy black without a trace of red on - the female; no tinge of scarlet on the nape. Red of - the throat entirely confined within the broad, - continuous black maxillary stripe. _Female_ with the - throat wholly white. _Hab._ Eastern Province North - America, south in winter into West Indies, and over - whole of Mexico, to Guatemala var. _varius_. - - Crown always red in adult. A nuchal crescent of - scarlet in both sexes. Red of the throat not confined - by the black maxillary stripe, which is interrupted by - it in the middle, allowing the red to touch the white - stripe; a tinge of red on the auriculars. _Female_ - always with more or less red on lower part of the - throat. _Hab._ Rocky Mountains and Middle Province of - United States var. _nuchalis_. - - _White and black stripes on side of head obsolete, - as is also the black pectoral crescent, caused by - being overspread by a continuous red wash extending - over whole head, neck, and breast._ - - Whole head, neck, and breast red, with the light and - dark stripes of the normal pattern only faintly - traceable. Sexes similar. _Hab._ Pacific Province of - United States, north to British Columbia var. _ruber_. - - 2. S. williamsoni. Back unvariegated; secondaries - without bands of white spots. - - Whole crown and upper parts (except lower part of rump - and upper tail-coverts, and wing-patch), a stripe on - side of head, a broader one on side of the throat, and - the whole jugulum and sides of the breast, unbroken - glossy-black; abdomen bright lemon-yellow. _Male_ with - a narrow stripe of scarlet on middle of the throat. - _Female_ with it white. _Young_ like the adult. _Hab._ - Western Province of United States. - - B. Wing without a white patch. Markings on sides regularly - transverse. - - 3. S. thyroideus. Head all round light brown; abdomen - bright lemon-yellow; rump and upper tail-coverts white. - Entire upper surface, with sides, regularly and - continuously barred with black and white, in nearly - equal amount; the black bars usually coalesced on the - jugulum into a more or less extensive patch. _Male_ with - the throat tinged medially with scarlet. _Female_ - without any red. _Hab._ Western Province of United - States. - - [Illustration: PLATE LI. - 1. Sphyropicus varius. ♂ Pa. - 2. ” ” ♀ Pa., 2107. - 3. ” nuchalis. ♂ Wyoming, 10769. - 4. ” ” ♀ Wyoming, 10783. - 5. ” williamsoni. ♀ Cal., 16090. - 6. ” ruber. ♂ Cal., 6038.] - - -Sphyropicus varius, var. varius, BAIRD. - -THE YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus varius_, L. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 176.—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. II, - 1807, 63, pl. cxviii, cxix.—WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1808, 147, pl. - ix, f. 2.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 16.—AUD. Orn. Biog. II, - 1834, 519; V, 537, pl. 190.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 263, pl. - cclxvii.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 138.—MAXIM. Cab. - Jour. VI, 1858, 416 (refers to peculiar tongue).—GOSSE, Birds - Jam. 270 (Jamaica).—NEWTON, Ibis, 1860, 308 (St. - Croix).—TAYLOR, Ibis, 1860, 119 (Honduras).—SUNDEVALL, Consp. - 33.—GRAY, Cat. 51. _Picus (Dendrocopus) varius_, SW. F. B. A. - II, 1831, 309. _Pilumnus varius_, BON. Consp. Zygod. Aten. - Ital. 1854, 8. _Cladoscopus varius_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. 80. - _? Picus atrothorax_, LESSON, Traité d’Ornithologie, I, 1831, - 229.—PUCHERAN, Rev. Zoöl. VII, 1835, 21. (Refers it to _Picus - varius_.) _Yellow-bellied Woodpecker_, PENNANT, LATHAM. - _Sphyropicus varius_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 103.—SCLATER, - P. Z. S. 1859, 367 (Xalapa).—IB. Catal. 335 (Orizaba).—IB. - Ibis, 1859, 136 (Guatemala).—IB. 1860, 119 (Honduras).—CAB. - Journal, IV, 1856, 102.—GUNDLACH, Repertorium, I, 1866, 294 - (Cuba).—BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. 1859 (Bahamas).—IB. 1865, 91 - (Anatomy of tongue.)—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468 (breeds in - Texas).—SAMUELS, 96.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 306. - - [Illustration: _Sphyropicus varius._] - -SP. CHAR. Third quill longest; second a little shorter; first between -fourth and fifth considerably shorter. General color above black, much -variegated with white. Feathers of the back and rump brownish-white, -spotted with black. Crown crimson, bordered by black on the sides of -the head and nape. A streak from above the eye, and a broad stripe -from the bristles of the bill, passing below the eye, and into the -yellowish of the belly, enclosing a black post-ocular one, and a -stripe along the edges of the wing-coverts, white. A triangular broad -patch of scarlet on the chin, bordered on each side by black stripes -from the lower mandible which meet behind, and extend into a large -quadrate spot on the breast. Rest of under parts yellowish-white, or -yellow, streaked and banded on the sides with black. Inner web of -inner tail-feather white, spotted with black. Outer feathers black, -edged and spotted with white. Quills spotted with white. Length, 8.25; -wing, about 4.75; tail, 3.30. _Female_ with the red of the throat -replaced by white. Immature bird without black on the breast, or red -on top of the head, as in every intermediate stage to the perfect -plumage. - -HAB. Atlantic coast to the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains; -Greenland; West Indies; whole of Mexico, to Guatemala. Localities: ? -Oaxaca (SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, 305); Orizaba (SCL. Cat. 335); Xalapa -(SCL. 1859, 367); Yucatan (LAWR. Ann. N. Y. Lyc. IX, 205); Guatemala -(SCL. Ibis, I, 136); Honduras (SCL. Ibis, II, 119); Cuba (CAB. J. IV, -102); (GUNDL. Repert. I, 1866, 294); Bahamas (BRYANT, Pr. Bost. Soc. -VII, 1859; IB. 1867, 65); Jamaica (GOSSE, B. Jam. 270); St. Croix -(SCL. Ibis, II, 308); E. Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 468; breeds). - -There is an occasional variation in the markings of the tail-feathers. -Thus, in No. 782, from Carlisle, the innermost one is entirely black, -while in 4,631, from the Upper Missouri, the outer web of the same -feather has nearly, and in 2,107, from Carlisle, it has quite, as much -white as the inner web. The outer webs do not appear to vary so much. - -Specimens from the whole of Mexico, including even the west coast, are -referrible to _varius_; they are probably winter migrants from the -eastern United States. - -A female, from Washington, D. C. (No. 12,260, C. Drexler), has the -lower half of the throat much mixed with red, as in var. _nuchalis_; -but there is no trace of this color on the nape. A male from Carlisle -(No. 12,071, W. M. Baird) has the nape distinctly tinged with red, as -in _nuchalis_, but the black malar stripe is uninterrupted. Similar -specimens have been taken in New England, by Messrs. Brewster and -Henshaw. - -Many females occur with the entire pileum glossy-black, there being no -trace of red, though there are sometimes specks of white. - -HABITS. The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker is found throughout the United -States, from the Gulf of Mexico on the south and the Atlantic on the -east to the Rocky Mountains, and is met with as far to the north as -the 61st parallel of latitude. Sir John Richardson found it common in -the fur countries, being the only Woodpecker that visits those regions -in flocks. He observed the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker on the north -shore of Lake Huron on the 14th of April, in 1825, and in 1827 it made -its first appearance for the season, on the plains of the -Saskatchewan, on the 14th of May. Swainson received specimens of this -Woodpecker from Mexico. De la Sagra and Dr. Gundlach both give it in -their list of Cuban birds, though not as breeding on that island. -Gosse obtained several specimens in the months of December, January, -and February, in Jamaica, where he regarded it as only a winter -migrant from the northern continent. It is not given by the Newtons -among the birds of St. Croix, but appears in Sclater’s list of the -birds of Central America, on the authority of Mr. George M. Skinner. -Two specimens have been taken in Greenland. - -Wilson, in his account of its breeding habits, speaks of it as a -resident bird from Cayenne to Hudson’s Bay, as being common in the -States of Kentucky and Ohio, and as having been found in the -neighborhood of St. Louis. He describes the habits of this species as -similar to those of the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers, with which it -generally associates. The only nest of this bird which Wilson ever met -with was in the body of an old pear-tree, about ten or eleven feet -from the ground. The hole was almost exactly circular, small for the -size of the bird, so that it crept in and out with difficulty; but the -excavation suddenly widened, descending by a small angle, and then -running downward about fifteen inches. On the smooth solid wood lay -four white eggs. This was about the 25th of May. - -Mr. Audubon, on the other hand, speaks of this species as returning to -Louisiana and the other Southern States only about the beginning of -October, remaining there during the winter, and again taking its -departure before the beginning of April, after which period he never -observed it in those districts. A few only, according to the same -authority, breed in Kentucky, but the greater number migrate to the -more northern parts of the Union. He describes it, in its habits, as -preferring the interior of the forest during the spring and summer, -seldom showing itself near the habitation of man at those seasons. It -generally, he adds, bores its nest at a considerable height, and -usually in the trunk of an undecayed tree, immediately beneath a large -branch, and on its southern side. The hole is worked out by the male -as well as the female, in the manner followed by the other species, -and to the depth of from fifteen to twenty-four inches. The aperture -is just large enough to admit the birds, but the whole widens -gradually towards the bottom, where it is large and roomy. The eggs, -which are from four to six, and pure white, with a slight blush, are -deposited on the chips without any nest. The young seldom leave the -hole until they are fully fledged. - -Mr. Audubon elsewhere speaks of having found this species extremely -abundant in the upper parts of the State of Maine and in the Provinces -of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; but he saw none in Newfoundland or -Labrador. - -For my specimens of the eggs of this species and valuable information -as to its habits, I am indebted to Mr. Charles S. Paine, of East -Bethel, Vt., in which State it seems to be quite abundant. In a letter -written in the summer of 1860, he furnishes the results of his -observations relative to their habits, so far as they have fallen -under his notice. - -The Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers reach the central and northern parts of -that State about the 10th of April. They soon make their presence -known there by their loud and continued drumming, rather than tapping, -on the trunks and larger branches of decaying trees. Of this drumming -they seem to be peculiarly fond, especially where they can produce a -loud ringing sound. Sometimes, when Mr. Paine had been engaged in the -process of preparing maple sugar, he had left a few empty wooden -buckets hanging on the branches of trees, until needed for use. Upon -these the bird will drum, apparently with the greatest delight. At -times they would experiment upon the tin pails, but, being unable to -obtain good standing-ground, they did not follow it up. On such -occasions their drumming did not appear to be done in the pursuit of -worms or food, but was very evidently for their own entertainment, or -in a spirit of rivalry one with another, as if seeking to please their -mates. When two male birds meet, they pursue each other through the -woods with great clamor. They have a loud, distinct, and lively note, -but their favorite music appears to be this drumming. They mate and -commence the excavation of their nests the last week in April. Their -eggs are usually deposited, in this section, somewhere between the -20th of May and the first of June. The excavations for their nests are -usually made in the tops of large decaying trees. He adds that he -found four or five of these nests that year. The eggs of one of these -he was able to obtain without much trouble, the others had hatched. -When the young leave their nests they usually keep together, and often -four or five may be seen playing about the bark of the same tree while -waiting for their parents to bring them their food. - -This species is far more abundant at the West than it is in the New -England States. In the States of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and -Massachusetts it is very rarely met with. It is commonly known as the -Sap-Sucker, and much better deserves that name than do other species -to which this term is also applied. Owing to the peculiar formation of -its tongue and the muscles connected with it, it feeds less readily -upon insects, and they form a smaller proportion of its food. In the -spring of the year these birds prey largely upon the inner bark of -trees, and where they exist in great numbers often do a great deal of -mischief. In April, 1868, I visited gardens in Racine, in company with -Dr. Hoy, where these Woodpeckers had every successive spring committed -their ravages, and was eyewitness to their performance. Their -punctures were unlike those of the _pubescens_, being much deeper, -penetrating the inner bark, and, being repeated in close proximity, -becomes entirely stripped off after a while, often resulting in the -girdling and complete destruction of the tree. In one garden of some -considerable size, all the mountain-ash and white-pine trees had thus -been killed. In prairie countries, where trees are a deficiency and -their cultivation both important and attended with difficulty, these -birds prove a great pest, and in a few hours may destroy the labor of -many years. These habits, so well known to most of our Western -farmers, appear to have entirely escaped the notice of our older -ornithologists. - -Mr. Dresser found these birds near San Antonio at all seasons of the -year, but rather rare. He shot a couple near the Medina River, and Dr. -Heermann also procured the eggs in that neighborhood. - -Mr. Ridgway says that in Southern Illinois this Woodpecker is only a -winter resident, coming from the north in September or October, and -departing in April. It is the only one of the eight species of -Woodpeckers of that section which does not breed there, and also the -only one which is not resident. - -Specimens of its eggs from Vermont measure .95 by .70 of an inch. They -are of an oval shape, a little less rounded at one end than at the -other. - - -Sphyropicus varius, var. nuchalis, BAIRD. - -THE RED-NAPED WOODPECKER. - - _Sphyropicus varius_, var. _nuchalis_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 103, pl. xxxv, figs. 1, 2. _Sphyropicus nuchalis_, BAIRD, Ib. - 921.—COUES, Pr. A. N. Sc. 1866, 53.—COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. - 1861, 122.—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1863, 204.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 390. _Picus varius occidentalis_, SUNDEVALL, Consp. Pic. - 1866, 34. _Cladoscopus nuchalis_, CAB. & HEIN. 82. - -SP. CHAR. Markings, generally, as in _S. varius_. A red nuchal -crescent. Belly yellowish-white. The red of the throat extending over -and obliterating the black stripe from the lower mandible, except on -the side of the jaw. Post-ocular black patch tinged with red. -Secondaries with little or no white on outer webs. Tail-feathers -black, scarcely varied; the innermost with inner web, as in _varius_. -Female similar, but with the chin white; the throat red, bordered, as -in male, by a black stripe from the bill to the black pectoral patch. -Length, 8.00; wing, 5.00; tail, 3.50. - -HAB. Middle Province of United States. Localities: Fort Mohave -(COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. 1861, 122); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, -53). - -This bird, first indicated as a simple variety of _S. varius_, is yet -as decidedly distinct and constant in its markings as a large number -of what are considered to be valid species. The principal differences -from _varius_ have been mentioned above: they consist mainly in the -greater development of red, as seen in wider throat-patch; nuchal -crescent; tinge on cheek; a greater amount of black, shown in -unspotted outer webs of secondaries and blacker tail, and in the paler -colors below. The most striking peculiarity is in the half-red throat -of the female, which is entirely white in _varius_. The light markings -of the back are more distinctly arranged in two lines enclosing a -median of black, which show no concealed white spots as in _varius_. -The breast is much paler, only slightly tinged with yellow, instead of -the rich color to which _S. varius_ owes its trivial name. - -Young birds vary in color to the same excessive degree as in _varius_. - -HABITS. This form, closely allied to the _varius_, was at first known -only from the southern Rocky Mountains. Afterwards a large number of -specimens were obtained by Mr. C. Drexler at Fort Bridger, in Utah. - -Dr. Cooper procured a female specimen of this species at Fort Mohave, -on the 20th of February, 1861, which had probably wandered in a storm -from the mountains, and which was the only one he met with. Dr. -Heermann states, also, that they were not rare at Fort Yuma. Dr. -Cooper’s bird was silent and inactive, as if exhausted by a long -flight. He also saw these birds rather common as he crossed the -mountains near latitude 48° in September, 1860, and noticed a great -similarity in their habits to those of the _S. varius_. They chiefly -frequented small deciduous trees, fed in the usual manner of other -Woodpeckers, and had also a shrill, unvaried call or note of alarm. - -Dr. Coues found this Woodpecker an abundant and a permanent resident -in Arizona. Its distinctness as a species he did not question. -Everywhere common, it seemed to prefer live cottonwood-trees and -willows. Two specimens of this race have been taken in New -England,—one in New Hampshire by Mr. William Brewster, the other in -Cambridge by Mr. Henshaw. - -The Red-naped Woodpecker was found by Mr. Ridgway to be one of the -most abundant and characteristic species of the Wahsatch and Uintah -Mountains. It was also found, in greater or less numbers, throughout -the Great Basin, in the region of his route, and was even obtained on -the eastern Sierra Nevada, where, however, only one specimen was seen. -Its favorite resort, during summer, was the aspen groves in the -mountains, at an altitude averaging about seven thousand feet; and -even when pine woods were near the aspens were invariably chosen as -nesting-places. Its excavations were always in living trees, and the -abandoned ones were taken possession of by Purple Martins and -White-bellied Swallows (_Progne subis_ and _Tachycineta bicolor_) as -nesting-places. In winter it was found among the cottonwoods and -willows of the river valleys. Its habits, manners, and notes are -described as almost perfectly similar to those of _S. varius_. - - -Sphyropicus varius, var. ruber, BAIRD. - -THE RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus ruber_, GM. Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 429.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, - No. 151.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 179, pl. ccccxvi.—IB. Birds - Amer. IV, 1842, 261, pl. cclxvi.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. Pic. 32. - _Melanerpes ruber_, RICH. List, Pr. Br. Assoc. for - 1835.—BONAP. List, 1838.—IB. Consp. 1850, 115. _Pilumnus - ruber_, BON. Consp. Zyg. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. _Picus - flaviventris_, VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 67. - _Sphyropicus ruber_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 104.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 160.—GRAY, Cat. 51.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 392. - _Cladoscopus ruber_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 1863, 82. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill longest; third intermediate between fourth and -fifth. Bill brown wax-color. Head and neck all round, and breast, -carmine-red. Above black, central line of back from nape to rump -spotted with whitish; rump, wing-coverts, and inner web of the inner -tail-feathers white, the latter with a series of round black spots. -Belly sulphur-yellow, streaked with brown on the sides. Narrow space -around and a little in front of the eye black. A yellowish stripe from -the nostrils, a short distance below and behind the eye. Length, about -8.50; wing, 5.00; tail, 3.40. Sexes similar. - -HAB. Pacific slopes of the United States. - -As stated in the remarks before the synopsis on page 1133, there is -every reason for considering this as merely a geographical race of a -species, of which _nuchalis_ and _varius_ are the other forms. The -differences from _varius_ consist merely in an excessive amount of -red, this obliterating the normal pattern of the cephalic portions; -and in an increased amount of black, or a manifestation of the -melanistic tendency so often distinguishing birds of the Pacific coast -region from their eastern co-specific representatives. - -_S. nuchalis_ is exactly intermediate in all respects between _S. -ruber_ and _S. varius_,—the extremes,—while each of the latter is -connected with the intermediate race by specimens combining the -characters of both races. - -HABITS. The geographical distribution of this form seems to be -restricted to the Pacific coast region. - -Dr. Cooper only met with these birds three times in Washington -Territory. This was in spring and fall. He speaks of them as being -very shy, silent, and retiring, remaining among the dense tops of the -dark forest trees. Whether it resides and breeds in the Territory he -had no means of determining. Dr. Suckley saw but one specimen, and -regarded it as confined, for the most part, to the close vicinity of -the coast. - -Mr. Audubon assigns to it the same distribution, but is only able to -give the information in regard to its habits which he derived from the -observations of Mr. Nuttall, which, however, do not correspond with -those of Dr. Cooper. Mr. Nuttall states that this species, seen in the -forests of the Columbia and the Blue Mountains, has most of the habits -of the common Red-headed species. He concedes that it is less -familiar, and that it keeps generally among the tall fir-trees, in the -dead trunks of which it burrows out a hole for a nest, sometimes at a -great elevation. On approaching one that was feeding its young in one -of these situations, it uttered a loud reverberating _t’rr_, and -seemed angry and solicitous at his approach. He adds that this species -also inhabits California, as well as the northwest coast up to Nootka, -and that it is found eastward as far as the central chain of the Rocky -Mountains. An egg taken from a nest which contained four was 1.25 in -length and .75 of an inch in breadth. It was smooth, equally rounded -at both ends, though somewhat elongated, and pure white. - -We are confident that there must be some mistake in this statement. -The disproportion between the length and the breadth is unprecedented. -Even in the most oblong egg there is rarely so much as twenty-five per -cent difference. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Birds of California, speaks of it as rather a -northern bird, having seen none south of Santa Clara, and there only -in the mountains of the Coast Range in early spring. - -Dr. Heermann found this form not at all rare in the Sierra Nevada -Mountains, and occasionally met a stray one among the valleys. Their -call-note was similar to the cry of a child in distress, and was very -disagreeable. In their quick, restless motions, and their untiring -diligence in quest of food, they resemble the rest of the Woodpecker -family. - -It was noticed by Mr. Ridgway only on the Sierra Nevada, and he is not -certain that he saw it on the eastern slope of that range. - - -Sphyropicus williamsoni, BAIRD. - -WILLIAMSON’S WOODPECKER. - - _Picus williamsoni_, NEWBERRY, Zoöl. California and Oregon Route, - 89, P. R. R. Repts. VI, 1857, pl. xxxiv, fig. 1.—SUNDEVALL, - Consp. 32. _Melanerpes rubrigularis_, SCL. Annals and Mag. N. - H. 3d series, I, Feb. 1858, 127.—Pr. Zoöl. Soc. 1858, 2, pl. - cxxxi. _Sphyropicus williamsoni_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, - 105, pl. xxxiv, f. 1.—COUES, Pr. 1866, 54.—CASS. P. A. N. S. - 1863, 204.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 393. _Cladoscopus - williamsoni_, CAB. & HEIN. Mus. Hein. IV, 1863, 82. _Melanerpes - williamsoni_, GRAY, Catal. Br. Mus. 1868, 116. - -SP. CHAR. Rich black; middle line of belly yellow; central line of -chin and throat above red. A large patch on the wing, rump, and upper -tail-coverts, a line from the forehead beneath the eye, and another -from its upper border, white. Tail entirely black. Exposed surface of -quills without any white, except on the outer primaries. Female with -the chin white instead of red. Length, 9.00; wing, 5.00; tail, 4.70. - -HAB. Rocky Mountains to the Cascade Mountains, Sierra Nevada. -Localities: West Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 54). - -Head and neck all round, sides of breast and body, upper parts -generally, wings, and tail, glossy greenish-black. A well-defined -white stripe from the nostrils (including the bristly nasal feathers) -passing backwards under the eye; another, nearly parallel, starting at -the upper part of the eye, and nearly meeting its fellow on the -occiput. Chin and throat red along their central line. A large patch -on the wing, including the exposed portions of the middle and greater -coverts, white, although the anterior lesser coverts are black. The -inner face of the wings, excepting the smaller coverts, is black, -banded transversely on the inner primaries with white; the sides of -body behind and under tail-coverts white, with broadly V-shaped bands -of black, which color on the latter occupies the whole central portion -of the feathers. Rump and upper tail-coverts pure white; back with a -few indistinct and concealed spots of the same. Quills black; the -margins of exterior primaries spotted with white, the inner margins -only of the remaining quills with similar but larger and more -transverse blotches. Middle of the body, from the breast to the vent, -sulphur-yellow, with the exception of the type which had been -preserved in alcohol (which sometimes extracts the red of feathers). -We have seen no specimen (except young birds, marked female), in a -considerable number, without red on the chin, and are inclined to -think that both sexes exhibit this character. Young birds from the -Rocky Mountains are very similar to the adult, but have the throat -marked white, and the inner web of innermost tail-feather banded with -the same color. No. 16,090, ♂ ad. (Fort Crook, California), has a -single crimson feather in the middle of the forehead. - -HABITS. This comparatively new species of Woodpecker was first -discovered by Dr. Newberry in the pine forest on the eastern border of -the upper Klamath Lake. Its habits appeared to him to be very similar -to those of _P. harrisi_ and _P. gairdneri_, which inhabit the same -region. The individual he procured was creeping up the trunk of a -large yellow pine (_P. brachyptera_), searching for insects in the -bark. Its cry was very like that of _P. harrisi_. Although killed by -the first fire, a second discharge was required to detach it from the -limb to which it clung fast. - -According to Dr. Coues, it is resident and not uncommon in the -Territory of Arizona, occurring exclusively among the pine-trees. It -is said to range from both slopes of the Rocky Mountains to the -Pacific, from as far north at least as Oregon. Fort Whipple is -supposed to be about its southern limit. Dr. Coues states that this -species possesses the anatomical peculiarities of the _S. varius_, and -that its habits entirely correspond. Mr. Allen found it abundant on -the sides of Mount Lincoln, in Colorado Territory. - -Dr. Cooper met with a straggler of this species in the valley of the -Colorado, shot on the 12th of March, 1861. In September, 1863, he -found them rather common near the summit of the Sierra Nevada, -latitude 39°, where he shot two. It has since been met with at Laramie -Peak, and near the mouth of the Klamath River. - -It was found by Mr. Ridgway on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, -and again on the Wahsatch Mountains; in both regions inhabiting the -pine forests exclusively, and in neither place at all common. It -occurred so seldom that Mr. Ridgway could learn but little concerning -the peculiarities of its habits, etc. Its common note is a plaintive -wailing squeal, much like that of _S. varius_ (common to all the -members of the genus), but other notes were heard which were quite -peculiar. - - -Sphyropicus thyroideus, BAIRD. - -BROWN-HEADED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus thyroideus_, CASSIN, Pr. A. N. Sc. V, Dec. 1851, 349 - (California).—HEERMANN, J. A. N. Sc. Ph. 2d ser. II, 1853, - 270.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. 32. _Melanerpes thyroideus_, CASSIN, - Ill. I, 1854, 201, pl. xxxii. _Pilumnus thyroideus_, BON. - Consp. Zygod. Aten. Ital. 1854, 8. _Sphyropicus thyroideus_, - BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 106—ELLIOT, Ill. Birds N. Am. II, - pl.—COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 54.—CASS. P. A. N. S. 1863, - 204.—GRAY, Cat. 52.—ELLIOT, B. Am. I, pl. xxxv.—COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 394. _? ? Picus nataliæ_, MALHERBE, Cab. Journ. - f. Ornith. 1854, 171. - -SP. CHAR. About the size of _P. varius_. Head dark ashy-brown; general -color ashy-brown; head and neck scarcely marked; middle line of belly -sulphur-yellow; rump and upper coverts pure white; rest of body -apparently encircled by narrow transverse and continuous bands -(crossing the wings and tail) of black, the outer spaces becoming -whiter behind; a large round black patch on the breast. No red on top -of the head. Male with reddish chin. Length, about 9.00; wing, 5.00; -tail, 4.10. - -HAB. Cascade and Coast Ranges of California and Oregon; Sierra Nevada, -Wahsatch, and Rocky Mountains. Localities: West Arizona (COUES, P. A. -N. S. 1866, 54). - -In addition to the characters already assigned, the crown of the head -is indistinctly streaked or spotted with black. The under coverts are -barred with black. The tail-feathers are black, the inner and outer -barred transversely with white on both webs; the shafts, however, -entirely black. The quills are all spotted with white on both webs. - -The jugular black patch shows more or less indication of the -transverse bands, and is sometimes wanting, leaving the bands -distinct. In one specimen (38,285 ♀, Laramie Peak) it is remarkably -large and almost unbroken, while the black malar stripe is decidedly -indicated; on the back the black bars much exceed in width the light -ones, which are nearly white. The generic rictal white stripe is -usually inappreciable, as also the black maxillary one, although both -can be detected in some specimens. - -A young bird is not appreciably different from the adult. - -HABITS. Dr. Cooper regards this bird as quite a rare species. He has -never met with it, and doubts if it is ever found so far south as San -Francisco. Mr. J. G. Bell, of New York, was the first to meet with -this bird in the Lower Sierra Nevada. - -Dr. Heermann procured specimens among the southern mines, near the -Colorado River, where they were especially frequenting the pine-trees -in search of their food. He saw none of them alight on an oak, though -those trees were abundant in that locality. It has since been met with -near Fort Crook, and Dr. Cooper thinks it probable they may be more -common in the mountains of Eastern Oregon and in those of Central -Utah. - -Dr. Coues says that it is resident, but very rare, in Arizona. It -frequents pine-trees by preference. Its range is said to include both -slopes of the Rocky Mountains, from Oregon to the Rio Grande, and -probably to Sonora. - -Mr. Ridgway met with this rare Woodpecker on the Sierra Nevada and -Wahsatch Mountains, where it inhabited the same woods with the _S. -williamsoni_; it appeared to have the same manners and notes as that -species, but it was so seldom met with that nothing satisfactory could -be learned concerning its habits. Its conspicuously barred coloration -gives it much the appearance of a _Centurus_, when flying. - - -GENUS HYLOTOMUS, BAIRD. - - _Dryotomus_, MALHERBE, Mém. Ac. Metz, 1849, 322. (Not of SWAINSON, - 1831.) - _Dryopicus_, BONAP. Consp. Zygod. in Aten. Ital. May, 1854. (Not of - MALHERBE.) - _Hylatomus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 107. (Type, _Picus - pileatus_.) - _Phlæotomus_, CAB. & HEIN. 1863. (Same type.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill a little longer than the head; considerably depressed, -or broader than high at the base; shaped much as in _Campephilus_, -except shorter, and without the bristly feathers directed forwards at -the base of the lower jaw. Gonys about half the length of the -commissure. Tarsus shorter than any toe, except the inner posterior. -Outer posterior toe shorter than the outer anterior, and a little -longer than the inner anterior. Inner posterior very short, not half -the outer anterior; about half the inner anterior one. Tail long, -graduated; the longer feathers much incurved at the tip. Wing longer -than the tail, reaching to the middle of the exposed surface of tail; -considerably graduated, though pointed; the fourth and fifth quills -longest. Color uniform black. Head with pointed occipital crest. A -stripe from nasal tufts beneath the eye and down side of neck, throat, -lining of wing, and basal portion of under surface of quills, white; -some species with the abdomen and sides barred black and -brownish-white; others with a white scapular stripe in addition. Male -with whole crown and crest and maxillary patch red; female with only -the crest red. - -This genus is similar in general appearance and size to _Campephilus_, -but differs essentially in many respects; the differences being, -however, mostly those which distinguish all other Woodpeckers from the -species of _Campephilus_, which is unique in the peculiar structure of -the tail-feathers, the great graduation of the tertials (sixth, -instead of third or fourth, longest), and very long gonys with the -flat tuft of hair like feathers at its base. The less development of -the outer hind toe in _Hylotomus_, which is about exactly intermediate -between the outer and inner anterior, the outer largest, instead of -being longest, and having the outer anterior intermediate between it -and the inner, the shorter bill, the gonys fully half the length of -the commissure, are additional distinctive features. - - [Line drawing: _Hylotomus pileatus._ - 1723 ♀] - -Of _Hylotomus_ there are several species in tropical America, all -differing, however, in transversely banded lower parts, while some -have a broad white scapular stripe; in these features of coloration -(but in these only, for the head pattern is always much as in the _H. -pileatus_) they resemble closely species of _Campephilus_ (_C. -guatemalensis_, _C. albirostris_, _C. malherbei_, etc.,) found in the -same region; one (_H. scapularis_, of Mexico) even has a whitish -ivory-like bill. They may all be distinguished from the species of -_Campephilus_, however, by the generic differences. - - -Hylotomus pileatus, BAIRD. - -BLACK WOODCOCK; LOG-COCK. - - _Picus pileatus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I. 1766, 173.—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. - Sept. II, 1807, 58, pl. cx.—WILSON, Am. Orn. IV, 1811, 27, pl. - xxix, f. 2.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. - II, 1834, 74; V, 533, pl. cxi.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 266, - pl. cclvii.—MAXIM. Cab. Jour. VI. 1858, 352.—SUNDEVALL, - Consp. 8. _Picus (Dryotomus) pileatus_, SW. F. Bor. Am. II, - 1831, 304. _Dryotomus pileatus_, BP. List, 1838. _Dryocopus - pileatus_, BONAP. Consp. Av. 1850, 132. _Dryopicus pileatus_, - BON. Consp. Zyg. Aten. Ital. I.—SCLATER, Catal. 1862, - 332.—GRAY, Catal. 59. _Pileated Woodpecker_, PENNANT.—LATHAM. - _Hylotomus pileatus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 107.—LORD, Pr. - R. Art. Inst. IV, 212.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, 161.—DRESSER, Ibis, - 1865, 469 (E. Texas, but not Rio Grande).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 396. _Ceophloeus pileatus_, CAB. Jour. 1862, 176. - (_Hylotoma_, preoccupied by Latreille!!) CAB. & HEIN. Mus. - Hein. IV, II, 1863.—SAMUELS, 99.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 302. - - [Illustration: _Hylotomus pileatus._] - -SP. CHAR. Fourth and fifth quills equal and longest; third -intermediate between sixth and seventh. Bill blue-black; more -horn-color beneath. General color of body, wings, and tail dull -greenish-black. A narrow white streak from just above the eye to the -occiput; a wider one from the nostril feathers (inclusive), under the -eye and along the side of the head and neck; sides of the breast -(concealed by the wing), axillaries, and under wing-coverts, and -concealed bases of all the quills, with chin and beneath the head, -white, tinged with sulphur-yellow. Entire crown from the base of the -bill to a well-developed occipital crest, as also a patch on the ramus -of the lower jaw, scarlet-red. A few faint white crescents on the -sides of the body and on the abdomen. Longer primaries generally -tipped with white. Length, about 18.00; wing, 9.50. _Female_ without -the red on the cheek, and the anterior half of that on the top of the -head replaced by black. - -HAB. Wooded parts of North America from Atlantic to Pacific. -Localities: E. Texas (not Rio Grande!), (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 469, -breeds). - -Specimens of this species from Fort Liard in the Northern Rocky -Mountains, and from Puget Sound region, are nearly four inches longer -than those from the Southern Atlantic States, and are scarcely -exceeded in size by the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. - -Specimens from the northwest coast region (Columbia River, British -Columbia, etc.) have no trace of the white spots on ends of outer -primaries, always found in eastern specimens. - -HABITS. No member of this large family has a wider distribution than -the Pileated Woodpecker, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the -extremest limits of the northern forests, and from the Atlantic to the -Pacific. It seems to be a resident everywhere but in its extreme -northern localities, rather than a migratory species. There are -specimens in the Smithsonian collection from Nelson River, on the -north, to St. Johns River, Florida, on the south, and from -Pennsylvania on the east to the Rio Grande and the Columbia on the -west. Sir John Richardson (_Fauna Boreali-Americana_, II, p. 304) -speaks of it as resident all the year in the interior of the fur -countries, up to the 62d or 63d parallels, rarely appearing near -Hudson’s Bay, but frequenting the gloomiest recesses of the forests -that skirt the Rocky Mountains. Dr. Woodhouse, in his Report on the -natural history of the expedition down the Zuñi and the Colorado -Rivers, speaks of this Woodpecker as having been found abundant in the -Indian Territory, Texas, and New Mexico. Neither Dr. Gambel nor Dr. -Heermann give it in their lists of the birds of California, nor does -Dr. Newberry mention meeting with it in his Report of the zoölogy of -his route. Dr. Suckley, however, speaks of the Log-Cock as abundant in -the vicinity of Fort Steilacoom, Washington Territory, during summer, -and Dr. Cooper also mentions it as an abundant and constant resident -in the forests of the Territory. I have occasionally met with it in -the wilder portions of New Hampshire and Maine, but have nowhere been -so fortunate as to observe its nest or its breeding-habits. It has -always seemed a very shy bird, difficult of approach, always keeping -at a safe distance, and ever greeting your attempts for a nearer view -with a loud, cackling cry, not unlike a derisive laugh. - -According to the observations of Wilson, their eggs are deposited in -the hole of a tree dug out by themselves, no other materials being -used but the soft chips of rotten wood. The female lays six eggs, of a -snowy whiteness, and they are said to raise two broods in a season. - -Mr. Audubon states that it almost always breeds in the interior of the -forest, and frequently on trees placed in deep swamps over the water, -appearing to give a preference to the southern side of the tree, on -which side the hole is usually found to which they retreat in the -winter and during stormy weather. The hole is sometimes bored -perpendicularly, but occasionally in the form of that of the -Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The usual depth is from twelve to eighteen -inches, the breadth from two and a half to three, and at the bottom -five or six. He believed they raise but a single brood in a season. -The young follow their parents a long while, sometimes until the -return of spring. - -Rev. Dr. Bachman gives an interesting account of a pair of Pileated -Woodpeckers building a nest in an old elm-tree in a swamp, and -occupying it the first year. Early the next spring two Bluebirds took -possession of it, and there had young. Before they were half grown the -Woodpeckers returned to the place, and, despite the cries and -reiterated attacks of the Bluebirds, took out the young and carried -them away to some distance. Next, the nest itself was disposed of, the -hole cleaned and enlarged, and there they raised their brood. The tree -was large, but so situated that Dr. Bachman could reach the nest from -the branches of another. The hole was eighteen inches deep, and he -could touch the bottom with his hand. The eggs, six in number, were -laid on fragments of chips expressly left by the birds, and were -large, white, and translucent. Before the Woodpeckers began to sit, he -robbed them of their eggs to see if they would lay a second time. They -waited a few days as if undecided, and then he heard the female at -work again, deepening the hole and making it broader at the bottom. -She soon recommenced laying, this time depositing five eggs. He -suffered her to bring out her young, both birds alternately -incubating, and each visiting the other at intervals, looking in at -the hole to see if all were right and well there, and flying off -afterwards in search of food. When the young were old enough, he took -them home and endeavored to raise them. Three died, refusing all food. -With two he was more successful. But even these he found untamable and -destructive and troublesome pets, which he was at last glad to -release. - -Dr. Cooper, who observed this species in Washington Territory, -discovered a pair early in April on Whitby’s Island, burrowing out a -hole for their nest in a dead trunk, about thirty feet from the -ground. They worked alternately, and were very watchful, keeping -perfectly silent while they heard any noise near by. He found the -place by noticing chips on the bushes below, and after watching -silently for some time, one of them began to work, now and then -protruding its bill full of chips, and, after cautiously looking -round, dropping them. - -According to Mr. C. S. Paine, of Randolph, Vt., the Pileated -Woodpecker is very rare in Vermont, and extremely shy. It is difficult -to approach one nearer than from fifteen to twenty rods, except by -surprise. He adds that in only a single instance has he been able to -shoot one. This fell with a broken wing. Before he could reach it, the -bird commenced climbing a tree, and nearly escaped. When overtaken, it -fought furiously, and wounded Mr. Paine severely in the hand, setting -up at the same time a loud outcry, not unlike that of a domestic hen. -He has never met with its nest, although he has several times seen the -young when just able to leave it. The elder Mr. Paine states that, -some fifty years previous, this species was abundant in Vermont, and -not at all timid, and is of the opinion that their present shyness is -all that exempts them from extermination. - -Mr. Dresser found this Woodpecker resident and quite numerous in Texas -near all the large rivers, where the timber is heavy. A few were seen -on the Medina, and their eggs obtained there, but they were not -abundant in that district. On the Colorado and Brazos Rivers these -birds were very common, and Mr. Dresser found several nests in huge -cottonwood-trees, but had no means of getting to them. - -Mr. J. K. Lord assigns to this species a wide western range, being -common both east and west of the Cascades, and on the west slope of -the Rocky Mountains. He met with it north as far as Fort Rupert in -Vancouver Island, and south through Oregon and California. He found -them at Colville during the winter. He states that they nest in May, -generally in a tall dead pine-tree, at a great height. - -For my first specimens of the eggs of this species I am under -obligations to Dr. Cornelius Kollock, of Cheraw, S. C. They were -obtained by him from excavations made in large trees at the height of -about twenty-five feet from the ground, and in localities at no great -distance from the inhabited parts of the country. - -The eggs of this species from South Carolina and Florida are of a very -brilliant crystalline whiteness, of a rounded-oval shape, and measure -1.25 inches in length by 1.02 in breadth. Northern specimens are -probably larger. - - -SECTION CENTUREÆ. - -The United States genera of this section are very similar to each -other, and may be most easily distinguished by color, as follows:— - -Centurus. Back and wings banded transversely with black and white. -Crown more or less red; rest of head with under parts grayish, and -with red or yellow tinge on the middle of the abdomen. Rump white. - -Melanerpes. Upper parts uniform black, without bands, with or without -a white rump; variable beneath, but without transverse bands. - - -GENUS CENTURUS, SWAINSON. - - _Centurus_, SW. Class. Birds, II, 1837, 310. (Type, _C. carolinus_.) - _Zebrapicus_, MALH. Mém. Acad. Metz, 1849, 360. (Type, _C. - carolinus_.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill about the length of the head, or a little longer; -decidedly compressed, except at the extreme base. A lateral ridge -starting a little below the culmen at the base of the bill, and -angular for half the length of the bill, then becoming obsolete, -though traceable nearly to the tip. Culmen considerably curved from -the base; gonys nearly straight. Nostrils very broad, elliptical; -situated about midway on the side of the mandible, near the base; -partly concealed. Outer pairs of toes unequal, the anterior toe -longest. Wings long, broad; third to fifth primaries equal and -longest. Tail-feathers rather narrow, stiffened. - -The species are all banded above transversely with black and white; -the rump white. The head and under parts are brown, or grayish, the -latter sometimes much the lighter. The belly with a red or yellow -tinge. The under tail-coverts with V-shaped dark marks. The North -American species of _Centurus_ may be arranged as follows:— - - C. carolinus. Middle of belly reddish; whole crown and - nape red in male. Nape, only, red in female. - - Forehead reddish; beneath soiled ashy-white; abdomen - pinkish-red; crissum with sagittate marks of dusky. - Wing, 5.25; tail, 3.80; bill, 1.30. _Hab._ Eastern - Province United States var. _carolinus_. - - Forehead smoky-white; beneath smoky-olive, middle of - abdomen carmine-red; crissum with broad transverse bars - of dusky. Wing, 4.50; tail, 2.60; bill, 1.08. _Hab._ - Central America; Venezuela var. _tricolor_.[129] - - C. aurifrons. Middle of belly yellowish; red of crown, in - male, confined to an ovoid vertical patch. Nape and - forehead gamboge-yellow; white of rump and upper - tail-coverts immaculate. _Female_ without any red on the - crown. - - Inner webs of middle tail-feathers unvariegated black. - Lower parts dirty ashy-whitish, abdomen dilute - gamboge-yellow. Wing, 5.20; tail, 3.60; bill, 1.50. - _Hab._ Eastern Mexico, north to the Rio Grande var. _aurifrons_. - - Inner webs of middle tail-feathers spotted with white. - Lower parts smoky-olive, belly bright orange-yellow. - Wing, 4.70; tail, 2.80; bill, 1.16. _Hab._ Costa Rica - var. _hoffmanni_.[130] - - C. uropygialis. Middle of the belly yellowish. Nape and - forehead soft smoky grayish-brown. _Female_ without red or - yellow on head. White of rump and upper tail-coverts with - transverse dusky bars. Inner webs of middle tail-feathers - spotted with white. Wing, 5.30; tail, 3.70; bill, 1.35. - _Hab._ Western Mexico, north into Colorado, region of - Middle Province of United States. - - - [129] _Centurus carolinus_, var. _tricolor_. _Picus - tricolor_, WAGL. Isis, 1829, 512. _Centurus tri._ SCL. - Catal. Am. B. 1862, 343. _C. subelegans_, SCL. P. Z. S. - 1855, 162; 1856, 143. - - [130] _Centurus aurifrons_, var. _hoffmanni_. _Centurus - hoffmanni_, CABANIS, Journ. Sept. 1862, 322 (Costa Rica). - - - [Illustration: PLATE LII. - 1. Centurus carolinus. ♂ Pa., 868. - 2. ” uropygialis. ♂ Ariz., 6128. - 3. ” aurifrons. ♂ Texas, 6121. - 4. ” carolinus. ♀ 6118. - 5. ” uropygialis. ♀ Ariz. - 6. ” aurifrons. ♀ Texas.] - -Centurus carolinus, BONAP. - -RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus carolinus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 174.—WILSON, Am. Orn. - I, 1808, 113, pl. vii, f. 2.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 169, pl. - ccccxv.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 270, pl. cclxx.—MAX. Cab. - Jour. 1858, 418.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. 53. _Centurus carolinus_, - SW. BP. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, Av. 1850, 119.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 109.—CAB. Jour. 1862, 324.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, - 469 (resident in Texas).—SCL. Cat. 1862, 342.—GRAY, Cat. - 99.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 306. _Centurus carolinensis_, SW. Birds, - II, 1837, 310 (error). _Picus griseus_, VIEILL. Ois. Am. Sept. - II, 1807, 52, pl. cxvi. _? Picus erythrauchen_, WAGLER, Syst. - Avium, 1827. _Picus zebra_, BODDÆRT, Tabl. pl. enl. (Gray, - genera). - -SP. CHAR. Third, fourth, and fifth quills nearly equal, and longest; -second, or outermost, and seventh about equal. Top of the head and -nape crimson-red. Forehead whitish, strongly tinged with light red, a -shade of which is also seen on the cheek, still stronger on the middle -of the belly. Under parts brownish-white, with a faint wash of -yellowish on the belly. Back, rump, and wing-coverts banded black and -white; upper tail-covert white, with occasional blotches. -Tail-feathers black; first transversely banded with white; second less -so; all the rest with whitish tips. Inner feathers banded with white -on the inner web; the outer web with a stripe of white along the -middle. Length, 9.75; wing, about 5.00. Female with the crown ashy; -forehead pale red; nape bright red. - - [Line drawing: _Centurus carolinus._ - 865 ♂] - -HAB. North America, from Atlantic coast to the eastern slope of the -Rocky Mountains. Localities: Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 469, -resident). - -Specimens vary considerably in size (with latitude), and in the tinge -of reddish on chin, breast, etc. The width of the dorsal bands differs -in different specimens. The rump is banded; upper tail-coverts are -generally immaculate, but are sometimes dashed with black. Specimens -from the Mississippi Valley are generally more brightly colored than -those from the Atlantic States, the lower parts more strongly tinged -with red. Florida examples are smaller than northern ones, the black -bars broader, the lower parts deeper ashy and strongly tinged with -red, but of a more purplish shade than in western ones. - - [Illustration: _Centurus carolinus._] - -HABITS. The Red-bellied Woodpecker is distributed throughout North -America, from the Atlantic Coast to the eastern slope of the Rocky -Mountains. It is, however, much more abundant in the more southern and -western portions. In the collections of the Smithsonian Institution -none are recorded from farther north than Pennsylvania on the east and -Nebraska Territory on the west, while others were obtained as far -south as Florida. Nor am I aware that it is found, except very rarely, -north of Pennsylvania on the Atlantic coast. I have never met with it -in Eastern Massachusetts, although Mr. Audubon speaks of it as -breeding from Maryland to Nova Scotia. Dr. Woodhouse found it common -in the Indian Territory and in Texas. Wilson speaks of having found it -abundant in Upper Canada, and in the northern parts of the State of -New York. He also refers to its inhabiting the whole Atlantic States -as far as Georgia and the southern extremity of Florida. Its absence -in Eastern Massachusetts was noticed by Mr. Nuttall. It is not given -by Thompson or Paine as one of the birds of Vermont, nor does -Lieutenant Bland mention it as one of the birds of Nova Scotia, and it -is not included by Sir John Richardson in the _Fauna Boreali-Americana_. - -Mr. Audubon speaks of it as generally more confined to the interior of -forests than the Hairy Woodpecker, especially during the -breeding-season. He further states that he never met with its nest in -Louisiana or South Carolina, but that it was not rare in Kentucky, and -that, from the State of Maryland to Nova Scotia, it breeds in all -convenient places, usually more in the woods than out of them. He also -states that he has found the nests in orchards in Pennsylvania, -generally not far from the junction of a branch with the trunk. He -describes the hole as bored in the ordinary manner. The eggs are -seldom more than four in number, and measure 1.06 inches in length and -.75 of an inch in breadth. They are of an elliptical form, smooth, -pure white, and translucent. They are not known to raise more than one -brood in a season. - -Wilson speaks of this species as more shy and less domestic than the -Red-headed or any of the other spotted Woodpeckers, and also as more -solitary. He adds that it prefers the largest high-timbered woods and -the tallest decayed trees of the forest, seldom appearing near the -ground, on the fences, or in orchards or open fields. In regard to -their nesting, he says that the pair, in conjunction, dig out a -circular cavity for the nest in the lower side of some lofty branch -that makes a considerable angle with the horizon. Sometimes they -excavate this in the solid wood, but more generally in a hollow limb, -some fifteen inches above where it becomes solid. This is usually done -early in April. The female lays five eggs, of a pure white, or almost -semi-transparent. The young generally make their appearance towards -the latter part of May. Wilson was of the opinion that they produced -two broods in a season. - -Mr. Dresser found this bird resident and abundant in Texas. It is also -equally abundant in Louisiana and in Florida, and Mr. Ridgway -considers it very common in Southern Illinois. Neither Mr. Boardman -nor Mr. Verrill have found it in Maine. Mr. McIlwraith has, however, -taken three specimens at Hamilton, Canada West, May 3, near Chatham. -Mr. Allen gives it as a summer visitant in Western Massachusetts, -having seen one on the 13th of May, 1863. It has also been taken -several times in Connecticut, by Professor Emmons, who met with it, -during the breeding-season, in the extreme western part of the State. -Mr. Lawrence has found it near New York City, and Mr. Turnbull in -Eastern Pennsylvania. - -The eggs vary from an oblong to a somewhat rounded oval shape, are of -a bright crystalline whiteness, and their measurements average 1.02 -inches in length by .88 of an inch in breadth. - - -Centurus aurifrons, GRAY. - -YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus aurifrons_, WAGLER, Isis, 1829, 512.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. Pic. - 53. _Centurus aurifrons_, GRAY, Genera.—CABANIS, Jour. 1862, - 323.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 399. _Centurus flaviventris_, - SWAINSON, Anim. in Menag. 1838 (2½ centenaries), 354.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 110, pl. xlii.—HEERMANN, P. R. Rep. X, c, - 18.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 469 (resident in Texas).—IB. Rep. - Mex. Bound. II, 5, pl. iv. _Centurus elegans_, LAWRENCE, Ann. - N. Y. Lyc. V, May, 1851, 116. _Centurus santacruzi_, LAWRENCE, - Ann. N. Y. Lyc. V, 1851, 123 (not of Bonap.). _Picus ornatus_, - LESS. Rev. Zoöl. 1839, 102. - -SP. CHAR. Fourth and fifth quills nearly equal; third a little -shorter; longer than the fourth. Back banded transversely with black -and white; rump and upper tail-coverts pure white. Crown with a -subquadrate spot of crimson, about half an inch wide and long; and -separated from the gamboge-yellow at the base of the bill by dirty -white, from the orbit and occiput by brownish-ash. Nape half-way round -the neck orange-yellow. Under part generally, and sides of head, dirty -white. Middle of belly gamboge-yellow. Tail-feathers all entirely -black, except the outer, which has some obscure bars of white. Length -about 9.50; wing, 5.00. Female without the red of the crown. - -HAB. Rio Grande region of the United States, south into Mexico. -Probably Arizona. Localities: Orizaba (SCL. P. Z. S. 1860, 252); -Texas, south of San Antonio (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 469, resident). - -Young birds are not different from adults, except in showing -indication of dark shaft-lines beneath, becoming broader behind on the -sides. The yellow of the nape extends over the whole side of the head. - -HABITS. This beautiful Woodpecker is abundant throughout the valley of -the Rio Grande, from Eagle Pass to its mouth; how far to the west -within our boundaries it occurs, I am not able to state. It is common -throughout Mexico, and was found in the Guatemalan collection of Van -Patten, though not mentioned by Sclater and Salvin. Dr. Woodhouse, in -his Report on the zoölogy of Captain Sitgreaves’s expedition, speaks -of finding it quite abundant in the neighborhood of San Antonio, -Texas. He adds that west of the Rio San Pedro he did not meet with it. -He speaks of it as having a loud, sharp cry, which it utters as it -flies from tree to tree. He observed it mostly on the trunks of the -mesquite (_Algarobia_), diligently searching in the usual manner of -Woodpeckers. In the Report upon the birds of the Mexican Boundary -Survey, it is mentioned by Mr. Clark as abundant on the Lower Rio -Grande, as very shy, and as keeping chiefly about the mesquite. -Lieutenant Couch speaks of it as very common throughout Tamaulipas. - -Mr. Dresser found the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker plentiful from the Rio -Grande to San Antonio, and as far north and east as the Guadaloupe, -after which he lost sight of it. Wherever the mesquite-trees were -large, there it was sure to be found, and very sparingly elsewhere. -Near San Antonio it is quite common, but not so much so as the _C. -carolinus_. At Eagle Pass, however, it was the more abundant of the -two. He found it breeding near San Antonio, boring for its nest-hole -into a mesquite-tree. Mr. Dresser was informed by Dr. Heermann, who -has seen many of their nests, that he never found them in any other -tree. - -These birds were found breeding by Dr. Berlandier, and his collection. -contained quite a number of their eggs. Nothing was found among his -papers in relation to their habits or their manner of breeding. Their -eggs, procured by him, are of an oblong-oval shape, and measure 1.05 -inches in length by .85 of an inch in breadth. - - -Centurus uropygialis, BAIRD. - -GILA WOODPECKER. - - _Centurus uropygialis_, BAIRD, Pr. A. N. Sc. Ph. VII, June, 1854, - 120 (Bill Williams River, N. M.)—IB. Birds N. Am. 1858, III, - pl. xxxvi.—CAB. Jour. 1862, 330.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. - 54.—KENNERLY, P. R. R. X, b, pl. xxxvi.—HEERMANN, X, c, 17. - COUES, Pr. Avi. 1866, 54 (S. Arizona).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, - 1870, 399. _Centurus hypopolius_, (BP.) PUCHERAN, Rev. et Mag. - 1853, 163 (not _Picus (Centurus) hypopolius_, WAGLER). - _Zebrapicus kaupii_, MALHERBE, 1855.—GRAY, Catal. Br. Mex. - _Centurus sulfureiventer_, REICHENBACH, Handbuch, Picinæ, Oct. - 1854, 410, figs. 4411, 4412. - -SP. CHAR. Third, fourth, and fifth quills longest, and about equal. -Back, rump, and upper tail-coverts transversely barred with black and -white, purest on the two latter. Head and neck all round pale -dirty-brown, or brownish-ash, darkest above. A small subquadrate patch -of red on the middle of the crown, separated from the bill by dirty -white. Middle of the abdomen gamboge-yellow; under tail-coverts and -anal region strongly barred with black. First and second outer -tail-feathers banded black and white, as is also the inner web of the -inner tail-feather; the outer web of the latter with a white stripe. -Length, about 9.00; wing, 5.00. Female with the head uniform -brownish-ash, without any red or yellow. - -HAB. Lower Colorado River of the West, to Cape St. Lucas. South to -Mazatlan. Localities: W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 54). - -HABITS. This species was first discovered by Dr. Kennerly in his route -along the 35th parallel, and described by Professor Baird, in 1854. -The Doctor encountered it almost continually during the entire march -along the Big Sandy, Bill Williams Fork, and the Great Colorado; but -it was so very shy that he had great difficulty in procuring -specimens. Seated in the top of the tree, it was ever on guard; and, -upon the approach of danger, flew away, accompanying its flight with -the utterance of very peculiar notes. Its flight was in an undulating -line, like that of other birds of this class. - -Dr. Heermann found this Woodpecker abundant on the banks of the Gila -River among the mesquite-trees. The giant cactus, often forty feet -high, which grows abundantly on the arid hillsides throughout that -whole section of country, was frequently found filled with holes bored -out by this bird. The pith of the plant is extracted until a chamber -of suitable size is obtained, when the juice exuding from the wounded -surface hardens, and forms a smooth dry coating to the cavity, thus -making a convenient place for the purposes of incubation. At Tucson, -in Arizona, he found it frequenting the cornfields, where it might be -seen alighting on the old hedge-posts in search of insects. Its note, -he adds, resembles very much that of the Red-headed Woodpecker. He -afterwards met with this bird in California, in considerable numbers, -on the Colorado. Besides its ordinary notes, resembling those of the -_Melanerpes erythrocephalus_, it varies them with a soft plaintive -cry, as if hurt or wounded. He found their stomachs filled with the -white gelatinous berry of a parasitic plant which grows abundantly on -the mesquite-trees, and the fruit of which forms the principal food of -many species of birds during the fall. - -Dr. Coues gives this bird as rare and probably accidental in the -immediate vicinity of Fort Whipple, but as a common bird in the -valleys of the Gila and of the Lower Colorado, where it has the local -name of _Suwarrow_, or _Saguaro_, on account of its partiality for the -large cactuses, with the juice of which plant its plumage is often -found stained. - -Dr. Cooper found this Woodpecker abundant in winter at Fort Mohave, -when they feed chiefly on the berries of the mistletoe, and are very -shy. He rarely saw them pecking at the trees, but they seemed to -depend for a living on insects, which were numerous on the foliage -during the spring. They have a loud note of alarm, strikingly similar -to that of the _Phainopepla nitens_, which associated with them in the -mistletoe-boughs. - -About the 25th of March he found them preparing their nests in burrows -near the dead tops of trees, none of them, so far as he saw, being -accessible. By the last of May they had entirely deserted the -mistletoe, and were probably feeding their young on insects. - - -GENUS MELANERPES, SWAINSON. - - _Melanerpes_, SWAINSON, F. B. A. II, 1831. (Type, _Picus - erythrocephalus_.) - _Melampicus_ (Section 3), MALHERBE, Mém. Ac. Metz, 1849, 365. - _Asyndesmus_, COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 55. (Type, _Picus torquatus_.) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill about equal to the head; broader than high at the -base, but becoming compressed immediately anterior to the commencement -of the gonys. Culmen and gonys with a moderately decided angular -ridge; both decidedly curved from the very base. A rather prominent -acute ridge commences at the base of the mandible, a little below the -ridge of the culmen, and proceeds but a short distance anterior to the -nostrils (about one third of the way), when it sinks down, and the -bill is then smooth. The lateral outlines are gently concave from the -basal two thirds; then gently convex to the tip, which does not -exhibit any abrupt bevelling. Nostrils open, broadly oval; not -concealed by the feathers, nor entirely basal. Fork of chin less than -half lower jaw. The outer pair of toes equal. Wings long, broad; -lengthened. Tail-feathers broad, with lengthened points. - -The species all have the back black, without any spots or streaks -anywhere. - - [Line drawing: _Melanerpes erythrocephalus._ - 883 ♀] - -Dr. Coues places _M. torquatus_ in a new genus, _Asyndesmus_, -characterized by a peculiar texture of the under part and nuchal -collar, in which the fibres are disconnected on their terminal -portion, enlarged and stiffened, almost bristle-like; otherwise the -characters are much as in _Melanerpes_. It should, however, be noted, -that the feathers of the red portion of the head in the other species -have the same texture. - - -Species and Varieties. - - A. Sexes similar. _Young_ very different from the adult. - - M. torquatus. Feathers of the lower parts, as well as of - frontal, lateral, and under portions of the head, with - the fibres bristle-like. (_Asyndesmus_, COUES.) Upper - parts wholly uniform, continuous, very metallic - blackish-green. _Adult._ Forehead, lores, cheeks, and - chin deep crimson, of a burnt-carmine tint; jugulum, - breast, and a ring entirely around the nape, - grayish-white; abdomen light carmine. Back glossed with - purplish-bronze. _Young_ without the red of the head, - and lacking the grayish nuchal collar; abdomen only - tinged with red, no purple or bronze tints above. Wing, - 6.70; tail, 4.50. _Hab._ Western Province of the United - States, from the Black Hills to the Pacific. - - M. erythrocephalus. Feathers generally soft, blended; - those of the whole head and neck with stiffened and - bristle-like fibres in the adult. Secondaries, rump, and - upper tail-coverts, with whole lower parts from the - neck, continuous pure white. Two lateral tail-feathers - tipped with white. _Adult._ Whole head and neck bright - venous-crimson or blood-red, with a black convex - posterior border across the jugulum; back, wings, and - tail glossy blue-black. _Young._ Head and neck grayish, - streaked with dusky; back and scapulars grayish, spotted - with black; secondaries with two or three black bands; - breast tinged with grayish, and with sparse dusky - streaks. Wing, 5.90; tail, 3.90. _Hab._ Eastern Province - of the United States, west to the Rocky Mountains. - - B. Sexes dissimilar; young like the adult. - - M. formicivorus. Forehead and a broad crescent across - the middle of the throat (the two areas connected by a - narrow strip across the lore), white, more or less - tinged with sulphur-yellow. Rump, upper tail-coverts, - abdomen, sides, and crissum, with patch on base of - primaries, pure white, the sides and breast with black - streaks. Other portions glossy blue-black. - - ♂. Whole crown and nape carmine. ♀ with the occiput - and nape alone red. - - _More than the anterior half of the pectoral band - immaculate._ - - ♀ with the white frontal, black coronal, and red - occipital bands of about equal width. Forehead and - throat only slightly tinged with sulphur-yellow. - Wing, 5.80; tail, 3.90; bill, 1.27. _Hab._ Pacific - Province of United States, and Northern and Western - Mexico var. _formicivorus_. - - ♀ with the white frontal band only about half as - wide as the black coronal, which is only about half - as wide as the red occipital, band or patch. - Forehead and throat bright sulphur-yellow. Wing, - 5.40; tail, 3.65; bill, 1.23. _Hab._ Lower - California var. _angustifrons_. - - _Nearly the whole of the black pectoral band - variegated with white streaks._ - - Relative width of the white, black, and red areas on - the crown as in _formicivorus_. Wing, 5.50; tail, - 3.75; bill, 1.22. _Hab._ Middle America, south of - Orizaba and Mirador var. _striatipectus_.[131] - - ♂. Nape, only, red (as in females of preceding races); - ♀ without any red. - - Whole breast streaked, the black and white being in - about equal amount. Wing, 5.70; tail, 3.90; bill, - 1.20. _Hab._ New Granada var. _flavigula_.[132] - - - [131] _Melanerpes formicivorus_, var. _striatipectus_, - RIDGWAY. In view of the very appreciable difference from the - other races named, it appears necessary to name this one, in - order that it may rank equally with the rest. The almost - entirely streaked breast is only an approach to what we see, - in its extreme phase, in the var. _flavigula_. The black - vertex of the female appears broader than in specimens of - var. _formicivorus_. - - [132] _Melanerpes formicivorus_, var. _flavigula_, NATT. - _Melampicus flavigula_ (NATT.), MALH. Rev. Zoöl. 1849, 542, - Monog. Pic. II, 202, pl. xcix, f. 5, 6. _Melanerpes - flavigularis_, SCL. P. Z. S. 1856, 161. This can only be - considered the melanistic extreme of a species of which the - var. _formicivorus_ is the rubescent one, the transition - being gradual through the var. _striatipectus_ of the - intermediate region. - - -Melanerpes torquatus, BONAP. - -LEWIS’S WOODPECKER. - - _Picus torquatus_, WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 31, pl. xx.—WAGLER, - Syst. Av. 1827, No. 82.—AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 176, pl. - ccccxvi.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 280, pl. - cclxxii.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. 51. _Melanerpes torquatus_, BP. - Consp. 1850, 115.—HEERMANN, J. A. N. Sc. Phil. 2d ser. II, - 1853, 270.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Or. Route, 90, in P. R. R. - Surv. VI, 1857.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 115.—COOPER & SUCKLEY, - 161.—CASSIN. Pr. A. N. S. 1863, 327.—LORD, Pr. R. A. Inst. - IV, 1864, 112 (nesting).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 406. - _Picus montanus_, ORD. in Guthrie’s Geog. 2d Am. ed. II, 1815, - 316. _Picus lewisii_, DRAPIEZ. (Gray.) _Asyndesmus torquatus_, - COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 55. - -SP. CHAR. Feathers on the under parts bristle-like. Fourth quill -longest; then third and fifth. Above dark glossy-green. Breast, lower -part of the neck, and a narrow collar all round, hoary grayish-white. -Around the base of the bill and sides of the head to behind the eyes, -dark crimson. Belly blood-red, streaked finely with hoary whitish. -Wings and tail entirely uniform dark glossy-green. Female similar. -Length about 10.50; wing, 6.50. Young without the nuchal collar, and -the red of head replaced by black. - -HAB. Western America from Black Hills to Pacific. - -The peculiarities in the feathers of the under parts have already been -adverted to. This structure appears to be essentially connected with -the red feathers, since these have the same texture in the other -species of the genus, wherever the color occurs. The remark may -perhaps apply generally to the red feathers of most, if not all, -Woodpeckers, and may be connected with some chemical or physical -condition yet to be determined. - -HABITS. Lewis’s Woodpecker would seem to have a distribution -throughout the Pacific Coast, from the sea-shore to the mountains, and -from Puget Sound to the Gulf of California, and extending to the -eastern border of the Great Plains, within the limits of the United -States. They were first observed by Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, in their -memorable journey to the Pacific. Subsequently Mr. Nuttall met with -them in his westward journey, in the central chain of the Rocky -Mountains. This was in the month of July. Among the cedar and pine -woods of Bear River, on the edge of Upper California, he found them -inhabiting the decayed trunks of the pine-trees, and already feeding -their young. Afterwards, at the close of August, he met them in flocks -on the plains, sixty miles up the Wahlamet. He describes them as very -unlike Woodpeckers in their habits, perching in dense flocks, like -Starlings, neither climbing branches nor tapping in the manner of -their tribe, but darting after insects and devouring berries, like -Thrushes. He saw them but seldom, either in the dense forests of the -Columbia or in any settled part of California. - -Townsend speaks of their arriving about the first of May on Bear River -and the Columbia. Both sexes incubate, according to his observations. - -Dr. Gambel first observed this Woodpecker in a belt of oak timber near -the Mission of St. Gabriel, in California, and states that it was -abundant. He also describes its habits as peculiar, and unlike the -generality of Woodpeckers. Dr. Heermann, too, speaks of finding it in -all the parts of California which he visited. Dr. Newberry, in his -Notes on the zoölogy of Lieutenant Williamson’s expedition, refers to -it as most unlike the California Woodpecker in the region it occupies -and in its retiring habits. He describes it as seeming to choose, for -its favorite haunts, the evergreen forests upon the rocky declivities -of the Cascade and Rocky Mountains. He first observed it in Northern -California, but subsequently noticed it in the mountains all the way -to the Columbia. Though often seen in low elevations, it was evidently -alpine in its preferences, and was found most frequently near the line -of perpetual snow; and when crossing the snow lines, in the -mountain-passes, it was often observed flying far above the party. He -describes it as being always shy, and difficult to shoot. - -Dr. S. W. Woodhouse describes this species as being common in the -Indian Territory and in New Mexico; while Dr. Cooper, in his Report on -the zoölogy of Washington Territory, speaks of it as being common, -during summer, in all the interior districts, but seldom or never -approaching the coast. It arrives at Puget Sound early in May, and -some even remain, during mild winters, in the Territory. According to -his account, it burrows holes for its nests at all heights from the -ground, but commonly in dead trees. The eggs are described as pure -white, and, when fresh, translucent, like those of all the Woodpecker -tribe, and hardly distinguishable in size and general appearance from -those of the Golden-winged Woodpecker (_Colaptes auratus_). Its harsh -call is rarely uttered in summer, when it seems to seek concealment -for itself and nest. The flocks of young, which in fall associate -together to the number of eight or ten, are more noisy. Dr. Suckley, -in the same Report (page 162), speaks of this Woodpecker as being very -abundant throughout the more open portions of the timbered region of -the northwest coast, preferring oak openings and groves. At Fort -Dalles, on the Columbia, they are extremely numerous, not only -breeding there during summer, but also found as winter residents. -Their breeding-places are generally holes in oak and other trees, -which, from the appearance of all he examined, seemed to have been -excavated for the purpose. At Puget Sound this species was found less -frequently than at Fort Dalles, on the Columbia. At the latter place -they were constant winter residents. Dr. Suckley also speaks of them -as being semi-gregarious in their habits. - -Mr. Lord thinks that this Woodpecker is not to be met with west of the -Cascade Mountains, but says it is very often found between the -Cascades and the Rocky Mountains, where it frequents the open timber. -The habits and modes of flight of this bird, he states, are not the -least like a Woodpecker’s. It flies with a heavy flapping motion, much -like a Jay, feeds a good deal on the ground, and chases insects on the -wing like a Shrike or a Kingbird. Whilst mating they assemble in large -numbers, and keep up a continual, loud, chattering noise. They arrive -at Colville in April, begin nesting in May, and leave again in -October. The nest is in a hole in a dead pine-tree, usually at a -considerable height from the ground. - -Dr. Coues says this bird is very common at Fort Whipple, in Arizona, -where it remained in moult until November. - -Mr. J. A. Allen found this the most numerous of the _Picidæ_ in -Colorado Territory. He also states that it differs considerably in its -habits from all the other Woodpeckers. He frequently noticed it rising -high into the air almost vertically, and to a great height, apparently -in pursuit of insects, and descending again as abruptly, to repeat the -same manœuvre. It was met with by Mr. Ridgway in the Sacramento -Valley, along the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada, and in the East -Humboldt Mountains. In the first-mentioned locality it was the most -abundant Woodpecker, and inhabited the scattered oaks of the plains. -In the second region it was very abundant—perhaps more so than any -other species—among the scattered pines along the very base of the -eastern slope; and in the last-mentioned place was observed on a few -occasions among the tall aspens bordering the streams in the lower -portions of the cañons. In its habits it is described as approaching -most closely to our common Red-headed Woodpecker (_M. erythrocephalus_), -but possessing many very distinctive peculiarities. In the character -of its notes it quite closely approximates to our common Redhead, but -they are weaker and of a more twittering character; and in its lively -playful disposition it even exceeds it. It has a very peculiar and -characteristic habit of ascending high into the air, and taking a -strange, floating flight, seemingly laborious, as if struggling -against the wind, and then descending in broad circles to the trees. - -The eggs are more spherical than are usually those of the _Colaptes -auratus_, are of a beautiful crystalline whiteness, and measure 1.10 -inches in length and .92 of an inch in breadth. - - -Melanerpes erythrocephalus, SWAINSON. - -RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. - - _Picus erythrocephalus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1766, 174.—VIEILLOT, - Ois. Am. Sept. II, 1807, 60, pl. cxii, cxiii.—WILSON, Am. Orn. - I, 1810, 142, pl. ix, fig. 1.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. - 14.—IB. Isis, 1829, 518 (young).—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, - 141; V, 536, pl. xxvii.—IB. Birds America, IV, 1842, 274, pl. - cclxxi.—MAX. Cab. J. VI, 1858, 419. _Melanerpes - erythrocephalus_, SW. F. B. A. II, 1831, 316.—BON. List, - 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 115.—GAMBEL, J. Ac. Nat. Sc. Ph. - 2d ser. I, 1847, 55.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 113.—SCL. Cat. - 1862, 340.—SAMUELS, 102.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, - 402.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 307. _Picus obscurus_, GM. I, 1788, 429 - (young).—_Red-headed Woodpecker_, PENNANT, KALM, LATHAM. - _White-rumped Woodpecker_, LATHAM. - -SP. CHAR. Head and neck all round crimson-red, margined by a narrow -crescent of black on the upper part of the breast. Back, primary -quills, and tail bluish-black. Under parts generally, a broad band -across the middle of the wing, and the rump, white. The female is not -different. Length, about 9.75; wing, 5.50. Bill bluish-white, darker -terminally; iris chestnut; feet olive-gray. Young without any red, the -head and neck being grayish streaked with dusky; breast with an ashy -tinge, and streaked sparsely with dusky; secondaries with two or three -bands of black; dorsal region clouded with grayish. - -HAB. Eastern Province of United States to base of Rocky Mountains, -sometimes straggling westward to coast of California (GAMBEL). Salt -Lake City, Utah (RIDGWAY). Other localities: Nueces to Brazos, Texas -(DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 469, breeds). - -Western specimens frequently have the abdomen strongly tinged with -salmon-red, or orange-red, and are generally more deeply colored than -eastern. - -HABITS. The Red-headed Woodpecker is one of the most familiar birds of -this family, and ranges over a wide extent of territory. Excepting -where it has been exterminated by the persecutions of indiscriminate -destroyers, it is everywhere a very abundant species. Once common, it -is now rarely met with in the neighborhood of Boston, though in the -western part of Massachusetts it is still to be found. In the -collections of the Smithsonian Institution are specimens from -Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, the -Indian Territory, etc. Sir John Richardson speaks of it as ranging in -summer as far north as the northern shores of Lake Huron. He also -remarks that in the Hudson Bay Museum there is a specimen from the -banks of the Columbia River. Dr. Gambel, in his paper on the birds of -California, states that he saw many of them in a belt of oak timber -near the Mission of St. Gabriel. As, however, Dr. Heermann did not -meet with it in California, and as no other collector has obtained -specimens in that State, this is probably a mistake. With the -exception of Dr. Woodhouse, who speaks of having found this species in -the Indian Territory and in Texas, it is not mentioned by any of the -government exploring parties. It may therefore be assigned a range -extending, in summer, as far north as Labrador, and westward to the -eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Throughout the year it is a -permanent resident only of the more southern States, where it is, -however, much less abundant in summer than it is in Pennsylvania. - -Wilson, at the time of his writing (1808), speaks of finding several -of the nests of this Woodpecker within the boundaries of the then city -of Philadelphia, two of them being in buttonwood-trees and one in the -decayed limb of an elm. The parent birds made regular excursions to -the woods beyond the Schuylkill, and preserved a silence and -circumspection in visiting their nest entirely unlike their habits in -their wilder places of residence. The species is altogether migratory, -visiting the Middle and Northern States early in May and leaving in -October. It begins the construction of its nest almost immediately -after its first appearance, as with other members of its family, by -excavations made in the trunk or larger limbs of trees, depositing six -white eggs on the bare wood. The cavities for their nests are made -almost exclusively in dead wood, rarely, if ever, in the living -portion of the tree. In Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and the Carolinas, -they have two broods in a season, but farther north than this they -rarely raise more than one. Their eggs are usually six in number, and, -like all the eggs of this family, are pure white and translucent when -fresh. They vary a little in their shape, but are usually slightly -more oval and less spherical than those of several other species. Mr. -Nuttall speaks of the eggs of this bird as being said to be marked at -the larger end with reddish spots. I have never met with any thus -marked, and as Mr. Nuttall does not give it as from his own -observations I have no doubt that it is a mistake. Mr. Paine, of -Randolph, Vt., writes that he has only seen a single specimen of this -Woodpecker in that part of Vermont, while on the western side of the -Green Mountains they are said to be very common. He adds that it is a -tradition among his older neighbors that these Woodpeckers were -formerly everywhere known throughout all portions of the State. - -Mr. Ridgway saw a single individual of this species in the outskirts -of Salt Lake City, in July, 1869. - -Their eggs vary both in size and in shape, from a spherical to an -oblong-oval, the latter being the more usual. Their length varies from -1.10 to 1.15 inches, and their breadth from .80 to .90 of an inch. - - -Melanerpes formicivorus, var. formicivorus, BONAP. - -CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER. - - _Picus formicivorus_, SWAINSON, Birds Mex. in Philos. Mag. I, 1827, - 439 (Mexico).—VIGORS, Zoöl. Blossom, 1839, 23 - (Monterey).—NUTTALL, Man. I, 2d ed. 1840. _Melanerpes - formicivorus_, BP. Conspectus, 1850, 115.—HEERMANN, J. A. N. - Sc. Phil. 2d series, II, 1853, 270.—CASSIN, Illust. II, 1853, - 11, pl. ii.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & Oregon Route, 90, P. R. R. - Surv. VI, 1857.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1868, 114.—SUMICHRAST, - Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 1865, 562 (correcting an error of - Saussure).—CASSIN, Pr. A. N. S. 63, 328.—HEERMANN, P. R. R. - X, 58 (nesting).—BAIRD, Rep. M. Bound. II, Birds, 6.—SCLATER, - Pr. Z. S. 1858, 305 (Oaxaca).—IB. Ibis, 137 (Honduras).—CAB. - Jour. 1862, 322 (Costa Rica).—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, - 55.—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 403. _Picus melanopogon_, - TEMMINCK, Pl. Color. IV, (1829?) pl. ccccli.—WAGLER, Isis, - 1829, v, 515.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. 51. - - [Illustration: _Melanerpes formicivorus._] - -SP. CHAR. Fourth quill longest, third a little shorter. Above and on -the anterior half of the body, glossy bluish or greenish black; the -top of the head and a short occipital crest red. A white patch on the -forehead, connecting with a broad crescentic collar on the upper part -of the neck by a narrow isthmus, white tinged with sulphur-yellow. -Belly, rump, bases of primaries, and inner edges of the outer quills, -white. Tail-feathers uniform black. Female with the red confined to -the occipital crest, the rest replaced by greenish-black; the three -patches white, black, and red, very sharply defined, and about equal. -Length about 9.50; wing, 6.00; tail, 3.75. - -HAB. Pacific Coast region of the United States and south; in Northern -Mexico, eastward almost to the Gulf of Mexico; also on the Upper Rio -Grande; south to Costa Rica. Localities: Oaxaca (SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, -305); Cordova (SCL. 1856, 307); Guatemala (SCL. Ibis, I, 137); -Honduras (SCL. Cat. 341); Costa Rica (CAB. J. 1862, 322); W. Arizona -(COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 55). - -In most specimens one or two red feathers may be detected in the black -of the breast just behind the sulphur-yellow crescent. The white of -the breast is streaked with black; the posterior portion of the black -of the breast and anterior belly streaked with white. The white of the -wing only shows externally as a patch at the base of the primaries. - - [Illustration: PLATE LIII. - 1. Melanerpes formicivorus. ♂ Cal., 5495. - 2. ” ” ♀ Cal., 25035. - 3. ” angustifrons. ♂ Cape St. Lucas, 25947. - 4. ” ” ♀ ” ” 25949.] - -Dr. Coues calls attention to extraordinary differences in the color of -the iris, which varies from white to red, blue, yellow, ochraceous, or -brown. A mixture of blue, he thinks, indicates immaturity, and a -reddish tinge the full spring coloration. - -The male of this species has a white forehead extending a little -backwards of the anterior edge of the eye, the rest of the top of head -to the nape being red. The female has the white forehead, and a -quadrate occipito-nuchal red patch, a black band about as broad as the -white one separating the latter from the occipital red. The length of -the two anterior bands together is decidedly greater than that of the -posterior red. In both sexes the jugulum is entirely and continuously -black. Anteriorly (generally with a red spot in its anterior edge) and -on the feathers of its posterior border only are these elongated white -spots, on each side the shaft, the feathers of the breast being -streaked centrally with black. The inner webs of the secondaries have -an elongated continuous patch of white along their internal edge, with -a very slight, almost inappreciable, border of black; this white only -very rarely converted partly or entirely into quadrate spots, and that -never on the innermost quills marked with white. Specimens from -California are very similar to those from the Rocky Mountains and the -Rio Grande Valley, except, perhaps, in being larger, with longer and -straighter bill. - -In _M. flavigula_ from Bogota, the male has the head marked with the -red, black, and white (the red much less in extent, however) of the -female _M. formicivorus_, while the female has no red whatever. All, -or nearly all, the feathers of the jugulum have the two white spots, -and (as pointed out by Reichenbach) the white of the inner webs of the -inner quills is entirely converted into a series of non-confluent -quadrate spots. The black streaks on the sides and behind appear to be -of greater magnitude, and more uniformly distributed. In both species -all the tail-feathers are perfectly black. - -A Guatemalan bird, received from Mr. Salvin as _M. formicivorus_,—and -indeed all specimens from Orizaba and Mirador to Costa Rica,—agrees -in the main with the northern bird, except that all the black feathers -of the jugulum have white spots, as in _M. flavigula_. The outermost -tail-feather of Mr. Salvin’s specimen has two narrow transverse -whitish bands, and a spot indicating a third, as well as a light tip. -The white markings on the inner quills are more like the northern -bird, though on the outermost ones there is the same tendency to form -spots as in a few northern specimens (as 6,149 from Los Nogales, &c.). -The bill is very different from either in being shorter, broader, much -stouter, and the culmen more decurved. - -These peculiarities, which are constant, appear to indicate a decided -or strongly marked variety, as a series of almost a hundred specimens -of the northern bird from many localities exhibit none of the -characters mentioned, while all of an equally large series from -Central America agree in possessing them. - -A series of Jalapan specimens from the cabinet of Mr. Lawrence show a -close relationship to skins from the Rio Grande, and do not approach -the Guatemalan bird in the peculiar characters just referred to, -except in the shortness and curvature of the bill. In one specimen -there is an approach to the Bogotan in a moderate degree of barring on -the white inner edgings of the tertials; in the rest, however, they -are continuously white. - -HABITS. This handsome Woodpecker, distinguished both by the remarkable -beauty of its plumage and the peculiarity of its provident habits, has -a widely extended area of distribution, covering the Pacific Coast, -from Oregon throughout Mexico. In Central America it is replaced by -the variety _striatipectus_, and in New Grenada by the var. -_flavigula_, while at Cape St. Lucas we find another local form, _M. -angustifrons_. So far as we have the means of ascertaining their -habits, we find no mention of any essential differences in this -respect among these races. - -Suckley and Cooper did not meet with this bird in Washington -Territory, and Mr. Lord met with it in abundance on his journey from -Yreka to the boundary line of British Columbia. Mr. Dresser did not -observe it at San Antonio. Mr. Clark met with it at the Coppermines, -in New Mexico, in great numbers, and feeding principally among the -oaks. Lieutenant Couch found it in the recesses of the Sierra Madre -quite common and very tame, resorting to high trees in search of its -food. He did not meet with it east of the Sierra Madre. Dr. Kennerly -first observed it in the vicinity of Santa Cruz, where it was very -frequent on the mountain-slopes, always preferring the tallest trees, -but very shy, and it was with difficulty that a specimen could be -procured. Mr. Nuttall, who first added this bird to our fauna, speaks -of it as very plentiful in the forests around Santa Barbara. Between -that region and the Pueblo de los Angeles, Dr. Gambel met with it in -great abundance, although neither writer makes mention of any -peculiarities of habit. Mr. Emanuel Samuels met with it in and around -Petaluma, where he obtained the eggs. - -Dr. Newberry, in his Report on the zoölogy of Lieutenant Williamson’s -route (P. R. R. Reports, VI), states that the range of this species -extends to the Columbia, and perhaps above, to the westward of the -Cascade Range, though more common in California than in Oregon. It was -not found in the Des Chutes Basin, nor in the Cascade Mountains. - -In the list of the birds of Guatemala given by Mr. Salvin in the Ibis, -this Woodpecker is mentioned (I, p. 137) as being found in the Central -Region, at Calderas, on the Volcan de Fuego, in forests of evergreen -oaks, where it feeds on acorns. - -Dr. Heermann describes it as among the noisiest as well as the most -abundant of the Woodpeckers of California. He speaks of it as catching -insects on the wing, after the manner of a Flycatcher, and mentions -its very extraordinary habit of digging small holes in the bark of the -pine and the oak, in which it stores acorns for its food in winter. He -adds that one of these acorns is placed in each hole, and is so -tightly fitted or driven in that it is with difficulty extracted. -Thus, the bark of a large pine forty or fifty feet high will present -the appearance of being closely studded with brass nails, the heads -only being visible. These acorns are thus stored in large quantities, -and serve not only the Woodpecker, but trespassers as well. Dr. -Heermann speaks of the nest as being excavated in the body of the tree -to a depth varying from six inches to two feet, the eggs being four or -five in number, and pure white. - -These very remarkable and, for a Woodpecker, somewhat anomalous -habits, first mentioned among American writers by Dr. Heermann, have -given rise to various conflicting statements and theories in regard to -the design of these collections of acorns. Some have even ventured to -discredit the facts, but these are too well authenticated to be -questioned. Too many naturalists whose accuracy cannot be doubted have -been eyewitnesses to these performances. Among these is Mr. J. K. -Lord, who, however, was constrained to confess his utter inability to -explain why the birds did so. He was never able to find an acorn that -seemed to have been eaten, nor a trace of vegetable matter in their -stomachs, and at the close of his investigations he frankly admitted -this storing of acorns to be a mystery for which he could offer no -satisfactory explanation. - -M. H. de Saussure, the Swiss naturalist, in an interesting paper -published in 1858 in the _Bibliothèque Universelle_ of Geneva, -furnishes some very interesting observations on the habits of a -Woodpecker, which he supposed to be the _Colaptes mexicanoides_ of -Mexico, of storing collections of acorns in the hollow stems of the -maguay plants. Sumichrast, who accompanied Saussure in his excursion, -while recognizing the entire truth of the interesting facts he -narrates, is confident that the credit of all this instinctive -forethought belongs not to the _Colaptes_, but to the Mexican race of -this species. Saussure’s article being too long to quote in full, we -give an abstract. - -The slopes of a volcanic mountain, Pizarro, near Perote, in Mexico, -are covered with immense beds of the maguay (_Agave americana_), with -larger growths of yuccas, but without any other large shrubs or trees. -Saussure was surprised to find this silent and dismal wilderness -swarming with Woodpeckers. A circumstance so unusual as this large -congregation of birds, by nature so solitary, in a spot so -unattractive, prompted him to investigate the mystery. The birds were -seen to fly first to the stalks of the maguay, to attack them with -their beaks, and then to pass to the yuccas, and there repeat their -labors. These stalks, upon examination, were all found to be riddled -with holes, placed irregularly one above another, and communicating -with the hollow cavity within. On cutting open one of these stalks, he -found it filled with acorns. - -As is well known, this plant, after flowering, dies, its stalk -remains, its outer covering hardens into a flinty texture, and its -centre becomes hollow. This convenient cavity is used by the -Woodpecker as a storehouse for provisions that are unusual food for -the tribe. The central cavity of the stalk is only large enough to -receive one acorn at a time. They are packed in, one above the other, -until the cavity is full. How did these Woodpeckers first learn to -thus use these storehouses, by nature closed against them? The -intelligent instinct that enabled this bird to solve this problem -Saussure regarded as not the least surprising feature. With its beak -it pierces a small round hole through the lower portion into the -central cavity, and thrusts in acorns until the hollow is filled to -the level of the hole. It then makes a second opening higher up, and -fills the space below in a like manner, and so proceeds until the -entire stalk is full. Sometimes the space is too small to receive the -acorns, and they have to be forced in by blows from its beak. In other -stalks there are no cavities, and then the Woodpecker creates one for -each acorn, forcing it into the centre of the pith. - -The labor necessary to enable the bird to accomplish all this is very -considerable, and great industry is required to collect its stores; -but, once collected, the storehouse is a very safe and convenient one. -Mount Pizarro is in the midst of a barren desert of sand and volcanic -_débris_. There are no oak-trees nearer than the Cordilleras, thirty -miles distant, and therefore the collecting and storing of each acorn -required a flight of sixty miles. - -This, reasons Saussure, is obviously an instinctive preparation, on -the part of these birds, to provide the means of supporting life -during the arid winter months, when no rain falls and everything is -parched. His observations were made in April, the last of the winter -months; and he found the Woodpeckers withdrawing food from their -depositories, and satisfied himself that the birds were eating the -acorn itself, and not the diminutive maggots a few of them contained. - -The ingenuity with which the bird managed to get at the contents of -each acorn was also quite striking. Its feet being unfit for grasping -the acorn, it digs a hole into the dry bark of the yuccas, just large -enough to receive the small end of the acorn, which it inserts, making -use of its bill to split it open, as with a wedge. The trunks of the -yuccas were all found riddled with these holes. - -There are several remarkable features to be noticed in the facts -observed by Saussure,—the provident instinct which prompts this bird -to lay by stores of provisions for the winter; the great distance -traversed to collect a kind of food so unusual for its race; and its -seeking, in a spot so remote from its natural abode, a storehouse so -remarkable. Can instinct alone teach, or have experience and reason -taught, these birds, that, better far than the bark of trees, or -cracks in rocks, or cavities dug in the earth, or any other known -hiding-place, are these hidden cavities within the hollow stems of -distant plants? What first taught them how to break through the flinty -coverings of these retreats? By what revelation could these birds have -been informed that within these dry and closed stalks they could, by -searching, find suitable places, protected from moisture, for -preserving their stores in a state most favorable for their long -preservation, safe from gnawing rats, and from those acorn-eating -birds whose bills are not strong or sharp enough to cut through their -tough enclosures? - -M. Sumichrast, who afterwards enjoyed unusual opportunities for -observing the habits of these Woodpeckers in the State of Vera Cruz, -states that they dwell exclusively in oak woods, and that near -Potrero, as well as in the alpine regions, trunks of oak-trees are -found pierced with small holes in circular lines around their -circumference. Into each of these holes these birds drive the acorns -by repeated blows of their beaks, so as to fix them firmly. At other -times they make their collection of acorns in openings between the -raised bark of dry trees and the trunks. This writer states that he -has sought in vain to explain such performances satisfactorily. The -localities in which these birds reside, in Mexico, teem at all seasons -with insects; and it seems absurd, therefore, to suppose that they can -be in quest of the small, almost microscopic, larvæ contained in the -acorns. - -Dr. C. T. Jackson sought to account for these interesting performances -on the ingenious hypothesis that the acorns thus stored are always -infested with larvæ, and never sound ones; that they are driven into -the tree cup-end foremost, so as to securely imprison the maggot and -prevent its escape, and thus enable the Woodpecker to devour it at its -leisure. This would argue a wonderful degree of intelligence and -forethought, on the part of the Woodpecker, and more than it is -entitled to; for the facts do not sustain this hypothesis. The acorns -are not put into the tree with the cup-end in, but invariably the -reverse, so far as we have noticed; and the acorns, so far from being -wormy, are, in nine cases out of ten, sound ones. Besides, this theory -affords no explanation of the large collections of loose acorns made -by these birds in hollow trees, or in the stalks of the maguay plants. -Nor can we understand why, if so intelligent, they make so little use -of these acorns, as seems to be the almost universal testimony of -California naturalists. And, as still further demonstrating the -incorrectness of this hypothesis, we have recently been informed by -Dr. Canfield of Monterey, Cal., that occasionally these Woodpeckers, -following an instinct so blind that they do not distinguish between an -acorn and a pebble, are known to fill up the holes they have drilled -with so much labor, not only with acorns, but occasionally with -stones. In time the bark and the wood grow over these, and after a few -years they are left a long way from the surface. These trees are -usually the sugar-pine of California, a wood much used for lumber. -Occasionally one of these trees is cut, the log taken to mill without -its being known that it is thus charged with rounded pieces of flint -or agate, and the saws that come in contact with them are broken. - -Without venturing to present an explanation of facts that have -appeared so contradictory and unsatisfactory to other naturalists, -such as we can claim to be either comprehensive or entirely -satisfactory, we cannot discredit the positive averments of such -observers as Saussure and Salvin. We believe that these Woodpeckers do -eat the acorns, when they can do no better. And when we are confronted -with the fact, which we do not feel at liberty to altogether -disregard, that in very large regions this bird seems to labor in -vain, and makes no use of the treasures it has thus heaped together, -we can only attempt an explanation. This Woodpecker is found over an -immense area. It everywhere has the same instinctive promptings to -provide, not “for a rainy day,” but for the exact opposite,—for a -long interval during which no rain falls, for nearly two hundred days -at a time, in all the low and hot lands of Mexico and Central America. -There these accumulations become a necessity, there we are informed -they do eat the acorns, and, more than this, many other birds and -beasts derive the means of self-preservation in times of famine from -the provident labors of this bird. That in Oregon, in California, and -in the mountains of Mexico and elsewhere, where better and more -natural food offers throughout the year, it is rarely known to eat the -acorns it has thus labored to save, only seems to prove that it acts -under the influences of an undiscriminating instinct that prompts it -to gather in its stores whether it needs them or not. - -It may be, too, that writers have too hastily inferred that these -birds never eat the acorns, because they have been unable to obtain -complete evidence of the fact. We have recently received from C. W. -Plass, Esq., some interesting facts, which, if they do not prove that -these birds in the winter visit their stores and eat their acorns, -render it highly probable. Mr. Plass resides near Napa City, Cal., -near which city, and on the edge of the pine forests, he has recently -constructed a house. The gable-ends of this dwelling the California -Woodpeckers have found a very convenient storehouse for their acorns, -and Mr. Plass has very considerately permitted them to do so -unmolested. The window in the gable slides up upon pullies its whole -length, to admit of a passage to the upper verandah, and the open -space in the wall admits of the nuts falling down into the upper hall, -and this frequently happens when the birds attempt to extricate them -from the outside. Nearly all these nuts are found to be sound, and -contain no worm, while those that fall outside are empty shells. Empty -shells have also been noticed by Mr. Plass under the trees, indicating -that the acorns have been eaten. - -The Smithsonian Institution has received specimens of the American -race of this Woodpecker, collected at Belize by Dr. Berendt, and -accompanied by illustrations of their work in the way of implantation -of acorns in the bark of trees. - -The eggs of this Woodpecker, obtained by Mr. Emanuel Samuels near -Petaluma, Cal., and now in the collection of the Boston Society of -Natural History, are undistinguishable from the eggs of other -Woodpeckers in form or color, except that they are somewhat oblong, -and measure 1.12 inches in length by .90 of an inch in breadth. - - -Melanerpes formicivorus, var. angustifrons, BAIRD. - -THE NARROW-FRONTED WOODPECKER. - - _Melanerpes formicivorus_, var. _angustifrons_, BAIRD, COOPER, Orn. - Cal. I, 1870, 405. - -SP. CHAR. Compared with _M. formicivorus_, the size is smaller. The -light frontal bar is much narrower; in the female scarcely more than -half the black one behind it, and not reaching anything like as far -back as the anterior border of the eye, instead of exceeding this -limit. The light frontal and the black bars together are only about -two thirds the length of the occipital red, instead of exceeding it in -length; the red patch reaches forward nearly or quite to the posterior -border of the eye, instead of falling a considerable distance behind -it, and being much broader posteriorly. The frontal band too is -gamboge-yellow, much like the throat, and not white; the connection -with the yellow throat-patch much broader. The white upper -tail-coverts show a tendency to a black edge. Length, 8.00; wing, -5.20; tail, 3.20. - -HAB. Cape St. Lucas. - -As the differences mentioned are constant, we consider the Cape St. -Lucas bird as forming at least a permanent variety, and indicate it as -above. A single specimen from the Sierra Madre, of Colima, is very -similar. - -HABITS. We have no information as to the habits of this singular race -of the _M. formicivorus_, found at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. John Xantus. -It will be an interesting matter for investigation to ascertain to -what extent the totally different character of the region in which -this bird is met with from those in which the _M. formicivorus_ is -found, may have modified its habits and its manner of life. - - -SECTION COLAPTEÆ. - -This section, formerly embracing but one genus additional to -_Colaptes_, has recently had three more added to it by Bonaparte. The -only United States representative, however, is _Colaptes_. - - -GENUS COLAPTES, SWAINSON. - - _Colaptes_, SWAINSON, Zoöl. Jour. III, Dec. 1827, 353. (Type, - _Cuculus auratus_, LINN.) - _Geopicos_, MALHERBE, Mém. Acad. Metz, 1849, 358. (_G. campestris._) - -GEN. CHAR. Bill slender, depressed at the base, then compressed. -Culmen much curved, gonys straight; both with acute ridges, and coming -to quite a sharp point with the commissure at the end; the bill, -consequently, not truncate at the end. No ridges on the bill. Nostrils -basal, median, oval, and exposed. Gonys very short; about half the -culmen. Feet large; the anterior outer toe considerably longer than -the posterior. Tail long, exceeding the secondaries; the feathers -suddenly acuminate, with elongated points. - - [Line drawing: _Colaptes auratus._ - 1341 ♂] - -There are four well-marked representatives of the typical genus -_Colaptes_ belonging to Middle and North America, three of them found -within the limits of the United States, in addition to what has been -called a hybrid between two of them. The common and distinctive -characters of these four are as follows:— - - -Species and Varieties. - -COMMON CHARACTERS. Head and neck ashy or brown, unvaried -except by a black or red malar patch in the male. Back and -wings brown, banded transversely with black; rump and upper -tail-coverts white. Beneath whitish, with circular black -spots, and bands on crissum; a black pectoral crescent. -Shafts and under surfaces of quills and tail-feathers either -yellow or red. - - A. Mustache red; throat ash; no red nuchal crescent. - - _a._ Under surface and shafts of wings and tail red. - - 1. C. mexicanoides.[133] Hood bright cinnamon-rufous; - feathers of mustache black below surface. Upper parts - barred with black and whitish-brown, the two colors of - about equal width. Shafts, etc., dull brick-red. Rump - spotted with black; black terminal zone of under - surface of tail narrow, badly defined. Wing, 6.15; - tail, 4.90; bill, 1.77. _Hab._ Southern Mexico and - Guatemala. - - 2. C. mexicanus.[134] Hood ashy-olivaceous, more - rufescent anteriorly, light cinnamon on lores and - around eyes; feathers of mustache light ash below - surface. Upper parts umber-brown, barred with black, - the black only about one fourth as wide as the brown. - Shafts, etc., fine salmon-red, or pinkish orange-red. - Rump unspotted; black terminal zone of tail broad, - sharply defined. Wing, 6.70; tail, 5.00; bill, 1.60. - _Hab._ Middle and Western Province of United States, - south into Eastern Mexico to Mirador and Orizaba, and - Jalapa. - - _b._ Under surface and shafts of wings and tail - gamboge-yellow. - - 3. C. chrysoides. Hood uniform light cinnamon; upper - parts raw umber with sparse, very narrow and distant, - bars of black. Rump immaculate; black terminal zone of - tail occupying nearly the terminal half, and very - sharply defined. Wing, 5.90; tail, 5.70; bill, 1.80. - _Hab._ Colorado and Cape St. Lucas region of Southern - Middle Province of United States. - - B. Mustache black; a red nuchal crescent. Throat pinkish, - hood ashy. - - 4. C. auratus. Shafts, etc., gamboge-yellow; upper - parts olivaceous-brown, with narrow bars of black, - about half as wide as the brown. - - Rump immaculate; black terminal zone of under - surface of tail broad, more than half an inch wide - on outer feather. Edges of tail-feathers narrowly - edged, but not indented, with whitish. Outer web of - lateral feathers without spots of dusky. Wing, 6.10; - tail, 4.80; bill, 1.58. _Hab._ Eastern Province of - North America var. _auratus_. - - Rump spotted with black; black terminal zone of tail - narrow, consisting on outer feather of an irregular - spot less than a quarter of an inch wide. Edges of - all the tail-feathers indented with whitish bars; - outer web of lateral feathers with quadrate spots of - dusky along the edge. Wing, 5.75; tail, 4.75; bill, - 1.60. _Hab._ Cuba var. _chrysocaulosus_.[135] - - [Illustration: PLATE LIV. - 1. Colaptes chrysoides. ♂ Arizona, 107. - 2. ” ” ♀ Cape St. Lucas. - 3. ” hybridus. ♂ Neb., 5214. - 4. Melanerpes erythrocephalus. ♂ Neb., 38303. - 5. ” torquatus. ♂ Cal., 6138.] - - - [133] _Colaptes mexicanoides_, LAFR. Rev. Zoöl. 1844, - 42.—SCL. & SALV. Ibis, 1859, 137.—SCL. Catal. Am. B. 1862, - 344. _Colaptes rubricatus_, GRAY, Gen. B. pl. cxi. _Geopicus - rub._ MALH. Monog. Pic. II, 265, pl. cx, figs. 1, 2. _Picus - submexicanus_, SUND. Consp. Pic. 1866, 72. - - [134] A series of hybrids between _mexicanus_ and _auratus_ - is in the Smithsonian collection, these specimens exhibiting - every possible combination of the characters of the two. - - [135] _Colaptes auratus_, var. _chrysocaulosus_. _Colaptes - chrysocaulosus_, GUNDLACH, Boston Journal.—IB. Repert. I, - 1866, 294. - - -Colaptes auratus, SWAINSON. - -FLICKER; YELLOW-SHAFTED WOODPECKER; HIGH-HOLDER. - - _Cuculus auratus_, LINN. Syst. Nat., I, (ed. 10,) 1758, 112. _Picus - auratus_, LINN. Syst. Nat. 1, (ed. 12,) 1766, 174.—FORSTER, - Phil. Trans. LXII, 1772, 383.—VIEILLOT, Ois. Am. Sept. II, - 1807, 66, pl. cxxiii.—WILSON, Am. Orn. I, 1810, 45, pl. iii, - f. 1.—WAGLER, Syst. Av. 1827, No. 84.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, - 1832, 191; V, 540, pl. xxxvii.—IB. Birds Amer. IV, 1842, 282, - pl. cclxxiii.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. 71. _Colaptes auratus_, SW. - Zoöl. Jour. III, 1827, 353.—IB. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, - 314.—BON. List, 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 113.—BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 118.—MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 420.—DRESSER, - Ibis, 1865, 470 (San Antonio, one specimen only seen).—SCL. - Cat. 1862, 344.—GRAY, Cat. 1868, 120.—FOWLER, Am. Nat. III, - 1869, 422.—DALL & BANNISTER, Tr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 275 - (Alaska).—SAMUELS, 105.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 307. - -SP. CHAR. Shafts and under surfaces of wing and tail feathers -gamboge-yellow. Male with a black patch on each side of the cheek. A -red crescent on the nape. Throat and stripe beneath the eye pale -lilac-brown. Back glossed with olivaceous-green. Female without the -black cheek-patch. - -ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS. A crescentic patch on the breast and rounded -spots on the belly black. Back and wing-coverts with interrupted -transverse bands of black. Neck above and on the sides ashy. Beneath -pale pinkish-brown, tinged with yellow on the abdomen, each feather -with a heart-shaped spot of black near the end. Rump white. Length, -12.50; wing, 6.00. - -HAB. All of eastern North America to the eastern slopes of Rocky -Mountains; farther north, extending across along the Yukon as far at -least as Nulato, perhaps to the Pacific. Greenland (REINHARDT). -Localities: San Antonio, Texas, only one specimen (DRESSER, Ibis, -1865, 470). - -Specimens vary considerably in size and proportions; the more northern -ones are much the larger. The spots vary in number and in size; they -may be circular, or transversely or longitudinally oval. Western -specimens appear paler. In a Selkirk Settlement specimen the belly is -tinged with pale sulphur-yellow, the back with olivaceous-green. - -This species, in general pattern of coloration, resembles the _C. -mexicanus_, although the colors are very different. Thus the shafts of -the quills, with their under surfaces, are gamboge-yellow, instead of -orange-red. There is a conspicuous nuchal crescent of crimson wanting, -or but slightly indicated, in _mexicanus_. The cheek-patch is pure -black, widening and abruptly truncate behind, instead of bright -crimson, pointed or rounded behind. The shade of the upper parts is -olivaceous-green, instead of purplish-brown. The top of the head and -the nape are more ashy. The chin, throat, neck, and sides of the head, -are pale purplish or lilac brown, instead of bluish-ash; the space -above, below, and around the eye of the same color, instead of having -reddish-brown above and ashy below. - -The young of this species is sufficiently like the adult to be readily -recognizable. Sometimes the entire crown is faintly tipped with red, -as characteristic of young Woodpeckers. - -HABITS. The Golden-winged Woodpecker is altogether the most common and -the most widely distributed of the North American representatives of -the genus. According to Sir John Richardson, it visits the fur -countries in the summer, extending its migrations as far to the north -as the Great Slave Lake, and resorting in great numbers to the plains -of the Saskatchewan. It was found by Dr. Woodhouse very abundant in -Texas and the Indian Territory, and it is given by Reinhardt as -occurring in Greenland. Mr. McFarlane found it breeding at Fort -Anderson; Mr. Ross at Fort Rae, Fort Resolution, and Fort Simpson; and -Mr. Kennicott at Fort Yukon. All this testimony demonstrates a -distribution throughout the entire eastern portion of North America, -from the Gulf of Mexico almost to the Arctic Ocean, and from the -Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains. - -In the more northern portions of the continent this bird is only a -summer visitant, but in the Southern and Middle, and to some extent in -the New England States, it is a permanent resident. Wilson speaks of -seeing them exposed for sale in the markets of Philadelphia during -each month of a very rigorous winter. Wilson’s observations of their -habits during breeding, made in Pennsylvania, were that early in April -they begin to prepare their nest. This is built in the hollow body or -branch of a tree, sometimes, though not always, at a considerable -height from the ground. He adds that he has frequently known them to -fix on the trunk of an old apple-tree, at a height not more than six -feet from the root. He also mentions as quite surprising the sagacity -of this bird in discovering, under a sound bark, a hollow limb or -trunk of a tree, and its perseverance in perforating it for purposes -of incubation. The male and female alternately relieve and encourage -each other by mutual caresses, renewing their labors for several days, -till the object is attained, and the place rendered sufficiently -capacious, convenient, and secure. They are often so extremely intent -upon their work as to be heard at their labor till a very late hour in -the night. Wilson mentions one instance where he knew a pair to dig -first five inches straight forward, and then downward more than twice -that distance, into a solid black-oak. They carry in no materials for -their nest, the soft chips and dust of the wood serving for this -purpose. The female lays six white eggs, almost transparent, very -thick at the greater end, and tapering suddenly to the other. The -young soon leave the nest, climbing to the higher branches, where they -are fed by their parents. - -According to Mr. Audubon this Woodpecker rears two broods in a season, -the usual number of eggs being six. In one instance, however, Mr. -MacCulloch, quoted by Audubon, speaks of having found a nest in a -rotten stump, which contained no less than eighteen young birds, of -various ages, and at least two eggs not quite hatched. It is not -improbable that, in cases where the number of eggs exceeds seven or -eight, more females than one have contributed to the number. In one -instance, upon sawing off the decayed top of an old tree, in which -these birds had a nest, twelve eggs were found. These were not -molested, but, on visiting the place a few days after, I found the -excavation to have been deepened from eighteen to twenty-four inches. - -Mr. C. S. Paine, of Randolph, Vt., writing in October, 1860, furnishes -some interesting observations made in regard to these birds in the -central part of that State. He says, “This Woodpecker is very common, -and makes its appearance about the 20th of April. Between the 1st and -the 15th of May it usually commences boring a hole for the nest, and -deposits its eggs the last of May or the first of June.” He found -three nests that year, all of which were in old stumps on the banks of -a small stream. Each nest contained _seven_ eggs. The boy who took -them out was able to do so without any cutting, and found them at the -depth of his elbow. In another nest there were but three eggs when -first discovered. The limb was cut down nearly to a level with the -eggs, which were taken. The next day the nest had been deepened a -whole foot and another egg deposited. Mr. Paine has never known them -go into thick woods to breed, but they seem rather to prefer the edges -of woods. He has never known one to breed in an old cavity, but in one -instance a pair selected a partially decayed stump for their -operations. When they are disturbed, they sometimes fly around their -nests, uttering shrill, squeaking notes, occasionally intermixing with -them guttural or gurgling tones. - -It is probably true that they usually excavate their own burrow, but -this is not an invariable rule. In the fall of 1870 a pair of these -Woodpeckers took shelter in my barn, remaining there during the -winter. Although there were abundant means of entrance and of egress, -they wrought for themselves other passages out and in through the most -solid part of the sides of the building. Early in the spring they took -possession of a large cavity in an old apple-tree, directly on the -path between the barn and the house, where they reared their family. -They were very shy, and rarely permitted themselves to be seen. The -nest contained six young, each of which had been hatched at successive -intervals, leaving the nest one after the other. The youngest was -nearly a fortnight later to depart than the first. Just before leaving -the nest, the oldest bird climbed to the opening of the cavity, -filling the whole space, and uttering a loud hissing sound whenever -the nest was approached. As soon as they could use their wings, even -partially, they were removed, one by one, to a more retired part of -the grounds, where they were fed by their parents. - -Throughout Massachusetts, this bird, generally known as the Pigeon -Woodpecker, is one of the most common and familiar birds. They abound -in old orchards and groves, and manifest more apparent confidence in -man than the treatment they receive at his hands seems to justify. -Their nests are usually constructed at the distance of only a few feet -from the ground, and though Wilson, Audubon, and Nuttall agree upon -six as the average of their eggs, they frequently exceed this number. -Mr. Audubon gives as the measurement of the eggs of this species 1.08 -inches in length and .88 of an inch in breadth. Their length varies -from 1.05 to 1.15 inches, and their breadth from .91 to .85 of an -inch. Their average measurement is 1.09 by .88 of an inch. - - -Colaptes mexicanus, SWAINSON. - -RED-SHAFTED FLICKER. - - _Colaptes mexicanus_, SW. Syn. Mex. Birds, in Philos. Mag. I, 1827, - 440.—IB. F. Bor. Am. II, 1831, 315.—NEWBERRY, Zoöl. Cal. & - Or. Route, 91; P. R. R. Rep. VI, 1857.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. - 1858, 120.—MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 420, mixed with - _hybridus_.—LORD, Proc. R. Art. Inst. I, IV, 112.—COOPER & - SUCKLEY, 163.—SCLATER, P. Z. S. 1858, 309 (Oaxaca).—IB. Cat. - 1862, 344.—DRESSER, Ibis, 1865, 470 (San Antonio, - rare).—COUES, Pr. A. N. S. 1866, 56.—SUMICHRAST, Mem. Bost. - Soc. I, 1869, 562 (alpine district, Vera Cruz).—GRAY, Cat. - 1868, 121.—DALL & BANNISTER, Pr. Chicago Ac. I, 1869, 275 - (Alaska).—COOPER, Orn. Cal. 1, 1870, 408. _Picus mexicanus_, - AUD. Orn. Biog. V, 1839, 174, pl. ccccxvi.—IB. Birds America, - IV, 1842, 295, pl. cclxxiv.—SUNDEVALL, Consp. 72. _Colaptes - collaris_, VIGORS, Zoöl. Jour. IV, Jan. 1829, 353.—IB. Zoöl. - Beechey’s Voy. 1839, 24, pl. ix. _Picus rubricatus_, WAGLER, - Isis, 1829, V, May, 516. (“Lichtenstein Mus. Berol.”) _Colaptes - rubricatus_, BON. Pr. Zoöl. Soc. V, 1837, 108.—IB. List, - 1838.—IB. Conspectus, 1850, 114. _? Picus cafer_, GMELIN, - Syst. Nat. I, 1788, 431.—LATH. Index Ornith. II, 1790, 242. - _? Picus lathami_, WAGLER, Syst. 1827, No. 85 (Cape of Good - Hope?). - -SP. CHAR. Shafts and under surfaces of wing and tail feathers -orange-red. Male with a red patch on each side the cheek; nape without -red crescent; sometimes very faint indications laterally. Throat and -stripe beneath the eye bluish-ash. Back glossed with purplish-brown. -Female without the red cheek-patch. Length, about 13.00; wing, over -6.50. - - [Illustration: _Colaptes mexicanus._] - -ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS. Spots on the belly, a crescent on the breast, -and interrupted transverse bands on the back, black. - -HAB. Western North America from Pacific to the Black Hills; north to -Sitka on the coast. Localities: Oaxaca (SCL. P. Z. S. 1858, 305); Vera -Cruz, alpine regions (SUMICHRAST, Mem. Bost. Soc. I, 1869. 562); San -Antonio, Texas (DRESSER, Ibis, 1865. 470); W. Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. -S. 1866, 56). - -The female is similar in every way, perhaps a little smaller, but -lacks the red mustache. This is, however, indicated by a brown tinge -over an area corresponding with that of the red of the male. - -In the present specimen (1,886) there is a slight indication of an -interrupted nuchal red band, as in the common Flicker, in some crimson -fibres to some of the feathers about as far behind the eye as this is -from the bill. A large proportion of males before us exhibit the same -characteristic, some more, some less, although it generally requires -careful examination for its detection. It may possibly be a -characteristic of the not fully mature bird, although it occurs in two -out of three male specimens. - -There is a little variation in the size of the pectoral crescent and -spots; the latter are sometimes rounded or oblong cordate, instead of -circular. The bill varies as much as three or four tenths of an inch. -The rump, usually immaculate, sometimes has a few black streaks. The -extent of the red whisker varies a little. In skins from Oregon and -Washington the color of the back is as described; in those from -California and New Mexico it is of a grayer cast. There is little, if -any, variation in the shade of red in the whiskers and quill-feathers. -The head is washed on the forehead with rufous, passing into ashy on -the nape. - -There is not only some difference in the size of this species, in the -same locality, but, as a general rule, the more southern specimens are -smaller. - -This species is distinct from the _C. mexicanoides_ of Lafresnaye, -though somewhat resembling it. It is, however, a smaller bird; the red -of the cheeks is deeper; the whole upper part of the head and neck -uniform reddish-cinnamon without any ash, in marked contrast to that -on the sides of the head. The back is strongly glossed with -reddish-brown, and the black transverse bars are much more distinct, -closer and broader, three or four on each feather, instead of two -only. The rump and upper tail-coverts are closely barred, the centre -of the former only clearer white, but even here each feather has a -cordate spot of white. The spots on the flanks posteriorly exhibit a -tendency to become transverse bars. - -Specimens from Mount Orizaba, Mexico, are very similar to those from -Oregon in color, presenting no appreciable difference. The size is, -however, much less, a male measuring 10.50, wing 6.00, tail 4.60 -inches, instead of 12.75, 6.75, and 5.25 respectively. While, however, -the feet are smaller (tarsus 1.00 instead of 1.15), the bill is fully -as large, or even larger. - -Most young birds of this species have a tinge of red on top of the -head, and frequently a decided nuchal crescent of red; but these are -only embryonic features, and disappear with maturity. - -HABITS. This species, the counterpart in so many respects of the -Golden-winged Woodpecker, appears to take the place of that species -from the slopes of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, throughout -western North America. Dr. Woodhouse speaks of finding it abundant -along the banks of the Rio Grande. And in the fine collection -belonging to the Smithsonian Institution are specimens from the -Straits of Fuca, Fort Steilacoom, and Fort Vancouver, in Washington -Territory, from the Columbia River, from various points in California, -New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Mexico, etc. Dr. -Gambel, in his Paper on the birds of California, first met with the -Red-shafted Woodpecker soon after leaving New Mexico, and it continued -to California, where he found it very abundant. He describes it as a -remarkably shy bird, and adds that he always saw it on the margins of -small creeks, where nothing grew larger than a willow-bush. Dr. -Heermann also found it abundant in California. Dr. Newberry, in his -Report on the zoölogy of Lieutenant Williamson’s expedition, speaks of -the Red-shafted Flicker as rather a common bird in all parts of -California and Oregon which his party visited. He describes many of -its habits as identical with those of the Golden Flicker (_C. -auratus_), but regards it as much the shyer bird. Dr. Cooper also -mentions the fact of the great abundance of this bird along the -western coast, equalling that of its closely allied cousin on the -eastern side of the Mississippi. It also resembles, he adds, that bird -so exactly in habits and notes that the description of one will apply -with exactness to the other. It is a constant resident in Washington -Territory, or at least west of the Cascade Mountains. He observed it -already burrowing out holes for its nests in April, at the Straits of -Fuca. About June 1 he found a nest containing seven young, nearly -fledged, which already showed in the male the distinguishing red -mustache. Dr. Suckley, in the same report, also says that it is -extremely common in the timbered districts of Washington Territory, -and adds that its habits, voice, calls, etc., are precisely similar to -those of the Yellow-Hammer of the Eastern States. Mr. Nuttall, as -quoted by Mr. Audubon, states that he first came upon this bird in the -narrow belt of forest which borders Laramie’s Fork of the Platte, and -adds that he scarcely lost sight of it from that time until he reached -the shores of the Pacific. Its manners, in all respects, are so -entirely similar to those of the common species that the same -description applies to both. He also regards it as the shyer bird of -the two, and less frequently seen on the ground. They burrow in the -oak and pine trees, and lay white eggs, after the manner of the whole -family, and these eggs are in no wise distinguishable from those of -the Golden-wing. - -Dr. Cooper, in his Report upon the birds of California, refers to this -as a common species, and found in every part of the State except the -bare plains. It even frequents the low bushes, where no trees are to -be seen for miles. In the middle wooded districts, and towards the -north, it is much more abundant than elsewhere. - -Their nesting-holes are at all heights from the ground, and are -usually about one foot in depth. In the southern part of the State -their eggs are laid in April, but farther north, at the Columbia, in -May. - -Dr. Cooper attributes their shyness in certain localities to their -being hunted so much by the Indians for their bright feathers. -Generally he found them quite tame, so that their interesting habits -may be watched without difficulty. He regards them as an exact -counterpart of the eastern _auratus_, living largely on insects and -ants, which they collect without much trouble, and do not depend upon -hard work, like other Woodpeckers, for their food. During the season -they also feed largely on berries. Their curved bill is not well -adapted for hammering sound wood for insects, and they only dig into -decayed trees in search of their food. Like the eastern species, the -young of these birds, when their nest is approached, make a curious -hissing noise. They may be seen chasing each other round the trunk of -trees, as if in sport, uttering, at the same time, loud cries like -_whittoo, whittoo, whittoo_. Dr. Kennerly found these birds from the -Big Sandy to the Great Colorado, but they were so shy that he could -not obtain a specimen. They were seen on the barren hills among the -large cacti, in which they nest. Their extreme shyness was fully -explained afterwards by finding how closely they are hunted by the -Indians for the sake of their feathers, of which head-dresses are -made. - -Mr. Dresser states that this bird is found as far east as San Antonio, -where, however, it is of uncommon occurrence. In December he noticed -several near the Nueces River, and in February and March obtained -others near Piedras Negras. - -Dr. Coues gives it as abundant and resident in Arizona, where it is -found in all situations. Its tongue, he states, is capable of -protrusion to an extent far beyond that of any other North American -Woodpecker. - -This bird, in some parts of California, is known as the Yellow-Hammer, -a name given in some parts of New England to the _Colaptes auratus_. -Mr. C. W. Plass, of Napa City, writes me that this Woodpecker “makes -himself too much at home with us to be agreeable. He drills large -holes though the weather-boards of the house, and shelters himself at -night between them and the inner wall. He does, not nest there, but -simply makes of such situations his winter home. We have had to shoot -them, for we find it is of no use to shut up one hole, as they will at -once make another by its side.” - -Mr. J. A. Allen mentions finding this species, in the absence of -suitable trees on the Plains, making excavations in sand-banks. - -According to Mr. Ridgway, the Red-shafted Flicker does not differ from -the Yellow-shafted species of the east in the slightest particular, as -regards habits, manners, and notes. It is, however, more shy than the -eastern species, probably from the fact that it is pursued by the -Indians, who prize its quill and tail-feathers as ornaments with which -to adorn their dress. - -Their eggs are hardly distinguishable from those of the _auratus_, but -range of a very slightly superior size. They average 1.12 inches in -length by .89 of an inch in breadth. Their greatest length is 1.15 -inches, their least 1.10, and their breadth ranges from .87 to .90. - - -Colaptes hybridus, BAIRD. - -HYBRID FLICKER. - - _Colaptes ayresii_, AUD. Birds Am. VII, 1843, 348, pl. ccccxciv. - _Colaptes hybridus_, BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 122. _Colaptes - mexicanus_, MAX. Cab. Jour. 1858, 422 (mixed with _mexicanus_). - _Picas hybridus aurato-mexicanus_, SUNDEVALL, Consp. Pic. 1866, - 721. - -SP. CHAR. Yellow shafts or feathers on wing and tail combined with -red, or red spotted cheek-patches. Orange-red shafts combined with a -well-defined nuchal red crescent, and pinkish throat. Ash-colored -throat combined with black cheek-patch or yellow shafts. Shafts and -feathers intermediate between gamboge-yellow and dark orange-red. - -HAB. Upper Missouri and Yellowstone; Black Hills. - - [Illustration: PLATE LV. - 1. Colaptes auratus. ♂ 2122. - 2. ” ” ♀. - 3. ” mexicanus. ♂. - 4. ” ” ♀.] - -The general distribution of _Colaptes mexicanus_, as already -indicated, is from the Pacific coast of the United States, eastward to -the Black Hills and the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone; that of the -_C. auratus_ from the Atlantic Coast to about the eastern limits of -_mexicanus_. But little variation is seen in the two species up to the -region mentioned; slight differences in shade of color, size, and -frequency of spots, etc., being all. Where they come together, -however, or overlap, a most remarkable race is seen, in which no two -specimens, nay, scarcely the two sides of the same bird, are alike, -the characters of the two species becoming mixed up in the most -extraordinary manner. Thus, the shafts show every shade from -orange-red to pure yellow; yellow shafts combine with red cheek-patch -(as in _C. ayresii_ of Audubon); a red nape, with orange-red shafts; -cheek-patches red with black feathers intermixed, or _vice versa_; -perhaps the feathers red at base and black at tip, or black at base -and red at tip, etc. As the subject has been presented in sufficient -detail in the Birds of North America, as quoted above, it need not be -repeated here, except to say that collections received since 1858 only -substantiate what has there been stated. - -To the race thus noted, the name _hybridus_ was given, not as of a -variety, since it is not entitled to this rank, but as of a -heterogeneous mixture, caused by the breeding together of two -different species, and requiring some appellation. Whether the -presumed hybrids are fertile, and breed with each other or with -full-blooded parents, has not yet been ascertained; perhaps not, since -the area in which they occur is limited, and it is only occasionally -that individuals of the kind referred to have been found beyond the -bounds mentioned. It is very rarely, however, that pure breeds occur -in the district of _hybridus_, a taint being generally appreciable in -all. - -The conditions in the present instance appear different from those -adverted to under the head of _Picus villosus_, where the question is -not one of hybridism between two strongly marked and distinct species, -but of the gradual change, between the Atlantic and the Pacific, from -one pattern of coloration to another. - - -Colaptes chrysoides, MALH. - -THE CAPE FLICKER. - - _Geopicus chrysoides_, MALH. Rev. et Mag. Zoöl. IV, 1852, 553.—IB. - Mon. Pic. II, 261, tab. 109. _Colaptes chrysoides_, BAIRD, - Birds N. Am. 1858, 125.—ELLIOT, Ill. Birds N. Am. VI, - plate.—COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. 1861, 122 (Fort Mohave).—COUES, - Pr. A. N. Sc. 1866, 56 (Arizona).—SCL. Cat. 1862, - 344.—ELLIOT, Illust. Am. B. I, pl. xxvi.—_Cooper_, Orn. Cal. - I, 1870, 410. _Picus chrysoides_, SUNDEVALL, Consp. 72. - -SP. CHAR. Markings generally as in other species. Top of head -rufous-brown; chin, throat, and sides of head ash-gray. Shafts of -quills and tail-feathers, with their under surfaces in great part, -gamboge-yellow; no nuchal red. Malar patch of male red; wanting in the -female. Length, 11.50; wing, 5.75; tail, 4.50. - -HAB. Colorado and Gila River, north to Fort Mohave, south to Cape St. -Lucas. Localities: Fort Mohave (COOPER, Pr. Cal. Ac. 1861, 122); W. -Arizona (COUES, P. A. N. S. 1866, 56). - -This interesting species is intermediate between _auratus_ and -_mexicanus_ in having the yellow shafts and quills of the former; a -red malar patch, an ashy throat, and no nuchal crescent, as in the -latter. To _mexicanoides_ the relationship is still closer, since both -have the rufous-brown head above. A hybrid between this last species -and _auratus_ would in some varieties come very near _chrysoides_, but -as it does not belong to the region of _chrysoides_, and there is no -transition from one species to the other in any specimens, as in -_hybridus_, there is no occasion to take this view of the species. - -Cape St. Lucas specimens, where the species is exceedingly abundant, -are considerably smaller than those from Arizona, and appear to be -more strongly marked with black above and below; otherwise there seems -to be no difference of special importance. - -As neither _C. auratus_ nor _mexicanus_ has the top of the head -rufous-brown, (though slightly indicated anteriorly in the latter), -this character has not been noted in the hybrids between the two -(_hybridus_), and its presence in _chrysoides_ will serve to -distinguish it from _hybridus_. - -HABITS. This comparatively new form of Woodpecker was first described -in 1852 by Malherbe, from a California specimen in the Paris Museum, -which had been at first supposed to be a female or immature _ayresii_. -What Dr. Cooper thinks may have been this species was met with by Dr. -Heermann among the mountains bordering upon the Cosumnes River, in -California, where it was rare, and only two specimens were taken. In -February, 1861, other specimens of this bird were taken at Fort Mohave -by Dr. Cooper. They were feeding on larvæ and insects among the -poplar-trees, and were very shy and wary. The bird is supposed to -winter in the Colorado Valley, and wherever found has been met with in -valleys, and not on mountains. It is an abundant and characteristic -member of the Cape St. Lucas fauna. - -According to Dr. Cooper these birds were already mated at Fort Mohave -after February 20. They had the same habits, flight, and cries as the -_C. mexicanus_. They appeared to be migratory, having come from the -south. - -Mr. Xantus, in his brief notes on the birds of Cape St. Lucas, makes -mention of finding this bird breeding, May 19, in a dead _Cereus -giganteus_. The nest was a large cavity about fifteen feet from the -ground, and contained only one egg. The parent bird was also secured. -In another instance two eggs were found in a _Cereus giganteus_, at -the distance of forty feet from the ground. The eggs were not -noticeably different from those of the common _Colaptes mexicanus_. - - - - -FAMILY PSITTACIDÆ.—THE PARROTS. - - -CHAR. Bill greatly hooked; the maxilla movable and with a cere at the -base. Nostrils in the base of the bill. Feet scansorial, covered with -granulated scales. - -The above diagnosis characterizes briefly a family of the -_Zygodactyli_ having representatives throughout the greater part of -the world, except Europe, and embracing about three hundred and fifty -species, according to the late enumeration of Finsch,[136] of which -one hundred and forty-two, or nearly one half, are American (seventy -Brazilian alone). The subfamilies are as follows:— - - I. Stringopinæ. Appearance owl-like; face somewhat veiled - or with a facial disk, as in the Owls. - - II. Plyctolophinæ. Head with an erectile crest, of - variable shape. - - III. Sittacinæ. Head plain. Tail long, or lengthened, - wedge-shaped or graduated. - - IV. Psittacinæ. Head plain. Tail short or moderate, - straight or rounded. - - V. Trichoglossinæ. Tip of tongue papillose. Bill - compressed; tip of maxilla internally smooth, not crenate; - gonys obliquely ascending. - -Of these, Nos. III and IV alone are represented in the New World, and -only the _Sittacinæ_ occur in the United States, with one species. - - - [136] Die Papageien. Monographisch bearbeitet von Otto - Finsch. 2 vols. Leiden, 1867, 1868. - - - - - SUBFAMILY SITTACINÆ. - - -The lengthened cuneate tail, as already stated, distinguishes -this group from the American _Psittacinæ_ with short, square, or -rounded tail. The genera are distinguished as follows:— - - Sittace. Culmen flattened. Face naked, except in _S. - pachyrhyncha_. Tail as long as or longer than wings. - - Conurus. Culmen rounded. Face entirely feathered, except a - curve around the eye. Tail shorter than wings. - -Of the genus _Sittace_, which embraces eighteen species, two come -sufficiently near to the southern borders of the United States to -render it not impossible that they may yet be found to cross the -border. Of one of these, indeed, (_S. pachyrhyncha_,) there is a -specimen in the Museum of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural -Sciences, presented by J. W. Audubon as shot on the Rio Grande of -Texas; and another (_S. militaris_) is common at Mazatlan, and perhaps -even at Guaymas. There is considerable reason for doubt as to the -authenticity of the alleged locality of the _S. pachyrhyncha_, but for -the purpose of identification, should either species present itself, -we give diagnoses in the accompanying foot-note.[137] - - - [137] - A. Tail longer than the wings; lores and cheeks naked; the - latter with narrow lines of small feathers. - - S. militaris. Green; forehead red; posterior portion of - back, upper and under tail-coverts with quills and tip of - tail, sky-blue; under side of tail dirty orange-yellow. - Wing, 14.00; middle tail-feathers, 15.00; tarsus, 1.08. - _Hab._ Northwestern Mexico to Bolivia. - - Synonymy: _Psittacus militaris_, LINN. S. N. 1767, 139. - _Sittace militaris_, FINSCH, Die Papageien, I, 1867, - 396. - - B. Tail about equal to the wings; lores and cheeks - feathered. - - S. pachyrhyncha. Green; the forehead, edge of wings, and - the tibiæ red; greater under wing-coverts yellow. Wing, - 8.00 to 10.00; middle tail-feather, 6.50. _Hab._ Southern - Mexico (Jalapa and Angangueo), given probably erroneously - from the Rio Grande of Texas. Synonymy: _Macrocercus - pachyrhynchus_, SW. Syn. Birds Mex. in Philos. Mag. I, - 1827, 439, No. 79. _Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha_, BON. - Tableau des Perroquets, Rev. et Mag. de Zoöl. 1854, 149. - _Sittace pachyrhyncha_, FINSCH, Die Papageien, I, 1867, - 428. _Psittacus pascha_, WAGLER, Isis, 1831, 524. - _Psittacus strenuus_, LICHT. Preis-Verzeichiss, 1830. - - - -GENUS CONURUS, KUHL. - - _Conurus_, KUHL, Consp. Psittac. 4, 1830.—IB. Nova Acta K. L. - C. Acad. X, 1830. - -GEN. CHAR. Tail long, conical, and pointed; bill stout; cheeks -feathered, but in some species leaving a naked ring round the eye; -cere feathered to the base of the bill. - - [Line drawing: _Conurus carolinensis._ - 1228] - -The preceding diagnosis, though not very full, will serve to indicate -the essential characteristics of the genus among the Middle American -forms with long pointed tails, the most prominent feature consisting -in the densely feathered, not naked, cheeks. But one species belongs -to the United States, though three others are found in Mexico, and -many more in South and Central America. A few species occur in the -West Indies. - - [Illustration: PLATE LVI. - 1. Conurus carolinensis. _Ad._, Mich., 1228. - 2. ” ” _Juv._, Fla., 54812. - 3. Setophaga picta. ♂ Guat., 30705. - 4. Hylotomus pileatus. ♀ Pa., 1723. - 5. ” pileatus. ♂ Selkirk Settlement, 51863. - 6. Sphyropicus thyroideus. ♂ Cal., 16098.] - - - -Conurus carolinensis, KUHL. - -PARAKEET; CAROLINA PARROT; ILLINOIS PARROT. - - _Psittaca carolinensis_, BRISSON, Ornith. II, 1762, 138. _Psittacus - carolinensis_, LINN. Syst. Nat. I, 1758, 97; 1766, 141 (nec - SCOPOLI).—WILSON, Am. Orn. III, 1811, 89, pl. xxvi, fig. - 1.—AUD. Orn. Biog. I, 1832, 135, pl. xxvi. _Conurus - carolinensis_, KUHL, Nova Acta K. L. C. 1830.—BON. List, - 1838.—PR. MAX. Cabanis Journ. für Orn. V, March, 1857, - 97.—BAIRD, Birds N. Am. 1858, 57.—FINSCH, Papagei. I, 1857, - 478.—SCL. Cat. 1862, 347.—ALLEN, B. E. Fla. 308. _Centurus - carolinensis_, AUD. Syn. 1839, 189.—IB. Birds Am. IV, 1842, - 306, pl. cclxxviii. _Psittacus ludovicianus_, GM. Syst. I, - 1788, 347. _Psittacus thalassinus_, VIEILL. Ency. Meth. 1377. - _Conurus ludovicianus_, GRAY. Catal. Br. Mus. Psittac. 1859, 36 - (makes distinct species from _carolinensis_). _Carolina - parrot_, CATESBY, Car. I, tab. xi.—LATHAM, Syn. I, - 227.—PENNANT, II, 242. _Orange-headed parrot_, LATHAM, Syn. I, - 304. - - [Line drawing: _Conurus carolinensis._ - 1228] - -SP. CHAR. Head and neck all round gamboge-yellow; the forehead, from -above the eyes, with the sides of the head, pale brick-red. Body -generally with tail green, with a yellowish tinge beneath. Outer webs -of primaries bluish-green, yellow at the base; secondary coverts edged -with yellowish. Edge of wing yellow, tinged with red; tibiæ yellow. -Bill white. Legs flesh-color. Length, about 13.00; wing, 7.50; tail, -7.10. Young with head and neck green. Female with head and neck green; -the forehead, lores, and suffusion round the eyes, dark red, and -without the yellow of tibiæ and edge of wing. Size considerably less. - -HAB. Southern and Southwestern States and Mississippi Valley; north to -the Great Lakes and Wisconsin. - -This species was once very abundant in the United States east of the -Rocky Mountains, being known throughout the Southern States, and the -entire valley of the Mississippi, north to the Great Lakes. Stragglers -even penetrated to Pennsylvania, and one case of their reaching -Albany, N. Y., is on record. Now, however, they are greatly -restricted. In Florida they are yet abundant, but, according to Dr. -Coues, they are scarcely entitled to a place in the fauna of South -Carolina. In Western Louisiana, Arkansas, and the Indian Territory, -they are still found in considerable numbers, straggling over the -adjacent States, but now seldom go north of the mouth of the Ohio. We -have seen no note of their occurrence south of the United States, and -in view of their very limited area and rapid diminution in numbers, -there is little doubt but that their total extinction is only a matter -of years, perhaps to be consummated within the lifetime of persons now -living. It is a question whether both sexes are similarly colored, as -in most American Parrots, or whether the female, as just stated, lacks -the yellow of the head. Several female birds killed in Florida in -March agree in the characters indicated above for that sex; but the -material at our command is not sufficient to decide whether all -females are similarly marked, or whether the plumage described is that -of the bird of the second year generally. There is no trace whatever -of yellow on the head. - -HABITS. In determining the geographical distribution of the Carolina -Parrot, a distinction should be made between its accidental occurrence -and its usual and habitual residence. Strictly speaking, this species, -though of roving habits, is not migratory. Its movements are -irregular, and dependent upon the abundance or the scarcity of its -food. Where it breeds, it is usually a permanent resident. An -exceptional visit to a place cannot be taken as certain evidence that -it will reappear in that locality. - -When Wilson wrote, it inhabited the interior of Louisiana and the -country lying upon the banks of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and -their tributary waters, even beyond the Illinois River, to the -neighborhood of Lake Michigan, in latitude 42° north. The same writer -insisted that, contrary to the generally received opinion, it was at -that time resident in all those places. Eastward of the great range of -the Alleghanies it has been very seldom seen north of the State of -Maryland, though straggling parties have been occasionally observed -among the valleys of the Juniata. Barton states that a very large -flock of these birds was observed in January, 1780, about twenty-five -miles northwest of Albany. - -The occurrence of this species in midwinter so far to the north, and -its constant residence west of the Alleghanies throughout the year in -colder regions, justify the conclusion of its being a very hardy bird. -In evidence of this, Wilson mentions the fact of his having seen a -number of them, in the month of February, on the banks of the Ohio, in -a snow-storm, flying about like Pigeons, and in full cry. - -The very evident preference which the Carolina Parakeet evinces for -western localities, though in the same parallel of latitude with those -east of the Alleghanies, which it rarely or never visits, is -attributed by the same attentive observer to certain peculiar features -of the country to which it is particularly and strongly attached. -These are the low, rich alluvial bottoms along the borders of creeks, -covered with a gigantic growth of buttonwood, deep and impenetrable -swamps of the cypress, and those peculiar salines—or, as they are -called, salt-licks—so frequent throughout that region, all of which -are regularly visited by the Parakeets. The great abundance of the -seeds of the cockle-bur (_Xanthium strumarium_) is also given as a -still greater inducement for their frequenting the banks of the Ohio -and the Mississippi, where these plants are found in the greatest -abundance. The seeds of the cypress-trees are another powerful -attraction, while the abundance of the mast of the beech, on which it -feeds freely, may explain their occasional visits to more northern -regions, and even to places where they were before unknown. - -In descending the Ohio in the month of February, Wilson met the first -flock of Parakeets at the mouth of the Little Scioto. He was informed -by an old inhabitant of Marietta that they were sometimes, though -rarely, seen there. He afterwards observed flocks of them at the mouth -of the Great and Little Miami, and in the neighborhood of the numerous -creeks which discharge themselves into the Ohio. At Big Bone Lick, -near the mouth of the Kentucky River, he met them in great numbers. -They came screaming through the woods, about an hour after sunrise, to -drink the salt water, of which, he says, they are remarkably fond. - -Audubon, writing in 1842, speaks of the Parakeets as then very rapidly -diminishing in number. In some regions where twenty-five years before -they had been very plentiful, at that time scarcely any were to be -seen. At one period, he adds, they could be procured as far up the -tributary water of the Ohio as the Great Kanawha, the Scioto, the head -of the Miami, the mouth of the Maumee at its junction with Lake Erie, -and sometimes as far northeast as Lake Ontario. At the time of his -writing very few were to be found higher than Cincinnati, and he -estimated that along the Mississippi there was not half the number -that had existed there fifteen years before. - -According to Nuttall, this species constantly inhabits and breeds in -the Southern States, and is so hardy as to make its appearance -commonly, in the depth of winter, along the wooded banks of the Ohio, -the interior of Alabama, and the banks of the Mississippi and -Missouri, around St. Louis, and other places, when nearly all the -other birds have migrated. - -Its present habitat seems to be the Southern and Southwestern States, -as far west as the Missouri. They occur high up that river, although -none were seen or collected much farther west than its banks. In the -enumeration of the localities from which the specimens in the -Smithsonian collection were derived, Florida, Cairo, Ill., Fort Smith, -Arkansas, Fort Riley, Kansas, Nebraska, and Bald Island, Missouri -River, and Michigan are given. - -In regard to the manner of nesting, breeding-habits, number of eggs in -a nest, and the localities in which it breeds, I know nothing from my -own personal observations, nor are writers generally better informed, -with the single exception of Mr. Audubon. Wilson states that all his -informants agreed that these birds breed in hollow trees. Several -affirmed to him that they had seen their nests. Some described these -as made with the use of no additional materials, others spoke of their -employing certain substances to line the hollows they occupied. Some -represented the eggs as white, others as speckled. One man assured him -that in the hollow of a large beech-tree, which he had cut down, he -found the broken fragments of upwards of twenty Parakeet’s eggs, which -he described as of a greenish-yellow color. He described the nest as -formed of small twigs glued to each other and to the side of the tree -in the manner of the Chimney-Swallow! From all these contradictory -accounts Wilson was only able to gather, with certainty, that they -build in companies and in hollow trees. The numerous dissections which -he made in the months of March, April, May, and June led him to infer -that they commence incubation late in spring or very early in summer. - -Mr. Audubon, who speaks from his own observations, describes their -nests, or the places in which they deposit their eggs, as simply the -bottom of such cavities in trees as those to which they usually retire -at night. Many females, he thinks, deposit their eggs together; and he -expresses the opinion that the number of eggs which each individual -lays is two, although he was not able absolutely to assure himself of -this. He describes them as nearly round, and of a light -greenish-white. An egg of this species from Louisiana is of a rounded -oval shape, equally obtuse at either end, and of a uniform dull-white -color. It measures 1.40 by 1.10 inches. - - - - -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. 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. 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. Also -unchanged: - - Lake ‘Winnipeg’ is spelled ‘Winnepeg’ in several locations - ‘woolly’ is also spelled ‘wooly’ - ‘macrourus’ is spelled ‘macrurus’ in several locations - ‘Porto Rico’ is used instead of ‘Puerto Rico’ - plate number is missing in the original text of sources for Linnæs’s - Emerald. ...‘GOULD, Monog. Trochilid. pl. ’... - ‘coccygus’ is also spelled ‘coccyzus,’ the latter usually in cites - to other works. - ‘Pipilo rufipileus’ appears after ‘Ptilogonys’ in the index of - scientific names - -Footnotes were renumbered sequentially and moved to the end of the -section in which the related anchors occur. - -For consistency, periods were deleted from three abbreviations ending -in ‘2d.’ Hyphens were removed from three instances of ‘red-wing’ and -hyphens were added to ‘barn-yard’ and ‘cow-yard.’ - -The top of birds' heads is truncated in the original of several plates. - -Obvious printing errors were corrected, such as duplicate words, -upside down letters, and letters or spacing in the wrong order. -Examples include ‘by. 75 in breadth.’ changed to ‘by .75 in breadth.’ -and ‘interrutped’ changed to ‘interrupted.’ - -Spelling changes: - - ‘albogularis’ to ‘albigularis’ - ...as _S. albigularis_, though male... - ‘erythropthalmus’ changed to ‘erythrophthalmus’, three occurances: - ...2. P. erythrophthalmus... - ...var. _erythrophthalmus_... - illustration caption: 2135, _Pipilo erythropthalmus_... - ‘supercilioss’ to ‘superciliosa,’ anchor to Footnote [20] - ‘sucessively to ‘successively’ - ...second and fifth successively,... - ‘Lye’ to ‘Lyc’ in Footnote [33] - Caption to Plate XXXIV, ‘bullockii’ changed to ‘bullocki’ - for consistency with the remaining references in the book - ‘Rosalie’ to ‘Rosalia’ - ...at Santa Rosalia, where... - ‘placeed’ to ‘placed’ - ...were placed indifferently... - ‘Ianceolate’ to ‘lanceolate’ - ‘Teritory’ to ‘Territory’, twice: - ...Washington Territory, British Columbia... - ...Henry’s Fork, Wyoming Territory,... - ‘prompts’ to ‘prompt’ - ...is always prompt to perceive... - ‘Tyrannis’ to ‘Tyrannus’, caption 2. of plate 43. - ‘Nasas’ to ‘Nazas’ and ‘Duvango’ to ‘Durango’ - ...and at Rio Nazas, in Durango, by... - ‘5.’ to ‘8.’ caption to Plate 45. - ‘Jamica’ to ‘Jamaica’ - ...to breed in Jamaica.... - ‘In’ to ‘It’ - ...It measures 1.50 inches... - ‘Gambell’ to ‘Gambel’ - ...Dr. Gambel, in his paper... - ‘breed’ to ‘breeds’ - ...[it] possibly breeds there east of the Sierras.... - ‘close’ to ‘closed’ - ...even in a closed cabinet fades... - ‘tranverse’ to ‘transverse’, twice: - ...or with a few transverse wrinkles.... - ...spots or transverse bars of black... - ‘grove’ to ‘groove’ - ...with several grooves parallel to culmen.... - ‘guczuma’ to ‘guazuma’ - ...in a _guazuma_ tree.... - ‘Phænopepla’ to ‘Phainopepla’, twice: - ...similar to that of the Phainopepla nitens_... - and in the index. - ‘localties’ to ‘localities’ - ...Other localities: Nueces to Brazos... - ‘megarrhyncha’ to ‘megarhyncha’ in the index - figure number of index entry for Cardinalis ignius - changed from ‘0’ to ‘10’ - volume number in index entries for Columba fasciata, Columba - Flavirostris, Columba leucocephala, Ectopistes migratoria, and - Ortalida macalli changed from ‘II’ to III.’ - - - - - -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 55192-0.txt or 55192-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/1/9/55192/ - -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 The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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