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diff --git a/old/66068-0.txt b/old/66068-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 0ecd575..0000000 --- a/old/66068-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,15077 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Illustrations of the Birds of California, -Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America, by John Cassin - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British - and Russian America - -Author: John Cassin - -Release Date: August 15, 2021 [eBook #66068] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIRDS OF -CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, OREGON, BRITISH AND RUSSIAN AMERICA *** - - [Illustration: Plate 1 - The Mexican Jay - Cyanocorax luxuosus (_Lesson_)] - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - OF THE - BIRDS - OF - CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, OREGON, BRITISH AND RUSSIAN AMERICA. - - - INTENDED TO CONTAIN DESCRIPTIONS AND FIGURES - OF ALL - _North American Birds_ - NOT GIVEN BY FORMER AMERICAN AUTHORS, - AND A - GENERAL SYNOPSIS OF NORTH AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. - - - BY - JOHN CASSIN, - MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA; OF THE - AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY; OF THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF - PENNSYLVANIA; OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE; OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA NATURAL - HISTORY SOCIETY; OF THE NEW YORK LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY; OF THE - NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MONTREAL, ETC. ETC. - - - 1853 TO 1855. - - - PHILADELPHIA: - J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. - 1856. - - Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by - JOHN CASSIN, - in the Clerk’s office of the District Court of the United States for - the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. - - - - - PREFACE. - - -The natural history of North America has been regarded with especial -interest wherever the sciences have been cultivated since the discovery -of the continent. There never has been a period, however, in which such -extensive and productive research has been carried on, as in that which -commenced with the annexation of Texas to the United States, and in -which also California and New Mexico have become parts of the Union. The -extension of the laws of the United States over these vast countries, -and the consequent protection and personal safety, have induced the -visits of scientific travellers;—numerous Government expeditions for the -purposes of exploration and survey have been necessary, and have been -despatched on such missions with the utmost promptness and vigilance of -the public good by all administrations of the General Government, in the -period to which we allude, and have almost invariably been accompanied -by officers specially charged with making observations and collections -in Natural History. The Smithsonian Institution also has exerted an -influence in the highest degree favorable and important in the -development of the Natural History of this country, as in other -departments of science and literature. - -These are the main and immediate causes of the great strides that the -knowledge of the natural productions of North America has made within a -period of little upwards of twenty years. There are, of course, others, -of which the general diffusion of knowledge and attention to education -in the United States especially, and in fact throughout the civilized -world, have been perhaps the most efficient. - -Since the time of the publication of the works of our predecessors in -American Ornithology, the additions of species and of information in -that department of our Zoology have been very large, and being for much -the greater part within our reach, we have been induced to undertake the -present work. It is to be regarded in some measure as an addition to the -works of former authors in American Ornithology, but at the same time -complete in itself. - -Our advantages for study have been much superior to those possessed by -former writers in America. There never was in the United States, until -within the last ten years, a library of Natural History, approximating -in any considerable degree to completeness, nor affording the necessary -facilities for the study of Ornithology. Nor until within that period -was there any collection sufficiently comprehensive to answer the -purposes of comparison and general research. In various branches of -Natural History, but especially in Ornithology, these most important and -desirable objects have been fully accomplished in the formation of the -Library and Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia,—a -result for which science is indebted, not to the Government, nor to -public patronage of any kind, but to strictly private enterprise and -individual scientific taste. - -A new era in the history of the zoological sciences in the United States -commenced with the purchase and importation of the late General -Massena’s collection of Birds into this country in 1846, by Thomas B. -Wilson, M. D., of Philadelphia, and the commencement at the same period -of a library in Natural History by the same gentleman and his brother, -Mr. Edward Wilson, now residing in England. Both have been continued -without intermission to the present time, and the results have been, so -far as relates to Ornithology, that a most extensive collection has been -formed, now numbering about twenty-five thousand specimens, and a -Library containing very nearly every book relating to this branch of -natural science, of which copies are to be obtained; and also, -principally through the personal exertions of the latter-named -gentleman, in the cities of Europe, many that are of exceeding rarity -and value. In several other departments, also, nearly or quite as -complete collections of books and specimens have been made. To Fossil -Remains, Conchology, and Crustacea, these remarks are especially -applicable. - -Citizens who thus devote themselves to the advancement of science and -intellectual cultivation in their country,—whose exertions tend so -immediately to elevate it in the scale of civilization and refinement, -deserve to be ranked with its most illustrious scholars, statesmen, and -soldiers, and are equally entitled to the national gratitude. So long as -the condition of, or progress in the arts and sciences shall continue to -characterize nations, the influence in the United States of the -gentlemen to whom we have alluded, must be regarded as important in the -highest degree, and their services will be gratefully remembered by -their countrymen so long as the sciences are cultivated or appreciated. -They have reared in their native city a monument to Natural Science as -endurable as its influence in the minds of men, and more honorable to -themselves than the proudest obelisk or the richest memento of the -conqueror’s triumph. - -With such facilities for study, we have necessarily had advantages over -other American Ornithologists. One object of our work is to present a -general revision of the Ornithology of the United States, endeavoring to -bring our subject nearer to the true state of the science than has been -previously attempted in this country. In our Synopsis, the student will -find many corrections and additions, and will find himself, too, very -probably introduced to names both American and European, of the -connection of which with North American Ornithology, previous records -are silent, quite unjustifiably. - -Our predecessors have not been well versed in the history and -bibliography of Ornithology, nor indeed have they professed such -information. It is in fact a description of knowledge to be attained -with difficulty in any country,—so great, indeed, that no one -Ornithologist has ever yet been completely acquainted with the -bibliography of his science. - -To our publishers, Messrs. J. B. Lippincott & Co., is due our gratitude -for constant kindness and encouragement during the publication of the -present volume. Our treatment by the members of this eminent firm has in -fact most fully demonstrated to us their deep interest in the Natural -Sciences, as gentlemen of taste and cultivation, quite irrespective, so -far as relates to our work, of merely business considerations. - -To the kind friends whose contributions have added so much to the -interest of this volume, we have to express our sense of great -obligation, especially to Col. George A. McCall, Capt. J. P. McCown, -Capt. S. G. French, Dr. T. C. Henry, of the U. S. Army, to Mr. John G. -Bell, Dr. A. L. Heermann, Dr. P. R. Hoy, Dr. S. W. Woodhouse, Mr. John -H. Clark, Dr. Charles Pickering, and Dr. C. B. R. Kennerly. - -To Dr. A. Hall, of Montreal, and Dr. R. Haymond, of Brookville, Indiana, -for much valuable information relating to the birds of their districts. - -To Professor J. P. Kirtland, Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, Professor S. F. -Baird, and Mr. Robert Kennicott, we have also to express our gratitude -for very important services, in facilitating the circulation of our -work, and for much information and assistance. - -For facilities for the examination and comparison of specimens we -gratefully acknowledge our obligations to the gentlemen of the Academy -of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia; to Professor Joseph Henry and -Professor S. F. Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution; to the Natural -History Society of South Carolina; to Mr. Edward Harris, to the Rev. Dr. -Bachman, to Mr. John Krider, to Mr. Geo. N. Lawrence, and to Mr. J. P. -Giraud. - -Of the superior execution of the plates of our work, it is perhaps -unnecessary for us to speak, but in justice to Mr. J. T. Bowen, and Mr. -W. E. Hitchcock, we may be allowed to say that we regard them as having -in this volume fully established a degree of excellence in the -production of zoological plates, rarely excelled, if equalled, in this -country. - -Though we hope and fully intend to proceed with a second series of this -work, as materials accumulate, especially as the present volume has met -with a degree of patronage much greater than we had any right or reason -to expect, we have to say to our friends and patrons, that at present we -have no definite prospect of such continuation. Should we be favored -with life and health, we hope to present two additional volumes or -series, each, like the present, complete in itself, for which very -nearly a sufficient number of birds are now known as inhabiting the -United States, and which are not given by former authors on North -American Ornithology. At present, our engagements, we regret to say, -render such an undertaking quite impossible. - - John Cassin. - -Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, _November, 1855_. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - A - Acanthylis, genus Page 249 - Accipiter, genus 94 - Ammodromus, genus 136 - “ ruficeps pl. 20, 135 - “ rostratus pl. 38, 226 - Antrostomus, genus 235 - Aquila, genus 109 - Archibuteo, genus 103, 161 - “ ferrugineus pl. 26, 159 - Astur, genus 93 - Athene, genus 188 - - - B - Bernicla, genus 54 - “ nigricans pl. 10, 52 - “ leucopareia pl. 45, 272 - Bubo, genus 177 - Buteo, genus 97 - “ Bairdii pl. 41, 99, 257 - “ insignatus pl. 31, 102, 198 - - - C - Callipepla, genus 50 - “ Gambelii pl. 9, 45 - “ squamata pl. 19, 129 - Caprimulgidæ, family 235 - Carpodacus, genus 78 - “ familiaris pl. 13, 73 - Cardinalis, genus 206 - “ sinuatus pl. 33, 204 - Cardinella, genus 266 - “ rubra pl. 43, 265 - Cathartes, genus 56 - Ceryle, genus 254 - Chamæa, genus 40 - “ fasciata pl. 7, 39 - Chordeiles, genus 237 - Circus, genus 108 - Cotyle, genus 247 - Culicivora, genus 164 - “ mexicana pl. 27, 163 - Cyanocorax, genus 5 - “ luxuosus pl. 1, 1 - Cypselus, genus 248 - Cyrtonyx, genus 25 - “ Massena pl. 4, 21 - - - D - Diomedea, genus 211 - “ brachyura pl. 50, 289 - “ nigripes pl. 35, 210 - Dryotomus, genus 287 - “ imperialis pl. 49, 285 - - - E - Elanus, genus 106 - Emberiza, genus 153 - “ bilineata pl. 23, 150 - Embernagra, genus 71 - “ Blandingiana pl. 12, 70 - - - F - Failconidæ family 85 - Falco genus 85, 122 - “ polyagrus pl. 16, 88, 121 - Fissirostres 235 - - - G - Geococcyx, genus 219 - “ mexicanus pl. 36, 213 - Glaucidium, genus 189 - Gymnokitta, genus 167 - “ cyanocephala pl. 28, 165 - - - H - Halcyonidæ, family 253 - Haliaetus, genus 37, 109 - “ pelagicus pl. 6, 31 - Hierofalco, genus 89 - Hirundinidæ, family 242 - Hirundo, genus 242 - Hypotriorchis, genus 90 - - - I - Icterus, genus 43 - “ cucullatus pl. 8, 42 - “ melanocephalus pl. 21, 137 - Ictinea, genus 106 - Insessores, tribe 235 - - - L - Larus, genus 29 - “ Heermanni pl. 5, 28 - Lophophanes, genus 18 - “ atricristatus pl. 3, 13, 19 - - - M - Melanerpes, genus 11 - “ formicivorus pl. 2, 7 - “ thyroideus pl. 32, 201 - Morphnus, genus 114 - - - N - Nauclerus, genus 105 - Nyctale, genus 68, 185 - “ Kirtlandii pl. 11, 63, 187 - Nyctea, genus 190 - - - O - Ortalida, genus 270 - “ poliocephala pl. 44, 267 - Otus, genus 181 - - - P - Pandion, genus 112 - Parinæ, sub-family 17 - Parus, genus 17 - “ septentrionalis pl. 14, 80 - Petrochelidon, sub-genus 243 - Picolaptes, genus 157 - “ brunneicapillus pl. 25, 156 - Pipilo, genus 126 - “ fusca pl. 17, 124 - Plectrophanes, genus 230 - “ McCownii pl. 39, 228 - Polyborus, genus 112 - Progne, genus 245 - Psaltria, genus 19 - Ptilogonys, genus 171 - “ nitens pl. 29, 169 - Pyrocephalus, genus 128 - “ rubineus pl. 18, 127 - - - Q - Querquedula, genus 83 - “ cyanoptera pl. 15, 82 - - - R - Recurvirostra, genus 233 - “ occidentalis pl. 40, 232 - Rostrhamus, genus 107 - - - S - Sarcoramphus, genus 59 - Saxicola, genus 208 - “ oenanthoides pl. 34, 207 - Scops, genus 179 - Strigidæ, family 175 - Strix, genus 176 - Surnia, genus 191 - Sylvicola, genus 281 - “ olivacea pl. 48, 283 - “ Kirtlandii pl. 47, 278 - Syrnium, genus 183 - - - T - Thalassidroma, genus 277 - “ furcata pl. 46, 274 - Tinnunculus, genus 92 - Toxostoma, genus 263 - “ rediviva pl. 42, 260 - Trochilus, genus 148 - “ Alexandri pl. 22, 141 - Troglodytes, genus 175 - “ mexicanus pl. 30, 173 - - - V - Vireo, genus 154 - “ atricapillus pl. 24, 153 - Vireosylvia, genus 224 - “ altiloqua pl. 37, 221 - Vulturidæ, family 56 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS - OF - THE BIRDS - OF - CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, OREGON, AND BRITISH AND RUSSIAN AMERICA. - - - - - CYANOCORAX LUXUOSUS.—(Lesson.) - The Mexican Jay. - PLATE I.—Adult Male. - - -The family of birds, familiarly known as Jays, is so extensively -diffused, that every country of the world produces species except Africa -south of the Great Desert, Australia, and the islands in the Pacific -ocean. - -The European species are few in number, but that which is the most -common and well known by the name from which has been derived the -popular appellation now applied to nearly all of its more or less nearly -allied relatives, is justly regarded as one of the most remarkable of -the birds of that continent. It is the only species of this family which -inhabits central Europe and the British Islands, and is much admired on -account of the beauty of its plumage, which is for the greater part of a -very handsome light reddish brown, with its wings richly colored of a -beautiful light blue and a deep black. It is a cunning, cautious bird, -and possesses very considerable powers of imitation and of voice in -general. Nearly all the European ornithologists relate instances of -specimens which they had seen in a state of domestication, some of which -had been taught, not only to articulate words but also to imitate -various sounds and the cries of animals. Bewick mentions one which would -call a dog, and another which could imitate the noise made by a saw. -Others have heard it imitate the mewing of a cat, the notes of other -birds, and even the neighing of a horse. In Germany, where the taming -and rearing of birds is made a matter of business to a much greater -extent than we have any examples of in the United States, the Jay is a -great favorite on account of this talent, or in some measure for the -same reason that the Mocking bird is in this country. It does not -appear, however, to possess the talent for accurate imitation, nor the -taste nor talent for combination which is shown in such an eminent -degree by the famous songster of this country, but to evince imitative -instincts more similar to those of the Parrots. - -Other Jays, of very handsome plumage, inhabit Asia, from the northern -regions of which continent, as well as from northern Africa, a few -species visit Europe. They are not abundant in either of the first -mentioned continents. - -The birds of this group are most numerous in America. In the higher -northern latitudes and in the eastern parts of the United States, a few -species only are found; several others, of which some account will be -found in the present work, and some of which are very handsome and -remarkable species have as yet to be regarded as exclusively western, -having only been observed in the countries on the Pacific seaboard. We -beg the liberty of saying, however, in passing, that it is as yet quite -impossible to define, in any reliable manner, the limits of the range of -any of the birds usually regarded as exclusively inhabiting the Western -States and territories of the United States, so vast a central region -having been but very imperfectly explored, and which yet presents to the -enterprising scientific traveller one of the most interesting regions -for research on the face of the globe. It comprises the entire range of -country from the Mississippi river to beyond the Rocky Mountains, from -the northern to the southern limits of the United States. - -In Mexico and thence southward to Brazil and Patagonia, and, in fact, -throughout South America, many species of Jays are to be met with in -abundance, and of such beautiful plumage and variety of tints as far -surpass those of any other country. The prevailing hues of the plumage -of the greater number of the American species are the different shades -of blue, from the most delicate ultramarine or azure to deep indigo, -generally variegated, in a very agreeable manner, with white, black or -yellow. Amongst the most handsome of these birds we may mention the -great crested Jay of South America and the West Indies, _Cyanocorax -pileatus_, a large and very showy species, the Mexican painted Jay, -_Cyanocitta_ _ornata_, which has the entire plumage of a deep blue color -beautifully relieved by a large patch of very pale bluish white on the -back part of the head and neck. Others, such as Beechey’s Jay of -California and Mexico, _Cyanocitta Beechii_, of which we shall give a -plate and description, have the plumage of fine silky blue above, and -deep black on the under part of the body. There are a few species in -which the prevailing color of the plumage is violet, as the _Cyanocorax -violaceus_, a native of the northern parts of South America, and -probably of Central America and Mexico. There are also a few species of -which the bird figured in our present plate is one, in which the plumage -is green, usually variegated with blue and yellow. - -The Mexican species yet discovered are of very fine plumage, though -generally of smaller size than many of those of South America. Several -of the species of the southern portion of this continent are, in fact, -so large that they approach the stature of their relatives, the crows, -though clothed in a quite different style of vesture. In fact, some of -the larger species are known to collectors and travellers by such names -as the Blue crow, the Surinam crow, &c. The _Cyanocorax azureus_ of -South America is the “Blue Crow,” and is one of the largest species of -this family. - -The Jays must be regarded as highly organized birds, and are possessed -of a superior order of instincts. However deficient in melody or compass -of voice, there are few other birds in which are found combined so many -characters or bird-like qualities. Delicacy of form, beauty of plumage, -vigorous and enduring powers of flight, are united with much liveliness -of disposition, unusual instincts of precaution and self-preservation, -and the ability to subsist on very diversified descriptions of both -animal and vegetable food. They are accordingly entitled to a superior -position in any system of classification, based, as all zoological -systems should be, on the knowledge of functional as well as of organic -characters;—on the observations of the naturalist in the field or -forest, not less than on the conclusions or discoveries of the -anatomist. - -Nearly all the species of this group of birds appear to partake to a -considerable extent of the cunning, though not unpleasant nor unsociable -habits of the Blue Jay of the United States, and like it they feed -indiscriminately on seeds or fruits, worms, insects, and even small -quadrupeds, or on other birds. They live principally in the forests, -though several of the fine species of South America and all the species -of North America frequently resort to the orchards and fields, or -approach the habitations of men, and when captured young are readily -domesticated. - -The very handsome bird which, in our first plate, we present to our -readers, is a recent addition to the Ornithology of the United States, -having been observed in Texas, though previously known as a bird of -Mexico. It is nearly related to the Peruvian Jay, _C. yucas_, Boddaert, -or _C. peruvianus_, Gmelin, which is a native of the countries of -western South America. It is, however, considerably smaller, and is -differently colored on the inferior parts of the body, having there a -prevailing tint of green instead of the clear yellow of that also -handsome bird, and other characters tending to establish a clear -specific difference. - -This bird is abundant in Mexico. It was observed to be quite numerous on -the _tierra templada_ or table lands, and in the hills bounding the -plains of Perote and Puebla on the east, by Mr. William S. Pease, an -enterprising naturalist, who accompanied the army of the United States, -under General Scott, throughout its campaign in Mexico. Mr. Pease -learned that it lived on the sides of the hills throughout the year, and -was called by the inhabitants, the _pepe verde_. His collection, now -included in that of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, -contained very fine specimens of both sexes, though his notes contain -little information respecting them. - -M. Lesson, an eminent French naturalist, was the first to describe this -species. His description, from a Mexican specimen, is in the Révue -Zoologique for 1839, p. 100. (Paris.) The first published notice of it -as a Texan species is by Mr. Geo. N. Lawrence, in the Annals of the New -York Lyceum of Natural History, vol. v., p. 115. - -The credit of having first discovered it within the limits of the United -States is due to Col. George A. M‘Call, Inspector General of the United -States Army, who sent specimens to the Philadelphia Academy, from Texas, -several years since, and who has most kindly favored us with the -following note: - -“The first specimens of this Jay that I saw within the territory of the -United States, were in the forests that border the Rio Grande, on the -south-western frontier of Texas. There they were mated in the month of -May, and no doubt had their nests in the extensive and almost -impenetrable thickets of _Mimosæ_, which are commonly denominated -_Chaparral_. Of the number of their eggs, or the description of their -nests, I learned nothing, not having been able to discover their abode, -precisely; but from the jealousy and pugnacity which they manifested on -the approach or appearance of the large boat-tailed blackbird of that -country (_Quiscalus macrourus_,) which was nesting in great numbers in -the vicinity, I felt satisfied that the Jays were, at the time, also -engaged in the duties of incubation and rearing their young. In -character or temperament they appeared to be very active and lively, -though less noisy than some other species of their family, and their gay -plumage was exhibited to 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. M‘Cown, another accomplished officer of the United States -Army, also observed this bird in Texas, to the natural history of which -country he has contributed a large amount of most valuable information. -From the interesting memoranda which he has very generously and promptly -furnished for our use in the present work, we make the following -extract: - -“During the several years that I was in Texas, I frequently saw this -Jay, but never above Ringgold Barracks or north of the woods which skirt -the Rio Grande. It appeared to prefer the Acacia groves which have -sprung up where the ground has been overflowed. Though I have shot -numerous specimens it is rather a cautious bird. I have seen nests high -up in the trees alluded to, and always supposed them to belong to this -species, but was never clearly satisfied, though I have no doubt that it -breeds in Texas.” - -The figure in our plate is about three-fourths of the natural size. - -The plant represented is the _Salvia coccinea_, which is a native of the -southern parts of North America. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Cyanocorax, Boie, in Oken’s Isis, 1826, part II., p. 977. - -Bill rather large and strong, with the ridge of the upper mandible -curved gradually from the base to the point—ridge of the lower mandible -curved upwards. Nostrils at the base of the bill, in rather a large -membrane, and partially concealed by projecting feathers. Wings -moderate, rather rounded, fourth, fifth and sixth primaries usually -longest; secondaries long, exceeding some of the shorter primaries. Tail -rather lengthened and rounded; tarsi robust, rather long; toes and claws -strong. Head usually with a crest or with the frontal plumes erect and -crest-like. Plumage of various colors, mostly with some part of greater -or less extent, blue. Exclusively American. Type _C. pileatus_. -(Wagler.) - - Cyanocorax luxuosus. (Lesson.) - Garrulus luxuosus. Lesson Revue Zoologique 1839, p. 100. (Paris.) - Cyanocorax luxuosus. (Less.) Du Bus, Esquisses Ornithologiques, part - IV. pl. 18. (Brussels.) - -Form. Feathers of the head in front or at the base of the upper -mandible, short, erect and rigid—other plumage of the head above -somewhat elongated; wings rather short, with the fourth and fifth quills -slightly longest; tail ample, and rather long, with the central feathers -longest; bill strong, tarsi and feet moderate, claws strong and curved. - -Dimensions.—Total length (of skin) from the tip of the bill to the end -of the tail, about 10½ inches, wing 4¾, tail 5½ inches. - -Colors.—Short feathers at the base of the bill, blue, which color is -succeeded by a transverse band of bluish white; cheeks and head above, -pale azure blue; sides of the head in front of and behind the eyes, -throat and neck in front fine silky black, which forms a wide mask -extending to the breast. - -Body above, wings and central tail feathers, fine parrot-like green, -deepest on the tail, entire inferior surface of the body pale yellowish -green. External tail feathers, pale yellow. Bill and feet dark colored. -The green feathers of the tail running into blue at their ends, and -nearly black on their under surface. - -Sexes similar. - -Habitat. Mexico and Texas—Specimens in the Museum of the Academy of -Natural Sciences, Philadelphia. - -Observations. The present species we regard as deviating in some degree -from the characters of the typical species of this genus, as is the case -with other species to which it is nearly related. We do not at present, -however, consider them as presenting peculiar characters sufficient to -constitute a distinct genus, though that excellent ornithologist, the -Prince of Canino, has given to this group the generic name of -_Xanthoura_, which embraces the species now before us, _C. yucas_ -(Boddaert) and _X. quatimalensis_. Bonap. (Consp. Av. p. 380.) - - [Illustration: Plate 2 - The Californian Woodpecker - Melanerpes formicivorus (_Swains._)] - - - - - MELANERPES FORMICIVORUS.—(Swainson.) - The Californian Woodpecker. - PLATE II.—Male and female. - - -The most richly colored Woodpeckers of North America, at least in our -Opinion, are two of the most abundant species. We allude to the bird now -before us, and to the well-known red-headed Woodpecker, _Melanerpes -erythrocephalus_, (Linn.) in both of which the prevailing colors are a -fine glossy black and a rich crimson. - -Were the latter bird less common in the Atlantic States, his claims to -be considered one of our finest plumaged species would perhaps be more -distinctly recognised, and his very showy head of the finest crimson -could not fail to attract admirers. As, however, he has the disadvantage -of an attributed disposition to take liberties entirely forbidden by the -farmer and gardener, and is moreover to be seen in almost every woodland -in the summer season, his gay appearance is by no means duly -appreciated, nor his general character held in high estimation. He is -however not so abundant as formerly, and with the destruction of the -large trees of the forest, which is constantly carried on to make room -for the increasing population in the more densely settled States, the -time may arrive when the sight of the red-headed woodpecker, with his -brilliant plumage, will be an unusual and pleasing circumstance to the -young, and serve to remind the aged of perhaps long-forgotten incidents -and associations of early life when remnants of the forest yet -flourished even in proximity to cities, or varied the aspect of -cultivated districts. - -Our present species is one of the most abundant of the birds of -California. It appears to take the place of the red-headed woodpecker in -the countries west of the Rocky Mountains, extending its range from -Oregon into Mexico, and probably to Guatimala and other countries of -Central America. It is not inferior to that species in the beauty of its -colors, is quite as unwary and familiar in its disposition, and when the -population of the great Western States shall have arrived at such a very -desirable stage of progress as to possess a generation of juvenile -sportsmen, our bird will no doubt be quite as great a favorite on -holiday shooting excursions. - -Several species of woodpeckers have had ascribed to them the habit of -accumulating stores of provisions in anticipation of the approach of -winter, but we have no knowledge of this being done by any American -species, except that now before us. For it we can claim this degree of -instinctive prudence on undoubted evidence, and shall have the pleasure, -in the present article, of laying before our readers an account of it, -which is not only a remarkable illustration of instinct, but shows a -singular method of mechanical preparation and management. - -Our valued friends, Mr. John G. Bell of New York, and Dr. A. L. Heermann -of Philadelphia, both of whom have made extended visits to California -for the purpose of investigating its Natural History, found this -woodpecker very abundant in all the parts of that country which either -of them visited. - -The former gentleman has had the kindness to inform us, that he -considers it by far the most extensively diffused and common woodpecker -of that country. He represents it as somewhat disposed to gregariousness -in its habits, and has frequently seen individuals on the same tree so -numerous and so close together, that several might have been killed at a -single discharge. According to Mr. Bell, its note very considerably -resembles that of the red-headed woodpecker, which it much resembles -also in flight and other general characters. He observed it only on -trees, particularly on the pines; and upon examination found the -contents of the stomachs of all the specimens which were procured by -him, to be composed principally of ants, of which several of the species -of California habitually frequent trees. The large collection of birds -brought home by Mr. Bell contained numerous specimens of this species. - -The account given by Dr. Heermann of this bird is of a highly -interesting character, and he has identified, for the first time, the -species of woodpecker of which previously nothing could be accurately -made out from the statements of travellers respecting a bird which -possessed the provident and curious instinct of storing away a supply of -food for the winter in holes made for that purpose in the bark of trees. -His remarks are in his “Notes on the Birds of California observed during -a residence of three years in that country,” published in the Journal of -the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Vol. II. p. 270. -(Quarto 1853,) from which we transcribe the following: - -“This is the noisiest and most abundant of the woodpeckers of -California. Perched on the topmost branch of a tree, it darts suddenly -into the air in pursuit of an insect, and having secured its object, -soon again returns to the same place, only to repeat this manœuvre in a -few moments. - -“In the fall season this species is busily engaged in digging small -holes in the bark of the pines and oaks, to receive acorns, one of which -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 during the -winter season, but are trespassed on by the jays, mice and squirrels. - -“The nest of this bird is dug out in the body of a tree, and is from six -inches to two feet in depth. The eggs, four or five in number, are pure -white.” - -The following graphic and intelligent account, to the same purpose, is -from Kelly’s Excursion to California, and is evidently from the pen of -an excellent observer and an agreeable writer: - -“In stripping off the bark of this tree, I observed it to be perforated -with holes, larger than those which a musket ball would make, shaped -with the most accurate precision as if bored under the guidance of a -rule and compass, and many of them filled most neatly with acorns. -Earlier in the season I had remarked such holes in most of all the -softer timber, but imagining that they were caused by wood insects, I -did not stop to examine or inquire, but now finding them studded with -acorns, firmly fixed in, which I knew could not have been driven there -by the wind, I sought for an explanation, which was practically given me -by Captain S——’s pointing out a flock of woodpeckers, busily and noisily -employed in the provident task of securing the winter’s provision. For -it appears that this sagacious bird is not all the time thriftlessly -engaged in ‘tapping the hollow beach tree’ for the mere idle purpose of -empty sound, but spends its summer season in picking these holes, in -which it lays its store of food for the winter, where the elements can -neither affect nor place it beyond their reach, and it is regarded as a -sure omen that the snowy period is approaching when these birds commence -stowing away their acorns, which otherwise might be covered by its fall. -I frequently have paused from my chopping, to watch them in the -neighborhood, with the acorns in their bills, half clawing, half flying -around the tree, and have admired the adroitness with which they tried -it at different holes until they found one of its exact calibre; when, -inserting the pointed end, they tapped it home most artistically with -the beak, and flew down for another. - -“But the natural instinct of this bird is even more remarkable in the -choice of the nuts, which are invariably found to be sound, whereas it -is an utter impossibility in selecting them for roasting, to pick up a -batch that will not have a large portion of them unfit for use, the most -smooth and polished frequently containing a large grub generated within. -Even the wily Digger Indian, with all his craft and experience, is -unable to arrive at any thing like an unerring selection, while in a -large bag full, that we took from the bark of our log, there was not one -containing the slightest germ of decay. These woodpeckers never encroach -on their packed stores until all the nuts on the surface of the ground -are covered with snow, when they resort to those in the bark, and peck -them of their contents without removing the shell from the hole. The -bark of the pine tree, from its great thickness, and the ease of boring, -is mostly sought for by these birds as their granary for the winter -season.” - -This extraordinary example of instinct is scarcely surpassed by any -other which has been observed in the animal kingdom, and it is to be -hoped that further accounts will be furnished by observers in the -countries which it inhabits, respecting the bird which is endowed with -such interesting and unusual habits. - -This woodpecker is common in Mexico in woods on the table lands, and was -observed by Mr. Pease also in the upper part of the _tierra caliente_. -It was first introduced to notice from Mexican specimens received from -the vicinity of Real del Monte by Mr. Swainson, a distinguished English -naturalist, who first described it in the Philosophical Magazine, 1827, -p. 439 (London.) It was observed in California previous to that country -having become a part of the United States, by Mr. Nuttall, the eminent -botanist and zoologist, who gave it a place in his Manual of the -Ornithology of the United States and of Canada. Vol. I., p. 682 (Boston, -1840.) - -Our figures are rather less than one-third of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Melanerpes. Swainson, in Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 316, - and Lardner’s Cabinet Cyclopedia, Birds, Vol. II. p. 310. - London, 1837. - -Bill straight, rather wide at the base and somewhat cylindrical, ridge -of the upper mandible arched, and with a slightly developed lateral -ridge on each side, nostrils basal, nearly concealed by projecting -plumes. Wings long, first primary spurious, fourth and fifth usually -longest, tail moderate, composed of broad and strong feathers. Tarsi and -feet moderate or rather strong; two external toes before and behind, -nearly equal. General form short and robust; color black, varied with -red and white. Type _M. erythrocephalus_. (Linn.) - - Melanerpes formicivorus. (Swainson.) - Picus formicivorus. Swainson in Taylor’s Phil. Mag., 1827, (p. 439,) - London. - Picus melanopogon. Temminck, Pl. col. Vol. IV., pl. 451. Leyden, about - 1829. - Melampicos flavigula. Malherbe in Rev. et Mag. de Zool., 1849, p. 542? - (Paris.) - -Form. Compact and rather robust; wing long, with the second and third -quills longest, and nearly equal; tail rather broad, and with the -feathers but moderately rigid at their ends, unless worn; feet -moderately robust; toes long; claws much curved. Rather larger than -_Melanerpes erythrocephalus_. (Linn.) - -Dimensions. (Of a skin from California.) Total length from tip of bill -to end of tail, about 9½ inches; wing, 5¾; tail, 3½ inches. - -Colors. Male. Short feathers immediately around the base of the bill, -black. Broad subfrontal band, pure white, which unites with a wide, -somewhat crescent-shaped mark of the same color, tinged with pale yellow -on the throat and neck in front. Large coronal and occipital space -immediately succeeding the white subfrontal band, fine light crimson, of -which color there is also a small, irregular spot or two in the centre -of a black band on the upper part of the breast. - -Cheeks, back, wings, and tail fine deep black, with a greenish gloss. -Band of black across the breast, succeeded by another, in which the -feathers are longitudinally marked with black and white; feathers of the -flanks, and under tail coverts, white, with black longitudinal stripes; -middle of the abdomen, rump, and spot at the base of the primaries, pure -white. The latter most readily observed on the inferior surface of the -wing. Secondary quills rather widely bordered with white on their -internal edges. Bill nearly black; legs and feet lighter. Female similar -to the male, but with a wide band of black on the top of the head. - -Hab. California and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Observations. The bird described by Temminck as _Picus melanopogon_ is -stated by him to have been received from Mexico, and his figure is -certainly the bird which is the subject of our present article. His -description and figure are in Livraison 76 of the Planches Colorices, -which was published about 1828 or 1829, but bears no date, and was -anticipated by Swainson’s publication in the Philos. Magazine. - -In the Revue et Magazin de Zoologie, for 1849, p. 542, M. Alfred -Malherbe, who has devoted much attention to the study of the -woodpeckers, has named a species _Melampicos flavigula_, and has very -carefully pointed out differences which he considers sufficient to -establish it as distinct from _Picus melanopogon_. He relies almost -entirely on the greater or lesser extent and relative widths of the -white, black and red spaces on their heads. Notwithstanding the -extensive knowledge which M. Malherbe undoubtedly possesses from his -great attention to this family of birds, I cannot see that there are any -characters given which may not be very properly attributed to -differences in age or sex, and I have accordingly felt myself justified -in suspecting it to be the same as the present species, having before me -specimens which I understand to represent both of them. - -No dependence can be placed in the extent of the red color on the head, -as a character, so far as I have observed, in the woodpeckers of the -United States. In _Picus pubescens_, a common species in Pennsylvania, -the young male has the head above entirely crimson, which color in the -adult is restricted to a narrow occipital band. I do not know that the -change in others of our species is so decided, but the width of the -occipital stripe is much varied in different specimens of the same -species, and my impression is, that as a specific character this very -ornamental portion of the plumage of woodpeckers ought to be estimated -with great caution. - - [Illustration: Plate 3 - The Black-crested Chickadee - Lophophanes atricristatus (_Cassin_)] - - - - - LOPHOPHANES ATRICRISTATUS.—(Cassin.) - The Black-crested Chickadee. - PLATE III.—Male and Female. - - -The pleasant little birds of the same family as those known in Great -Britain as Tits or Tit-mice, have received in America, from the -characteristic notes of several of the species, the name of Chickadees. -Popular names being entirely of a local character and of little -scientific value, we invariably prefer to give those by which species -are known in this country instead of the names of birds allied to or -resembling them which inhabit Europe, though the latter are generally -adopted by American writers. - -The species of this family, which are permanent residents in the middle -and northern States, and especially the tufted or crested Chickadee (_L. -bicolor_,) are among the very first of the feathered inhabitants of our -woodlands to welcome the advent of spring, and to hail with their clear -and melodious notes the earliest tokens of the decline of winter. Even -on fine days in February or early in March, the crested Chickadee may -often be heard, apparently indulging himself in gratifying anticipations -of the approaching spring-time; or it may be, that not being -instinctively weather-wise like the beaver, and not at all versed in -wise saws or modern instances, he thinks that it has already come. Which -conclusion, though sometimes adopted quite as summarily by tidy -house-keepers, is very apt to be demonstrated by the storms of St. -Patrick’s day to be entirely illusory. - -The tits or chickadees are abundant birds in the temperate and northern -regions of both hemispheres, most so perhaps in Europe, though the -researches of ornithologists have added numerous species to those -formerly known to inhabit Asia and America. Several very handsome birds -of this family have been discovered, within a few years, inhabiting the -Himalaya mountains, and other parts of India, and in Japan. In North -America the species have increased from two only, which were figured by -the celebrated Wilson, to twelve, the additions having been principally -from the Western States, and from Texas and Mexico, and there can be no -doubt that in the almost unexplored countries of North-Western America -as well as in those which have received a greater degree of the -attention of zoological travellers, such as Texas, California and -Mexico, others yet remain to be discovered. - -There are about fourteen European species of this group of birds, and -about twenty which are exclusively Asiatic. A few species of allied -genera inhabit Africa and New Zealand, but none of near relationship -have yet been found in Australia nor in South America. - -The species of all countries appear to be very similar in their habits, -and live almost entirely in the forests, subsisting exclusively on -insects in the summer, and in the winter partially substituting seeds -and berries for their more grateful food. - -The black-crested chickadee is a native of Texas and probably also of -Mexico. It was discovered in the former country by Mr. John Woodhouse -Audubon, a son of the distinguished ornithologist, and was first -described by us in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of -Philadelphia. It is very similar to the crested chickadee in form and -general appearance, but exhibits a striking difference in having the -crest entirely black, by which character it is distinguished from all -others of the genus to which it belongs. - -The only information that we have obtained relative to its history has -been communicated to us by Samuel W. Woodhouse, M. D., who was attached, -as surgeon and naturalist, to a party under the command of Captain -Sitgreaves of the Topographical Engineers of the Army of the United -States, which surveyed the rivers Zunia and the Colorado of the west, by -order of the Government. - -Dr. Woodhouse has had the kindness to allow us to copy the following -memoranda from his Journal, which will be published at an early period, -with the Report made by Captain Sitgreaves to the Topographical -Department, and will be an important contribution to the natural history -of Texas and New Mexico: - -“While our party was encamped on the Rio Salado in Texas, near San -Antonio, in March, 1851, I observed this handsome little chickadee for -the first time. It was busily engaged in capturing insects among the -trees on the bank of the stream, and like the other species of its -family, was incessantly in motion and very noisy. At our camp at Quihi, -on the eighth of May, I again found it very abundant among the oaks. The -young males, which were then fully grown, much resembled the adult -females, both wanting the black crest which characterizes the male. -Afterwards I noticed this species, occurring sparingly, along our route, -as far as the head waters of the San Francisco river in New Mexico. - -“I observed it almost entirely in trees bordering streams of water, the -females and young males invariably having the crest of the same -cinereous color as their general plumage, but in the latter slightly -tinged with brown. It occurred in small parties, appeared to be very -sociable and lively in its habits, and in general appearance and in -nearly all its notes which I heard, it so very much resembled the common -crested chickadee of the Northern States as scarcely to be recognized as -a distinct species at a short distance.” - -The collection made by Dr. Woodhouse contains fine specimens of this -bird, from a male and female of which, and from Mr. Audubon’s specimens, -our plate has been prepared. We have represented both sexes about -three-fourths of the natural size. - -The plant figured is the _Phlox Drummondii_, a beautiful species which -is a native of New Mexico and California. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Lophophanes. Kaup Skiz. Entw. Eur. Thierw. (1829.) - Lophophanes atricristatus. (Cassin.) - Parus atricristatus. Cassin. Proc. Acad. Philada. Vol. V., p. 103, - (Oct. 1850.) - -Form. With a high pointed crest, bill rather strong and acute. Wings -long, with the fourth and fifth primaries longest, and nearly equal; -tail rather long. - -Dimensions of a skin from Quihi, Texas. Total length, from tip of bill -to end of tail, about 6 inches; wing 3; tail 2¾ inches. - -Colors. Male. Crest, black; body, wings and tail above, cinereous; -darker on the latter, and with an olivacious tinge on the back. Front -and inferior surface of the body, ashy white; flanks, ferruginous. -Shafts of primaries, reddish at their bases; those of the tail feathers -white beneath; bill and legs black. Young male with the crest cinereous, -shaded with light brown. - -Female. Similar to the male, but slightly smaller, and with the crest -cinereous. - -Hab. Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This species is of the same general form and color as _Lophophanes -bicolor_, (Linn.,) and _Lophophanes inornatus_. (Gambel.) It is about -the size of the former, and larger than the latter, and may be readily -distinguished from either of those or from any other species known to -me, by its black crest. - -Having access to specimens of all the known North American species of -this family, in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of -Philadelphia, we beg the liberty of laying before our readers a synopsis -of these birds, with short descriptions, and of availing ourselves also -of the present occasion to express our grateful acknowledgments for the -facilities and privileges generously allowed us by the gentlemen of the -Academy. - - - - - SYNOPSIS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE SUB-FAMILY PARINÆ. - - - I. GENUS PARUS. Linnæus. Syst. Nat. I. p. 340. (1766.) - -Not crested, bill short, rather strong, conic, entire, nostrils at the -base of the bill and concealed by projecting feathers. Wings moderate, -with the first quill spurious, fourth and fifth usually longest and -nearly equal, tail rather long, legs and feet rather robust, claws -curved and sharp. Colors usually cinereous and black. - -This genus originally included all the birds now usually regarded as -constituting a family of many genera, species of which inhabit nearly -all the countries of the world. As restricted, it appears properly to -embrace numerous species without crests found in Asia, Europe, and -America; nearly all of which have the upper part of the head and throat -black. A further division has however been made by Professor Kaup, of -Darmstadt; and all the American, with some European and Asiatic -non-crested species, form his genus _Pœcila_. - -The American species are as follows: - -1. Parus atricapillus. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 341 (1766). The -black-capped Chickadee. - -Length (of skin) about 5 inches. Head and neck above and large space on -the throat black, cheeks and sides of the neck white, entire plumage of -the body above cinereous, slightly tinged with brownish olive, below -ashy white tinged with brownish. Bill and feet dark. Sexes alike. - -Hab. Northern and Middle States of North America. Spec. in Mus. Acad. -Philada. - -2. Parus carolinensis. Audubon Orn. Biog. II. p. 341, (1834.) The -Carolina Chickadee. - -Length (of skin) about 4¼ inches. Head and neck above and large space on -the throat black, cheeks and sides of the neck white. Entire plumage of -the body above cinereous, slightly tinged with brownish olive, below -ashy white tinged with brownish. Bill and feet dark. Sexes alike. - -Hab. Middle and Southern States of North America. Spec. in Mus. Acad. -Philada. - -Obs. Very similar to the preceding, but easily recognized by its smaller -size. - -3. Parus septentrionalis. Harris, Proc. Acad. Philada. II. p. 300, (Dec. -1845.) The long-tailed chickadee. - -Length (of skin) about 6 inches. Head above and space on the throat -black, cheeks and sides of the neck white. Entire plumage of the body -above cinereous, strongly tinged with reddish brown, below ashy white, -tinged with yellowish brown, especially on the sides and flanks, -external web of outer tail feathers nearly pure white. Bill and feet -dark. Tail comparatively longer than in either of the preceding species. - -Hab. Missouri and the Rocky Mountains. Great Salt Lake. Spec. in Mus. -Acad. Philada. and in the National Collection, Washington city. - -Obs. A species related to, but quite distinct from either of the -preceding. It is larger, and the specimens which I have seen have the -bill longer and more pointed, the tail much longer, the black space on -the head more restricted, and the general coloring more tinged with -brown. The white outer edges of the external tail feathers is a -well-marked character. - -4. Parus montanus. Gambel, Proc. Acad. Philada. I. p. 259, (April, -1843.) - -Length (of skin) about 5 inches. Head and neck above, line through the -eye, space on the throat and upper part of the breast black. Line over -the eye, large space on the cheeks and side of the neck white. Body -above cinereous, below ashy white tinged with brownish on the flanks, -bill and legs dark. - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This western species is readily distinguished from all others of -North America by the broad white line over the eye. Its bill is longer -than in the typical species. - -5. Parus hudsonicus. Forster, Philosoph. Trans. lxii. p. 430, (London, -1772.) - -Length (of skin) about 5 inches. Head and neck above deep ferruginous -brown, large space on the throat brownish black, cheeks white. Body -above brownish cinereous, below ashy white, sides and flanks deep -reddish chestnut brown, bill and feet lead colored. Sexes very similar. - -Hab. British America, and Northern States of the Union. Spec. in Mus. -Acad. Philada. - -Obs. Quite a distinct and well-marked species, erroneously supposed by -some European writers to be the young of _P. atricapillus_. It has been -found breeding in the State of Maine, by our friend Dr. Brewer of -Boston. - -6. Parus rufescens. Townsend Jour. Acad. Philada. vii. p. 190, (1837.) - -Length (of skin) about 4½ inches. Head and neck above, large space on -the throat and breast deep blackish brown, cheeks and sides of the neck -white, body above and sides below bright chestnut, medial portion of the -body below ashy white. Bill and legs lead color. - -Hab. Oregon and California. Spec. Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. A beautiful little species, which appears to inhabit a large extent -of country west of the Rocky Mountains. It is easily recognized by the -bright chestnut color of the superior parts of the body. - - - II. GENUS LOPHOPHANES. Kaup. Skiz. Entw. Eur. Thierw. (1829.) - -Crested, bill moderate, strong, conic, entire, upper mandible rather the -longer and slightly curved, nostrils basal, rounded and concealed by -projecting feathers. Wings rather long, with the fourth and fifth -primaries usually longest, tail rather long, legs and feet robust, the -latter rather large, and provided with curved, strong and very sharp -claws. Prevailing color of all known American species, cinereous. - -This genus comprises the crested species of Europe and America, which -were formerly included in the genus Parus, Linn., but which evidently -form a natural and easily characterized group, fully entitled to generic -distinction. - -1. Lophophanes bicolor. (Linn) The crested Chickadee. - -Parus bicolor. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 340, (1766.) - -Length about 6½ inches. Front black, crest and body above dark -cinereous, tinged with greenish on the back, below ashy white, flanks -reddish brown. Bill and legs nearly black. Sexes alike. - -Hab. Eastern North America. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -2. Lophophanes atricristatus. (Cassin). The black-crested Chickadee. - -Parus atricristatus. Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philada. V. p. 103, (Oct. -1850.) - -Length (of skin) about 6 inches. Male—front, ashy white, crest black, -entire plumage above cinereous, beneath ashy white, flanks reddish -brown. Bill and legs black. Female, with the crest ashy, not black. -Young, like the female, but with crest tinged with brown. - -Hab. Texas and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philad. and in the National -Collection Washington city. - -3. Lophophanes inornatus. (Gambel). The plain-crested Chickadee. - -Parus inornatus. Gambel. Proc. Acad. Philada. II. p. 265, (Aug. 1845.) - -Length about 5½ inches. Front, crest and entire plumage above cinereous, -strongly inclining to olive, below uniform whitish, cinereous. Bill and -legs lead-colored. Sexes alike. - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. A plainly-colored species abundant in California, easily recognized -by the uniform cinereous color of its plumage. - -4. Lophophanes Wollweberi. Bonaparte, Comptes rendus, Acad. Paris, xxxi. -p. 478. (Sept. 1850.) The Texan Chickadee. - -Parus annexus. Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philada. V. p. 103. (Oct. 1850.) - -Lophophanes galeatus. Cabanis Cat. Heine’s coll. p. 90. (1851.) - -Length (of skin) about 5 inches. Anterior feathers of crest, cinereous, -succeeding and most elongated, black, others margined with white, short -occipital feathers black. Throat black, line commencing behind the eye, -thence curving and uniting with the space of the same color on the -throat, black. Line above the eye running into the crest and around on -the neck, white. Entire plumage above cinereous, tinged with olive, -below ashy white, bill and feet dark. - -Hab. Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This species considerably resembles _Lophophanes cristatus_, -(Linn.) a common European bird. I have no doubt that the names given -above are synonymous; that applied by us being about one month later -than the publication of the description by Bonaparte as cited. - - - III. GENUS PSALTRIA. Temminck. Pl. Col. III. - -Bill very short, thick, upper mandible curved, entire, nearly of the -same thickness as the lower, nostrils basal, concealed by projecting -feathers, wings rather short, first quill spurious, fourth and fifth -longest and nearly equal, tail long and slightly wedge-shaped. Tarsi -long and slender, feet rather strong, claws curved and acute, that on -the posterior toe strongest. Not crested, colors of all known species -principally cinereous and white. - -This genus was established by the celebrated naturalist Temminck, of -Leyden, (in Planches Coloriees, vol. iii.) with a little bird as its -type named by him _Psaltria exilis_, which inhabits Java. The bird -discovered by Dr. Townsend in Oregon, and now well known to American -Ornithologists as _Parus minimus_, Townsend, not only belongs to this -genus, but only materially differs in size from _Psaltria exilis_. Temm. -Its colors and general appearance much resemble it. - -The American species are: - - 1. Psaltria minima. (Townsend) Townsend’s Chickadee. - Parus minimus. Townsend, Jour. Acad. Philada. vii. p. 199. (1837.) - -Length (of skin) about 4 inches. Head above deep cinereous, inclining to -purplish brown, body above cinereous, with a tinge of olive. Throat and -breast whitish, abdomen and flanks cinereous, tinged with purplish -brown, bill and feet black. Female rather smaller. - -Hab. Oregon and California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. As frequently turns out to be the case with birds to which such -names as minor and minimus are applied, this little bird is considerably -_larger_ than its near relative, _P. exilis_, Temm. which otherwise it -much resembles. It is now frequently brought in collections from -California. - - 2. Psaltria melanotis. (Sanbach.) The black-eared Chickadee. - Parus melanotis. Sandb. Proc. Brit. Ass. for Adv. Sci. vi. p. 99. - (1837.) - “Parus melanotis. Sandb.” Hartlaub, Rev. Zool. 1844, p. 216. - Psaltriparus personatus. Bonaparte, Comptes Rendus Acad. Paris, xxxi. - p. 478. (Sept. 1850.) - -Length (of skin) about 4 inches. Male, broad stripes on each side of the -head under the eye, and uniting on the occiput, deep black with a green -metallic lustre. Head above pale cinereous, body above cinereous brown, -throat and neck white, below ashy white, with a purplish tinge, bill and -legs dark. Female, with the ears brown. - -Hab. Texas and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This pretty little bird has the bill longer and more compressed -than either the preceding species, or _Psaltria exilis_, Temm. It is, -however, we think, a true _Psaltria_, in which respect we coincide with -Prof. Westerman, who gives a description and excellent figure of it in -Contributions to Zoology, (Bijdragen tot de Dierkunden,) Amsterdam, -1851. - -A few other names have been given to American species of the old genus -_Parus_ by the earlier authors, all of which are undoubtedly synonymes -for those of species previously described, and which we have enumerated. -We have in all cases given the authority for the first description and -its date. - -Chamæa fasciata. (Gambel) a bird of California—though described -originally, but as Dr. Gambel expressly states provisionally only, as a -_Parus_, we regard as properly belonging to the family of Wrens -(Troglodytidæ.) - - [Illustration: Plate 4 - The Massena Partridge - Cyrtonyx Massena (_Lesson_)] - - - - - CYRTONYX MASSENA.—(Lesson.) - The Massena Partridge. - PLATE IV.—Male and Female. - - -This singularly, we had almost said, fantastically colored, though very -handsome Partridge, is an inhabitant of Texas and Mexico. No other -species presents such a remarkable arrangement of colors, and the black -lines in the face of the male bird, as the eminent English -Ornithologist, Mr. Gould, very appropriately observes, “forcibly remind -one of the painted face of the clown in a pantomime.” - -It has, until recently, been an exceedingly rare and highly prized bird -in collections, a few specimens only having reached Europe or the cities -on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. Those have received -names, and have been described by various European authors, as will -appear from the synonymes included in the present article; but neither -of them have published any information relative to the habits or history -of this curious bird, nor have indicated the district of Mexico from -which it had been received. It has been known only as a museum species. - -Since the commencement of the military operations of the United States -in Texas, New Mexico and California, and the subsequent incorporation of -those countries into this great Confederacy, their natural history has -attracted a large share of the attention of naturalists and students at -home, and also of many highly accomplished officers of the army. In -fact, to the latter gentlemen is to be awarded the high merit of having -contributed, notwithstanding the engrossing and deeply responsible -character of their professional duties, a large portion of all that is -known relative to the zoology of those vast, and especially in a -scientific point of view, very interesting regions. - -A valuable notice of the Massena Partridge is given by our highly -esteemed friend, Col. McCall, in his “Remarks on the habits of birds met -with in Western Texas, between San Antonio and the Rio Grande, and in -New Mexico, with descriptions of several species believed to have been -hitherto undescribed,” published in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia -Academy, V. p. 213, (June, 1851,) which we have taken the liberty of -transferring to our pages. - -“This species was not seen before crossing the San Pedro, but it was not -long until it made its appearance in the waste and rocky region into -which we then entered. And from that time until we reached the Rio -Pecos, a distance of 140 miles, (westwardly by the route travelled,) it -was frequently seen, though I should not say it was very common. This -region is a desert of great length from north to south, our trail -crossing it at nearly right angles. The general face of the country is -level, and consists of either a crumbling argillaceous limestone, or a -coarse grey sand, producing nothing but a sparse growth of sand plants. -Water is found only at long intervals, and except at those points there -is little cover for game, and apparently less food,—the principal growth -being _Cacti_, of which the most common is _Cactus arborescens_; yet -here, amongst projecting rocks, or on the borders of dry gullies, or in -loose scrub, I found the Massena Partridge in all the beauty of his rich -and varied plumage. - -“The habits of this species are different from those of any other -species of partridge that I have met with. They were in covies of from -eight to twelve individuals, and appeared to be extremely simple and -affectionate in disposition. In feeding, they separated but little, -keeping up a social _cluck_ all the time. They were so gentle as to -evince little or no alarm on the approach of man; scarcely moving out of -his way as he passed, and only running off or flying a few yards, when -perhaps half their numbers were laid low by a shot. This inclined me to -think they might with little difficulty be domesticated, although I -found them here in a boundless, barren waste, and nowhere near the -habitation of man. This trait of gentleness is the very opposite of -those strikingly manifested by the scaly partridge, (_Callipepla -squamata_,) which I always observed to be, though found perchance in -grounds as little frequented as these, remarkably vigilant, shy, and -difficult to approach. The call or signal note of this species is -peculiar. I never saw it after crossing the Pecos river.” - -Col. McCall’s observations on the habits of this bird confirm an opinion -expressed by Mr. Gould in his Monograph of American Partridges: “No -account whatever has yet reached us of the habits and economy of this -species, which, judging from the comparative shortness of the toes, and -the great development of its claws, we may expect to be different from -those of other members of the family.” - -The circular spots which are numerous on the inferior parts of the body -in this partridge, appear to indicate as a character an analogy to the -Guinea fowls, which is further sustained by its habit of uttering its -note continually when in company with its fellows, or when feeding. The -Guinea fowls in their native wilds also associate in small parties, and -take wing only reluctantly, and for short distances. - -Capt. S. G. French, of the U. S. Army, has most kindly and very -opportunely presented us with fine specimens of this and other species -preserved in spirits, for which, as well as for some valuable memoranda, -we beg here to express our gratitude. He remarks, with reference to this -species: “It was in the summer of 1846, when crossing the then pathless -and untrodden plains or table lands which extend westwardly from San -Antonio, Texas, to New Mexico, that I first met with this beautiful -partridge. On a bright summer afternoon, I undertook the ascent of a -high rocky mountain for the purpose of obtaining a view of the valley -through which the San Pedro river takes its course, and when I had -gained the summit I observed several of these birds, a few feet only in -advance of me, running along over the fragments of rocks and through the -dwarf bushes, which grew wherever there was sufficient soil. Their -handsome plumage and their gentleness attracted my attention, and I felt -many regrets that I had left my gun behind me, thereby losing the -opportunity of securing specimens for examination. - -“A few days afterwards, however, when encamped on the head waters of the -river, I found a covey, and succeeded in obtaining several specimens, -one of which I had skinned, but which was afterwards unfortunately lost. -From that point we occasionally met with these birds on the route to the -Pecos river, a distance of over one hundred miles. I did not see them -again until we came to the Eagle Springs, in a mountainous region about -twenty-five miles from the Rio Grande. Two covies were found there, and -several specimens were obtained. - -“In the spring of 1851, I again passed over the same route in charge of -a military expedition, and on the way out, two of these birds only were -seen, one of which, (a female,) was killed by Major E. Backus, U. S. -Army, and is now in the collection of Dr. Woodhouse, who was then going -out with a party of topographical engineers to which he was attached. -When returning in July last, I chanced to kill at an encamping ground -near Howard’s Springs, between the San Pedro and Pecos rivers, the -specimen which I now send you. It was the only one that I saw on the -route as I came back from New Mexico, and it is but fair to conjecture -that these birds are not at all numerous. - -“They appear to inhabit the rocky sides of the mountains and hills in -that desolate region of elevated plains, west of the fertile portions of -Texas, living amidst the solitude that wraps them in silence, far from -enemies and the busy haunts of men. In no instance have I met with this -species near any settlements. The wild, rocky hill-sides in the lone -wilderness, seem to be their favorite resort; and there, where trees are -almost unknown, and vegetation is scant, and where hardly a living thing -is seen, are these fine birds found in all their beauty and gentleness. -The covies of them showed but little alarm at our approach, and ran -along over the rocks, occasionally attempting to secrete themselves -beneath them, in which case they would let a person approach within a -few feet. When startled by the firing of a gun, they fly but a few yards -before again alighting, and exhibit little of that wildness peculiar to -all the other species of partridges with which I am acquainted.” - -In 1832 this bird was described under the name _Tetrao guttata_, by Don -Pablo de la Llave, in _Registro trimestre ó coleccion de Memorias de -Historia, Literatura, Ciencasóy Artes_, Vol. I. p. 145, Mexico, 1832, -which periodical, though little known, and discontinued, we believe, -before the completion of the second volume, contains several valuable -papers by this and other Mexican authors, relative to the natural -history of their country. The ornithological papers by Sr. De la Llave, -evince much ability, and contain very accurate observations and -descriptions; and a tone pervades them too, which proclaims him to be a -true lover of nature. That in which we are interested at present, is -entitled, “Sobre tres especias neuvas del genero _Tetrao_,” and consists -of notices of birds of this genus, of which he had living specimens at -his residence in the city of Mexico, and descriptions of three species, -viz.: _Tetrao marmorata_ (which is _Ortyx macroura_, Jardine and Selby), -_T. cristata_, (which is _O. squamata_, Vigors.) and _T. guttata_, -(which is _O. Massena_, Lesson.) - -To the last bird he thus alludes: “It is only a few days since the third -species has been brought to me. It is rather smaller than the former, -and its deportment is entirely different. It carries its head habitually -resting upon its shoulders, the neck being excessively _small_ and -deflexed, and in every thing it shows an amiability, and so to speak, a -kindness of character (_una bondad de caracter_) which is not found in -any other species of this genus, and it is naturally so tame and -domestic as to permit itself to be caught with the hand. These birds are -always united, forming a covey, and whenever one is separated, the -others follow it; they do not, like others, wish to sleep on elevated -places, but sit on the ground, drawing very near together. Their notes, -which are not varied, are very low and soft, and I have never heard loud -cries from the male. When they are frightened, they show much activity -and swiftness; at other times their gait and movement are habitually -slow and deliberate, carrying the crest puffed up (_esponjada_).” - -Sr. De la Llave gives as the locality of his specimens, the warm regions -near the city of Mexico. - -These statements comprise all that is known at present of the Massena -Partridge. - -The contents of the crop in Capt. French’s specimen consisted -exclusively of fragments of insects, pronounced by Dr. Leconte to be -principally grasshoppers, and a species of _Spectrum_. No trace whatever -of food of a vegetable character. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Cyrtonyx. Gould, Monograph of the Odontophorinæ (American - Partridges) Introduction, p. 14, London, 1850. Folio. - -Bill short, robust, ridge of the mandible curving downwards from its -base; lower mandible straight with two slight dentitions near its point; -nostrils large, covered and bordered with a membrane. Head crested, the -feathers inclining backward and forming a thick tuft on the occiput; -wings rather long, tertiaries pendant, longer than the primaries; tail -short, and composed of soft feathers. Tarsi rather long and robust; toes -short, hind-toe focal, nails large, long and curved. All the known -species are natives of America. Type _C. Massena_. - - Cyrtonyx Massena. (Lesson.) - Ortyx Massena. Lesson. Centurie Zoologique, p. 189. Paris, 1830. - Ortyx Montezumæ. Vigors. Zoological Journal, Vol. V., p. 275. London, - 1830. - Odontophorus Meleagris. Wagler. Isis. Vol. XXV. p. 277. Leipzig, 1832. - “Perdix perspicillata. Lichtenstein in Mus. Berlin.” Gould in - Monograph. _ut supra_. - Tetrao guttata. Llave Reg. trimestre, I. p. 145. Mexico, 1832. - -Form. Compact and robust; plumage of the head above, elongated, and -forming a pendant thick tuft on the occiput. Wings rather long; tail -short, formed of weak feathers, and concealed by the superior coverts; -tarsi rather short, robust; toes short; claws long, curved. - -Dimensions of Capt. French’s male specimen in spirits. Total length, -from tip of bill to end of tail, about 9 inches; wing 5; tail 2 inches. -Female. Dr. Woodhouse’s female specimen, (dried skin.) Total length -about 8¼ inches; wing, 4¾; tail, 2 inches. - -Colors. Male. General color of the sides of the head and throat, white, -with black stripes commencing at the base of the bill and curving above -and below the eye, forming a broad, abruptly terminated somewhat -triangular patch on the cheek, which is united to a wide longitudinal -mark on the throat;—the entire white space enclosed by an edging of -black. - -Occipital tuft of crest-like feathers, buff yellow, frequently nearly -white, but varying in shade of color in different specimens. Head above -with a central black line commencing at the base of the bill, and -running into brownish and black, on the upper part of the head. - -Upper surface of the body brown, inclining to reddish chestnut, every -feather having several transverse bars of black, and a narrow -longitudinal stripe of pale yellowish, nearly white in the centre; wing -coverts and tertiaries paler, and with the black bars much broader, and -inclining to form circular spots on some of the feathers. Primaries -brownish black, transversely barred with pale reddish yellow, especially -on the outer webs. - -Middle of the breast and abdomen fine deep chestnut, forming a wide -longitudinal stripe on those parts of the body; sides and flanks sooty -black, every feather marked with about six or eight circular spots of -pure white; ventral region, thighs, and under tail coverts, deep black. -Tail and long superior coverts same color as the wing coverts. Upper -mandible nearly black; under mandible lighter; tarsi pale colored. - -Female. Head above, and occipital tuft and body above, pale reddish or -purplish brown, with a tinge of cinereous; every feather with transverse -irregular bars and lines of black, and with a conspicuous longitudinal -narrow stripe of yellowish white in the centre. - -Throat pale white; inferior surface of the body pale purplish brown on -the belly and flanks, with irregular lines and minute spots of black. - -Hab. Mexico and Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. The descriptions by M. Lesson and Mr. Vigors, as cited above, were -published nearly at the same time. That by M. Lesson appears to have had -a short period of priority, which entitles his name to preference. - -In our article on another species, we propose to give a synopsis, with -descriptions of all the partridges inhabiting the continent of America. - - - - - LARUS HEERMANNI.—Cassin. - The White-Headed Gull. - PLATE V.—Adult Male and Young female. - - -Amongst the many species of sea-birds which frequent the coast of the -American continent on the Pacific ocean, there is a race of Gulls with -very graceful forms, slender and brightly colored bills, and handsome -plumage, of which no immediate representatives have yet been discovered -on the eastern shores of this continent. The range of the species of -this race extends from Oregon to Cape Horn, and one species similar in -general characters inhabits the coasts of Australia and some of the -islands in the Pacific ocean. - -This group appears to be characterized generally by the uniform -lead-colored plumage which prevails in several of the known species, and -seems to embrace _Larus Belcheri_. Vigors. _Larus fuliginosus._ Gould. -_Larus nova hollandiæ._ Stephens, the present species, and some others. - -The bird, which is the subject of the present description, is one of the -most handsome of the numerous family to which it belongs, and of which -species are found on all the sea shores of the world. It is one of many -additions to the ornithological fauna of the United States, which have -been discovered by Adolphus L. Heermann, M. D., of Philadelphia, who has -been occupied for nearly three years in making researches and -collections, with excellent judgment and great enterprise, in -California, and has now succeeded in safely bringing home the most -extensive collections ever made in that country. - -Dr. Heermann found this Gull occurring frequently on the coast of -California, but most numerous in the harbor of San Diego in the month of -March, at which time though it appeared to have attained its perfect -plumage in some instances, yet many specimens were clothed in that of -young birds. Both of these stages of plumage are represented in our -plate, and it is possible that the plumage assumed in winter, at all -ages, may be similar in most respects to that of the young. - - [Illustration: Plate 5 - The White-headed Gull - Larus Heermanni (_Cassin_)] - -It was observed, at the localities alluded to, usually flying in company -with the western Gull, _Larus occidentalis_, Audubon, a large and -handsome species, of which, in a future part of our work, we hope to -have the pleasure of presenting a figure and description to our readers. -It appeared to be engaged in the capture of small fishes, of which -several species abound in the harbor of San Diego, and also appeared to -feed on the small maritime animals of various classes, that inhabit the -immense beds of _Kelp_ which occur on the coast, and are especially -extensive off the harbor of San Diego less than a mile from its -mouth.[1] The nests and eggs of both the present species and of the -western Gull were found by Dr. Heermann on the Coronadoes islands which -are situated a short distance below the mouth of the harbor. - -Our first notice of this bird which we regard as having been previously -undescribed, and which we dedicated to its discoverer, is in the -Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Vol. VI. -p. 187, (October, 1852.) The figures given in the present plate are -about one-sixth of the natural size. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Larus. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 224, (1766.) - Larus Heermanni. Cassin. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., Vol. VI. p. - 187, (1852.) - -Form. Bill rather long and slender; wings very long, extending beyond -the end of the tail; first primary longest; tail truncate or slightly -emarginate. - -Dimensions. Adult. Total length of skin from tip of the bill to the end -of the tail, about 17½ inches; wing, 13½; tail, 5½; bill from the angle -of the mouth to the tip of the upper mandible 2½ inches. - -Colors. Adult. Bill red, both mandibles tipped with black; feet and legs -dark; head white, which color gradually blends into an ashy lead color -enveloping the entire body above and below—darker on the back and wings -and paler on the abdomen. Secondary quills tipped with white, forming an -oblique bar when the wings are folded. Superior coverts of the tail very -pale cinereous, nearly white. Quills and tail feathers brownish black, -all of the latter narrowly tipped with white. Shafts of the two first -primaries white on the inferior surface of the wing. - -Young. Smaller, total length about 16 inches, wing 13, tail 5 inches. -Entire plumage brown, darker on the head and paler on the under surface -of the body; quills and tail feathers brownish black, the latter -narrowly tipped with white. - -Hab. Coast of California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. We are acquainted with no species of Gull which intimately -resembles the bird now described. Judging from the only description -extant of _Larus Belcheri_. Vigors, which is in the Zoological Journal, -Vol. IV. p. 358, and which is too short to be of service in this family -of birds—it appears to resemble that species to some extent. _L. -Belcheri_ is much larger, and is described as having the entire plumage -brownish lead-color, and as being 21 inches in total length. It appears -to be, however, the only western American species with which our present -bird can be confounded. - - [Illustration: Plate 6 - The Northern Sea Eagle - Haliaëtus pelagicus (_Pallas_)] - - - - - HALIAETUS PELAGICUS.—(Pallas.) - The Northern Sea Eagle. - PLATE VI—Female. - - -The study of the rapacious birds of western and north western America -presents great attractions to the ornithologist, and a wide field for -discovery. - -Owing, principally, to the difficulties in obtaining, or even in -observing the shy and vigilant birds of this family, their investigation -is of peculiar character, and dependent on accidental opportunity in -some measure every where, but especially in countries where the -primitive forests yet flourish in undisturbed vigour, and which abound -in unexplored and, as yet, inaccessible mountains; or in plains of an -extent only known to the adventurous hunter, and traversed only by the -wandering Indian, or by the pioneers of civilization: the devoted -missionary, or the enterprising and hardy emigrant. Such is the -character of the regions of that portion of North America, the visits of -naturalists to which have been too transient to afford proper -opportunities for the study of the rapacious birds, and the detached -items of information which have appeared from time to time are not -sufficiently numerous to be regarded as giving any clear insight into -their history. - -The naturalist, generally travelling expeditiously with a military or -other party on business for the government, or with a caravan of -emigrants, may get a glimpse of a Falcon of singularly novel and -beautiful plumage as it darts away into concealment; or may see, -occasionally, an Eagle seated at ease, and viewing the novel cavalcade -leisurely, but beyond the range of his rifle; or as he performs, in -turn, his assigned duty, and guards his sleeping companions in the -encampment, his watch-fire may attract clamorous night birds of strange -forms whose cries are unfamiliar to him, but to his practised ear may -present unmistakable family relationship, yet it is readily demonstrable -that the proper study of those birds requires facilities of a -description only attainable in the course of more protracted residence -and frequently recurring opportunities. - -The discovery in western America of the Californian Vulture, second in -size only to the great Condor of the Andes; of the Ferrugineous Buzzard, -_Archibuteo ferrugineus_, one of the handsomest of the American Falcons; -of the Burrowing Owl, a very remarkable species which lives in holes in -the ground; of the Little Californian Owl, _Athene infuscata_, the most -diminutive of its family yet discovered in the United States, and of -other curious species, may be regarded as affording an indication of the -interesting results in this group of birds which will reward the future -labours of naturalists and travellers in those vast and diversified -regions. - -The bird which is the subject of our present article is the largest and -most powerful of the Eagles. It is a native of the remote sea-coasts of -northern Asia and America, and has been especially observed in the group -or girdle of islands which extends from one continent to the other. - -It also, very probably, extends its range into the interior of Russian -America, and possibly southward, in the winter season, into Oregon and -California. In size, and in the strength of its beak and talons, this -gigantic Eagle far surpasses any other of its tribe. The Golden Eagle, -and the White-headed Eagle, are comparatively insignificant; and if its -habits correspond to its powerful organization, as may safely be -presumed, it is one of the most destructive of the rapacious birds. It -appears, however, like other species of its genus, to prey principally -on fishes, which are caught either by its own exertions, or appropriated -summarily by the right of the strongest, from the acquisitions of more -expert or more successful fishermen. - -Though, like the White-headed or Bald Eagle, the range of this -extraordinary bird may be very extensive, yet the solitudes of the -extreme northern parts of the two continents appear to be its proper -home; where, it has been fully demonstrated, that although the resident -animals of the land are necessarily restricted in numbers, the sea teems -with multitudes of inhabitants. There, in the bleak regions of almost -perpetual winter, the Great Sea Eagle reigns, a mighty chieftain, -without a competitor, and with power unrivalled: finding ample -subsistence in the arctic quadrupeds, and in the fishes of the northern -seas, or occasionally levying tribute from the hosts of feathered -travellers that make their annual pilgrimage to the places of their -nativity, and intrude on his domain. Even the famous Condor of the -Andes, the largest of Vultures, scarcely exceeds him in size, and in -swiftness of flight, and power of beak and talons, is much his inferior. - -Pallas, a celebrated Russian naturalist, was the first who gave a -satisfactory and reliable account of this Eagle, in his Zoology of -Asiatic Russia, I. p. 343, (published at St. Petersburg in 1811, though -printed many years previously,) but it appears to have been previously -noticed by the distinguished navigators, Steller and Billings. - -Before the time of Pallas, and, it may be added, since, also, various -reports of remarkable and sometimes very large Eagles having been seen -in different parts of America, were from time to time made by travellers -and voyagers. In fact, some are carefully and credibly described which -are yet unknown to naturalists. Capt. Cook, in the account of his last -voyage, or rather in that part of it which was written by himself, -states that several Eagles, one of which is very remarkable, were seen -at Kayes’ Island, on the northwest coast of America, in latitude 59° 49′ -N. “We saw,” he says, “flying about the woods, a Crow, two or three of -the white-headed Eagles, mentioned at Nootka, and another sort full as -large, which appeared also of the same colour, or blacker, and had only -_a white breast_.” Last Voyage, II. p. 352, quarto, London, 1784. It is -necessary for me to say only, that no species of Eagle having a white -breast is yet known as an inhabitant of any part of America. - -In the History of the Expedition of Lewis and Clarke it is stated, that -“The Calumet Eagle sometimes inhabits this side of the Rocky mountains. -The colours are black and white, beautifully variegated. The tail -feathers, so highly prized by the natives, are composed of twelve broad -feathers of unequal length, which are white except within two inches of -their extremities, when they immediately change to a jetty black, the -_wings_ have each a large circular _white spot_ in the middle, which is -only visible when they are extended.” II. p. 188, Philada., 1814. This -statement, though it appears to have been usually regarded as referring -to the Golden Eagle, does not apply to any established species, but it -is worth bearing in mind that in the number of the feathers of the tail, -the bird here alluded to agrees exactly with Audubon’s Washington Eagle, -(Orn. Biog. I. p. 63.) - -The black-checked Eagle of Pennant, said to be from North America, -(Arctic Zoology, I. p. 227,) and which is _Falco americanus_, Gmelin, is -described as being “about the size of the Golden Eagle, but with the -head, neck and breast of a _deep ash colour_, each cheek marked with a -broad black bar, passing from the corner of the mouth beyond the ears; -back, belly, wings and tail, black.” - -One of the most remarkable of these mysterious birds is the White Eagle, -represented by Du Pratz as inhabiting Louisiana, of whose description of -which the following is a translation: “The Eagle, the king of birds, is -smaller than the Eagle of the Alps, but it is much handsomer, being -_almost entirely white_, and having only the extremities of its wings -black. As it is rather rare, this is a second reason for rendering it -esteemed amongst the people of the country, who buy at a high price the -feathers of its wings to make the ornament of the symbol of peace, and -which is the fan of which I have spoken in giving a description of the -Calumet.” Du Pratz, Histoire de la Louisiane, II. p. 109, Paris, 1758. -On the faith of this description, the species supposed to be alluded to -has been named _Falco candidus_ by Gmelin. If not an albino, there is a -possibility that it is a species of a group of white hawks, of rather -large size, which are principally found in South America, and one -species of which (_Buteo Ghiesbrectü Dubus_,) is known to inhabit -Mexico. The latter would agree very well with Du Pratz’s description, so -far as it goes. - -That excellent and reliable naturalist, the Prince Maximilian of Wied, -whose Travels in the interior of North America contain much valuable -information in nearly all departments of Zoology, mentions a “Grey Eagle -of enormous dimensions,” I. pp. 203, 214, (Raise in das innere -Nord-America, Quarto, Coblenz, 1839.)[2] - -But there is no end to the accounts of strange Eagles given by -travellers and naturalists. Some of them may have reference to peculiar -species which have in later times escaped attention, but the probability -is, that they more frequently allude to accidental varieties, or that -the authors describe from such reports as they had heard at second hand, -or fell into error from insufficient personal observation. - -Several of the naturalists who have recently visited California have -informed us that they saw occasionally large species of Eagles, or other -large rapacious birds, of which they did not succeed in procuring -specimens, nor in approaching within sufficiently short distance to be -enabled to examine them satisfactorily. - -We have introduced the extraordinary bird which is the subject of our -present article, thus early into our work, for the purpose mainly of -asking attention to a most remarkable and interesting species heretofore -apparently entirely unknown to American Ornithological writers, and also -on account of its similarity, in some respects, to one of the most -important of Audubon’s discoveries, the Washington Eagle. This -celebrated author was not acquainted with the bird now before us. - -The specimen of the Washington Eagle, described and figured by Audubon, -does not appear to have been preserved, or at any rate is not known to -be extant, nor does it appear that he ever procured more than one. His -drawing, however, with some others of species which he had met with but -once, appears fortunately to have escaped the destruction of his -collection of pictures of birds by rats, as described in his -Ornithological Biography, Vol. I. Introductory Address, p. 13, (Edinburg -edition, 1831.) - -We have no doubt that such a species exists, or in other words, that -Audubon is entirely correct in regarding his bird as a peculiar species; -and we think it quite impossible for his description and history to -apply to the young of the common White-headed or Bald Eagle, as has been -supposed by some American, and by nearly all late European -Ornithologists. But we are disposed, at present, to question the -correctness of his plate, and also his statement that the bird -represented was an “adult male” (Orn. Biog. I. p. 62). We are aware, of -course, that the plate may not be a fair representation of the drawing, -and in fact it has not been very carefully engraved. The tail appears to -be unfinished. Having, however, quite sufficient knowledge of the -difficulties in getting up correct plates of birds, we are enabled fully -to appreciate the disadvantages under which this distinguished -Ornithologist, with all his artistic knowledge and perseverance, must -necessarily have laboured at the commencement of his great work, and his -plate of the Washington Eagle is one of the earliest, being the eleventh -of the series. - -The bill, as represented in the plate, is shorter than we have ever seen -in any adult Eagle of this group (the fishing Eagles), and above all the -arrangement of the scales on the tarsi anteriorly, is such as we have -never observed in any rapacious bird whatever. - -Notices of the Washington Eagle having been captured, have appeared -occasionally (as in Nuttal’s Manuel, I. p. 71, and the Boston Journal of -Nat. Hist. III. p. 72), and we have seen numerous specimens of Eagles of -a size so large that they could not, without much doubt, be referred to -the common white-headed species. But we have never seen nor heard of a -specimen which presented all the peculiar characters represented in -Audubon’s plate, and especially the anterior scales of the tarsus -continued transversely so far down to the toes. The pointed and slender -feathers of the neck, the large size, and in one specimen of a young -bird, the short bill we have seen, and there are specimens now in the -collection of the Philadelphia Academy in which these characters will be -found, but not the peculiar arrangement of the scales of the tarsus. All -other species of fishing Eagles have the head more or less marked with -white in their mature plumage. In Audubon’s plate of the Washington -Eagle, the head is of the same deep brown as the other parts. From -analogy, therefore, it may safely be presumed that he was mistaken in -supposing his specimen to be that of an adult male bird. - -An interesting feature in the large specimens to which we allude, is the -fact that they almost invariably have the ends of their tails broken as -though injured by alighting habitually on rocks, or on the ground, thus -apparently confirming Audubon’s statements. Young birds are however -peculiarly liable to such injury on account of their feathers not -possessing the strength and rigidity of more mature plumage. - -Respecting the Washington Eagle, our conclusion is, therefore, after -many years of attention to American birds, and especially to obscure or -little known species, that of the existence of such a species in North -America as is described by Audubon, in Ornithological Biography, I. p. -58, there can be no reasonable doubt. But we are of opinion that when -adult it is very probably a bird with the head more or less white, and -tail of the same colour; and we are disposed to regard the plate in -Birds of America as erroneous, for reasons above intimated, or for -others not at present demonstrable, and at all events as representing a -young specimen. Waiving the presence of the character of the scales of -the tarsi as above stated, we think that we have several times seen the -young of the Washington Eagle, and that specimens of it are now in the -collection of the Philadelphia Academy. It is not, however, so large as -the immense Eagle which in the present article, and accompanying plate, -we have the pleasure of presenting to the American public for the first -time, but it appears to us to be more nearly related to it than to any -other species. - -The Eagle mentioned in the History of the Expedition of Lewis and -Clarke, as cited in a preceding page, we are inclined to suspect to be -the present species, but should not be surprised if it should be -ascertained by succeeding naturalists to be the adult of the Washington -Eagle. - -The great Eagle now before us has never been observed as yet by an -American voyager, and few specimens only are contained in European -museums. The only specimen in the United States is that in the -collection of the Philadelphia Academy from which the drawing was made -for the present plate. - -We have added as a suitable conclusion of our present article a -translation of the original account of this Eagle as given by Pallas, -and which will be found in his Zoology of Asiatic Russia, as cited -above: - -“Steller, worthy of a better fate, first observed this remarkable -species, and in his manuscripts briefly described it. Now, also, I have -before me an elegantly prepared specimen from my friend Billings, who, -with the last navigator, explored the ocean between Kamschatka and -America. This very large bird is frequent in the islands between -Kamschatka and the American continent, especially in the islands noted -for the unfortunate shipwreck and death of Bering. It appears very -rarely in Kamschatka itself. In the highest rocks overhanging the sea, -it constructs a nest of two ells in diameter, composed of twigs of fruit -and other trees, gathered from a great distance, and strewed with grass -in the centre, in which are one or two eggs, in form, magnitude and -whiteness, very like those of a Swan. The young is hatched in the -beginning of June, and has an entirely white woolly covering. While -Steller was cautiously viewing such a nest from a precipice, the parents -darted with such unforeseen impetuosity as nearly to throw him headlong; -the female having been wounded, both flew away, nor did they return to -the nest which was watched for two days. But, as if lamenting, they -often sat on an opposite rock. It is a kind of bird, bold, very cunning, -circumspect, observant, and of savage disposition. Steller saw a Fox -(_Vulpes lagopodus_) carried off by one and dashed upon the rocks, and -afterwards torn in pieces. It lives also on dead substances cast up by -the sea, and various offscourings of the ocean.” - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Haliaëtus. Savigny, Description of Egypt, Zoology, p. 85, - (1809.) - -Size, large. Bill, strong, straight at the base, hooked and very sharp -at the point, sides of the bill compressed, margin of upper mandible, -slightly festooned. Wings rather long and pointed, formed for rapid and -vigorous flight; tail moderate. Tarsi short, very strong, and with the -toes, covered with scales; claws very strong, curved and sharp. About -ten or twelve species known, which are scattered throughout the surface -of the globe. - - Haliaëtus pelagicus. (Pallas.) - Aquila pelagica. Pallas, Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica, I. p. 343, (St. - Petersburg, 1811, Quarto.) - “Aquila marina. Steller, MSS.” Pallas _ut supra_. - Falco Imperator. Kittlitz, Kupfertafeln zur naturg. der Vogel pt. I. - p. 3, pl. 2, (Frankfurt, 1832.) - Falco leucopterus. Temminck. Pl. col. I. pl. 489. - Haliaëtus pelagicus. (Pallas.) Temm. & Schl. Fauna Japonica, Aves p. - 10, pl. 4. - Haliaëtus imperator. (Kittlitz.) Bruch in Isis XXV. p. 1102, (1832.) - -Form. Very large and powerful, tail rather short, wedge shaped, the -middle feathers being nearly four inches longer than the outer, which -are shortest, all of the fourteen feathers somewhat pointed, but the -central four lanceolate. - -Bill strong, much compressed, very wide laterally or in altitude; upper -mandible with a slight festoon; gape rather wide, extending so far back -as to be immediately under the eye; cere large, in which at the distance -of nearly an inch from the frontal feathers, the nostrils are obliquely -inserted, large loral space bare, or with a few scattered bristles. - -Wings rather short, third and fourth quills longest, but with the fifth -little shorter; secondaries abruptly acuminated, and some of them with -their shafts produced into filaments or thread-like appendages, exserted -from the tips of the feathers; secondaries and greater coverts very -broad and strong. - -Legs and feet rather short, but strong; tarsus feathered below the joint -for half its length, bare lower portion, with about five large frontal -scales immediately succeeding the feathers; then to the toes in common -with its entire posterior part, covered with numerous scales, which are -rounded or hexagonal: the latter shape most readily observed behind; -toes, with broad frontal scales; claws large. - -Feathers of the head and neck, narrow and pointed, or acuminated; those -on the breast and back, somewhat lanceolate, but broad, and sometimes -abruptly pointed. Tail coverts, both above and below, ample—extending to -half the length of the tail. - -Dimensions of a skin from Behrings Straits. Total length from tip of -bill to end of tail, about 3 feet 8 inches; wing, 2 feet 2 inches; tail, -1 foot 4 inches; bill, from tip of upper mandible to angle of the mouth, -3¾ inches; width of bill, laterally, at point of insertion of the -nostrils, full 1¾ inches. - -Colours. Female, nearly adult? Tail, white, the two external feathers -having their outer webs, brownish black, mottled with white, and other -feathers slightly spotted with the same brownish black. Entire other -parts, above and below, very dark brownish black; lighter on the head -and neck, and on which parts every feather is lighter in the middle. - -Primary quills, shining black; secondaries and tertiaries, white at -their bases, and brownish black at their ends; greater coverts narrowly -tipped with brownish white; lesser coverts whitish on both margins, -especially at their bases, terminated with brownish. Rump with the -plumage white at the base. - -Bill, yellow, (in skin,) feet, yellow. - -Adult, as described by authors cited above. Large frontal space, -commencing at the base of bill, white, which is also the colour of the -greater wing coverts, the abdomen, and the tail. All other parts of the -plumage blackish brown; bill, cere, legs and feet, yellow. - -Hab. Russian possessions in Asia and America. Spec. in Mus. Acad. -Philada. - -Obs. The largest of all known Eagles, and nearly related to _H. -Washingtonii_ (Aud.). It differs from the latter, as described by -Audubon, in being larger generally, but has the wing shorter and the -tail wedge shaped, and containing fourteen feathers. We suppose _H. -Washingtonii_ to be the young of a closely allied species, and that both -are strictly congeneric with _H. leucocephalus_, _H. albicilla_, _H. -vocifer_, and others known as Fishing Eagles. - - [Illustration: Plate 7 - The Ground Wren - Chamaea fasciata (_Gambel_)] - - - - - CHAMÆA FASCIATA.—(Gambel.) - The Ground Wren. - PLATE VII.—Adult Male. - - -This little bird was discovered in California, by William Gambel, M. D., -an enthusiastic and highly talented young naturalist, who, during an -overland journey across the North American Continent, made many -discoveries, and added much valuable information to several departments -of Natural History, and we regret to say, whose recent death, during a -second expedition of the same character, occurring, as it did, so early, -and thus terminating so prematurely a life of such promise, is to be -deplored as a loss to science and to his country. - -Dr. Gambel’s account of this bird in the Proceedings of the Academy of -Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, II. p. 265, and in the Journal of the -same society, quarto, I. p. 34, which is the first and, as yet, the most -satisfactory, is as follows: “For several months before discovering the -bird, I was attracted in the fields of dead mustard stalks, the weedy -margins of streams, low thickets and bushy places, by a continued loud, -crepitant, grating scold, which I took for that of a species of Wren, -but at last found it to proceed from this Wren-tit, if it may be so -called. It was difficult to be seen, and kept in such places as I have -described, close to the ground; eluding pursuit by diving into the -thickest bunches of weeds and tall grass, or tangled bushes, and -uttering its grating Wren-like notes whenever approached. But if -quietly, watched, it may be seen, when searching for insects, mounting -the twigs and dried stalks of grass sideways, jerking its long tail, and -holding it erect like a Wren, which, with its short wings in such a -position, it much resembles. - -“Sometimes it utters a slow, monotonous, singing chicadee note, like -_pee, pee, pee, pee, peep_; at other times its notes are varied, and a -slow whistling continued _pwit, pwit, pwit, pwit_, is heard. Again, in -pleasant weather, towards spring, I have heard individuals answering -each other, singing in a less solemn strain not unlike sparrows, a -lively _pit, pit, pit, tr, r, r, r, r, r_, but, if disturbed, they at -once resumed their usual scold.” - -Mr. Bell, whose collection contained numerous specimens of this bird, -found it abundant in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, and has kindly -allowed us to use his memoranda: “I observed this bird in bushes and -briers every where along the roads, and in brush heaps on lands which -had been recently cleared, though it appeared rather to prefer damp -places. It was very pert, and not easily frightened, and as it moved -about with its tail erect, uttered several rather peevish notes, unlike -those of any other bird with which I am acquainted. - -“The white iris of this bird, when in its native haunts, is quite -readily observed, and with its manners and the localities which it -frequents, reminded me, in some measure, of the white-eyed Vireo, (_V. -noveboracensis_.) Its skin is unusually strong for such a small bird, -and it has a remarkable development of the muscles of the thighs, and, -in fact, unusual strength and firmness of the muscular system -generally.” - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Chamæa. Gambel in Proceedings Acad. Philada. III. p. 154, Feb., - 1847. - -Bill short, slightly curved, rather acute, both mandibles entire, ridge -of the upper curving nearly from the base, depression for the nostrils -large, oval and exposed, nostrils opening beneath a membrane in the -depression. Wings very short, rounded; tail long, and graduated; tarsi -long, and rather slender. - -One species only known. - - Chamæa fasciata. (Gambel.) - Parus fasciatus. Gambel, Proc. Acad. Philada., II. p. 265. August, - 1845. - -Form. Body rather short and robust; wings short and rounded, with the -sixth and seventh primaries longest, and nearly equal; tail long and -graduated, external feathers about an inch and a half shorter than those -in the middle of the tail. Entire plumage of the body composed of long, -silky, puff-like feathers. - -Dimensions of a skin from California. Total length from tip of bill to -end of tail, about 5½ inches; wing, 2½; tail, 3½ inches. - -Colours. Male. Head very dark cinerous, lighter on the cheeks and sides -of the neck; back, rump, external margins of the quills and tail -feathers olive brown. Wings and tail dusky brown; the latter with many -crimp-like transverse lines of darker, more distinct in some specimens -than others; quills also with similar lines on their inner webs, but -frequently very obscure. - -Beneath, from the base of the mandible to the abdomen, pale reddish, -running into olive on the flanks, and with many of the feathers on the -throat and breast having longitudinal stripes of light cinereous olive; -under tail coverts brown. - -A distinct ring around the eye, and spot on the nares, whitish -cinereous. - -Bill and feet, dark brownish black. - -Iris, white. - -Female. Similar to the male, but with the colours rather less vivid. - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. We consider this bird as decidedly related to the Wrens, and as -forming a well characterized genus, of which it is, as yet, the only -known species. It is frequently brought in collections from Western -America. - -The plant represented in the plate is the _Eschscholtzia Californica_, a -native of California. - -The figure in our plate is about three-fourths of the natural size. - - - - - ICTERUS CUCULLATUS.—(Swainson.) - The Hooded Oriole. - PLATE VIII.—Male and Female. - - -Some of the most beautiful of the American Orioles are inhabitants of -Mexico. Of these, we present, in the plate now before the reader, one of -the smallest of the species, which, though it cannot compete with many -others of its more richly coloured relatives, is still entitled to make -considerable claims. The various shades of the richest yellow colours -are almost exhausted in the splendid species of these birds which are -found in Mexico, and in South America, and as an accompaniment to the -luxuriant vegetation of those countries, they form, necessarily, a most -agreeable and interesting feature. - -The birds of this family represented in the northern portion of this -continent, by the Baltimore Oriole, are remarkable for their skill in -constructing elaborately formed and pendent nests, frequently of large -size. Several of the South American species make them of grasses, -intricately and substantially woven, and shaped like a purse or bag, -with the entrance sometimes from the top, but more frequently -ingeniously inserted in the side, near the lower end. They are usually -suspended from the pendent branches of trees, and often near the -habitations of men. The Baltimore Oriole builds a nest sufficiently -similar to afford an idea of the general character of the nests of these -birds, but those of several of the southern species are much more -artfully and elaborately constructed. - -The handsome little bird at present before us, was first described from -Mexican specimens, by Mr. Swainson, in the Philosophical Magazine, 1827, -p. 436, (London.) It is an inhabitant, also, of Texas, where it was -repeatedly observed by our friends Col. McCall and Capt. McCown, the -latter of which gentlemen has most kindly communicated the following -with other valuable notices: - - [Illustration: Plate 8 - The Hooded Oriole - Icterus cucullatus (_Swainson_)] - -“This beautiful Oriole is quite common on the Rio Grande, where it -raises its young. When met with in the woods, and far away from man’s -abode, it is shy, and seems rather disposed to conceal itself, yet a -pair were constant visitors, morning and evening, to the vicinity of my -quarters (an unfinished building at Ringgold Barracks, Texas.) They -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 such insects as could be found there, which, I -believe, were principally spiders. They would sometimes desist for a -moment from this occupation, to observe my movements, and if I happened -to be enjoying a cigar after dinner, seemed to watch the smoke with -great curiosity. I often offered them such hospitality as was in my -power, but could never induce them to touch any food, in which respect -they were very different from the large black birds, whose acquaintance -I also cultivated. I have seen the nests of this species, but never had -an opportunity to examine them.” - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Icterus. Brisson Ornithologie, II. p. 85, (quarto, Paris, 1760.) - -Bill, conic, straight, or slightly curved, and entering the frontal -plumes, point acute, nostrils basal partly covered by a membrane. Wings, -rather long and pointed; tail, long; tarsi moderate, slender, covered -with scales. Colours, generally yellow and black. About twenty-five -species known, all of which are natives of America. - - Icterus cucullatus. Swainson in Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 486. - -Form. Slender and delicate; bill, very acute, curved; wing, rather -short, with the third quill longest; tail, rather long, graduated; tarsi -and feet, slender. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail, -about 7½ inches; wing, 3½; tail, 4 inches; female, slightly smaller. - -Colours. Male. Narrow frontal band, throat and neck in front, and space -extending to the eye, back, wings and tail, glossy black. External edges -of the quills, and tips of wing coverts white, the latter forming two -white bars on the wing. Upper part of the head and neck, rump and upper -tail coverts, and all the under parts, fine golden yellow, paler on the -abdomen. Inferior wing coverts, and tail feathers at their basis, pale -yellow. Bill, bluish horn colour. - -Female. Entire upper parts, olive green, tinged with yellow on the head -and rump. Wings, pale brown; coverts, tipped with white, and quills -narrowly edged with white; tail, above, yellowish green. Entire under -parts, greenish yellow. - -Hab. Texas and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This species does not intimately resemble any other of its group, -though partaking of their general style of colouring, and can be readily -recognized by the student. Very fine specimens were obtained in Texas by -Capt. McCown, which are now in the collection of Mr. George N. Lawrence, -of New York, to whom we are indebted for an opportunity to figure the -female. The latter does not resemble the male in colour. - -Our figures are about two-thirds of the natural size. - - [Illustration: Plate 9 - Gambels Partridge - Callipepla Gambellii (_Nuttall_)] - - - - - CALLIPEPLA GAMBELII.—(Nuttall.) - Gambel’s Partridge. - PLATE IX.—Male and Young Female. - - -Mexico and the adjacent parts of the United States are particularly -productive of game birds, and amongst them are several species of -Partridges, unrivalled in beauty of plumage by those of any other -country of the world. Of those, some prefer fertile valleys, or grounds -under cultivation; others appear to live almost entirely in the barren -plains, or in the mountains. - -Independently of the usefulness of those birds as food, to the citizens -of the States alluded to, and to those who, in future years, shall -occupy with their farms and homesteads districts yet unpeopled, the -numerous game birds must always be a source of constant interest and -amusement. Like the Deer, and like the Turkey, Grouse, and Partridge of -other States, their pursuit is not only an easily attainable amusement, -but serves also for the cultivation of a knowledge of, and expertness in -the use of firearms, which are peculiarly characteristic of our vigorous -and successful population, and have contributed in an important degree -to the formation of the character of the world-renowned citizen-soldier -of the United States. - -Experience in hunter life, and the incidental influences of its -occupations and associations, are no inconsiderable features in American -education; and the invigorating and healthful pursuits of the youthful -hunter or trapper have always appeared to us to be no unimportant agents -in the development of his physical and of his intellectual constitution. -In large portions of every State of the Union, the gun or the rifle is -the favourite companion of almost every boy from the earliest period of -his competency for its management; and we have seen abundant instances, -in our early days, of very considerably forced presumption of -competency. In fact, the stranger, in very many of the rural districts -of the United States, might almost be tempted to conclude that the -famous ancient formula of early education had been adopted, with an -addition: “Learn to speak the truth and to swim”—and to shoot. - -The beautiful Partridge now before us was discovered a few years since -in New Mexico, by Dr. William Gambel, in honor of whom it has been -named. The first description of it is in the Proceedings of the Academy -of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, I. p. 260, April, 1843, and -afterwards was reprinted in the Journal of the same society, I. p. 219, -(Quarto.) - -Since that period it has repeatedly been observed, and we have now the -gratification of being able to present to our readers a particular -history of this fine species. - -Our friend, Captain S. G. French, of the United States Army, to whose -kindness we have previously been indebted, has favoured us with the -following interesting account: - -“This species was found by me on the Rio Grande, some seventy miles -below El Paso; and from that point to the place just mentioned, the -numbers constantly increased. They seem to be partial to the abodes of -man, and are very numerous about the old and decayed buildings, gardens, -fields, and vineyards around Presidio, Isileta, and El Paso. During my -stay there in the summer of 1851, every morning and evening their -welcome call was heard around us, and at those early and late hours they -were constantly to be found in the sandy roads and paths near the -villages and farms. In the middle of the hot summer days, they rest in -the sand, under the shade and protection of the thick _chapparal_; and, -when disturbed, they glide through the bushes very swiftly, seldom -resorting to flight, and uttering all the while a peculiar chirping -note, by which they appear to be enabled to keep together. The parent -birds would utter the same chirp whenever I endeavoured to capture their -young. The male and female were always found with the young birds, and -showed much affection for them, even endeavoring to attract my attention -to themselves by their actions and cries.” - -Col. George A. McCall, the accuracy of whose knowledge of the birds of -Western America is unrivalled, gives an interesting account of this bird -in his “Remarks on the habits, &c., of Birds met with in Western Texas, -between San Antonio and the Rio Grande, and in New Mexico,” published in -the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, V. p. 213, (June, 1851): - -“After losing sight of the Massena Partridge, I did not fall in with the -present species until we reached the Limpia river, about 100 miles west -of the Pecos. - -“This beautiful bird, whose habits, in some respects, bear resemblance -to the common partridge, like that, seems to prefer a more genial and -hospitable region. In this part of the country, the Mesquite tree -(Acacia glandulosa) is more or less common; and the Mesquite grass, and -other plants bearing nutritious seeds, are abundant. Here, this -partridge increases rapidly in numbers, and becomes very fat; and, as I -afterwards ascertained, is much disposed to seek the farms, if any be -within reach, and to cultivate the acquaintance of man. About the rancho -of Mr. White, near El Paso, I found them very numerous; and here, in -flocks of fifty or a hundred, they resort, morning and evening, to the -barn-yard, and feed around the grain stacks, in company with the -poultry, where they receive their portion, as it is scattered amongst -them by the hand of the owner. I found them distributed through the -country from the Limpia to the Rio Grande, a range from east to west -exceeding one hundred miles; and along the Rio Grande, from Eagle Spring -Pass to Don Ana, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles. North of -this I did not see them. I was not among them during the season of -incubation.” - -But the most comprehensive and complete account ever before published of -this Partridge, has been furnished by the same gentleman (Col. McCall) -for insertion into our present article; for which, and for many other -similar favours from him, we beg to tender our deep sense of obligation. - -“Whilst in California, during the last summer, (1852,) I was enabled to -ascertain the western limit of this species as satisfactorily as I had -previously ascertained its eastern limit within the State of Texas. And, -although the extent of its range to the north is not yet clearly -established, it may be said that the portion of our territory inhabited -by this beautiful bird is a rather narrow belt of country, (say one -thousand miles long by two hundred broad,) embraced between the 31st and -34th parallels of north latitude, and extending from the Pecos river in -Texas to the Sierra Nevada and the contiguous desert in California. Be -it understood, however, that when I speak of a narrow belt of country -along a certain parallel, I do not intend to say that the _habitat_ of -the species does not extend beyond this belt into _Mexico_; but that the -river Gila being our southern boundary through the greater part of the -region referred to, the portion of our own territory inhabited by this -bird is confined to such a belt as I have indicated. - -“First, then, with respect to its western limit. This species was -discovered by Dr. Gambel, ‘on the eastern side of the Californian range -of mountains, in 1841.’ He did not meet with it on the western side; nor -has it, as far as made known, been found there since that time by -others. During the last summer, search was made for it by several -gentlemen who were interested in the subject, as well as by myself, in -different localities from north to south along the Pacific slope, but in -every instance without success. Hence, the inference must be that this -Partridge has never crossed to the west of the Sierra, where, as we well -know, it is abundantly replaced by the closely allied species, the -‘_California Partridge_.’ Following down the Sierra Nevada to its -junction with the coast-range, you come upon a desert of sand of vast -extent; and as the snowy peaks of the Sierra had stopped the march of -this species above, so did the burning sands of the desert stop its -progress below, and effectually shut it out from the Pacific plain. It -is true I found it at _Alamo macho_ (cottonwood grove), which is 44 -miles west of the Colorado river. Thus far it had penetrated into the -dreary waste, and had managed to find shelter and subsistence where -there is little to support animal life. But from this _oasis_ to -_Valle-cita_ (little valley), it is seventy miles. In this interval, a -vast ocean of sand presents a formidable barrier, as is but too plainly -indicated by the bleached bones of horses and mules scattered along the -route—and this barrier effectually separates the two congenerous species -of partridge: the range of _Gambel’s Partridge_ being confined to the -east of this desert, while the range of the _California Partridge_ is -confined to the west of it—although on both sides they approach to the -very edge, as I ascertained from personal observation. - -“In the second place, with respect to its eastern limit—I have to repeat -that I did not meet with this species in Texas, either in going or -returning, anywhere east of the Pecos river; nor was it found by either -of three other parties who explored those regions, both previously and -subsequently, until after they had passed to the west of that river. -Here, again, a sandy desert, between the Pecos and Devil’s river, is the -barrier beyond which the species under consideration has not extended -its range to the eastward; and, as it is replaced beyond the Sierra and -the desert in the west by the _California Partridge_, so is it replaced -beyond the Pecos in the east by the _Massena Partridge_. - -“With regard to the northern and southern limits of this species, less -is known. I found it in 1850, on the Limpia creek, in N. Lat. 31°—thence -to the Rio Grande, and up that river to Don Ana, Lat. 33°. But I found -it nowhere beyond that point, either near the river or among the hills -as far back as the foot of the Sierra de los Mimbres, and I passed up -and down between El Paso and Santa Fe at different seasons of the year; -yet through all this country I met with the _Blue Partridge_ (C. -squamata). The species in question, however, is known to be abundant in -the country around the sources of the Gila river. It has also been found -along that river, from the Pimo villages to its mouth; and there is no -doubt it inhabits the entire valley of the Gila. It was common along the -Colorado river, as far up as Camp Yuma (mouth of Gila), and it has been -met with in that valley as high up as Yampai creek, N. Lat. 34°, but I -have no information of its having been found north of that parallel. - -“The habits of this species are, in most respects, similar to those of -the California Partridge; but it has always appeared to me less vigilant -and wild. I was not so fortunate, however, as to discover its nest; nor -did I gather from others any information as to its eggs—their colour or -their markings. I frequently heard the call or song of the male bird -during the period of nesting, which, from some cause or other not -apparent to me, was later than that of its congener. As early as June -4th, I found covies of the young of the _California Partridge_ large -enough to fly—say one-fourth grown; whilst all the birds of this species -(and I saw many,) as late as June 16th, were still without their young. -But the voice of the male, as I was about to remark, is, at this season, -strikingly rich and full. A very good idea may be formed of his cry by -slowly pronouncing, in a low tone, the syllables ‘_kaa-wale_,’ -‘_kaa-wale_.’ These notes, when uttered close at hand, are by no means -loud; yet it is perfectly astonishing to what a distance they may be -heard when the day is calm and still. There was to me something -extremely plaintive in this simple love-song, which I heard for the -first time during a day of burning heat passed upon the desert. I had -reached the well at _Alamo mucho_ before noon, and had halted to rest my -jaded mules after their toilsome march. Here is, in truth, a -desert!—figure to yourself, if you can, a portion of this fair earth, -where, for some hundreds of miles, the whole crust seems to have been -reduced to ashes by the action of internal fires; behold a vast plain of -desolation, surrounded, and, at intervals, intersected by abrupt -mountain ranges, which are little better than gigantic heaps of scoria; -imagine this scenery to be actually glowing under the direct rays of a -midsummer sun, and you may have some idea of the prospect that meets the -eye of the traveller who looks out upon the desert from the well of the -Alamo. You may perceive in his rear a few stunted cottonwood-trees -scattered along the edge of a channel, in which, apparently, water once -_was_, but now is not; whilst around him, here and there, is a -light-leafed mesquite that stretches forth its slender arms, and appears -to invite him to a shade which is but a mockery. Here it was that I -first heard the plaintive voice of this bird as he strove to cheer his -mate whilst occupied in the tedious task of incubation. - -“I had passed the hours of noon stretched upon the sand near the well: -the thermometer, in the best shade to be obtained, indicating a -temperature of 140° to 150°, (_Fahrenheit_); and as the sun began to -decline towards the horizon, the first wakeful sound of animal life that -greeted my ear was the soft ‘_kaa-wale_,’ ‘_kaa-wale_,’ of this -beautiful bird. I turned towards a cluster of mesquite, at the distance -of some two hundred yards from which the call seemed to come, but could -discern no object in motion. This song was continued, at short -intervals, for about an hour; when, at last, one of the birds came forth -upon the sand, and was soon followed by its mate. They ran lightly over -the sand, and glided into the gully, where they began to search for -their evening meal. I followed with my gun and secured them both—they -were a male and female, the skins of which I have preserved. This was -June 8th. - -“Later in the season, when a covey is dispersed, the cry for assembling -is ‘_qua-el_,’ ‘_qua-el_.’ The voice at all seasons bears much -resemblance to that of the _California Partridge_—having, in its -intonation, no similarity to the whistle of the Virginia or common -partridge. - -“The crops of those killed at the Alamo, and thence to the Colorado, -were filled with the leaves of the mesquite, which seemed to be their -principal food, though in some were found remains of coleopterous -insects. In some of those killed near the river I found the wild -gooseberry. - -“The dimensions of this species, given by Gould in his ‘Odontophorinæ,’ -are, (? skin) length 9¾ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 4. By Dr. Gambel, (Proc. -Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., I. p. 260,) length, over 10 inches; wing, 4½; -tail, 4½. - -“Those I obtained in California were as follows, (measured immediately -when killed): - - “♂ length, 10½ to 11⅜; wing, 4½; tail, 4½. - “♀ “ 10⅜ to 10⅝; wing, 4½; tail, 4½.” - -The identical pair of birds alluded to in this excellent and -satisfactory history is represented in our plate; and the specimens, -with many others collected by this gentleman, are now in the collection -of the Philadelphia Academy. - -Fine specimens of this bird are also now in the national collection at -Washington, and were collected by Dr. Woodhouse, while attached to the -party under command of Captain Sitgreaves, which surveyed the rivers -Zunia and the Colorado of the west. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Callipepla. Wagler in Isis, 1832, p. 277. - -Head, with a crest of long feathers, either pendent or erectile, and -recurved; bill, short, with the upper mandible curved gradually from the -base, under mandible straight, and near the tip having generally two -dentations, nostrils rather large, basal, covered with a membrane. -Wings, rather ample, concave, quills rigid; tail, rather lengthened, -strong; tarsi rather long and moderately robust. About six species -known, all of which inhabit Mexico, and the adjoining parts of the -United States and California, and are birds of beautiful plumage. - - “Lophortyx Gambelii. Nutt.” Gambel. Proc. Acad. Philada., I. p. 260, - (1843.) - -Form. With an upright recurved crest of about six feathers, general form -robust, rather lengthened; wings, with the third, fourth and fifth -quills nearly equal and longest; tail, long; feet and legs robust. -Feathers in front, at the base of the bill very narrow and probably -erectile. - -Dimensions of skins, total length from tip of bill to end of tail, from -9¾ to 10½ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 4 to 4½ inches; of living or recent -bird, according to Col. McCall, as above, total length of male, 10½ to -11⅜ inches; of female, 10⅜ to 10⅝ inches. - -Colours. Male. Frontal feathers white, each having a narrow longitudinal -line of black, succeeding those a transverse band of white. Top of the -head, fine reddish chestnut, crest, brownish black. Throat, black, which -colour is completely enclosed by an edging of white. - -Entire plumage of the upper parts of the body, neck, wings, and tail, -light bluish cinereous; feathers of the neck above, slightly marked in -the middle with dark chestnut; flanks and sides, dark chestnut, every -feather with a longitudinal strip of white; middle of the breast and -abdomen white, with a large black spot on the latter. Bill, dark. - -Female. Throat, ashy white, with no vestige of black, as in the male. -Head, above, plain cinereous, or with the colours of the male very -faintly indicated; other parts of the plumage similar, but more obscure -and paler. Crest, less fully developed. - -Hab. Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., and Nat. Coll. Washington -city. - -Obs. Nearly related to, and, at first sight, bearing considerable -resemblance to, the California Partridge, (_C. Californica_.) From this, -however, it is easily distinguished by the entirely different colour of -the inferior parts of the body, and other characters easily discovered -on the most superficial examination. - -According to the rule which has become part of the code of zoological -jurisprudence, which has gradually formed itself, and is now almost -universally adopted, the name properly to be cited as the authority for -this species ought not to be “Nuttall.” It was first described in a -paper written by Dr. Gambel himself, without allusion to his learned -friend and patron, Mr. Nuttall, as joint author, editor, or otherwise. -Nevertheless, as we happen to know that that distinguished gentleman did -furnish the specific name in question, and others in the paper alluded -to, we, for the present, acquiesce in the citation of his name. But -under no circumstances can this method be allowed as a general -principle. No person is the authority for a species unless he is the -first to publish a description of it, and the citing of a name as the -authority for a species ought always to be based on that fact, the -neglect of which has caused much difficulty and confusion in zoological -nomenclature. - - - - - BERNICLA NIGRICANS.—(Lawrence.) - The Black Brant. - PLATE X.—Adult Male. - - -This is a very remarkable and distinct species of Brant, first noticed -by our esteemed friend Mr. George N. Lawrence, an Ornithologist of great -ability and accuracy, of the city of New York. It was described by him -in a paper read before the Lyceum of Natural History of that city, and -published in its Annals, IV. p. 171, (1846.) - -Mr. Lawrence states in the paper alluded to: “I have taken the above -description and figure from an adult female, procured at Egg Harbour, N. -J., in January. Since then two others have been obtained at the same -place, one of which I have in my possession. On dissection it proved to -be a male. It agrees in markings with the female, but is evidently a -younger bird, being somewhat lighter in the colour of its plumage. From -this, I infer, they become darker by age. It is a little larger than the -female, the bill being also stouter, measuring seven-eighths of an inch -high at the base. - -“When on a shooting excursion some years since at Egg Harbour, I noticed -a bird flying at some distance from us, which our gunner said was a -Black Brant. This was the first intimation I had of such a bird. Upon -further inquiry, he informed me that he had seen them occasionally, but -that they were not common. I have learned from Mr. P. Brasier, who has -passed much time at that place, that, speaking to the gunners about -them, they said they were well known by the name of Black Brant, and one -of them mentioned having once seen a flock of five or six together. - -“From these facts it appears to be known to gunners, but has heretofore -escaped the notice of Ornithologists. With all my inquiries I have not -been able to procure a specimen before this winter. I think it a good -and well marked species.” - -We have had the pleasure of seeing the specimen described by Mr. -Lawrence, and entirely coincide with him in his conclusion. It is -precisely similar to others that have come under our notice, and all -presenting the same peculiar specific characters. - - [Illustration: Plate 10 - The Black Brant - Bernicla migricans (_Lawrence_)] - -To the gunners of Philadelphia this bird is known by the same name, and -we have seen several specimens which have been shot in Delaware Bay, and -at various points on the sea-coast. Our friend Mr. John Krider, -Gunsmith, whose establishment is a favourite place of resort of the -Ornithologists and gunners of this city, and who is well acquainted with -American birds, and very successful in obtaining specimens of rare -species, has had several specimens of this Brant brought to him within -the last two or three years. It must, however, be considered as a -species of rather unusual occurrence on the Atlantic coast, but perhaps -not more so than the Snow Goose, and others which are well known. As is -the case with the birds just mentioned, it is probable, too, that the -migration of this Brant does not commonly reach so far southward as the -latitude of either of the large cities on the Atlantic. - -Several species of Geese, which appear to be unknown to Naturalists, -have been noticed by travellers in various parts of North America, but -especially in the northern and Arctic regions. Of these we shall give an -account, somewhat in detail in a succeeding article; at present, we are -acquainted with one allusion only, which we think it not improbable has -reference to the species now before us. It is in Sir John Richardson’s -“Arctic Searching Expedition,” a journal of a Boat voyage through -Rupert’s land and the Arctic Sea, in search of the discovery ships under -command of Sir John Franklin, London, 1851, New York, 1852. In citing an -account of the valley of the Yukon river, in about lat. 66° north, long. -147° west, contained in a letter to him from Mr. Murray, a resident in -that country, the following statements occur (American edition, p. 305): -“White Geese (Snow Geese, _Chen hyperboreus_) are also passengers here; -and there are likewise _Black Geese_, which I presume you have never -seen. A few of them pass down Peel’s River, but they are more abundant -on the Yukon. They are very handsome birds, considerably smaller than -the White Geese, and have a dark brown or brownish black colour, with _a -white ring round the neck_, the head and bill having the shape of that -of the Bustard (the Canada Goose, _Anser Canadensis_). The Black Geese -are the least numerous, and the latest that arrive here. They fly in -large flocks with remarkable velocity, and generally pass on without -remaining as the others do, some days to feed. When they alight, it is -always in the water; and if they wish to land, they swim ashore. They -are very fat, and their flesh has an oily and rather disagreeable taste. - -“Bustards, Laughing Geese, Ducks, and large Gulls, make their appearance -here from the 27th to the 29th of April; Snow Geese and Black Geese -about the 15th or 16th of May, when the other kinds become plentiful. -They have mostly passed by the end of the month, though some, especially -the Bustards, are seen in June. The White Geese and Black Geese breed -only on the shores of the Arctic Sea. They return in September, and -early in October, flying high, and seldom halting.” - -Sir John Richardson seems inclined to the opinion that the common Brant -is here alluded to; which, however, we cannot consider so probable as -that it is our present bird. So well acquainted with the water birds of -Europe and America as he is, it could scarcely have been supposed by Mr. -Murray that he had never seen so abundant a species as the common Brant. -Besides, the white ring round the neck, as described, is exactly -applicable to the Black Brant now before us, and its uniting on the -front of the neck forms a peculiar character sufficient to distinguish -it from any other species. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Bernicla. Stephens, Continuation of Shaw’s Zoology, XII. p. 45, - (1824.) - -Bill, small, shorter than the head, upper mandible elevated at the base, -tip with a broad nail, margins of both mandibles finely serrated. Wings, -long, pointed; tail, very short, rounded; tarsi, moderate; toes, rather -short. Probably contains six or eight species, inhabiting various parts -of the world. - - Bernicla nigricans. (Lawrence.) - Anser nigricans. Lawrence, Annals N. Y. Lyceum, IV. p. 171, (1846.) - -Form. Bill and head, and feet, rather small; wings, with the second -quill longest; tail, short, composed of sixteen feathers; coverts, both -above and below, long, reaching almost to the end of the tail. - -Dimensions, according to Mr. Lawrence. Total length 22½ inches, alar -extent 44, bill along the ridge 1³/₁₆, from gap 1⅜, lower mandible 1¼, -length of tarsus 2¼, middle toe 2, outer 1⅞, inner 1½, weight 3 lbs. - -Total length of skin from Delaware Bay, from tip of bill to end of tail -about 22 inches, wing 13¾, tail about 5 inches. - -Colours. Male. Neck almost completely encircled by a band of white, -broadest immediately in front, and narrowest behind. Head, neck, breast -and abdomen, glossy black, having on the latter a brownish tinge. Upper -parts of the body umber brown, nearly black on the rump, some of the -feathers with paler margins; quills and tail feathers brownish black. -Feathers on the sides and flanks tipped with white; upper and under tail -coverts, and ventral region, white. Bill and feet dark, nearly black. - -Hab. Atlantic coast, New Jersey. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. The Black Brant is nearly related to the common Brant (_B. -brenta_), but can readily be distinguished by the uniform black colour -of the inferior parts of the body, and the ring on the neck -uninterrupted in front, and not separated into two white patches on the -sides of the neck, as in the common species. It appears also to bear -some resemblance to the _Bernicla glaucogastra_, Brehm. Handb. Vogel -Deutschlands, p. 849 (Ilmenau, 1831), but may be distinguished from it -also by the characters just mentioned. - - - - - SYNOPSIS - OF THE - SPECIES OF BIRDS - INHABITING THE CONTINENT OF AMERICA, NORTH OF MEXICO. - - - I. ORDER RAPTORES. THE RAPACIOUS BIRDS. - -General form, strong, muscular, and capable of vigorous and long -continued flight; bill and claws usually curved and strong, and adapted -to the destruction of other animals, or for preying on animals already -dead. The sense of sight in many species developed in a greater degree -than in any other group of the animal kingdom. Habits, in the majority -of species, solitary, cautious, and very vigilant. Female larger than -the male. Inhabit all parts of the world, and form a well defined and -easily recognized order of birds, strikingly analogous to the Rapacious -Quadrupeds. - - - I. FAMILY VULTURIDÆ. THE VULTURES. - -Head and neck usually naked, and the former frequently more or less -carunculated, or with the skin wrinkled; bill, strong, rather lengthened -and strongly hooked; claws, usually moderate, and but slightly curved; -wings, usually long and powerful. Size, generally large; body, heavy. -General structure adapted to the destruction of dead animals -exclusively, but a few species do not hesitate to attack young or feeble -animals when living. - -Inhabit the temperate and the warm regions of the earth, but are much -more numerous in the latter. There are about twenty known species of -Vultures. - - - I. GENUS CATHARTES. Illigee Prodromus, p. 236. (1811.) - - CATHARISTA. Viellot Analyse, p. 21. (1816.) - -Head and upper part of the neck, naked, or partially covered with short -downy feathers; the skin of the former generally wrinkled, or with -wart-like excrescences. Bill, rather long, straight, curved at the end; -nostrils, large, open, and unprotected, inserted near the middle of the -bill. Wings, long, third and fourth primaries usually longest; tail, -composed of twelve feathers, usually slightly rounded; legs and feet, -moderate, rather strong, covered with scales, middle toe long, hind toe -shortest; claws, rather strong, moderately curved, obtuse at their -points. Colour of all known species, black. - -Of this genus, which is peculiar to America, there are seven species; -four of which are natives of the northern, and two of the southern -portion of this continent, and one of the West Indies. All of them much -resemble each other in their habits, and the two South American species -are nearly related to similar species of the North, as will be pointed -out in descriptions of the latter now to be given. In all its essential -characters, this genus differs very little from _Sarcoramphus_, which -includes the _Condor_ and the _King Vulture_ of South America. - - - A. - - 1. Cathartes aura. (Linn.) The Turkey Buzzard. The Turkey Vulture. - Vultur aura. Linn. Syst. Nat., I. p. 122. (1766.) - Cathartes septentrionalis. De Weid Reise, I. p. 162. (1839.) - -Catesby Nat. Hist. Carolina, I. pl. 6. Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I. pl. -2. Wilson Am. Orn. IX. pl. 75, fig. 1. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 151. - - Plumage, commencing on the neck with a circular ruff of rather long - and projecting feathers. Head and upper part of neck, naked, or with - scattering, down-like feathers, especially on the vertex, and with the - skin wrinkled. Nostrils, large, oval, communicating with each other; - tail, rather long, rounded. - - Entire plumage, brownish black, darkest on the neck, back and tail - above; many feathers having a purple lustre on the upper and under - parts of the body, and with pale brownish borders on the upper parts. - Bill, yellowish white; wings and tail, paler beneath. Head and neck, - in living bird, bright red. - - Total length of skin about 30 inches; wing, 23; tail, 12 inches. - - Hab. The entire territory of the United States—rare in New England. - Wisconsin, (Dr. Hoy,) Oregon, (U. S. Ex. Exp. Vincennes.) New Mexico, - (Dr. Henry.) California, (Dr. Gambel.) Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This species is abundant in the Southern, and of quite frequent -occurrence in the Middle States of the Union; but it rarely visits the -northeastern, or on the Atlantic, is seldom met with north of New -Jersey. In the southern part of the State of Delaware, and in Maryland, -it is very abundant, migrating farther south in the winter. It subsists -entirely on dead animals, which it devours in every stage of -decomposition or putridity. - -A South American species, long considered as identical with the present -bird, is now well ascertained to be distinct, and is the _Vultur jota_. -Molina. This name has been erroneously applied to the Carrion Crow or -Black Vulture of the United States. The South American species is the -smaller, is more slender in all its members, and all the specimens that -we have seen have been of a more uniform clear black colour. - - 2. Cathartes atratus. (Bartram.) The Carrion Crow. The Black Vulture. - Vultur atratus. Bartram Travels, p. 289. (1791.) - Vultur urubu. Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept., p. 53. pl. 2. (1807.) - -Wilson Am. Orn. IX. pl. 75, fig. 2. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 106. - - Plumage commencing higher on the back of the neck than on its sides or - in front, and there consisting of short feathers. Head and naked - portion of the neck, warted or corrugated, and thinly covered with - short hair-like feathers, bill rather long, nostrils large, and - communicating with each other; tail, even; legs, rather long. - - Entire plumage, deep uniform black, with a bluish gloss; under surface - of primaries nearly white. - - Total length (of skin) about 23 inches, wing 16½; tail 8½ inches. - - Hab. Southern States, Texas (Audubon), California, Oregon (U. S. Ex. - Exp. Vincennes). Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. Abundant in the Southern States, and gregarious, congregating in -large numbers in the cities, where they are of service in the -destruction of all descriptions of rejected or waste animal matter. - -The South American bird usually regarded as identical with this bird, is -the _Vultur brasiliensis_. Ray. It is considerably smaller, and -otherwise quite distinct. - - 3. Cathartes californianus. (Shaw) The Californian Vulture. - Vultur californianus. Shaw, Nat. Misc. IX. p. 1, pl. 301. (1797.) - Vultur columbianus. Ord. Guthries’ Geog. II. p. 315. (1815.) - Cathartes vulturinus. Temm. Pl. col. I. pl. 31. (1820.) - -Aud. B. of Am. pl. 411. Gray Gen. of B. pl. 2. Licht. Trans. Berlin -Acad. 1838, pl. 1. - - Size, large. Plumage commencing on the neck near the body, with a ruff - of long, lanceolate feathers, which are continued on the breast. Head - and neck bare, or with a few short feathers on the vertex, and at the - base of the upper mandible; bill rather long, nostrils small, - communicating with each other; wings long, primaries pointed; tail - long, slightly rounded; tarsi and feet very strong. - - Entire plumage black, many feathers narrowly tipped with brown, - secondary quills with a grayish tinge, greater coverts tipped with - white, which forms a transverse bar on the wing. Bill, yellowish - white. Iris, carmine. Head and neck, in living bird, orange yellow. - (Gambel.) - - Total length (of skin) about 45 inches, wing 31, tail 15 inches. - - Hab. California, Oregon. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This large Vulture is inferior only in this family to the Condor of -South America. It is restricted to the countries west of the Rocky -mountains, where in the vicinity of rivers it is occasionally abundant, -living principally on dead fishes. It appears to be, however, more -cautious and timid in its habits than the other birds of this group, and -constructs its nest in the remote recesses of the mountains. - - - B. - SPECIES PROBABLY OCCURRING IN THE UNITED STATES. - - 1. Cathartes burrovianus. Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philada. II. p. 212, - (1845.) Burrough’s Vulture. - - Resembling _C. aura_, but much smaller. Plumage on the neck ascending - behind, as in _C. atratus_; bill, rather short; tail, rounded; tarsi, - rather long. Entire plumage, deep uniform black, without brown - edgings. - - Total length of prepared specimen, from tip of bill to end of tail, - about 22 inches, wing 18, tail 8½ inches. - - Hab. Mexico, Vera Cruz (Dr. Burrough), Mazatlan (Dr. Gambel). Spec. in - Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This is the smallest of all known Vultures, and though strictly of -the same genus as _C. aura_, may readily be recognized by its small -size. It is very probably to be found in California, and the late Dr. -Gambel thought that he had seen it in that country, and at Mazatlan. -(Jour. Acad. Philada. I. p. 26, quarto.) - - - II. GENUS SARCORAMPHUS. Dumeril Anal. p. 32, (1806.) - - GYPAGUS. Vieill, Anal. p. 21, (1816.) - -Head and neck naked, the former with an elevated fleshy caruncle. In all -other characters much resembling _Cathartes_. - - 2. Sarcoramphus sacer. (Bartram) The Sacred Vulture. - Vultur sacra. Bartram, Travels in Florida, p. 150, (1791.) - - Original description.—“The bill is long, and straight almost to the - point, where it is hooked or bent suddenly down, and sharp; the head - and neck bare of feathers nearly down to the stomach, when the - feathers begin to cover the skin, and soon become long and of a soft - texture, forming a ruff or tippet, in which the bird, by contracting - his neck, can hide that as well as his head; the bare skin on the neck - appears loose and wrinkled, which is of a bright yellow colour, - intermixed with coral red; the hinder part of the neck is nearly - covered with short stiff hair; and the skin of this part of the neck - is of a dun purple colour, gradually becoming red as it approaches the - yellow of the sides and forepart. The crown of the head is red; there - are lobed lappets of a reddish orange colour, which lay on the base of - the upper mandible. The plumage of the bird is generally white or - cream colour, except the quill feathers of the wings and two or three - rows of the coverts, which are beautiful dark brown; the tail, which - is rather large and _white_, is tipped with this dark brown or black; - the legs and feet of a clear white; the eye is encircled with a gold - coloured iris, the pupil black.” Bartram, as above, p. 150, 151. - -Obs. The identification of the bird here described, may be considered as -one of the most important services to be performed in North American -Ornithology. Its occurrence has never been noticed since the time of the -accurate and veracious naturalist who first described it, and his -careful description above quoted seems to clearly indicate it to be a -species entirely unknown. The white tail especially is characteristic, -and establishes a clear distinction from any other known species. It is -related evidently to the King Vulture, (_S. papa_,) but that species has -a black tail, and in case of mistake or misprint in Bartram’s -description, it may be presumed at any rate to relate to an occurrence -of that species within the United States. There is no more inviting nor -more singular problem in North American Ornithology. - - - C. - SPECIES, THE OCCURRENCE OF WHICH IN THE UNITED STATES IS DOUBTFUL. - - 1. Sarcoramphus gryphus. (Linn.) The Condor. - -Bonap. Am. Orn. IV. pl. 22. Temm. pl. col. 133, 408, 464. Zool. Voy. -Bonité, Birds, pl. 2, (Paris, 1841.) - - Size, large. Head, neck, and large space on the breast, bare. Plumage, - black, with a white space on the wing; neck, with a collar or ruff of - white downy feathers; plumage of the back, the quills and tail - frequently with a gray tinge. Head above with a large caruncle or - comb, and others on the sides of the head and neck. - - Total length of skin, about 4 feet, wing about 2 feet 6 inches, tail - about 15 inches. - - Hab. South America. - -Obs. The famous Condor of the Andes, though it has been admitted as a -North American bird into the works of Bonaparte and Nuttall, cannot at -present, in our opinion, be so regarded. The description in the History -of the Expedition of Lewis and Clarke, which was supposed to relate to -this bird, and has been the sole authority for its introduction by the -authors just mentioned, very probably applies to the Californian -Vulture. No other travellers have seen the Condor, either at the -localities mentioned by Lewis and Clarke, or elsewhere in North America. -It is common in the western parts of South America. The most complete -descriptions with which we are acquainted are by Humboldt, in Zoological -Observations, I. p. 26, (Recuil d’Observationes de Zoologie et -d’Anatomie comparée Paris, 1811, quarto,) and by Darwin in Zoology of -the Voyage of the Beagle, Birds, p. 3, (London, 1841,) and by the same -author in Voyage of a Naturalist, I. p. 234, 238, (American edition, New -York, 1846, duodecimo.) - - 2. Sarcoramphus papa. (Linn.) The King Vulture. - -Spix. Av. Bras. pl. 1. Buff. Pl. Enl. 428. Vieill. Gal. pl. 3. - - Plumage on the neck, dusky cinereous; wings and tail, glossy black; - all other parts, fine pale fulvous. Head and upper part of neck naked, - the former with an elevated and conspicuous caruncle arising from the - cere. - - Total length of skin about 28 inches, wing 18, tail about 9 inches. - - Hab. South and Central America. Mexico. - -Obs. The King Vulture is the most handsome bird of its family. Though -admitted by Nuttall as a bird of the United States (Manuel, I. p. 40, -Boston, 1840,) no instance is recorded, or has otherwise come to our -knowledge, of its having been observed north of Mexico. It is not -improbable, however, that it may yet be found in Texas or in California, -or possibly in Florida. It is described by Hernandez as an inhabitant of -Mexico, in his “New History of the Plants, Animals, and Minerals of -Mexico,” p. 319, (Nova, plantarum, animalium et mineralium Mexicanorum, -Historia, Rome, 1651, folio,) and has found a place in the works of all -authors on general Ornithology, and been noticed by many travellers. - -The above comprise all the Vultures which have been hitherto known or -supposed to inhabit America, north of Mexico. There are three other -species which appear to be peculiar to South America and the islands of -West Indies, (particularly the more southern of them,) all of which more -or less intimately resemble our species of the North. They are -_Cathartes jota_ (Molina), described in Geog. Nat. and Civil Hist. of -Chili, American edition, I. p. 185, (Middletown Conn. 1808, octavo,) -_Cathartes Brasiliensis_, Bonaparte Consp. Av. p. 9, and _Cathartes -urbicola_, Des Murs Rev. and Mag. de Zool. April, 1853. The latter is a -large and very remarkable species which has only recently been -ascertained to frequent the cities of several of the West Indies. - -Nearly all of the American Vultures are remarkable for a disposition -manifested, in a greater or less degree, to resort to cities, or even -more isolated abodes of men, for the purpose of procuring food. In the -southern cities of the United States, the Black Vulture congregates in -large numbers; its relative of South America (_Cathartes Brasiliensis_) -possesses the same habit, and is exceedingly abundant in the cities of -the countries that it inhabits. Even the gigantic Condor does not -hesitate to make its appearance in the vicinity of villages or dwellings -in the western countries of South America for the same purpose. In this -respect these birds resemble the most common European bird of their -family which inhabits southern Europe, and also Asia and northern -Africa; the _Neophron percnopterus_ or Egyptian Vulture. The latter is, -however, very different in colour, being nearly white when adult, and -_clean_, which is an important consideration in a bird of habitually -filthy habits. - -Travellers have represented the male of the Condor as larger and as -having more handsome plumage than the female. We hope to be excused for -here asking attention to this point, should opportunity occur to any of -our readers. It is the only known or supposed instance in the order of -Rapacious Birds, of the male being the larger, and, if true, of course -establishes an exception hitherto not recognized by naturalists. In -these birds, and especially in the Falcons and Eagles, the difference in -the size of the sexes of the same species is often very remarkable, but -the larger is invariably the female. - -Further experiments and observations by persons having suitable -opportunities and facilities are very desirable for the purpose of -ascertaining the degree of development of the senses of sight and smell -in the Vultures. Eminent authors have maintained quite opposite views on -this subject, some attributing the fact that they perceive objects -suitable for their food from a distance, to the acuteness of their sight -and others to their power of smelling. This is yet an open question, -though there is a very considerable amount of evidence on each side, and -may be regarded as presenting an interesting field for further -investigation. - - [Illustration: Plate 11 - Kirtland’s Owl - Nyctale Kirtlandii (_Hoy_)] - - - - - NYCTALE KIRTLANDII.—(Hoy.) - Kirtland’s Owl. - PLATE XI.—Adult Male. - - -Having in the eastern portion of the United States no traditions nor -architectural remains which date beyond the first settlement of the -white man, our people are but little prone to many of the superstitions -which have prevailed in the old world. In the absence of the ruined -monastery or crumbling abbey, of the ivy-covered baronial castle and -haunted tower, local and legendary superstitions especially, have found -no considerable nor permanent place in the popular mind. - -Some reliance in the influence of the moon, and a small degree of -attention to the aspect of the sign of the zodiac according to the -time-honored frontispiece in the almanac, both materially lacking in the -important requisite of full and trusting faith, are very nearly the only -mysteries which can be regarded as having acquired a practical adoption -in any appreciable degree. Others, as the witchcraft of former and the -Spiritualism of latter times, as in other countries, have temporarily -assumed aspects of more or less importance, but have either disappeared, -or, awaiting the certain test of Christian enlightenment and -unprejudiced examination, have taken the form of religious faith, and -are held in conscientious veneration. An occasional exception may be -found, too, in the local transplanting of an European, or perhaps of an -African tradition, but many superstitions of the old world are almost -absolutely unknown; the evil Banshee, the gentler Brownie, Puck and -Oberon, Mab and Titania have no local habitation, though well beloved as -beautiful accessories in the immortal productions of the poets, or as -told by an humble mother to her children in tales of remembrance of her -native land. - -In the higher order of legends—in those which record facts or dim -histories of exceeding antiquity, or in which are embalmed the deeds of -the remote hero, though even more faded than his features on the -mouldering wall or the faded marble—young America pleads her youth. But -not without product—and as that which has been shall be again, as -legends and traditions like to those of other nations will very probably -be amongst the results of American mind, there is one American name, -perhaps as yet one only, which may become mythical or even now is. When -thousands of years shall have rolled away, and the annals of the present -age shall be known only to the scholar and the antiquary of those times -in precious scraps and fragments, the adjusting of which shall require -the skilfulness of learning, some future Lepsius or Layard may recognise -in a wise Minos or in a just Nemesis, the American Washington. - -The Republic of the United States has acquired its position as a nation, -and in fact has existed only in an age of enlightenment, and the -universal attention to education and the diffusion of general knowledge -which happily has ever prevailed in a degree not exceeded in any -country, has necessarily prevented in a great measure the forming of -orally transmitted histories or of legendary fables, and there being no -ruins of buildings nor other evidences of the decay of past ages, our -people do not associate with ideas of desolation, animals which might -have found suitable habitations in such localities, nor have they -attributed traditional associations or characters. - -We have no birds of ill omen, and even the long-defamed Owl has escaped -his usual reputation; not that he is regarded with favor, rather the -reverse; but for other reason than attributed connexion with -supernatural agents; nor is his appearance in the neighborhood of the -farm-house or the settler’s cabin regarded as at all ominous, except of -immediate danger to whatever of the domestic poultry may have attracted -his attention, or in any degree foreboding, unless of his own abrupt -demise in case he happens to be observed by the proprietor, having at -hand his trusty rifle or fowling-piece. The owl takes the greater risk -in such an adventure. - -On account, in some measure, of their peculiar forms, particularly their -large heads and staring eyes, their nocturnal habits, and their -habitually resorting in the day-time to secluded haunts in the forest or -other little-frequented localities, no animals have been more invariably -regarded as of evil portent than owls. And in this character they have -found a place in the literature, and especially the poetry, of nearly -all nations ancient and modern. The Latin writers seldom fail to mention -the appearance of the owl among the omens and prodigies which they -frequently enumerate as having preceded disasters to the state or to -distinguished personages. Pliny in his Natural History, gravely devotes -a chapter to Inauspicious Birds, and gives the owl a post of distinction -in this manner: “The owl, a dismal bird, and very much dreaded in public -auguries, inhabits deserts which are not only desolate, but dreary and -inaccessible: it is a monster of night, nor does it possess any voice -but a groan. Thus, when it is seen in towns or in daylight, it is an -omen to be dreaded.” Book x., chapter 12. The poets give him the same -reputation, but perhaps only in the legitimate exercise of their art. -The poet is privileged in the entire domain of nature, and Virgil and -Shakspeare have forever commemorated, though somewhat infamously, the -Owl. The former alludes to it as one of numerous precursors of the death -of Dido: - - “Solaque culminibus ferali carmine bubo - Sæpe queri, et longas in fletum ducere voces.” - - “Whilst lonely on the roof, night’s bird prolongs - The notes of woe, and shrieks funereal songs.” - -Shakspeare uses the Owl in the same capacity of direful portent. Thus -Casca, in allusion to omens preceding the death of Cæsar: - - “And yesterday, the bird of night did sit - Even at noon-day upon the market-place - Hooting and shrieking:” - -and in Macbeth he introduces its cry as an accompaniment of the murder -of Duncan: - - “Hark! Peace! It was the owl that shrieked, - The fatal bellman, which giv’st the stern’st good-night. - He is about it:” - -and again in Henry the Sixth: - - “The owl shriek’d at thy birth; an evil sign; - The night-crow cried, aboding luckless time, - Dogs howl’d, and hideous tempests shook down trees.” - -Shakspeare has various other passages of much the same tenor, and so -have many other poets of the English and other languages; but, as we can -say truly with Cowper (in Task): - - “The jay, the pie, and e’en the boding owl, - That hails the rising moon, have charms for _us_,” - -we have no intention at all of making out a strong case of bad -reputation against him, even from the poets. We ought to say, though, -that he has borne this reputation much more recently than the time of -Pliny, and in some countries of the old world has scarcely yet attained -a character of entire respectability. There might be a difficulty, -however, in deciding which is the more remarkable, the things said of -him, or the gravity of the sayer. A writer, cited in Brand’s Popular -Antiquities, says to the point: “In the year 1542, at Herbipolis or -Wirtzburg, in Franconia, this unlucky bird by his screeching songs -affrighted the citizens a long time together, and immediately followed a -great plague, war, and other calamities. About twenty years ago, I did -observe that in the house where I lodged, an Owl groaning in the window -presaged the death of two eminent persons who died there shortly after.” -Another, bringing the matter to a more general bearing, says: “If an -owl, which is reckoned a most abominable and unlucky bird, send forth -its hoarse and dismal voice, it is an omen of the approach of something: -that some dire calamity and some great misfortune is near at hand.” And -amongst many similar stories, it is related by an old author, that when -a Duke of Cleves was suffering with the disease of which he afterwards -died, an Owl was seen and heard frequently upon the palace of Cleves in -the day-time, and could scarcely be driven away. Very wonderful, but not -calculated for the present meridian, and happily rather out of date -generally. It would scarcely suit the citizens of our frontier States to -regard in any such aspect the nightly serenades of the Great Horned Owl, -though performed in a style entirely appropriate. - -Other nations, and some more ancient than the Romans, also regarded the -Owl with various degrees of superstition. In Egypt, at one period, an -image of an Owl transmitted by the supreme authority to a subject, was -an intimation in established form, that the latter would particularly -oblige his sovereign by immediately committing suicide. With which civil -invitation, compliance, at earliest convenience, appears to have been -necessary, not entirely as a matter of mere politeness, but to save -himself from aspersions as a man of honor and a gentleman. An instance -is related by Diodorus Siculus, in which a person placed in such a -dilemma and manifesting some repugnance and uncourtly backwardness, was -put to death by one of his parents to save their house from disgrace. - -But the people of the present day have been favored to live in an age -characterized in all Christian countries by the diffusion of truth and -the progress of intellectual cultivation, and in which, as a peculiar -feature, the physical sciences especially have tended to dispel the -mists of ages. In accordance with the spirit of it, modern writers -rarely resort to the adoption, even in poetic composition, of ungrounded -popular errors. Thus, with no such implication, Coleridge, in -Christabel, introduces the Owl in an opening chorus: - - “’Tis the middle of the night by the castle-clock, - And the owls have awakened the crowing cock. - Tu—whit!—tu-whoo! - And hark again! the crowing cock - How drowsily he crew.” - -And beautiful too is the allusion to the Owl by Longfellow, in Hyperion: -“For the owl is a grave bird; a monk who chants midnight mass in the -great temple of Nature.” - -Kirtland’s Owl, which we present to our readers in the plate now before -us, is one of the most recent additions to the Ornithological Fauna of -this country, and was first brought to notice by Philo R. Hoy, M. D., an -eminent naturalist and physician of Racine, Wisconsin, who has -ascertained its occurrence, and has succeeded in obtaining several -specimens in the neighborhood of that city. - -It appears, however, to be by no means a common species, though having -been observed in the season of incubation, as well as in the winter, it -may be presumed to be a constant resident, and further investigation may -bring to light full details of its history. It belongs to a group -composed of several species of small owls, found in the northern regions -of both continents, the most common of which, in this country, is the -little Acadian Owl (_Nyctale acadica_), a curious and rather handsome -little species not very well known in the rural districts, but sometimes -occurring, and also occasionally captured, in the cities. It is the -least of the owls of the Atlantic States. Another species is known as -Tengmalm’s Owl (_N. Tengmalmii_), which inhabits the higher northern -latitudes of America and Europe. - -Like the other small species of its family, the present Owl probably -subsists on the smaller birds and quadrupeds and on insects. The last -form no inconsiderable portion of the food of the smaller Owls. We have -repeatedly found the remains of insects in the stomachs of several -species; and in 1851, during the period of the appearance of the -Seventeen-year Locust (_Cicada septemdecim_) in the neighborhood of -Philadelphia, we enjoyed an opportunity, in company with several members -of the Academy of Natural Sciences of this city, of observing the common -Red Owl (_Ephialtes asio_) while engaged in feeding on insects of that -remarkable species. It captured them principally in an apple-tree in -which it was first noticed, but occasionally pursued its object to the -ground, and with a degree of adroitness and avidity which fully evinced -that it had been accustomed to similar occupation. - -Dr. Hoy’s description of the species now before us was first published -in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, VI. p. 211, (Dec. 1852,) -from which we make the following extract: - -“But two specimens of this bird have been taken, to my knowledge; the -first was captured in October 1851, and kept until winter, when it made -its escape; the second, that from which the above description was taken, -flew into an open shop, July 1852. It is strictly nocturnal, utters a -low tremulous note, and is an active and efficient mouser.” - -We have been informed by Dr. Hoy that during the past summer (1853,) he -had succeeded in obtaining another specimen which proved to be a female. -It is slightly larger than the male, but similar in all other respects. - -The figures in our plate represent the male bird, and are about -two-thirds of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Nyctale. Brehm, Handb. Nat. Vog. Deutschlands, p. 111, (1831.) - -Size, small. Bill rather weak and almost concealed by projecting plumes -at its base, strongly curved and sharp. Wings moderate, rounded, with -the third and fourth quills nearly equal and longest; tail moderate, -tarsi short, and with the toes densely clothed with hair-like feathers; -claws rather long, slender, and very sharp. Type N. _Tengmalmii_ -(Gmelin). - - Nyctale Kirtlandii. Hoy, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci., Philada., VI. p. 210, - (Dec., 1852.) - -Form. Small, but compact, wing with the fourth quill slightly longest, -tarsi and toes fully feathered, claws slender, sharp. - -Dimensions of a skin from Dr. Hoy. Male, total length from tip of bill -to end of tail, about 7 inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3 inches. “Extent of -wings, 16 inches,” (Dr. Hoy.) Female, rather larger. - -Colors. Male. Head and upper portion of breast, and entire upper parts -dark chocolate-brown; front and eye-brows white, and a line of the same -color extending downwards from the base of the lower mandible; ear -feathers behind the eye darkest; primaries with white spots on their -outer margins forming three irregular bars, and with circular spots of -white on their inner webs; tail rather darker than the back, narrowly -tipped with white, and having two bands composed of spots of white. - -Entire under parts of the body, tarsi and toes, reddish-ochre-yellow; -bill and claws black, iris-yellow. - -Hab. State of Wisconsin. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., and in Dr. Hoy’s -coll. Racine, Wisconsin. - -Obs. This little Owl is strictly congeneric with _Nyctale Harrisii_ -Cassin. Proc. Philada. Acad. IV. p. 157, (Feb. 1849,) and Journal of the -same society, Quarto II., plate V., but different in size and color. _N. -Harrisii_ is the same as _Ciccaba gisella_ Bonaparte, Cons. Av. p. 44, -(1850.) - -The present bird also resembles, in some degree, _Strix frontalis_ -Lichtenstein, described in a Fauna of California, in Transactions of the -Berlin Academy, 1838, p. 430. - - - - - EMBERNAGRA BLANDINGIANA.—(Gambel.) - Blanding’s Finch. - PLATE XII.—Adult Male. - - -Blanding’s Finch was discovered in the Rocky mountains by Dr. Gambel, -and named by him in honor of one of the most universally respected of -American naturalists and friends of science, William Blanding, M. D., -formerly a resident of Philadelphia, but now of Providence, Rhode -Island. During many years of previous residence in South Carolina, Dr. -Blanding omitted no opportunity of facilitating by observation and -active exertion in contributing to collections, the advancement of the -interests of Natural Science in all its departments, and he has been -deservedly complimented by naturalists whose studies he has been the -means of promoting, and with whom personally he has for many years -maintained relations of the most friendly character. Many of the -cultivators of Natural History in America owe much to the advice and -encouragement of Dr. Blanding, and among such we gratefully include -ourselves. - -This bird belongs to a group of which several species are known to -inhabit Mexico and South America, and of which one other species is a -summer visitor to Texas. All of them are birds of handsome and even -elegant general appearance and color of plumage, and partake much of the -inoffensive habits of other birds of the family to which they belong, -and which includes the Finches and Sparrows. Subsisting for the greater -part on seeds, much of their time is passed on the ground, or in -undergrowths of shrubbery in the immediate vicinity of fields and -meadows, or other grass-bearing localities. - - [Illustration: Plate 12 - Blanding’s Finch - Embernagra Blandingiana (_Gambel_)] - -We regard the present species as the handsomest Bird of the family of -Sparrows yet discovered in the United States, and regret that it is not -in our power to lay before our readers an account of it at all full or -satisfactory, little having been placed on record, or having otherwise -come to our knowledge, beyond the fact that it inhabits sparingly the -Rocky mountains, California and northern Texas. It is probably one of -the many species which migrate in summer to those countries from Mexico, -and even further southward, as is the case with the greater part of the -numerous species of birds which are summer-residents in the eastern -portion of this continent. Not more than three specimens of this bird -have been brought home in the many extensive collections made by the -various naturalists who have visited the countries where it is found, -from which we must necessarily infer at present that it is one of the -rarest of the birds of California and the Rocky mountains, though more -abundant in Texas. - -From Dr. Gambel’s paper containing his description of this bird, -published in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of -Philadelphia, I. p. 260, (April 1843,) and subsequently in the Journal -of the same society, I. p. 51 (Quarto), we extract the following: - -“Of this new and singularly marked species, I procured a single specimen -only, in September, on the bank of a small stream in the Rocky -mountains, about half-way between New Mexico and the Colorado of the -West. It kept in low bushes, in company with _Fringilla guttata_, and -_F. graminea_, occasionally uttering a single chirp. The throat and -breast of this species very much resemble those of _Fringilla -Pennsylvanica_.” - -Dr. Woodhouse procured, also, one specimen, only, during Capt. -Sitgreaves’ Expedition to the Zuñi, and Colorado rivers, respecting -which he observes: “Whilst encamped on the Rio Salado, near San Antonio, -Texas, in the beginning of April, I procured a solitary specimen of this -beautiful and interesting bird. Its favorite haunts seemed to be the low -bushes in the vicinity of the creek; this was the only one that I -observed east of the Rio Grande. In the Zuni mountain, and in the -vicinity of the _pueblo_ of Zuñi, it was quite abundant.” (Report of an -Expedition down the Zuñi and Colorado rivers, by Capt. L. Sitgreaves, of -the Topographical Engineer Corps, U. S. Army, Washington, 1853. Zoology, -p. 85.) - -It was also seen by Dr. Heermann, in California. - -Our figure is that of a male, and is about two-thirds of the natural -size. - -The plant represented, is _Nuttallia digitata_, a native of California. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Embernagra. Lesson Traité d’Orn, p. 465, (1851.) - -Bill, moderate, conic; wings, short, rounded, usually with the fifth and -sixth quills slightly longest; tail, lengthened, rounded at the tip; -tarsi and toes, lengthened, strong; claws, short, curved. A genus of -birds related to _Zonotrichia_, and containing several species, all of -which are American. - - Embernagra Blandingiana. (Gambel.) - Fringilla Blandingiana. Gamb., Proc. Acad. Philada. I. p. 260, (April, - 1843) - Fringilla chlorura. Aud. Orn. Biog. V. p. 336? - -Form. Rather robust, bill strong, wing short, second, third and fourth -quills nearly equal, third slightly longest, tail rather long, legs and -feet strong, claws well developed, that on the hind toe large. - -Dimensions. Adult. Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of -tail, about 7 inches; wing, 3⅛; tail, 3¼ inches. - -Colors. Head, above, fine rufous chestnut. All other upper parts, -yellowish green, tinged with ashy. Throat, white, which color is -bordered on each side by a line of ashy black. Sides of the neck, the -breast and sides of the body, and flanks, light cinereous, tinged with -ochre on the latter and under tail coverts. Middle of the lower part of -breast, and of the abdomen, white. Wing, at its flexure and under wing -coverts, yellow. Quills and tail-feathers, light greenish yellow on -their outer webs. - -Hab. California and Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., and Nat. Mus. -Washington. - -Obs. This species resembles somewhat several others which are natives of -the Southern extreme of North America, though not sufficiently to be -readily confounded with either of them. - -The description of _Fringilla chlorura_, Aud. in Orn. Biog. V. p. 336, -consists of extracts of letters from Dr. Townsend, in which a bird is -described, of which he procured no specimens, but evidently like the -present, in some respects, but not with sufficient precision to be -determined. He represents it as “a true _Fringilla_. The head of light -brownish color spotted with dusky, back varied with dusky and greenish -olive, rump brownish spotted with dusky, &c.” Our present bird is by no -means a true Fringilla, nor does the description otherwise apply to it -with such degree of probability as to be relied on. - - [Illustration: Plate 13 - The American House Finch - Carpodacus familiaris (_M‘Call_)] - - - - - CARPODACUS FAMILIARIS.—M‘Call. - The American House-Finch. - PLATE XIII.—Male and Female. - - -When the winter of our northern climes has abated its rigors, and the -season of brighter skies and returning flowers approaches, none of its -early tokens are welcomed with more pleasing associations, than the -reappearance of those familiar birds, which, like the Wren, the Blue -Bird, and the Pewee Flycatcher, come pleasantly into the immediate -vicinity of our dwellings, to select accommodations for the construction -of their nests, and for rearing their young. They share the hospitality -of the splendid mansion and the humble cottage, and are made welcome -alike in each. - -Of birds of this description, no species is more remarkable for its -confiding disposition, than the little Finch now before the reader, and -which is a native of the western countries of North America. It not only -approaches the abodes of men without hesitation, and occupies habitually -the suitable parts of houses and other buildings, but resorts in large -numbers to such uncongenial localities as one might think them, as towns -and cities. In several of those in New Mexico, and California, this bird -is very abundant, and is a great favorite. - -Several species of the same genus to which the present belongs, all of -which present considerable similarity, inhabit northern countries of -this continent, and others are found in the same latitudes of the old -world. The males of all the species are clothed in plumage of fine -crimson, or of purple of various and delicate shades, when they have -attained maturity. The females are however of much plainer appearance, -and generally present little similarity of color to their more gay -consorts. The Purple Finch (_Carpodacus purpureus_) is the best-known -American bird of this group. It is common as a winter visitor in the -middle and southern States, and at that season its habits are such only -as are adapted to a roving life in the woods. It retires in the spring -to the northern states, and the mountains of Pennsylvania, and is there -regarded with much favor on account of the beauty of its plumage and its -agreeable song. - -A species of the old world (_C. erythrinus_), which is one of several -that are natives of northern Russia, of Siberia and Kamtschatka, is very -similar in its general appearance to the Purple Finch, and, like it too, -it has an extensive range of migration, appearing throughout European -and Asiatic Russia, and the northern countries of India. Of the Asiatic -species, one is remarkable for having been discovered on Mount Sinai, by -an European naturalist, and in reference to that fact, has been named by -him the Sinai Finch (_Carpodacus sinaiticus_.) - -Our present bird appears to be the species alluded to by Dr. Gambel as -the crimson-fronted Finch, _Erythrospiza frontalis_ (Say), in the -Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, Quarto, I. p. 53, in the following -passage: “This handsome songster we first observed in New Mexico, -particularly about Sante Fé, where it is an abundant and familiar -resident, keeping about the _corrals_ and gardens, and building its nest -under the portals and sheds of the houses. In July the young were ready -to fly, which must have been a second brood, or else they begin to lay -much later than in California. Under a long shed or _portal_, in the -Plaza or Square of Sante Fé, they had a great many nests; and the old -birds would sometimes fly down about our feet while sitting at the -doors, to pick up crumbs, &c. for their young. - -“In California, it is also an extremely abundant and familiar resident, -and is called by the inhabitants _Buriones_. During winter they assemble -in flocks, frequenting the bushy plains and hill-sides, hedges, -vineyards and gardens, living on the various kinds of seeds which are so -abundant, and also sometimes doing considerable damage among the grapes. -Early in March they commence pairing, and soon are busy building their -nests; placing entire confidence in man (which is but too often -misplaced) they persist in building about the houses; on the projecting -planks under the portals, under the eaves, in sheds, boxes or in any -nook they can find. I once found a nest in a small box of seeds which -had been stuck up over a door. They will also build on the horizontal -branch of a tree in the garden, and a great many nests are made in the -willow hedges of the vineyards, but they prefer by far the rafters under -the sheds and houses, repaying the inmates for the privilege, with their -most melodious song, which is continued during summer, from the roof -near the nest. The nest is made of small sticks, or stems of weeds, -willow catkins and down of the willow, and lined with horse-hair. They -usually lay five eggs, sometimes of a plain bluish white color only, but -generally having a few scattering streaks and specks of dark brown on -the larger end. Some nests are made principally of feathers, cotton or -wool, with a few sticks and dried grass, and lined with horse-hair. -Frequently only four eggs are found in the nest, and they often have a -very few specks or streaks on one side only. - -“It would be impossible, with words, to describe the song of this -western Orpheus; and although California contains many song-birds, among -others the Mocking-Bird, yet there is none more exhilarating to the -feelings, or melodious and tender to the ear, than the song of this -Finch.” - -This bird was first described satisfactorily as a distinct species, by -Col. M‘Call, in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, VI. p. 61, -(April 1852.) In a previous paper in the same periodical, V. p. 219 -(June 1851) he thus alludes to it: - -“I found this charming little Finch abundant at Sante Fé, where it -commenced nesting in March, although the weather was still wintry, and -so continued, with frequent snow-storms, for more than a month. -Notwithstanding this, the song of the male failed not to cheer his mate -during incubation, with the liveliest melody. The notes often reminded -me of the soft trill of the house-wren, and as often of the clear warble -of the canary. The males of the last year, though mated and apparently -equally happy and quite as assiduous as their seniors, were not yet in -full plumage, having little or nothing of the red colors that mark the -adult birds. - -“The nests, which were stuck into every cranny about the eaves and -porticoes of the houses throughout the town, were variously composed of -dry grass, fine roots, horse-hair, long pieces of cotton twine, or -strips of old calico; in fine, of countless odds and ends, that were -picked up about the yards;—these were curiously and firmly interwoven, -so as to make a warm and comfortable abode for the new-comers. Eggs, -four or five, pale blue, slightly marked on the larger end. The young -were able to fly by the middle or latter part of April. A second brood, -and in some cases, I believe a third was raised during the summer, as -not a few of them continue to incubate until some time in the month of -August. Before the latter part of September, however, nearly all of them -had disappeared from about Santa Fé.” - -For the following additional account of this species, prepared expressly -for the present article, we are also indebted to Col. M‘Call: - -“Whilst residing in New Mexico, I always remarked a gentle amity in the -character of this lively little songster which failed not to bespeak for -him the kindly regard of all with whom he made his abode, whether the -wealthy proprietor of the manor-house, or the humble _peon_, whose -miserable hut stood aloof from the mansion. For, the same cheerful -melody that soothed the noontide of the former while idly swinging in -his hammock, welcomed the appearance of the latter as he came forth at -the dawn of day to resume his toil; the same confiding familiarity was -observable in his approach to both, and the same merry pranks were -played, whether feeding on the bounty of the one, or gleaning a more -scanty meal near the ill-furnished table of the other. It was this -pleasing trait in his character which prompted me in the choice of his -name. - -“His disposition also towards other birds, appeared to be mild and -peaceful, as I had many opportunities to observe. I will mention one -instance: In the piazza of the house I occupied, quite a colony of these -birds had their nests: here the work of building and incubation had gone -on prosperously for several weeks, although the weather at times was -stormy and cold, and ere the genial warmth of spring was fairly felt, -the colony might have been said to be fully established. As the season -advanced and birds of less hardy nature began to arrive from the south, -a pair of Barn-Swallows (_H. rufa_) made their appearance, and forthwith -entered the territory of the Finches. And here they at once, very -unceremoniously, began to erect their domicil. This act of aggression -would have been fiercely resented by most birds, and violent measures -would have been promptly resorted to, to eject the intruders. The -conduct of the little finches was quite different: at first they stood -aloof and seemed to regard the strangers with suspicion and distrust, -rather than enmity. In the mean time the swallows went quietly to work, -without showing any inclination to intermeddle; and in a day or two -[their mud-walls all the time rapidly advancing] they gained the -confidence of their neighbors, and finally completed their work -unmolested. Indeed, a perfect harmony was established between the -parties, which I never saw interrupted by a single quarrel during the -time they remained my tenants. - -“This incident, and I would mention others were it necessary, -illustrates the character of this species in strong contrast with that -of its relative, the Purple-Finch, (_C. purpureus_,) which both Wilson -and Audubon agree in representing, from personal observation, as -quarrelsome, tyrannical and domineering in the extreme. This species -may, moreover, be considered as a more southern bird than the -Purple-Finch, its northern range probably not extending much beyond the -limits of New Mexico, on the eastern slope of the Rocky mountains; while -that of the other stretches to the Fur countries. - -“On the western slope, it is common throughout California, but not in -Oregon. At the Missions of San Diego and San Gabriel it nested in the -hedge-rows, as well as in the buildings. I often saw it in numbers on -the edges of the immense fields of wild mustard, a plant which, -introduced by the early Spanish missionaries, now overruns whole -districts of that country, and in size and vigor of growth is almost -arborescent; but whether it nested in these thickets or not, I did not -ascertain. Yet I found the nests of the Red-winged Black-bird (_A. -phœniceus_) in numbers, placed at the distance of 6 or 8 feet from the -ground, in the branches of the wild mustard. - -“The food of this species, like its congeners, consists at different -seasons of buds, fruits, the seeds of various grasses and wild plants, -which it often plucks from the capsules while hanging inverted or -sidewise on the bending stalk. Insects are also eaten, I believe, at all -seasons. But in its half-domesticated condition at Santa Fé, nothing -edible seemed to be amiss.” - -This species appears to congregate into flocks at the close of the -summer season, and to adopt the wandering habits of its near relative -the Purple-Finch previously alluded to in this article. They migrate at -that period and during the winter to Mexico, and probably to the -countries of Central America. The following notice is from Dr. -Heermann’s Notes on the Birds of California, (Jour. Philada. Acad. -Quarto, II. p. 267,) and relates to this bird: - -“Very abundant and found in large flocks in the fall season, feeding on -the buds of young trees. I found this species abundant at Guaymas, where -it breeds under the eaves of houses, in the branches of the small cactus -plants; and one nest I discovered in a deserted woodpecker’s hole, made -in the body of an upright cactus, one and a half feet in diameter and -about fifteen feet high, with which species of plants the country near -Guaymas is covered. In California I found its nest on the dwarf oaks, -composed of coarse grasses and lined with fine hair. The eggs, from four -to six in number, are pale blue, marked with spots and delicate lines of -black.” - -Dr. Woodhouse also notices this bird as abundant in New Mexico and -California, (Sitgreaves’ Report, Zoology, p. 88.) - -The figures in our plate are about two-thirds of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Carpodacus. Kaup Nat. Syst., p. 161. (1829.) - -Bill short, conical, wide at base, wings long, pointed, second and third -quills longest, tail moderate or rather short, tarsi and feet strong, -colors in males usually purple, size small. - - Carpodacus familiaris. M‘Call, Proc. Acad. Philada. VI. p. 61. (April - 1852.) - -Form. Generally similar to that of _Carpodacus purpureus_ (Gm.), but -smaller than either that species or _Carpodacus frontalis_. (Say.) Bill -short, strong; shorter, more curved above and more turgid than that of -_C. purpureus_. Wing rather long, with the first, second and third -quills longest and nearly equal, secondaries truncate and emarginate, -tail slightly emarginate only, not forked as in _C. purpureus_, legs, -feet and claws moderate. - -Dimensions of a skin from California: Total length from tip of bill to -end of tail about 5½ inches, wing 3¼, tail 2¾ inches. Col. M‘Call gives -the total length of the recent bird as 6 inches, 1 line and alar extent -10 inches. - -Colors. Male. Head entirely, back, rump, superior tail-coverts, neck -before and breast, brownish red, inclining to crimson, most clear and -distinct on the rump, superior tail-coverts and front immediately at the -base of the bill, and most obscure on the back. - -Wings and tail, blackish brown, every feather having paler edgings. - -Abdomen and inferior tail-coverts, white, every feather having a -longitudinal stripe of brown. - -Bill, pale yellowish brown, lighter on the lower mandible. - -Female. Without red on any part of the plumage. Body above, dark -brownish, every feather having a longitudinal central stripe of a darker -shade of the same color, and edged with lighter inclining to cinereous. -Body beneath, sordid white, longitudinally dashed with brown. - -Young Male. Much resembling the female, but with the red color appearing -on the front at the base of the bill, on the neck and rump. - -Hab. New Mexico and California. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., and Nat. -Coll. Washington. - -Obs. This bird bears considerable resemblance to _Carpodacus purpureus_, -but is smaller, and has occasionally been mistaken for _Carpodacus -frontalis_. The latter is a distinct and very handsome Western American -species, the young of which only has been figured, but of which adult -specimens have been brought home by Mr. Bell and others. - -It is possible that the present is the bird alluded to by Swainson as -_Fringilla purpurea?_ in Fauna Boreali Americana, II. p. 264, and by Sir -William Jardine in his edition of Wilson’s American Ornithology, I. p. -121, (London and Edinburgh, 1832, 3 vols. octavo). The _Fringilla -hæmorrhoa_, Wagler Isis, XXIV. p. 525, appears to be too large for this -bird and more like the common _C. purpureus_. - - - - - PARUS SEPTENTRIONALIS.—Harris. - The Long-tailed Chickadee. - PLATE XIV.—Male Adult. - - -The form and general appearance of this little bird resemble those of -its congeners, the Black-capped Chickadee (_P. atricapillus_) and the -Carolina Chickadee (_P. carolinensis_). It is, however, larger than -either of those species, and presents other characters which not only -fully demonstrate it to be entitled to specific distinction, but, very -probably, to possess features in its history different in some respects -from any of its relatives. - -Its bill is longer and more strongly developed, indicating perhaps a -different race of insects as its food. Its tail is unusually long, and -its entire organization stronger and larger than either of the species -above mentioned, with the larger of which (_P. atricapillus_), it has -erroneously been considered identical by some European authors. - -This little bird is strictly a western species, and for its discovery -and the first description of it, we are indebted to Edward Harris, Esq., -of New Jersey, well known as one of the most eminent cultivators of -Zoological science in America. It was discovered by Mr. Harris during a -visit to the Upper Missouri and Yellow Stone rivers, in company with the -late Mr. Audubon, and which was the last journey ever performed by the -latter distinguished gentleman. The description, with some valuable -observations on other species of the genus _Parus_, was first published -in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, Vol. II. p. 300, (Dec. -1845,) from which we make the following extract: - -“A single specimen of this bird was procured on the 26th of July on the -Yellow Stone river, about thirty miles above its junction with the -Missouri. It is evidently a bird of the season, with immature plumage, -to which may be attributed the dullness of the black on the head and -throat. On comparison of this bird with _P. carolinensis_ and _P. -atricapillus_, it will be perceived that, beginning with the smallest -bird, the parts which are black, decrease, and the white parts increase -in size and intensity, in ascending. In _septentrionalis_ the outer web -of the lateral tail-feather is entirely white, except a small portion at -the base, where there is a slight tinge of grey next the shaft; and the -quills, secondaries and all the tail-feathers are margined more broadly -and with a purer white than in the other species. - - [Illustration: Plate 14 - The Northern Chickadee - Parus septentrionalis (_Harris_)] - -“The note of this bird is similar to that of _P. atricapillus_, but its -voice more liquid and less harsh and querulous in the utterance. Bill -longer and stouter.” - -This bird has been received at the Philadelphia Academy in a collection -made by Mr. Edward M. Kern, while attached as Artist to the exploring -party commanded by Col. Frémont in 1846. A very fine specimen is in the -collection made by the surveying party under the command of Capt. -Stansbury in the vicinity of the Great Salt Lake of Utah, and is noticed -in Prof. Baird’s Zoological appendix to Capt. Stansbury’s Report, p. -316. (June 1852.) - -Our figure is of the size of life, and the plant represented is -_Microsperma Bartonioides_, a native of Western America. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Parus. Linnæus, Syst. Nat. I. p. 340, (1766.) - Parus septentrionalis. Harris, Proc. Acad. Philada., II. p. 300, - (1845.) - -Form. The largest species of typical Parus yet discovered in America. -Wing with the fifth primary longest; tail, long, somewhat fan-shaped; -tarsi and toes, rather strong; claws, large, flattened, sharp. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skins) 5½ to 6 inches; wing, 2¾; tail, 2¾ -to 3 inches. - -Colors. Head above and space on the throat, black; cheeks and sides of -the neck white, the latter color nearly meeting on the back of the neck. -Entire plumage above cinereous with a brownish tinge, plumage beneath -only white, with touches of yellowish brown on the sides and flanks. -Quills edged externally with white, outer tail-feathers edged also with -the same color, which on the external feather occupies the entire outer -web. Bill and feet dark. - -Hab. Missouri and Utah, Rocky mountains. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., -and Nat. Coll. Washington. - -Obs. This is the largest American species of the genus Parus (as -restricted by late naturalists), and is particularly remarkable for its -lengthened tail. It is a distinct and well-marked species, related to -_P. atricapillus_ and _P. carolinensis_, but easily distinguished from -either by the characters above mentioned. - - - - - QUERQUEDULA CYANOPTERA.—Vieill. - The Red-breasted Teal. - PLATE XV.—Male and Female. - - -This handsomely colored and elegant little Teal, is of frequent -occurrence in Western America, though first noticed as a North American -species in Louisiana, by E. Pilaté, M. D., a physician and naturalist, -residing at Opelousas in that State. In a communication to us -accompanying one of the first specimens obtained by him and intended for -the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, that gentleman mentions -having occasionally seen it in company with other species of ducks, but -regards its appearance as unusual in Louisiana. The specimen alluded to, -which is that of a male in very fine spring plumage, is now in the -collection of the society mentioned. According to Dr. Pilaté, who has -paid much attention to Natural History, this bird associates with other -small species of water-birds, and appears to possess, in the migrating -season, similar habits, and frequents the same places of resort, though -rather unusually shy and vigilant. - -Our valued friends Capt. Howard Stansbury, of the U. S. Topographical -Engineers, in his able Report of a Survey of the valley of the Great -Salt Lake of Utah, and Prof. Spencer F. Baird, of the Smithsonian -Institution, in a valuable Zoological appendix to that Report, allude to -this Duck as commonly met with in Utah, and especially in the vicinity -of the Great Salt Lake. It was observed frequenting the rivers and small -streams. The collection brought home by Capt. Stansbury containing many -objects of the highest interest and scientific value, which are -described with his usual great accuracy in Prof. Baird’s Appendix, is -now in the National Museum at Washington city. The specimens of the -present bird were obtained in the river Jordan, a stream emptying into -the Lake, and so named by the settlers in that region, who are -principally of the religious denomination of Mormons. - - [Illustration: Plate 15 - The Red-breasted Teal - Querquedula cyanoptera (_Vieillo_)] - -It visits South America in the course of its winter migration, and is -frequently to be met with in the western countries of that portion of -this continent. The extensive collection in all departments of Natural -History made by the party under the command of Lieut. J. M. Gilliss, of -the U. S. Navy, during the performance of several years’ duty in making -geographical explorations and astronomical observations in Chili and -other countries of South America, by order of government, and which is -now a portion of the National Museum, contains numerous specimens of the -bird now before us. We have seen it, in fact, in all the various -collections from western South America that have recently come under our -notice. - -Dr. Woodhouse represents this species as very abundant in western Texas -and New Mexico. (Sitgreaves’ Report, Zoology, p. 103.) - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Querquedula. Stephens, Continuation of Shaw’s Zoology, XII. p. - 142, (1824.) - -Size small, bill rather long, straight, of nearly equal width throughout -its length, lamellæ well defined, wings moderate, pointed, with the -second quill usually longest, tail moderate, pointed, tarsi short, toes -fully webbed. - - Querquedula cyanoptera. (Vieill.) - Anas cyanoptera. (Vieill.) Nouv. Dict., V. p. 104, (1816.) - Anas Rafflesii. King, Zool. Jour., IV. p. 97, (1828.) - “Pterocyanea cœruleata. (Licht.)” Gray, Gen. of Birds, II. p. 617, - (1845.) - -Form. Small; wing rather long, with the second quill distinctly longest; -tertiaries and scapulars, long; two central tail-feathers pointed; bill, -rather long. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin), about 15 inches; wing, 8; tail, 3½ -inches. - -Colors. Male. Top of the head, chin and under tail-coverts, brownish -black; head, neck and entire under parts, deep purplish chestnut; -abdomen with a large spot of brownish black; back, scapulars, rump and -upper tail-coverts, brownish black, edged with dull chestnut; large -space on the shoulder and lesser wing-coverts, light sky-blue, succeeded -by a transverse band of white, speculum brilliant grass-green; a portion -of the two first scapulars blue, and all with a central stripe of pale -reddish chestnut. Bill dark; feet yellow. - -Female. Shoulders blue as in the male, but no trace of the chestnut -color which prevails in the latter, that being replaced by a mottled -yellowish and brown, very similar to the females of several other -species of ducks. Head above brownish black. - -Hab. Utah, California, Louisiana, Chili. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., -and Nat. Mus. Washington. - -Obs. This very handsome species does not resemble any other species -likely to be confounded with it. With other species of Teals, it has -been placed in a distinct genus under the name _Pterocyanea_, Bonaparte, -in which, however, we fail to perceive sufficient characters to warrant -a separation from _Querquedula_. - - - - - SYNOPSIS - OF - NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. - - - II. FAMILY FALCONIDÆ. THE FALCONS, HAWKS, EAGLES, KITES. - -Head and neck usually covered with feathers, but in a few instances -partially naked; bill, usually very strong, curved and very sharp; tarsi -and toes, generally strong and muscular; claws, curved, sharp; wings, -various, but usually large, and adapted to swift and vigorous flight. -Size, very much varied, body generally very compact, and organized for -strength and activity of habits, and for the destruction of living -animals. Female larger than the male. - -Inhabit all parts of the world, numerous in the temperate and torrid -regions. - - - I. SUB-FAMILY FALCONINÆ. THE TYPICAL FALCONS. - -Bill, short, hooked, upper mandible always furnished with a well defined -tooth; head, rather large; feet and tarsi, very strong; toes and claws, -long, the latter very sharp and strong; wings, long, pointed; tail, -rather lengthened. - -Embracing about fifty species, inhabiting all parts of the earth, and -may be regarded as presenting the highest organization of the Rapacious -form of Birds. - - - A. - - I. Genus Falco. Linnæus Syst. Nat., I. p. 124. (1766.) - -General form, robust and powerful; bill, short, with the upper mandible -curved, and with a distinct tooth; nostrils, circular, with a central -tubercle. Wings, long, pointed, formed for vigorous and rapid flight; -tail, rather long; tarsi, short, robust, covered with rounded or -hexagonal scales; middle toe long, claws large, curved, and very sharp. -This genus, as restricted, contains from fifteen to twenty species, -found in various parts of the world, several of which more or less -intimately resemble the _Falco peregrinus_ of Europe, and the _Falco -anatum_ of America. They are remarkable for exceedingly rapid flight, -and great boldness in attacking animals on which they prey. - - 1. Falco anatum. Bonap. Comp. List p. 4. (1838.) - “Falco peregrinus Gm.” Wilson, Audubon and other authors. - -Edwards’ Birds, I. pl. 3, 4. Wilson Am. Orn. IX. pl. 76. Aud. B. of Am. -pl. 16, octavo edition, I. pl. 20. De Kay, Nat. Hist. State of New York -Birds, pl. 3. fig. 8. Lembeye B. of Cuba, pl. 1. fig. 2. - - Bill, rather short, strong, very sharp, with a well defined tooth in - the upper mandible; wings long, legs strong, middle toe long, claws - curved, sharp. - - Adult. Frontal band white; top of the head, back, wing-coverts and - rump, bluish cinereous; every feather crossed transversely with bands - of brownish black; rump and lower part of the back lighter, and with - the dark bands less numerous. - - Throat, sides of the neck and upper part of the breast white, with a - tinge of buff without spots, other under parts same color, with a - deeper shade, and with cordate or rounded spots of black on the lower - breast and abdomen, and transverse bars of the same black on the - sides, under tail-coverts and tibiæ. Quills, brownish black, with - transverse bars of yellowish white on their inner webs. Tail, brownish - black, with transverse bars of cinereous, very pale and nearly white - on their inner webs, and narrowly tipped with white. - - Cheeks with a patch of black most narrow and clearly defined in the - adult bird, and separated from the color of the back of the head by a - white space; back of the neck, mixed with yellowish feathers, forming - an irregular collar. Bill, light bluish horn color, paler at the base; - legs and feet fine yellow. Sexes alike. - - Younger. Entire plumage above, brownish black; nearly uniform on all - parts, and with little or no appearance of the bars which are seen in - the adult. Tail, uniform dark brown, with spots or irregular - transverse stripes of reddish white frequently only on the inner webs. - Frontal spot of white obscure, large space on the cheek, black not - separated posteriorly from the same color of the head above. Under - parts, white and yellowish white, every feather, except on the throat, - with a wide _longitudinal_ stripe of dark brown; the latter color - prevailing on the sides and abdomen. Throat, white, nearly every - feather with a very narrow central line of black. Tarsi and feet, - bluish lead color. - - Dimensions. Female, total length 19 to 20 inches; wing, 14½ to 15; - tail, 7½ to 8 inches. Male and young smaller. - - Hab. The entire eastern portion of North America, and perhaps western; - Greenland? Oregon? (U. S. Ex. Exp.) Jamaica, (Mr. Gosse.) Cuba, (Mr. - Lembeye.) Bermuda, (Sir W. Jardine.) Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. In the adult of this species, there is a white frontal band as in -the adult of the European _F. peregrinus_. - -It is very similar in color and general characters to that species, but -is larger, and the young differ. - -Audubon’s figures represent the dark-colored plumage described above as -that of young or immature birds. Wilson’s figure is that of a more adult -specimen, with the frontal band partially produced; but the bird in -completely mature plumage, has never been figured. - -This bird frequently appears in the United States, generally on the -sea-coast in the autumn and winter, at which seasons, also, according to -Mr. Lembeye, it visits the island of Cuba. It flies with extraordinary -vigor and rapidity, and is remarkable for its bold and destructive -habits. - - 2. Falco nigriceps. Cassin,[3] _new species_. The Western Peregrine - Falcon. - - Very similar to the preceding, but smaller, and with the bill - disproportionately weaker. Very similar, also, to _Falco peregrinus_, - but differing from both in the colors of the young bird, and in other - characters. Adult. Frontal band of white, very narrow. Head and neck - above, and cheeks, clear black, with a tinge of cinereous; other upper - parts, bluish cinereous, every feather having transverse bands of - brownish black, lighter on the rump and upper tail-coverts. - - Throat and breast, pale reddish white; other under parts, lighter, - with rounded spots and transverse bands of black, and with a tinge of - cinereous on the flanks and abdomen. Tail above, pale bluish - cinereous, with transverse bars of brownish black, and narrowly tipped - with white. Patch of black on the cheek, very large, and scarcely - separated from the same colors of the back of the head and neck. - - Dimensions. Total length, females (of skin) about 17 inches, wing 13 - to 13½, tail 6 to 6¾ inches; males, total length 14½, wing 11½ to 12, - tail 5½ to 6 inches. - - Younger. Entire plumage above, dark brown; many feathers, especially - on the rump, tipped with rufous; tail above, brown, with a tinge of - ashy, and barred with rusty on the inner webs. Under plumage pale - reddish ferruginous, paler on the throat, all the feathers with broad - longitudinal stripes of black, and many, also, with irregular - transverse stripes of the same color, which predominates on the flanks - and under wing-coverts, and which are marked with reddish white bars - and circular spots. Tibia, with transverse bars of brownish black. - - Dimensions. Female (of skin), total length about 17 inches, wing 12, - tail 6½ inches. - - Hab. Bear creek, California, (Mr. E. M. Kern.) Coast of Lower - California, (Dr. Heermann.) Chili, (Lieut. Gilliss.) Spec. in Mus. - Acad. Philada., and Nat. Mus. Washington. - -Obs. This bird, of which we have seen numerous specimens, appears to be -distinct from _Falco anatum_. It is uniformly smaller than either that -species or _F. peregrinus_, but resembles Indian or other Asiatic -specimens of the latter strongly. The young differ from the young of the -species just mentioned, especially in the deeper and different red color -of the under parts of the body. In this character they more resemble -_Falco peregrinator_ of India, _Falco puniceus_ of Africa, _Falco -melanogenys_ of Australia. It has also generally the cheeks as strongly -marked with a black patch as the latter, and can, by that character, be -distinguished from either _F. anatum_ or _F. peregrinus_. - -This species appears to inhabit the western portion of America as far -south as Chili. - - 3. Falco polyagrus. Cassin, _new species_. The American Lanier Falcon. - - General form robust; bill, rather short, very strong; tooth, - prominent; wing, long, second and third quills longest, and nearly - equal; tail, rather long. Female nearly adult. Narrow frontal band; - line over the eye, cheeks and entire under parts, white; narrow stripe - from the corner of the mouth, dark brown; some feathers on the breast - and abdomen, with longitudinal stripes and spots of brown, which color - forms a large spot on the flank, plumage on the sides also with spots - of brown. Entire plumage of the upper parts, brown, many feathers with - rufous edgings; paler on the rump; tail above, grayish brown, with - transverse bars of white, and narrowly tipped with the same color. - Quills, dark grayish brown, with numerous bars of white on their inner - webs; under wing-coverts, dark brown, edge of wing at the shoulder and - below, white, spotted with brown. The brown of the back extending - somewhat on to the breast at the wing-joint. Bill, bluish horn color, - under mandible yellow at its base. Large space around the eye, bare, - with a narrow edging of brown on the first plumage encircling it. - - Younger Female. Entire plumage brownish black, throat white, and many - feathers on the under parts with edgings and circular spots of white; - under wing-coverts, also, with circular spots of white; under - tail-coverts with wide transverse stripes of white. Young Male? - Frontal band nearly obsolete; entire upper parts, uniform brown, with - narrow rufous stripes on the head; under parts, white, with a tinge of - reddish yellow, and nearly every feather with a narrow longitudinal - stripe of blackish brown; large spaces on the flanks brown. Tarsi and - feet lead colored. - - Dimensions. Female (of skin), total length about 20 inches, wing 14, - tail 8 inches. - - Hab. Sources of the Platte river, (Dr. Townsend.) California, (Dr. - Heermann.) Puget’s Sound, (U. S. Ex. Exp. Vincennes.) Spec. in Mus. - Acad. Philada., and in Nat. Mus. Washington. - -Obs. Very similar, in the two first stages of plumage above described, -to _Falco jugger_ of India, (Gray’s Illustrations of Indian Zoology, II. -pl. 26, and Jerdon’s Illustrations of Indian Ornithology, pl. 44,) but -larger. We have, however, never seen the young of _F. jugger_ in the -plumage of the young of our species as described above, from Dr. -Heermann’s Californian specimens. This is the first species of this -group of Falcons (the Laniers and Juggers) yet discovered in America, -and is especially remarkable on account of its near affinity to the -Asiatic species. - - - II. GENUS HIEROFALCO. Cuvier, Reg. An. I. p. 312, (1817.) - -Size, large. Bill, short, thick, distinctly toothed, and with a slight -festoon; wings rather shorter than in _Falco_; tarsi and toes shorter, -the former covered with small circular scales. Color of adult usually -white. Contains several species inhabiting the northern regions of both -continents, nearly all of which where regarded with great favor for the -purposes of Falconry. - - 1. Hierofalco sacer. (Forster.) The American Gyr Falcon. - Falco sacer. Forster, Phil. Trans. London, LXII. p. 423. (1772.) - Falco fusca. Fabricius Fauna Grœnlandica, p. 56, (1780,) not - Gmelin, (1788.) - Falco cinereus. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I. p. 267. (1788.) - Falco grœnlandicus. Turton, Syst. Nat. I. p. 147. (1806.) - Falco labradora. Audubon, B. of Am. p. 196, (name on plate pub. - about 1834.) - “Falco candicans. Gmelin.” Bonap. Cons. Av. p. 23. - “Falco grœnlandicus. Turton,” Hancock in Ann. and Mag., Nat. Hist. - II. p. 249. - “Falco islandicus. Lath.” Aud. Orn. Biog. II. p. 552. - -Edwards’ Birds, II. pl. 53, young. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 196, young, (but -not pl. 366 which represents another species.) Schlegel, Traité de -Fauconnerie, pl. (no number,) adult. Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. II. pl. 10, -(feathers.) - - Form strong, and robust; second and third quills (in the young bird) - longest and nearly equal. Adult, according to Hancock as cited above, - “ground of the plumage pure white, upper parts elegantly marked with - arrow shaped spots of a dark gray; under parts and head streaked with - the same; wings reaching to within two inches of the end of the tail; - second primary the longest.” - - Young. Entire plumage, brown, tinged with cinereous on the upper - parts. Throat, dull white; all the plumage of the under parts edged - with and having circular spots of dull yellowish white, the rounded - spots more apparent on the tibia and under tail-coverts. Quills, - mottled with the same white on their inner webs; tail, with numerous - (about thirteen) irregular bars of the same. “Bill and cere, pale - blue; iris, brownish black. Feet, grayish blue; the under parts of the - toes greenish yellow; claws dusky.” (Audubon.) - - Hab. Northern America. Greenland, (Fabricius, Hancock,) Hudson’s Bay, - (Richardson,) Labrador, (Audubon,) Louisville, Kentucky, (Mr. C. W. - Webber.) Spec. in Mus. Nat. Hist. Soc. Charleston, S. C. - -Obs. The Gyrfalcon is of very rare occurrence in the United States, -though not unfrequent in the northern regions of this continent. - -Mr. Hancock, whose opportunities were ample, fully demonstrates (as -cited above) that the _Falco grœnlandicus_ of Greenland, which is the -present species, and the _Falco islandicus_ of Iceland, are distinct, -which appears to be assented to by all late writers. The bird, figured -by Mr. Audubon as the adult of the species of which the young bird was -obtained by him in Labrador, was an Iceland specimen, (Orn. Biog. IV. p. -476,) and therefore not correctly given as the American bird. We have -never had the satisfaction of seeing the adult of this species; but for -an opportunity of examining one of Mr. Audubon’s Labrador specimens, we -are indebted to the Rev. John Bachman, D. D., of Charleston, S. C., who, -with that disposition to advance the interests of Zoological Science -which has always characterized him, most kindly forwarded it at our -request. - -Turton’s description above cited, is copied by him from Pennant’s -Greenland Falcon, Arctic Zoology, I. p. 257. - - - III. GENUS HYPOTRIORCHIS. Boie Isis, p. 976. (1826.) - - DENDROFALCO. Gray list, p. 3. (1840.) - -Size small, tarsus lengthened and rather slender. In all other -characters much like typical Falco. Toes long, slender and furnished -with sharp, curved claws. This genus includes about ten or twelve small -species found in various parts of the world, and for the greater part -dark colored, like the species of typical _Falco_. - - 1. Hypotriorchis columbarius. (Linn.) The Pigeon Hawk. - Falco columbarius. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 128. (1766.) - Falco intermixtus. Daudin, Traité d’Orn. II. p. 141. (1800.) - Falco temerarius. Aud. B. of Am. I. p. 381. (1831, plate pub. - 1829) - “Falco æsalon. Temm.” Rich. and Sw. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, p. 37. - -Cat. Car. pl. 3. Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. pl. 11. Wils. Am. Orn. II. pl. -15, fig. 3. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 25. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 75, 92. -Oct. ed. I. pl. 21. De Kay, Nat. Hist. N. Y. pl. 4, fig. 9. - - Small, head and body broad and strong, bill short, wing pointed with - the second and third quills longest, tail slightly rounded, tarsi and - toes slender. Adult male. Entire plumage of the upper parts dusky - slate color, inclining to bluish, every feather with a black - longitudinal line. Forehead and throat white, other under parts pale - yellowish or reddish white, every feather with a narrow longitudinal - stripe of brownish black, plumage of the tibia, light rusty red, with - narrow stripes of black. Quills black, with transverse bands of white - on their inner webs, and narrowly tipped with ashy white, tail above - light bluish cinereous tipped with white, and with a wide subterminal - band of black, and with several other narrower bands of black, inner - webs nearly white. Cere and feet yellow, bill blue. - - Middle age or winter plumage? Entire upper plumage, brownish black, - slightly mixed with rufous on the head and neck behind, white of the - face, and under parts more deeply tinged with reddish yellow, dark - stripes wider, plumage of the sides, with wide transverse bands of - brownish black, predominating on some feathers, and the yellowish - white, assuming the form of circular spots. Tail dark brown, nearly - black tipped, and with four bars of white, upper tail coverts with - spots of white at their bases. Feet yellow. - - Younger and adult female? Entire upper plumage, dusky brown, quite - light, and with a tinge of ashy in some specimens. Head above with - narrow stripes of dark brown and rusty red, and in some specimens, - many irregular spots and edgings of the latter color, on the other - upper parts. Forehead and entire under parts white, with longitudinal - stripes of light brown. Plumage of the sides and flanks light brown, - with pairs of circular spots of white, tibia white, with dashes of - brown, tail above and below pale brown, with about six bands of white. - Neck behind with a distinct band of white. - - Dimensions. Total length (of skin,) females, 12 to 14 inches, wing, 8 - to 9, tail, 5½ inches. Male. Total length, 10 to 11 inches, wing, 7½ - to 8, tail, 5 inches. - - Hab. North and South America. Wisconsin, (Dr. Hoy.) California, (Mr. - J. G. Bell.) Oregon, (Col. M’Call, Dr. Townsend.) Cuba, (M. de Sagra.) - Jamaica, (Mr. Gosse.) New Granada, (M. Parzudaki.) Bermuda, (Sir. W. - Jardine.) Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. The adult of this species is with difficulty distinguishable from -the European _H. æsalon_, but we have never seen the latter in the -nearly black plumage, which we regard as characterizing the young or -winter plumage, of the American bird. The light, “liver brown” plumage, -represented by European authors as the female of _F. æsalon_, frequently -occurs in this bird, and is given by Rich. and Swains. in Fauna Boreali -Americana, Birds, pl. 25. The adult which appears to be _Falco -temerarius_, Aud., is figured in B. of Am. pl. 75, the other figures by -Aud. pl. 92, and Wilson’s plate, represent this bird in the dark plumage -as described above. - -Adult specimens from Western America, even more closely resemble the -European species, but differ from the Eastern American only in small and -scarcely describable particulars, as the slightly greater extent of the -white front, or the greater purity of the white of the throat and -breast. We regard the stage of plumage above described as that of the -female, (and as figured by Rich. and Swains.) principally on account of -its analogy to the female of the nearly allied European species. - -This bird is of frequent occurrence in the United States. The largest -specimens that we have ever seen are from Oregon, and may prove to be of -a distinct species, though we cannot at present, determine. - - - IV. GENUS TINNUNCULUS. Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. I. p. 39. (1807.) - - CERCHNEIS. Boie Isis, p. 976. (1826.)—POECILORNIS. Kaup Class. der - Savg. und Vog, p. 108. (1844.) - -Size small, tarsus and toes lengthened, slender. Colors generally more -or less rufous and white. In all other respects similar to typical -_Falco_. This genus comprises about twelve very handsome species of -small size, inhabiting various countries. - - 1. Tinnunculus sparverius. (Linn.) The Sparrow Hawk. - Falco sparverius. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 128. (1766.) - Falco dominicensis. Gm. Syst. Nat. I. p. 285. (1788.) - Falco gracilis, cinnamominus and isabellinus. Sw. Cab. Cy. p. 281. - (1838.) - -Vieill. Ois. d’Am. Sept. pl. 12, 13. Cat. Car. pl. 5. Buff. Pl. Enl. -465. Wilson Am. Orn. II. pl. 16, fig. 1, and IV. pl. 32, fig. 2. Faun. -Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 24. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 42. Oct. ed. I. pl. 22. Nat. -Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 7, fig. 16. - - Small, wings moderate, tail rounded. Adult Male. Frontal band, space - including the eyes and throat, white; spot on the neck behind, two - others on each side of the neck, and line running downwards from - before the eye, black. Head above, and wing coverts, bluish cinereous, - the latter usually spotted with black. Spot on the top of the head, - the neck behind, back, rump, and generally the tail above, light - rufous or cinnamon red. Under parts generally a pale shade of the same - color, frequently nearly white, but sometimes nearly as dark as the - back, and always with more or less numerous circular, or oblong spots - of black. Quills brownish black, with white bars on their inner webs. - Tail tipped with white, sometimes tinged with rufous, and with a broad - subterminal band of black, frequently with several of the outer - feathers, white tinged with ashy, and barred with black. Bill blue, - legs and feet yellow. Back generally with more or less numerous - transverse stripes of black. Rufous spot on head, much varying in - size, and sometimes wanting. - - Female. Upper parts as above, and wing coverts, and tail rust red, - with numerous transverse bands of brownish black, under parts with - numerous longitudinal stripes, and on the sides and flanks, with - transverse bands of the same color, external feathers of the tail - palest, broad subterminal band on the tail, obscure or wanting. Young - Male. Wing-coverts, dark bluish cinereous with large circular spots, - and with bands of brownish black, all the rufous parts with broad - bands of the same color, under parts with large circular spots, and - wide traverse bands of black on the sides and flanks. - - Dimensions. Total length, 11 to 12 inches, wing 7 to 7½, tail 5 to 5½ - inches. Sexes nearly alike in size. - - Hab. The entire continent of America. California, (Mr. Bell.) Mexico, - (Mr. Pease.) Cuba, (M. de Sagra.) Bermuda, (Sir W. Jardine.) Chili, - (Lieut. Gilliss.) Patagonia, (Ex. Exp. Vincennes.) Spec. in Mus. Acad. - Philada. - -Obs. This elegant little Hawk, is one of the most handsomely colored of -the Rapacious Birds of North America, and is frequently met with. - -It is widely diffused, being common to all parts of the United States, -and we have seen numerous specimens brought in collections from various -parts of South America. The young bird has never been figured. Specimens -from all parts of America are very similar, and we have seen the stages -of plumage, which have been considered as indicating distinct species by -eminent authors, but they do not appear to be constant, nor peculiar to -any locality. - - - II. SUB-FAMILY ACCIPITRINÆ. THE HAWKS. - -Bill short, hooked, upper mandible lobed, but not toothed. Wings rather -short, tail long, and rather wide, tarsi rather long and slender, toes -and claws long, the latter curved and sharp. Embraces forty to fifty -species, amongst which are birds of all countries. They are very -vigilant and active and swift of flight, and have as a peculiar -character amongst the _Falconidæ_, the habit of pursuing their prey into -woods and forests. - - - I. GENUS ASTUR. Lacepede Mem. Inst. III. p. 506. - -SPARVIUS. Vieill, Anal. p. 24, (1816.) Leucospiea. Kaup, Class, p. 118, - (1844.) - -General form, strong, but somewhat slender; bill short, curved, -festooned; nostrils large, somewhat ovate, inserted in the cere. Wings -moderate; tail, long and broad. Tarsi rather lengthened; covered in -front with rather wide transverse scales; toes and claws, rather long, -the latter sharp. This genus contains about twelve species of all -countries. - - 1. Astur atricapillus. (Wilson.) The Goshawk. The Black-capped Hawk. - Falco atricapillus. Wilson Am. Orn. VI. p. 80. (1812.) - Falco regalis. Temm. P. col. I. (liv. 84 about 1827.) - Dædalion pictum. Less. Traité d’Orn. I. p. 67. (1831.) - - Wilson Am. Orn. VI. pl. 52, fig. 3. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 26. - Jard. and Selby, Ill. Orn. pl. 121. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 141, Oct. ed. - I. pl. 23. Temm. Pl. col. 495. - - Large, general form, rather slender; wings, short. Adult. Head above, - neck behind and stripe from behind the eye, black, generally more or - less mixed with ashy; other upper parts bluish cinereous, with the - shafts of the feathers black; a conspicuous stripe over the eye, and - an obscure collar on the back of the neck white. Entire under parts - white, every feather with a longitudinal line of brownish black, and - several transverse narrow and usually irregular bands of ashy brown. - Quills, brown, with bands of a deeper shade of the same color, and - with mottled white bands on their inner webs. Tail, dark brownish - cinereous, with irregular bands of brownish black, and narrowly tipped - with white; under surface very pale, nearly white; under tail-coverts - pure white. Young. Head above and other upper parts, dark brown mixed - with rufous, especially on the head and neck. Under parts, white, - tinged with fulvous, with large oblong and circular spots of deep - brown. - - Dimensions. Total length, female, 22 to 24 inches, wing about 14, tail - 10½ to 11 inches; male, 19 to 20 inches, wing 13, tail 9½ to 10 - inches. - - Hab. Northern and eastern North America. Spec. Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. Resembles to some extent the Goshawk of Europe, (_Astur -palumbarius_,) with which it has been confounded by some American -authors. It is about the same size, but may easily be distinguished by -its lighter color, and by its much narrower and more numerous bands on -the inferior parts of the body. It is in all respects a distinct -species, as described by Wilson and by Temminck. - -The young male of this bird may readily be mistaken for the young female -of the succeeding species, (_Accipiter Cooperi_,) but can be -distinguished by the different color and markings of the under parts of -the body. In some specimens of this species, the transverse bands on the -under parts are so irregular or broken, as to present a nearly uniformly -mottled aspect. This stage of plumage is represented in Audubon’s plate, -but is not the most common. - - - II. GENUS ACCIPITER. Brisson, Orn. I. 310. (1760.) - - NISUS. Cuvier, Regne An. I. p. 321, (1817.) hieraspiza. Kaup Class. p. - 116, (1844.) - -General characters very similar to those of _Astur_, but the species are -generally more slender and much smaller. Wings short, with the fourth -quill usually slightly longest, shorter than in _Astur_; tail long; -tarsi rather long and slender, and frequently with the scales of the -tarsi nearly obsolete. Contains about twenty species of all countries, -many of which bear more or less resemblance to the _Accipiter nisus_ of -Europe. - - 1. Accipiter fuscus. (Gmelin.) The Sharp-shinned Hawk. The Chicken - Hawk. - Falco fuscus, and dubius. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 280, 281. (1788.) - Accipiter striatus. Vieill, Ois. Am. Sept. I. p. 42, (1807.) - Falco velox, and Pennsylvanicus. Wilson Am. Orn. V. p. 116, and - VI. p. 13, (1812.) - Sparvius lineatus. Vieill. Ency. Meth. III. p. 1266. (1823.) - Nisus Malfini. Less. Traité I. p. 58. (1831.) - Accipiter fringilloides. Vig. Zool. Jour. III. p. 434.? (1827.) - - Temm. Pl. col. 67. Vieill, Ois. d’Am. Sept. pl. 14. Wilson, Am. Orn. - V. pl. 45, fig. 1, VI. pl. 46, fig. 1. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 374, Oct. - ed. I. pl. 25. - - Small, tail rather long, with the end nearly even; tarsi and toes - slender. Adult, entire upper parts dark brownish black tinged with - ashy, occiput mixed with white. Throat, and under tail-coverts, white, - the former with very fine lines of black on the shafts of the - feathers; other under parts, fine light rufous, deepest on the tibia, - and with transverse bands of white; shafts of the feathers with lines - of dark brown. Tail, ashy brown, tipped with white, and with about - four bands of brownish black. Quills, brownish black, with bands of a - darker shade, and of white on their inner webs; secondaries and - tertiaries, with large partially concealed white spots. Shafts of - quills tinged with reddish. Young. Entire upper parts umber brown, - tinged with ashy; neck behind mixed with white; greater wing-coverts - and shorter quills, with large white spots partially concealed. Under - parts white, with longitudinal stripes and circular spots of reddish - brown, changing into transverse bands on the flanks and tibiæ; under - tail-coverts, in many specimens, pure white. - - Dimensions. Total length, female, 12 to 14 inches, wing 7½; to 8, tail - 6½ to 7 inches; male, total length 10 to 11, wing 6 to 6½, tail 5 to - 5½ inches. - - Hab. Throughout North America. Hudson’s Bay, (Richardson,) Wisconsin, - (Hoy,) Texas, (Audubon,) California, (Heermann,) New Mexico, (M‘Call,) - Mexico, (Pease.) Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This little Hawk is one of the most common of the North American -species. It is very similar, when adult, to the _Accipiter nisus_ of -Europe, but the young differ, as is the case with nearly all our Hawks -which resemble birds of the old world. We have never seen a specimen of -_A. fuscus_ with the transverse bands on the under parts regular and -unbroken, as is commonly met with in the young female of _A. nisus_. - -Though we regard the law of priority as of great importance, we have in -the case of this species continued Gmelin’s specific name _fuscus_, -(1788,) though it had been previously used by Fabricius, (1780; see -_Hierofalco sacer_ in this synopsis.) We know of no practical benefit, -however, that would now result from the alteration of this long -established name, especially as the _fuscus_ of Fabricius is a synonyme -itself. Any naturalist, however, being so moved, may call this bird -_Accipiter dubius_, if he chooses, and shall not be molested by us. - - 2. Accipiter Cooperii. (Bonaparte) Cooper’s Hawk. - Falco Cooperii. Bonap. Am. Orn. II. p. 1. (1828.) - Falco Stanleii. Aud. Orn. Biog. I. p. 186. (1831.) - - Bonap. Am. Orn. pl. 1, fig. 1, young. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 36, 141, fig. - 3; Oct. ed. I. pl. 24, adult and young. - - Larger than the preceding; slender; wings short; tail rounded. Adult, - head above brownish black, mixed with white on the occiput; other - upper parts dark ashy brown, with the shafts of the feathers brownish - black; an obscure rufous collar on the neck behind. Throat and under - tail-coverts white, the former with lines of dark brown; other under - parts transversely barred with light rufous and white; tail, dark - cinereous, with four wide bands of brownish black, and tipped with - white; quills ashy brown, with darker bands, and white marks on their - inner webs. Young. Head and neck behind yellowish white tinged with - rufous, and with longitudinal oblong stripes of brown; other upper - parts light umber brown, with large partially concealed spots and bars - of white; upper tail-coverts tipped with white; under parts white, - with narrow longitudinal stripes of light brown; tail as in adult. - - Dimensions. Female, total length 18 to 20 inches, wing 10 to 11, tail - 8½; male, 16 to 17, wing 9½ to 10, tail 8 inches. - - Hab. The entire territory of the United States. Chili, (Gay.) - - Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. Rather a difficult species to the ornithologist, on account of the -great variations in its colors, and in size also. It is, in fact, -unusual to find two alike in a dozen specimens. Very similar when adult -to _A. fuscus_, but much larger. The adults of both sexes are the same -in color. We have latterly suspected that the smaller specimens usually -considered as young males of this bird, are really the young of the -species next below, (_A. Mexicanus_.) - -This bird is of frequent occurrence in the United States. - - 3. Accipiter Mexicanus. Swainson. The Mexican Black-capped Hawk. - Accipiter Mexicanus. Swains. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds p. 45, (1831,) - not figured. - - Smaller than the preceding; tail long, rounded. Adult, head above - black; other upper parts dark brownish black, with a tinge of - cinereous, darkest on the back. Throat and under tail-coverts white; - other under parts fine light rufous, deepest on the tibiæ, and barred - and spotted with white nearly obsolete on the breast, sides and tibiæ, - the longitudinal dark lines on the shafts of the feathers, - (conspicuous in _A. Cooperii_,) barely discernible on the breast. - Quills, dark brown, edged exteriorly with ashy, and with bands of - darker brown and white on their inner webs; tail, dark cinereous, - tipped with white, and with four bands of brownish black, that near - the base of the tail obscure. Young, head and neck behind, and upper - part of the back, dark rufous, striped with brownish black; other - upper parts umber brown; under parts white, with longitudinal narrow - stripes of brown; wings and tail as in adult; upper tail-coverts - tipped with white. “Iris, carmine,” Dr. Gambel. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, 15 inches, wing 9, tail 8 inches. - - Hab. California (Dr. Gambel, Mr. Bell); Mexico (Mr. Pease); Eastern? - Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. Similar for the greater part, to _A. Cooperii_, but smaller, and -with the tail and tarsi comparatively longer, and with the fine red of -the under parts more uniform, the white stripes being nearly obsolete. -Several specimens of both adults and young were brought in the fine -collection made in California by Mr. J. G. Bell, of New York, and it was -previously brought from the same country by Dr. Gambel, and from Mexico -by Mr. Pease. - - - III. SUB-FAMILY BUTEONINÆ. THE BUZZARDS. - -Bill short, strong, upper mandible curved, and with its edges festooned; -wings long and broad; tail moderate, rather short; legs and feet -moderate; toes rather short. General form heavy; flight vigorous, and -capable of being long continued, but not so swift as in preceding -sub-families. This group comprises about twenty-five species of all -countries. - - - I. GENUS BUTEO. Cuvier, Reg. An., I. p. 323. (1817.) - - PŒCILOPTERNIS. Kaup, Isis, 1847, p. 329. - -Bill short, wide at base, edges of upper mandible festooned; nostrils -large, ovate; wings long, wide, fourth and fifth quills usually longest; -tail moderate, rather wide; tarsi rather long, and having transverse -scales before and behind, but laterally small circular scales; toes -moderate, rather short; claws strong. Comprises about twenty species, -inhabiting all countries. - - 1. Buteo borealis. (Gmelin.) The Red-tailed Hawk. The American - Buzzard. - Falco borealis, leverianus and jamaicensis. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. - p. 266. (1788.) - Falco aquilinus. Bartram, Trav., p. 290. (1791.) - Buteo ferruginicaudus. Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., I. p. 32. - (1807.) - Accipiter ruficaudus. Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., I. p. 43. (1807.) - Buteo fulvus and americanus. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., IV. pp. 472, - 477. (1816.) - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., I. pl. 6, 14; Wils., Am. Orn., VI. pl. 52, - figs. 1, 2; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 51, oct. ed., I. pl. 7; Gosse, Ill. - B. of Jamaica, pl. 2; Lembeye, B. of Cuba, pl. 1. fig. 1. - - Adult. Tail bright rufous, narrowly tipped with white, and having a - subterminal band of black. Entire upper parts dark umber-brown; - lighter, and with fulvous edgings, on the head and neck; scapulars, - with a generally concealed basal portion, white, with brown bands; - upper tail-coverts generally yellowish white, but frequently on their - inner webs of the same rufous as the tail, and with brown spots and - bands. Throat white, with brown longitudinal stripes; other - under-parts yellowish-white or fawn color, with many longitudinal - lines and spots of reddish-brown, tinged with fulvous, most numerous - on the breast, and an irregular band across the abdomen of oblong - longitudinal spots and narrow transverse bars; under tail-coverts and - tibiæ generally immaculate, but the latter frequently spotted, and - transversely barred with light rufous. Under surface of the tail - silvery white. Young. Tail, in many specimens, pale-brown, with - numerous bands of a deeper shade of the same color, and tipped with - white; upper tail-coverts white, banded more or less regularly with - dark-brown; other upper parts dark umber-brown, many feathers narrowly - edged with white and with partially concealed spots of white. Entire - under-parts white, sides of the breast with large oval spots of brown, - and a wide irregular band on the abdomen composed of similar spots of - the same color; tibiæ and under tail-coverts with irregular bands and - sagittate spots of brown. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 22 to 24 inches; wing, 15½ to 16; - tail, 8½ inches. _Male_—19½ to 21 inches; wing, 14; tail, 7½ to 8 - inches. - - Hab. Eastern North America; Fur-countries (Richardson); Wisconsin - (Hoy); Florida (Bartram); Jamaica (Gosse); Cuba (Lembeye). - -Obs. One of the most common and easily recognized of the North American -species. It is diffused throughout the eastern portion of the continent, -but in the west appears to be replaced by the succeeding. - - 2. Buteo Swainsoni. Bonaparte, Comp. List, p. 3. (1838.) The Western - Buzzard. - Buteo montana. Nutt., Man. Orn., I. p. 112. (1840.) - “Buteo vulgaris.” Rich. and Sw., Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, p. 47. - “Falco buteo. Linn.” Aud., Orn. Biog., IV. p. 508. - - Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 27; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 372, oct. ed., I. - pl. 6. - - General form and appearance very similar to _B. borealis_, but rather - larger, and with the wings longer; neck and upper part of the breast - brown; tibiæ light rufous, with transverse bars of a deeper shade of - the same. Tail bright rufous, narrowly tipped with white, and with a - subterminal band of black; upper tail-coverts rufous and white; entire - other upper parts dark umber-brown, with partially concealed - ashy-white and pale fulvous bands and spots on the scapulars and - shorter quills. Lower breast white, tinged and with irregular - transverse bands of pale-rufous; abdomen with a broad irregular - transverse band composed of longitudinal lines and oblong spots of - brown, and tinged with rufous. This abdominal band nearly obsolete in - some specimens. Under tail-coverts yellowish-white; under surface of - the tail silvery-white, with a reddish shade. - - Young. Upper parts dark-brown, edged and spotted with white tinged - with rufous; tail above ashy-brown, with dark-brown bands, and tipped - with white. Under parts white, on the sides and abdomen with large - oblong spots of brown; tibiæ and under tail-coverts white, with - transverse bars and large spots of brown. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 23 to 26 inches; wing, 16½ to 17; - tail, 9 to 10 inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Northern and western regions—Rocky Mountains and Oregon (Dr. - Townsend); California (Mr. Bell); Wisconsin (Dr. Roy); Mexico (Rivoli - collection). - -Obs. Nearly related to _B. borealis_, and much resembling it. We have -never seen, however, specimens of the latter with the brown space on the -neck and breast so extensive as in specimens of the present species -brought from California by Mr. Bell, nor with the transverse bars on the -abdomen, as is usual in this species, and as represented in the plate in -Fauna Boreali Americana. It is brought frequently in collections from -Western America; and the young may be _Buteo ventralis_. Gould. - - 3. Buteo lineatus. (Gmelin.) The Red-shouldered Hawk. The Winter - Falcon. - Falco lineatus and hyemalis. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. pp. 268, 274. - (1788.) - Falco buteoides. Nutt., Man., I. p. 100. (1st edition, 1832.) - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., pl. 5; Wils., Am. Orn., pl. 53, fig. 3; - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 56, 71, oct. ed., I. pl. 9; Nat. Hist. N. Y., pl. - 6, fig. 13. - - Smaller than the preceding. Adult. Wing-coverts, from its flexure to - the body, fine bright rufous; breast and other inferior parts paler - rufous; many feathers with narrow lines of black on their shafts, and - spotted and barred transversely with white; the latter color - predominating on the under tail-coverts. Entire upper-parts brown; on - the head and neck much mixed with rufous, and with white spots on the - wing-coverts and shorter quills and rump; quills brownish-black, - spotted with white on their outer webs, and with bars of a lighter - shade of the same color and of white on their inner webs; tail - brownish-black, with about five transverse bands of white, and tipped - with white. Younger. Under parts with large sagittate spots and wide - bars of rufous, tinged with brown. Young. Entire under-parts - yellowish-white, with longitudinal stripes and oblong spots of brown; - throat brown; upper parts brown, with partially concealed spots and - bars of white; quills dark-brown, with wide bars of rufous, and white - on both webs; tail brown, with many bands of pale brownish and - rufous-white; tail beneath silvery-white. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 22 to 24 inches; wing, 14; tail, 9 - inches. _Male_—total length, 18 to 20 inches; wing, 11½ to 12; tail, 8 - inches. - - Hab. North America; Oregon (Townsend); California (Heermann); - Wisconsin (Hoy); South Carolina (Gibbes). - -Obs. An abundant and rather difficult species to the student. The young -bird, which is _Falco hyemalis_ Gm., is the more usually met with, and -bears very little resemblance to the adult. - - 4. Buteo Bairdii. Hoy, Proc. Acad. Philada., VI. p. 451. (1853.) - - Female. Rather smaller than _B. lineatus_; wings long and pointed; - third primary longest; tail moderate, rounded. Entire upper-parts dark - brown, with a purplish-bronze lustre, especially on the primaries; - plumage of the head and neck behind, and some feathers on the back, - edged and tipped with yellowish-white; upper tail-coverts - yellowish-white, with transverse bars of brown. Tail above - brownish-cinereous, and having about ten narrow bands of - brownish-black, and tipped with white. Under parts pale - yellowish-white, or fawn color, with a few sagittate spots of brown on - the sides, and a stripe of brown running downwards from the corner of - the mouth. Forehead white; under wing-coverts yellowish-white. Cere, - legs, and irides, yellow. - - Younger? Upper parts very dark-brown, or nearly black, with purplish - lustre. Under parts with almost every feather having a large spot of - brownish-black, which color predominates on the breast, so as to - present a nearly uniform color with the upper parts; throat with - narrow stripes of the same color. Flanks and inferior wing-coverts - with circular and oval spots of white. Tibiæ dark-brown, with - transverse bars and circular and oval spots of reddish-white. Upper - tail-coverts reddish-white, with their outer edges brown, and with - transverse stripes of the same. Under tail-coverts yellowish-white, - with transverse stripes of brown. Forehead white; cheeks - yellowish-white. Stripes from the corners of the mouth wide and - conspicuous. Sex unknown. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length (of skin), 19½ inches; wing, 15; - tail, 8 inches, and about an inch longer than the folded wings. - - Hab. Wisconsin. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This is a well-marked species, especially in the stage of plumage -described above as probably the younger, in which the nearly uniformly -brownish-black breast and large spots of the same color on the other -under-parts, are striking characters. The first-described plumage -resembles that of _B. pennsylvanicus_. We have seen only the two -specimens now described, both of which are from the State of Wisconsin. - - 5. Buteo pennsylvanicus. (Wilson.) The Broad-winged Hawk. - Falco pennsylvanicus. Wils., Am. Orn., VI. p. 92. (1812.) - Falco latissimus. Wils., Am. Orn., VI. p. 92. (1812. Copies - printed later than those containing the preceding name.) - Sparvius platypterus. Vieill., Ency. Meth., III. p. 1273. (1823.) - Falco Wilsonii. Bonap., Jour. Acad. Philada., III. p. 348. (1824.) - - Wils., Am. Orn., VI. pl. 54, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 91, oct. ed. - I. pl. 10; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Orn., pl. 5, fig. 11. - - Smaller than either of the preceding. Adult. Entire upper-parts dark - umber-brown; feathers on the back of the neck white at their bases. - Throat white, with narrow longitudinal lines of brown, and with a - patch of brown on each side, running from the base of the lower - mandible; breast with a wide band composed of large cordate and - sagittate spots and transverse stripes of reddish-ferruginous tinged - with ashy; other under-parts white, with numerous sagittate spots - disposed to form transverse bands on the lower part of the breast, - flanks, abdomen, and tibiæ. In some specimens, in winter plumage, the - ferruginous color predominates on all the under parts, except the - under tail-coverts, and all the feathers have large circular spots on - each edge; under tail-coverts white. Tail dark-brown, narrowly tipped - with white, and with one broad band of white and several other - narrower bands nearer the base. Quills brownish-black, widely bordered - with pure white on their inner webs. Young. Plumage above umber-brown, - edged on the head and back of the neck with fulvous, and with many - feathers on other upper-parts edged with the same color and - ashy-white; upper tail-coverts spotted with pure white. Under-parts - white, generally tinged with yellowish, many feathers having oblong - and lanceolate longitudinal stripes and spots of brown; a stripe of - brown on each side of the neck from the base of the under mandible. - Tail brown, with several bands of a darker shade of the same and of - white on the inner webs of the feathers and narrowly tipped with - white. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 17 to 18 inches; wing, 11; tail, 6½ - to 7 inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Eastern North America; Florida (Abadie); Long Island (Giraud); - Wisconsin (Hoy). Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. This handsome little species is of rather unusual occurrence in the -middle and southern States, though according to Dr. Hoy it is abundant -in Wisconsin. It is an easily recognized species, though presenting -considerable variations in color, according to age and season. - -The names _Falco pennsylvanicus_ and _Falco latissimus_ occur in -different copies of the sixth volume of the original edition of Wilson -(1812), and the probability is that the latter was substituted by the -author, in the later printed copies, after he had noticed that he had -previously applied the name _pennsylvanicus_ to another species. Of the -last three volumes only second editions were published under the -editorship of Mr. Ord; the seventh and eighth in 1824, and the ninth in -1825. The statement in Hall’s edition, I. p. 92 (Philadelphia, 1828), -that the name _latissimus_ was given by Mr. Ord, is therefore incorrect. -That gentleman, now President of the Philadelphia Academy, and of whose -advice and instruction we have the great advantage and gratification, -informs us that he had nothing to do with either of the names to which -we here allude. - - 6. Buteo Harlani. (Aud.) Harlan’s Buzzard. The Black Warrior. - Falco Harlani. Audubon, Orn. Biog., I. p. 441. (1831. Plate pub. - 1830) - “Buteo borealis.” Gray, Catalogue of Birds in British Museum, - Accipitres, p. 34. - Buteo albonotatus. Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus., Accipitres, p. 36; Kaup, - Isis, 1847, pp. 329, 369? - - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 86, oct. ed. I. pl. 8. - - “Head very large; neck short; body robust. Feet of ordinary length; - tarsus a little compressed, scutellate before and behind, reticularly - scaly on the sides; toes scutellate above, scaly on the sides, - tubercular and scabrous beneath; claws curved, roundish, very acute. - Plumage compact; feathers of the head and neck short and rounded; - tibial feathers elongated, and loose at the tips. Wings long; first - quill short, third and fifth equal; first primaries cut out on the - inner web towards the end. Tail longish, ample, of twelve broad, - rounded feathers. Bill light-blue, black towards the end; cere and - angles of the mouth yellowish-green. Iris light yellowish-brown. Feet - dull greenish yellow; claws black. - - “The general color of the plumage is deep chocolate-brown; the - under-parts lighter, the feathers there being margined with - light-brown. Tail lighter than the back, and rather narrowly barred - with brownish-black, the tips brownish-red. Under wing-coverts - whitish, spotted with deep-brown. Length, 21 inches; extent of wings, - 45; bill, along the back, 1½; along the gap, from the tip of the lower - mandible, 1½; tarsus, 1¾.” (Aud., as above.) - - Adult? Brownish-black, with a purplish lustre; occipital feathers - white at base, and a few white feathers in front at the base of the - bill. Under wing-coverts black, with circular spots and irregular bars - of white. Quills white on their inner webs for about two-thirds of - their length, and transversely barred with pale ashy-brown. Tail above - brownish black, tinged with ashy, and with about six to eight bars of - black, the widest of which is next to the tip, which is white. Inner - webs of the tail-feathers, except the two in the middle, white, - mottled with ashy, and with the transverse bars conspicuous; tail - beneath ashy-white. Plumage of the back and entire under-parts of the - body white at base, and having concealed pairs of circular and oval - spots of white most obvious on the abdomen and under tail-coverts. - Bill and legs light-colored. - - Dimensions. Total length (of skin), 20 inches; wing, 16½; tail, 9½ - inches. - - Hab. Louisiana (Audubon); Mexico? Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. The only bird that we have ever seen which appeared to be this -species is that described above as probably the adult. It is one of two -or three species of black Buzzards which inhabit Mexico and Central -America, and we suspect it of being identical with _B. albonotatus_ -(Gray, as above), though of that species there is no sufficient -description published. - - 7. Buteo insignatus. Cassin. _New species._ (March, 1854.) The Canada - Buzzard. - - Form robust; wings rather long, third quill longest, secondaries - emarginate at their tips; quills unusually broad; tail rather short, - slightly rounded; tarsi feathered in front below the joint, naked - behind, and having in front about ten transverse scales. Under - wing-coverts and under tail-coverts white, the former striped - longitudinally with pale-ferruginous, and some of them transversely - with dark-brown, the latter with transverse stripes of pale - reddish-brown. Plumage of the tibiæ dark-ferruginous mixed with brown. - Throat and a few feathers in front white, with narrow lines of black. - Entire other plumage above and below dark-brown, nearly every feather - having a darker or nearly black line on its shaft. Quills above brown, - with a purple lustre, beneath pale-ashy, with their shafts white, and - irregularly barred with white near their bases. Tail above dark-brown, - with an ashy or hoary tinge, and having about ten obscure bands of a - darker shade of the same color, beneath nearly white, with conspicuous - bands of brown, the widest of which is next to the tip, which is - paler. Tarsi and feet yellow. Sex unknown. - - Dimensions. Total length (of skin), 17 inches; wing, 14½; tail, 7½ - inches. - - Hab. Canada (Dr. M’Culloch). Spec. in Mus. Nat. Hist. Soc. of - Montreal, Canada. - -Obs. Of this very remarkable little Buzzard one specimen only has come -under our notice, and is that above described. It belongs to the -collection of the Natural History Society of Montreal, by whom it was -most kindly sent to Philadelphia for examination at our request, through -the good offices of M. M’Culloch, M. D., a distinguished physician and -naturalist of that city. - -In color, though a true _Buteo_, this bird differs from any known -American species, and more resembles in that respect some stages of the -young plumage of _Circus hudsonius_ or _C. æruginosus_. It was captured -in the vicinity of Montreal. - - - II. GENUS ARCHIBUTEO. Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1269. - TRIORCHIS. Kaup, Syst. Eur. Thier., p. 84. (1829.) - BUTAETES. Less., Traité, p. 83. (1831.) - -General characters very similar to those of _Buteo_, but with the tarsus -densely feathered to the base of the toes, but more or less naked on the -hind part. Toes short; claws moderate; wings rather long. Contains about -six species, of both continents. - - 1. Archibuteo sancti-johannis. (Gmelin.) The Black Hawk. The - Rough-legged Buzzard. - Falco sancti-johannis and NOVÆ-TERRÆ. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. pp. 273, - 274. (1788.) - Falco niger. Wils., Am. Orn., VI. p. 82. (1812.) - Buteo ater. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., IV. p. 482. (1816.) - Falco spadiceus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 273? - - Wilson, Am. Orn., VI. pl. 53, figs. 1, 2; Faun. Bor. Am., Birds, pl. - 28; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 422, oct. ed. I. pl. 11. - - Large, and rather heavy; wings long; tarsi feathered, a narrow space - naked behind; toes naked, and rather short. Adult. Entire plumage - glossy black, in many specimens with a brown tinge; forehead, throat, - and a large space on the head behind, mixed with white. Tail with one - well-defined band of white, and irregularly marked towards the base - with the same color. Quills with their inner webs white, most readily - seen on the under-surface of the wing. Some specimens have several - well-defined bands of white in the tail. Others have the entire - plumage dark chocolate-brown, with the head more or less striped with - yellowish-white and reddish-yellow. Cere and legs yellow. - - Younger. Upper-parts light umber-brown, with the feathers more or less - edged with yellowish-white and reddish-yellow; abdomen with a broad - transverse band of brownish-black; other under-parts pale - yellowish-white, longitudinally striped on the neck and breast with - brownish-black; wings and tail brown, tinged with cinereous; quills - for the greater part of their length white on their inner webs; - tail-feathers white at their bases. Plumage of the tibiæ and tarsi - pale reddish-yellow, spotted with brown. Other specimens have the - throat and breast with the black color predominating. - - Young male? Entire upper-parts light ashy-brown, more or less mixed - with white, especially on the head and fulvous; under-parts yellowish - white and dark-brown, the latter assuming the form of longitudinal - stripes on the breast, and narrow transverse stripes on the abdomen; - tarsi and tibiæ dark-brown, striped with dull-white and reddish; - greater part of quills and tail white. Cere and legs yellow. - - Dimensions. Total length, _female_, 22 to 24 inches; wing, 17 to 17½; - tail, 9 inches. _Male_—total length, about 20 to 21 inches; wing, 16 - to 16½; tail, 8 to 8½ inches. - - Hab. Entire North America; Oregon (Townsend). Spec. in Mus. Acad. - Philada. - -Obs. This is one of the most abundant of the birds of this family, in -all the States on the Atlantic, and is one of the most variable in -plumage. Two stages of plumage—the adult black bird and the young, when -the wide abdominal band of black is well defined—are easily recognized; -but there are a variety of other plumages which are difficult to refer -to their proper age, sex, or season. Although the stage of plumage -described above as perhaps that of the young male (figured by Wilson, -pl. 53, fig. 2, and Aud., pl. 422, fig. 2) may be correct, we regard it -as by no means established, and in fact are inclined to suspect that -there are two distinct species confounded. - - 2. Archibuteo lagopus. (Gm.) The Rough-legged Buzzard. - Falco lagopus. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. p. 260. (1788.) - - Wils., Am. Orn., IV. pl. 33, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 166; Gould, - B. of Eur., I. pl. 15. - - Very similar in general form to the preceding. Above light - umber-brown; many feathers, especially of the head and neck behind, - edged with yellowish white and fulvous. A wide transverse band or belt - on the abdomen brownish-black; other under-parts yellowish-white, with - a few longitudinal lines and spots of brownish-black; quills - ashy-brown, with a large basal portion of their inner webs white; tail - at its base white, which is also the color of the greater part of the - inner webs of its feathers almost to the tip; terminal portion light - umber-brown; tip white. Plumage of the tibiæ and tarsi pale - reddish-yellow, striped longitudinally with brown. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 21 to 23 inches; wing, 16 to 17; - tail, 9 inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. All of North America; Europe; California (Mr. Bell); Wisconsin - (Dr. Hoy). Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Obs. The bird here inserted as identical with the European _Archibuteo -lagopus_ has been usually regarded, by late naturalists, as the young of -the species immediately preceding. Such may be the truth of the case, -and our only reason for giving it thus is, that after careful comparison -and examination of numerous specimens, we find it absolutely impossible -to distinguish it, by any character whatever, from the European bird. -Whether two birds can be exactly the same in all their characters, so -far as presented by specimens, and yet be distinct in species, is a -question that we are not prepared at present practically to decide. We -regard it as quite possible, however, that the present may be the young -of _A. sancti-johannis_. It is one of the most common species of its -family. Mr. Bell’s specimens from California are, so far as we can see, -exactly the same as the European bird, differing from eastern specimens -only in very unimportant characters. - - 3. Archibuteo ferrugineus. (Licht.) The Western Rough-legged Buzzard, - Buteo ferrugineus. Lichtenstein, Trans. Berlin Acad., 1838, p. - 428. - Archibuteo regalis. Gray, Genera of Birds. I. pl. 6. (1849, plate - only.) - - Larger than either of the two preceding. Bill wide at base; wings - long; tarsi feathered in front to the toes, naked and scaled behind. - Adult. Tibiæ and tarsi bright ferruginous, with transverse stripes of - black, irregular and indistinct on the latter. Entire upper-parts - striped longitudinally with dark-brown and light-rufous, the latter - color predominating on the rump and lesser wing-coverts. Quills - ashy-brown, lighter on their outer webs, and with the greater part of - their inner webs white; tail above reddish-white, mottled with - ashy-brown; tail beneath pure yellowish-white. Under-parts of the body - white, with narrow longitudinal lines and dashes on the breast of - reddish-brown and narrow irregular transverse lines of the same color, - and black on the abdomen; flanks and axillary feathers (under the - wing) fine bright-ferruginous. - - Young. Entire upper-parts dark umber-brown, very slightly mixed with - fulvous; upper tail-coverts white, spotted with brown; entire - under-parts pure white, with a few narrow longitudinal lines and - dashes of brown on the breast, and arrow-heads of the same color on - the sides and abdomen, larger and more numerous on the flanks; tibiæ - white; tarsi dark-brown, mixed with white; under wing-coverts and - edges of wings white. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, about 23 to 25 inches; wing, 17 to - 17½; tail, 9 inches. _Young_—smaller. - - Hab. California (Mr. E. M. Kern); Sacramento valley (Dr. Heermann). - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This is one of the handsomest of the American Falconidæ. It is also -one of the largest of the Buzzards, and easily distinguished from the -preceding species. Of the recent American travellers, Mr. E. M. Kern was -the first who brought home this fine species; since which adults, young -birds, and eggs, have been collected by Dr. Heermann. It is not rare in -California. - - - IV. SUB-FAMILY MILVINÆ. THE KITES. - -Size various, usually medium or small. Bill short, weak, hooked, and -acute; wings and tail usually long; tarsi and feet slender, frequently -short. The birds of this sub-family habitually feed on reptiles and -other small animals, and are deficient in the strength and courage of -those of the other sub-families. About thirty-five species of all -countries belong to this group. - - - I. GENUS NAUCLERUS. Vigors, Zool. Jour., II. p. 386. (1825.) - - CHELIDOPTERYX. Kaup, Class., p. 112. (1844.) - -Bill short and weak; wings and tail very long, the former pointed, the -latter deeply forked. Tarsi very short; toes short. Contains not more -than three species, two of which are American, and the other African. - - 1. Nauclerus furcatus. (Linn.) The Swallow-tailed Hawk. - Falco furcatus. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 129. (1766.) - - Cat. Car, pl. 4; Buff., Pl. Enl., 72; Wilson, Am. Orn., VI., pl. 51, - fig. 3; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 72, oct. ed. I. pl. 18; Gould, B. of - Eur., 1. pl. 30; De Kay, Nat. Hist. N. Y., Birds, pl. 7, fig. 15. - - Wings and tail long, the latter deeply forked. Head and neck, inferior - wing-coverts, secondary quills at their bases, and entire under-parts, - white. Back, wings, and tail, black, with a metallic lustre, purple on - the back and lesser wing-coverts, green and blue on other parts. Tarsi - and feet greenish-blue; bill horn color. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 23 to 25 inches; wing, 16 to 17½; - tail, 14 inches. _Male_—rather smaller. - - Hab. Southern States on the Atlantic, and centrally northward to - Wisconsin; Texas (Mr. Audubon); South Carolina (Prof. Gibbes); - Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Pennsylvania (Mr. A. F. Darley); Jamaica (Mr. - Gosse). Accidental in Europe. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This very handsome Hawk is especially abundant in the Southern -States. It cannot readily be confounded with any other North American -species, though we have not been able to compare it with the _Elanoides -yetapa_, Vieill., of South America, with which it is either identical or -very similar. - - - II. GENUS ELANUS. Savigny, Nat. Hist. Egypt, I., 97. (1809.) - -Bill short, compressed, hooked; wings long, pointed; tail moderate, -generally emarginate; tarsi short. Contains four species only, much -resembling each other; one of which is American, one African, and two -Australian. - - 1. Elanus leucurus. (Vieill.) The Black-shouldered Hawk. The - White-tailed Hawk. - Milvus leucurus. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XX. p. 563. (1818.) - Falco dispar. Temm., Pl. Col., I. (Liv. 54, about 1824.) - “Falco melanopterus. Daud.” Bonap., Jour. Acad. Philada., V. p. - 28. - “Falco dispar. Temm.” Aud., Orn. Biog., IV. p. 367. - - Bonap., Am. Orn., II. pl. 11, fig. 1; Temm., Pl. col. 319; Aud., B. of - Am., pl. 352, oct. ed. I. pl. 16. Gay’s Chili Orn., pl. 2. - - Head above, entire under-parts, and tail, white, the middle-feathers - of the latter usually tinged above with ashy, and the head posteriorly - tinged with the same color, which gradually shades into a fine - light-cinereous, which is the color of the upper-parts of the body, - quills, and greater wing-coverts. Lesser wing-coverts glossy black, - which forms a large oblong patch; inferior wing-coverts white, with a - smaller black patch. Bill dark; tarsi and feet yellow. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 15½ to 17 inches; wing, 12; tail, - 7½ inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Southern States; California (Dr. Heermann); South Carolina (Prof. - Gibbes); Chili (Lieut. Gillis). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. An abundant species in the Southern and South-western States. It is -larger than the African _E. melanopterus_, with which it has been -confounded, but considerably resembling it and the Australian species in -form and general characters. - - - III. GENUS ICTINIA. Vieill., Analyse, p. 24. (1816.) - - NERTUS. Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 314. - PŒCILOPTERYX. Kaup, Class., p. 112. (1844.) - -Bill short, tip emarginated; wings long, pointed; tail rather short; -usually emarginated; tarsi short. Two American species constitute this -genus. - - 1. Ictinia mississippiensis. (Wilson.) The Mississippi Kite. - Falco mississippiensis. Wilson, Am. Orn., III. p. 80. (1811.) - Falco ophiophagus. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XI. p. 103. (1817.) - “Ictinia plumbea. Gm.” Aud., Orn. Biog., II. p. 108. - - Vieill., Gal., I. pl. 17; Wilson, Am. Orn., III. pl. 25, fig. 1; Aud., - B. of Am. pl. 117, oct. ed. I. pl. 17. - - Head, exposed ends of secondary quills, and entire under-parts, - light-cinereous, palest and nearly white on the tips of the - secondaries. Back, wing-coverts, and rump dark lead-color; primaries - and tail brownish-black, the latter with a tinge of bluish. Bill dark; - tarsi and feet lighter. - - Dimensions. Total length, _female_, about 15 inches; wing, 11 to 11½; - tail, 6½ inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Southern States; Texas (Mr. Audubon); South Carolina (Prof. - Gibbes). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This bird is quite different from the South American _I. plumbea_, -for which it has been mistaken by American naturalists; in fact, it is -so little like it, that a comparison of specimens of the two species -would render a suspicion of their identity quite impossible. - - - IV. GENUS ROSTRHAMUS. Lesson, Traité d’Orn., I. p. 55. (1831.) - -Bill long, very slender, hooked, and sharp at the tip; wings long, -pointed; tail rather long, emarginate; tarsi and toes rather long; claws -very long, slender, acute. The present is the only species. - - 1. Rostrhamus sociabilis. (Vieill.) The Hooked-billed Hawk. - Herpetotheres sociabilis. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XVIII. p. 318. - (1817.) - Cymindis leucopygius. Spix, Av. Bras., I. p. 7. (1824.) - Rostrhamus niger. Less., Traité, I. p. 56. (1831.) - “Falco hamatus. Illiger.” Lesson, as above. - - Temm., Pl. col. I. 61, 231; Spix, Av. Bras., I. pl. 2; Guerin, Mag. de - Zool., 1834, pl. 20. - - Adult. Tail at base, and under tail-coverts, white; all other parts - black. Naked space before the eye yellow, which is also the color of - the feet; bill and claws black. Tail usually tipped with - pale-cinereous. Younger. Throat and line over and behind the eye - yellowish-white; general plumage brownish-black, mixed with - yellowish-white on the under-parts of the body. Young. Forehead—stripe - behind the eye and throat reddish or ferruginous-white; upper-parts - brown, many feathers edged with pale-ferruginous; under-parts - yellowish, with longitudinal stripes of black; tail at tip and base, - and under tail-coverts, yellowish-white. Legs yellowish-green. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length (of skin), 16 inches; wing, 14; - tail, 7½ inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Florida (Mr. Harris, Dr. Heermann). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This bird is remarkable for its slender and hooked bill, unlike -that of any other Falcon. It is well known as a South American bird, and -was first noticed in Florida by Mr. Edward Harris; subsequently by Dr. -Heermann. Both these gentlemen having obtained specimens of young birds, -it is probably a constant resident of that State. - - - V. GENUS CIRCUS. Lacepede, Mem. d’Inst., III. p. 506. (1803.) - - STRIGICEPS. Bonap., Comp. List., p. 5. (1838.) - -Size medium; head rather large; face partially encircled by a ring or -ruff of short projecting feathers (as in the Owls). Bill rather short, -compressed, curved from the base; nostrils large; wings long, pointed; -tail long, wide; tarsi long and slender, compressed; toes moderate; -claws long, rather slender. Embraces about fifteen species, of all parts -of the world. - - 1. Circus hudsonius. (Linn.) The Marsh Hawk. The Harrier. - Falco hudsonius. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 128. (1766.) - Falco uliginosus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 278. (1788.) - Falco europogistus. Daudin, Traité, II. p. 110. (1800.) - “Falco uliginosus.” Wilson, Am. Orn., VI. p. 67. - “Falco cyaneus. Linn.” Aud., Orn. Biog., IV. p. 396. - - Edw., Birds, VI. pl. 291; Vieill., Ois. d’Am., pl. 9; Wilson, Am. - Orn., VI. pl. 51, fig. 2; Bonap., Am. Orn., II. pl. 12; Aud., B. of - Am., pl. 356, oct. ed. I. pl. 26; Faun. Bor. Am., Birds, pl. 29; De - Kay, Nat. Hist. N. Y. Orn., pl. 3, figs. 6, 7. - - Form slender; tarsi long; ruff very distinct on the neck in front. - Adult. Upper-parts, head, and breast, pale grayish-cinereous, - generally more or less tinged with fuscous, and on the back of the - head mixed with dark fulvous; upper tail-coverts white. Under-parts - white, usually with many small cordate or hastate spots of - light-ferruginous; quills brownish-black, with their outer webs tinged - with ashy, and a large portion of their inner webs white; tail - light-cinereous, nearly white on the inner webs of the feathers, and - with obscure bands of brown; under-surface white; inferior - wing-coverts white; secondaries tipped with dark-brown. Young. Entire - upper-parts dark umber-brown, mixed with fulvous, and white on the - occiput and neck behind; upper tail-coverts white. Tail reddish-brown, - with about three broad bands of dark-fulvous, paler on their inner - webs. Under-parts rufous, with stripes of brown on the breast and - sides; tarsi and feet yellow. In younger birds, on the under-parts the - brown stripes are more numerous. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 19½ to 21 inches; wing, 15½; tail, - 10 inches. _Male_—total length, 16 to 18 inches; wing, about 14; tail - 8½ to 9 inches. - - Hab. All of North America; California (Col. M‘Call); Oregon (U. S. Ex. - Exp. Vincennes); Cuba (M. de Sagra, M. Lembeye). Spec. in Mus. Acad., - Philada. - -Obs. Resembles to some extent the _Circus cyaneus_ of Europe, but is -easily distinguished from it by its colors and rather larger size. The -adults and young of this species present great differences in color and -general appearance. - - - V. SUB-FAMILY AQUILINÆ. THE EAGLES. - -Size usually large. Bill large, compressed, straight at base, curved and -acute at the tip; wings long, pointed; tail ample, generally rounded at -the end; tarsi moderate or rather long, strong; toes long, strong; claws -very strong, curved, acute. This sub-family includes about seventy -species, of all countries. - - - I. GENUS AQUILA. Mœhring, Av. Gen. p. 49. (1752.) - -Large, bill large, strong, compressed, and hooked at the tip; wing long, -pointed, very strong; tarsi moderate, feathered to the base of the toes. -Tail rather long, rounded or wedge-shaped; toes and claws long; the -latter very sharp and curved. Contains about twenty species, which are -regarded as the true Eagles. - - 1. Aquila chrysaetos. (Linn.) The Golden Eagle. The ring-tailed Eagle. - Falco chrysaetos and fulvus. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 125. (1766.) - Falco canadensis. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 125. (1766.) - Aquila nobilis. Pallas, Zoog. Ross. As., I. p. 338. (1811.) - Falco niger. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 259. (1788.)? - - Edw., Birds, pl. 1; Brown, Ill., pl. 2; Buff. Pl. Enl. 409, 410; Wils. - Am. Orn., pl. 55, fig. 1; Aud. B. of Am., pl. 181; oct. ed. 1, pl. 12. - - Very large; tarsi densely feathered to the toes. Adult. Head above and - behind and neck behind light-brownish fulvous, much varying in shade - in different specimens. Base of the tail pure white, which color - varies in extent in different specimens, but generally occupies the - greater part of the tail; remaining portion glossy black. All other - parts rich purplish-brown, very dark, and nearly black on the - under-surface. Primary quills shining black, secondaries - purplish-brown, with a violet tinge; tibia and tarsi brownish-fulvous, - tinged with ashy; toes yellow. Younger. Entire plumage mixed with - fulvous, and with the under-surface of the body paler. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 33 to 40 inches; wing, about 25; - tail, about 15 inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Whole of North America; Oregon (Dr. Townsend). Spec. in Mus. - Acad., Philada. - -Obs. We are not without doubts as to the specific identity of the -American and the European Golden Eagles. All the American specimens that -we have examined are smaller, the bill shorter, and the plumage much -darker than those of Europe. We have not at present, however, a -sufficient number of either continent, and it unfortunately happens that -nearly all our European specimens are young birds, while the American -are adults. Mr. Audubon’s plate represents this bird in nearly mature -plumage. - - - II. GENUS HALIAETUS. Savigny, Hist. Nat. d’Egypt, I. p. 85. (1809.) - -Size large; tarsi short, naked, or feathered for a short distance below -the joint of the tibia and tarsi, and with the toes covered with scales. -Bill large, strong, compressed; margin of upper mandible slightly -festooned; wings rather long-pointed; tail moderate; toes rather long; -claws very strong, curved, sharp. This genus contains about ten species -of all parts of the world, all of which prey more or less on fishes, and -are known as Fishing or Sea Eagles. - - 1. Haliaetus pelagicus. (Pallas.) The Northern Sea Eagle. - Aquila pelagica. Pallas, Zoog. Rosso-Asiat., I. p. 343. (1811.) - “Aquila marina. Steller, MSS.” Pallas as above. - Falco imperator. Kittlitz., Kupf. Nat. Vog., pt. I. p. 3. (1832.) - Falco leucopterus. Temm., Pl. col. 1. p. (no page.) - - Kittlitz Kupf., pl. 2; Temm., Pl. col. I., pl. 489. Cassin. B. of - California and Texas, I., pl. 6. - - The largest of the Eagles. Wings rather shorter than usual in this - genus; tail wedge-shaped, and composed of fourteen feathers. Adult. - Large frontal space, greater wing-coverts, abdomen and tail white; all - other parts of the plumage dark brown or brownish-black; bill and legs - yellow. Younger. Tail white, more or less marked with brownish-black. - All other parts brownish-black, lighter on the head and neck. Quills - black, secondaries and tertiaries white at their bases; bill and feet - yellow. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 3 feet 8 inches; wing, 2 feet 2 - in.; tail, 1 foot 4 inches. - - Hab. Russian-American Islands (Pallas); Japan (Temminck & Schegel). - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This very large and powerful bird inhabits north-eastern Asia and -the islands between that continent and America, and probably other parts -of Russian-America. It is the largest of the Eagles, and appears to be -related to the species immediately succeeding. - - 2. Haliaetus Washingtonii. (Aud.) The Washington Eagle. - Falco Washingtonii. Aud. Orn. Biog., I. p. 58. (1831, plate pub. - 1827) - Falco Washingtoniana. Aud. Louden’s Mag., I. p. 115. (April, 1828) - - Aud. B. of Am. pl. 11; oct. ed. I., pl. 13. - - Large, “bill shortish, very deep, compressed; feet rather short, with - the leg long; the tarsus short, rounded, anteriorly covered with - transversely-narrow sentella, posteriorly with small tuberculous - scales; feathers of the head, neck and breast narrow and pointed; - wings long, second quill longest; tail of ordinary length, rounded, - extending considerably beyond the tips of the wings, of twelve broad - acute feathers.” - - “Bill bluish-black, the edges pale, the soft margin towards the - commissure, and the base of the under-mandible yellow; cere - yellowish-brown; lore light greenish-blue; iris chestnut-brown; feet - deep yellow; claws brownish-black; upper part of the head, hind neck, - back, scapulars, rump, tail-coverts and posterior tibial feathers - blackish-brown, glossed with a coppery tint; throat, fore-neck, breast - and belly light brownish-yellow, each feather marked along the centre - with blackish-brown; wing-coverts light grayish-brown, those next the - body becoming darker and approaching the color of the back; primary - quills dark-brown, deeper on their inner-webs; secondaries lighter, - and on their outer-webs of nearly the same tint as their coverts; tail - uniform dark-brown; anterior tibial feathers grayish-brown.” - - Dimensions. “Length, 3 feet 7 inches; extent of wings, 10 feet 2 - inches; bill, 3¼ inches along the back; along the gap which commences - directly under the eye to the tip of the lower mandible, 3¼ and 1¾ - deep; length of wing when folded, 32 inches; length of tail, 15 - inches; tarsus, 4½; middle toe, 4¾; hind claw, 2½ inches.” Audubon as - above. - - Hab. Kentucky (Audubon); Western and Eastern? Spec. in Mus. Acad., - Philada.? - -Obs. The above description we regard as that of the young bird, and -consider the adult as yet unknown. No specimen precisely corresponding -to Mr. Audubon’s bird, has been obtained since its discovery, and it has -latterly been looked upon by Naturalists, especially in Europe, as an -unusually large specimen of the young white-headed Eagle. It is probably -a western species, and would be readily recognized by the transverse -scutellæ of the tarsi which are continued to the base of the toes. - - 3. Haliaetus albicilla. (Linn.) The Gray Sea Eagle. The European Sea - Eagle. - Vultur albicilla. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 123. (1766.) - Falco ossifraga et melanaetos. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 124. - (1766.) - Haliaetus grœnlandicus. Brehm, Vog. Deuts., I. p. 16. (1831.) - - Buff., Pl. Enl., 112, 415; Selby, Ill. Brit. Orn., pl. 3; Gould, B. of - Eur., I. pl. 10. - - Large, bill large, much hooked; wings long; tail moderate. Adult. Tail - white; head and neck pale yellowish-brown, in some specimens very - light; all other parts of the plumage dark umber-brown; quills nearly - black; bill, feet and irides yellow. Younger. Bill brownish-black; - irides brown; entire plumage dark-brown, with the tail mottled with - white, much varying in extent; throat paler, and in some specimens - nearly white. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, about 3 feet to 40 inches; wing, 2 - feet 3 inches; tail, 1 foot. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Greenland (Fabricius, Holboll). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This Eagle, which is common in Europe, and breeds in cliffs on the -sea-shore, we give as an inhabitant of Greenland. We have to say, -however, that the only specimen from that country which we have ever -seen, and which is a young bird, presents considerable variations from -European specimens, and we consider it quite possible that Dr. Brehm is -right in giving it specific distinction. The young of this bird -resembles that of the succeeding species (_H. leucocephalus_), and the -most readily-detected difference is its larger size and longer tarsi. -The adults are, however, entirely dissimilar. - - 4. Haliaetus leucocephalus. (Linn.) The Bald Eagle. The White-headed - Eagle. - Falco leucocephalus. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 124. (1766.) - Falco pygargus. Daud., Traité, II. p. 62. (1800.) - Falco ossifragus. Wilson, Am. Orn., VII. p. 16. (1813.) - - Cat. Car., I. pl. 1; Buff., Pl. Enl., 411; Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept., - I. pl. 3; Wils., Am. Orn., IV. pl. 36; VII. pl. 55; Aud., B. of Am., - pl. 31, 126; oct. ed., I. pl. 14. - - Large, but smaller than either of the preceding Eagles; bill large, - strong, much hooked and sharp; wings long; tail moderate; tarsi rather - short. Adult. Head, tail and its upper and under coverts white; entire - other plumage brownish-black, in some specimens with the edges of the - feathers paler; bill, feet and irides yellow. Younger. Entire plumage - dark brown; throat paler; abdomen frequently with fulvous edgings on - many feathers; bill brownish-black; iris brown; tail more or less - mottled with white, which color in a more advanced stage extends over - a large portion of the tail, especially on the inner webs of the - feathers. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, about 3 feet; wing, about 23 - inches; tail, about 14 inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. All of North America; Oregon (Townsend); Florida (Bartram); - Accidental in Europe. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This handsome bird, which has had the honor of being adopted as the -emblem of the United States, inhabits the whole of North America. It is -very easily recognized when adult, and the young is not readily mistaken -for that of any other American species except the immediately preceding. - - - III. GENUS PANDION. Savigny, Nat. Hist. Egypt, I. p. 95. (1809.) - -Bill short, curved from the base, hooked, compressed; wings very long; -tarsi short, very thick and strong, and covered with small circular -scales; claws large, curved very sharp; tail moderate. Contains about -three or four species nearly allied, inhabiting various parts of the -world. - - 1. Pandion carolinensis. (Gen.) The Fish Hawk. The Osprey. - Falco carolinensis. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. 263. (1788.) - Aquila piscatrix. Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., I. p. 29. (1807.) - Pandion americanus. Vieill., Gal., I. p. 33. (1825.) - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., I. pl. 4; Cat. Car., I. pl. 2; Wilson, Am. - Orn., V. pl. 37; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 81; oct. ed., I. pl. 15; Nat. - Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 8, fig. 18. - - Legs, feet and claws very strong. Adult. Head and entire under-parts - white; wide stripe through the eye downwards, longitudinal stripe on - the top of the head and occiput and entire upper parts of the body, - wings and tail, deep umber-brown, generally with the feathers more or - less edged with lighter brown; tail with about eight bands of - blackish-brown, and with the greater parts of the inner-webs of its - feathers white; breast with numerous cordate and circular spots of - pale yellowish-brown; bill and claws bluish-black; tarsi and toes - greenish-yellow. Young. Similar to the adult, but with the upper - plumage edged and tipped with pale-brownish, nearly white. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length (of skin), about 25 inches; wing, - 21½; tail, 10½ inches. _Male_—smaller. - - Hab. Throughout North America; Texas (Woodhouse); Oregon (U. S. Ex. - Exp. Vincennes). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. The American Osprey is very similar to that of the old continent -(_P. haliaetus_), and specimens from Western America even more -intimately resemble it. It is, however, larger, and retains in all the -specimens that we have seen, differently-formed spots on the breast, -being heart-shaped and circular, instead of narrow and lanceolate, as in -the. European species. The Fish Hawk is abundant on the sea-coasts of -the United States, and is one of the few rapacious birds of this country -which are not molested. - - - IV. GENUS POLYBORUS. Vieillot, Analyse, p. 22. (1816.) - - CARACARA. Cuvur. Reg. An., p. 316. (1817.) - -Size smaller than the preceding; bill long, compressed, wide laterally; -cere large; wings long, pointed; tail moderate, or rather long; tarsi -long, rather slender, covered in front with large hexagonal and -irregular scales, and laterally and horizontally with smaller; claws -long, slightly curved, rather weak; space in front of and below the eye -naked. Two species only form this genus, both of which are abundant -birds of South and Central America. - - 1. Polyborus tharus. (Molina.) The Caracara Eagle. The Mexican Eagle. - Falco tharus. Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. del Chili. (1782.) - Falco cheriway. Jacquin, Beytr. Gesch. der Vogel, p. 17. (1784.) - Falco brasiliensis. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. p. 262. (1788.) - Falco plancus. Miller, Cimelia Physica. - Polyborus vulgaris. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., V. p. 257. (1816.) - - Jacq. Vog., pl. 4; Miller & Shaw, Cim. Phys., 2d ed., pl. 17; Vieill., - Gal., I. pl. 7; Spix., B. of Bras., I. pl. 1, _a_; Aud., B. of Am., - pl. 161; oct. ed., I. pl. 4; Swains. Zool. Ill., I. pl. 2; Gay’s Chili - Orn., pl. 1. - - Legs long; occipital feathers somewhat elongated. Adult. Head above, - back, rump, wings, broad abdominal belt and tibiæ brownish-black; neck - before and behind, sides of the head behind the eye, breast, upper and - under tail-coverts yellowish-white; on the breast and neck behind - finely barred transversely with black; tail for about two-thirds of - its length white, with numerous narrow bars of black, and widely - tipped with black; bill at base bluish; tip yellowish-white; tarsi and - toes yellow. Younger. Head above dark-brown; other upper parts - pale-brown, with paler edgings to many feathers; under-parts - dark-brown, nearly all the feathers having longitudinal central - stripes of dull white; throat yellowish-white; tail for the greater - part and its coverts above and below white, with numerous transverse - bands of pale ashy-brown, and tipped with brownish-black. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length (of skin), about 26 inches; wing, - 17; tail, 10 inches. _Male_—larger? - - Hab. Southern North America; Florida (Audubon); Texas; Mexico - (McCall). Abundant in South America. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. The Caracara Eagle has been observed in Florida, and is an -inhabitant also of Texas and Mexico. It walks on the ground with -facility, and otherwise resembles the Vultures in its habits; and, like -them, lives on dead animals for the greater part. The original edition -of Molina, in which a scientific name is given to this bird for the -first time since the adoption of the binomial nomenclature, we have not -seen; but in his second edition, Preface, p. 1 (Bologna, 1810), it is -stated to have been published in 1782. His name undoubtedly has -priority. - -We are inclined to the opinion that this bird, and several more or less -nearly allied species of South America, belong properly to the family of -Vultures;—of all the habits of which they partake. This opinion is -supported somewhat by Molina’s statement, that of the present species -the female is the smaller (2d ed., p. 221), as Humboldt and others have -observed of the Condor, and as appears to be the case in the family of -Vultures, but not in that of the Falcons. - - - V. GENUS MORPHNUS. Cuvier, Regne. Animal, I. p. 317. (1817.) - URUBITINGA. Less., Rev. Zool., 1839, p. 132. - SPIZOGERANUS. Kaup, Class., p. 120. (1844.) - -Size medium; bill rather long, abruptly curved at the tip, which is -acute; edges of upper mandible festooned; wings and tail long; legs -long; tarsi and toes strong, the former with wide transverse scales in -front; claws strong. A genus of American species, inhabiting the -southern portion of the continent. - - 1. Morphnus unicinctus. (Temm.) Harris’ Buzzard. - Falco unicinctus. Temm., Pl. col., I. p. (no page—livraison 53, - about 1827.) - “Falco anthracinus. Licht.” Gray, Genera, I. p. 27. - Buteo Harrisii. Aud., Orn. Biog., V. p. 30. (1839.) - Polyborus tæniurus. Tschudy, Wiegm. Archiv., X. p. 263. (1844.) - - Temm., Pl. col., 313; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 392: oct. ed., I. pl. 5; - Tschudy, Fauna Peruana Orn., pl. 1. - - Legs long, and with the feet robust; wings rather short; tail long. - Adult. Shoulders, wing-coverts and tibia chestnut-red or bay; other - parts very dark umber-brown; upper and under tail-coverts white; tail - white at its base, and tipped with white; middle portion presenting - the appearance of a very wide band, dark brownish-black, with a - reddish or violet tinge. Younger. Upper-parts umber-brown, much mixed - with fulvous; shoulders chestnut-red, with dark-brown spots; quills - dark-brown; secondaries tipped with yellowish-white; entire - under-parts yellowish-white, many feathers on the breast, sides and - abdomen, with large oblong and circular spots of brown; tibiæ - yellowish-white, with transverse irregular lines of light - brownish-red; upper and under tail-coverts white; tail brown, with - many bands of a deeper shade of the same color, and with the - inner-webs yellowish and reddish-white, and having many narrow bands - of dark-brown; base and tip of the tail yellowish-white. - - Dimensions. _Female_—total length, 22 to 24 inches; wing, 15; tail, 10 - inches. _Young male_—total length, 20 inches; wing, 13; tail, 9½ - inches. - - Hab. Southern States; Mexico, abundant; Texas, frequent (Col. McCall); - Mississippi, rare (Dr. Jenkins); Peru; Chili (Lieut. Gilliss); Chili, - abundant (Gay, Fauna Chilena). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. Col. McCall, who has seen this bird in large numbers in Texas, -represents it as habitually frequenting the ground in the vicinity of -water, and especially abundant on both sides of the Rio Grande. It is -slow and heavy in flight, and a dull, sluggish bird in all its habits, -partaking in these respects of the general characters of the Vultures. - -The affinities of this species we regard at present as uncertain, and -arrange it provisionally only in the present genus and sub-family, but -by no means agreeing in our views with late European ornithologists. - -The foregoing are all the birds of this family which can be regarded as -well-established species inhabiting that portion of North America, -within our prescribed limits. - -Respecting their history, one of the most important questions to the -naturalist is, the change of plumage from young to mature age, and -another change which takes place in assuming their spring or summer and -their winter liveries. The latter change is by no means well understood -in many species, and to ascertain it completely in any one would yet be -an interesting contribution to its history. - -A few species are known only as of exceedingly rare occurrence in the -United States, but the larger number are sufficiently numerous to be -investigated without difficulty. Of the former, the Washington Eagle -(_Haliaetus Washingtonii_), Harlan’s Buzzard (_Buteo Harlani_), the -Black Hawk, the Rough-legged Hawk (_Archibuteo sancti-johannis_ and -_lagopus_,) and nearly all the Western species, may be regarded as -particularly requiring further research. - -In the winter season, various species resort to the sea-coast, and -others to the margins of bays and rivers in considerable numbers. In the -vicinity of the cities these have, however, greatly diminished since the -introduction of steamboats and railroads. Steam-engines, and especially -locomotives, are innovations for which the Eagles and Hawks evidently -have no fancy. To the markets appropriated to the accommodation of -farmers and traders from the rural districts in all the cities on the -Atlantic seaboard, specimens are frequently brought for sale, a demand, -reliable to some extent, having arisen from collectors and amateurs. - -Occasionally an immense multitude of Hawks soaring high in the air, and -in company, has been observed. This curious phenomenon has been seen by -our friends, Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington -city; Dr. Hoy, of Racine, Wisconsin; and by ourselves. It occurs in -autumn, and is probably incidental to migration; but its exact character -and object is unknown, and involves an interesting inquiry. It is -necessarily temporary, as the procuring of suitable food by such a large -number of rapacious birds would be impossible. - -In the western and northern regions of North America, the birds of this -family are particularly worthy of the attention of the traveller and -naturalist, and would undoubtedly well repay him in the discovery of -unknown species. This is the case also in the States of Florida and -Texas, to the latter of which, very probably, some of the many Mexican -species are visitors, that have not yet been noticed. - -In Oregon and Russian-America, there are also very probably species -which have not been recognized as inhabitants of this continent, though -well known as birds of Northern Asia, and others entirely unknown to -naturalists. - - - B. - -Doubtful and obscure species which have been described as inhabiting -North America. - - 1. Falco americanus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 257. (1788.) The - Black-cheeked Eagle. Pennant, Arctic Zoology, I. p. 227. - - “With a dusky and blue-bill; yellow cere; head, neck and breast of a - deep ash-color, each cheek marked with a broad black bar passing from - the corner of the mouth beyond the eyes; back, belly, wings, and tail, - black; legs yellow; feathered below the knees. Is about the size of - the last (the Golden Eagle) North America,” (Pennant, as above.) - -Of this bird, Gmelin gives a short abstract of Pennant’s description, -and applies a scientific name. Naturalists relying solely on that -abstract, have erroneously considered the species meant as the Golden -Eagle (_A. chrysaetus_), and the name _Falco americanus_ has accordingly -been usually quoted as a synonyme. Though “feathered below the knees” is -somewhat indefinite, yet, taken in connexion with “legs yellow,” it is -clear that this cannot be the Golden Eagle, which has the tarsus densely -feathered. There is no North American species known to which the -original description applies. - - 2. Falco candidus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 258. (1788.) The Louisiana - White Eagle. Lath., Syn., I. p. 36. Du Pratz, Hist. Louisiane, - II. p. 109. - Falco conciliator. Shaw, Gen. Zool. Aves., VII. p. 77. (1809.) - - White; tips of the wings black. Smaller than the Golden Eagle. - -This bird is represented by Du Pratz as held in high estimation by the -aborigines of Louisiana, who used its feathers for ornamenting the -calumet or symbol of peace. It may have been an albino of a known -species, or distinct and now unknown. The description applies to a -beautiful Mexican species, _Buteo Ghiesbrectii_ (Dubus), which is about -the size of the Red-tailed Hawk (_B. borealis_), and should it ever be -observed in Louisiana, the question may be considered as settled. - - 3. Falco variegatus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 267. (1788.) The Speckled - Buzzard. Lath., Syn., I. p. 97. - - “Length more than 12 inches; in shape like our common buzzard. The - bill is dusky; the whole head and neck as far as the shoulders - whitish; the shaft of each feather blotched irregularly with - rusty-brown; back and wing-coverts brown, several of the feathers, - especially on the wing-coverts, are spotted with white; tail dark - brown, crossed with several bars; but these are nearly obsolete, - appearing on close inspection; the quills are very dark, almost black; - the under parts from the breast are white; down the shaft of each - feather is a blotch of brown; these marks spread out larger and - broader as they proceed downwards to the belly; thighs pretty much the - same; vent plain white; legs yellow; claws black. A fine specimen of - this bird is in the Leverian Museum, which came from North America.” - (Latham, as above.) - -Generally cited as a synonyme for the Marsh Hawk, _Circus hudsonius_, -with, as we think, but a small degree of propriety. It appears to us to -be the young of either _Buteo pennsylvanicus_ or _Accipiter cooperii_, -or an unknown bird. - - 4. Falco albidus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 267. (1788.) The Buzzardet. - Penn., Arct. Zool., I. p. 245. - - “With dusky bill; head, cheeks, neck, breast and belly white, marked - with large brown spots more sparingly dispersed over the breast and - belly; lesser coverts brown; the others colored like the head; - primaries dusky; thighs white, with small sagittal spots of brown; - tail dusky, barred and tipped with white; legs yellow. Length, 15 - inches. It has much the habit of the Buzzard, but the legs in - proportion are rather longer. In the Leverian Museum. Except in the - almost uniform color of the tail, Mr. Latham’s species, p. 97, No. 83, - agrees with this (which is the preceding _F. variegatus_). North - America.” (Pennant, as above.) - -Probably the same as the preceding. - - 5. Falco obsoletus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 268. (1788.) The plain - Falcon. Penn., Arct. Zool., I. p. 242. - - “Bill black; head dusky; nape spotted with white; back and coverts of - the wings and tail of an uniform deep brown; under-side of the neck, - breast, belly and thighs deep brown, slightly spotted with white; - primaries dusky; inner webs marked with great oval spots of white, - mottled with brown; middle feathers of the tail plain brown; inner - webs of the rest mottled with white; exterior webs and ends slightly - edged with the same; legs strong; wing reaches near the length of the - tail. Length, from bill to tail, 2 feet 1 inch. Inhabits Hudson’s - Bay.” (Pennant, as above.) - -We are acquainted with no bird to which this description and measurement -apply. - - 6. Falco spadiceus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 273. (1788.) The - Chocolate-colored Falcon. Penn., Arctic Zool., I. p. 234, pl. - 9. - - “With a short and black bill, and yellow cere. The whole plumage of a - deep bay or chocolate color, in parts tinged with ferruginous; - primaries black; the lower exterior sides of a pure white, forming a - conspicuous spot or speculum; the wings reach to the end of the tail; - the exterior sides of the five outermost feathers of the tail dusky; - their inner sides blotched with black and white; the two middle black - and cinereous; the legs _and toes_ feathered, the last remarkably - short. Length, 1 foot 10 inches. Inhabits Hudson’s Bay and - Newfoundland. Preys much on ducks. Sits on a rock and watches their - rising, when it instantly strikes at them.” (Pennant, as above.) - -Regarded by authors as a synonyme for the Black Hawk (_Archibuteo -sancti-johannis_), but the description suits better the Ferruginous -Buzzard (_A. ferrugineus_). Neither of these has, however, the _toes_ -feathered, nor otherwise entirely agrees with the description. It may be -an unknown species. - - 7. Falco obscurus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 281. (1788.) The Dusky - Falcon. Penn., Arct. Zool., I. p. 248. - - “With a bluish bill; upper mandible armed with a sharp process; yellow - cere; head, neck and coverts of the wings and tail dusky brown, - slightly edged with ferruginous; hind part of the neck spotted with - white; primaries dusky; inner webs marked with oval spots of a pale - rust color; tail short, tipped with white, and barred with four broad - dusky _strokes_, and the same number of narrow ones of white; the hind - part of the head spotted with white; from the chin to the tail - whitish, streaked downwards with distinct lines of black; legs deep - yellow. Inferior in size to the last (_F. dubius_ or _fusca_). - Inhabits the province of New York.” (Pennant, as above.) - -Cited by authors as a synonyme for the sharp-skinned Hawk (_Accipiter -fuscus_), which seems to be erroneous, though correct enough if -reference only be made to Gmelin’s compilation of Pennant’s description. -The latter, as quoted above, and which is the original, appears to apply -to _Falco columbarius_ (Linn.), but not with sufficient accuracy to be -without doubt, and we know of no bird at present inhabiting “the -province of New York” that it entirely suits. - - 8. Aquila maculosa. Vieill., Ois d’Am. Sept., I. p. 28, pl. 3 bis. - (1807.) - - Upper part of the head, nape, neck, and mantle, black; eyebrow white, - bordered by a black line from the eye; space between the bill and eye - and cere blue, the former with scattered hairs; iris yellow; throat - and breast white, every feather with a longitudinal central stripe of - black; abdomen black, many feathers having circular spots of white; - tibia and under tail-coverts ferruginous, with central spots of - brownish; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with transverse stripes - of black; quills and tail leaden gray above, light bluish-gray - beneath; feet orange; claws blackish. Total length, about 25 inches; - wing, 16; tail, 10 inches. - -An excellent figure of this bird is given by Vieillot, as above, but -which represents no species with which we are acquainted. In general -appearance it resembles _Phalcobænus carunculatus_, Des Murs (Rev. et -Mag. de Zool., April, 1853, p. 154), a South American species, of which -specimens are in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. Though -given by Vieillot as a bird of North America (as above, and in Nouv. -Dict., XXXII. p. 56), we suspect that he was mistaken. - - 9. Sparvius ardosiaceus. Vieill., Ency. Meth., III. p. 1274. (1823). - - Body above, bluish slate color; beneath, ferruginous, with transverse - white bands; chin white; bill bluish-black; feet orange; cere and - edges of the mouth dull green; quills and tail brownish-black; - eyebrows dull white; tail slightly forked. North America. - -Possibly _Accipiter fuscus_, but we regard it as quite remarkable that -Vieillot, at so late a date, should have again described that species, -being undoubtedly well acquainted with North American birds. We -recollect no bird which exactly suits this description. - - 10. Falco Bachmanii. Aud., Orn. Biog., V. p. 334. (1839, the date on - the title-page of this volume is erroneously printed 1849.) - - “I have several times seen in South Carolina a Hawk flying, equal in - size to _Falco lineatus_, and remarkable for the great breadth of its - wings. It was of a uniform brown color, excepting the tail, which was - barred with white. The same bird has also been repeatedly observed by - my friend, Dr. Bachman, who feels assured of its being distinct from - any other Hawk hitherto found in North America.” (Audubon, as above.) - -This is the entire and only description published and the species -alluded to has never been identified, to our knowledge. - - 11. Milvus leucomelas. Rafinesque, Annals of Nature, part I. p. 4. - (1820.) - - “White, unspotted; top of head and part of the back, wings, tail, and - bill, black; feet yellow. It is found in West Kentucky and Illinois; - it feeds on fishes, and is therefore called Fishing Hawk. Size small, - tail quite forked.” (Raf., as above.) - -This is a puzzler. If any such bird exists, it has escaped late -researches, though we very much suspect that Rafinesque ventured a -description on reports, rather oddly confounding the Forked-tailed Hawk -(_Nauclerus_) and the Osprey, or Fish Hawk (_Pandion_). - - 12. Aquila dicronyx. Rafinesque, Atlantic Journal, p. 63. (1832.) - -The specimen described under this name was the same that is alluded to -by Mr. Audubon in his article on the White-headed Eagle, in Orn. Biog., -II. p. 163, as being kept in captivity in the suburbs of Philadelphia, -and this description and its author he also alludes to. We mention this -bird for the purpose of facilitating the student who may not have access -to the works of Rafinesque, and for the purpose of pointing out a -curious error into which Mr. Audubon and Dr. Harlan, as quoted by him, -seem to have fallen, in regarding it as the White-headed or Bald Eagle -(_Haliaetus leucocephalus_). It is expressly stated by Rafinesque to -have been brought from “near Buenos Ayres,” and was evidently, from his -description, the _Circaetus coronatus_ of South America. This name is -therefore by no means to be cited as a synonyme for _Haliaetus -leucocephalus_. - - 13. Falco doliatus. Shaw, Gen. Zool., Aves., VII. p. 77. (1809.) - - “Length ten inches; bill violet; cere, irides, and legs, yellow; tail - marked with whitish bars more apparent beneath than above; under - tail-coverts and flanks brown, with two or three round white spots on - each side of the shaft; thighs ferruginous, with black shafts. - Inhabits Carolina, observed by Bosc.” (Shaw, as above.) - -Probably the young of either _Hypotriorchis columbarius_ or _Accipiter -fuscus_, but quite impossible to identify from such a meagre -description. - - 14. Falco glaucus. Bartram, Travels, p. 290. (1791.) Barton, Fragments - of the Nat. Hist. of Penna., p. 11. (1799.) - - “The sharp-winged hawk, of a pale sky-blue color, the top of the wings - black.” (Bartram, as above.) - -This insufficient description has been supposed to be intended for the -adult of the Marsh Hawk (_Circus hudsonius_), but Barton (as above) -applies it to the _Nauclerus furcatus_. It is probably one or the other. - - 15. Falco subceruleus. Bartram, Travels, p. 290. (1791.) - - “The sharp-winged hawk, of a dark or dusky blue color.” (Bartram, as - above.) - -Impossible to identify, from its brevity. It may be either the -Mississippi Kite (_Ictinia mississippiensis_), the Fork-tailed Hawk -(_Nauclerus furcatus_), or the adult Marsh Hawk (_Circus hudsonius_). - -16. The following names have been given without descriptions, by the -authors cited:— - - Falco regalis. The great Gray Eagle. Bartram, Trav., p. 290. - Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna., p. 11. - Falco gallinarius. The Hen Hawk. Bartr. Trav., p. 290. - Falco pullarius. The Chicken Hawk. Bartr. Trav., p. 290. - Falco ranivorus. The Marsh Hawk. Bartr. Trav., p. 290. - Falco piscatorius. The Fishing Eagle. Bartram, Trav., p. 290. - Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna., p. 2, 17. - Falco cæsius. The Blue Hawk. Ord., Zool. N. A., in Guthrie’s Geog, - I. p. 315. - -The above embrace all the names and descriptions of birds of this family -that have come under our notice, except those of such as are now well -ascertained to inhabit other countries exclusively, and for which nearly -allied species of North America have been mistaken. Of the latter we may -more particularly mention the European _Falco rusticolus_ (Linn.), which -is given by Fabricius as a bird of Greenland, but stated by Holboll to -have been the young of _F. anatum_, and _Buteo vulgaris_ and -_Hypotriorchis æsalon_, both of which are also European species, and -have never been found in America to our knowledge, though there are -species which are nearly related to them. - -The student may advantageously bear in mind that of those above, which -were originally described by Pennant, in English, abstracts or -compilations only, in Latin, are given by Gmelin in his edition of the -Systema Natura of Linnæus. These abstracts are mostly very short, and -not always to be relied on as conveying strictly the sense of the -originals. Nor are they at all improved by Turton in his edition of -Linnæus, in which, so far as relates to these species, he merely -retranslates into English the Latin text of Gmelin without reference to -Pennant. In the study of the obscure species alluded to, the original -descriptions only can be consulted without risk of error. - - [Illustration: Plate 16 - The American Lanier - Falco polyagrus (_Cassin_)] - - - - - FALCO POLYAGRUS.—Cassin. - The American Lanier Falcon. - PLATE XVI.—Male and Female. - - -The researches of late naturalists have tended to demonstrate that the -animals of Western North America have a more intimate relationship with -those of Asia and the old world generally than those of the Eastern -portion of this continent. Nor is this affinity restricted, apparently, -to any one class, or to such as might have migrated, but is found to -exist in a greater or less degree in classes of animals, as that of -reptiles, possessing powers of locomotion too limited to admit of such -supposition. When, too, we have had our attention directed to the family -of Sparrows and Finches, to the beautiful Jays and Magpies, or the -various species of Grouse, Partridges, and many other families, we have -been almost persuaded to entertain the opinion that the birds of Western -America are of a higher grade of organization than those of the Atlantic -States. Whether such is the case in other classes of animals, we are not -prepared to say, but, if true, it is singularly accordant with the fact -that, of the aboriginal American races of men, the West has produced the -superior. And it is remarkable, too, that there are Western tribes which -very intimately resemble the Mongolian variety of the human race, if -they do not really belong to it; thus connecting themselves with the -Chinese and Japanese, and other nations of Northern Asia. - -The remarkable Falcon which we now have the pleasure of introducing to -the reader, is one of the species that show close affinity to an Asiatic -congener. It is so much like a common Falcon of India, a bird much used -for the purposes of falconry, and known by the name of the _Jugger_, in -the valley of the Indus and other parts of India (_Falco jugger._ Gray, -Ill. of Indian Zoology, II. pl. 26, and Jerdon, Ill. Indian Orn., pl. -44), that it can scarcely be distinguished from it by any character, -except size. It is in fact one of the most remarkable instances of close -proximity to an Asiatic relative to be found in American birds. It is -larger than the Indian _Jugger_, and more powerful and robustly -organized. - -Though trained for the chase, the Asiatic bird alluded to is not held in -as high estimation as several others; the greatest favorites being the -Peregrine Falcon (_Falco peregrinus_), nearly related to the Duck Hawk -of the Atlantic coast of America (_F. anatum_), and the Indian Goshawk -(_Astur palumbarius_), which is also a relative of an American species. -Falconry, though now little cultivated in Europe, is yet a much-pursued -and favorite pastime in several countries of the East. In addition to -the Hawks just mentioned, several others, a few of which are more or -less nearly related to species of this country, are employed. Some of -the smaller Hawks of India are so easily trained that they are set free -at the close of a hunting season, the Falconer not considering them of -sufficient value to induce him to keep them until another. - -The home of the bird now before us, appears to be the mountainous -regions of Oregon and California, from which it descends in the winter -season to the lower districts, in the valleys of the rivers, and on the -shores of the Pacific. In the former country, near the sources of the -Platte river, the first specimen that we ever saw, was obtained by the -late Dr. John K. Townsend during his trip across the continent in the -year 1834, and in whose collection, now belonging to the Philadelphia -Academy, it yet remains. Since that period it has been observed in the -Rocky Mountains and on the Columbia river, by the naturalists attached -to the United States Exploring Expedition, in the Vincennes and Peacock. -In the fine zoological collection made by this expedition, is preserved -the only female specimen, in the dark plumage, described below, yet -known to have been brought to the attention of naturalists. In -California, Dr. Heermann particularly noticed this bird, and his -collection contains several specimens which he obtained in the plains -near Sacramento city. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Falco. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 124. (1766.) - -General form compact and strong; bill strong, short, with a distinct and -sharp tooth in the upper mandible; wings long, pointed; tail moderate, -or rather long; tarsi short, robust; toes long, claws large, curved, -sharp; tarsi covered with hexagonal or circular scales. A genus of birds -remarkable for their courage and very rapid flight, species of which are -found in all countries. - - Falco polyagrus. Cassin, Birds of California and Texas, I. p. 88. - (1853.) - -Form robust; wings rather long, second and third quills longest, and -nearly equal; tail rather long; bill short, rather wide at base; tooth -in the upper mandible prominent. - -Dimensions. Female. Total length of skin, about 20 inches; wing, 14; -tail, 8 inches. - -Colors. Female nearly adult. Narrow frontal band, line over the eye, and -entire under parts white; narrow stripe from the corner of the mouth -running downwards, dark brown; some feathers on the breast, and abdomen -with longitudinal stripes and spots of brown, which color forms a large -and conspicuous spot on the flank. Entire upper parts brown, paler on -the rump, many feathers with rufous edgings; tail above pale -grayish-brown, with transverse bars of white, and narrowly tipped with -white; quills dark grayish-brown, with numerous bars of white On their -inner-webs; under wing-coverts dark brown; edge of the wing at the -shoulder and below, white, spotted with brown. The brown of the back -extending somewhat on to the breast at the wing. Bill, bluish horn -color, under mandible yellow at its base. Large space around the eye, -bare, with a narrow edging of brown on the first plumage by which it is -encircled. - -Younger female. Entire plumage above and below, brownish-black; throat -white; many feathers on the under parts with edgings and circular spots -of white; under wing-coverts also with circular spots of white, and the -under tail-coverts with wide transverse stripes of the same. - -Young male? Frontal band nearly obsolete; entire upper parts uniform -pale brown, with narrow rufous stripes on the head; under parts white, -with a tinge of fulvous, and nearly every feather with a narrow -longitudinal stripe of blackish-brown; large spaces on the flanks, -brown; tarsi and feet, lead-colored. - -Hab. Oregon and California. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington; and Mus. -Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This is the only American Falcon yet discovered, which belongs to -the group forming the sub-genus _Gennaia_, Kaup., which contains _Falco -laniarius_, Linn., (Gould, B. of Eur., I. pl 20); _Falco biarmiaus_, -Temm., (Pl. col., 324); _Falco jugger_, Gray, and several other species. -It especially resembles the last, but is larger, and we are at present -of opinion that the young of the two species differ in the colors of -their plumage. - - - - - PIPILO FUSCA.—Swainson. - The Cañon Finch. - PLATE XVII.—Adult Male. - - -This plain-plumaged and sober-looking bird is another of the feathered -inhabitants of the mountainous wilds of California and New Mexico. -Numerous specimens have been brought in the various collections which -have been made in those countries, and it may be regarded as one of the -most abundant of the peculiar species of Western America. - -It was first described, however, by Mr. Swainson, from Mexican -specimens. - -Our friend, T. Charlton Henry, M. D., of the United States Army, a -zealous and talented young naturalist, who has been for some years in -New Mexico, has noticed this bird at all seasons in that country. For -much valuable and satisfactory information relating to the birds to be -included in the present work, we are indebted to this gentleman, amongst -whose notes in our possession we find the following, relating to the -species now before the reader:— - -“This bird is common in New Mexico during both summer and winter, and so -far as I have observed, lives almost entirely in the mountains. It is -very retiring in its habits, and seems to prefer the cañons; indeed, I -have seldom observed it far from some shady gorge, where, like its -relative of the Eastern States, the Towhe-Bunting (_Pipilo -erythropthalma_), it passes the greater part of its time on the ground, -and is generally accompanied by its congener, the Arctic Ground Finch -(_Pipilo arctica_). When disturbed, it seeks the thickest cover, though -it is by no means shy nor difficult to approach. Its nest is usually -constructed in the thick branches of a cedar or dwarf oak, and I am not -aware of its producing more than a single brood in a season. - -“The only note that I have ever heard this bird utter, is a simple -chirp, somewhat resembling that of the Fox Sparrow (_F. iliaca_), but -more subdued. It is usually to be met with in pairs, at all seasons.” - -Col. McCall observed this bird to be abundant also in California, and -with his usual kindness, has furnished a notice of it for our present -article. - -“The _habitat_ of this species, I am inclined to believe, extends -throughout California, as I met with it from the upper waters of the -Sacramento river to the mouth of the Gila, the former having its origin -in the north, the latter debouching at the extreme southern boundary of -the State; yet, it is by far the most abundant from Santa Barbara -southwardly. - - [Illustration: Plate 17 - The Cañon Finch - Pipilo fusca (_Swainson_)] - -“The habits and manners of this species differ somewhat from those of -its relatives, the Towhe and the Arctic Finch (_P. erythropthalmus_, and -_P. arctica_). Its flight is more even and regular, as it is without -that violent jerking of the tail from side to side which gives such -singularity and appearance of awkwardness to the movements of the Towhe. -It is also less shy and suspicious than the Arctic Finch, which I -occasionally met with in the same regions. The latter I had previously -observed with attention in New Mexico, where I procured specimens; and -all my observations lead me to pronounce the present species less -decidedly a _Ground Finch_ than either of the others, although all are -doubtless closely allied. - -“The favorite abode of this species appeared to be the vicinity of -water-courses, where it was generally seen singly or in pairs, though I -have at times surprised eight or ten together, under the shade of a -large bush, at noon in a summer-day; and at such times I had no -difficulty in procuring, with my gun, three or four specimens before the -party was dispersed. In fact, it appeared at all times a familiar bird, -boldly coming into the roads to feed, and permitting the close approach -of a person either mounted or on foot. If compelled to retreat, it -darted suddenly into the thicket, but returned again as soon as the -cause of alarm had disappeared. Near Santa Barbara, in the month of -July, I found thirty or forty of these birds dispersed over an old field -of some five acres in extent, lying contiguous to the sea-beach, and -through which a small stream of fresh water trickled as it crept -silently away to the sea. Here they were feeding on the ground, -sheltered by a rank growth of weeds; and when I flushed one of them as I -walked along, he almost invariably flew into a neighboring tree, instead -of seeking shelter again in the weeds at a little distance. - -“At this time, the birds of the year were fully fledged, and scarcely -differed in the color of their plumage from the adults. The rufous tints -of the head, the wing-coverts, and the lower parts generally, being only -rather more bright and distinct in the old birds than in the others.” - -The collections made in California by both Mr. Bell and Dr. Heermann, -contained many fine specimens of this species. According to the latter -(in Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, quarto, II. p. 267), it builds -its nest always in a bush or tree, in which respect it differs from the -Arctic Ground Finch (_Pipilo arctica_), another Western species, which -builds on the ground, and from others of the same genus, in this respect -confirming the observation of Dr. Henry, as given in a preceding page. -Dr. Heermann’s observations possess an especial interest, from his -having so carefully stated the peculiarities of the construction of the -nests and other facts relating to the nidification of many species. He -says, respecting the present bird: “I found one nest built in a -grape-vine, overhanging the Sacramento river, and all that I have seen -were placed in the immediate vicinity of water. The nest is composed of -coarse twigs and grasses, and lined with fine roots. The eggs, four in -number, are of a pale blue color, dashed with black spots, and -interspersed with a few faint neutral tint blotches, which are more -abundant at the larger end.” - -The name Cañon Finch we have taken the liberty of adopting from Dr. -Henry’s manuscript notes in our possession: it was very appropriately -given by him with reference to the localities which he has observed to -be the favorite haunts of this bird in the mountains of the Far West. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Pipilo. Vieillot, Analyse, p. 32. (1816.) - -Form lengthened, but rather robust; bill short, conical, strong; wings -short, rounded, the fourth primary usually longest, but little longer -than the third and fifth; tail long, wide, much rounded at the end; -tarsi and toes strong, compressed. An American genus, comprising several -species of both divisions of this continent. - - Pipilo fusca. Swainson. Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 434. - -Form large for this genus; bill rather longer than in other species; -tail long, and composed of broad feathers. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) from tip of bill to end of tail, -about 9 inches; wing, 4⅛; tail, 4⅝ inches. - -Colors. Entire upper parts olive-brown, with a rufous tinge on the head, -and ashy on the scapulars and wing-coverts. Nares, circle around the eye -and throat, pale rufous; the latter spotted with black. Breast, sides, -and flanks, cinereous; middle of the abdomen white, with a tinge of -fulvous; under tail-coverts bright fulvous. Quills and tail-feathers -brown, the former edged exteriorly with ashy, the latter with olive. -Bill and feet light. Sexes very nearly alike. - -Hab. California and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This bird resembles no other species of its genus, except _Pipilo -Aberti_, Baird, (Stansbury’s Report of a Survey of the Valley of the -Great Salt Lake of Utah, Zoology, p. 325, 1852). From this it differs in -the color of the throat, that of the latter being uniform with the other -inferior parts of the body, and in other characters. - -The figure in our plate represents the adult male about two-thirds of -the natural size. - - [Illustration: Plate 18 - The Scarlet-crowned Flycatcher - Pyrocephalus rubineus (_Boddaert_)] - - - - - PYROCEPHALUS RUBINEUS.—Boddaert. - The Scarlet-crowned Flycatcher. - PLATE XVIII.—Adult and Young Males. - - -This bright-plumaged little bird is a summer visitor to Texas and New -Mexico, in which countries it rears its young, and appears to be an -inhabitant also not only of Mexico, but of nearly the whole of Central -and South America. It has been long known as a bird of the last-named -division of this continent, though but recently ascertained to be a -resident within the limits of the United States, having been first -observed in Texas by Captain J. P. McCown, of the United States Army, in -1850, and announced as an addition to the ornithology of North America, -by Mr. Lawrence, in the Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural -History, V. p. 115. In some interesting notes on the birds of Texas, by -Capt. McCown, published in the same journal, VI. p. 12, we find the -following in reference to the present species: - -“This beautiful little Flycatcher is seldom seen. I did not notice over -a dozen of them while in Western Texas. I always found them near the -ponds along the Rio Grande, and generally on a tree or stake near the -water. The only nest I ever found was built upon a _retama_ (a variety -of acacia), over the water, and I was not able to procure it. The female -is quite a plain bird.” - -Our friend, Lieut. D. N. Couch, one of the several officers of the Army -who have greatly contributed to the knowledge of the Natural History of -little-explored portions of this country, and the results of whose -observations have most generously been placed at our disposal, met with -this bird in small numbers in Northern Mexico. From many valuable -papers, which will add much to the interest of the present work, and for -which we are indebted to this gentleman, we make the following extract: - -“This bird was first seen at Charco Escondido, in Tamaulipas, on the -tenth of March. The male had evidently preceded the female in his -arrival, as the latter was not observed until several weeks afterwards. -Early in the morning, and again about sunset, he came to the artificial -lake that is constructed here for the supplying of water to the -inhabitants, and appeared to be of a very quiet and inoffensive -disposition, usually sitting on the upper branches of the trees, -occasionally uttering a low chirp. Subsequently, it was met with in -Nueva Leon, though I had little opportunity of observing its habits. It -appeared, however, to be in some respects similar in its manners to the -smaller species of the Northern Flycatchers.” - -Dr. Henry has also met with the present bird in the vicinity of Fort -Webster, New Mexico. He represents it, however, as of exceedingly rare -occurrence, so far as he has observed, and fully confirms the statements -given above, respecting its partiality for the neighborhood of water. -His first specimen, a male in full plumage, was obtained on the Rio -Miembres, near Fort Webster, in the month of March, 1853. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Pyrocephalus. Gould, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Birds, p. 44. (1841.) - -General form compact and rather heavy; bill depressed, wide at base, -rather long, acute, with an indentation near the tip of the upper -mandible, and with several pairs of bristles at its base; wing long, the -second and third quills longest, and nearly equal; tail ample, wide; -tarsi rather long, slender; toes moderate or short. The species -generally have the feathers of the head above lengthened and crest-like, -and with other parts of the plumage of a fine scarlet color. An American -genus of Flycatchers inhabiting the southern portion of the northern and -nearly the whole of the southern division of this continent. - - Pyrocephalus rubineus. (Boddaert.) - Muscicapa rubineus. Bodd., Tab. dez Pl. Enl. Buff., p. 42. (1783.) - Muscicapa coronata. Gm., Syst. Nat., II. p. 932. (1788.) - -Form. Head above, from the base of the bill to the occiput, with long -crest-like feathers. General form rather broad and robust; wings and -tail long; legs slender. - -Dimensions. Male. Total length (of skin), about 5½ inches; wing, 3¼; -tail, 2½ inches. - -Colors. Adult Male. Long feathers of the head above, and entire under -parts, fine scarlet; brightest on the top of the head, palest on the -under tail-coverts. Upper parts of the body, line from behind the eye, -wings and tail, sepia brown; bill and feet dark. Under wing-coverts -frequently edged and tipped with pale red. - -Female. Entire upper parts plain sepia brown; under parts -yellowish-white, with a few longitudinal lines of brown. - -Young Male. Similar to the female, but with the flanks tinged with pale -red. - -Hab. Texas and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. On comparison of our specimens from Texas with others from various -parts of South America, we cannot at present find differences sufficient -to induce us to regard them in any other light than as one species. The -present is the first bird of its genus which has been observed within -the limits of the United States. - -The sexes of this species are quite unlike each other, the female having -none of the brilliant color of her companion. - -The figures in our plate represent the adult and young males about -two-thirds of the natural size. - - [Illustration: Plate 19 - The Blue Partridge - Callipepla squamata (_Vigors_)] - - - - - CALLIPEPLA SQUAMATA.—(Vigors.) - The Blue Partridge. The Scaly Partridge. - PLATE XIX.—Male and Female. - - -This is another of the fine game birds that inhabit the countries on the -southwestern frontier of the United States, and the adjoining regions of -Mexico. Though not presenting such gay colors in its plumage as the two -other Partridges which we have previously figured in the present work, -it is by no means destitute of claim to respect in personal appearance, -and in gracefulness and delicacy of form is not at all their inferior. -We have always particularly admired its ample and curious crest, which -is possessed by both male and female, and, though admitting of being -flattened so as to lie close on the head, is usually to be seen erect, -and gives it an air unusually spirited and striking. It is remarkable -for great swiftness in running, and is more of an insect-eater than is -usual in this family of birds. It is abundant in Texas and New Mexico. - -Specimens of this bird had reached Europe as early as 1830, in which -year it was first brought to the notice of naturalists by Mr. Vigors, -one of the founders of the Zoological Society of London, and one of the -most profound naturalists of the only school of systematic Zoology, the -Circularian and Quinarian, which Anglo-Saxon mind has yet produced, a -consideration one would think not slightly to be regarded. His -description is in the Zoological Journal, V. p. 275. It has, however, -always, until within a few years, been of great rarity in collections, -and nothing was known of its history or habits until the publication of -the valuable contributions to Natural History which have been made by -officers of the Army of the United States. - -The Blue Partridge was first noticed within the territory of the United -States, by Lieut. J. W. Abert, a son of the distinguished officer who -presides over the Topographical Department of the Army. In Lieut. -Abert’s very able and valuable “Report of an examination of New Mexico -in the years 1846-7,” made as an officer of Topographical Engineers, and -which, besides its great military and geographical usefulness, contains -much information relating to the natural history of that country, we -find several notices of this bird, one of which, occurring under date of -twelfth of November, 1846 (p. 497), we take the liberty of transferring -to our pages:— - -“After passing through the little town of Las Canas, we encountered -another hill of sand, very difficult of ascent, and after we reached the -top, we commenced the descent through a crooked ravine that was strewed -with fragments of rocks. On the way, we saw several flocks of crested -quails, which were running along with great rapidity among the clumps of -the Kreosote plant (_Larrea mexicana_). We procured one of them; at the -report of the gun, only three or four rose up; they seemed to depend -more on their fleetness of foot than swiftness of wing. This bird proved -to be the _Ortyx squamata_. The size, contour, and general character, -greatly resemble the common quail (_O. virginiana_); the plumage is of -soft, silvery gray, the iris hazel, and the crest fringed with white. On -opening the stomach, I found it filled with grass seeds and insects of -the order Hemiptera.” This is the earliest record of this bird having -been observed within the limits of the United States; subsequently, it -has been noticed by others. - -Capt. S. G. French, of the United States Army, to whom we are indebted -for fine specimens of this and other birds of Western America, has also -favored us with the following note:— - -“It was in 1846 that I first met with this bird near Camargo, on the Rio -Grande. At Monterey, none were to be found; but on the plains at Agua -Nueva, a few miles south of Saltillo, I observed them in considerable -numbers. - -“Since then, I have met with them occasionally on the Upper Rio Grande, -in the vicinity of El Paso, and some seventy miles down the river from -that place. They inhabit the same section of country with Gambel’s -Partridge, though I have never seen them associated together in the same -covey. Their favorite resorts are the sandy chaparral and mesquite -bushes, through which they run with great swiftness, resorting to the -wing only when suddenly alarmed by finding themselves too nearly -approached. - -“They appear to be very shy, and but seldom are found near habitations, -though I once saw a large covey run through my camp in the suburbs of El -Paso. - -“The bird that I sent you was killed on the Rio Grande, below El Paso, -in July last (1852).” - -Col. McCall, in his “Remarks on the habits, &c., of birds met with in -Western Texas,” in Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, V. p. 222, -thus alludes to the Blue Partridge:— - -“This species I have met with, at different times, throughout a more -extended region than either of the former (the Massena Partridge and -Gambel’s Partridge), viz.: from Camargo on the lower Rio Grande, to -Santa Fé. On the present occasion, they were more numerous between the -latter point and Don Ana than elsewhere. They seem to prefer the -vicinity of the greater water-courses to interior tracts. They are much -more wild than either of the preceding, and being extremely watchful and -swift of foot, they elude pursuit with surprising skill, scarcely -resorting to flight even in comparatively open, sandy ground. They do -not approach the settlements as much as the last. - -“For the table, all these species, however, possess in a high degree the -requisites of plump muscle and delicate flavour. Massena is, perhaps, -the best.” - -The following more extended and beautiful sketch, referring to this -Partridge, has been very kindly furnished by the same gentleman (Col. -McCall), for our present article:— - -“The _habitat_ of this species, as I have remarked elsewhere, embraces -an extensive region, the limits of which, though not yet positively -defined with any degree of accuracy, may, at least with reference to our -own territory, be asserted to lie principally within the valley of the -Rio Grande or Rio del Norte of Mexico. This valley, although -comparatively narrow, contains a country of great extent from north to -south; and embraces, in its stretch between the Rocky Mountains and the -Gulf of Mexico,—every variety of climate, from the extreme of cold to -that of tropical heat. This entire region, not even excepting the narrow -mountain-valleys, covered in winter with deep snows, is inhabited by the -species under consideration. I have met with it on the Rio Grande and -its affluents, from the 25th to the 38th degree of north latitude—that -is to say, from below Monterey, in Mexico, along the borders of the San -Juan river to its junction with the Rio Grande; and at different points -on the latter as high up as the Taos and other northern branches, which -gush from the mountain sides. I have also found it, though less -frequently, near the head of the Riado creek, which likewise rises in -the Rocky Mountains and flows eastwardly to the Canadian; further north -than this my examinations did not extend. - -“Now, as the Partridge, wherever found, is always _resident_, there is -in the extensive distribution above noted, good proof of a hardiness of -constitution possessed by no other species of American Partridge, except -the common or Virginia Partridge; for no other species has been found in -regions as cold and inhospitable as those I have named. Again, arguing -from analogy, if the plainer plumage is always found in birds inhabiting -more northern latitudes, my opinion is strengthened when I look upon the -plain and sober hues of the _Blue_ Partridge as contrasted with the -bright and more decided colors of the _Massena_, _California_, and -_Gambel’s_ Partridges, all of which prefer the milder regions, and shun -those of snow. - -“The habits, moreover, of this species are more like those of the common -Partridge than either of the others. I have shot these birds over a -pointer dog, and at times found them to lie sufficiently close to afford -good sport; this, however, it must be admitted, was not often the case, -and never, unless the cover was remarkably good; for, in general, they -are vigilant and wild, making their escape by running on the first -approach of danger. In swiftness of foot none of the family can compete -with them. When running, they keep the body erect and hold the head -high; and in this attitude they seem fairly to skim over the surface of -the ground. On such occasions the white plume is erected and spread out -like a fan, or rather like an old fashioned _chapeau de bras_, worn fore -and aft: this gives them a trim, jaunty air, that is peculiarly pleasing -and attractive. I remember once being particularly struck with the -beautiful appearance thus presented by a large covey that I came upon -suddenly in open sandy ground. It was in the month of February, just at -sunrise; I was half asleep on my horse, and thoroughly benumbed with -cold (having been in the saddle since two hours before daybreak, in -order to reach Eagle Spring by breakfast time), when a sudden start of -my horse roused me into wakefulness. On looking up, I beheld about -twenty of these birds in the trail a few yards in advance. Contrary to -their usual manner, they were strutting along, or rather slowly walking -away; and with their white _chapeaux_ spread out to the full extent, -they glanced over their shoulders and clucked to each other as if -uncertain whether danger threatened or not. I drew up my horse and -looked on with delight, until the little fellows finally took to their -heels and swiftly glided away to the nearest cover. This little incident -having restored me to full consciousness, I cast my eyes around, and -never shall I forget the sublime prospect that then burst upon my -enchanted gaze. - -“A more glorious, a more heavenly dawn of day than this, it is -impossible to conceive! The heavy dew of the preceding night has been -congealed, and the whole country is white with frost. The rising sun -casts his broad beams over the vast plain, and in an instant its surface -is brilliant with sparkling crystals. - -“The abrupt and isolated peaks, whose soft parts the frosts and storms -of past ages have loosened and swept away, seem in the distance to rear -still higher their lofty summits, now crowned with glittering diadems. -On all sides, to the farthest extent of my powers of vision, the varied -prospect is open to my view—hereaway, strongly defined, I behold the -bold outline of the Apache mountains; yonder, I regard, with admiration -growing as I gaze, the countless undulations of the prairie, each as it -succeeds the other diminishing in the distance until the last faint wave -is blended with the blue horizon. Still admiring as I turn, I find my -horse at last fairly faced about; and now another view, the grandest, -the strangest of all, is presented to my almost bewildered senses. It is -the _mirage_! Wonderful illusion, cruel mockery—how often hast thou -deceived the famished wanderer of the plains with the semblance of -water; leading him on farther and farther, and leaving him at last -sinking and exhausted in the midst of the desert! - -“Behold! I clearly see a broad lake of bright water, with noble trees -growing on either hand; and nothing but the positive knowledge that this -counterfeit lake lies directly across the road over which I have just -passed, and the perfect certainty under which I rest, from actual -examination, that neither wood nor water is to be found in that -direction within thirty miles, can persuade me that what I now look upon -is not real! But I will return from this digression—yet, if this page -ever meets the eyes of my two companions on that expedition (Lieutenants -B—— and M——, of the 3d), they will remember the glorious sunrise, the -mirage, and finally, the covey of Partridges to which I have here -alluded. - -“This species is found farther to the south on the Mexican side of the -Rio Grande than on our own, owing probably to the rugged character of -the country there, for I never met with it anywhere in low grounds. The -first appearance it makes in Texas is a little above Rhinosa, on the -first highlands on this side encountered in ascending the river from its -mouth. Thence up to the Rocky Mountains, the birds of this species may -be considered denizens of the United States, being about equally -distributed on both sides of the great river.” - -In a paper in the “Registro Trimestre,” I. p. 144 (Mexico, 1832), Don -Pablo de la Llave, an able Mexican naturalist, gives a description of -this bird, and names it _Tetrao cristata_. He had kept it, with other -species, in captivity, and of his notice of it we give the following -translation: “The second species is considerably smaller than the -preceding,” (_Tetrao marmorata_, Llave, which is _Ortyx macroura_, -Jardine and Selby). “It has on its head a crest of feathers very erect -and soft, bill black, the neck moderate, body elongated, much -compressed, feet robust, gray or blackish, small, and have, more than in -_Tetrao_, the appearance of the Larks or Buntings. It is almost entirely -of a lead color, with the feathers of the breast speckled with black, -and those of the sides with many longitudinal bands of white. Its voice -is very much varied, and that of the male is loud, sounding like a -castanet, at the same time raising and depressing its head. - -“I have not observed in this bird any courage;—it is very timid; all its -movements are rapid, and notwithstanding that I have fed my specimens -for a long time, every day they become more wild and intractable. - -“It inhabits the _Mezquite_ regions in Northern Mexico.” - -The contents of the stomachs of Capt. French’s specimens were -hemipterous insects, some of which were very minute, with a few seeds -and pods. - -Our plate represents the male and female, which are nearly alike in -plumage, about two-thirds of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Callipepla. Wagler in Isis, 1832, p. 277. - Callipepla squamata. (Vigors.) - Ortyx squamatus. Vig. Zool. Jour., V. p. 275. (1830.) - Callipepla strenua. Wagler, Isis, XXV. p. 278. (1832.) - Tetrao cristata. Llave, Registro Trimestre, I. p. 144. (1832.) - -Form. Robust, body compressed; head with long, erectile, crest-like -feathers; bill rather strong, curved; wings short, with the fourth quill -slightly longest, tertiaries long; tail rather long, ample, rounded; -legs and feet moderate; tongue pointed, very acute at the tip; nostrils -large. - -Dimensions. Total length of skins, 8½ to 9 inches; of specimens in -spirits (from Capt. French), 10 inches; wing, 4½; tail 3¼ inches. - -Colors. Head light yellowish cinereous, with a tinge of brown; feathers -of the crest broadly tipped with white. All other parts of the plumage -light bluish ash color, paler on the under parts and nearly white on the -abdomen; nearly every feather of the under parts and of a wide ring -around the back of the neck, with a central arrow-head, of brownish -black, and with a narrow but very distinct edging of the same. Flanks -with longitudinal central stripes, and in some specimens with circular -spots of white. Middle of the abdomen frequently with a large spot of -pale chestnut; under tail-coverts nearly white, with longitudinal -stripes of dark ash and brown. Quills light ashy-brown; shorter -tertiaries frequently edged with yellowish-white on their inner webs; -bill, black; irides, hazel; tarsi, brownish lead-colored. The width of -the white tips of the feathers of the crest varies in different -specimens. Sexes very nearly alike; female slightly paler, and not so -fully crested. - -Hab. Texas and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., -Washington. - -Obs. This species does not resemble any other at present known, and is -therefore easily recognized. It is the type of Wagler’s genus -_Callipepla_, in which are also arranged the California Partridge and -Gambel’s Partridge. - - [Illustration: Plate 20 - The Brown-headed Finch - Ammodromus ruficeps (_Cassin_)] - - - - - AMMODROMUS RUFICEPS.—Cassin. - The Western Swamp Sparrow. - PLATE XX.—Adult Male. - - -The only information that we can present to the reader respecting the -bird now before him, is, that specimens were brought from California in -the collections made by Mr. Bell and Dr. Heermann. It appears to have -been overlooked by all other naturalists,—a circumstance probably not to -be attributed to its rarity in its native country, so much as to the -character of the localities in which it lives during the greater part of -the year, in common with other species of the same family. - -The little birds of the group to which this species belongs, of which -there are several, are all of humble and unpretending appearance, and -live in the vicinity of the shores of the ocean and the margins of -streams of fresh water, and hence have been designated Swamp Sparrows. -The _flats_, or other low and level tracts, overgrown with reedy or -sedgy vegetation, in the vicinity of the sea-shore, are the favorite -resorts of two or three species throughout a large portion of the entire -extent of the Atlantic coast of the United States; while somewhat -similar localities along rivers or smaller streams, or even swamps and -marshes in the interior, afford appropriate habitations for others. In -these they subsist mainly on seeds of grasses and such other plants as -usually abound in those situations, and occasionally on insects. The -Swamp Sparrow, first described by the celebrated ornithologist, Wilson -(_Ammodromus palustris_), is the best known of these birds, and is -abundant in all suitable localities, during the summer season, -throughout the greater part of the older States of the Union. In winter, -it migrates southward, and is found in large numbers along the -Mississippi river in the south, and other streams in the southern -States. The Swamp Sparrows have no song, other than a few rather -remarkable and not unmusical notes. - -Dr. Heermann remarks of this bird: “In the fall of 1851, I met with a -single specimen of this bird, in company with a flock of Sparrows of -various kinds. In the spring of 1852, I found it quite abundant on the -Calaveras river, where I procured several specimens. Its flight appeared -feeble, and when raised from the ground, from which it would not start -until almost trodden upon, it would fly a short distance, and -immediately drop again into the grass. Its notes are a ditty, resembling -that of our Chipping Sparrow (_E. socialis_), and were heard towards the -spring season.” - -In our plate this bird is represented of the size of life. - -The plant is a western species of _Ipomea_, which was raised from the -seed by our esteemed friend, Mr. Robert Kilvington, of Philadelphia, to -whose kindness we are indebted for the privilege of figuring it and -other plants for the plates of the present work. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Ammodromus. Swainson, Zoological Journal, III. p. 348. (1827.) - -Size small; bill lengthened, pointed; tip of upper mandible slightly -curved downwards; wings very short; the first primary shorter than the -succeeding four or five, which are nearly equal; tail moderate, or -rather long, with its feathers narrow; tarsi and toes rather long, -slender. An American genus, containing six or seven species. - - Ammodromus ruficeps. Cassin, Proc. Acad., Philada., VI. p. 184. (Oct., - 1852.) - -Form. Bill shorter than usual in this genus; wings short, rounded; tail -long; tarsi lengthened, slender. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 5¾ inches; wing, 2½; tail, 2¾ -inches. - -Colors. Head above chestnut-brown, which is also the prevailing color of -the back and rump, the feathers of both the latter edged with pale -cinereous, tinged with olive. Spot in front of the eye white, forming a -partial superciliary line. A narrow stripe of black from each side of -the lower mandible running downwards, above which is a stripe of white; -intermediate space on throat nearly white; other under parts pale ashy, -with a tinge of olive; quills brown; primaries edged externally with -ashy; secondaries with pale chestnut-brown; tail reddish-brown, with -crimped obscure transverse lines; bill dusky horn-color; feet pale. - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. Resembles in some measure _A. palustris_, but can be easily -distinguished. It appears to be restricted to California, not having -been observed in New Mexico or Texas. Ammodramus is the original -orthography of the name of this genus given by Swainson as cited above, -but that here given is universally adopted, and is much the most usual -in generic names of similar derivation. - - [Illustration: Plate 21 - The Black-headed Oriole - Icterus melanocephalus (_Wagler_)] - - - - - ICTERUS MELANOCEPHALUS.—(Wagler.) - The Black-headed Oriole. - PLATE XXI.—Adult Male. - - -Again we portray an inhabitant of the land of the Mesquite and Mimosa. -This handsome, though plain Oriole, when compared with some of its -brilliant relatives of the same countries, is found throughout nearly -the whole of Mexico, and extends its range northwardly into Texas and -New Mexico. Mr. Pease, who accompanied the Army of the United States -under General Scott, in Mexico, in 1847, observed it at Jalapa, and in -the neighborhood of the city of Mexico, in considerable numbers. - -As a bird of Texas, this species was first brought to notice by Mr. -Jacob P. Giraud, Jr., of New York, who received it in a collection of -birds from that State, in 1834, and published a description of it in his -“New Species of North American Birds,” p. 1 (1841). Since that time it -has been found within the limits of the United States by several -naturalists, but especially by Mr. John H. Clark, who, while attached as -zoologist to the commission for running the boundary line between the -United States and Mexico, neglected no opportunity of making -investigations which have contributed much to the natural history of the -regions necessarily passed through, and whose collection contained -specimens of this species. To Mr. Clark we are indebted for the -following note respecting this species: - -“Approaching the lower Rio Grande from New Mexico, the Black-headed -Oriole was first seen near Ringgold Barracks, but not in abundance; and, -although of rich plumage, its quiet manners and secluded habits -prevented it from being very conspicuous. It was noticed most frequently -while feeding on the fruit of the hackberry; but whenever exposed in -picking off the berries, it always showed signs of uneasiness, and would -immediately seek refuge in places affording greater concealment. - -“Usually, pairs were to be seen keeping close together, and they seemed -to prefer the thick foliage which occurs on the margins of the ponds or -in the old bed of the river. They did not appear to communicate with -each other by any note; indeed, I was struck with their silence, though -my opportunities for observation were limited. Their habits seemed to be -very different from those of any other Oriole with which I am -acquainted.” - -This observation, by so accurate and careful an observer as Mr. Clark, -deserves especial attention. It is quite probable that this bird is the -type of a distinct group or sub-genus. - -In the papers of Lieut. Couch, most kindly placed by him at our -disposal, we find the following in relation to the bird now before us:— - -“The Black-headed Oriole was seen for the first time on the third of -March, 1853, at Santa Rosalio rancho, eight leagues west of Matamoras. -It had paired, and both male and female were very shy and secluded, -seeking insects on the _nopal_ (a species of prickly pear), or among the -low mimosa trees, never seeming to be at rest, but constantly on the -look-out for their favorite food. - -“At Charco Escondido, farther in the interior of Tamaulipas, this bird -was well known to the _rancheros_, who were disposed to give it a bad -reputation, stating that it often came to the rancho to steal the -freshly-slaughtered beef, hung up to dry in the sun. Whether this was -true or not, I had no opportunity of ascertaining; but my acquaintance -with the Black-headed Oriole, at this place, I have a particular reason -for remembering. Early one morning, an old man, who had daily called on -me, with his wife and six nude pickaninnies, presented himself, and -wished as usual to take me to a spot where great numbers of rare birds -were to be found. Gladly assenting, we were out of sight of the rancho -at sunrise of one of the magnificent mornings only known in tropical -latitudes. It was the day after a severe _norther_, and the whole -feathered kingdom was in motion. My guide soon called my attention to -two _calandrias_, as these birds are called by the Mexicans, which were -quietly but actively seeking their breakfast. The male having been -brought down by my gun, the female flew to a neighboring tree, -apparently not having observed his fall; soon, however, she became aware -of her loss, and endeavored to recall him to her side with a simple -_pout pou-it_, uttered in a strain of such exquisite sadness, that I -could scarcely believe such notes to be produced by a bird, and so -greatly did they excite my sympathy, that I felt almost resolved to -desist from making further collections in natural history, which was one -of the principal objects of my journey into the country. - -“Another species that takes the place of this bird, west of Monterey, -has a more powerful, varied, and artistic song, but I have never heard -the lay of any songster of the feathered tribe expressed more sweetly -than that of the present Oriole. At Monterey, it is a favorite -cage-bird. The notes of the male are more powerful than those of the -female. - -“My stay in Mexico was not sufficiently protracted to enable me to study -the habits of this interesting bird as fully as I could have wished. -Generally, its flight is 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 much tenderness and solicitude. If one -strayed from the other, a soft _pou-it_, soon brought them again -together.” - -Nature has, for much the greater part, denied to birds of brilliant -plumage any remarkable powers of melody, and there are many birds of -great beauty, in which the voice is harsh and uninviting, if not -absolutely disagreeable. Occasional exceptions occur, particularly in -the families of Grosbeaks and Finches, species of which are capable of -producing short, though expressive and musical notes, sometimes uttered -in connection with each other, and forming a partial song. Such is the -case, too, with a few of the Orioles; but we should infer from the -interesting statement of Lieut. Couch, that the bird now before us is, -at least, one of the most gifted of its family, and we shall look -forward to his further investigations in Mexico, which he is now about -commencing, hoping for additional information in relation to this -remarkable species. - -All the most celebrated songsters of the feathered kingdom are birds of -very plain plumage. The Nightingale, famed in all ages, and universally -admitted to be the most superior in vocal ability of all the birds of -the world, would attract no attention whatever from the general -observer, so modest and unpretending is its appearance. The Mocking Bird -of the United States, properly regarded as second only to the -Nightingale, is scarcely less so, and our other Thrushes, and the little -_Vireos_, very respectfully to be mentioned as vocalists, partake of the -same character. - -Mr. Pease noticed the Black-headed Oriole not only at Jalapa, but also -on the _tierra caliente_, between that city and Vera Cruz. At the season -when observed by him, it fed principally on fruits, as noticed by Mr. -Clark, which fact does not conflict with Lieut. Couch’s statement, that -it is an insect-eater; as all the birds of the family to which this -species belongs, subsist on both fruits and insects, or are what are -termed omnivorous. At Jalapa, it was called by the Mexicans, _Calandria -iquimite_, the latter word being the name of a tree, of the fruit of -which it is said to be particularly fond. - -Our plate represents the adult male, which is but little different from -the female. The figure is two-thirds of the natural size. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Icterus. Brisson, Orn., II. p. 85. (1760.) - Icterus melanocephalus. (Wagler.) - Psaracolius melanocephalus. Wagler, Isis, 1829, p. 756. - Icterus Audubonii. Giraud. New species N. A. Birds, p. 1. (1841.) - -Form. Rather robust; bill strong, high at base; wings rather short; -third and fourth quills longest; tail graduated; central feathers -longest; legs and feet large and strong. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, from tip of bill to end of tail, 8¾ -inches; wing, 4; tail, 4¼ inches. - -Colors. Head black, which color has a semicircular termination on the -breast. Entire under parts and neck behind, bright yellow; back and rump -yellowish-green; wings black; quills edged externally with ashy white; -tail black; bill bluish-black, lighter at the base of the lower -mandible; tarsi and feet lead-colored; irides brown. Sexes nearly alike; -female with the yellow parts of the plumage less vivid, and the tail in -some specimens edged and tinged with greenish. - -Hab. Texas, Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada.; and Nat. Mus., -Washington city. - -Obs. This bird resembles no other in any considerable degree; and is, -therefore, to be easily distinguished. It seems to belong to some one of -the subdivisions of the old genus _Icterus_, or of _Xanthornus_, which -are so variously and confusedly given by professed systematists, that we -have no faith in any of them; which declaration, by the way, we have no -objection to embrace the present opportunity of extending to late -_opinionative_ classifications, in a manner rather general and -comprehensive. It is about full time for a true zoologist to appear, who -shall be capable of systematizing—of reducing to order and symmetry the -vast fund of facts and detached knowledge in natural history, which the -present age has accumulated. In our happier day-dreams, we have deemed -it inevitable that such a one must shortly appear. The great Anglo-Saxon -zoologist is yet to come. - - [Illustration: Plate 22 - The Purple-throated Humming Bird - Trochilus Alexandri (_Bourcier_)] - - - - - TROCHILUS ALEXANDRI.—Bourcier and Mulsant. - The Purple-throated Humming Bird. - PLATE XXII.—Adult Males. - - -The Humming Birds are peculiar to America. Until within a comparatively -recent period, about one hundred species were known to naturalists,—that -being the then considered large number enumerated in works published as -lately as within about twenty years. Discoveries of previously unknown -species in this family of birds have been numerous beyond precedent or -comparison with any other, notwithstanding the zeal and ability which -ornithology has commanded within the period mentioned. At present, there -are nearly three hundred ascertained species of Humming Birds. The large -and recent additions have resulted, in a great measure, from the -exploration of regions previously little visited or inaccessible, -principally in the northern part of South America, but also in Central -America and Mexico. - -That portion of the continent of America between the Amazon as a -southern boundary, and the Rio Grande and Gila as a northern, embracing -New Grenada and Guiana, the whole of Central America and Mexico, to -which may be added the West India Islands, appears to be the most -productive of Humming Birds. Within that range, but especially in the -Republic of New Grenada, these splendid little birds are much the most -abundant, and it embraces nearly all of the most remarkable in form and -most beautiful in plumage. Southward into Brazil and Peru, and other -countries of South America, a considerable variety of species are also -found; but, in the north, that is to say, north of the line between -Mexico and the United States, we have few species of Humming Birds, and -even those give us but an imperfect idea of the gorgeous tints of their -relatives of the tropical regions of this continent. - -Of the natural productions of America, these birds have attracted the -most universal admiration. Nor has it been, by any means, without -foundation. Nature appears to have exhausted herself in the lavish -profusion of colors of every tint and shade with which she has adorned -these gems of the animal world. They are the most splendidly colored and -at the same time the most diminutive of birds. Almost every color known -in art is to be met with in the plumage of some one or other of the -Humming Birds, and usually with a lustre more resembling that of the -most highly finished workmanship in metal, or of the most exquisite -precious stones, than the transient or easily destroyed appendages of a -delicate animal organization. - -There are, however, some species which are quite plain in their -appearance, and present little or no trace of metallic or other -brilliant colors. Of these, one large species is perfectly black; others -are reddish-brown, or fulvous and plain dark green. - -In size, the Humming Birds vary much. The Giant Humming Bird of Brazil, -which is the largest, though one of the plainest, is about the size of -the Chimney Bird of the United States, and several fine species of the -later discoveries in this group are but little smaller. Several species -are quite as large as the House Wren. On the other hand, there are -Humming Birds little larger than the Humble Bee of our meadows; and -there are many species of Beetles and other coleopterous insects, that -are much larger. The common ruby-throated Humming Bird of the United -States, is a medium-sized species, and of respectable dimensions when -compared with some of his pigmy brethren of the far South. - -In form, too, they vary exceedingly. Some are very slender, and -apparently feebly constituted; others are comparatively quite robust. -There are species which have bills excessively long, the _Sword-bearer_ -(_Trochilus ensiferus_), which is about the size of the House Wren, has -a bill longer than its body. So entirely disproportionate does the bill -of this species appear to be, that few persons, on seeing specimens for -the first time, can avoid a suspicion that it has been artificially -lengthened; and we have more than once heard it suggested on such an -occasion that this remarkable appendage could readily have been drawn -out by processes used by comb-makers. This exceedingly long bill is, -however, no inconvenience whatever to the gay little individual who is -responsible for it, luckily for him;—in fact, it assists him admirably -in procuring an entirely honest subsistence amongst the large -trumpet-flowers, and others with long tubular corollas, abundant in -tropical countries. No other known species has this organ of a length so -disproportionate, though there are several in which it is unusually long -for birds of such size. The bill is, however, scarcely of the same form -and shape in any two species. In some, it is perfectly straight and very -short; in others, as we have already observed, it is very long. Numerous -others have the bill curved downwards, or scythe-shaped, and a few -species have it turned upwards, presenting a very singular appearance. - -Other curious appendages are to be met with in species of this family. -One group has exceedingly long tails, three or four times the length of -the body. Several Humming Birds have the outer feathers of the tail -long, and though narrow for the greater part of their length, suddenly -expanded at the end like a paddle or a spoon. These seem to form a group -or sub-genus of their own, and are also remarkable for having the upper -part of the leg (the _tibia_, and sometimes part of the _tarsus_) -covered with a thick mass of white downy feathers, presenting one of the -many instances of phenomena to which it appears almost impossible in the -present state of our knowledge, to assign a use in the economy of the -species. The wings in all Humming Birds are large, when compared with -those of many other birds, and are formed for long-continued and rapid -flight. - -The food of the Humming Birds is now well ascertained to be principally -insects. We regard the conclusion, also, as unavoidable, that the -moisture contained in flowers is their drink only, and not capable alone -of supporting life. The tongue appears to be the principal organ used -both in capturing insects and in procuring the fluid portion of their -subsistence, and is constructed in a manner peculiarly adapted to these -purposes. It is long, and composed of two parallel tubes (like a -double-barrelled gun), furnished with the necessary apparatus of muscles -for sucking, and thus enabling the bird to reach the drops of moisture -or the fluid secretions contained very frequently in the corollas of -flowers, more abundant in some species than others. The tongue is -flattened, and sometimes barbed towards the end, or margined with -fringe-like appendages, evidently designed to be of material service in -feeding on minute flies or other small and soft insects. It admits, too, -of being darted outwards, like that of the woodpeckers, and in the -manner thus indicated it is very probable that their food is secured. - -A large space on the throat is generally the most beautiful part of the -plumage of the birds of this family. Frequently, however, the top of the -head and the entire under parts of the body are clothed in colors of the -most surpassing brilliancy. The upper parts are usually plainer. - -In the countries where these birds are most abundant, and even in others -of South America, some species of Humming Birds are spread over a vast -extent of territory;—other species are well known to be peculiar to -quite restricted localities. Many inhabit only the warmest -districts;—others are found only in mountain-valleys, thousands of feet -above the level of the sea. One of the most beautiful Humming Birds, the -Polytmus (_Trochilus polytmus_), a large species, having the plumage -mainly of a most exquisite green, with the top of the head jet black, -and with the tail excessively long, inhabits only the island of Jamaica, -and it is quite probable that every island of the West Indies produces -species which are to be found in no other. In some sections, they are -exceedingly numerous. Mr. Gosse, in his valuable volume on the Birds of -Jamaica, mentions having seen “no less than a hundred come successively -to rifle the blossoms within the space of half as many yards in the -course of a forenoon.” We have been informed of instances of the -ruby-topaz Humming Bird (_T. moschitus_) having occurred in the island -of Trinidad in even greater abundance. - -In allusion to the general abundance of these birds in the countries -where they abound, and as a sketch of their habits, we transcribe the -following from “A Voyage up the Amazon,” from an excellent observer and -agreeable writer, our friend, Mr William H. Edwards, of New York: - -“Wherever a creeping vine opens its fragrant clusters, or wherever a -tree-flower blooms, may these little birds be seen. In the garden, or in -the woods, over the water, everywhere, they are darting about;—of all -sizes, from one that might easily be mistaken for a different variety of -bird, to the tiny Hermit (_Trochilus rufigaster_), whose body is not -half the size of the bees buzzing about the same sweets. Sometimes they -are seen chasing each other in sport with a rapidity of flight and -intricacy of path the eye is puzzled to follow. Again circling round and -round, they rise high in mid-air, then dart off like light to some -distant attraction. Perched upon a little limb, they smooth their plumes -and seem to delight in their dazzling hues; then starting off leisurely, -they skim along, stopping capriciously to kiss the coquetting flowerets. -Often, two meet in mid-air and fight furiously, their crests and the -feathers on their throats all erected and blazing, and altogether -pictures of the most violent rage. Several times we saw them battling -with large black bees, who frequent the same flowers, and may be -supposed to interfere often provokingly. Like lightning, our little -heroes would come down, but the coat of shining mail would ward of their -furious strokes. Again and again would they renew the attack, until -their anger had expended itself by its own fury, or until the apathetic -bee, once roused, had put forth powers that drove the invader from the -field.” - -The Mexican Humming Birds have been, until recently, but little attended -to, and even at this time are by no means well known. In an interesting -volume by Mr. William Bullock, a Fellow of the Linnean Society of -London, “Six Months Residence and Travels in Mexico” (London, 1824), a -work that contains much information on the natural history, and -especially the ornithology, of that country, there is a chapter -exclusively devoted to the Humming Birds. From it, we make the following -extract, which may be regarded as the more interesting, as some of the -species alluded to may be found hereafter in those parts of the United -States contiguous to Mexico: - -“In Mexico, the species of Humming Birds are numerous. Near the capital, -on my arrival, scarcely one was to be seen; but in the month of May and -June, numbers were found in the Botanic Garden, in the centre of the -city; and, by offering a reward to the Indians, many were brought to me -alive. I had nearly seventy in cages, which, with attention and care, I -kept living for some weeks; and could I have devoted my whole attention -to them, I have no doubt of the possibility of bringing them alive to -Europe. - -“It is probable the whole of them feed on insects; numbers I am certain -do so, having watched them attentively in the Botanic Garden at Mexico, -in pursuit of their minute prey; and in the yard of the house in which I -resided at Themascaltepec, where one of them took entire possession of a -pomegranate tree in blossom, on which he sat the whole day, catching the -small flies that came to the flowers. - -“Although, like the Robin and other birds of Europe, in a state of -nature, they are extremely tenacious of any intrusion of their own -species on their dominions, yet, in captivity, when several kinds have -been confined together, I never observed the least inclination to -quarrel, but have seen the smaller take what appeared to be -unwarrantable liberties with those of five times their size and -strength;—thus, when the perch has been occupied by the great -blue-throated one, the diminutive Mexican Star has settled on the long -beak of the former, and remained perched on it some minutes, without its -offering to resist the insult. - -“Europeans who have seen only the stuffed remains of these little -feathered gems in museums, have been charmed with their beautiful -appearance; but those who have examined them whilst living, displaying -their moving crests, throats, and tails, like the peacock in the sun, -can never look with pleasure on their mutilated forms. I have carefully -preserved about two hundred specimens, in the best possible manner, yet -they are still but the shadow of what they were in life. The reason is -obvious; for the sides of the laminæ, or fibres of each feather, being -of a different color from the surface, will change when seen in a front -or oblique direction; and as each lamina or fibre turns upon the axis of -the quill, the least motion, when living, causes the feathers to change -suddenly to the most opposite hues. Thus the one from Nootka Sound (_T. -rufus_) changes its expanded throat from the most vivid fire color to -light green; the topaz-throated does the same, and the Mexican Star -changes from bright crimson to blue. - -“The sexes vary greatly in the plumage in many species, so much so, that -it is with difficulty we recognize them. The male and female of the -Mexican Star (_Cynanthus Lucifer_) could not have been known had they -not been seen constantly together, and proved to be so by dissection. -They breed in Mexico in June and July, and the nest is a beautiful -specimen of the architectural talent of these birds; it is neatly -constructed with cotton or the down of thistles, to which is fastened on -the outside, by some glutinous substance, a white flat lichen resembling -ours. The female lays two eggs, perfectly white, and large for the size -of the bird, and the Indians informed me they were hatched in three -weeks, by the male and female sitting alternately. When attending their -young, they attack any bird indiscriminately that approaches the nest. -Their motions, when under the influence of anger or fear, are very -violent, and their flight rapid as an arrow; the eye cannot follow them, -but the shrill, piercing shriek which they utter on the wing, may be -heard when the bird is invisible, and often led to their destruction by -preparing me for their approach. They attack the eyes of the larger -birds, and their sharp needle-like bill is a truly formidable weapon in -this kind of warfare. - -“Nothing can exceed their fierceness when one of their own species -invades their territory during the breeding season. Under the influence -of jealousy, they become perfect furies; their throats swell, their -crests, tails, and wings, expand; they fight in the air (uttering a -shrill noise), till one falls exhausted to the ground. I witnessed a -combat of this kind near Otumba, during a heavy fall of rain, every -separate drop of which I supposed sufficient to have beaten the puny -warriors to the earth. - -“In sleeping, they frequently suspend themselves by the feet, with their -heads downwards, in the manner of some parrots. - -“These birds were great favorites with the ancient Mexicans. They used -the feathers as ornaments for their superb mantles in the time of -Montezuma, and in embroidering the pictures so much extolled by Cortez. -Their name signifies, in the Indian language, beams or locks of the sun. -The feathers are still worn by the Indian ladies as ornaments for the -ears.” - -It may be properly remarked here that the statement made by Mr. Bullock, -of the habit of these birds sleeping with their heads downwards, has -attracted considerable attention, and it has been thought probable that -he may have been mistaken, or misinformed, not having been confirmed by -subsequent naturalists. It may, however, apply only to some species. - -The pugnacity of these little birds is almost universally alluded to by -writers who have enjoyed opportunities of observing them in the -countries where they abound. A Humming Bird of any size, even the -smallest, is not on that account less a fighting character, and jealous -of whatever rights and privileges he considers himself entitled to. But -as both of the authors above quoted, have alluded to this point, we beg -the indulgence of the reader to lay before him another extract -especially relating to this hostility of disposition, and happily -illustrative of the fights and feuds of the Humming Birds. It is from -the very pleasant and valuable little work, previously mentioned, on the -Birds of Jamaica, by Mr. Philip Henry Gosse; and the species alluded to, -the Mango Humming Bird (_T. mango_), is one which is considerably larger -than the common ruby-throated species of the United States. It is -abundant in the West Indies, and in some parts of South America, and it -occasionally visits the shores of Florida. It is figured by Mr. -Audubon:— - -“A Mango Humming Bird had, every day, and all day long, been paying his -_devoirs_ to these charming blossoms” (the Malay apple, _Eugenia -malaccensis_). “On the morning to which I allude, another came, and the -manœuvres of these two tiny creatures became highly interesting. They -chased each other through the labyrinth of twigs and flowers, till, an -opportunity occurring, the one would dart with seeming fury upon the -other, and then with a loud rustling of their wings, they would twirl -together, round and round, until they nearly came to the earth. It was -some time before I could see, with any distinctness, what took place in -these tussles; their twirlings were so rapid as to baffle all attempts -at discrimination. At length, an encounter took place pretty close to -me, and I perceived that the beak of the one grasped that of the other, -and thus fastened, both whirled round and round in their perpendicular -descent, the point of contact being the centre of the gyrations, till, -when another second would have brought them both to the ground, they -separated, and the one chased the other for about a hundred yards, and -then returned in triumph to the tree, where, perched on a lofty twig, he -chirped monotonously and pertinaciously for some time;—I could not help -thinking, in defiance. In a few minutes, however, the banished one -returned, and began chirping no less provokingly, which soon brought on -another chase and another tussle. I am persuaded that these were hostile -encounters, for one seemed evidently afraid of the other, fleeing when -the other pursued, though his indomitable spirit would prompt the chirp -of defiance; and, when resting after a battle, I noticed that this one -held his beak open, as if panting. Sometimes they would suspend -hostilities to suck a few blossoms, but mutual proximity was sure to -bring them on again with the same result. In their tortuous and rapid -evolutions, the light from their ruby necks would now and then flash in -the sun with gem-like radiance; and as they now and then hovered -motionless, the broadly-expanded tail,—whose outer feathers are -crimson-purple, but when intercepting the sun’s rays, transmit -orange-colored light—added much to their beauty. A little _Banana Quit_ -(_Certhiola flaveola_), that was peeping among the blossoms in his own -quiet way, seemed now and then to look with surprise on the combatants; -but when the one had driven his rival to a longer distance than usual, -the victor set upon the unoffending Quit, who soon yielded the point, -and retired, humbly enough, to a neighboring tree. The war, for it was a -thorough campaign, a regular succession of battles, lasted fully an -hour, and then I was called away from the post of observation. Both of -the Humming Birds appeared to be adult males.” - -In the United States, there have been discovered as yet not more than -five species of Humming Birds, including that which is presented to the -reader in our present plate. They are the ruby-throated Humming bird -(_Trochilus colubris_), which is the much-admired little species -everywhere common in the summer-time, in the States on the Atlantic; the -Mango Humming Bird (_T. mango_), an abundant South American and West -Indian species that occasionally visits Florida, as above stated; the -Anna Humming Bird (_T. Anna_), a species of California and Mexico, the -most beautiful of the northern species, and which derives additional -interest from the fact that it was named by an eminent French -naturalist, in honor of Anna, Duchess of Rivoli, whose husband, General -Massena, Duke of Rivoli, the distinguished officer of the armies of the -Emperor Napoleon I., founded the ornithological collection which now -belongs to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. In addition -to these, are the rufous-throated or Northern Humming Bird (_T. rufus_), -a western species, which extends its range on the Pacific coast to a -high northern latitude, and the bird now before us. Another species or -two have been named as inhabiting California, without it being stated -whether the upper or lower divisions of that country was intended. They -are not known to inhabit that portion which is one of the States of this -Union, though it is quite probable that others of the numerous Mexican -species will be found extending their range into the western and -southwestern territories. - -Within the limits of the United States, the Humming Bird now before the -reader, has been noticed only by Dr. Heermann, whose fine collection -made in California contained numerous specimens. He detected it in one -locality only, which was the burying-ground at Sacramento city. There -several pairs remained during the season of incubation, and reared their -young, finding suitable food and protection amongst the flowering -plants, with which, with great feeling and propriety, that last -resting-place of the emigrant and stranger has been adorned. - -Dr. Heermann represents the nest as composed of fine mosses, lined with -the feathery down of various seeds, and containing two white eggs. He -saw this bird also at Guaymas, in Mexico. - -The figures in our plate are of the size of life, and represent adult -males. The plant represented is _Odontoglossum Cervantesii_, a native of -Mexico. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Trochilus. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 189. (1766.) - -Size small, in some species diminutive, and the smallest of birds; bill -slender, frequently straight, and also frequently curved, acute; wings -comparatively large, generally pointed and formed for rapid flight; -quills flattened, first primary longest, and curved inwards; tail -various; legs and feet very short and feeble. The birds of this group -are exclusively American. - - Trochilus Alexandri. Bourcier and Mulsant, Annals of the Royal Society - of Physical and Natural Sciences of Lyons, IX. p. 330. (1846.) - -Form. Small; bill long; nearly straight; wings rather short; first quill -longest, and somewhat curved; tail rather short, marginated, with its -feathers narrow and pointed; legs and feet very short and weak. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 3¼ inches; wing, 2¹/₁₀; tail, 1 -inch. - -Color. Entire upper parts golden green; dark on the head; wings and tail -brownish-black, except the central feathers of the latter, which are -green; throat brilliant purple, with violet reflections, which color is -succeeded by a broad transverse band of white; other under parts golden -green, mixed with pale brownish and ashy; bill and feet dark. - -Hab. California and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This bird is about the size of, or slightly larger than the -ruby-throated Humming Bird (_T. colubris_) of North America, and -resembles it in the general distribution of its colors. Those of the -throat are, however, entirely different. The two species belong -evidently to the same subdivision of the old genus _Trochilus_, which -is, however, given so differently by late authors, that we have not at -present determined the relative claims of either. It is given by one as -belonging to the genus _Mellisuga_, and by another as _Trochilus_ -proper, in a restricted sense. - -The study of the Humming Birds, now difficult, will be rendered easy by -Mr. Gould’s great work on these birds, now in the course of publication. -All the known species are to be figured of the size of life; and in the -parts already published, the drawing and coloring is exceedingly -accurate, and magnificent beyond any precedent in the literature of -ornithology. - -In the old world, the Humming Birds are represented by the Sun Birds -(genus _Cinnyris_, Cuvier; _Nectarinia_ of some authors), numerous -species of which inhabit Africa and Southern Asia. They partake in some -measure of the habits of the Humming Birds, and also of their lustrous -colors, many of the species being very beautiful. - -Several naturalists and admirers of ornithology have formed special -collections of Humming Birds, and there are now extant several which -contain very nearly all the known species, of which may be mentioned -those of Mr. Edward Wilson, and Mr. John Gould, in England, and of -Messrs. Edward and Jules Verreaux, in Paris. That of the first named, -who is an American gentleman resident in England, is the most extensive -and complete, and includes several of the only specimens known of the -species which they represent. This gentleman and his brother, Dr. Thomas -B. Wilson, of Philadelphia, have won for themselves the imperishable -respect and gratitude of American naturalists, by forming in their -native city the most extensive library and collections in natural -history in America, and, in some departments, unrivalled by any in the -old world. For these, now constituting, mainly, the magnificent museum -and library of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, it is -indebted to the distinguished patrons of zoological science whom we have -just mentioned. - - - - - EMBERIZA BILINEATA.—Cassin. - The Black-throated Finch. - PLATE XXIII.—Adult Male. - - -This curious little Finch was discovered in Texas, in 1849, by Mr. John -W. Audubon, a son of the celebrated ornithologist, and himself a -naturalist and zoological draughtsman of high merit and accomplishments. - -It appears to be extensively diffused throughout Mexico, Texas, and New -Mexico, and in the former country is a common species. In the States -last mentioned, it has been noticed by nearly all the naturalists who -have visited them; though, as a bird of the United States, little beyond -the fact of its existence in those regions has been placed on record, or -has otherwise come to our knowledge. - -In Mexico, this bird was found by Lieut. Couch to be numerous in some -parts of Tamaulipas, Nueva Leon, Coahuila, and other States on the Rio -Grande, immediately south and west of the limits of the territory of the -United States. For our present article, this gentleman has very kindly -furnished the following interesting communication, for which and other -similar favors we beg to tender our grateful acknowledgments:— - -“This bird was first seen at Santa Rosalio, and specimens were obtained. -Though a month had been spent at Brownsville, in Texas, only about -twenty miles distant, it had not been observed. At Charco Escondido, -forty miles farther in the interior, it was very plentiful, and early in -March, seemed to have already reared a breed of young; one specimen -procured, having the appearance of being a young bird but a few weeks -old. - -“Its favourite home appears to be the scattered Mesquite or Acacias that -sprinkle the plains east of the Sierra Madre. Like many other birds of -its family, it does not seek the shade during the warmer hours of -mid-day, but may always be found chirping and hopping from one bush to -another, apparently as much for the pleasure of enjoying the society of -its fellows as to seek for food. - -“After striking south from Cadorcita, this little bird suddenly -disappeared, much to my regret, as I had become so accustomed to seeing -it constantly during my daily marches, that I almost regarded it as a -travelling companion. But after nearly a month’s absence, I again -recognized it among some flowering _Leguminosa_, between Pesqueria and -Rinconada. I afterwards ascertained that it would thus be entirely -absent from districts of considerable extent, but always reappeared -again throughout my journey, and was always welcome. - - [Illustration: Plate 23 - The Black-throated Finch - Emberiza bilneata (_Cassin_)] - -“The usual note of this bird at the season in which I saw it, is a -simple chirp; but one day, having halted during a _norther_, in the -State of Tamaulipas, I amused myself watching a party of adult and young -birds of this species, in the neighboring bushes. One gay little -black-throated fellow, who was probably the father, showed unusual -uneasiness at my presence, which fact led me particularly to observe -him. After carefully reconnoitering and apparently satisfying himself -that there was no immediate danger, he flew off a few yards to the top -of a yellow mimosa then in bloom, and, regardless of the bitter wind -still blowing, gave utterance to a strain of sprightly and sweet notes, -that would have compared favorably with those of many a more famed -songster of the feathered race. This was the only time that I ever heard -this species indulge in anything more than a single chirp.” - -This little Finch was observed at various localities in Texas by -gentlemen attached to the commission for running the boundary line -between the United States and Mexico. - -The figure in our plate, which is that of an adult male from Lieut. -Couch’s collection, is about two-thirds of the size of life. - -The plant represented is _Spirea Douglasii_, a native of western North -America. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Emberiza. Linnæus, Syst. Nat., I. p. 308. (1766.) - - Emberiza bilineata. Cassin, Proc. Acad., Philada., V. p. 104. (Oct. - 1850.) - -Form. Rather short and compact; fourth quill slightly longest, but -nearly equalled by the third and fifth; legs rather long and robust; -tail moderate. - -Dimensions. Total length, about 5⅛ inches; wing, 2½; expanse from tip to -tip, 8; tail, 2⅜ inches. - -Colors. _Adult._—Superciliary stripe over the eye, and another from the -corner of the lower mandible, white. Large space on the throat and neck -before black, which is also the color of the lores. Cheeks and entire -upper parts brownish-cinereous, darker, and tinged with olive on the -back; quills hair-brown, with nearly white external edgings; tail -feathers brownish-black, the two central palest, and the external -feather, with its outer web, white, and with a large spot of white on -its inner web, near the tip,—in some specimens the two outer tail -feathers are largely tipped with white. Entire under parts white, tinged -with ashy and olive, especially on the sides and flanks; bill dark -bluish or horn color; feet dark. _Young._—Throat and other under parts -white, with some longitudinal stripes of brownish-black; upper parts as -in adult, but more tinged with brown; wing-coverts edged with -brownish-white. - -Hab. New Mexico and Texas; Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and -Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. This Finch resembles no other species known to us, in such a degree -as would render it liable to be confounded with it. It may be easily -recognised when adult by its black throat, bordered on each side by a -conspicuous white stripe, and having also another equally conspicuous -and well-defined stripe over the eye. In the young there is no vestige -of the black throat, that part being of a uniform color with the under -parts of the body, but bears a strong general resemblance to the adult. -It is related to the group designated _Euspiza_ by authors, though it is -probably the type of a distinct subdivision. - - [Illustration: Plate 24 - The Black-headed Vireo - Vireo atricapillus (_Woodhouse_)] - - - - - VIREO ATRICAPILLUS.—Woodhouse. - The Black-headed Flycatcher. - PLATE XXIV.—Adult Male. - - -On account of their modest attire and sylvan habits, the birds of the -group to which the present species belongs, are seldom noticed by the -general observer, though some of them are to be met with commonly during -the summer, in nearly all parts of the United States. But though -inconspicuous in appearance, they make ample compensation by the -loudness of their notes, which, after the early love-songs of the -Thrushes, and other of our songsters of spring, have subsided into the -more serious duties of parental responsibility, are to be heard above -those of any other of our resident birds. They are active -insect-catchers, and may be seen at nearly all hours of the day, -patiently searching amongst the leaves and branches of the trees in -almost every woodland, hopping from branch to branch, or sometimes -making short sallies in pursuit of fugitive moths or butterflies, and -occasionally pausing to refresh themselves with a rather quaint but very -melodious warble, lengthened in the spring into a cheerful and agreeable -song. - -The red-eyed Flycatcher (_V. olivaceus_) is the most numerous, and not -only is constantly to be met with in the woods, but ventures confidently -into the public squares or parks, and the yards and gardens of the -cities. In many such localities in Philadelphia, several of which are in -the denser parts of the city, this little warbler rears its young, and -pipes out his sprightly song, in entire security, and apparently feeling -himself as much at home as if in the recesses of the most remote forest. -The warbling Flycatcher (_V. gilvus_) is another pleasing singer, though -in our opinion but an indifferent performer compared with the preceding. -A species common in the West Indies, and which has been found in -Florida, has some very singular notes, from one combination of which he -has had assigned to him a name quite as singular, the “Whip Tom Kelly” -(_V. altiloquus_). - -The immediate relatives, however, of the little species before the -reader in the present plate, are birds that rarely venture far from the -woods. One of them, the White-eyed Flycatcher (_V. noveboracensis_), has -a partiality for marshes and low grounds producing thick growths of -vines and shrubbery; and although the smallest of his tribe has some -quite remarkable notes, and so loud, that a person not sufficiently -acquainted with him to recognise his voice, would be surprised to find -such a high-sounding solo proceed from such a diminutive performer. - -The species represented in our present plate is an inhabitant of Texas, -but it has as yet been only observed in a very limited district. It was -discovered by S. W. Woodhouse, M. D., of Philadelphia, while attached to -Capt. Sitgreave’s Surveying party. It is the handsomest bird of this -group. - -The following notice of this bird by Dr. Woodhouse, we take the liberty -of extracting from Sitgreave’s report of an expedition down the Zuñi and -Colorado rivers: - -“On the twenty-sixth of May, 1851, while encamped on the Rio San Pedro, -within about ten miles of its source, I was out in pursuit of specimens. -Wandering about the hills among some cedars (_Juniperus_), my attention -was first attracted by a singular note, which I am unable to describe; -on looking, I discovered this beautiful little bird, which I at first -took to belong to that interesting family of fly-catching warblers, -_Sylvania_, it being constantly in motion. It was with the greatest -difficulty that I could procure specimens; two, however, I secured, both -of which, on dissection, proved to be males.” - -Mr. John H. Clark, zoologist attached to the Mexican boundary -commission, who observed this species in Texas, and near the same -locality at which it was found by Dr. Woodhouse, has very obligingly -made for us the following note from his journal: - -“My attention was drawn to this bird by a shrill, discontented chirp -which accompanied its incessant motion in pursuit of insects. Three -specimens only were seen, and all of them at one locality, near the head -of the Rio San Pedro, or Devil’s River, to the valley of which it -appeared to be confined, for, being aware of its novelty to the fauna of -the United States, I kept a strict look-out, but did not meet with it -elsewhere. - -“It was not at all shy, showing no concern when approached within a few -rods. The procuring of a specimen was, however, a matter of some -difficulty, as its constantly hopping or flying from branch to branch -rendered an unobstructed shot the next thing to an impossibility. It was -found in June, and the specimen obtained by me, now in the collection of -the commission, is that of a male.” - -Our figure is of the natural size. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Vireo. Vieillot, Ois d’Am., Sept. I, p. 83. (1807.) - -Size small; bill rather short, strong, wide at base, compressed towards -the point, which is curved downwards, and sharp; upper mandible with -distinct notches near the point; nostrils basal, large; wing moderate or -rather short, with the third and fourth quills usually longest; tail -rather short; legs long, rather slender. An American genus, containing -six species. The Red-eyed Flycatcher (_V. olivaceus_), and others of the -long-billed species, are not included, but have properly been embraced -in a new group, _Vireosylvia_, Bonaparte. - - Vireo atricapillus. Woodhouse, Proc. Acad., Philada., VI. p. 60. - (April, 1852.) - -Form. Small, but compact, and rather broad; bill rather short, acute; -wing with the third and fourth quills equal; tail rather short, even at -the end, or slightly emarginate. - -Dimensions. _Male._—Total length, 7½ inches; Wing, 2¼; tail, 1¾; expanse -of Wings, 7¼. - -Color. _Male._—Head above and cheeks black; stripe before the eye, and -entire under parts, white, tinged with greenish-yellow on the sides and -flanks; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts, dark olive-green; quills -brownish-black, with a greenish tinge, and edged externally with -greenish-yellow; wing-coverts tipped with greenish-white; tail feathers -brownish-black, edged externally with greenish-yellow; bill and feet -dark; iris light red. - -Hab. Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington -city. - -Obs. This is a very distinct and peculiar species of this genus, not at -all resembling any other, and readily distinguished by its black head. -It belongs, however, strictly to the same group as _V. flavifrons_, _V. -solitarius_, _V. noveboracencis_, and others, and is one of the most -interesting of the more recent additions to the ornithology of the -United States. - - - - - PICOLAPTES BRUNNEICAPILLUS.—La Fresnaye. - The Brown-headed Creeper. - PLATE XXV.—Adult Male. - - -This is a species belonging to a large family of birds, very numerous in -the tropical and southern regions of the American continent, though of -which not more than two species are known to venture so far north as to -come within the limits of the United States. They subsist on insects, -which they capture on the trunks and branches of trees, or, in the -countries where such plants abound, on the large species of _Cactus_, -and others of a similar character. - -Some of the larger birds of this group have very long and singularly -curved bills, which it is supposed are peculiarly adapted to searching -for insects in the deep furrows or interstices of the rough barks of -trees. All have more or less strong feet and claws, designed for their -manner of creeping on trees, somewhat similar to that of the -Woodpeckers, but more like the Nuthatches, or little Sapsuckers, as they -are commonly designated in the United States, and the Brown Creeper of -our woods (_Certhia americana_). The latter is in fact the only northern -representative of the family to which our present species belongs, but -so small, that it conveys but a faint idea of the form and colors of -these birds generally. They are, however, for the greater part, birds of -plain colors, frequently brown of various shades, or snuff-colored. - -The bird figured in the present plate was first noticed in Texas, by -Capt. J. P. McCown, of the United States Army, and is given by Mr. -Lawrence as an addition to the ornithology of the North in the Annals of -the New York Lyceum of Natural History, V. p. 114 (1851), but with no -account of its habits. Since that time, it has been again observed by -Mr. Clark at several localities in Texas, and is known to be of frequent -occurrence in the States of Mexico immediately south of the Rio Grande, -and in other parts of the same country. - -The Brown-headed Creeper was seen by Dr. Heermann in Mexico, and in his -paper in the Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, II. p. 263, he thus -mentions it:— - - [Illustration: Plate 25 - The Brown-headed Creeper - Picolaptes brunneicapillus (_La Fresnaye_)] - -“I found this bird in the arid country back of Guaymas, on the Gulf of -California. The country itself is the picture of desolation, presenting -a broken surface, and a confused mass of volcanic rocks, covered by a -scanty vegetation of thorny bushes and _cacti_. In this desert I found -several interesting species, which enter into our fauna as birds of -Texas, and this species was one of the number. It appeared to be a -lively, sprightly bird, uttering at intervals a clear, loud, ringing -note. The nest, composed of grasses, and lined with feathers, was in the -shape of a long purse, laid flat between the forks or on the branches of -a _Cactus_. The entrance was a covered passage, varying from six to ten -inches in length. The eggs, six in number, are of a delicate salmon -color, very pale, and often so thickly speckled with ash and darker -salmon-colored spots, as to give a rich cast to the whole surface of the -egg.” - -In the original description of this bird by the Baron La Fresnaye, an -eminent French ornithologist, in Guerin’s Magazine of Zoology, 1835, p. -61 (Paris), his specimen is represented as being probably from -California. It has not been noticed in that country by either of our -American naturalists, though found by Dr. Heermann, as above stated, -near Guaymas, in Northern Mexico. - -Our figure is rather less than two-thirds of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Picolaptes. Lesson, Traité d’Ornithologie, I. p. 313. (1831.) - -Bill moderate, or rather long, curved, rather wide at base, but -compressed towards the end; apertures of the nostrils large; wings -rather short, rounded; first quill short; fourth, fifth, and sixth, -usually longest and nearly equal; tail moderate, or rather long, soft at -the end; legs and feet rather large and robust; claws curved, sharp. An -American genus, nearly allied to others, and containing numerous -species. - - Picolaptes brunneicapillus. La Fresnaye, Guerin’s Mag. de Zoologie, - 1835, p. 61. - -Form. Bill curved; culmen distinct; wings short; tail rather long; tarsi -and toes strong, and covered with scales; tail wide, with its feathers -broad and soft. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 8¼ inches; wing, 3½; tail, 3½ -inches. Female rather smaller. - -Colors. Entire plumage above, brown, darkest and unspotted on the head; -but on other upper parts with every feather having a central stripe or -oblong spots of white, disposed to form longitudinal stripes; quills -with numerous spots of white on the edges of their outer webs, forming -somewhat regular oblique stripes, and on their inner webs with regular -transverse stripes of white; tail, with its central two feathers, -grayish-brown, transversely barred with brownish-black; other tail -feathers brownish black, with irregular wide transverse bands of white, -more numerous on the two outermost feathers. - -Under parts white, tinged with fulvous on the flanks and abdomen; -feathers of the throat and neck before tipped with black; those of other -under parts with circular or oblong spots of black, large on the under -tail-coverts; bill and feet horn-color. Sexes alike. - -Hab. Texas and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., -Washington. - -Obs. This bird somewhat resembles several of its genus, but is not -difficult to distinguish. In many specimens, especially of the male -bird, the black predominates on the throat and neck before, so as to -present an almost uniform color. - -Several late writers have placed this species in the genus -_Campylorhynchus_ (Spix). - - [Illustration: Plate 26 - The Ferruginous Buzzard - Archibuteo ferrugineus (_Lichtenstein_)] - - - - - ARCHIBUTEO FERRUGINEUS.—(Lichtenstein). - The Ferruginous Buzzard. - PLATE XXVI.—Adult and Young. - - -This is one of the largest and most handsomely plumaged of the Rapacious -birds of North America, though belonging to a division characterized by -heavy and comparatively slow flight, and not manifesting any -considerable degree of that courage and cunning which are generally so -remarkable in this great group of the ornithological kingdom. In fact, -on examination of the fine bird now before us, or of the Black Hawk of -the Atlantic States, which is nearly related to it, one would scarcely -infer that the object of such an admirable organization is nothing more -important than the destruction of the smallest and most defenceless of -quadrupeds or of reptiles. Yet such is apparently the case; many of the -birds of this group, though powerful in structure, and furnished with -the usual apparatus of strong and sharp bills and claws, and other -accompaniments of predatory habits, rarely attack any animal more -formidable than a mouse or ground-squirrel, or in some cases a frog or -other of the weaker species of reptiles. - -It is, however, entirely erroneous to attribute a noble or generous -character to any of the predatory animals, though from an early period -of history several species have been so regarded. On the contrary, there -is in all these classes, whether of birds or of other animals, a marked -absence of the very traits which are in some measure assigned to them, -and even more unmistakably so in some of the more celebrated, as the -Eagles and Lions, than in the more humble species. Yet the rapacious -animals present a study in natural history of deep interest. Owing the -sustaining of their existence for the greater part to rapine and -violence, yet holding an important place in the great design of the -physical universe, they appear to personate a principle, if we may be -allowed to use the expression, involving one of the most momentous and -mysterious of problems, the existence of evil in the world. The prowling -and treacherous Lion, and the robber Wolf, have unfortunately but too -strong analogies in that race which is the head of the visible creation, -and they and their kind everywhere present the same intrinsic meanness -which is characteristic of violence and injustice, of vice and of crime -amongst men. - -The bird now before the reader is, so far as known, exclusively a -Western species. It was first made known to American naturalists by Mr. -Edward M. Kern of this city, who, when attached as artist to Colonel -Frémont’s Expedition of 1846, obtained it in California and brought home -specimens in a collection made by him, of the birds of that country. It -had however been previously noticed and described as a bird of -California by Professor Lichtenstein, a distinguished European -naturalist, in a paper on the natural history of that country, in the -Transactions of the Royal Academy of Berlin (1838, p. 428). - -Since Mr. Kern, the only American naturalist who has noticed this bird -is Dr. Heermann, who has met with it during both of his visits to -California, but especially during his connection with a party under -command of Lieut. Williamson, of the U. S. Topographical Engineers, -which has recently completed an examination and survey for a route for a -Railroad to the Pacific Ocean through the southern portion of the -territory of the United States. For our present article, Dr. Heermann -has with great kindness allowed us to make the following extract from -his journal, kept during the survey to which we have alluded: - -“During a previous visit to California, I had seen this species in the -valley of the Sacramento river, and had considered it as rare in that -section of the country, but during the recent survey in which I have -been engaged in the southern part of the state, I found it very -abundant, and on one occasion saw five or six individuals in view at the -same moment, in the mountains, about sixty miles east of San Diego. It -was there much more frequently seen than any other species. - -“As large tracts of that country inhabited by this bird are often -entirely without trees, it alights on the ground or on some slightly -elevated tuft of grass or a stone, where it sits patiently for hours -watching for its prey. Its food, on dissection, I found to consist -almost entirely of small quadrupeds, principally various species of -mice, and in one instance the crop was filled with the remains of a -ground-squirrel. In plumage it appears to vary as much as its allied -species, _A. sancti-johannis_. One specimen, which was shot by a soldier -attached to our party, had the tail strongly tinged with the red color -which characterizes that appendage in the red-tailed Hawk, (_B. -borealis_). - -“I have several times seen a bird sailing over the prairies, about the -size of the present species, but with its entire plumage deep-black and -of heavy and continued flight. It was I think certainly of this genus; -but never having been so fortunate as to have procured a specimen, I am -unable to decide whether it was this bird, the Black Hawk (_A. -sancti-johannis_), or a new species to add to this group. My impression -is that it was the Black Hawk, but it may have been the present in a -stage of plumage yet undescribed. - -“The nest and eggs of the present bird I procured on the Consumnes -river, in 1851. The nest was in the forks of an oak and was composed of -coarse twigs and lined with grasses; the eggs, two in number, were -white, marked with faint brown dashes. This nest was placed in the -centre of a large bunch of _Misletoe_, and would not have been -discovered, but having occasion to climb the tree to examine some -Magpie’s nests, the Hawk in flying off betrayed her retreat. The eggs of -this species are quite different from those of the European _A. -lagopus_, but with those of _A. sancti-johannis_, I have never had an -opportunity of comparing them.” - -Mr. Kern’s specimens are marked as having been procured in the Tulavie -valley, California, in January, 1846. He observes, in his notes in our -possession, that finding this bird remarkably fat and in excellent -general condition, some of the party shot it for the mess-kettle -whenever opportunity offered, and found it “very good eating.” Possibly -under stress of capital appetites. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Archibuteo. Brehm. in Oken’s Isis, 1828, p. 1269. - -Tarsi feathered in front to the toes, but more or less naked behind. -General form, compact and heavy; wings, long and broad, formed for -long-continued but not very rapid flight; bill, short, curved, edges of -the upper mandible festooned; tail, moderate, wide, tarsi rather long; -toes, short; claws, moderately strong, curved, very sharp. Contains -about six species, three of which are American. - - Archibuteo ferrugineus. (Lichtenstein.) - Buteo ferrugineus. Licht. Trans. Berlin Academy, 1838, p. 428. - Archibuteo regalis. Gray, Genera of Birds, 1 pl. 6 (1849, plate only). - -Form. Robust and compact; bill, rather large; wings, long, with the -third quills longest, all the primaries more or less incised on their -inner webs near the end; tarsi feathered in front to the toes, naked and -scaled behind; toes, short; claws, strong. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin), female, about 22 inches; wing, 16½ -to 17; tail, 9 inches. - -Color. _Adult._—Tibiae and tarsi bright ferruginous, with transverse -stripes of brownish-black, irregular and indistinct on the latter. -Entire upper parts with irregular longitudinal stripes of dark-brown and -light ferruginous, the latter color predominating on the shoulders and -rump. All the upper plumage white at the bases of the feathers, and on -the back with concealed irregular transverse stripes of brownish-black. -Quills, ashy-brown, lighter on the outer webs, and with a part of the -inner webs white, and with obscure brown bands. Tail, above, ashy-white, -tinged with pale ferruginous, and mottled obscurely with ashy-brown, in -some specimens narrowly tipped with black; tail, beneath, -yellowish-white, unspotted. Entire under parts of the body white, -slightly tinged with yellowish, with narrow longitudinal lines and -dashes of reddish-brown on the breast, and narrow irregular transverse -lines of the same color, and others of black, on the sides, flanks, and -abdomen; under tail coverts, white; axillary feathers and some of the -inferior coverts of the wing, bright ferruginous; toes, yellow; bill and -claws, dark. - -_Young._—Entire upper parts dark umber-brown, a few feathers edged and -tipped with pale ferruginous; upper coverts of the tail white, spotted -with dark-brown; entire under parts pure white, with a few longitudinal -lines and dashes of dark brown on the breast, and arrow-heads or -irregularly shaped spots of the same color on the sides and abdomen, -larger and more numerous on the flanks. Tibiæ and tarsi white, -irregularly spotted with dark-brown; axillary feathers, white, with -large subterminal spots of brown; under wing coverts and edges of the -wings white, with a few brown spots; under tail coverts, white. - -Hab. California. (Mr. Kern, Dr. Heermann.) Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This very distinctly characterized species somewhat resembles some -stages of plumage of the Rough-legged Hawk and of the Black Hawk -(_Archibuteo lagopus_ and _sancti-johannis_) but not sufficiently to -render it necessary to point out differences. It has, as yet, only been -observed in California, but will, very probably, like many other species -of Western birds, be found to inhabit also the northern regions of this -continent. - - [Illustration: Plate 27 - The Black-headed Gnat-catcher - Culicivora atricapilla (_Weill_)] - - - - - CULICIVORA MEXICANA.—Bonaparte. - The Black-headed Gnat-catcher. - PLATE XXVII.—Male and Female. - - -This delicate little bird is an inhabitant of Texas, where it was first -noticed by Capt. J. P. McCown, of the U. S. Army. He obtained it near -Ringgold Barracks, in 1850, since which period specimens have been -brought in the collections of various other officers and naturalists. It -is also known as a bird of Mexico. - -This species belongs to a small group of little fly-catching birds, of -which several others are found in America, though two of them only come -within the limits of the fauna of the United States. Of these, one, the -little blue gray Flycatcher (_Culicivora cœrulea_), has been long known -as a summer resident in the woods and forests of the Middle and Northern -States, and is one of the earliest to return, from its winter journey in -the south, to its northern home. The other is the bird now before the -reader. - -These little Flycatchers are amongst the smallest of our native birds. -They almost exclusively inhabit the woods, and are constantly seen -actively engaged in the capture of the minute insects on which they -feed, in pursuit of which they search very industriously, not only -shrubbery, but trees of the greatest height. The present is the smaller -of the two northern species, and is represented in our plate of the size -of life. - -For the following memorandum relating to this little bird we are again -indebted to the kindness of Dr. Heermann: - -“I first met with this species near San Diego, California, in 1851, and -during the recent survey found it abundant in the vicinity of Fort Yuma. -Its habits much resemble those of the Blue-gray Gnat-catcher of the -Eastern States (_Culicivora cœrulea_), it is very quick in its -movements, searching actively for food, preferring, apparently, the low -trees and bushes, and at times darting about in the air in pursuit of -small insects. The only note that I ever heard it utter was a chirp, so -feeble in its tone that it could be heard but a short distance. - -“The last specimen procured by me was shot in a hedge bordering a field -cultivated by the Pimos Indians, whose village is situated about two -hundred miles above the junction of the Gila and Colorado rivers.” - -The figures in the present plate, which we regard as those of adult male -and female, are of the size of life. - -The plant is _Zauschneria californica_, a native of California. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Culicivora. Swainson, Zoological Journal, III., p. 359. (1827.) - -Small, bill rather long, compressed towards the tip, wider at base, -upper mandible somewhat curved, base with about five pairs of rather -long, weak bristles; wing, moderate or rather short, first quill very -short, fourth and fifth, longest and nearly equal; tail, long, with the -feathers graduated, outer shortest; legs, long, slender; toes, rather -short. Colors usually cinereous and black. A genus exclusively American -and containing several species. - - Culicivora Mexicana. Bonap. Cons. Av., p. 316. (1850.) - -Form. Small and slender; bill, moderate, rather long; wings, moderate; -tail, long, several of the central feathers equal, others shorter and -graduated, outer feathers shortest; legs and feet, long and slender. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 4¼ inches; wing, 12¾; tail, 2¼; -inches. - -Colors. _Male._—Head, above, glossy black; upper parts of the body and -wings, grayish-cinereous or lead-colored; lower parts very pale -ashy-white, deeper on the sides and flanks; quills, brownish-black, -edged externally with ashy-white; tail, black, the two outer feathers -tipped with white, having their outer webs of that color, the next two -also edged on their outer webs with white and tipped with the same, -readily seen on the inferior surface of the tail; bill and legs, dark. -_Female_, with the head above uniform with the other parts—not -black—otherwise, like the male. - -Hab. Texas, Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., -Washington city. - -Obs. This species very much resembles the South American _Culicivora -leucogastra_, De Wied, (which is _C. atricapilla_, Swainson,) but is -smaller. We have never seen specimens of the present species with the -under parts of such a clear white as is usual in the larger bird just -mentioned, though it may assume it in its perfectly mature plumage. The -South American bird measures in total length about five inches. - -The Prince of Canino’s description of _Culicivora mexicana_ as cited -above, we regard as applicable to the female of the present species. All -the species of this genus more or less resemble each other, and now -require careful revision, having the appearance to us of being rather -confused than otherwise, and but imperfectly described. - - [Illustration: Plate 28 - The Prince Maximilian’s Jay - Gymnokitta cyanocephala (_DeWied_)] - - - - - GYMNOKITTA CYANOCEPHALA.—(De Wied.) - The Prince Maximilian’s Jay. - PLATE XXVIII.—Adult Male. - - -We have the pleasure of presenting to the reader, in the plate now -before him, one of the most singular of the birds of the family of Crows -and Jays yet known to inhabit North America. - -This bird was discovered in the Rocky Mountains, by that learned and -enthusiastic naturalist, Maximilian, Prince of Wied, who in the course -of travels in North America, and especially in the interior, contributed -a large amount of valuable information relating to the natural history -of the northern portion of our continent, as he had previously to that -of South America. Few books, in fact, contain more important -observations in the various departments of North American Zoology than -the work of that nobleman, “Travels in the Interior of North -America,—edition in German, Coblenz, 1839;” but, unfortunately, and -certainly without his approbation, nearly everything relating to natural -history is omitted in the English edition, London, 1843. In Ornithology, -the works of the Prince Maximilian are particularly valuable, and in -that relating to North America, there are many notices of little known -and interesting species, and the first descriptions of some which have -since been regarded as previously unknown by American writers. - -The present bird differs in generic as well as specific characters from -all other forms of the family to which it belongs. Its short, heavy -figure approximates it somewhat to the Nut-crackers of the old world -(_Nucifraga_), and to Clark’s Crow of Western America (_Picicorvus -columbianus_), and its habits, so far as known, are in some respects -similar to those of the latter. It does not appear, however, to be in -any considerable degree a fruit-eater, but is decidedly carnivorous, and -almost rapacious; preying on Reptiles, particularly the various species -of _Phrynosoma_, or Horned Frogs, as they are called with but little -propriety, which abound in Western North America. It appears, in fact, -to resemble in habits, to some extent, the reptile-eating Kingfishers -(_Genus Todiramphus_) of Asia, the Pacific islands and Australia, and if -not absolutely allied, is certainly a strongly analogous representative -of those curious birds. - -The first specimens of this bird which were brought to the attention of -American naturalists, were sent to the Philadelphia Academy, by Mr. -Edward M. Kern, who procured them during his connection with Col. -Frémont’s Expedition of 1846; and previously no others appear to have -reached Europe, than those of its discoverer, the Prince Maximilian. - -More recently it has been observed by several of the naturalists who -have visited Western America. Our friend, T. Charlton Henry, M. D., of -the United States’ Army, has noticed it repeatedly in the vicinity of -Fort Webster, in New Mexico. To him we have the pleasure of expressing -our obligations for the following interesting notes relating to this -bird, as well as for many others: - -“This singular and handsome Jay, I first met with near San Miguel, in -July, 1852, where I observed a party of some twenty or thirty specimens -flitting through the cedars along the roadside. They were mostly young -birds, and constantly alighted on the ground, for the purpose, as I -ascertained, of capturing lizards, which they killed with great -readiness and devoured. - -“Since that time, I have frequently observed this bird in the winter -only, in the neighborhood of Fort Webster, and always in flocks of about -forty or fifty; indeed I am not sure that I have not repeatedly fallen -in with the same flock, and it may not therefore be as abundant as I am -inclined to suppose. Here they evince an exceeding wariness and are very -difficult to approach; I have chased a flock for hours without -succeeding in getting within gun-shot. - -“Almost invariably a flock alights near the summit of a hill, and passes -down its side rapidly, all the birds keeping quite near to each other, -and individuals frequently alighting on the ground, when their attention -is attracted by their favorite food. They appear to be very social and -keep up a continued twittering note. I have occasionally seen them -flying in close flocks, high in the air, and apparently passing from one -mountain or hill to another. - -“This bird, so far as I have seen, is exclusively a mountain species, as -I have never observed it in the plains or the bottom lands, which are -the usual haunts of its relatives, Steller’s and the California Jay. It -differs, however, from them in many respects, and is the only species of -these birds that I have never met with singly or in parties of -half-a-dozen individuals only. I have always seen it in large flocks. -Its food appears to be exclusively reptiles.” - -C. B. R. Kennerly, M. D., a young naturalist of great promise, who was -attached as Zoologist to Lieut. Whipple’s party, for surveying a route -for a railroad to the Pacific Ocean, brought fine specimens of the bird -now before us, in the large and highly interesting collection of birds -made by him in the countries traversed by the expedition. To Dr. -Kennerly we are indebted for the following notice of this species: - -“During the march of our party from the Rio Grande to the Sierra Madre, -we saw this bird nearly every day. At that season, which was November, -large flocks were constantly found in the vicinity of the running -streams, which on being frightened from the low bushes, circled around, -loudly uttering their peculiar cry, and rising higher and higher, until -they reached the summit of some tree on the rocky hills. When settled, -they continued their discordant notes, which somewhat resemble some of -those of the common Cat-bird (_Mimus felivox_).” - -The Prince Maximilian’s specimens of this bird were obtained on Maria’s -river, one of the tributaries of the Upper Missouri, in the northern -part of the possessions of the United States in Western America, and -much farther north than it has been observed by either of the late -naturalists. It probably inhabits a very extensive district, the limits -of which cannot at present be conjectured. - -The figure in the present plate is that of the adult male, and is about -two-thirds of the natural size. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Gymnokitta. De Wied in Bonap. Consp. Av., p. 382. (1850.) - -General form, rather short, robust; bill, straight, wide at base, -somewhat rounded and flattened at the point, ridge of the under mandible -(or gonys) very distinctly ascending; wings, rather long, first quill -very short, fourth, longest, but only slightly longer than the third and -fifth; tail, moderate, containing twelve feathers; legs and feet, -strong. - - Gymnokitta cyanocephala. (De Wied). - Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus. De Wied, Travels in North America (1839, - Coblenz). - Cyanocorax Cassinii. McCall, Proc. Acad. Philada., V. p. 216. (1851.) - -Form. Bill, straight, wide at base, blunt and rounded, and somewhat -flattened towards the point; wings, rather long, secondaries, broad and -mostly obtuse at their ends; tail, moderate, tarsi rather long, -moderately robust, and with the toes distinctly scaled; claws, curved, -rather strong and sharp. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin), about 10 inches; wing, 6; tail, 4½; -bill, from gape, 1½ inches. - -Colors. _Adult._—Throat, white, tinged with bluish running into stripes -on the neck before. Entire other plumage, above and below, ashy-blue, -much darker and clearer on the head, palest on the abdomen, tibiæ and -under wing coverts. Cheeks and frontal feathers, pale ultramarine; bill -and claws dark; irides, light-brown—sexes alike. - -Hab. New Mexico, Nebraska. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., -Washington city. - -Obs. This species does not resemble any other in such degree as to -readily lead to confusion, and as yet stands alone in its genus. - -The bird described by Col. McCall, as above, and to which he did us the -honor to apply our name, he has since ascertained to be the present -species, of which, at the time of the publication of his description, no -specimen was exhibited in the nearly complete collection of Jays in the -museum of the Philadelphia Academy, nor had it ever been mentioned by -any American ornithologist. He observed it in the vicinity of Santa Fé, -in considerable numbers. - -Although as we have said above, nearly the whole of the valuable -Zoological notes in the German edition of the Prince Maximilian’s -Travels, are omitted in the English translation; two notices of the -present species may be found in the latter, pp. 287, 297, the last of -which is the description, and seems to have accidentally escaped the -singular want of judgment which induced the omissions to which we -allude. - - [Illustration: Plate 29 - The Black Flycatcher - Ptilogonys nitens (_Swainson_)] - - - - - PTILOGONYS NITENS.—Swainson. - The Black Flycatcher. - PLATE XXIX.—Adult Male and Female. - - -This gracefully formed, but sombre-colored little bird was first added -to the Ornithological fauna of the United States, by our valued friend, -Colonel George A. McCall, Inspector General in the Army of the United -States, who observed it, and obtained numerous specimens, while on a -tour of duty in California, in 1852. It had previously been known as a -Mexican species, having been described by Mr. Swainson, in 1838, from -specimens sent from that country. - -This bird belongs to a small group of Fly-catchers, containing not more -than five or six species, all of which are inhabitants of either Western -North America, Mexico, or the southern portion of this continent. They -appear to possess the habits of true Fly-catchers, and are remarkable -for their slender but active forms, in which the long and ample tail and -the elongated feathers of the head, capable of being erected into a -handsome crest, are generally conspicuous. The best known North American -species is _Ptilogonys obscurus_, La Fresnaye (which is _Ptilogonys -Townsendii_, Audubon), a bird that is now brought from the far west by -nearly all collectors. - -Respecting the curious little species which is the subject of our -present article, we have the pleasure of laying before the reader the -following notes very kindly furnished by Col. McCall. - -“The first opportunity that I had for observing the manners of this -bird, was afforded me in 1852, while travelling from _Valle-cita_ to _El -Chino_, in California. On that occasion, as I left the country bordering -the desert, and began to ascend the hills, my route followed the course -of a mountain brook, whose clear waters were at intervals shaded with -gnarled and scrubby oaks. In approaching one of these clumps of trees, I -remarked a number of dark-colored birds, which afterwards were found to -belong to this species, darting upwards from the topmost branches, and -after diving and pitching about in the air for a moment, returning again -to the dead branches with the lively port that proved them to be engaged -in the agreeable pastime of taking their insect prey. A nearer approach -showed them to be light and graceful on the wing; but less swift and -decided in their motions than most of the true Fly-catchers. There were -about a dozen in company, and they presented a pleasing sight, as three -or four together were constantly either pitching upwards to a -considerable height in the air, or gliding silently back to their -perches. In these ærial evolutions, the bright spot on the wing, which -is formed by broad patches of white on the inner webs of six or seven of -the quill feathers, and is visible only when the wing is spread, gleamed -conspicuously in the sunshine, and formed a fine contrast with the -glossy black of the general plumage. I sat upon my horse, watching their -movements for some time, and I now perceived that two of their numbers -were of a dusky hue, and without the wing spot to which I have referred; -but I could discover no difference in their manners or their style of -flight. I, therefore, had little doubt of their being adult females; for -although at that period of the year, (June 20) the young birds might -have been well grown, yet there is generally a want of decided character -in the unpractised flight of young birds, which betrays them to the -Sportsman’s eye. In fact, these birds agreed with Swainson’s description -of the female in general terms; and my only regret is that I was not -able to satisfy myself by dissection whether these to which I now refer -were in reality adult females, or young males in their first plumage. - -“However, on my attempting to approach still nearer, these birds became -alarmed, and winging their way to the hill-side, alighted on the scraggy -bushes scattered among large projecting rocks, where they resumed their -sport, rising lightly into the air and darting about after insects, -which seemed to be abundant. I followed—but they were now on the _qui -vive_, and, without permitting me to get within gun-shot, flew from bush -to bush, as I advanced, keeping all the while in a loose irregular -flock, and still pursuing their sport of fly-catching. In this way they -continued to ascend the hills, until the broken character of the ground -abruptly stopped my horse. Having, however, dismounted, I clambered over -the rocks, and at last succeeded in killing two of them. These were -alike in plumage—black, with the wing spot; and one of them, which I -dissected, proved to be a male. - -“As I journeyed on towards the Sierra Nevada, I met, during several days -succeeding, these birds, either in small companies, or singly; and -subsequently I found a few individuals between _El Chino_ and _Los -Angeles_; but they were invariably black, with the white wing spot. And -I never on any occasion, except the one I have referred to, saw one of -those clad in dusky garments, which I had supposed were females. - -“The localities in which I found these birds, were either on the -mountainsides, or in the timbered borders of mountain streams. - -“The measurements of the fresh specimen were as follows—length, 8 -inches; wing, 3½; tail, 3½. - -“The figure slender—the feet rather strong.” - -This bird has also been noticed by Dr. Heermann, in various parts of -California, and by Dr. Henry, and Dr. Kennerly, in New Mexico. To the -former gentleman, we are indebted for the following contribution, -intended for our present article: - -“This bird is seldom found in the northern part of California, though I -procured both adults and young on the Consumnes river, in 1851. Since -then, however, a naturalist and friend of mine residing there has not -seen a single other specimen, though giving much of his attention to -ornithology, and to the migratory habits of such birds as pass through -that section of country. - -“I was therefore surprised to meet with this species after sixty miles -of travel on the Colorado desert near the Little Lagoon. It was perched -on a _Mesquite_ tree, jerking its tail almost incessantly, as do various -other species of Fly-catchers, and dashing occasionally in irregular -curves and angles high into the air in pursuit of insects. On -approaching the Colorado, this Fly-catcher became quite abundant, as I -frequently saw companies of twenty or thirty together, many of which -would be on the wing at the same time, engaged at their usual -employment. At Fort Yuma, this species was also met with in considerable -numbers late in November, when they were migrating southward. Its note -is a low, plaintive whistle. This bird undoubtedly incubates in -California, as I have seen specimens which were certainly very young -birds, though I have not been so fortunate as to discover its nest.” - -Near Fort Webster, in New Mexico, Dr. Henry has seen this bird, though -he considers it of rather rare occurrence. Dr. Kennerly noticed it in -abundance during the months of February and March, on the route of -Lieut. Whipple’s party, from the Big Sandy creek to the Great Colorado -river. - -Our plate represents the adult male and female about two-thirds of the -size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Ptilogonys. Swainson, Zool. Jour. III. p. 164. (1827.) - -Bill, moderate, wide at base, upper mandible curved towards the end, and -distinctly notched; wings, moderate or rather long, first primary very -short, or rudimentary; tail, long; legs and feet, moderate. General -form, rather slender; head frequently with elongated crest-like -feathers. Contains several species of birds, all of which are American. - - Ptilogonys nitens. Swainson. Lardner’s Cab. Cy. Birds, Pt. III. p. - 285. (1838.) - -Form. Slender; crest-like feathers of the head much elongated; wings -with the fifth and sixth quills longest and nearly equal; tail, long, -graduated. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 7½ inches; wing, 3¾; tail, 4 -inches. - -Colors. _Male._—Entire plumage glossy black, with a greenish lustre, -except a spot on the inner web of each primary quill, occupying about -the middle third of its length, which is pure white. Bill and feet, -black. - -_Female._—Entire plumage, except the tail, cinereous, tinged with olive -on the back and abdomen; superior wing coverts, and inferior tail -coverts, edged and tipped with white. Quills, dark-brown—secondaries -edged with white; tail, black, without lustre. _Young_—like the female; -but in the males, with the spot on the primaries discernable, though -more or less obscure. - -Hab. California, New Mexico and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada., -and Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. A remarkable resemblance exists between the bird now before us and -two other species of Fly-catchers of another genus, _Fluvicola comata_ -(Licht.), and _Fluvicola nigerrima_ (Vieill), both of which are natives -of South America, and we have seen the latter also from Mexico. The -three birds resemble each other in general form in a very considerable -degree, and in colors are almost absolutely the same, the prevalent -black of the plumage differing only in shade. Generic and specific -distinctions can, however, readily be made out on comparison of -specimens. _Fluvicola_ has the bill longer and not so wide at the base -and with much stronger bristles; the wings are differently constructed, -the first primary being long and well developed, not short or -rudimentary as in _Ptilogonys_. In those two species of _Fluvicola_, -which differ from each other materially only in size, the white spot is -more at the base of the wing feathers than in _Ptilogonys nitens_, in -which it occupies the middle third of the primaries. _Fluvicola comata_ -is the same as _Blechropus cristatus_, Swainson, in Naturalist’s -Library, Flycatchers, p. 99, plate 7. No other species of _Ptilogonys_ -is black. - - [Illustration: Plate 30 - The Mexican Wren - Troglodytes mexicanus (_Swainson_)] - - - - - TROGLODYTES MEXICANUS.—(Swainson.) - The White-throated Wren. - PLATE XXX.—Adult Male. - - -In the United States, the little House Wren is associated with so many -pleasing recollections, and possesses such pre-eminently social and -familiar habits, that one almost expects in all birds bearing the name -of wrens, to find similarity of disposition, and perhaps similar regard -from the people of other lands. But this is by no means the case. There -is really but one House Wren, and that is the little fellow who comes -punctually in the early spring, and evidently without a doubt of his -being welcome to take possession of the box or other habitation of the -previous season, perhaps of many seasons. And forthwith he commences -housekeeping, which usually, if no accidental discouragements intervene, -is very successful, as one may judge from the number of little heads -soon to be seen by peeping in at the door of his domicile. - -The Wren is, in this country, nearly as much of a household bird as the -Robin, of Europe, and more than any other, not even excepting the -Martin, is universally regarded with favor. He is, however, the only one -of the numerous species of American Wrens that shows any disposition to -cultivate the acquaintance of mankind, or at all to accept of any -proffered hospitalities. Though the Carolina Wren and Bewick’s Wren both -venture occasionally into the garden or orchard, they are comparatively -shy and apprehensive, apparently, of there being danger in too great -familiarity. - -The large species represented in our present plate is a native of Mexico -and California, and lives exclusively in localities remote from the -habitations of man. Though known as a bird of Mexico, it is not -represented as an abundant species in that country, and within the -limits of the United States has been observed only by Dr. Heermann, and -Dr. Kennerly. - -In his notes on the Birds of California, in the Journal of the -Philadelphia Academy, II. p. 263, Dr. Heermann’s observations on the -present bird are as follows, and contain the first notice of this -species as an inhabitant of the United States: - -“I first met with this bird in the fall of 1851, on the Consumnes river, -but in the spring of 1852, I procured three specimens on the Calaveras -river. It is an active bird, having a loud sprightly song, that is heard -at a considerable distance, and which it repeats at short intervals. I -found it occupied in searching for insects between and under the large -boulders of rock which, along some portions of this river, are thrown -together in confused masses, as if by some terrific convulsion of -nature.” - -Dr. Kennerly, during the survey recently completed by Lieut. Whipple’s -party, noticed this Wren in New Mexico, and obtained specimens now -deposited in the National Museum at Washington city. For our present -article he has very kindly favored us with the following note: - -“This active little bird was observed only among the hills along the -head waters of Bill Williams’ fork. In the most rugged and inaccessible -places it was generally found busily engaged in searching for food, -rapidly passing around and among the rocks with great activity, and -accompanying its movements with its short and peculiar chirp. It is so -constantly in motion that specimens can only be obtained with -difficulty.” - -This species was described by Mr. Swainson, from specimens sent to -Europe from Real del Monte, in Mexico, and we have seen others from -various parts of that country. - -The figure in the plate now before the reader, is that of an adult male, -and is about two-thirds of the size of life. - -The plant represented is _Nemophila insignis_, a native of California. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Troglodytes. Vieill, Nouv. Dict., XXXIV. p. 505. (1819.) - Troglodytes mexicanus. (Swainson.) - Thryothorus mexicanus. Swainson, Zool. Ill., 2d series, I. p. (none), - pl. 11. - -Form. Bill, long, slender and curved; wings, short, rounded, with the -fourth and fifth quills longest; tail, rather long; legs and feet, -moderately strong; claws, large. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 5½ inches; wing, 2½; tail, 2 -inches. - -Colors. Throat and neck before, silky-white. Entire upper parts, -reddish-brown, with minute circular or irregularly shaped spots of pure -white, which are inserted in others of very dark-brown, nearly black; -quills, dark-brown, spotted on their outer webs with ferruginous; tail, -bright ferruginous, with about eight regular transverse bands of black. -Entire under parts (except the throat and neck before, as above), bright -ferruginous, rather darker than that of the tail, nearly every feather -having a small irregularly shaped spot of white, joined to another of -black; bill, light at the base, darker towards the tip. Sexes very -nearly alike. - -Hab. California, New Mexico, Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and -Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. This very handsome Wren is not properly to be regarded as a true -_Troglodytes_, but belongs to a small group or sub-genus, to which M. -Cabanis has given the name _Salpinctes_. It does not particularly -resemble any other species. - - - - - SYNOPSIS - OF - NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. - - - III. FAMILY STRIGIDÆ. THE OWLS. - -General form short and heavy, with the head apparently -disproportionately large, and frequently furnished with ear-like tufts -of feathers. Cavity of the ear, large; eyes, usually large, directed -forwards, and in the greater number of species formed for seeing by -twilight or in the night; bill, nearly concealed by projecting -bristle-like feathers; wings, usually, rather long and formed for rather -slow and noiseless flight, outer edges of primary quills fringed; tail, -various, usually short; legs, generally, rather short, and in all the -species, except those of the Asiatic genus _Ketupa_, Lesson, more or -less feathered to the toes, generally densely; face surrounded by a more -or less perfect disc or circle of short rigid feathers, which circle, -with the large eyes directed forwards, gives to these birds an entirely -peculiar and cat-like expression, indicative of their analogy to the -_Feline_ quadrupeds. - -Female larger than the male. General organization adapted to the -destruction of living animals in the night, or in the morning and -evening twilight—midnight appears to be the noon of these birds, at -which they are not disposed to activity. - -Species of owls inhabit all parts of the world, most abundantly in -America and Asia. There are about one hundred and forty described -species, of which number, specimens of about one hundred and twenty are -in the collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. -The species inhabiting the continent and islands of America are about -forty. - - - A. - - - I. SUB-FAMILY STRIGINÆ. THE TRUE OR TYPICAL OWLS. - -Head, large; facial disc, perfect; bill, rather long; eyes, of moderate -size; wings, long; tail, moderate; legs, rather long, clothed with short -feathers; toes, long—size, medium, never very large; colors of plumage -in the greater number of species, yellowish-fawn color and white. - - - I. GENUS STRIX. Linnæus Syst. Nat., I. p. 131. (1766.) - -Head, large, without ear-tufts; cavity of the ear, large; bill, rather -long, covered at the base by projecting, bristle-like feathers; eyes, -rather small, and surrounded by radiated feathers; facial disc, perfect; -wings, very long, pointed, and with the outer edges distinctly fringed; -tarsi, long, thinly covered with feathers; toes, long, more or less -covered with bristles; claws, long, moderately strong, curved, very -sharp; tail, moderate, or rather long. Contains about twelve species of -all parts of the world, nearly all of which resemble in a greater or -less measure _Strix flammea_, of Europe, and _Strix pratincola_, of -North America. - - 1. Strix pratincola. Bonap. Comp. List., p. 7. (1838.) The Barn Owl. - Strix americana. Aud. Orn. Biog. II. p. 421 (1834, but not of - Gmelin, 1788). - - Wilson Am. Orn., VI. pl. 50., fig. 2. Aud. B. of Am. pl. 171, octavo - edition, I. pl. 34. Nat. Hist. State of New York Birds, pl. 13, fig. - 28. - - Typical, and strictly exhibiting the generic characters. - - Adult. Entire plumage above, pale fawn color, or tawny - brownish-yellow, in some specimens nearly white, mottled with - dark-gray and white, especially on the back and wing coverts and outer - webs of the quills, which mottling gives the predominating color of - those parts to many specimens; nearly every feather with a small - subterminal black spot succeeded by another of white. Quills, - fawn-colored, or pale reddish-yellow, varying much in shade in - different specimens, and fading into nearly white on the inner webs; - primaries with about five irregular transverse bars of brownish-black. - Under parts, generally pale fawn color, but in some specimens, pure - white, with small sagittate, lanceolate or circular spots of - brownish-black; tibiæ and tarsi similar in color to the other under - parts, but frequently unspotted and pure white; inferior coverts of - the wing and tail, white; tail, same color as quills and crossed by - four or five bars of dark-brown; face, white, with central spots of - dark-chestnut nearly encircling the eyes, disc feathers tipped with - dark fawn-color and brownish-black, forming a very conspicuous margin, - especially on the lower part of the face; bill, toes and claws, - light-yellowish; irides, brown. Distinctive colors of sexes not well - understood, but they are, probably, nearly alike. - - Dimensions. _Female_, total length, about 16 inches; wing, 13; tail, - 5½ inches. _Male_, smaller. - - Hab. The whole of North America, except the northern regions; more - abundant in the south. Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy), Vermont (Dr. Brewer, Mr. - Z. Thompson), Massachusetts (Dr. Emmons), Oregon (U. S. Ex. Exp., - Vincennes), California (Dr. Heermann), New Mexico (Dr. Henry), South - Carolina (Mr. Audubon, Prof. Gibbes), Texas, Mexico (Lieut. Couch). - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This handsome species of Owl may be regarded as most properly a -southern and western species, being of rather rare occurrence north of -Virginia, though it breeds occasionally in the Northern States. It is -nearly related to _Strix flammea_ of Europe, but is larger. It very much -resembles also several other species of various parts of the world, such -as _S. perlata_ of South America, _S. furcata_ of the island of Cuba, -and others. Naturalists have, in fact, established species on very -slender characters, amongst the owls of this group. It is a very -harmless bird, resorting in the south to buildings and outhouses, and -subsisting on small animals. Different specimens vary considerably in -shade of color and somewhat in dimensions. - - - II. SUB-FAMILY BUBONINÆ. THE HORNED OWLS. - -Size, various, in some species very large, in others, small; head, -large, always furnished with conspicuous ear-tufts, facial disc -incomplete in the upper part; legs, feet and claws usually strong. This -division contains numerous species of all parts of the world, except -Australia. - - - I. GENUS BUBO. Cuvier, Regne Animal, I. p. 331. (1817.) - -Size, large; general form, very robust and strong; head, large, with -prominent ear-tufts; eyes, very large; wings, long, wide; tail, -moderate; tarsi short, and with the toes densely feathered; claws, very -strong, curved; bill, rather short, curved from the base, strong, -covered at base by projecting plumes. This genus contains the large -horned Owls of which there are about fifteen species, the greater part -being peculiar to Asia and Africa. - - 1. Bubo virginianus. (Gmelin.) The great horned Owl. The Cat Owl. - Strix virginiana. Gm. Syst. Nat. I. p. 287. (1788.) - Strix pythaules. Bartram Trav. p. 289. (1791.) - Bubo ludovicianus. Daudin Traité d’Orn. II. p. 210. (1800.) - Bubo pinicola. Vieill. Ois. d’Am., Sept., I. p. 51. (1807.) - - Edward’s Birds, II. pl. 60. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept., I. pl. 19. - Wilson, Am. Orn., VI. pl. 50. fig. 1. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 61, Oct. - ed., I. pl. 39. Nat. Hist. N. Y., pl. 10, fig. 22. - - Large, adult, entire plumage above, dark-brown, every feather mottled, - and with irregular lines of ashy-white and reddish fulvous, the latter - being the color of all the plumage at the bases of the feathers. - Ear-tufts, dark-brown, nearly black, edged on their inner webs with - dark fulvous, a black spot above and extending somewhat in front of - the eye, radiating feathers behind the eye, dark reddish fulvous, - feathers of the facial disc tipped with black; throat and neck before, - white; breast, with wide longitudinal stripes of black; other under - parts finely variegated with white and fulvous, and every feather - having transverse narrow lines of dark-brown. In many specimens, the - middle of the abdomen is pure white; legs and toes light fulvous, - generally unspotted, but in some specimens, with transverse narrow - bars of dark-brown; quills, brown, with wide transverse bands of - cinereous, tinged on the inner webs with pale fulvous; tail, the same, - with the pale fulvous predominating in the outer feathers; iris, - yellow; bill and claws, dark. - -The colors of the plumage, and the size also, in this species, vary -materially. There may be distinguished the following varieties, which -appear to be permanent in individual specimens, and are to some extent -geographical. Though at present, with a large number of specimens before -us, we are of opinion that they are all of one species, it may be that -they are distinct: - - Variety, _atlanticus_. - - The common species as just described. Feathers of the face behind the - eye, always bright reddish fulvous, and the entire plumage more marked - with that color than in the others, as below. This variety inhabits - the eastern and northern portion of North America. - - Variety, _pacificus_. - - Feathers of the face, behind the eye, ashy, generally faintly tinged - with fulvous. General plumage with the fulvous color paler than the - preceding. - - This variety appears to be restricted to the west, and nearly all the - specimens that we have seen are of a smaller size than it is usual to - find in the eastern bird, though we have seen specimens of the latter - which were not larger. - - Variety, _arcticus_. - Bubo arcticus. Swainson, Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, p. 86, pl. 30. - (1831.) - Bubo sub-arcticus. Hoy, Proc. Acad., Philada., VI. p. 211. (Dec. - 1852.)? - Bubo septentrionalis. Brohm., Vog. Deutschl., p. 120. (1831.)? - Strix scandiaca. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 132. (1766.)? - - Feathers of the face, pure white, or very pale cream color. General - plumage, of a predominating pale yellowish-white, or cream color, of - various shades in different specimens, sometimes nearly pure white, - especially on the under parts, and always marked with brown, - frequently very pale and indistinct, in the same general manner as in - characteristic specimens of _B. virginianus_, var., _atlanticus_, but - with the lines and stripes much less numerous and paler; tarsi and - toes, nearly pure white. Size, in some specimens, quite as large as in - the common variety, and the plumage with more on less of the same - reddish fulvous at the bases of the feathers. - - Of the specimens of this bird that we have seen, one is Dr. Hoy’s - original, and another was brought from California, by Mr. Bell. The - latter is the smaller, and is probably a male. Dr. Hoy’s specimen, - which appears to be a large female, has the upper mandible with a more - prominent lobe than is usual in specimens of this species. - - Variety, _magellanicus_. - Strix magellanicus. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 286. (1788.) Buff. Pl. - Enl., I. pl. 385. - Strix nacurutu. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., VII. p. 44. (1817.) - Bubo ludovicianus. Daudin, Traité d’Orn, II. p. 210? - - Very similar to the common bird of eastern North America, and has all - the plumage at base fulvous, very variable in color, frequently - lighter than the common variety, but sometimes very dark; plumage - behind the eyes, generally pale cinereous, but in some specimens more - or less tinged with fulvous. - - This variety inhabits, apparently, the whole of South America, and, - probably, also southern North America. - - Dimensions. _Female._—Total length, 22 to 25 inches; wing 15 to 16; - tail, 10 inches. _Male_, total length, 19 to 21 inches; wing, 14 to - 15; tail, 9 inches. The western and southern varieties producing - smaller specimens than the eastern and northern. - - Hab. The whole of North America, western South America; Hudson’s Bay - (Richardson); Canada (Dr. Hall); Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Washington - territory (Dr. Cooper); Minnesota (Mr. Pratten); Vermont (Mr. - Thompson); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. Heermann); Texas - (Mr. Schott); Indian territory (Dr. Woodhouse); Mexico (Lieut. Couch). - Breeds in Pennsylvania and northward. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. With numerous specimens before us from various parts of America, we -are unable to recognise any differences sufficient to establish specific -distinctions, and we have therefore provisionally designated the above -four varieties. All of them vary considerably in shade of color in -different specimens. - -This is the largest owl of North America, except one, the Great -Cinereous Owl (_Syrnium cinereum_) and, like several other species of -large birds, retreats before the progress of the settlement of the -country. Formerly abundant, it is now comparatively rare in the more -thickly populated states, and appears almost entirely as a wanderer in -winter. - -Specimens are not frequently seen so dark nor so large as represented in -Mr. Audubon’s plate. - - - II. GENUS SCOPS. Savigny, Nat. Hist. Egypt, I. p. 105. (1809.) - - EPHIALTES. Keyserling and Blasius, Wirbelth. Eur. p. 33. (1840.) - -Size, small; head, large, with conspicuous ear-tufts; facial disc, -imperfect above the eyes; bill, short, curved, nearly covered by -projecting feathers; wings, long; tail, short, and generally slightly -curved inwards; tarsi, rather long, and more or less covered; toes, -long, partially covered with hair-like feathers; claws, rather long, -curved, strong. General form short and compact. A genus containing about -twenty-five species of small Owls of all parts of the world, except -Australia. - - 1. Scops asio. (Linn.) The Mottled Owl. The Red Owl. The Screech Owl. - Strix asio. Linn. Syst. Nat., I. p. 132. (1766.) - Strix nævia. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 289. (1788.) - Bubo striatus. Vieill., Ois d’Am. Sept., I. p. 54. (1807.) - - Catesby’s Carolina, I. pl. 7. Vieill., Ois. d’Am. Sept., I. pl. 21. - Temm., Pl. Col. 80. Wilson, Am. Orn., pl. 19, fig. 1.; pl. 42, fig. 1. - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 97. Oct. ed., I. pl. 40. Nat. Hist. N. Y., pl. - 12, figs. 25, 26. - - Short and compact; head, large; ear-tufts, prominent; wing, with the - fourth quill slightly longest; tail, short, somewhat curved inwards; - tarsi, long, fully clothed with feathers; toes, hairy. Adult. Entire - plumage above, pale ashy-brown, nearly every feather with a - longitudinal line, or stripe of dark brown, nearly black, and - irregularly mottled, and with irregular transverse lines of brown, - more or less tinged with ashy. Under parts, ashy-white, every feather - with a longitudinal stripe of brownish black and with transverse lines - of the same color; face and throat and tarsi ashy-white, irregularly - lined and mottled with pale brownish; quills, brown, with transverse - bands, nearly white on the outer webs, and pale ashy brown on their - inner webs; tail, pale ashy-brown, with about ten transverse narrow - bands of pale cinereous with a tinge of reddish; under wing-coverts, - white, the larger tipped with black; bill and claws, light horn-color; - irides, yellow. Younger. Entire upper parts, pale brownish-red, some - feathers, especially on the head and scapulars, having longitudinal - lines of brownish-black; under parts, white, some feathers with - longitudinal stripes and lines of reddish-brown; feathers before the - eyes, throat, under wing-coverts, and tarsi, white, frequently with a - tinge of reddish; quills, reddish-brown, with transverse bands rufous - on the outer webs, ashy on their inner; tail, rufous, with brown bands - deeper on the inner webs. Young. Upper parts, except the head, rufous; - head and entire under parts transversely striped with ashy-white and - pale brown. Very Young. Entire plumage transversely striped with - ashy-white and pale brown, tinged with rufous on the wings and tail; - white nearly pure on under surface of the body. - - Dimensions. Total length, 9½; to 10 inches; wing, 7; tail, 3½ inches. - Male but slightly smaller. - - Hab. The whole of North America; Greenland (Fabricius); Canada (Dr. - Hall); Minnesota (Mr. Pratten); Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); Oregon (Dr. - Townsend); California (Dr. Heermann); Long Island (Mr. Giraud); South - Carolina (Prof. Gibbes); Indian Territory (Dr. Woodhouse). Breeds in - Pennsylvania. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This is one of the most abundant of the Owls inhabiting the States -on the Atlantic seaboard. It presents two constant varieties of plumage, -which have been regarded as distinct species; the mottled or gray -described above as the adult, and the red described as younger. These -two varieties appear to be very similar to those of the European -_Syrnium aluco_, and to some other species. - -The Rev. Dr. Bachman, of Charleston, S. C., has fully established the -identity of the two, and we have fully confirmed the accuracy of his -observations (in Aud. Orn. Biog., V. p. 392). The young birds, as stated -by him, are red when fully feathered, or nearly so; but we have observed -that previously they are transversely striped with brown and white, with -but little tinge of red, and presenting a general appearance somewhat -like the adult mottled bird. They pair and breed in the red plumage, and -it is not unusual to find a mottled male and red female associated, or -the reverse. According to Dr. Bachman, the perfect plumage is assumed at -the age of two years. Intermediate specimens, impossible to be referred -absolutely to either of the plumages, are not uncommon. - -This bird holds its place throughout the country in spite of the -constant destruction of the woodlands; and though universally known and -scarcely regarded favorably by our people, is seldom molested. Its food -is principally insects. - - 2. Scops McCallii. Cassin. _New species._ (July, 1854.) The Western - Mottled Owl. - - In form and general appearance like the preceding (_S. asio_), but - much smaller; short and robust; wing with the fourth quill longest; - tail short, slightly curved inwards; tarsi rather long, fully covered; - toes partially covered with long hair-like feathers. Adult. - _Male._—Much resembling in color the adult of the species immediately - preceding, but darker; entire plumage above, ashy-brown, nearly every - feather with a longitudinal stripe of brownish-black, and with - numerous irregular transverse lines and points of the same; under - parts, ashy-white, every feather with a longitudinal stripe of - brownish-black, and with well-defined but irregular transverse lines - of the same; flanks and sides tinged with pale fulvous; quills brown, - with several transverse bands of pale reddish-white, assuming the form - of quadrangular spots on the outer webs, and pale reddish ashy on the - inner webs; tail, ashy-brown, with about ten narrow transverse bands - on all except the two central feathers, well defined on the inner - webs; scapular feathers and some of the greater coverts of the wings, - edged with white; bill greenish horn-color, light yellowish at the - tip; irides, yellow. - - Dimensions. Total length, 7½ to 8 inches; wing, 6; tail, 3 inches. - _Male._ - - Hab. Texas (Mr. Schott); Northern Mexico (Lieut. Couch). Spec. in Mus. - Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. This species very considerably resembles the adult or grey plumage -of the _Scops asio_, but is uniformly much smaller and darker in color. -The transverse lines on the under surface of the body are better defined -and more numerous. It also somewhat resembles _Scops choliba_ of South -America, under which name we suppose the female of the present bird to -be alluded to by Mr. Lawrence, in Annals N. Y. Lyceum, VI. p. 4. - -This interesting species we have taken the liberty of dedicating to our -esteemed friend, Col. McCall, as a slight memento of long-continued and -unbroken friendship, and in testimony of our high appreciation of him as -a naturalist, who has contributed much of interest and importance, -especially to the ornithology of Western America. - - - III. GENUS OTUS. Cuvier, Regne Animal, I. p. 327. (1817.) - -Head moderate, furnished with erectile ear-tufts, varying in size in -different species; bill rather short, nearly concealed by projecting -bristle-like feathers, curved from the base; facial disc more perfect -than in the two preceding genera; wings rather long, with the second and -third quills longest; tail moderate; legs long; tarsi and toes densely -covered with feathers; claws long, curved, very acute; eyes rather -small, and surrounded by radiating feathers; facial disc nearly perfect. -Contains about ten species of various parts of the world. - - 1. Otus Wilsonianus. Lesson, Traité d’Orn., I. p. 110. (1831.) The - long-eared Owl. - Otus americanus. Bonap., Comp. List., p. 7. (1838.) - Strix americana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 288. (1788)? Bonap., Cons. - Av., p. 50. - Strix peregrinator. Bartram, Trav., p. 289. (1790)? - - Wilson, Am. Orn., VI. pl. 51, fig. 1. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 383, octavo - ed., I. pl. 37. Nat. Hist. N. Y., pl. 11, fig. 24. - - Ear-tufts long and conspicuous; wings long; tarsi and toes densely - feathered. Adult. Entire plumage above mottled with very dark brown - (nearly black), ashy-white and fulvous, the former color, brown, - predominating; breast pale fulvous, every feather with a wide - longitudinal stripe of brownish-black; abdomen white, every feather - with a wide longitudinal stripe, and with transverse stripes of - brownish-black; legs and toes pale fulvous, usually unspotted, but in - some specimens with irregular transverse narrow stripes of dark brown; - eye nearly encircled with black, radiating feathers of the face in - front of the eye ashy-white, with minute black lines, behind the eye - deep fulvous, and narrowly tipped with black; throat white; feathers - of the disc tipped with black; ear-tufts brownish-black, edged with - ashy-white and fulvous; quills pale fulvous at their bases, with - irregular transverse bands of brown, terminating portions brown, with - yellowish, ashy, irregular bands, which are mottled with brown; - inferior coverts of the wings pale fulvous, in some specimens nearly - white, the larger inferior coverts widely tipped with brownish-black, - forming a conspicuous transverse band on the under surface of the - wing; tail brown, with several irregular transverse bands of ashy - fulvous, which bands are mottled as on the quills; bill and claws - dark; irides yellow. Sexes probably alike at the same ages. - - Dimensions. _Female._—Total length, about 15 inches; wing, 11½; tail, - 6 inches. _Male._—Smaller. - - Hab. Northern and Eastern North America. Breeds in Pennsylvania. - Hudson’s Bay (Richardson and Swainson); Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. - Townsend); Washington Territory (Dr. Cooper); Nebraska (Dr. Suckley); - Massachusetts (Dr. Emmons); Long Island (Mr. Giraud). - -Obs. This is one of the commonest species of Owls in the Northern and -Eastern States on the Atlantic. It much resembles the European _Otus -vulgaris_, with which American authors have generally considered it -identical, but it is larger and darker colored. It is a shy and secluded -species, seldom venturing far from the woods, and appears to be a -constant resident in the middle and northern States. - - 2. Otus brachyotus. (Forster.) The Short-eared Owl. The Marsh Owl. - Strix brachyotos. Forster, Philos. Trans. London, LXII. p. 384. - (1772.) - Brachyotus palustris americanus. Bonap., Cons. Av., p. 51. (1849.) - Otus galapagoensis. Gould, Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1837, p. 10? - - Wilson, Am. Orn., IV. pl. 33, fig. 3. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 410; Oct. - ed., I. pl. 38. Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 12, fig. 27. - - Ear-tufts very short and inconspicuous; bill short, curved, nearly - concealed by projecting feathers; wings rather long, second quill - longest; tail moderate; tarsi and toes densely feathered. Adult. - Entire plumage buff or pale fulvous, every feather with a wide central - longitudinal stripe of dark brown; under parts pale buff color, - striped longitudinally with brown, more sparingly on the flanks and - abdomen; legs and toes buff, usually of a deeper shade than the under - parts of the body; wing-coverts and secondary quills brown, with large - ovate or circular spots of pale reddish fulvous on their outer-webs; - primaries pale reddish fulvous at their bases, brown at their ends, - with wide irregular bars, and large spots of reddish fulvous; tail - pale fulvous, with about five irregular transverse bands of brown, - which color predominates on the two central feathers; outermost - feathers palest; under tail-coverts nearly pure white; throat white; - eyes surrounded by large black spots; radiating feathers in front of - the eyes white, behind the eyes fulvous, with delicate lines of black - on the shafts of the feathers; ear-tufts brown, widely edged with pale - fulvous; bill and claws dark; irides yellow. Sexes alike. - - Dimensions. _Female._—Total length, about 15 inches; wing, 12; tail, 6 - inches. _Male._—Smaller. - - Hab. The whole of North America and Western South America. Greenland - (Prof. Holboll); Canada (Dr. Hall); Washington Territory (Dr. Cooper); - California (Dr. Heermann); Chili (Lieut. Gillis); Bermuda (Sir W. - Jardine); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye). - -Obs. This Owl is of frequent occurrence, especially in the winter -season, throughout the Eastern States of the Union, and appears to -prefer meadows and marshes along the course of rivers or other streams -of water. We have met with it, too, occasionally in straggling bushes in -fields remote from such localities. - -This bird has been almost universally considered identical with the bird -known by the same name, which is found throughout Europe and Asia; but -it is nearly or quite as distinct as some other American birds of this -family recognised on all hands as separate species. On comparison of -series of specimens of the two, it will be found that the American are -larger, and for much the greater part darker colored, especially the -females. The name _brachyotus_ is, however, applicable to the American -species only, having been first applied by Forster to an American -specimen in his “Account of the Birds sent from Hudson’s Bay, with -observations relative to their Natural History,” in the Philosophical -Transactions of the Royal Society, London, 1772. - -We have had no facilities for comparing the stages of plumage of the -young of the American and European or Asiatic species, but have no doubt -they will be found to present sufficient distinctive characters. We have -omitted the many synonymes of the European bird, for reasons above -intimated. - -_Otus galapagoensis_, Gould, is scarcely to be distinguished from our -present bird. Admitting the genus _Brachyotus_, Gould, we think it very -probable that the name of the present species ought to stand _Brachyotus -galapagoensis_ (Gould). - -Very fine specimens of this Owl are contained in the large and highly -interesting collection of birds made in Chili, by Lieut. Gilliss, of the -United States Navy. It appears to inhabit the plains on the Pacific, and -nearly all the specimens are of a deeper shade of fulvous than is -usually met with in those of the North, though we have seen specimens of -the latter precisely similar to them. - - - III. SUB-FAMILY SYRNIINÆ. THE GREY OWLS. - -Head large, with very small and concealed ear-tufts, or entirely -without; facial disc nearly complete; eyes rather small; wings rather -short; tarsi and toes generally fully feathered. Size various. - - - I. GENUS SYRNIUM. Savigny, Nat. Hist. Egypt, I. p. 112. (1809.) - -Size usually large; head large, without ear-tufts; facial disc nearly -perfect; bill rather strong, wide at base, curved from its base; wings -long, somewhat rounded, fourth and fifth quills longest; tail long, -wide, rounded; legs moderately long, robust; tarsi and toes densely -covered with short feathers; claws long, curved, very sharp. A genus -containing fifteen to twenty species of various parts of the world, -principally northern. - - 1. Syrnium cinereum. (Gm.) The Great Gray Owl. The Cinereous Owl. - Strix cinerea. Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. p. 291. (1788.) - Strix lapponica. Retzius, Faun. Suec., p. 79. (1800.) - Strix fuliginosa. Shaw, Gen. Zool., VII. p. 244. (1809.) - Strix barbata. Pallas, Zool. Ross., I. p. 318. (1811.) - Strix acclamator. Bartram, Trav., p. 289. (1790.)? - - Fauna., Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 31. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 351: Oct. ed., I. - pl. 35. Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 13, fig. 29. Pallas, Zool. Ross., - Birds, pl. 2. Gould, B. of Europe, I. pl. 42. - - Large; head very large; eyes small; tail long. Adult. Entire upper - parts smoky-brown, nearly every feather more or less mottled and - transversely barred with ashy-white; under parts smoky-brown; feathers - on the breast edged with ashy-white, and on the abdomen edged and - transversely barred with ashy-white, in some specimens all the - feathers are ashy-white, with wide longitudinal stripes of - smoky-brown; legs brown, with numerous ashy-white transverse stripes; - quills brown, with about five wide irregular transverse bands of - ashy-white, in some specimens tinged with reddish-yellow, these bands - mottled with brown; tail brown, with about five wide irregular bands - of ashy-white, which bands are mottled with brown; throat black; - discal feathers on the neck tipped with yellowish-white; eye nearly - encircled by a black spot; radiating feathers around the eye with - regular transverse narrow bars of dark brown and ashy-white; bill pale - yellow; claws pale, dark at their tips. Sexes alike. - - Dimensions. _Female?_—Total length, 26 inches; wing, 18; tail, 12 - inches. - - Hab. Northern North America. Northern Europe and Asia. Breeds in the - vicinity of Montreal, Canada (Dr. Hall); Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Oregon - (Dr. Townsend); Vermont (Mr. Thompson). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This is the largest known species of the Owls which inhabit North -America, and is restricted on the Atlantic to the Northern States. In -Western America its range is not known, but it was brought from Oregon -by Dr. Townsend. In the valuable “Sketch of the Zoology of the vicinity -of Montreal, Canada,” by Archibald Hall, M. D., the manuscript of which -has been kindly and most opportunely placed in our hands by that -gentleman, it is stated that this fine bird is a resident species in -that district. - - 2. Syrnium nebulosum. (Forster.) The barred Owl. - Strix nebulosa. Forster. Trans. Philos. Soc., London, LXII. p. - 386, 424. (1772.) - “Strix varius. Bartram, MSS.” Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. Penna, p. - 11. (1799.) - Strix chichictli. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 296. (1788.)? - Strix fernandica. Shaw, Gen. Zool., VII. p. 263. (1809.)? - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept., pl. 17. Wilson, Am. Orn., IV. pl. 33, fig. - 2. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 46; Oct. ed., I. pl. 36. Nat. Hist. N. Y. - Birds, pl. 10, fig. 21. Gould. B. of Europe, I. pl. 46. - - Smaller than the preceding; head large; tail moderate or rather long. - Adult. Entire plumage above light ashy-brown, in some specimens with a - tinge of fulvous, every feather with transverse narrow bands of white, - wider on the back and most numerous on the head and hind part of the - neck; plumage of the breast with transverse bands of brown and of - white; flanks and abdomen ashy-white, every feather with a - longitudinal central stripe of brown; tarsi and toes ashy-white, - tinged with fulvous, frequently unspotted, but in some specimens - mottled and transversely striped with dark brown; quills brown, with - about six or seven transverse bars nearly pure white on the outer - webs, and on the inner ashy fulvous; tail light brown, with about five - transverse bars of white, generally tinged with reddish-yellow; a - black spot in front of the eye; discal feathers tipped with white, and - finely barred with black, radiating feathers around the eye - ashy-white, with stripes of brown behind the eye; throat dark brown; - bill pale yellow; claws horn-color; irides bluish-black. Sexes alike. - - Dimensions. _Female._—About 20 inches; wing, 13½; tail, 9 inches. - _Male._—Smaller. - - Hab. The whole of North America. Accidental in Northern Europe. Canada - (Dr. Hall); Minnesota (Mr. Pratten); Texas, New Mexico (Dr. - Woodhouse); South Carolina (Prof. Gibbes); Florida (Mr. Audubon). - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. A species frequently met with in nearly all parts of the United -States, especially in the winter. Occasionally we have seen specimens in -the woods, that showed no signs of alarm whatever on being approached, -and apparently not at all familiar with man nor with the sound of the -gun. During some winters it is abundant in Pennsylvania, probably having -migrated from farther north. When wounded, this species seeks safety by -hopping away quite awkwardly, showing nothing of the courage of the -Great Horned Owl, or even of the comparatively small long-cared species -(_Otus Wilsonianus_), both of which will stand up manfully and defend -themselves to the best of their ability, while life lasts. - - - II. GENUS NYCTALE. Brehm, Isis, 1828, p. 1271. - - SCOTOPHILUS. Swains. Lardner’s Cab. Cy. Birds, II. p. 217. (1837.) - -Size small; head large, with no visible ear-tufts; bill moderate, nearly -concealed by projecting plumes; facial disc nearly perfect; wings -moderate or rather long; tail short; tarsi and toes short and fully -feathered. A group containing not more than five species of small Owls, -four of which are American, and the other European. - - 1. Nyctale Richardsoni. Bonap. Comp. List., p. 7. (1838.) Richardson’s - Owl. - “Strix Tengmalmi. Gm.” Aud., Orn. Biog., IV., p. 559, and other - American authors. - - Fauna, Bor. Am. Birds, pl. 32. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 380, figs. 1, 2; - Oct. ed., I. pl. 32. - - The largest of this genus; wings rather long, third quill longest; - tail rather long. Adult. Entire upper parts pale reddish-brown, tinged - with olive, nearly all the feathers having large partially concealed - spots of white, especially on the back part of the head, neck behind, - scapulars, and rump; head in front with numerous spots of white; face - white, a black spot in front of the eye; throat with brown stripes; - under parts ashy-white, every feather with a longitudinal stripe of - pale reddish-brown, on the breast some irregular transverse stripes of - brown, and in some specimens the white on the sides and flanks - assuming the form of large circular spots; legs and toes pale - yellowish, nearly white, sometimes irregularly barred and spotted with - brown; quills brown, with small spots of white on their outer edges, - and large spots of the same on their inner-webs, somewhat disposed to - form transverse stripes, very obvious when seen from below; tail - brown, every feather with about ten pairs of white spots; bill light - yellowish horn-color; claws dark; iris yellow. - - Dimensions. _Male._—Total length, 10½ inches; wing, 7½; tail, 4½ - inches. _Female._—Larger. - - Hab. Northern North America. Maine (Mr. Audubon); Canada (Dr. Hall); - Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Oregon (Dr. Townsend). Spec. in Mus. Acad., - Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. Entirely a northern species, which, though common in the vicinity -of Hudson’s Bay, and on the Saskatchewan, may be regarded as of rare -occurrence within the limits of the eastern United States. It is, -however, found more frequently on the Pacific. We have never known an -instance of this bird having been captured in Pennsylvania. It much -resembles the European _Nyctale funerea_ (which has also been -extensively called _Strix Tengmalmi_), but is larger and different in -other respects. - - 2. Nyctale acadica. (Gmelin.) The Acadian Owl. The Saw-Whet. - Strix acadica. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 296. (1788.) - Strix acadiensis. Lath., Ind. Orn., I. p. 65. (1790.) - “Strix passerina. Linn.” Wilson, Am. Orn., IV. p. 66. - Strix Dalhousiei. Hall MSS. Macgillivray ed. of Cuv. Reg. An. - Birds, pl. 8, fig. 3, name on plate (Edinburg, 1839). - - Lath., Gen. Syn., I. pl. 5, fig. 2. Wilson, Am. Orn., IV., pl. 34, - fig. 1. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 199; Oct. ed., I pl. 33. Nat. Hist. N. Y. - Birds, pl. 11, fig. 23. - - Small; wings long; tail short; claws slender. Resembles the preceding, - but is much smaller. Entire upper parts reddish-brown, tinged with - olive, on the head in front with fine central longitudinal lines of - white, and on the neck behind, scapulars and rump with large concealed - spots of white: face ashy-white; throat white; under parts white, - nearly every feather having a wide longitudinal stripe of pale - reddish-brown; under coverts of the wings and tail white; quills - brown, with small spots of white on their outer edges, and large spots - of the same on their inner-webs, very conspicuous when viewed from - below; tail brown, with about three pairs of white spots; bill and - claws dark; iris yellow. - - Dimensions. Total length, 7½ to 8 inches; wing, 5½; tail, 2¾ to 3 - inches. - - Hab. The whole of North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Wisconsin (Dr. - Hoy); Northern Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); - California (Dr. Gambel); Kentucky, Louisiana (Mr. Audubon). Spec. in - Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This is the smallest Owl that inhabits the eastern and middle -States of North America, and is of rather frequent occurrence as far -south as Pennsylvania. Repeated instances of this little bird having -been captured alive in the city of Philadelphia, have come to our -knowledge. It appears to be strictly nocturnal, and when discovered in -the daytime, is generally quite bewildered, if disturbed, and apparently -nearly incapable of seeking safety by flight. The first specimen that -ever we met with, we killed with our gun ramrod. That was long ago, in -the bright days when natural history was the dream of our youth. - - 3. Nyctale albifrons. (Shaw.) The White-fronted Owl. Kirtland’s Owl. - Strix albifrons. Shaw, Nat. Misc., V. p. (not paged.) (1794.) - Strix frontalis. Lichtenstein, Trans. Berlin Acad., 1838, p. 430. - Nyctale Kirtlandii. Hoy, Proc. Acad., Philada., VI. p. 210. - (1852.) - - Cassin, B. of Texas and Cal., I. pl. 11. Shaw, Nat. Misc., V. pl. 171. - - Small; wing rather long, fourth quill longest; tail short. Adult. Head - and upper portion of breast and entire superior parts dark chocolate - brown; front and eyebrows white; throat, and a line on each side - running downwards from the base of the under mandible, white; - radiating feathers behind the eye dark brown; primaries dark brown, - with small spots of white on their outer edges, and large spots of the - same on their inner webs; tail dark brown, narrowly tipped with white, - and with two bands of the same; entire under parts of the body, legs - and toes reddish ochre-yellow; bill and claws dark; iris yellow. - - Dimensions. Total length, about 8 inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3 inches. - _Female._—Larger. - - Hab. Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Canada, near Montreal (Dr. Hall); Western? - -Obs. Within the limits of the United States, this handsome little Owl -has, as yet, only been observed by Dr. Hoy, whose specimens were -obtained at Racine, Wisconsin. It is alluded to as _Strix acadica_, and -accurately described by Dr. Hall in his MSS. “Sketch of the Zoology of -the district of Montreal,” though represented as of rare occurrence. It -is probably a northern and northwestern species. - -In the paper cited above, Prof. Lichtenstein regards this bird as the -adult _Nyctale acadica_, and this appears to be the opinion also of the -Prince of Canino (Cons. Av., p. 54). It is about the size of _N. -acadica_, but of the numerous specimens of that species which have come -under our notice, not one has presented intermediate characters, or has -otherwise excited a suspicion that the two species were identical. We at -present consider them as distinct species. - -We have no doubt that this bird is the _Strix albifrons_, Shaw, a -species which has been lost sight of for upwards of fifty years; but for -the gratification of students who may not have access to the necessary -books, we append the original descriptions:— - - “Ferruginous brown Owl, paler beneath, with the forehead white, and - the remiges barred with black and white. - - “The very curious and diminutive species of Owl here represented in - its natural size, has perhaps never been either figured or described. - It is a native of North America, and particularly of Canada. The - supposed female is destitute of the white forehead, which forms so - conspicuous a character in the male. It belongs to the division of - smooth or hornless Owls.”—Shaw’s Naturalist’s Miscellany, V. text, not - paged, accompanying pl. 171. (1794.) - -The same species, and probably the same specimen, is described by -Latham, in General Synopsis of Birds, Supplement II. p. 58 (1801). - - “White-fronted Owl, _Nat. Mis._, pl. 171. Size of the _Little Owl_. - Length eight inches; general color of the plumage on the upper parts - brown; the circle of the feathers round the eyes dark, fringed at the - back part with white; between the eyes and over the bill and the chin - white; the under parts from thence yellow buff; across the breast a - pale brown band; on the wing-coverts a spot or two of white; the first - five quills marked with a white spot on the outer, and the second - quills with the same on the inner margins; the first quills serrated - on the outer edge the whole length; the second quill the same, - half-way from the tip; tail marked as the quills; legs feathered; bill - black; toes dusky. - - “This was brought from Quebec, by General Davies, in 1790, and with it - another much smaller, which he had in his possession alive; it - differed in being more dusky, and the circles of the face not fringed - on the back part; otherwise so like, as to be supposed merely - differing in age or sex. The General observed to me that this bird - frequently erected two feathers over the eye; but although I inspected - the specimens very narrowly, I could not observe any feathers longer - than the rest; which circumstance is also noticed in respect to the - _Short-eared Owl_.” (Latham, as above.) - - - IV. SUB-FAMILY ATHENINÆ. THE BIRD OWLS. - -Size small; facial disc nearly or quite obsolete; tarsi generally -partially or but thinly clothed with feathers; head without ear-tufts. A -numerous group of species, which are generally small and not so -nocturnal as those of the preceding sub-families. - - - I. GENUS ATHENE. Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 549. - -Size small; head moderate, without ear-tufts; wings long, with the third -and fourth quills usually longest; tail moderate; facial disc, nearly -obsolete; bill short; upper mandible curved from the base, nearly -concealed by projecting feathers; tarsi long, thinly covered with -feathers; toes naked or with a few hair-like feathers. A genus -containing about forty species of small Owls of all quarters of the -globe. - - 1. Athene hypugœa. (Bonap.) The Burrowing Owl. - Strix hypugœa. Bonap., Am. Orn., I. p. 72. (1825.) - Athene socialis. Gambel, Proc. Acad., Philada., III. p. 47. - (1846.) - - Bonap., Am. Orn., I, pl. 7, fig. 2. Aud., B. of Am., pl. 432, fig. 1. - Oct. ed., pl. 31? - - Small; head moderate; tarsi long; slender, thinly covered in front - only with hair-like feathers; naked and scaled laterally and behind; - toes with a few scattered hairs; claws curved, rather slender. Adult. - Entire upper parts light yellowish-brown, every feather more or less - spotted with white, and on the neck behind, and back, with large - partially concealed spots of white; throat white, a narrow band of - mottled brown and white on the neck before, succeeded by a large patch - of white; other under parts white, with wide transverse bands of - reddish-brown, varying in shade in different specimens; legs and under - tail-coverts white; quills light brown, with yellowish-white spots on - their outer edges, and reddish-white bands on their inner webs; tail - pale brown, with about six irregular bands of yellowish-white; face - yellowish-white; bill light yellow and horn-color; irides yellow. - Young. Entire plumage much darker than the adult, and with transverse - narrow bands and lines of dark brown. - - Dimensions. _Male._—Total length, 9 to 10 inches; wing, 7; tail, 4 - inches. _Female._—Larger. - - Hab. Western North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); Nebraska (Dr. - Suckley); Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico (Col. McCall); Great Salt Lake - (Capt. Stansbury); California (Dr. Heermann); Mexico (Lieut. Couch). - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. This curious Owl is very abundant in some localities in Western -America, where it lives in communities in burrows in the ground. It is -nearly related to several South American species, especially to _Athene -cunicularia_, which is a native of the western countries of that portion -of this continent. - -We have doubts that fig. 1 of Mr. Audubon’s plate 432 represents this -bird, but think it probable that it represents one of the South American -species, which fig. 2 of the same plate clearly does. Dr. Townsend’s -collection, specimens from which were figured by Mr. Audubon, contained -birds of Chili and Peru, as well as of North America, from which -circumstance the error may have occurred. - - - II. GENUS GLAUCIDIUM. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 970. - -Size small; head moderate, without ear-tufts; wings moderate, fourth -quill usually longest; tail rather long; tarsi fully feathered; facial -disc obsolete; bill short, strong, rather wide at base; claws long, -curved, very sharp. This genus contains a few species, amongst which are -the smallest birds of this family. - - 1. Glaucidium infuscatum. (Temm.) The pigmy Owl. - Strix infuscata. Temm., Man. d’Orn., I. p. 97. (1820.) - Glaucidium gnoma. Wagler, Isis, XXV. p. 275. (1832.) - “Strix passerinoides. Temm.” Aud., Orn. Biog., V. p. 271; Oct. - ed., I. p. 117. - - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 432, fig. 4, 5; Oct. ed., I. pl. 30. - - Very small, the smallest Owl yet discovered in North America; head - moderate; outer three quills sinuated on their inner edges, fourth - quill longest; tail rather long; tarsi densely feathered; toes - partially covered with long hairs. Adult. Entire upper parts - brownish-olive, on the head with numerous circular spots of dull - white; a partially concealed white band around the neck behind, - succeeded by another of black; scapulars and superior coverts of the - wings with white spots; throat white; a narrow band of mottled - brownish-olive across the neck before; other under parts white, with - longitudinal stripes of dark olive-brown on the flanks and abdomen; - quills dark brown, with small spots of white on their outer edges, and - large circular spots of the same on their inner webs; tail dark brown, - with five or six pairs of circular or oval spots of white on every - feather, larger on the inner webs; bill light yellowish; irides - yellow. - - Dimensions. Total length, 6½ to 7 inches; wing, 3¾; tail, 3 inches. - - Hab. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Mr. Bell, Dr. Heermann.) - -Obs. This minute species of Owl is exclusively Western, having as yet -only been noticed in California. It much resembles the European -_Glaucidium passerinum_, and is about the same size. The most readily -detected differences are the nearly naked toes of the present bird, and -the absence of the decided reddish tinge which prevails in the color of -the European species. It also resembles _G. passerinoides_ of South -America, but differs also from that species in color and other -particulars. - -This is the least of the species of Owls inhabiting North America, and -has never been observed east of the Rocky Mountains. It lives on -insects. - - - V. SUB-FAMILY NYCTEININÆ. THE DAY OWLS. - -Head moderate, without ear-tufts; wings rather long, wide; tail rather -long, ample; tarsi strong, and with the toes densely covered with -hair-like feathers; claws strong, sharp; plumage very thick and compact. -This sub-family includes only the two species now about to be described, -both of which are common to the Arctic regions of America, Europe, and -Asia, migrating southward in the winter. They are the least nocturnal of -all the birds of this family. - - - I. GENUS NYCTEA. Stephens, Cont. of Shaw’s Gen. Zool., XIII. p. 62. - (1826.) - -Size large; head large, without ear-tufts; no facial disc; bill short, -very strong, nearly concealed by projecting feathers; wings long, wide, -third quill longest; tail moderate or rather long, broad; legs short, -and with the toes densely covered with feathers, almost concealing the -claws, which are long, curved, and strong; general form compact and -robust, and thickly feathered. This genus contains only the species -described below. - - Nyctea nivea. (Daudin.) The Snowy Owl. The White Owl. - Strix nivea. Daudin, Traité d’Orn., II. p. 190. (1800.) - Strix nyctea. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 132. (1766.) - Strix candida. Lath., Ind. Orn., Supp., p. 14. (1801.) - Strix erminea. Shaw, Gen. Zool., VII. p. 251. (1809.) - Strix arctica. Bartram, Trav., p. 289 (1791, but not of Sparrman, - 1789.) - - Large; eyes large; bill nearly concealed by projecting feathers; tarsi - and toes densely covered with hair-like feathers, nearly concealing - the claws. Adult. Entire plumage white, in some specimens with a few - spots only on the upper parts of dark brown, and on the under parts - with a few irregular transverse bars of the same; quills and tail with - a few spots or traces of bands of dark brown. In other specimens every - feather except on the face and neck before, is distinctly banded - transversely with brown, and in some specimens that color predominates - on the upper parts; quills and tail with regular transverse bands of - dark brown; plumage of the legs and feet pure white; bill and claws - dark horn-color; irides yellow. - - Dimensions. _Female._—Total length, 24 to 26 inches; wing, 17; tail, - 10 inches. _Male_, smaller. - - Hab. Northern North America. Northern Europe and Asia. Greenland - (Prof. Holboll); Hudson’s Bay (Mr. Hearne); Canada (Dr. Hall); Vermont - (Mr. Thompson); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); Kamschatka (Pallas); Ohio - (Prof. Kirtland); South Carolina, Kentucky (Audubon); Bermuda (Sir W. - Jardine). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This large and handsome Owl is abundant in the Arctic regions of -America, and has been observed at the highest northern latitude yet -reached by voyagers. In the winter, it migrates southward over the -greater part of Asia, Europe, and North America. It is to be met with -every winter in the Northern and Middle States of the Union, though -greatly varying in numbers in different years. We have known it to be so -abundant in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as to be brought commonly by -the farmers to the market in Philadelphia, and sold for a trifle. - -According to Dr. Hall, this fine species breeds in the vicinity of -Montreal, making its nest on the ground. Mr. Audubon’s plate represents -this bird unusually dark. - - - II. GENUS SURNIA. Dumeril, Zoologie Analytique, p. 34. (1806). - -Size medium or small; head moderate, without ear-tufts; facial disc -obsolete; bill moderate, strongly curved, with projecting plumes at -base; wings long, third quill longest; tail long, graduated, broad; legs -short, and with the toes densely feathered. General form rather -lengthened, but moderately robust. This genus includes the Hawk Owl of -the Arctic regions and two other species of South Africa. - - 1. Surnia ulula. (Linn.) The Hawk Owl. The Day Owl. - Strix ulula. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 133. (1766.) - Strix uralensis and hudsonia. Gm., Syst. Nat. I., p. 295. (1788.) - Strix doliata. Pallas, Zool. I., p. 316. (1811.) - Surnia borealis. Less., Traité d’Orn. I., p. 100. (1831.) - “Strix funerea. Linn.” Audubon and other authors. - - Buff., Pl. Enl. 463; Edward’s Birds, pl. 62; Wilson, Am. Orn. VI., pl. - 50, fig. 6; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 378; Oct. ed. I., pl. 27; Nat. Hist. - N. Y. Birds, pl. 9, fig. 19. - - Size medium; first three quills incised on their inner-webs; tail - long, with its central feathers about two inches longer than the - outer; tarsi and toes thickly feathered. Adult. Entire upper parts - fuliginous brown; the head and neck behind with numerous small - circular spots of white; scapulars and wing-coverts with numerous - partially-concealed large spots of white; face silky grayish-white; - throat mixed dark brown and white; a large brown spot on each side of - the breast; all the other under parts transversely lined or striped - with pale brown; quills and tail brown, with white stripes; bill pale - yellowish and horn color; irides yellow; color of upper parts darkest - on the head, and the white markings on the head and body varying - somewhat in different specimens. - - Dimensions. _Female._—Total length, 16 to 17 inches; wing, 9; tail, 7 - inches. _Male_ smaller. - - Hab. Northern regions of both continents. Montreal (Dr. Hall); Maine, - Massachusetts (Dr. Brewer); Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Northern Ohio (Prof. - Kirtland); Vermont (Mr. Z. Thompson); Hudson’s Bay (Dr. Richardson); - New Jersey (Mr. Harris). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This remarkable species, which partakes of the characters of both -an Owl and a Hawk, is of very rare occurrence in the Middle States of -this Union, though abundant in the northern regions of America, and -occasionally met with in the Northern States. It is in a great measure -diurnal in its habits, venturing abroad boldly in daylight. - -Careful examination of numerous American and European specimens has not -enabled us to detect any differences. - -This bird was undoubtedly meant by Linnæus in his description of _Strix -ulula_. The name applied to it by various authors, _Strix funerea_, is -properly applicable to the European species, to which Gmelin gave the -name _Strix Tengmalmi_. - -The descriptions now given embrace all the species of Owls the existence -of which in America north of Mexico is satisfactorily demonstrated; -though in the succeeding pages various others will be enumerated as -obscure or little known. - -All the species enumerated in the preceding synopsis, except _Nyctale -albifrons_, are known to be of common occurrence in some part of that -portion of this continent included in our limits; and specimens of a -majority of them can be obtained generally in the course of a single -winter in the markets of either of the larger cities, being brought for -sale from the country, as is the case with the Falcons, and also all the -larger and most common wading and swimming birds. The study of the -habits of Owls is, however, attended with peculiar difficulties, on -account of their nocturnal habits; and it is not therefore remarkable -that questions respecting common species are yet to be regarded as -unsettled. The identity, for instance, of _Scops asio_ and _Scops -nævia_, is by no means universally admitted; nor, if identical, is the -change in the colors of their plumage sufficiently well understood. -Gentlemen well acquainted with American ornithology, and in whose -opinions we have the highest confidence (as, for instance, Thomas B. -Wilson, M. D., and Samuel W. Woodhouse, M. D., of Philadelphia), are -strongly disposed to doubt that they are identical. - -Specimens of Owls to be met with in North American collections are very -generally in winter plumage; and the procuring of several of the species -in the spring or during the summer, is comparatively of unusual -occurrence. The fully ascertaining of the seasonal changes in any -species is yet desirable, even if only confirming previously known -facts, or the statements of authors. It is possible that _Nyctale -albifrons_ is the adult of _Nyctale acadica_. This we give as an example -illustrative of the importance of further observations, and may be -allowed to add that, of several American species nearly related to -others of Europe and Asia, the comparison of specimens of similar ages -and in similar seasonal plumage, is only satisfactory and reliable. - -In Western North America, it is exceedingly probable that species of -this family exist which are yet unknown to naturalists. In Texas, -species known as inhabitants of Mexico may yet be detected. - -All the Owls found in the northern portion of the United States, are in -some measure migratory, and some species appear to travel in large -bands, scattered over a considerable extent of country. The Snowy Owl is -sometimes abundant for a few days, and then will suddenly disappear from -a district, perhaps soon to appear again. The Marsh Owl appears along -the river Delaware occasionally in considerable numbers, and staying but -a short time, or leaving apparently only a few stragglers. We once saw -what was very nearly a flock of this species, on a shooting excursion in -“the Neck,” as it is called, or the point of land below Philadelphia, -formed by the junction of the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers, the larger -portion of which is wholly devoted to the cultivation of culinary -vegetables for the market of the city. On getting over the fence into a -small field, in which a crop of cabbages had been raised, the smaller -_heads_ of many of which remained, we were surprised to see a large -number of stalks ornamentally surmounted by Owls. They soon, however, -dispersed in all directions. - -The Barn Owl (_Strix pratincola_), as well as the Marsh Owl (_Otus -brachyotus_), we have known to occur in open fields, where but little -concealment was possible. - -The Red or Mottled Owl is very persistent in its locality, and the same -pair probably returns to the woods that it has previously occupied in -preceding seasons, in some measure disregarding encroachments on its -extent. In a small tract of timbered land at Powelton, the hospitable -residence of John Hare Powel, Esq., surrounded by villages constituting -a portion of the suburbs of Philadelphia, a pair of this species -continued to appear and to raise broods of young until within a period -of only two or three years past, notwithstanding constantly occurring -chances of molestation. - -An interesting fact relating to the species just mentioned (_Scops -asio_), has recently been communicated to us by our esteemed friend, Mr. -William Kite, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, a careful observer, much -attached to the pursuit of natural history. He made the singular -discovery that in this species the early ceremonies in the association -of a pair about to assume the duties of incubation were for the greater -part performed on the ground, and were accompanied invariably by unusual -and continued cries, thus illustrating in a striking manner the strong -analogy of these birds to the cat-like quadrupeds. This remarkable -circumstance we regard as new in the history of this family of birds, -and the observation of other species would be in a high degree -interesting. - -Further investigations and collections in this family are particularly -desirable in the western and northwestern regions of North America, and -will very probably result in the discovery of species not now known to -naturalists. - - - B. - -Doubtful and obscure species which have been described as inhabiting -America north of Mexico:— - - 1. Strix wapacuthu. Gm., Syst. Nat. I., p. 291. (1788.) Pennant, - Arctic Zoology I., p. 268. Rich. and Sw. Fauna Boreali - Americana, Birds, p. 86, 99. - - “The Spotted Owl (_Wapacuthu_) weighs five pounds, and is two feet - long and four broad; the irides bright yellow; bill and talons shining - black, and much curved, the former covered with bristly hairs - projecting from the base; space between the eyes, the cheeks, and - throat, white; on the top of the head, and on each side of the concha, - the extreme parts of the feathers are dusky black; concha dirty white; - scapularies, with the lesser and greater coverts of the wings, white, - elegantly barred with reddish dusky spots pointing downwards; the - quill feathers and tail are irregularly barred and spotted with pale - red and black; back and coverts of the tail white, with a few dusky - spots; under coverts and vent feathers white; the breast and belly - dusky white, crossed with an infinite number of narrow reddish bars; - the legs are feathered to the toes; the latter covered with hairs like - those of the bill, but not so strong. - - “This bird is an inhabitant of the woods, makes a nest in the moss on - dry ground, lays from _five to ten_ white eggs in May, and the young - fly in June, and are entirely white for some time after. They feed on - mice and small birds, which they generally kill themselves. Hutchins’ - MSS., p. 99.” Fauna. Bor. Am., Birds, p. 99. - -This species, if distinct from the Snowy Owl, is absolutely unknown to -naturalists, never having been noticed by any traveller since Mr. -Hutchins. Though, from the description above quoted, apparently a -peculiar species, the same name is given by the natives in the vicinity -of Hudson’s Bay, to the Snowy Owl, according to Mr. Hearne (Journey to -the Northern Ocean, p. 402. London, 1795, quarto); and it, too, makes -its nest on the ground. With so little positive information, it is -impossible to form more than conjectures respecting the bird alluded to -in the description, and it must be left as an interesting matter of -inquiry for future explorers and naturalists. - -It may be observed with reference to Mr. Hearne’s statement, that if the -bird he alluded to was really an Owl, it differs from any other American -species in laying from “five to ten eggs.” Careful and evidently -accurate statements respecting the incubation of nearly all the northern -species, are given by Dr. Hall, in his “Sketch of the Zoology of the -District of Montreal” (manuscript in our possession); and no species is -represented as producing more than “four to five eggs,” except the -Mottled Owl (_Scops nævia_), which lays “five to six.” The Snowy Owl, it -is stated by Dr. Hall, lays “two white eggs.” - - 2. Otus mexicanus. (Gm.) - Strix mexicana. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I., p. 288. (1766.) - Bubo clamator. Vieill., Ois d’Am., Sept. I., p. 52, pl. 20. - (1807.) - Strix longirostris. Spix Av. Bras. 1., p. 20, pl. 9 a. (1824.) - -This Owl, which is a rather common South American species, is stated by -Vieillot to inhabit America from Cayenne to Hudson’s Bay. His remarks -apply, however, to the _Scops asio_ in mottled plumage; though a good -plate is given by him of the bird, of which the name is above cited, no -specimen of which has ever come under our notice, captured in any part -of the United States. - - 3. Strix Georgica. Lath., Gen. Syn. Supp., p. 15. (1801.) - - “Size of the Barn Owl; length sixteen inches and a half; bill yellow; - the plumage on the upper parts of the bird is brown, banded with - yellowish; throat and breast pale brown, crossed with whitish bands; - belly yellowish white, marked with longish red brown streaks; thighs - and legs woolly, whitish or very pale in color, varied with small - blackish spots; quills and tail feathers brown, crossed with four or - five white bands. - - “I met with this specimen in the collection of Mr. Humphries, said to - have come from several miles within _South_ Georgia, in America.” - (Latham, General Synopsis of Birds, Supplement II., p. 64.) - -This bird is placed by Latham, in his division of Owls, “with smooth -heads,” and probably refers to the Short-eared Owl (_Otus brachyotus_). -The description is not, however, entirely applicable. This name may, -however, be entitled to precedence as the proper name of that species in -the genus _Brachyotus_; and, as an aspirant to such honors, we recommend -it to the favorable notice of enterprising ornithologists; and also, -while our hand is in, respectfully suggest that as a name for the allied -European species, _arctica_, Sparrmann, which dates 1789 (Mus. Carls., -pl. 51), might do as well as _palustris_, and have the advantage of more -mature age. - - 4. Strix forficata. Aud., Orn. Biog. V., p. 334. (1839.) - - “I shot this bird in the vicinity of Green Bay, when on my way across - to the Mississippi; but the drawing which I made of it on the spot has - been lost. It was about the size of _Strix acadica_, of a dark grey - color, with the tail long and deeply forked; but I am unable to - describe it more particularly, the Journal in which it was noticed - having been, along with others, destroyed by the great fire which - happened in New York some years ago.” (Audubon, as above.) - -The bird here alluded to has never again been observed so far as we have -learned. The description probably applies to an unknown species, and -certainly to one not known as an inhabitant of the United States. - - 5. “Strix passerina. Gmel.” Aud., Orn. Biog. V., p. 269. (1839.) - - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 432, fig. 3; Oct. ed. I., pl. 29. - - “Bill greyish, its ridge and tip greyish yellow; iris dark; claws - brownish black, lighter at the base; the general color of the upper - parts is chocolate brown; the feathers of the head have an oblong - white median mark, and, as they are small, this part is marked with - numerous spots; on the hind neck the white spots are very large, - forming a conspicuous patch; on the back most of the feathers have a - single large subterminal roundish spot, which is also the case with - the scapulars and wing coverts, some of which, however, have two or - more spots; all the quills have marginal reddish-white spots on both - webs, the third quill with six on the outer and four on the inner, - with two very faint pale bars toward the end; the tail is similarly - marked with four bands of transversely-oblong reddish-white spots; on - the anterior part of the disc, the feathers are whitish, with black - shafts, on the lower part whitish, on the hind part brown, tipped with - greyish-white; a broad band of white crosses the throat and curves - upward on either side to the ear; there is also a patch of white on - the lower part of the fore-neck, and between them is a brownish-grey - band; the general colour of the lower parts is dull yellowish-white, - each feather with a broad longitudinal band of chocolate-brown; the - abdomen and lower tail coverts unspotted; the tarsal feathers dull - white.” - - Dimensions. Length, to end of tail, 10½ inches; to end of wings, 10; - wing, from flexure, 6¼; tail, 3½; tarsus, 1¼ inches. (Aud., as above.) - -The bird here described is stated by Mr. Audubon to have been procured -near Pictou, Nova Scotia; and he appears to have been confident that it -was identical with the European _Strix passerina_. It is, however, -clearly not that species. We would suppose it to be the young of -_Nyctale Richardsoni_, were it not described as having the “iris dark.” -It may be a small and curious new species of _Syrnium_, or perhaps -_Nyctale_, and the procuring of specimens would be in a high degree -interesting. We have no knowledge of it ever having been observed since -the publication of the above description by Mr. Audubon. - - 6. Syrnium aluco. (Linn.) - Strix aluco. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 132. (1766.) - Strix stridula. Linn., Syst. Nat. I., p. 133. (1766.) - - Selby, Brit. Orn., pl. 25; Gould, B. of Eur. I., pl. 47. - -This well known European species is given by Mr. Nuttall, in his “Manual -of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada” (I., p. 135), and is -stated by him to have been found in the northern regions of this -continent. Such is probably the case; but no American specimen has ever -come under our notice. - -This species exhibits very nearly the same variety of plumage as the -American Red and Mottled Owls (_Scope asio_ and _nævia_), and has been -described repeatedly under different names. - - 7. Strix peregrinator. The Sharp-winged Owl. Bartram, Travels, p. 285. - (1793.) - - With the head eared and the body variegated in color. - -Impossible to determine from the brief description, though being given -as a species inhabiting Pennsylvania, probably applicable to the -Long-eared Owl (_Otus Wilsonianus_). - - 8. Strix diurnalis. The Short-winged Day Owl. Barton, Fragments of the - Nat. Hist. of Penna., p. 9. (1799.) - -Stated by Professor Barton to have been observed by him in Pennsylvania -on the 15th of December, 1791, but of the species he gives no -description. - -The names and descriptions now given comprise all that have come under -our notice, represented as inhabiting North America within our limits. - -Of the birds of this family, the names proposed by the older American -naturalists and others, are not numerous; and though the group may be -regarded as presenting some difficulties to the student, the correct -nomenclature of North American species is not difficult to determine. -Bartram enumerated six species (Travels, p. 285), to all of which, -except one, he gives names for the first time employed to designate the -birds to which he alludes, and to a few of which he attaches sufficient -descriptions. All of his species had, however, been previously -described, and we have, we believe, cited his names as synonymes, so far -as they can be ascertained. - -The greatest difficulty in the study of the Owls of North America will -be found in the intimate resemblance that a few species bear to others -of Europe and Asia, and, we may add, in the examination of the birds -which we have given in the preceding pages as varieties of the -Great-horned Owl (_Bubo virginianus_). The variations that we have -noticed, and especially those of color, may be ascertained by subsequent -observation to be so uniform and constant as to constitute specific -distinction, though at present we cannot so regard them. - -In the Owls of other countries there are several groups in which it is -very difficult to determine the species, on account of their resemblance -to each other. This is especially the case with the small species of the -genus _Scops_, which inhabit India and other countries of Asia; and -there are, too, many of the birds of this genus, of all countries, that -are exceedingly perplexing. In fact, we would hardly recommend a student -in natural history to begin General Ornithology with the Owls. - -With this family we conclude the rapacious Birds. - - - - - BUTEO INSIGNATUS.—(Cassin.) - The Brown Buzzard. - PLATE XXXI.—Adult Male and Young Female. - - -One of the most remarkable facts in the geographical distribution of the -birds of western and northwestern North America is, that many species -extend their range in northern latitudes almost or quite to the shores -of the Atlantic ocean, while not a single instance is on record of the -same species having been observed in either of the middle or southern -States of the Union. The Magpie, which on the Pacific is commonly found -southwardly as far as Mexico, has been noticed by Dr. Hoy, at Racine, in -the State of Wisconsin. The Lark Bunting (_Emberiza grammaca_), another -western bird, has also been ascertained by the same gentleman to be -abundant in the State just mentioned; and the only specimen that we have -ever seen of the Stone Chat of America (_Saxicola œnanthoides_), a bird -discovered some years since on the coast of Oregon, was obtained in the -vicinity of Halifax, Nova Scotia. - -Many instances tending to demonstrate this extensive and remarkable -migration might be produced, but we have unfortunately to acknowledge -ourselves unable to offer a theory or even hypothesis attempting to -account for it, and must regard the facts as remaining among many in -natural history with which naturalists are for the present under the -necessity of resting, without inference or application to any -established general principles. Important results will yet reward -American naturalists who may engage in this interesting field of -scientific research. - -Instinct is little or nothing more than inherited memory. But we are by -no means satisfied that any definition which we have yet met with of the -faculty known by the latter name is strictly correct. Whatever memory -is, that inherited we are disposed to regard as instinct. And that the -impressions on this faculty are transmissable in animals from parents to -their offspring, we regard the migration of young birds, particularly -those of a first brood, when the parents remain to attend to a second, -as clearly substantiating. - -The bird now before the reader is a species that appears to perform the -extended northward migration to which we have alluded, and is one of the -most remarkable instances that has come to our knowledge. It was first -described by us from a specimen obtained in the vicinity of Montreal, -Canada, and the only instance of its having been observed since, has -been by Dr. Heermann, in California; though if ever occurring in the -middle or southern States on the Atlantic, in the same latitude as on -the Pacific, it has escaped the researches of all previous naturalists -or travellers. - - [Illustration: Plate 31 - The Brown Hawk - Buteo insignatus (_Cassin_)] - -Adult and young birds of this species were observed, and specimens were -obtained by Dr. Heermann, who ascertained that it reared its young in -California. - -For an opportunity to examine the specimen originally described by us in -the present volume (p. 102), we are indebted to our lamented friend and -correspondent, M. McCulloch, M. D., a naturalist of extensive -acquirements, and an eminent physician, late of Montreal, but, we much -regret to add, now recently deceased, and to John Pangman, Esq., of -Grace Hall, in the vicinity of that city. Mr. Pangman had the kindness -to interest himself, in conjunction with Dr. McCulloch, so much as to -obtain the loan of the specimen from the Natural History Society of -Montreal, in the museum of which it was deposited, and to bring it for -our inspection to Philadelphia, and we shall not soon forget his evident -and enlightened gratification, nor our own great pleasure, when we -assured him that it was a bird hitherto unknown as an inhabitant of -North America, and, as we then supposed, very probably an undescribed -species, which we subsequently ascertained to be the case. - -This is one of the most remarkable of the rapacious birds which have -been recently added to the ornithological fauna of the United States. It -differs entirely in color from any previously-known American species, -unless it may be supposed to approximate in that character to the -little-known Harlan’s Buzzard of Audubon. It bears also some distant -resemblance to one stage of plumage of the Black Hawk. - -The only information relative to the habits of this bird that we have in -our power at present to lay before the reader, is the following from the -Journal of Dr. Heermann: - -“I first remarked this species at the crossing of Graysonville ferry, on -the San Joaquim river, California, and continued to meet with it -occasionally until we had crossed Kern river. Owing to the lateness of -the season, I was able to ascertain but little respecting its -propagation; the only nests which were found having been forsaken some -time previously by the young. These nests, composed externally of coarse -sticks, and lined with roots, were built in the topmost branches of -oaks, which grow abundantly on the banks of the large water-courses. - -“This bird, like the rest of its genus, appears sluggish in its habits, -perching for hours in a quiescent state on some tall tree, and -permitting the hunter to approach without showing any signs of fear. -This apparent stolidity may, however, be owing to the fact that it is -seldom molested, and has not yet learned to mistrust a gun, as do the -birds of prey in more settled portions of the country.” - -The specimens brought by Dr. Heermann are now in the national collection -at Washington city. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Buteo. Cuvier, Regne Animal, I., p. 323. (1817.) - Buteo insignatus. Cassin, Birds of California and Texas, I., p. 102. - (1854.) - -Form. Short and robust; wing long; third quill longest, secondaries -emarginate at their tips; quills wide; tail moderate or rather short, -somewhat rounded; under coverts of the tail long; tarsi rather short, -feathered in front below the joints, with the tibiæ naked behind, and -having in front about ten transverse scales; claws rather long, -moderately curved; bill short; upper mandible slightly festooned. - -Dimensions. _Adult male._—Total length of skin, 17 inches; wing, 14½; -tail, 7½ inches. - -Colors. Under coverts of the wing and tail white, the former striped -longitudinally with pale ferruginous, each feather having a central dark -line, and the latter transversely with reddish-brown; edges of wings at -the shoulders nearly pure white; plumage of the tibiæ rufous, mixed with -brown; throat and a few feathers of the forehead white, each feather -having a line of dark brown, nearly black; entire other plumage above -and below dark brown, nearly every feather having a darker or nearly -black central line; quills above brown, with a slight purple lustre, -beneath pale cinerous, with their shafts white, and with irregular and -indistinct transverse bands of white; tail above dark brown, with an -ashy or hoary tinge, and having about ten transverse bands of a darker -shade of the same color; beneath nearly white, with conspicuous -transverse bands of brown, the widest of which is subterminal; tip -paler; bill dark; cere, tarsi, and feet yellow. _Adult male._ - -Young. Entire upper plumage dark brown; on the back of the head and neck -white at base, and edged with reddish; scapulars and greater coverts of -the wing with large partially-concealed rufous spots; under parts -reddish-white, every feather with a large terminal oblong spot of dark -brown, and on the abdomen and tibiæ with numerous transverse bands of -the same color; under tail coverts very pale reddish-white, with a few -transverse spots and lines; inferior coverts of the wing pale -reddish-white, with large brown spots. - -Hab. Canada and California. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. There is no other North American Buzzard with which there is any -probability of the present bird being confounded by the student, on -account of the peculiarity of its colors. In this character it bears a -resemblance to some stages of plumage of _Circus hudsonius_, or to the -European _Circus æruginosus_. It also is somewhat similar in colors, -especially those of the young bird, to _Buteo pennsylvanicus_, but is -much larger, and readily distinguished. - - [Illustration: Plate 32 - The Black-breasted Woodpecker - Melanerpes thyroideus (_Cassin_)] - - - - - MELANERPES THYROIDEUS.—(Cassin.) - The Black-breasted Woodpecker. - PLATE XXXII.—Male. - - -The species of Woodpeckers are more abundant in the regions on the -Pacific Ocean or west of the Rocky mountains than in any other part of -North America. Several of them inhabiting those countries are, too, -amongst the handsomest birds of this family, as, for instance, Lewis’s -Woodpecker (_Melanerpes torquatus_), a species now brought in almost -every collection from California; the Red-breasted Woodpecker -(_Melanerpes ruber_), a beautiful little species, with the head, neck -and breast brilliant carmine; the Californian Woodpecker (_Melanerpes -formicivorus_), figured in plate 2 of the present volume; and various -others, attractive on account of either the beauty or the singularity of -their colors. - -The extensive and but partially-explored forests of Northern California -and Oregon are peculiarly well adapted to the habits of this group of -birds. This is, however, not solely the reason that they are found -there; but there are principles involved which are at present beyond the -deepest reasoning of zoologists, and are as yet subjects of theory only. -All that we can positively advance is, that of the Woodpeckers of North -America, the greatest number of species, and of more handsome plumaged -forms, than elsewhere in our portion of the continent, are inhabitants -of California and Oregon; and that whatever causes have tended to the -development of this family of birds, they have been more efficient in -the regions alluded to, than elsewhere in North America. - -Philosophic zoology is yet in its infancy. Extreme conservatism in -science fondly rests satisfied with present knowledge, and visionary -speculators raise mountains of opinionative systems and theories, which -must be cleared away to allow real progress. Between the two classes of -operators, the true man of science may have a difficult time of it. Of -sawing the air there is abundance, but much as elsewhere very little is -done in zoology with due emphasis and discretion. - -In addition to the species alluded to above, there is found in the -forests of Oregon and the Rocky Mountains, the largest of all the -Woodpeckers, a magnificent species related to the Ivory-billed -Woodpecker of the Southern States, but much larger, and which has up to -this period escaped the observation of any American naturalist, except -Dr. Townsend, who saw it, but did not procure specimens. It is the -_Dryocopus imperialis_, first described by Mr. Gould, a distinguished -English ornithologist. This fine bird will be figured in a subsequent -part of the present volume. - -The bird now before the reader was discovered in California by Mr. John -G. Bell, of New York, deservedly well known as a naturalist, and beyond -comparison the most skilful preparer of birds and quadrupeds and general -taxidermist in the United States. Mr. Bell was the first naturalist who -visited California after it became a portion of the United States; and -during his stay in that country, made a large and highly interesting -collection, in which was the present and other new species. He observes -in his notes now before us, that he found this bird in one locality -only, and observed but two specimens, both of which he obtained. - -Subsequently this Woodpecker has been found in California by Dr. -Heermann, and in New Mexico by Dr. Henry; but is stated by both to be of -rare occurrence. The former of these gentlemen observes:— - -“I procured this bird three years since in the southern mines of -California, where it frequents more especially the pine trees. I never -saw it alight on the oaks, although abundant in that locality. It is one -of the most rare of the Woodpeckers of that country.” - -Dr. Henry states: “Of this bird I know nothing farther than that I -procured a single specimen in the mountains near Fort Webster, in the -winter of 1852-3. I shot it from near the summit of a tall pine tree, -and was not aware until I obtained it, that it was different from any -other species that I had ever seen. My efforts to find it again have -been unremitting, but without success; and I regard it as a rare bird in -this district. The specimen in my collection is an adult male.” - -The figure in our plate is two-thirds of the size of life. - -The plant represented is _Habrothamnus fasciculatus_, a native of -Mexico. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Melanerpes. Swainson, Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 316. - Melanerpes thyroideus. (Cassin), Proc. Acad. Philada., V., p. 349. - (1851.) - -Form. Short and compact; bill moderate, strong; upper mandible with the -ridge (or culmen) very distinct, and short ridges over the apertures of -the nostrils; wing rather long; third primary longest; tail moderate, -graduated, with all its feathers somewhat rigid; two middle feathers -longest. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 8¾ inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3¾ -inches. - -Colors. _Male._—Breast with a large semi-circular patch or transverse -belt of black; middle of the abdomen yellow; head above and throat pale -brown, with obscure longitudinal lines and spots of black; back, wing -coverts, sides of the body, and inferior coverts of the tail, -transversely striped with white and black, the former tinged with -obscure yellowish; rump and superior coverts of the tail white; a few -feathers of the coverts with irregular bars of black on their outer -webs; quills black, with spots of white on both edges; tail black, with -irregular spots of white; bill and tarsi dark. _Female._—Similar to the -male, but with the colors more obscure, and the black of the breast of -less extent and not so deep in shade. - -Hab. California and New Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. -Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. Somewhat resembles in form only the Red Woodpecker of western North -America (_Melanerpes ruber_), but is larger and differently colored. It -also in some respects resembles the yellow-bellied Woodpecker (_Picus -varius_), but not so much as to render it necessary for differences to -be specially designated. It is possible that this species, when -perfectly mature, or in spring plumage, may assume more brilliant -colors, as do others of its genus. - -We regard this bird as singularly blending the characters of genera -which in typical species are very distinct and easily defined. It is of -the general form of _Melanerpes_, though not strictly; while in some -other respects, especially in colors, it shows an alliance to that group -of typical _Picus_, which includes _Picus varius_, and several other -American species. Our present arrangement or generic designation is -provisional only. - - - - - CARDINALIS SINUATUS.—Bonaparte. - The Texan Cardinal Bird. - PLATE XXXIII. Male and Female. - - -In our present plate we present to the reader one of the most delicately -colored of the many fine-plumaged birds which inhabit the southwestern -countries of this Republic, and it is another of the birds of Mexico -whose range of locality northwardly extends to within the limits of the -United States. Our bird is, however, resident in Texas, or of but -limited migration during the coldest season. It has occasionally been -observed in considerable numbers; but is as yet to be met with in -comparatively few collections, and is much valued by collectors. - -Though not very closely resembling the beautiful Cardinal bird of the -Northern States (_Cardinalis virginianus_), its general form, -particularly its lengthened and handsome crest and long tail, are -strictly similar, and its habits are of the same general character. The -bill, however, in the present species will be found to be singularly -different from that of any other bird of this genus. - -The group of birds to which that now before us belongs, is composed of -four or five species remarkable for their graceful forms and very showy -colors, all of which inhabit North and Central America. In addition to -the attractions of their plumage, these birds possess very considerable -powers of voice, though by no means entitled to be ranked as songsters. -The Cardinal bird, known also by the names of Virginia Nightingale and -Red Bird, is the only species inhabiting the States north of Texas, and -is frequently met with at all seasons in the States on the Atlantic. 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 water-courses. The male, on account of the splendid -vermilion of his plumage, always attracts attention; and though rather -shy and careful in exposing himself, is frequently shot by gunners for -no other purpose than the possession of such a handsome bird. - -The colors of our northern Cardinal bird are vermilion, with the throat -black. In Mexico, there is found another beautiful species, singularly -resembling in form and color that to which we have just alluded, but -wanting the black throat. It differs also in the shape of the bill and -some minor characters. - -The bird now before the reader was originally described as a bird of -Mexico, in the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, by -Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Prince of Canino, one of the most accomplished -zoologists of Europe, and held in deservedly high estimation in this -country, on account of his splendid volumes on American Ornithology. His -specimens were obtained near the city of Mexico. - - [Illustration: Plate 33 - The Texan Cardinal bird - Cardinalis Sinuatus (_Bonaparte_)] - -Within the limits of the United States, this species was first observed -by Capt. J. P. McCown, of the United States Army, at Ringgold Barracks, -in Texas. Since that period, it has been noticed and specimens brought -in collections by several of the naturalists, who have accompanied -expeditions sent by the government, though never, so far as we have -learned, out of the State of Texas. - -To Captain McCown we are indebted for the following note respecting this -species, for which and many similar favors we beg to tender our -acknowledgements. - -“This handsome species was occasionally seen on the Rio Grande, having -apparently a strong partiality for damp and bushy woods; and in fact so -far as I observed never venturing far from the river. I cannot speak -positively, but am under the impression that it remains in Texas during -the whole year, having seen it so late in the fall, and again so early -in the Spring, that if not constantly resident, its migration must at -any rate be very limited. It is 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, though rather shy and not easily -approached. Its voice and general habits appeared to me as very similar -to those of the common species of the Northern States. I never saw its -nest, though it undoubtedly breeds in Texas.” - -During his late connection with Lieut. Williamson’s expedition, this -bird was noticed by Dr. Heermann, from whose beautiful specimens, -through his kindness, our plate has been prepared, and who has allowed -us to make the following extract from his Journal:— - -“After leaving Teusoa, we observed the first specimen of this bird but -little beyond the crossing of the San Pedro river. It was in a dry -caignau, perched on a bush, and seemed weary and lost, and was probably -a wanderer, as no more were observed until we reached El Paso. At this -place, in the vicinity of the habitations of man, we found it quite -common, frequenting the hedges and trees, and continued to see it -occasionally on our road until we left civilization behind us. Raising -its crest erect as it moves actively about in search of food, it emits -at intervals a clear, plaintive whistle, varied by a few detached notes. -It is said to be quite common on the Rio Grande river and in Mexico.” - -This species was also found in Texas by Mr. John H. Clark, zoologist, -attached to the Mexican boundary surveying party. In Mexico, -particularly in the States of Tamaulipas and Nueva Leon, Lieut. Couch -observed it in considerable numbers. - -Our figures, which are those of the adult male and female, are rather -less than two-thirds of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Cardinalis. Bonaparte, Comp. List., p. 35. (1838.) - -Bill short, very thick at base; culmen advancing on the forehead; wing -moderate; fourth and fifth quills longest and nearly equal; tail long, -slightly rounded; tarsi rather long; middle toe long, others moderate; -general form robust; tail long; and head above with elongated crest-like -feathers on all known species. A genus containing five or six species of -handsome birds, peculiar to America. - - Cardinalis sinuatus. Bonaparte, Proc. Zool. Soc., London, p. 111. - (1837.) - -Form. About the size or rather larger than _Cardinalis virginianus_ of -North America; not strictly exhibiting the characters of this genus; -bill short; lower mandible much thicker than the upper; gonys ascending -abruptly; upper mandible curved; wings short; third, fourth and fifth -quills nearly equal and longest; tail long; tarsi moderate; head with a -conspicuous crest of lengthened erectile feathers. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 8 inches; wing, 3¾; tail, 4¼ -inches. - -Colors. _Male._—Plumage encircling the base of the bill; longer feathers -of the crest, wide medial longitudinal band on the under parts, tibiæ, -and under coverts of the wings, fine crimson; entire upper parts light -cinerous, which is the color also of the sides and flanks; quills ashy -brown, both webs edged with crimson; tail above and below dark crimson, -tinged with brown; abdomen and under tail coverts pale rosy white, the -feathers of the latter crimson at their bases; plumage of the breast -edged and tipped with pale ashy; bill and tarsi pale yellowish. - -_Female._ Under wing coverts, edges of quills, crest, and tail, pale -crimson, the last shaded with brown; entire plumage above cinerous, -below yellowish-cinerous; no crimson on the forehead or on the throat or -other under parts. - -Hab. Texas, Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., -Washington city. - -Obs. This beautiful species, though in general form and appearance -presenting the characters of _Cardinalis_, is quite different in the -form of the bill, and has been placed by the distinguished and -accomplished naturalist who first described it (the Prince of Canino) in -a subdivision which he names _Pyrrhuloxia_ (Conspectus Avium, p. 500). - -It appears to be restricted to Mexico and the southern part of Texas, -though its northern range may yet be ascertained to extend farther than -at present known. It does not resemble any other species sufficiently to -lead to confusion. - - [Illustration: Plate 34 - The American Stone Chat - Saxicola œnanthoides (_Vigors_)] - - - - - SAXICOLA ŒNANTHOIDES.—Vigors. - The American Stone Chat. - PLATE XXXIV.—Adult. - - -The Stone Chats and Wheat Ears, which are the English names of birds of -the genus _Saxicola_, are abundant in the old world, though the greater -number of the species appear to be restricted to Africa. The few that -are natives of Europe are numerous throughout the greater part of that -continent. They are birds of plain but agreeable colors, and inhabit -fields and other open grounds or plains covered with shrub-like -vegetation, running with facility, and making their nests on the ground, -or in holes beneath the surface. These are curiously constructed by some -species of this group, and very carefully concealed, though frequently -in situations much exposed. There are nearly forty species of this group -of birds composing the present and a nearly allied genus. - -Though there are so many species of these genera, the bird now before us -is the only one that appears to be peculiar to the continent of America. -One other, the _Saxicola œnanthe_, a common European bird, is, however, -a visitor to this continent. We have seen undoubted specimens from -Greenland, and occasionally it strays so far southwardly as New York, in -the vicinity of which city a few specimens have been captured, one of -which is in the collection of our friend, Mr. George N. Lawrence. - -The present bird was originally described in the Zoology of the Voyage -of the Blossom, from specimens obtained on the western coast of North -America; but apparently the naturalists attached to the party which -performed that voyage, had no opportunities of acquiring any information -respecting its history or the district that it inhabits. Nor have others -been more successful; no American naturalist or traveller having noticed -it again in Western America, notwithstanding the researches which have -been carried on in that portion of this continent. - -The only specimen that we have ever seen of this bird is in the -collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, to which -it was presented by our intimate and valued friend, Thomas M. Brewer, M. -D., of the city of Boston, one of the most eminent of American -ornithologists, and now particularly devoted to the investigation of the -nidification and oology of the birds of this country, the results of -which we hope soon to see published. Dr. Brewer obtained the specimen -alluded to in Nova Scotia, but could procure no account of it beyond the -fact that it was considered as of unusual occurrence in that province. - -This bird is very closely allied to the Wheat Ear of Europe (_S. -œnanthe_), and is in all probability of very similar habits. In the -absence of positive information we can only suppose it to be an -inhabitant of the countries north of the limits of the United States, in -which there is a vast extent of territory well adapted to the habits of -birds of this group. It is also probably not an abundant species, or it -would have been noticed more frequently during its winter migration. But -of the ornithology of all the northern portion of the United States from -the ninetieth degree of longitude to the Pacific Ocean, or west of the -Mississippi river, too little is known to justify any conclusions. Many -species of Northern and Western America, of which little or nothing was -previously known, have within a few years been demonstrated to be -abundant, and such may hereafter prove to be the case with the bird -which is the subject of our present article. - -The figure in our plate is about two-thirds of the size of life. - -The plant represented is _Abronia umbellata_, a native of western North -America. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Saxicola. Bechstein, Ornithologisches Taschenbuch, p. 216. - (1802.) - -Bill straight, with the culmen distinct and somewhat ascending into the -feathers of the forehead; a few short and weak bristles at the base of -the upper mandible, which is rather wide; wing rather long; first quill -spurious, third and fourth longest, and nearly equal; tail moderate, -wide, truncate; legs long, rather slender. General form adapted to -living on the ground. - - Saxicola œnanthoides. Vigors, Zool. Voy. Blossom, Ornithology, p. 19. - (1839.) - -Form. Rather larger than _Saxicola œnanthe_, but very similar to that -species in form and general characters and appearance; wing long; second -primary longest; tail moderate or rather short; legs, especially the -tarsi, long; bill moderate, rather wide at base. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 6½ inches; wing, 4⅛; tail, 3; -tarsus, 1¼ inches. - -Colors. Narrow line through the eye, enlarging on the ears, black, which -is the color also of the wings; forehead ashy white, fading into the -cinerous of the head above; back cinerous; upper coverts of the tail -white; under parts white, tinged with pale fulvous, darker on the -breast; two middle feathers of the tail white at base; terminal -two-thirds of their length black; other feathers of the tail white, -tipped with black; bill and legs dark. - -Hab. Northern America, Nova Scotia, Oregon. Spec. in Mus. Acad., -Philadelphia. - -Obs. We are not without doubts that the bird now before us is really -distinct from _Saxicola œnanthe_ of Europe, but having unfortunately a -single specimen only, we cannot make an examination or comparison in all -respects satisfactory. Our specimen is uniformly larger than either of -the numerous specimens of the European species in the collection of the -Philadelphia Academy, and is, as an especial character, longer in the -tarsi. Its measurements do not, however, correspond with those given in -the original description in Voy. Blossom; but it is expressly stated -that the specimens described were in bad condition, and may not be -entirely reliable. It is, at any rate, very closely allied to the -European species that we have just mentioned. - -With special reference to the present bird, we shall look with much -interest for the results of future zoological investigations in the -northwestern territories of the United States. There is at the present -time no field more inviting to the American naturalist. While much has -been done in California, New Mexico, and Texas, the extensive regions -which we have above designated have scarcely been entered upon, and will -yet contribute much to the fauna of our country. - - - - - DIOMEDEA NIGRIPES.—Audubon. - The Black-footed Albatross. - PLATE XXXV. Adult Male. - - -Those birds whose homes are the sea-coasts and islands, and whose lives -are spent in gleaning a subsistence amongst the billows or by the shores -of the ocean, have always been objects of interest both to the -naturalist and the general observer. Idly reposing on the rocky crag or -the sand-bank, or boldly sweeping the surface of the waters alike in the -calm and amidst the fury of the tempest, few having the opportunity have -failed to mark the sea-birds as a feature in the wild scenery peculiar -to the localities for which they are fitted by nature, and perhaps to -associate them with the adventurous character of our useful fellow-men -whose profession it is, in the beautiful language of the liturgy, to “go -down upon the deep.” - -The large majority of the many birds that derive their subsistence from -the productions of the Ocean, live habitually on its shores, or venture -only short and easily-regainable distances from the land. This is the -case with the numerous genera comprising the Ducks, Swans, and Geese, as -well as the Pelicans, Cormorants, Penguins, and others. These, for the -greater part, frequent the margins of the bays and estuaries, and many -of them are almost as much birds of the land as of the sea. The Penguins -in fact having but rudiments of wings, and incapable of flight, are -necessarily restricted, though performing very remarkable migrations by -swimming. These extraordinary birds are peculiar to the southern -hemisphere, and have been met with amongst the ice and snow of the -highest latitudes which navigators have succeeded in reaching within the -Antarctic circle. - -The bird which is the subject of our present article, is one of a group -of species which, possessing great powers of flight and swimming with -facility, do not content themselves with the vicinity of the coast, but -venture boldly out to sea. The largest and best known species, the -Wandering Albatross, has been observed by voyagers at a distance of two -thousand miles or upwards from land; and it is even supposed that it -performs a flight across the Atlantic from Cape Horn, or about its -latitude, to the Cape of Good Hope. The smaller species, of which the -present is one, do not venture on so long flights, but several voyagers -have recorded their having been seen at two to five hundred miles out at -sea. - -On the sea-coast of America, on the Atlantic, the Albatrosses are found -inhabiting only a portion of the shores of the southern division of this -continent north of Cape Horn, but on the Pacific they are abundant -throughout the extent of the continent. - - [Illustration: Plate 35 - The black-footed Albatross - Diomedes nigripes (_Audubon_)] - -The species that we present to the reader in the present plate, was -discovered on the coast of California by the late John K. Townsend, M. -D., and was first brought to notice by Mr. Audubon, in his -Ornithological Biography, V., p. 327, but the specimen appears to have -been accompanied by no notice of its history. - -Since the period of its discovery, this bird has been again observed -only by Dr. Heermann, who has kindly furnished the following note from -his Journal:— - -“The Black-footed Albatross abounds on the coast of California and -southward, as do several other species of this genus. It is commonly to -be seen skimming over the waves in its flight, and following in the wake -of vessels, to pick up the refuse scraps thrown overboard. With the -voracity characteristic of these birds, it seizes with little -discrimination on whatever is thrown into the water, and of this -propensity advantage may be taken by baiting a hook, by which, when -seized, the bird is easily secured. From the stern-ports of our ship, -during a voyage by sea to California, I have thus captured eight or ten -specimens of this and other species of this genus in a single morning. -All the species much resemble each other in habits, so far as my -observations extend. - -“On the coast of California, I observed a White Albatross much smaller -than the large _Diomedea exulans_, but not having succeeded in procuring -it, I cannot designate the species.” - -The small white species alluded to by Dr. Heermann, is probably new to -the ornithology of North America. Of the species known as inhabitants, -we may say of the Pacific ocean, several have not heretofore been -noticed by naturalists on the shores of the United States. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Diomedea. Linnæus, Syst. Nat. I., p. 214. (1766.) - -Size large; general form short and compact; wings very long; bill -straight, much compressed, hooked at the tip; both mandibles usually -with lateral grooves; apertures of the nostrils tubular; first primary -longest; secondaries short; tail short; legs moderate; feet large. - - Diomedea nigripes. Audubon, Ornith. Biog. V., p. 327. (1839.) - -Form. Medium sized or rather small for a bird of this genus; bill -straight, hooked at the tip; upper mandible expanded on the forehead, -its basal edge forming a crescent very distinct from the frontal -feathers; tubular nostrils prominent; wing long; first quill longest; -tail short, nearly square at the tip; tarsi short; feet large; tibia -naked above the joint with the tarsus. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, 26 inches; wing, 19; tail, 5 inches. - -Colors. Plumage at the base of the bill pale brownish-white, of which -color there is also a spot behind and under the eye; entire other -plumage above and below sooty brown, darkest on the back and wings, -lighter on the under parts, and having a gray tinge on the breast; bill -dark; tarsi and feet black. - -Hab. Western Coast of North America. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This species much resembles in colors and general appearance the -Dusky Albatross (_Diomedea fuliginosa_, Gm., which is _D. fusca_, Aud.), -but may at once be distinguished by the color of the feet, which in the -present bird are black, and in the other yellow. In _D. fuliginosa_, the -tail is much longer and wedge-shaped, and the upper mandible extends in -a point into the plumage of the head in front, instead of being as above -described in the species now before us. - -It is a species apparently peculiar to the western coast of America; but -as illustrative of the very extensive range of these birds, we may -mention that several species, which are common on the Pacific coast of -this continent, are also met with on the shores of Australia. The Great -Wandering Albatross, the Dusky Albatross, and the Yellow-nosed Albatross -(_D. exulans fuliginosa_ and _chlorhynchus_), are given as birds of that -continent in Mr. Gould’s magnificent work, “The Birds of Australia,” and -are now well known to be inhabitants of the western shores of the -continent of America. - - [Illustration: Plate 36 - The Ground Cuckoo - Geococcyx mexicanus (_Gmelin_)] - - - - - GEOCOCCYX MEXICANUS.—(Gmelin.) - The Ground Cuckoo. The Prairie Cock. The Paisano. The Corre-camino. - PLATE XXXVI. Adult Male. - - -Of the many birds of Western America, the history of which has been -brought to light by the recent researches of our countrymen and -fellow-laborers in the great field of zoological science, that now -before the reader is one of the most curious and interesting. Its -existence has been known to naturalists since the time of Hernandez, -who, as early as 1651, in his “New History of the Plants, Animals, and -Minerals of Mexico,” gives a short account of it, as one of the most -remarkable of the birds that came under his observation. Though -partially known for so long a period, and having received various names -from European naturalists, who have described specimens met with in -museums, there was extant no satisfactory account of this bird previous -to the incorporation of countries which it inhabits with the confederacy -of the United States, and the consequent facilities afforded to the -investigations of American naturalists. - -This bird is especially remarkable for great swiftness of foot, and in -fact appears to be almost unrivalled in that respect by any other of our -North American species, not even excepting the Grouse, Partridges, or -any other of the smaller gallinaceous birds. These, though possessing -the ability to run short distances very swiftly, are incapable of -sustaining a protracted chase like the present bird. In Mexico, and the -adjacent portions of the United States, it is not unusual, as a matter -of amusement, to try the speed of our bird by pursuing him on horseback, -or by chasing him with dogs, under which severe test of his fleetness, -he acquits himself very creditably, and makes, as we shall see -presently, a longer race than is usually expected by his pursuer. He -evidently possesses both speed and bottom, unrivalled by any fair -competition in ornithological pedestrianism, so far as its annals are -chronicled, or the present writer’s information on that subject extends. - -Clothed in plumage of agreeable and unusual colors for a Northern -species, and habitually frequenting the ground, walking or running with -its long tail carried erect, and assuming a variety of grotesque -attitudes, it is not surprising that this bird has attracted the -attention of nearly all our naturalists and travellers who have visited -its native regions. Through their exertions, it is now to be found in -nearly all our museums and private collections, and many facts -respecting it have been placed on record. - -Though terrestrial in its habits, and exhibiting in some degree the -manners and habits of the gallinaceous birds (the Pheasants, Partridges, -Grouse, &c.), this bird is by no means to be classed in that division of -the ornithological kingdom. It is a Cuckoo, and a relative of the -celebrated bird of Europe so long known as to have become classic, and -of the unobtrusive and plain-plumaged little birds of the United States, -of the genus _Coccyzus_, popularly known by the name of Cow-birds, or -Rain-birds. Our present bird is a representative of the gallinaceous -form, in the family of Cuckoos. Throughout the animal and vegetable -kingdoms, and in every division or subdivision of whatever character, -five primary groups or forms present themselves. In birds and all their -groups, these are: the typical, or bird-like form; the predatory, or -rapacious; the gallinaceous, or walking; the grallatorial, or wading; -and the natatorial, or swimming form. In the group of Cuckoos, which is -quite extensive, and species of which are found in nearly all parts of -the world, the bird now before us belongs to the subdivision comprising -the gallinaceous or walking Cuckoos, and is a striking example of that -peculiar form in the great circle of birds, and of the prevalence of a -law which is universal, and not difficult to demonstrate. - -The first American naturalist who observed the bird now before the -reader, was Dr. William Gambel, and a description by him will be found -in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, -Vol. II., p. 263. (1845). Subsequently, it has been noticed by nearly -all naturalists who have visited California, New Mexico, or Texas, and -interesting contributions to its history are contained in their -publications relating to the ornithology of those countries. - -Our esteemed friend, Col. George A. McCall, with his usual clearness and -scientific accuracy, gave the first satisfactory account of this bird, -in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy, III. p. 234 (July, -1847.): - -“Although the toes of this bird are disposed in opposite pairs, as in -other species of his family, yet the outer toe being reversible, and of -great flexibility, is in either position aptly applied in climbing or -perching, as well as on the ground. Thus he at times pitches along the -ground in irregular but vigorous hops; and again, when the outer toe is -thrown forward, he runs smoothly, and with such velocity, as to be able -to elude a dog in the _chaparral_, without taking wing. He feeds on -_coleoptera_, and almost every description of insects, and near the -river Nueces, where the snail (_Lynnæus stagnalis_) abounds, it is also -greedily eaten. These he snatches from the ground, or plucks from the -low branch of a bush; and as he rarely wanders far from his abode, the -prize is carried to a particular spot, where the shell is broken with -his strong bill, and the animal devoured. Piles of these shells are -often found that would fill half a hat crown. - -“Although dwelling principally on the ground, he is ready and expert in -catching his prey in the air, in which act his movements are full of -animation,—bounding from the ground with a sudden impulse to the height -of eight or ten feet; his wings and tail are seen expanded for a -scarcely appreciable instant, and his bill is heard to snap as he takes -his prey, when he drops as suddenly to the spot from which he sprang. -Here he will stand for a moment, his legs apart, and his tail flirted on -one side with a wild and eccentric expression of exultation in his -attitude, before he scampers off under cover of the thick _chaparral_. -At first, I thought,—as is the general impression among the -Mexicans,—that his powers of flight were extremely limited; but he will, -when suddenly alarmed in open ground, rise with a light, quick motion, -and continue his flight over the bushes for some hundred yards, -apparently with an ease that would argue the ability to sustain a longer -flight. - -“Though fond of solitude and shade, he will, at an early hour in the -morning, climb to the top of a straight leafless branch, there to sit -and enjoy the first rays of the sun. - -“He is said by the Mexican rancheros to build his nest of loose sticks, -either in a low, thick bush, or in close cover on the ground. The eggs -are said by them to be two or three in number, and of a whitish color.” - -We have again to express our obligations to Col. McCall for the -following contribution to our present article:— - -“I never was so fortunate as to find the nest of this bird, yet I had -frequent opportunities of witnessing its manners and habits in Texas, in -New Mexico, and in California, between the years 1846-52. - -“Of shy and retiring disposition, the _G. viaticus_ is most often met -with singly. I have, however, frequently seen the male and female -associated during the later period of the year, as well as in spring and -summer; the former, at all seasons, being easily distinguishable by his -larger size and more brilliant plumage. Whether the pairs I thus met -were mated for life, or for the year, or were merely accidentally living -in company, I am unable to say—I simply state the fact; and I well -recollect my fruitless efforts, in Texas, for several successive days in -autumn, to secure a pair that inhabited a large _chaparral_ near which I -happened to be encamped at the time. The male was a remarkably fine -bird, but evidently an old and cautious fellow; he would come just -without the thicket, followed by the female—and there, with neck -outstretched, cast a searching glance around; then, if an enemy -appeared, even in the distance, he would instantly retreat to his -impenetrable abode trebly fenced with thorns. In a little while, he -would re-appear at another point, where, if the coast seemed clear, he -would, closely followed by his mate, begin to search for grass-hoppers -and other insects, but never venture more than a few paces from the -border of the thicket. Thus it was impossible to approach him in open -ground; and such was his constant caution and vigilance that, although I -more than once lay in wait for the couple, which I regularly saw in the -morning hours, I never succeeded in getting within gunshot. - -“When suddenly surprised, I have seen this bird rise on wing and fly -considerable distances, in order to gain close cover, the flight being -effected by regular flappings, and executed, apparently, with ease; -though the bird did not rise more than six or eight feet from the -ground. - -“The individuals that I killed in the fall and winter seasons, -invariably were excessively fat, and their crops were usually filled -with snails and various coleoptera. I do not recollect that I ever found -in their stomachs the remains of lizards or other reptiles. - -“The _Paisano_ (countryman), as this bird is called by the Mexicans, or -_Corre-camino_ (run-the-road), as the native Californians designate it, -is often met in the unfrequented roads that traverse forests of low -brushwood, being enticed from its sombre retreats to the openings, in -search of its favorite food. And here is often afforded the traveller an -opportunity of witnessing its surpassing swiftness of foot. I have -several times tested its speed with a good horse under me, and I have in -truth been astonished at the almost incredible rate at which it passed -over the ground. On one occasion, when approaching Limpia creek (W. -Texas), with a small party, on my way to El Paso, I discovered a fine -male _Paisano_ in the open road, about one hundred yards in advance. For -amusement, I put spurs to my horse and dashed after him, followed by one -of my men. For full four hundred yards, I ran him along a road level and -smooth as a floor; and over which, with straightened neck and -slightly-expanded wings, he swiftly glided, seeming scarcely to touch -the ground. And when, at last, he deemed it prudent to seek shelter in -the thicket alongside, I had not reduced the distance between us more -than fifty yards. - -“I was told on the frontier that the Mexican rancheros do sometimes run -down and capture the _Paisano_ when they find him wandering on more open -ground; and such I think is probable, for the one to which I have just -referred was going, even to the moment at which he _took cover_, at a -rate of speed that could not possibly have been much longer sustained; -nor could he, I think, when so nearly ‘blown,’ have risen on wing. Such, -at least, is the case with the wild turkey, which I have repeatedly -captured in the same way, although his power of flight is greater than -that of the _Paisano_.” - -Capt. John P. McCown, of the United States Army, also observed the -_Paisano_ in Texas; and in his observations on the birds of that State, -in the Annals of the New York Lyceum of Natural History, VI. p. 9, we -find the following:— - -“Often in my wanderings through the _chapparel_ on the Rio Grande, I -observed piles of broken snail shells, and always near some hard -substance, such as a bone, or hard piece of wood, which had evidently -been used in breaking the shells. I made many conjectures as to the -probable animal, but never suspected that a bird had left these -evidences of its peculiar habits. I heard, also, at times, generally in -the morning or evening, a sound very similar to that made by some -Woodpeckers, rapidly beating their bills upon an old dry tree. This was -also a mystery, as I could find no Woodpeckers near the place where the -sound came from. Upon inquiry of a Mexican, I was told that it was the -_Paisano_ breaking the snail-shells to get at the snail, which explained -at once both the noise and the mutilated shells. I was afterwards so -fortunate as to see a bird so occupied. It took the snail in its bill -and beat it upon the hard substance, striking faster and faster, until -the shell broke. - -“A few of these birds are to be found on the Rio Nueces. They run with -great speed, seldom taking to wing. I have seen them on trees apparently -observing the vicinity. I had a young bird of this species, about -half-grown, but it refused to eat, and soon died; and I have seen some -in coops, and have been informed that they have been tamed. - -“When approached, this bird runs very swiftly until near cover, when it -stops and reconnoitres the intruder, gives its tail a flirt, and away it -goes again. - -“In 1846, on the mountains between Monterey and Saltillo, I saw a pair -of birds much like these, but much smaller. I observed them for some -time, and feel satisfied that they were another species. The snail that -seems to form the principal food of these birds is found sticking to -almost every bush, and some are literally covered with them.” - -In California, this bird was frequently noticed by Dr. Heermann, from -whose manuscripts in our possession we have permission to make the -following extract:— - -“We found this bird throughout California inhabiting the most arid -portions of the country. It often crossed our path, or ran before us for -a short distance on the road, dashing, when alarmed, immediately into -the _chapparel_, in which its swiftness of foot enabled it to readily -elude pursuit. It may, however, be overtaken when followed on horseback -over the vast open plains in which it is found, if no friendly bush -offers it a shelter. When closely chased, if on an elevated point, it -will sometimes fly, but appears to prefer sailing downwards. I once saw -a specimen captured by a couple of dogs, their appetites whetted by -recent success in overtaking and bringing down a Prairie wolf, or -cayote. - -“The stomachs of all the specimens that I examined of this bird were -filled with the grass-hoppers and large black beetles found on the -plains. The nest, built on the branches of the cactus, is formed of -loose sticks, thrown negligently together, in the same manner as that of -the yellow-billed Cuckoo of the United States (_Coccyzus americanus_). -It contains two large, nearly spherical, white eggs. - -“I have never witnessed the following, but was gravely assured of its -truth by several old Californians: It is said that this bird, on -perceiving the rattlesnake coiled up asleep, will collect the cactus and -hedge him around in a circle, out of which he is prevented from escaping -by the prickly points opposing him on every side; and becoming enraged, -strikes himself, and dies from the effects of his self-inoculated venom. - -“This bird is common in Western Texas and on the Rio Grande.” - -This remarkable bird has been found in the vicinity of Fort Webster, New -Mexico, by Dr. Henry, and was also noticed in that country and in Texas -by Mr. Clark, Mr. Schott, and Dr. Kennerly, and in Mexico by Lieut. -Couch. - -Though neither of the authors above cited have mentioned that this bird -devours reptiles as well as insects and snails, that fact is stated by -Dr. Gambel in his paper on the Birds of California, in the first volume -of the quarto Journal of the Philadelphia Academy, and it is so -represented in some spirited sketches by Mr. Arthur Schott, now attached -to the United States and Mexican Boundary Surveying party, whose -drawings of this bird made in its native wilds are in the possession of -our valued friend, Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institution. It -is probable that although it may prefer insects, other small animals -afford suitable food. - -Lieut. D. N. Couch, of the U. S. Army, to whom we have been indebted for -other valuable contributions, has, with his usual kindness, added to our -present article the following interesting notice of this bird as an -inhabitant of Northern Mexico:— - -“This bird was first met with in Southwestern Texas, near the Rio -Grande, where it is called ‘Prairie Cock’ by the inhabitants. Few or no -opportunities occurred for me to observe it carefully, until I found -myself in the dreary chapparel districts of Tamaulipas, and next beyond -the Sierra Madre. - -“The chapparel is its home. Equally avoiding the forests of high trees -or the open prairies,—in the former of which its short wings would -preclude an easy flight to the branches, and in the latter, for the same -reason, it would be unable to escape from the numerous hawks of various -species that are ever hovering over the arid wastes of that region. Once -only I saw it perched near the top of a stout Mesquite tree, though not -many feet from the ground. - -“So far as I have observed, this bird rarely takes to wing, but with -head lowered and tail nearly horizontal; crouching to the ground, it -runs without using its wings, with incredible swiftness; stopping -suddenly, its long and beautiful tail is raised and depressed with as -much grace as a fan in the hand of an accomplished senorita. - -“In one of my excursions, I saw a wolf chase a hare (_Lepus texianus_), -but was distanced in a few seconds, in the short race, a bird of this -species was started, and the wolf in turn tried its fleetness, with the -same result very distinctly arrived at. Apparently much disappointed, he -looked at me for a moment, with an expression that seemed to say, “I -have half a mind to try you;” but he turned off sulkily and trotted -away, leaving me quite satisfied with his conclusion. - -“Pa-i-san-o is the name by which this bird is known to the Mexicans. -They hold it in high estimation on account of its enmity to the -rattlesnake, which it usually succeeds in killing in fair combat. -Notwithstanding that it is by no means deficient in courage, there is -scarcely one of the feathered tribe that is so quiet and harmless in its -habits. I have never noticed any note except a weak scream, and that -very seldom. It is apparently not social, never occurring in flocks, not -a wanderer to much extent, and though almost a hermit, is the most -pleasing and friendly-looking inhabitant that lives only in the -chapparel.” - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Geococcyx. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524. - -General form lengthened and rather slender; bill long, straight, strong, -compressed, curved at the tip; wings short, rounded; fourth and fifth -primaries longest; first short; tail long, graduated; legs long, -especially the tibiæ; tarsi covered with wide transverse scales, very -distinct in front; toes moderate, covered with scales; claws curved, -flattened laterally. An American genus, containing two or three species -only, all of which inhabit California, Texas, and Mexico. - - Geococcyx mexicanus. (Gmelin.) - Phasianus mexicanus. Gm., Syst. Nat., II. p. 741. (1788.) - Geococcyx variegatus. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 524. - Diplopterus viaticus. Boie, Isis, 1831, p. 541. - “Cuculus viaticus. Licht. Mus. Berol.” Wagler and Boie, as above. - Saurothera marginata. Kaup, Isis, 1832, p. 991, pl. 26. - Saurothera californiana. Less, Ann. du Mus., Paris, 1835, p. 121, pl. - 9. - Leptostoma longicauda. Swains., Cab. Cy. Birds, II. p. 325. (1837.) - “Saurothera Bottæ. Blainville.” - Upupa mexicana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 467? - -Form. Head above with elongated, erectile, crest-like feathers. A large -bare space around and behind the eye extending towards the occiput; -wings short; tail long; legs long, stout; tarsus with about eight or -nine wide and strong scales in front. - -Dimensions. _Male._—Total length of skin, about 22 inches; wing, 6½; -tail, 11 inches. _Female_, smaller. - -Colors. _Male._—Space around and behind the eye, in the living bird, -yellow, with a large red spot on its most posterior part; plumage of the -head above dark blue, with a metallic lustre, every feather edged with -reddish fulvous and white; entire other upper parts dark metallic green, -darkest on the neck behind and on the back; lightest on the wings and -central feathers of the tail; all the upper plumage edged with white, -and very narrowly with pale fulvous; primary quills dark brown, with a -green metallic lustre, and edged with white on their outer webs; upper -coverts of the tail and two central tail feathers green, with metallic -lustre, and edged with white; other feathers of the tail deep shining -blue, narrowly edged, and widely tipped with white, and having in some -lights a green lustre; under parts white, slightly tinged with ashy and -very pale yellowish; and on the throat and neck before with longitudinal -stripes of dark greenish-brown; bill and feet light bluish. _Female_ -similar, but with the colors less vivid. - -Hab. California, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., -Philada., and in Nat. Mus., Washington city. - -Obs. As the reader will have discovered from our preceding synonymes, an -unusual superabundance of names has been proposed for this bird. We have -no doubt, however, that it is the _Hoitlallotl_ of Hernandez (Nova, -plantarum, animalium et mineralium Mexicanorum, Historia, p. 25. Folio, -Rome, 1651), whose description is cited by both Buffon and Latham. On -the faith of the notice by the latter (Synopsis of Birds, II. p. 723), -Gmelin gave the name _Phasianus mexicanus_ as cited above. The -description by Hernandez is short and not very accurate; but we could -mention many species of birds, the original descriptions of which are -quite as much so, both ancient and modern. Prof. Wagler, in his -description of _Geococcyx variegatus_, above alluded to, expresses the -opinion that his bird is the same as that described by Hernandez; and -Mr. Strickland, in Ann. and Mag. of Nat. Hist., VIII. p. 544 (1842), -arrives at the same conclusion. - -We regard it as at least possible, too, that this bird is the _Upupa -mexicana_ (Gmelin, Syst. Nat., I. p. 467), which is the “Mexican -Promerops” (Latham, Syn., II. p. 691). The descriptions are founded on a -figure in Seba (pl. 45, fig. 3), that about as accurately represents -this species as any other; which can also be said of his description. In -Seba’s figure it will be observed that three toes are directed forward, -which might appear to be a difficulty; but in reference to that point we -ask attention to Col. McCall’s valuable contribution in a preceding -page. There is, too, some peculiarity intended or attempted to be -represented in the figure to which we allude. - -The sexes of this bird differ in size very considerably; and there are, -also, variations in size and measurements, such as comparative lengths -of their bills and tails between different specimens. We have seen a -large number of specimens, from various localities, but of one species -only. Though we have been constantly on the watch for it, we have never -detected the smaller species alluded to by Captain McCown, which is very -probably _Geococcyx affinis_, described by Dr. George Hartlaub, of the -State Museum of Bremen, one of the most learned and accurate of European -ornithologists. That species may be more an inhabitant of the -mountainous or hilly country than the subject of our present article. - - [Illustration: Plate 37 - The Whip-Tom-Kelly - Vireosylvia altiloqua (_Vieillot_)] - - - - - VIREOSYLVIA ALTILOQUA.—(Vieillot.) - The Long-billed Flycatcher. The Whip-tom-kelly. The John-to-whit. - PLATE XXXVII. Adult Male. - - -This little bird is very similar in form and general appearance to the -Red-eyed Flycatcher (_Vireosylvia olivacea_), of the United States, but -is larger, and is distinctly characterized by the dark line on the side -of the neck. It appears to possess much the same habits as the common -species just mentioned, and others that inhabit the northern division of -the continent of America. Passing its life, for the greater part, -searching for insects amongst the thick foliage of the forest, in which -its color favors concealment, it utters its peculiar notes, evidently of -the same general character, but much louder and quite different from -those of either of its northern brethren. - -Though long known as a bird of the West Indies, and represented by Mr. -Gosse to be abundant in the Island of Jamaica, it has but recently been -discovered within the limits of the United States. Vieillot, it is true, -gave it as a North American species, and in his fine work, which is of -standard value in the history of our birds, figures it accurately, but -from specimens obtained in the West Indies. It was first ascertained to -be a summer visitor in Florida, by Dr. A. L. Heermann, who observed it -in considerable numbers in that State, at a season when it was certainly -engaged in the duties of incubation; but it has as yet never been -noticed in any other part of the United States. It is probable, too, -that it inhabits Cuba, but the several able naturalists of that Island -have not detected it, or at least have not stated it to be different -from the common Red-eyed Flycatcher. - -For our article on this bird, Dr. Heermann has, with great kindness, -furnished the following notice:— - -“Charlotte Harbour is situated on the Gulf of Mexico, and is studded -with numerous small islands or keys, as they are called, on which grows -the cocoa-nut, said to be brought hither from the West Indies by the -tides, and being thrown on the shore, takes root and flourishes. Some of -these islands, during my visit, I may say almost swarmed with Herons, -Cormorants, Snake-birds, Spoonbills, and Pelicans, engaged in attending -to their nests, and raising their young. The wild fig, orange, lemon, -palmetto, and pine, abound—the first of which is the principal food of -several species of birds, while the large numbers of fishes everywhere -in the surrounding waters afford ample subsistence to those that I have -mentioned. On the sand-bars, various species of Terns were to be found -in abundance, also engaged in incubation, while the Fish Crow, ever on -the alert to seize the eggs or young, or the captured prey of any of -these species when left unguarded, was ever to be seen on the wing, and -at a distance, and not to be approached easily, I have frequently seen -flocks of Flamingoes dredging perseveringly for shell-fishes, or -standing in groups, looking almost like files of soldiers in red -uniforms. - -“I mention these birds because, like the little Long-billed Flycatcher, -and like the cocoa-nut, too, if the prevailing belief is correct, they -appear to be visitors only from a more southern clime. They seem to have -reached Florida in the course of a northern migration, and although -remaining for a season, retire periodically, again to appear in due -time. - -“In this vicinity, I met with the Long-billed Flycatcher, which, coming -with his larger and more conspicuous fellow-travellers, to which I have -alluded, appears to be a more transient visitant, performing the duties -of incubation on this the northern district of his range, and soon -retiring southwardly to the West Indies. This bird much resembles in -manners and appearance the Red-eyed Flycatcher of the Northern States, -but is not, I think, its equal as a vocalist. His notes, at the season -when I heard them, were not as numerous, nor his song so long-continued. -They are quite different from those of the Red-eye, but clear and -musical, and very distinctly uttered. He is constantly on the search for -insects, and appeared to me to be more active than either of the -northern species, darting about amongst the foliage, or peering into a -crevice or recess in a branch, or a spider’s web, with his back -downwards, like the warblers,—or occasionally chasing a flying insect, -in the manner of the Pewee Flycatchers. These actions were usually -accompanied by his song, as is the case with the Red-eye and the -Warbling Flycatchers. This species was not abundant, though I saw it -frequently, and obtained several specimens.” - -The name, “Whip-tom-kelly,” is applied to this bird in Brown’s Jamaica, -one of the standard authorities on that Island (the Civil and Natural -History of Jamaica, by Patrick Brown, M. D., London, 1789, folio), as -its popular appellation, and has been transferred to the works of -various authors. Mr. Gosse, however, in his pleasant volume on the Birds -of Jamaica, mentions that he had never heard this designation. - -The naturalists of Jamaica and Cuba appear to have considered this bird -as identical with the Red-eyed Flycatcher. The latter may be a visitor, -most probably, in the winter, to these islands, but the present is -undoubtedly the resident summer species, at least in Jamaica. The figure -in Edward’s Gleanings of Natural History (V. pl. 253), is particularly -stated to have been made from Dr. Brown’s specimen brought from Jamaica, -and clearly represents the present bird. Mr. Swainson, in Fauna Boreali -Americana, Birds, p. 237, in his description of _Vireo longirostris_, -which is this bird, mentions having received specimens from the Islands -of Jamaica and St. Vincent. - -As a bird of Jamaica, this little Flycatcher is described in his usually -agreeable manner, by Mr. Gosse, in his work above alluded to. Holding -ourselves in duty bound, we take the liberty of transcribing from his -pages as followeth, premising that he calls this bird the -“John-to-whit:”— - -“Much oftener heard than seen, though not unfamiliar to either sense, -this sober-colored bird is one of those whose notes have such a -similarity to articulations as to procure them a common appellation. The -Flycatchers, in general, are not very vociferous, but this is -pertinacious in its tritonous call, repeating it with energy every two -or three seconds. It does not ordinarily sit on a prominent twig, or -dart out after insects, though I have seen one in eager but unsuccessful -pursuit of a butterfly (_Terias_); but it seems to love the centre of -thick woods, where it sits announcing its presence, or flits from bough -to bough as you approach, so that it is not easy to get a sight of it. - -“This bird does not winter with us, but leaves with the Grey Petchary -(_Tyrannus Dominicensis_), at the beginning of October. It returns -early—and like the bird just named, evidently makes an eastward -progress, arriving at the southwest end of the island first. On the 26th -of March, on my return to Bluefields, after a visit to Spanishtown, I -heard its well-known voice, but my lad had noticed it a week before. -From this time, every grove, I might almost say every tree, had its -bird, uttering, with incessant iteration and untiring energy, from its -umbrageous concealment, -’_Sweet-John!—John-to-whit!—Sweet-John-to-whit!—John-t’-whit!—Sweet-John-to—whit!_’ -I can scarcely understand how the call can be written ‘Whip-tom-kelly,’ -as the accent, if I may so say, is most energetic on the last syllable. -Nor have I ever heard this appellation given to it in Jamaica. After -July, we rarely hear ‘_John-to-whit_’—but, ‘_to-whit—to-whoo_,’ and -sometimes a soft, simple chirp, or _sip, sip_, whispered so gently as -scarcely to be audible. This, however, I have reason to believe is the -note of the young, for I have heard young ones repeatedly utter it, when -sitting on a twig, receiving from time to time, with gaping beak and -quivering wing, the food contributed by the dam. - -“The food of the John-to-whit is both animal and vegetable. In March, I -have found in its stomach the seeds of the tropic birch, and in April, -the berries of sweet-wood, in an unripe state. In the same month, I -observed one hunting insects by the borders of Bluefields rivulet, in -which I was bathing, and so intent was it upon its occupation, that it -allowed me to approach within a foot of it before it flew. It sought -insects successfully among the grass and low herbage, perching on the -stalks of the weeds, and jumping out after stationary, as well as -vagrant, prey. I observed it eat two spider’s nests, which it masticated -as if peculiarly savory. As it sat, it vomited a little white body, -which I found to be the globose seed of the misletoe berry. - -“Incubation takes place in June and July. The nest is rather a neat -structure, though made of coarse materials. It is a deep cup, about as -large as an ordinary tea-cup, narrowed at the mouth, composed of dried -grass, intermixed with silk-cotton, and sparingly with lichen and -spiders’ nests, and lined with thatch-threads. It is usually suspended -between two twigs, or in the fork of one, the margin being over-woven so -as to embrace the twigs. This is very neatly performed. Specimens vary -much in beauty,—one before me is particularly neat and compact, being -almost globular in form, except that about one-fourth of the globe is -wanting, as it is a cup. Though the walls are not thick, they are very -firm and close, the materials being well woven. These are fibres of -grass-like plants, moss, a few dry leaves, flat papery spiders’ nests, -with a little cotton or down for the over-binding of the edges. It is -lined smoothly with fibres, I know not of what plant, as slender as -human hair. Another nest, similarly formed, has the cavity almost filled -with a mass of white cotton, which looks as if thrust in by man, but -that those filaments of the mass that are in contact with the sides, are -interwoven with the other materials. As it is picked cotton, it must be -a bit stolen from some house or yard, not plucked by the bird from the -capsule. The eggs, commonly three in number, are delicately white, with -a few small red-brown spots thinly scattered over the surface, sometimes -very minute and few. Their form is a somewhat pointed oval, measuring -nine-tenths of an inch by rather less than thirteen-twentieths.” - -Our figure is about three-fourths of the size of life, and represents -the adult male from one of Dr. Heermann’s specimens obtained in Florida. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Vireosylvia. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List of the Birds of - Europe and North America, p. 26. (1838.) - -Size small, but with the general form compact and stout; bill straight, -rather long, wide at base; upper mandible slightly notched near the -point; gonys slightly ascending; wing long, second quill usually -longest; tail rather short, even; legs and toes moderate in length, -slender. A genus containing five or six species, all of which are -American. Colors in all known species olive green, narrowly shaded and -tinged with yellow. - - Vireosylvia altiloqua. (Vieillot.) - Muscicapa altiloqua. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 67, pl. 38. - (1807.) - Vireo longirostris. Swains., Fau. Bor. Am., II. p. 237. (1831.) - Phyllomanes mysticalis. Cabanis, Erichson’s Archiv., 1837, p. 348? - Turdus hispaniolensis. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 822? - -Form. Bill long, strong, wide at base, with a few pairs of short, weak -bristles; wing long; second quill longest; tail moderate, truncate; legs -rather long, slender. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, 5½ inches; wing, 3½; tail, 2¼ inches. - -Colors. A narrow line of black running downward on each side of the -neck, from the base of the lower mandible; head above ashy-olive; other -upper parts olive-green, tinged with yellowish; quills and tail -olive-brown, edged outwardly with greenish-yellow; a line of -yellowish-white running from the nostril over the eye; between the eye -and the bill dark olive; under parts white, nearly pure on the throat, -and on the other parts tinged with ashy and greenish-yellow, especially -on the sides; bill light corneous; irides red. - -Hab. Florida, West Indies, and South America. Spec. in Mus. Acad., -Philada. - -Obs. We consider it quite probable that this species is the _Turdus -hispaniolensis_ of Gmelin, as above, which is the Hispaniola Thrush of -Latham. The figure in Buffon, Pl. Enl. 273, fig. 1, may represent the -same. - -This bird may readily be distinguished from all other species by the -dark lines on the neck, which seem to be present at all ages. - - - - - AMMODROMUS ROSTRATUS.—(Cassin.) - The Long-billed Swamp Sparrow. - PLATE XXXVIII. Adult Male. - - -Of this bird we can give but a very imperfect history. It is one of a -group of Sparrows, of which other species inhabit North America, -characterized in some measure like the present, by the length and large -size of their bills, and their partiality for the vicinity of salt -water. Two species, the Sea-side Finch, and the Sharp-tailed Finch -(_Ammodromus maritimus_ and _caudacutus_), are of frequent occurrence on -the shores of the Atlantic, almost throughout the extent of the coast of -the temperate regions of North America,—and in New Jersey may be met -with in the summer season in considerable numbers, wherever there are -salt marshes, or that description of vegetation peculiar to the shores -of the ocean, or within reach of its tides. In those localities, -frequently of difficult access, these birds rear their young in -comparative safety, subsisting on seeds and insects, and seldom -attracting attention. They may occasionally be seen, too, on the bare -sands of the beach, searching for small marine animals thrown up by the -waves. - -The present bird is a representative of this group on the shores of the -Pacific, and from the notice by its discoverer, which we shall give -directly, it appears to be very similar in its habits. It was first -observed by Dr. Heermann, near San Diego, California, during his first -visit to that country, and has since that time been again noticed only -by him. Specimens in excellent plumage and preservation, from his -collections, are in the National Museum, Washington city, and in the -collection of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. - -This bird was first described in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia -Academy, VI. p. 184 (Oct., 1852). For our present article, Dr. Heermann -has kindly permitted us to make the following extract from his Journals, -kept during his former and recent visits to California:— - -“In 1851, I procured this bird on the shores of the Bay of San Diego, -where, in company with other species, it appeared to be engaged in -searching for grass-seeds. During the late Pacific Railroad survey by -the party under command of Lieut. Williamson, I again saw it in -considerable numbers at Santa Barbara and San Pedro. At the latter -places, as at San Diego, it frequents the low, sandy beach, and the -heavy sedge-grass which abounds on the shores, feeding on marine insects -and seeds thrown up by the tides on the former, and in the latter, -finding quick and easy concealment when alarmed or pursued. It appears -to be a quiet, unsuspicious bird, and I heard it utter only a short, -sharp chirp during the limited time that I had to observe it.” - - [Illustration: Plate 38 - The Long-billed Marsh Sparrow - Ammodromus rostratus (_Cassin_)] - -At present, nothing further is known of this species. The figure in our -plate is that of an adult male, and is of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Ammodromus. Swainson, Zool. Jour. III. p. 348. (1827.) - Ammodromus rostratus. (Cassin.) - Emberiza rostrata. Cassin, Proc. Acad., Philada., VI. p. 184. (1852.) - -Form. Short, and rather heavy; bill lengthened, strong; wings with the -first, second, and third quills longest, and nearly equal; tail rather -short, emarginate; legs and feet moderately strong. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 5¼ inches; wing, 2¾; tail, 2 -inches. - -Colors. Entire plumage above dull-brownish and cinereous, every feather -longitudinally marked with the former, and tipped and edged with the -latter, the brown stripes being most strongly marked on the head and -back; narrow superciliary lines ashy-white; throat and entire -under-parts white, with longitudinal stripes, and arrow-heads of brown -on the breast and flanks; stripes of this character forming lines on the -sides of the neck from the lower mandible, above which are stripes of -white; abdomen and under tail-coverts dull white; wings and tail brown, -edged with paler shades of the same color, nearly white on the -outer-webs of the external feathers of the tail, deeper and tinged with -rufous on the wing-coverts and exposed edges of the secondaries; bill -and feet light-colored, the former brownish above (in dried skin). - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Museum, -Washington. - -Obs. We are acquainted with no species which this bird resembles in any -considerable degree, though its general characters are similar to the -birds that we have mentioned in the present article. Its bill is -remarkably large and strong, and its entire organization robust. - - - - - PLECTROPHANES McCOWNII.—Lawrence. - McCown’s Bunting. - PLATE XXXIX. Adult Male and Female in Summer Plumage. - - -It is not only in the spring, or at the advent of the month sung by the -poets as the real birth of the year, that everywhere in the temperate -regions of North America, hosts of feathered travellers arrive, either -to remain for a season, or to continue their journey to more northern -countries. In the autumn and winter, also, troops of them constantly -appear, succeeding each other in some measure according to the earlier -or later setting in of winter, or the greater or less severity of that -season. Nearly all of the autumnal species, like our summer visitors, -proceed to the South to spend the winter—others, coming later, remain -during the whole of the winter, and are constantly recruited by new -comers of the same species, but at the first opening of spring, return -to their homes. Some, as the Purple Finch and the little Snow-bird, come -every winter—others, as the Pine Grosbeak, the Northern Linnet, and the -two species of Crossbills, only occasionally. Though abundant, perhaps, -for one season, years may elapse before either of the birds last -mentioned will be seen again by the most diligent collector. At the time -of writing the present article (December, 1853), both the White-winged -Crossbill and the common Crossbill (_Loxia leucoptera_ and _americana_), -are abundant in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, the former of which -has not before been seen here since the winter of 1835-6. The latter -appears more frequently. - -In addition to these, we are visited by flocks of several species that -are to be found here rearing their young in the summer; but while our -bird reared in Pennsylvania has taken an excursion to the South, so his -Northern namesake, reared, perhaps, at Hudson’s Bay, has done the same, -and made Pennsylvania the limit of his journey. The Robin (_Merula -migratoria_) is an instance of this description of migration. This bird, -in large flocks, is to be met with almost every winter, especially in -New Jersey, and wanders much further southwardly and westward. We fancy -that we can distinguish a stranger of this species from one “native and -to the manor born.” The Northern Robin is slightly a larger bird than -our summer resident; his colors are a shade darker, and his bill -decidedly a clearer yellow. Though not presenting characters sufficient -at all to raise a suspicion of distinction in species, the northern bird -is clearly of a different race. And so it is, too, with the Red-winged -Blackbird, the Meadow Lark, the Golden-winged and the Red-headed -Woodpeckers, and other species, all of which come here in the winter -from more northern latitudes, and in most of which close observation -will detect small characteristics of difference in race. - - [Illustration: Plate 39 - M^cCown’s Bunting - Plectrophanes M^cCownii (_Lawrence_)] - -The spring migration is confined to birds that pass the winter in the -South, in many cases not beyond the limits of the United States; but -there are birds that extend their journey to the islands of the West -Indies, to Mexico, and to Central America, and in some instances to -South America. Many of the Warblers, several of our common Thrushes and -Finches, and various others of our well-known North American species, -visit Cuba and Jamaica in the course of the winter, and in both those -islands some of them make their appearance while yet the season is not -so far advanced in the United States as to incommode them either by the -cold or an abridged supply of their favorite food. - -The migration of these birds is a curious problem, and regulated by laws -entirely independent of the considerations of climate and supply of -food. One cannot readily find a reason why a bird that has passed the -winter in a tropical or southern latitude, should leave for the North at -the coming of spring, when a more plentiful supply of food than has -sufficed for its winter support is about to be presented. And then, too, -why should birds proceed so far to the North?—to the very confines of -the Arctic circle, as many small species do, when the great forests of -the middle and northern States offer ample accommodation, and supplies -of food certainly equal to those in which they will at last terminate -their journey. There are questions here difficult to answer. It would -appear that the existence of an animal is predicated on its performance -of certain functions antecedently involved in its organization. That its -entire history, we may say, is but an answer to the calls of -organization. That the organization and the performance of its indicated -functions are strictly exponents of each other, the latter modified by -circumstances, and the relations of species to each other, dependent in -some measure on circumstances, but not produced by them, no more than -forms or other physical characters. No feature in the history of an -animal is absolutely produced by circumstances. There is, too, the -consideration of inherited instincts, and if the faculty of memory, and -impressions on it, are transmissible, nearly the whole phenomena of -instinct may be explained. - -In the western and southwestern countries of North America, within the -limits of the United States, various species of northern birds appear in -winter that have never been noticed on the Atlantic seaboard. The -handsome little bird that we present to the reader in the plate now -before him, is one of that description. It appears to be a native of the -extensive and little-known regions of northwestern America, migrating in -the winter to California, New Mexico, and Texas, where it has been seen -by several of our naturalists. - -There are several species in Western America of the group to which this -bird belongs, all characterized by agreeable and somewhat similar -colors. In the States on the Atlantic, the Snow Bunting (_Plectrophanes -nivalis_) is their only relative that is of usual occurrence,—though -another, the Lapland Longspur (_Plectrophanes Lapponica_), occasionally -appears, and of the capture of which, in the neighborhood of -Philadelphia, several instances have come to our knowledge. - -Capt. McCown, who discovered this present species in Texas, gives no -further account of it than that he shot it in company with a flock of -Shore Larks. His notice is in the Annals of the New York Lyceum of -Natural History, VI. p. 14. Dr. Henry has obtained it in the vicinity of -Fort Thorne, New Mexico. These, with Dr. Heermann, are the only -naturalists that have as yet noticed this bird in its native wilds. - -During the survey for a route for a railroad to the Pacific, by Lieut. -Williamson’s party, to which Dr. Heermann was attached, he met with this -bird in large numbers, and his collection contains numerous specimens in -various stages of plumage. From these we have selected adults of both -sexes, from which the plate now before the reader has been prepared. In -Dr. Heermann’s manuscripts, kindly placed at our disposal for the -purposes of our present work, we find this bird thus noticed:— - -“I found this species congregated in large flocks with the -chestnut-collared Lark Bunting (_Plectrophanes ornatus_), and engaged in -gleaning the seeds from the scanty grass on the vast arid plains of New -Mexico. Insects and berries also form part of their food, in search of -which they show considerable activity, running on the ground with ease -and celerity. - -“We found this bird, as well as various other species, particularly -abundant whenever we struck on the isolated water-holes that occur in -this region, these being the only spots for miles around where water can -be obtained. When fired at, or otherwise alarmed, they rise as if to fly -away, but seem to be irresistibly impelled by thirst to return to the -only localities where relief is to be obtained, and where, if the hunter -is so inclined, large numbers of this handsome little bird, and others, -may be slaughtered with little exertion. - -“From Dr. T. C. Henry, of the U. S. Army, I learned that in the spring, -large flocks of this species appear at Fort Thorne, apparently on their -return to the North, having migrated southwardly the fall previous, and -that they leave on the return of mild weather. In several flocks of -these birds I noticed also the Shore Lark (_Alanda alpestris_), but it -formed a small proportion of the numbers.” - -The figures in our plate are about two-thirds of the size of life. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Plectrophanes. Meyer, Taschenbuch der deutschen Vögelkunde III. - p. 56. (1822.) - -Bill short, conical, strong; nostrils basal, partially concealed; wing -rather long; first, second, and third quills longest; tail moderate, or -short, usually even at the end, or emarginate; legs and feet moderately -strong; hind toe with the claw long, somewhat like that of the Larks -(_Alauda_). - - Plectrophanes McCownii. Lawrence, Annals of the New York Lyceum of - Natural History, VI. p. 122. (1851.) - -Form. Bill very strong, wide, and somewhat tumid at base; wing long; -secondaries emarginate; tertiaries longer than secondaries; second -primary longest; tail rather short, slightly emarginate; legs moderate; -hind claw long; coverts of the tail long. - -Dimensions. _Male._—Total length of skin, 5½ inches; wing, 3½; tail, 2¼ -inches. - -Colors. _Male._—Head above, from the base of the bill, stripe on each -side of the neck from lower mandible, and wide transverse band on the -breast, black; lesser coverts of the wing chestnut; neck behind and body -above dark brown and brownish-ashy, every feather with a central stripe -of the former and edged with the latter; under-parts (except the breast) -white, all the feathers, with a basal portion, ashy-black, particularly -observable immediately below the black of the breast; quills brown, -edged outwardly with yellowish cinereous, on their inner-webs with -white; two central feathers of the tail brown, others white, tipped with -brown; bill and feet light-colored. _Female._—Entire plumage above dark -brown and brownish-ashy; beneath white, tinged with dull yellowish on -the throat and breast; no black on the head or breast. - -Hab. California, New Mexico, Texas. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and -Nat. Mus., Washington. - -Obs. This little species is strictly of the same group as _Plectrophanes -ornatus_ and _pictus_, and, like them, appears to be exclusively -western. It does not resemble those species in such degree as to be -liable to be mistaken for either of them. - -The original description of this bird by Mr. Lawrence, as above cited, -appears to have been made from its winter plumage. Its dedication to -Capt. McCown, we regard as a highly appropriate acknowledgement of his -valuable services in the investigation of the ornithology of the -southwestern regions of the United States. - - - - - RECURVIROSTRA OCCIDENTALIS.—Vigors. - The Western Avocet. The White Avocet. - PLATE XL. Adult Male. - - -This is a second American species of this singular group of birds, and -is as yet only known as an inhabitant of the regions of the far west. -This apparent restriction in the locality of the present bird is the -more remarkable, as the previously-known species, distinguished as the -American Avocet (_Recurvirostra americana_), is widely diffused, having -been ascertained to be abundant in the vicinity of Hudson’s Bay in the -summer season, and thence, through a wide central region of North -America, to Texas. Occasionally it is noticed on the coast of the -Atlantic, sparingly north of New Jersey, but becoming more numerous -southwardly. - -This species was discovered at San Francisco, California, by the -naturalists attached to H. B. M. ship Blossom, then on a voyage of -discovery in the Pacific ocean; and although that occurred about the -year 1825, it has been again noticed only by Col. McCall and Dr. -Heermann, both of whom, however, represent it as being by no means a -rare bird. - -With his usual kindness, Col. McCall has furnished the following notice -of this bird for our present article:— - -“At the village of San Elizario, 22 miles south of El Paso, on the 16th -October, 1851, I found small flocks of the Western Avocet feeding along -the banks of the Rio Grande, and frequenting the sloughs and pools in -its vicinity, whilst moving to the South in the course of their regular -autumnal migration. They were tame and unsuspicious, and evidently -ignorant of the destructive character of the gun, for its report seemed -to create little alarm, even when the discharge carried death into their -ranks. To illustrate this, I need only mention the fact that the first -flock which came immediately under my observation alighted within twenty -yards of the piazza where I was sitting on the morning after my arrival. -They waded at once into the shoal water of a ‘_cut-off_’ from the river -which passed immediately in front of the house, and began to feed. I was -near enough to see them immerse their bills into the water, and search -the soft mud below for their prey; and as they, from time to time, were -scattered, and again assembled in a group, I had ample time and an -excellent opportunity to note their manner of feeding. I was soon -satisfied that in this respect their habits did not differ from those of -_R. americana_, which I had previously seen in great numbers, and -closely observed on the borders of the Oso river, in southern Texas. -After watching them for some time, I took my gun, and at a single -discharge, secured five of the dozen that composed the flock. The -remainder flew the distance of a stone’s throw, and alighting in shoal -water, began to feed again without appearing to notice the loss of their -companions. I followed them, and in a few minutes procured three more -within one hundred yards of the house. During that day, and several -successive days that I remained at the post, I saw flocks of from six to -ten on their feeding grounds, both morning and afternoon. I shot them, -as well as ducks and snipe, daily; and at no time that I recollect, had -I any difficulty in approaching within easy gun-shot. - - [Illustration: Plate 40 - The White Avocet - Recurvirostra occidentalis (_Vigors_)] - -“A few days previously, I had seen a very large flock of these birds -near _Val Verde_, some 170 miles further up the river. This flock -contained fifty or sixty birds; they rose near me as I fired at a flock -of Teal, and circled round in very compact order, presenting the -beautiful contrast of their white and black markings, and at length -settled on the opposite side of the pond, where they were beyond -pursuit. The occasions here mentioned are the only ones on which I have -met with _R. occidentalis_. - -“On the wing, the flocks were usually closely compacted; the flight was -buoyant, and with little exertion of muscular force.” - -Dr. Heermann found this bird in California, and procured numerous -specimens, now in the National Museum, Washington, and in the Museum of -the Philadelphia Academy. In his manuscripts We find the following:— - -“This species was observed in various parts of California, resorting to -the shallow pools, in which it waded breast-deep, usually finding on the -soft muddy bottom a plentiful feast of insects and snails. Although -partially web-footed, it does not swim, so far as I have noticed, unless -wounded, when it takes immediately to the deep water, swimming with -great celerity, soon getting beyond range, if not at once disabled by a -second shot. I have noticed this bird in abundance on the borders of the -reedy swamps which cover a large portion of the lower part of the -Sacramento valley.” - -The upward curve of the bill in the birds of this group, though very -singular and characteristic, has not been ascertained to be indicative -of any peculiarity of habits. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Recurvirostra. Linn., Syst. Nat, I. p. 256. (1766.) - -Bill depressed, smooth, recurved; wing rather long, pointed; first quill -longest; tail short; legs long, moderately strong; toes rather short, -partially webbed. A peculiar and somewhat isolated genus, of which a few -species only are known, though inhabiting nearly all parts of the world. - - Recurvirostra occidentalis. Vigors, Zool. Journal, IV. p. 356. (1829.) - -Form. General form rather robust; bill depressed, soft at the tip; wing -with the first quill longest; tertiaries longer than secondaries; tail -quite short; legs long; tibia feathered nearly one-half of its length; -tarsus covered with scales. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, from tip of bill to end of tail, about -16½ inches; Wing, 9; tail, 3; tarsus, 3½; bill, 3½ inches. - -Colors. Back and upper surface of wings brownish black, lightest on the -tertiaries, and darkest on the primaries; all other parts white, -slightly tinged with ashy on the head above and neck behind; secondary -quills white; greater coverts of the wing widely tipped with the same. - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Museum, -Washington. - -Obs. This strongly-marked species bears some resemblance to the European -Avocet, and in fact is more closely allied to it than to the only -American species previously known. It is, however, a well characterized -and distinct bird. - -The sexes of this species differ somewhat in size, the female being -slightly the smaller; and in the male, the dark tints are stronger. The -latter is represented in our plate. - - - - - SYNOPSIS - OF - NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. - - - II. ORDER INSESSORES. THE PERCHING BIRDS. - -A group containing much the greater number of all known birds, almost -impossible to characterise in general terms. The birds of this order -are, however, generally organized for perching or living in trees, and -have the legs and feet moderately developed and formed for grasping. In -this group is found the highest development of the bird-like form of -animal life. - - - I. TRIBE FISSIROSTRES. THE GOATSUCKERS, SWALLOWS, KINGFISHERS, &c. - -Bill wide at base; gape very large; feet small, weak; general form -adapted to the capture of insects on the wing, and in some of the -families to rapid and long-continued flight. This group contains the -Goatsuckers (_Caprimulgidæ_), the Swallows (_Hirundinidæ_), the Trogons -(_Trogonidæ_), the Bee-eaters (_Meropidæ_), and the Kingfishers -(_Halcyonidæ_). - - - I. FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDÆ. THE GOATSUCKERS. - -Plumage soft, blended, and owl-like. Species generally nocturnal in -their habits, or venturing abroad only in the twilight or in the night. - -Bill small, weak, generally furnished at the base with projecting -bristles; gape very wide; feet usually slender and weak; wings generally -long, adapted to long-continued flight. This family is represented in -all temperate and tropical regions of the world. - - - A. - - 1. Genus Antrostomus. Gould, Nuttall. Manual of the Ornithology of the - United States and Canada, I. p. 739 (second edition, 1840). - -General form plump and robust; head large; bill short, weak, opening to -beyond the eyes; gape very large; nostrils basal, oval, prominent; eyes -large; wing long; somewhat pointed; second and third quills longest; -legs and toes short, feeble; claw of the middle toe pectinated; tail -moderate, wide, generally even at the end; bristles at the base of the -bill rigid, long, usually curved at their ends; throat in males with an -uninterrupted collar of white; quills with bars of rufous. An -exclusively American genus containing six or seven species, more nearly -related to typical Caprimulgus than any other birds of this family -inhabiting this continent, and almost nocturnal in their habits, -venturing abroad only by twilight or in the night. - - 1. Antrostomus carolinensis. (Gm.) The Chuck-wills-widow. The great - Carolina Goatsucker. - Caprimulgus carolinensis. Gm., Syst. Nat., II. p. 1028. (1788.) - Caprimulgus lucifugus. Bartram, Travels, p. 292. (1793.) - Caprimulgus rufus. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 57. (1807.) - Caprimulgus brachypterus. Stephens, Gen. Zool., X. p. 150. (1817.) - - Catesby’s Carolina, I. pl. 8; Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 25; - Wilson, Am. Orn., VI. pl. 54, fig. 2; Aud., Birds of Am., pl. 52, Oct. - ed., I. pl. 41. - - Largest of the North American species. General form broad and robust; - wing long; second quill longest; tail ample; legs short; bristles at - the base of the bill strong; each one ciliated; entire upper parts - dark brown, minutely dotted with reddish fulvous, and with many of the - feathers having large, longitudinal stripes of black; inferior parts - similar to the upper, but more minutely marked with black, and marked - with circular fulvous spots; throat with an uninterrupted collar of - white, running into a collar of fulvous on the neck behind; quills - with irregular alternate bars of reddish fulvous and brownish-black; - middle feathers of the tail reddish fulvous, mottled with, and with - irregular bars of black; other feathers of the tail similar, but - tipped with silky white, frequently tinged with reddish fulvous on - their outer-webs. Female like the male, but without white on the - tail-feathers. - - Dimensions. Total length, about 12 inches; wing, 8½; tail, 5¾ to 6 - inches. - - Hab. Southern United States. South Carolina (Gibbes); New Mexico - (McCall); Cuba (Lembeye); Florida (Bartram). Spec. in Mus. Acad., - Philada. - -Obs. This fine species is frequently met with in the southern and -southwestern States, and is much the largest of the North American birds -of this family. - - 2. Antrostomus vociferus. (Wilson.) The Whip-poor-will. - Caprimulgus vociferus. Wilson, Am. Orn., V. p. 71. (1812.) - Caprimulgus clamator. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., X. p. 234. (1817.) - “Caprimulgus virginianus. Linn. Gm.” Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, - p. 65. - Caprimulgus macromystax. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 533? - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 23; Wilson, Am. Orn., V. pl. 41; - Aud., Birds of Am., pl. 82; Oct. ed., I. pl. 42; Nat. Hist. N. Y. - Birds, pl. 27, fig. 39. - - Smaller than the preceding; wing with the third quill slightly - longest; tail ample, rounded; neck with an uninterrupted collar of - white before and fulvous behind; head above ashy-gray, with a - longitudinal stripe of brownish-black; back and rump dark brown, with - minute points and irregular lines of cinereous; under-parts mottled - with pale reddish-white and brownish-black, the latter most - conspicuous on the breast, the former on the abdomen and under - tail-coverts; four middle feathers of the tail mottled with gray and - brownish-black, the latter forming irregular bands; external feathers - of the tail brownish-black, widely tipped with silky white, and with - traces of rufous bars towards the base; quills brownish-black, with - interrupted bars of rufous; exposed ends of primaries same as the - back. Female rather smaller than the male, with the white collar on - the neck tinged with fulvous, which is also the color of the tips of - the external tail-feathers. - - Dimensions. Total length, about 9½ inches; wing, 6½; tail, 5 inches. - - Hab. Eastern North America. Western? Canada (Dr. Hall); Cuba (Mr. - Lembeye); Florida (Bartram). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This species is of common occurrence in the States on the Atlantic, -and is universally known from its loud and often-repeated notes in the -season of pairing and incubation. It is not recorded by our late -naturalists and travellers to have been observed in the western regions -of this continent, but the specimens described by Wagler as above were -from Mexico, and were either this species, or a near relative. To -_Caprimulgus macromystax_ we shall more particularly allude under the -head of obscure species of this family. - - 3. Antrostomus Nuttallii. (Aud.) Nuttall’s Whip-poor-will. - Caprimulgus Nuttallii. Aud., Orn. Biog., V. p. 335. (1839.) - - Aud., B. of Am., Oct. ed., VII. pl. 495. - - Small, aberrant; wing long; third quill longest; legs rather long; - tail moderate; upper-parts brownish-black, mottled and spotted with - ashy white and reddish fulvous; wing-coverts tipped with pearly ashy - white; under-parts with transverse stripes of brownish-black and - yellowish-white; under tail-coverts pale reddish fulvous; quills with - alternate transverse bars of brownish-black and handsome reddish - fulvous; middle feathers of the tail same colors as other upper parts; - other tail feathers brownish-black, with irregular bars and lines of - dark cinereous, and widely tipped with silky white; collar on the neck - before silky white. Female similar, but with the colors paler, and the - white of the throat and tail tinged with pale fulvous. - - Dimensions. Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 5¾; tail, 3¼ inches. - - Hab. Western North America, Rocky Mountains (Audubon); Oregon (U. S. - Ex. Exp. Vincennes); Washington Territory (Dr. Cooper); Texas (Mr. J. - H. Clark). Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington. - -Obs. This handsome species, which is the smallest of the birds of this -family yet discovered in North America, appears to be a rather common -bird in the countries above mentioned. It varies in some degree from the -characters of the typical species, and with a small South American bird -(_A. ocellatus_), may form a distinct group. Nothing is recorded of its -habits. - - -II. GENUS CHORDEILES. Swainson, Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 496. - (1831.) - -Bill small and weak; gape very wide, without bristles; wing long, -pointed, with the first and second quills longest; tail moderate or -rather long, usually emarginate; legs short, weak; tarsus usually partly -covered with short feathers; toes rather long, slender; claw of the -middle toe pectinated. General form stout and heavy, broad. A genus -containing about six species, inhabiting North and South America, the -North American species of which are less nocturnal in their habits than -those of the preceding genus. - - 1. Chordeiles virginianus. (Brisson.) The Night Hawk. - Caprimulgus virginianus. Briss., Orn., II. p. 477. (1760.) - Caprimulgus popetue. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 56. (1807.) - Caprimulgus americanus. Wilson, Am. Orn., V. p. 65. (1812.) - - Edwards, Birds, II. pl. 63.; Catesby, Carolina, II. Appendix, pl. 16; - Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 24; Wilson, Am. Orn., V. pl. 40; - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 147; Oct. ed., I. pl. 43; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, - pl. 27, fig. 60. - - Bill short, weak; gape very wide; wing long, pointed; first and second - quills longest, and nearly equal; tail emarginate; legs short; tarsus - feathered below the joint, with the tibia; bare part covered with - scales; middle toe long, partially united to the outer toe by a web, - and with its claw distinctly pectinated. Male.—Throat white; entire - upper parts brownish black, every feather more or less mottled and - spotted with ashy white and reddish fulvous, the former most - conspicuous on the secondaries and wing-coverts, and the latter on the - back; neck behind with an irregular collar of reddish; quills - brownish-black, with a wide bar of white about their middle, forming a - conspicuous transverse bar on the wing; tail feathers brownish-black, - all, excepting the two central, with a wide subterminal transverse - band of white, and with other irregular transverse narrow bands of - ashy white; breast brownish-black, with rounded and irregular spots of - ashy white and reddish fulvous; abdomen with transverse bars of ashy - white and dark brown; under tail-coverts white. Female with the white - stripe on the wing much narrower, and in some specimens confined to - the inner-webs; white of the throat less pure, and tinged with - reddish-yellow; general plumage paler, and more tinged with ashy and - reddish fulvous. - - Dimensions. Total length, 9 to 9½ inches; wing, 7½; tail, 4½ inches. - - Hab. All of temperate North America, New Mexico (McCall); Oregon - (Townsend); California (Heermann); Canada (Hall); Mexico (Rivoli - collection); Nicaragua (Barruel); Cuba (Lembeye); Jamaica (Gosse). - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. An abundant species everywhere in the United States. - - 2. Chordeiles sapiti. Bonaparte, Cons. Av., p. 63. (1849.) - -Not figured. - - Very similar in form and general appearance to the preceding, but - smaller, and with all the colors paler; bill very short and weak; gape - large; wing long; first quill slightly longest; tail moderate, - emarginate; tarsus feathered in front somewhat below the point with - the tibia; throat white; entire upper plumage brownish-black, mottled, - and variegated, with very pale cinereous, which predominates on the - back, rump, and coverts of the wings; under-parts with transverse - narrow bands of dark brown and yellowish-white; quills brownish-black, - with a wide transverse band of white at the distance from their end of - about one-third their length, and also with some irregular spots and - pairs of spots of rufous in their basal halves. Female paler, and with - the white of the throat tinged with pale reddish fulvous. - - Dimensions. Total length, about 8½ inches; wing, 7¼; tail, 4½ inches. - - Hab. Texas (Mr. Clark, Capt. McCown); New Mexico, Central America. - Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada., and Nat. Mus., Washington. - -Obs. This species is nearly allied to the preceding, and also to -_Chordeiles brasilianus_, from both of which it differs in some -particulars of form, and also in having its colors much paler. In the -latter character it somewhat resembles the _C. acutipennis_ of South -America. We regard this bird provisionally under the name above given, -but the description as cited is too brief to be satisfactory. It is, -however, the only species known to us that can be referred to it. - -This bird is abundant in Texas during the summer. - - 3. Chordeiles Henryi. _nobis_ (new species, January, 1855). - -Not figured. - - Larger than either of the two preceding species; wing long; second - quill longest; tail rather long; emarginate; legs and feet short; - tarsus feathered in front slightly below the joint with the tibia; - bare part of the tarsus and the toes with very distinct scales; entire - upper parts variegated with dark brown and pale reddish fulvous, every - feather being tipped and spotted with the latter, which predominates - on the back, rump, wing-coverts, and tertiaries; some spots on the - tertiaries rufous; breast dark brown, every feather tipped with dull - reddish fulvous; abdomen white, tinged with pale reddish-yellow, every - feather with transverse stripes of brownish-black; under-coverts dull - reddish white, with transverse lines of brownish-black; neck with a - large band of white in front; quills brownish-black, tipped with dull - reddish-white; primaries with a wide transverse band of white at about - half their length; tail with alternate irregular stripes of - brownish-black and pale reddish fulvous, the latter mottled with - black; under wing-coverts pale reddish-white, with bands and spots of - brownish-black. Female. Colors paler, and white of the neck obscure. - - Dimensions. Total length of skin, about 10 inches; wing, 8; tail, 4½ - inches. - - Hab. New Mexico (Dr. Henry, Lieut. Gunnison). Spec. in Nat. Mus., - Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This bird may be distinguished from other American species by its -color, which is lighter and of a different style of variegation, the -prevailing tone being a dull, pale reddish and yellowish, somewhat -approaching what is called buff or drab color. It is larger than -_Chordeiles virginianus_. - -Specimens of this interesting species have been procured at Fort -Webster, New Mexico, by Dr. Henry, and by the unfortunate party under -command of the late Lieut. Gunnison. - -As a token of respect for T. Charlton Henry, M. D., of the United States -Army, whose exertions in the investigation of the natural productions of -New Mexico, now continued for several years, and the formation of large -collections in various departments, which attest his zeal and attachment -to zoological science, we propose the specific name above given. - - - B. - OBSCURE OR LITTLE KNOWN SPECIES OF THIS FAMILY. - - 1. Caprimulgus macromystax. Wagler, Isis, XXIV. p. 533. (1831.) - -This species is noticed by Wagler, as above, from a Mexican specimen, -and his description is essentially a comparison with the _Caprimulgus -europæus_. It is stated that the bristles at the base of the bill are -very long, or “nearly as long as the head without the bill,” and the -plumage generally bearing a resemblance to the European species -mentioned. - -There is in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy, a specimen from -Mexico, and another from California, differing in shade of color only -from the _Antrostomus vociferus_, and from which the distinctive -characters are too slight to establish a separate species. We regard -these specimens as _C. macromystax_. The length of the bristles in -Wagler’s description applies as well to _A. vociferus_, and we think it -probable that his name is a synonyme. - -The following is a translation of Wagler’s description or notice as -above cited, and is at the end of an elaborate and valuable paper, in -which he describes several new American species of birds:— - -“At the conclusion of these descriptions of birds, I will yet remark -that we have received from Mexico, also, a Caprimulgus (which specimen -unfortunately is without the tail), that nearly resembles ours in size -and color, but which nevertheless may be distinguished at a glance; the -tarsi on their upper sides are hardly feathered to the middle, and the -bristles on both sides of the upper mandible are uncommonly stiff, and -longer than in any other American Night Swallow, nearly as long as the -head without the bill, and are turned _rake-like_ obliquely downwards. I -have named it, therefore, _Caprimulgus macromystax_. The feet are short, -as in ours; also as in ours, the claw of the middle toe on its inner -border is pectinated, the primaries are small, the second, third, and -fourth, externally from their middles to their ends, are strongly -sinuated; they are brown-black, without white spots, but have internally -and externally rust-red angular dots.” - - 2. Caprimulgus minor. Forster. Catalogue of the Animals of North - America, p. 13. London, 1771. - -A name given without being accompanied by a description, though probably -applicable to _Antrostomus vociferus_, which was known to some of the -older naturalists, and, previous to the introduction of the binomial -nomenclature, was called _minor_, in distinction from the _Caprimulgus -europæus_. - -The catalogue by Forster above referred to is a pamphlet, and is, so far -as We know, the first attempt at an enumeration of the species of all -classes of animals inhabiting North America. There is also a catalogue -of the Plants of North America by the same author. - - 3. Antrostomus californianus. Bonaparte, Cons. Av. p. 61. (1849.) - -The description by the Prince of Canino, as above, is as follows:— - -“(Confer Capr. nuttalli, Aud. Am. Orn., 2d edit., t. 495,) ex -California, Vix Turdi magnitudine. Mas. Griseus, nucha fulvescenti, -abdomine cervino, nigro undulato; gula macula utrinque alba nigro -terminata: remigibus fuscis, macula mediana alba, rectricibus -lateralibus nigricantibus, extima late ad apicem candida.” - -The characters here given differ so essentially from those of any other -species of _Antrostomus_, that we much suspect that the bird alluded to -neither belongs to this genus, nor is an American species. - - 4. Caprimulgus europæus. Linn. - -This name occurs in several of the older authors on American Natural -History, which is to be attributed to the fact that the _Whip-poor-will_ -(_Antrostomus vociferus_) was regarded by Linnæus as a variety only of -the European Goatsucker. President Jefferson, in Notes on the State of -Virginia, p. 117 (London edition, 1787), gives both of the then known -North American birds of this group as two varieties only of the European -bird. Professor Barton, in Fragments of the Natural History of -Pennsylvania, p. 14, under the head of _Caprimulgus europæus_, says: -“This, or a variety of it, is certainly a native of Pennsylvania. So -that now all the fifteen species of this genus (mentioned by Gmelin) are -known to be natives of America.” Both of these distinguished and -venerated fathers of American zoological science adopted the opinion of -Linnæus, and the name of the European bird is given also on the same -authority by some others of the earlier American writers. - -The European Goatsucker has never been observed on the continent of -America. - -Professor Barton’s observation above quoted is singularly suggestive. -Linnæus, at the date of his last edition of the Systema Naturæ, knew -_two_ species only of the genus _Caprimulgus_. Gmelin, in the edition of -the same work, edited by him, and published in 1788, extended the list -to _fifteen_ species, and was, when Professor Barton wrote, in 1799, -recent and high authority. So greatly has the knowledge of species of -birds been extended, that at this time (1855) there are at least ninety -known birds of the family _Caprimulgidæ_, all of which would have been -regarded by Linnæus and Gmelin as belonging to the genus _Caprimulgus_. -There are seventy-four species of this family in the collection of the -Philadelphia Academy. Though, as Professor Barton observes, all of those -known to Gmelin (except _Caprimulgus europæus_), are American, others -are now ascertained to inhabit all the temperate and tropical regions of -both of the great divisions of the globe, and the whole of Australia. - -Of this family of birds, the only species that have been ascertained or -supposed by naturalists to inhabit that part of North America within our -limits, are given in the preceding pages. The group is, however, -represented in South America not only by other species of the genera -above given, but by various other genera and species, amongst which are -some curious and interesting forms. The genus _Steatornis_, containing a -single species, first brought to notice by the celebrated Humboldt -(_Steatornis caripensis_, Humboldt), is remarkable for its near approach -to the Owls, and would, to a casual observer, scarcely be regarded as -belonging to any other than that family. The genus _Nyctibius_, which is -also South American, contains some species as large as the Crow of the -United States, and which are amongst the largest birds of this group. -Another genus, _Hydropsalis_, or the Scissors-tailed Goatsuckers, as -they are termed by Azara (an enthusiastic and accurate Spanish writer on -South American Natural History), are remarkable for having tails of -singular forms, and of great length in some species. _Hydropsalis -torquatus_ has the two outermost feathers of its tail long, and the two -middle feathers also long, leaving the intermediate comparatively short. -_Hydropsalis lyra_, Bonaparte, has the outermost feathers of the tail -very long, and curved inwards at their ends. Two species, first -described by us, _Hydropsalis limbatus_ and _segmentatus_ (in Proc. -Acad., Philadelphia), have that appendage several times the length of -their bodies. - -About thirty-five species of _Caprimulgidæ_ inhabit South and Central -America and Mexico. The largest birds of this group are natives of -Australia. - -We are inclined to the opinion that this family (and the Swallows also) -properly belong to the circle of rapacious birds in which they have been -arranged by Prof. Reichenbach, in Avium Systema Naturale (Dresden and -Leipsic, 1850).[4] - - - II. FAMILY HIRUNDINIDÆ. THE SWALLOWS. - -Plumage compact; size generally small; bill small, much depressed, very -wide at base, and suddenly compressed to the tip, giving it a somewhat -triangular shape; wings long; tail various, frequently forked; legs and -feet short and weak. - -These birds form a peculiar and easily-recognized family, species of -which inhabit all parts of the world, and in civilized countries are -generally regarded with favor. The Swallows are eminently social and -gregarious, being almost constantly seen in companies even in the -breeding season, and are amongst the comparatively few birds whose -numbers are not diminished by the progress of the settlement and -cultivation of countries. They subsist exclusively on insects captured -on the wing, in the pursuit of which they exhibit extraordinary powers -of flight. - - - A. - - 1. Genus Hirundo. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 343. (1766.) - -Bill depressed, wide at base, compressed to the end, nostrils basal; -wing long, pointed, first primary usually longest, secondaries short; -legs and feet short and weak; tail moderate, forked or emarginate. -General form rather broad, robust; flight protracted, rapid. - - - 1. Sub-genus Hirundo. - -Tail with the two external feathers disproportionately long; others -graduated. - - 1. Hirundo rufa. Gmelin, Syst. Nat. I. p. 1018. (1788.) The Barn - Swallow. - Hirundo horreorum. Barton, Frag. Nat. Hist. of Penna. p. 17. - (1799.) - Hirundo americana. Wilson, Am. Orn. V. p. 34. (1812.) - Hirundo erythrogaster. Boddaert, Tab. Pl. Enl. p. 45. (1783.)? - Hirundo cyanopyrrha. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 510. (1817.) - “Hirundo rustica. Linn.” Aud. Orn. Biog. II. p. 413. - - Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 1, 2; Aud., B. of Am. pl. 173, Oct. - ed. I. pl. 48; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 29, fig. 64; Buff., Pl. - Enl. 724, fig. 1? - - Wings long; tail deeply forked with the two outer feathers much the - longest; forehead, throat, and neck in front, chestnut, which color is - separated from the paler color of the breast by a partial or rarely - perfect collar of dark steel blue; entire upper parts steel blue, with - a purple lustre, inclining to green on the wings and tail; breast, - abdomen, and under tail coverts, chestnut, very pale in some - specimens, but generally darker on the tail coverts; tail with a large - spot of white on the inner web of every feather, except the middle - two; bill and feet black; sexes very nearly alike. - - Dimensions. Total length, 7 inches; wing, 4½; tail, 3½. Female - smaller. - - Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. - Townsend); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Santa Fé (Col. McCall); Indiana (Dr. - Haymond); Long Island (Mr. Giraud); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye). - -This is one of the most abundant of the birds of the United States, and -known to all classes and ages of the population. It is nearly related to -the European House Swallow (_Hirundo rustica_), but can readily be -distinguished on comparison. The European is rather the larger, the -under-parts are darker, and the collar on the neck in front complete. In -the present bird this collar is imperfect, with very rare exceptions. - - - 2. Sub-genus Petrochelidon. - -Tail moderate or short, emarginate, but slightly forked. - - 2. Hirundo lunifrons. Say., Long’s Exp. to the Rocky Mts. II. p. 47. - (1823.) The Cliff Swallow. - Hirundo opifex. Clinton, Ann. N. Y. Lyceum I. p. 161. (1824.) - Hirundo respublicana. Aud., Ann. N. Y. Lyc., I. p. 164. (1824.) - “Hirundo fulva. Vieill.” Aud., Orn. Biog. V. p. 415, and Clinton, - as above. - - Bonap., Am. Orn., 1. pl. 7, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 68, Oct. ed. - I. pl. 47; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 30, fig. 64. - - Bill very wide at base, short; wings long; tail rather short, - emarginate; forehead white, nearly pure in some specimens, but - generally tinged with reddish chestnut; head above and back - bluish-black, with a purple lustre; plumage of the back usually edged - and streaked with grayish white; rump pale chestnut; throat dark - brownish chestnut, which color extends upwards and forms a complete - collar around the neck behind; lores and large spot on the neck in - front black; entire other under-parts ashy-white, tinged with pale - chestnut, especially on the breast; under tail coverts with a green - lustre, and tipped with pure white; wings and tail brownish-black; - bill and feet dark; sexes very nearly alike. - - Dimensions. Total length, 5½ inches; wing, 4⅜; tail, 2 inches. Female - rather smaller. - - Hab. Throughout North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. - Heermann); New Mexico (Col. McCall); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Indiana - (Rufus Haymond, M. D.); Canada (Dr. Hall). - -This handsome species is now well known throughout almost the whole of -the United States, but is said to have appeared for the first time in -the States on the Atlantic seaboard within the memory of persons now -living. It builds a curiously-formed nest of the shape of a gourd, -faithfully represented in Mr. Audubon’s plates, cited above. - -_Hirundo fulva_, Vieill., is an allied species, but much smaller, and -not ascertained to inhabit any part of North America. It is best known -as a bird of the Island of Jamaica. - -The paper referred to above, in which this bird is named _Hirundo -opifex_, possesses additional interest, from the fact that it was -written by the late De Witt Clinton, formerly Governor of the State of -New York, who had given particular attention to American Natural -History. - - 3. Hirundo bicolor. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, p. 61. (1807.) The - White-bellied Swallow. - Hirundo viridis. Wilson, Am. Orn. V. p. 44. (1812.) - Hirundo leucogaster. Stephens, Gen. Zool. X. p. 106. (1817.) - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 31; Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. - 3; Aud., Birds of Am., pl. 98, Oct. ed. I. pl. 46; Nat. Hist. N. Y. - Birds, pl. 29, fig. 1. - - Wings long, exceeding the tail, pointed; tail deeply emarginate; - entire upper parts uniform dark green, changing to blue in some - lights, very glossy; wings and tail brownish-black, slightly tinged - with green; entire under-parts silky-white, generally with a tinge of - cinereous; bill black; feet yellow; sexes alike, but the female with - the colors duller. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, 5½ inches; wing, 4¾; tail, 2¼ inches. - - Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. - Townsend); California, Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); - Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy); Northern Ohio (Prof. Kirtland); Long Island (Mr. - Giraud). - -When in full plumage, this is one of the handsomest of the Swallows of -the United States. It is quite abundant everywhere in the States on the -Atlantic during the summer. - -Specimens from California present some points of difference from the -bird of Pennsylvania, being apparently more tinged with blue, and having -the bill perhaps slightly large. We regard the two, however, as -specifically the same. - - 4. Hirundo thalassina. Swains., Philos. Mag., 1827, p. 366. - - Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, fig. 4, 5, Oct. ed. I. pl. 49. - - Wings long, exceeding the tail, which is rather short and emarginate; - entire upper-parts rich grass-green, very glossy, and shaded with - purple, especially on the head, and in some specimens approaching to - carmine on the back, rump, and upper tail-coverts; entire under-parts - silky-white, generally with a tinge of cinereous; bill and feet dark. - Female, less glossy, and with the purple generally tinged with brown. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, 5 inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2 inches. - Female, smaller. - - Hab. Western North America. Oregon (Townsend); California (Gambel); - Mexico (Swainson); New Mexico (Woodhouse). - -This is the most beautiful of the North American birds of this family. -It is exclusively an inhabitant of the countries west of the Rocky -Mountains and of Mexico. - - - II. GENUS PROGNE. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971. - -Form robust and compact; bill wide at base, compressed suddenly to the -tip, rather strong; upper mandible overlapping the under; wings long, -pointed; first and second primaries longest; tail moderate, rather wide, -usually deeply emarginate; tarsi and feet larger and stronger than usual -in this family. - -Size, largest of American birds of this family. This genus contains -about five or six American species, several of which are nearly related -to each other, and not well understood, and probably one other (_Hirundo -borbonica_, Gm.), which is a native of Madagascar, and of the Island of -Bourbon. All the species, except the last, considerably resemble each -other, and are difficult to distinguish in some stages of plumage. - - 1. Progne purpurea. (Linn.) The Purple-Martin. The House Martin. - Hirundo purpurea et subis. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 344. (1766.) - Hirundo violacea. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1026. (1788.) - Hirundo cœrulea. Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 57. (1807.) - Hirundo versicolor. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 509. (1817.) - Hirundo ludoviciana. Cuv., Reg. An. I. p. 374. (1817.) - - Catesby, Carolina I. pl. 51; Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 26, 27; - Buff, Pl. Enl. 722; Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 30, fig. 2, 3; Aud., B. of - Am., pl. 22, Oct. ed. I. pl. 45; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 28, fig. - 61. - - Bill moderately wide at base, rather strong, curved; wings reaching - about to the end of the tail, which is deeply emarginate; legs short; - toes rather long. Male.—Entire plumage above and below deep black, - with a purple and blue silky lustre; quills and tail less lustrous, - and in many specimens plain brownish-black; bill and feet black. - Female. Upper-parts same as in the male, but paler; under-parts - ashy-brown, dark on the throat and breast; paler and sometimes nearly - white on the abdomen; under tail coverts dark brown, every feather - edged with ashy-white. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, 7½ inches; wing, 5¾; tail, 3 inches. - Female slightly smaller. - - Hab. Eastern North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Oregon (Dr. Townsend); - Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Florida (Mr. John Lee - Williams). - -In mature plumage, a beautiful species. This bird is common throughout -the eastern United States, and comes with much punctuality in the spring -to take possession of the boxes prepared for its accommodation in the -rural districts, and occasionally in the cities. Our esteemed friend, -Mr. Thomas Fisher, an eminent mathematician of this city, has been -annually visited by a colony of this species for several years, though -his residence is in one of the most dense parts of Philadelphia. - -This bird is nearly allied to several species of South America and the -West Indies. In fact, the genus _Progne_ is one of the most difficult of -the family of Swallows. - - 2. Progne chalybea. (Gmelin.) The Western Martin. - Hirundo chalybea. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1026. (1788.) - - Buff, Pl. Enl. 545, fig. 2. - - Size smaller than that of the preceding; bill very wide at base, much - longer than in the preceding, gradually compressed to the tip, curved; - wings reaching about to the end of the tail, which is deeply - emarginate; under tail coverts long; legs short. Male, adult? Plumage - of the upper parts dusky black, with a dark green lustre; throat and - breast ashy white, running into light smoky brown on the sides of the - neck, breast, and flanks; abdomen and under tail-coverts pure white, - many feathers having dark lines on their shafts; under wing-coverts - and axillaries fuliginous brown. Female? Similar to the male, but less - lustrous on the upper parts, and with the entire plumage more tinged - with fuliginous; under tail-coverts pure white, many feathers with - dark shafts; bill and feet dark. - - Dimensions. Total length, about 6¾ inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 3 inches. - Female slightly smaller. - - Hab. Western North America. South America, California, Panama (Mr. - Bell). - -This species, long known as a bird of South America, was first -ascertained to be entitled to a place in the ornithological fauna of the -United States by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, who noticed it in -California, and previously at Panama. We have since seen specimens from -various parts of California, and suspect that it is abundant in that and -probably in other countries of Western America. - -Though closely related to other South American species, the present bird -may be distinguished very easily from the Purple Martin of the United -States (_P. purpurea_), by the greater width and much greater length of -the bill, and it is smaller in size. We are not confident that we have -ever seen the perfectly plumaged adults of this bird, though the -specimens above described were obtained by Mr. Bell in the spring, and -have the general appearance of maturity, except that the lustre of the -plumage is but faint. Little or nothing is known of its habits or -history. - - - III. GENUS COTYLE. Boie, Isis, 1822, p. 350. - -Bill small, weak, wide at base, compressed to the tip; wing long, -pointed, first and second quills longest; secondaries short, truncate, -and emarginate; tail moderate, wide, even or slightly emarginate; legs -short, slender; toes rather long, slender; colors dull, usually -fuliginous brown of various shades; size of American species smaller -than those of either of the preceding genera. - -This genus contains about twelve species, inhabiting various regions of -both continents, and all, so far as known, more or less terrestrial in -their habits. In addition to those about to be described, there are -three other American species restricted to the southern division of this -continent. - - 1. Cotyle riparia. (Linn.) The Bank Swallow. The Sand Martin. - Hirundo riparia. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 344. (1766.) - Hirundo cinerea. Vieill., Nouv. Dict. XIV. p. 526. - - Wilson, Am. Orn. V. pl. 38, fig. 4; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 385, Oct. ed. - I. pl. 50; Nat. Hist. N. Y. Birds, pl. 28, fig. 62. - - Bill weak; wing long; first primary longest; tail emarginate; legs - short; tarsus with a tuft of short downy feathers near the insertion - of the hind toe; entire upper parts and wide band across the breast - light fuliginous or grayish brown; quills and tail brownish black; - throat, abdomen and under tail coverts white; under wing coverts light - fuliginous; bill and feet dark. - - Dimensions. Total length, 5 inches; wing, 4; tail, 2 inches. Female - slightly smaller. - - Hab. The whole of North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California - (Mr. Bell); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Cuba (Mr. Lembeye); Indian - Territory, New Mexico (Dr. Woodhouse); Florida (Mr. William Bartram). - -Frequently met with, and remarkable for constructing its nest in a hole -in the ground, usually by the side of a quarry or stream of water. This -is one of the few American birds that appear to be absolutely identical -with European species. On close comparison, we can discover no -characters in the present sufficient to raise a probability of specific -distinction. - -Specimens from California, that we have examined, present slight -variations from those of the Eastern States. The bill appears to be -smaller, and the tail not so deeply emarginated. - - 2. Cotyle serripennis. (Audubon.) The Rough-winged Swallow. - Hirundo serripennis. Aud., Orn. IV. p. 593. (1838.) - - Aud., B. of Am., Oct. ed. I. pl. 51. - - Larger than the preceding; wing long; first primary longest; tail - emarginate; legs short; outer edge of the first primary furnished - throughout its length with a row of reversed hooked bristles, easily - apparent to the touch; entire upper parts light ashy white, darker on - the breast and flanks, lighter on the throat and middle of the - abdomen; under-coverts of the tail white; under-coverts of the wing - ashy brown; bill and feet dark. Female lighter in all the colors. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, 5½ inches; wing, 4½; tail, 2¼ inches. - Female slightly smaller. - - Hab. Louisiana, South Carolina (Mr. Audubon); Pennsylvania (Prof. - Baird); California (Dr. Heermann). - -This remarkable species is easily distinguished from any other North -American Swallow by the recurved and stiff bristles of the outer edges -of the first primary quills. There is a South American species which -has, however, the same character (_Cotyle flavigastra_). - -The present bird considerably resembles that immediately preceding, but -is larger, and is quite distinct. It was regarded as a rare southern -species, until demonstrated by Professor Spencer F. Baird, then of -Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to be of frequent occurrence -in the interior of that State. Dr. Heermann states that it is not -uncommon in California. Ornithologists generally, however, have not -noticed it, and in the vicinity of Philadelphia, it has been entirely -overlooked, or does not inhabit this district. - - - II. SUB-FAMILY CYPSELINÆ. THE SWIFTS. - -Bill less flattened than in the preceding sub-family, very wide at base, -short, curved; wings very long, somewhat falcate, flattened; tail short; -legs and toes short, strong; claws strong; general form adapted to very -swift and vigorous flight, and the capture of insects on the wing. - - - I. GENUS CYPSELUS. Illiger, Prodromus, p. 229. (1811.) - - APUS. Scopoli. MICROPUS. Wolf. - -Bill wide at base, curved; nostrils basal, with large membrane; wings -very long; pointed shafts of the primaries strong and rigid; first and -second primaries longest; secondaries short; tail moderate, with the -shafts of its feathers strong and rigid; legs short, strong; tarsus -usually feathered; toes short, strong; claws strong, curved, and sharp; -hind toe very short, reversible; general form robust; head broad. - -This genus includes about twenty species, which are inhabitants of the -countries of the old world, except six American and one Australian -species. They are remarkable for great swiftness of flight, and live -habitually in the crevices of rocks, in caverns, or in hollow trees. The -bird now about to be described is the only species of this genus yet -observed within the limits of the United States, the others of this -continent being confined to South America. - - 1. Cypselus melanoleucus. Baird, Proc. Acad., Phila., VII. p. 118. - (1854.) - -Not figured. - - Wings very long, exceeding the tail; second primary longest; first - primary tapering towards the end; secondaries short, obliquely incised - at their ends; tail moderate, emarginate; shafts of the tail-feathers - very stiff at their bases; tarsi and toes feathered, short, and very - strong; entire plumage above dark fuliginous, paler on the head, - nearly black on the back and rump; throat, breast, wide longitudinal - stripe down the middle of the abdomen, and large spot on the flank, - pure white; sides and under-coverts of the tail dark fuliginous, which - is also the color of the plumage of the tibiæ, tarsi, and toes; wings - and tail dark fuliginous; secondaries tipped with white; wings at the - shoulders edged with white; under-wing-coverts ashy fuliginous; claws - light-colored. - - Dimensions. Total length of skin, from tip of bill to end of tail, - about 5½ inches; wing, 5½; tail, 2½ inches. Female very nearly the - same. - - Hab. New Mexico (Dr. Kennerly, Dr. Heermann). - -Only noticed, as yet, by the two naturalists just mentioned. This is a -handsome bird, and an interesting addition to the ornithology of the -United States, being the first species of the genus _Cypselus_ -discovered within our limits. According to the gentlemen above -mentioned, this bird habitually frequents the crevices in rocks, in -which it builds its nest and rears its young. Its flight is represented -to be exceedingly rapid and long-continued. - -This bird is evidently of the same group of species as _Cypselus -montivagus_, D’Orbigny, Voyage dans L’Amerique Meridionale, Ois., p. -357, pl. 42, fig. 1 (Paris, 1844), which inhabits the mountains of -Bolivia. The white stripe down the middle of the abdomen distinguishes -the present bird. - - - II. GENUS ACANTHYLIS. Boie, Isis, 1826, p. 971. - - CHÆTURA. Stephens. HIRUNDAPUS. Hodgson. - -General characters similar to the last genus, but with the shafts of the -tail-feathers prolonged beyond the webs, and forming strong thorn-like -points; tarsi and toes naked; bill small, curved, wide at base; wings -long; tail usually short; legs short, rather slender; claws curved, -strong; general form plump and robust. Of this genus there are about -fifteen species, two only of which are known to inhabit the United -States, though several are natives of South America. Like the birds of -the preceding genus, they possess great rapidity of flight, and live in -similar situations. - - 1. Acanthylis pelasgia. (Linn.) The Chimney Bird. The American Swift. - Hirundo pelasgia. Linn., Syst. Nat. I. p. 345. (1766.) - Hirundo cerdo. Bartram, Trav., p. 292. (1791.) Barton, Frag., p. - 18. - “Cypselus acutus. Temm., Mus. Lugd.” Bonap., Consp. Av., p. 64. - - Vieill., Ois. d’Am., Sept. 1, pl. 33; Wilson, Am. Orn., V. pl. 39, - fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 58, Oct. ed., I. pl. 44; Nat. Hist. N. Y. - Birds, pl. 27, fig. 58. - - Wings very long, extending beyond the tail, flattened, somewhat - falcate; shafts of primaries rigid; tail short; exserted spines sharp, - elastic; tarsi and toes naked; entire plumage above and below - fuliginous brown, darkest on the upper parts, and with a slight - greenish lustre on the head and back (in mature specimens), much paler - on the throat and neck before; quills dark fuliginous; tail lighter; - spot in front of the eye black, a very narrow superciliary line - ashy-white; shafts and spines of the tail-feathers black; bill and - feet dark. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, from tip of bill to end of tail, 4¾ to - 5 inches; wing, 5¼; tail, 1¾ inches. Female very nearly the same. - - Hab. Throughout North America. Canada (Dr. Hall); Florida (Mr. - Williams); Indiana (Dr. Haymond); Indian Territory, Texas, New Mexico, - California (Dr. Woodhouse). - -The Chimney bird is abundant in all the States on the Atlantic, and, -according to Dr. Woodhouse, equally so in Texas. It possesses powers of -sustaining protracted and rapid flight, perhaps not equalled by any -other bird of North America, though characteristic in some measure of -all the birds of this family. In Europe, birds of genera nearly allied -to the present have received the name of “Swifts” from this fact. - - 2. Acanthylis Vauxii. (Townsend.) Vaux’s Swift. - Cypselus Vauxii. Towns., Jour. Acad., Philada., VIII. p. 148. - (1839.) - -Not figured. - - Smaller than the preceding, but very similar to it in form and general - appearance; wings very long, exceeding the tail, which is short; - exserted spines of the tail-feathers sharp, slender, and not so rigid - as in the preceding species; tarsi and toes rather slender, naked; - plumage above fuliginous brown, lighter on the rump and upper - tail-coverts, darker, and tinged with greenish on the head and back; - quills dark fuliginous, with a greenish lustre; tail lighter - fuliginous; under-parts pale fuliginous, nearly white on the throat, - darkest on the abdomen; shafts and spines of the tail-feathers black; - bill and feet dark. - - Dimensions. Total length of skin, sex unknown, 4¼ inches; wing, 4½; - tail, 1½ inches. - - Hab. Columbia River, Oregon (Dr. Townsend). - -This species, though apparently totally distinct from the common Chimney -bird of the United States, has never been noticed since its discovery by -Dr. Townsend. It is probably a bird exclusively inhabiting the countries -west of the Rocky Mountains. The original specimen brought by Dr. -Townsend remains unique in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. - -The name of this species was given in honor of Mr. William S. Vaux, of -this city, and is a just compliment to one of the most active and -valuable members of the Academy. - - - B. - OBSCURE AND DOUBTFUL SPECIES OF THIS FAMILY. - - 1. Hirundo unalaschkensis. Gm., Syst. Nat. I. p. 1025. (1788.) - Hirundo aoonalaschkensis. Lath., Ind. Orn., II. p. 577. (1790.) - -Originally described by Latham from a specimen in the Leverian Museum, -as follows:— - -“Length four inches and a half; bill very short, dusky; the plumage -above dull black, without gloss; beneath and sides of the head dusky ash -color, the last darkest; rump dirty white; tail forked, each feather -round at the end; legs dusky. Inhabits Aoonalashka.” Gm., Syn. II. p. -571. - -This species is unknown to ornithologists of the present day, and from -the above description and the evident similarity of the bird to other -small species of this family, would not be recognized without -difficulty, unless obtained in the locality as given. It appears to -belong to the genus _Collocalia_, Gray, a very remarkable group of small -Swallows, that inhabit caves, and are found in several islands in the -Pacific Ocean. A species of this genus is the Esculent Swallow of -authors (_Collocalia esculenta_), the nests of which are so highly -esteemed as an article of food by the Chinese, and are the principal -constituent in the somewhat celebrated “Bird’s-nest soup,” a prominent -feature in Chinese entertainments. It is probable, too, that the nests -of other species of these birds are used for the same purpose. - -No species of the genus alluded to has been discovered on the continent -of America, nor in either of the American islands, except the above. - - 2. Hirundo phenicephala. Rafinesque, Annals of Nature, p. 4. - (Lexington, Kentucky, 1820.) - -“Head scarlet; back grey; belly white; bill and feet black. A fine and -rare Swallow, seen only once by Mr. Audubon, near Hendersonville, in -Kentucky; it must have been a wanderer, and is probably a native of -Louisiana or Mexico.” - -“Head scarlet”—enough said; Professor Rafinesque brings our -ornithological ideas to a stand immediately. We never heard of a Swallow -with the head of that color, exactly. But as Mr. Audubon’s name is -brought in as authority, we think it possible that the bird alluded to -in this description may have been a straggling specimen of a South -American species, which has the head of a rufous color (_Cortyle -fucata_, Temm., Pl. Col. 161, fig. 1). Rafinesque apparently gave his -description and name without ever having seen the bird, or made further -inquiry, and probably misunderstood or partly forgot the statement of -Mr. Audubon respecting the color of the head. - -Several instances of South American birds having been captured in the -United States have come to our knowledge. We ought to have said, though, -previously, that many more South American birds inhabit Mexico than are -recorded in the books. Several specimens of _Crotophaga sulcirostra_ -have come under our notice, the last one of which was shot on an island -in the Delaware, opposite to the northern portion of this city. Its -plumage was perfectly mature and uninjured, showing evidently that it -had never been caged. - - 3. Acanthylis saxatilis. Woodhouse, Sitgreave’s Report of an - Expedition down the Zuni and Colorado Rivers, Zoology, p. 64 - (Washington, 1853). - -“Head and rump white; back, tail, wings, and side, black; beneath white; -upper tail-coverts black; under tail-coverts white. About the size of -_A. pelasgia_, and in its mode of flight the same.” - -“This beautiful Swift I saw whilst encamped at Inscription Rock, New -Mexico. Being on the top of this high rock at the time without my gun, I -was unable to procure specimens. I had a fair view of the birds at this -time, as they flew close to me. I descended immediately and procured my -gun, but the birds by this time flew too high for me to be able to -procure a shot at them. They were breeding in the crevices of the rocks. -I was still in hopes of seeing them again along our route, but I had not -that pleasure, it being the only place that I have observed them.” - -This bird has not been noticed since the publication of the above -description by Dr. Woodhouse. - - 4. Hirundo cinerea. “The Ash-bellied Swallow.” Ord, in Guthrie’s - Geography, II. p. 317. (1815.) - -This name occurs, without a description, in Mr. Ord’s Catalogue of the -Birds of North America, in Guthrie’s Geography, as above. - -_Hirundo cinerea_, Gmelin, is a native of Tahiti and of the Marquesas -Islands, but has not to our knowledge ever been detected on the -continent of North America. It belongs to the genus _Collocalia_, Gray. -The Bank Swallow (_Cotyle riparia_) also was named _Hirundo cinerea_ by -Vieillot, but is given in Mr. Ord’s list as distinct from the present. - - 5. Hirundo rupestris. “The Rock Swallow.” Ord, in Guthrie’s Geog., II. - p. 317. (1815.) - -This name also occurs in Mr. Ord’s Catalogue, cited above. _Hirundo -rupestris_, Scopoli, inhabits Europe and Asia, but we have never been -informed of its appearance in America. It is a _Cotyle_. - -We have now given all the species of Swallows known or supposed to -inhabit the continent of America, north of Mexico. - -As stated in a preceding page, Swallows are found in all countries -except the Arctic regions, and are, so far as known to naturalists, -birds of very considerable similarity of habits and of general -characters. The various groups usually regarded as sub-families and -genera are perhaps as easily distinguished in this family as in any -other of the entire class of Birds, and it is one in which it is -remarkable that almost every country produces species which belong to -the genus (_Hirundo_) which is the type and apparently primary form of -the family, besides forms peculiarly its own. - -The types of great groups apparently more pre-eminently characterize the -ornithology of Europe than that of any other division of the globe. In -other words, Europe appears to produce the greatest number of species of -birds exhibiting the fullest development of the especial characters of -the groups to which they belong. It is very remarkable, too, that -species are found almost throughout the world slightly aberrating, as it -were, from European forms, or as though a typical form was produced with -a greater or less degree of imperfection. Of this description of birds, -the various species nearly allied to the House Swallow of Europe -(_Hirundo rustica_), are a striking illustration. The American _Hirundo -rufa_, and several Asiatic and African species, are only distinguished -from that bird by characters of inferior value in specific -identification. Australia, too, produces species, which, though -apparently farther removed, are still similar. There are many other -European birds which appear to occupy the same relative positions. The -Goatsucker, Raven, Crow, Jay, and Peregrine Falcon, are instances. Of -the European Conisostral birds, nearly every species has nearly allied -forms in other regions. - -In connection, however, with this subject, there are two considerations -by no means to be lost sight of: Firstly, the extent to which the entire -science of ornithology may be regarded as having been derived from -European birds; those having been studied, and ornithological science -being in some measure an induction from them by the fathers and founders -of this branch of Zoology. Secondly, whether in reality the production -of the higher developments in birds is not peculiar to the western -portions of the two great hemispheres, at least in the northern regions -of these divisions of the globe. We regard it as evidently the case in -the Old World, and not less so in America. That the ornithology of -western North America produces the highest developments of forms in this -class of animals that are to be found on this continent, we think fully -demonstrable. But at present we regard it as true that Europe produces -marked ornithological types of divisions strictly natural. - -There are about one hundred known species of Swallows, of which -eighty-five are in the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. The South -American birds of this family, for the greater part, belong to genera -represented in North America. Of the genus _Progne_ there are several -species peculiar to that portion of this continent, several of which -possess habits and manners very similar to those of the Purple Martin. -The same may be said of several species of _Acanthylis_, two or three of -which considerably resemble our Chimney Bird. Of the Bank Swallows -(_Cotyle_), there are also several South American species. - - - III. SUB-FAMILY HALCYONIDÆ. THE KING-FISHERS. - -General form short, thick, and robust; bill usually long, sharp, and -adapted to striking and seizing their prey, which, in the greater part -of the species, consists of fishes; wings generally long, and adapted to -quick though not long-continued flight; tail usually short; legs short, -frequently very strong; toes long, frequently partially joined together -and flattened on the soles. - -Of this extensive family, species are distributed throughout all the -temperate and tropical regions of the world, though much more abundant -in the latter. Many species habitually frequent the vicinity of the -water, and subsist on fishes and small aquatic animals of other classes, -but there are birds of this family that are found in the recesses of -forests and other comparatively dry localities. - -Two species only of King-Fishers have as yet been discovered in the -United States. - - - I. GENUS CERYLE. Boie, Isis, 1828, p. 312. - -Form stout and strong; head large; bill long, straight, wide at base, -and suddenly compressed to the point, which is sharp; aperture of the -nostrils large; wings long; second and third quills usually longest; -tail rather short, wide; legs short; tarsi very short; toes moderate, -united at their bases, flattened and padded beneath. - -The two species which inhabit North America within the limits of the -United States belong to this genus, and it contains also various others -of different parts of the world. They are, however, most numerous in -South and Central America and Mexico. - - 1. Ceryle alcyon. (Linn.) The Belted King-Fisher. - Alcedo alcyon. Linn., Syst. Nat., I. p. 180. (1766.) - Ispida ludoviciana. Gm., Syst. Nat., I. p. 452. (1788.) - Alcedo jaguacati. Dumont, Dict. Sci. Nat., I. p. 455. (1816.) - Alcedo guacu. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XIX. p. 406? - - Buffon, Pl. Enl., 593, 715; Catesby’s Carolina, I. pl. 69; Wilson, Am. - Orn., III. pl. 23, fig. 1; Aud., B. of Am., pl. 77, Oct. ed. IV. pl. - 255. - - Form robust; head large, with the feathers of the crown and occiput - lengthened, crest-like and erectile; wings long; second quill longest; - tail moderate; tarsus very short; tibia longer; entire upper-parts, - cheeks, and a wide transverse band or belt on the breast, light - ashy-blue, generally with minute white spots on the wing-coverts and - secondaries; throat and abdomen, and a small spot before the eye, - white; flanks, and frequently the sides, ashy-blue, with white spots; - quills black, more or less marked with white on their inner webs; - secondaries widely edged on their outer webs with ashy-blue, uniform - with other upper parts, and tipped narrowly with white; tail - bluish-black, outer feathers edged externally with light ashy-blue, - and middle feathers almost entirely of that color, and all having - about ten to twelve narrow transverse bands of white, and narrowly - tipped with white; under wing-coverts white. Younger, with the - pectoral band light reddish chestnut, and frequently with a second and - sometimes with a third band across the abdomen, and the sides and - flanks of the same color; bill and feet dark. Sexes alike? Specimens - occur with the wide pectoral band in all stages of change, from the - light red to light ashy-blue. - - Dimensions. Total length, male, about 12 inches; wing, 6¼; tail, 3⅓ - inches. - - Hab. Throughout North America. Oregon (Dr. Townsend); California (Dr. - Heermann); Texas (Dr. Woodhouse); Canada (Dr. Hall); Florida (Mr. - Williams). - -Frequently met with in all parts of the United States, frequenting -streams of water. It is a sprightly and handsome bird, and was until -recently considered as the only North American species of the extensive -family of King-Fishers. That honor must now, however, be partially -shared with the succeeding. - - 2. Ceryle americana. (Gmelin.) The Texan Green King-Fisher. - Alcedo americana. Gm., Syst., I. p. 451. (1788.) - Alcedo viridis. Vieill., Nouv. Dict., XIX. p. 413. (1818)? - - Buff., Pl. Enl. 591. - - Much smaller than the preceding; bill straight; wing rather long, - third quill longest; tail moderate; tarsus very short; legs rather - slender; two outer toes united at base; entire plumage above dark - shining green, darker and generally tinged with brownish on the head, - and with numerous very small spots or points of white on the forehead; - quills brownish-black, edged with green on their outer-webs; - secondaries white at their bases, and all the quills with white spots - on their outer-webs, regularly disposed, and forming three transverse - bands on the wing; outer feathers of the tail white, irregularly - marked on both webs with green; middle feathers green; breast bright - reddish chestnut, forming a wide transverse band; throat, and ring - around the back of the neck and abdomen, white; sides, flanks and - under tail-coverts spotted with green; inferior wing-coverts white, - with green spots; bill dark; feet lighter. Younger or female? Like the - preceding, but with the pectoral band green, uniform with the color of - the upper parts; white of the throat tinged with dull yellow. - - Dimensions. Total length of skin, 7¼ inches; wing, 3¼; tail, 2½ - inches. - - Hab. Texas, Rio Grande (Capt. McCown, Mr. Clarke); Mexico (Lieut. - Couch); South America. - -This handsome little King-Fisher, though well known as a bird of South -America, has, within the limits of the United States, only been observed -on the Rio Grande in Texas. Several naturalists, however, mention having -heard of a small species of King-Fisher in Southern California, and it -is probable that the present bird will yet be found inhabiting that -State. - -This bird may very readily be distinguished from the common species of -the United States by its small size and different colors; but there are -other South American species of the same genus which it resembles. There -is a group of these birds, the species of which, in fact, bear so great -similarity to each other in form and in colors also, that they can be -distinguished specifically mainly by their size. This group embraces -_Ceryle amazona_, _inda_, _superciliosa_, _Cabanisii_, and the bird now -before us. The first is as large as our Belted King-Fisher (_Ceryle -alcyon_), and has been found in Mexico. All of these species are colored -very much like the present bird, though, as above intimated, presenting -marked difference in size. - -The King-Fishers are most abundant in the southern regions of the world, -and the preceding two species are all that have ever been noticed within -the limits of the United States, though several others inhabit Mexico. -Two species also are known as birds of Europe, though one of them -(_Ceryle rudis_), like our second species in the United States, is a -visitor only in the southern countries of that division of the globe. - -In Asia and the Asiatic islands, and in Australia, numerous species of -these birds are found. Some of the Australian species are the largest of -this family, being of the size of or larger than the Crow of the United -States, and are remarkable for their loud and discordant voices. They -belong to the genus _Dacelo_ of naturalists. Great diversity of size -occurs in this family. There are other species (of the genera _Ispidina_ -and _Ceyx_), which are not larger than the Chipping Sparrow of this -country, though, to all intents and purposes, regularly established -King-Fishers, and probably preying on fishes of a size accordingly. - -Though many of the birds of this family are partially aquatic in their -habits, and subsist exclusively on fishes, there are species principally -inhabiting the islands in the Pacific, and Australia, which are stated -to live habitually in forests, subsisting on reptiles and small -terrestrial animals of other classes. These birds belong to the genera -_Todiramphus_ and _Dacelo_ of authors. - -Naturalists enumerate about ninety species of King-Fishers, of which -specimens of seventy-seven are in the collection of the Philadelphia -Academy. - -We find recorded no species of King-Fishers to be considered as doubtful -or obscure birds of that portion of North America within our prescribed -limits. - -With this family we close that division of the Perching Birds classed by -ornithologists as _Fissirostres_. Two other families, the _Trogonidæ_ -and the _Meropidæ_, are not represented by species inhabiting the United -States or the more northern countries of this continent. Of the -_Trogonidæ_, however, several species are found in Mexico, one of which -(_Trogon mexicanus_) was observed by Lieut. Couch, in the northern part -of that country, and will very probably yet be found within the present -limits of this confederacy. All the American _Trogons_ are birds of -remarkable beauty, and one of them (_Calurus resplendens_) can scarcely -be surpassed in any country. It inhabits Central America, and is the -sacred bird of the aborigines, and mentioned by Mr. Stephens and other -travellers in the countries which it inhabits. Its plumage, and that of -many other American species, is of fine metallic golden green and -scarlet. - -Of the _Meropidæ_, or Bee-eaters, no species inhabits America. Those -birds are almost restricted to Asia and Africa, one species only being -European. - - [Illustration: Plate 41 - Baird’s Buzzard - Buteo Bairdii (_Hoy_)] - - - - - BUTEO BAIRDII.—Hoy. - Baird’s Buzzard. - PLATE XLI. Adults? - - -Of the several new species of rapacious birds of North America, which -have been discovered within a few years, the bird now before the reader -is one of the most interesting. It is the second species now ascertained -to inhabit this continent, of a group constituting the typical genus -_Buteo_ of naturalists, which until a recent period was supposed to be -peculiar to the Old World, the previously known American species being -Swainson’s Buzzard (_Buteo Swainsonii_), a bird of the northern regions, -little known and nearly lost sight of until recently by ornithologists. - -The birds of this group are more active and Falcon-like in their habits -than the other species of the North American Buzzards, all of which have -been classified in other sub-genera. They also appear to be more -strictly predatory in their habits. - -The present species was discovered by P. R. Hoy, M. D., an active and -enthusiastic naturalist of Racine, Wisconsin, who first observed it and -obtained specimens in the vicinity of that city. In the same State, it -has also been observed by the Rev. A. O. Barry, of Racine, and Mr. -William Dudley, of Madison, both naturalists of extensive acquirements, -who have done much to elucidate the zoology of that district. All of -those gentlemen concur, however, in representing it as very probably a -visitor only in Wisconsin, and migrating to more northern regions of the -continent of America. In addition to their specimens, we have seen one -other only, which is contained in a collection now deposited in the -National Museum, Washington, and was obtained near the Great Salt Lake, -Utah Territory, by Lieut. E. G. Beckwith, of the United States Army, in -whose charge a party surveyed one of the proposed routes for a Railroad -to the Pacific Ocean. - -We have to express our obligations to Dr. Hoy for his kindness in -furnishing the following notice of this bird for our present article:— - -“Although never numerous, this fine Hawk is not unfrequently met with -during the fall and spring, especially in the vicinity of Racine, but is -exceedingly wary and difficult to approach, and as it is here an -inhabitant almost exclusively of the prairies, the procuring of -specimens even by an experienced hunter or collector, is almost entirely -dependant on encountering it accidentally within gunshot. - -“This bird may be readily known, though seen at a considerable distance -or heighth in the air, by its long pointed wings and rapid flight; in -the last respect somewhat resembling the Duck Hawk (_Falco anatum_), and -in fact looking somewhat like that species when on the wing. I witnessed -not long since, a bird of this species flying rapidly, but he wheeled -about suddenly and struck into a covey of Partridges with wonderful -celerity of movement, and bore off in his talons sufficient evidence -that his exploit had been fully successful. This bird possesses much -greater activity of habits than any other of our Hawks of the same genus -(_Buteo_), and its mode of flight is quite different. - -“The favorite haunts of this species are the broad prairies, over which -it may be seen generally flying or coursing around in quest of its prey, -or occasionally perched in repose, but very carefully keeping out of the -range of the gun. It is one of the most shy of our Hawks, and I have -never known an instance of its visiting the vicinity of the farm-house, -or disturbing the domestic poultry, as is done by nearly all other of -our birds of the Falcon kind, much to the disadvantage of their -reputation with our farmers and housewives. The present bird at least -saves his character in that respect, for he never comes near, and -prefers also that no one shall come near him. - -“The prey of this species is principally Grouse, Quails, and other -birds; but when opportunity offers, he does not disdain field-mice, or -even snakes. The Pinnated Grouse, or Prairie Hen, as it is universally -called in our region of country (_Tetrao cupido_), is his most common -food, which, frequenting the prairies habitually, his pursuit of this -bird is the cause of his being so constantly seen in such localities. -Usually he has little difficulty in procuring a supply sufficient for -his wants. I am under the impression that this bird does not rear its -young in this part of Wisconsin, as I have never known its nest to be -found, though I have of various other species. I have never seen this -bird soar in the manner of other Buzzards. It is apparently a visitor -only to this part of the State of Wisconsin.” - -The specimens obtained by Dr. Hoy, one of which is represented in the -upper figure in our plate, present considerable similarity in colors; -but we have seen one other, which had the colors much darker, and the -under-parts especially much marked with black. The latter specimen is -represented in our lower figure, and was obtained in the neighborhood of -Madison, Wisconsin, by Mr. William Dudley, Secretary of the Wisconsin -Natural History Society. The specimen from Utah Territory is almost -precisely identical in color with those obtained by Dr. Hoy. - -We have no further information respecting this interesting species. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Buteo. Cuvier, Regne Animal, I. p. 323. (1817.) - Buteo Bairdii. Hoy, Proc. Acad., Philadelphia, VI. p. 451. (1853.) - -Form. Rather smaller than _Buteo lineatus_; compact and robust; wings -long, and pointed; third primary longest; tail moderate, rather wide, -rounded. - -Dimensions. Female, total length of skin, 19½ inches; wing, 15; tail, 8 -inches, and about an inch longer than the folded wings. - -Colors. Female (Plate XLI., upper figure), entire upper parts dark -brown, with a purplish bronzed lustre, especially on the wings; plumage -of the head and neck behind, and some feathers on the back edged and -tipped with yellowish white; upper tail-coverts yellowish white, with -transverse bars of brown; tail above brownish cinereous, and having -about ten narrow bands of brownish black, and tipped with white; under -parts pale yellowish white or fawn color, with a few sagittate spots of -brown on the sides, and a stripe of dark brown running downwards on each -side from the corners of the mouth; cere, legs, and irides yellow. - -Younger? (Plate XLI., lower figure.) Upper parts very dark brown or -nearly black, with a purplish lustre; under parts with almost every -feather having a large spot of brownish black, which color predominates -on the breast, presenting a nearly uniform color with the upper parts; -throat with narrow stripes of the same color; flanks and inferior -wing-coverts with circular and oval spots of white; tibiæ dark brown, -with transverse bars and circular and oval spots of reddish white; upper -tail-coverts reddish white, with their outer edges brown, and with -transverse stripes of the same; under tail-coverts yellowish white, with -transverse stripes of brown; forehead white; cheeks yellowish white; -stripes from the corners of the mouth wide and conspicuous. Sex unknown. - -Hab. Wisconsin (Dr. Hoy, Rev. Mr. Barry, Mr. Dudley); Utah Territory -(Lieut. Beckwith). Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., -Philadelphia. - -Obs. This bird does not intimately resemble any other of the American -Falconidæ at present known, and is a well marked species, especially in -the plumage above described as probably the younger. In this the nearly -uniform brownish black breast and large spots of the same color on the -other under parts are strongly characteristic. The plumage of the first -described above bears some resemblance to the young of _Buteo lineatus_, -and also to the young of _Buteo pennsylvanicus_, but not sufficient to -require especial consideration. - -To us it is a point of high interest that the present bird bears the -name of one with whom our relations have been intimate and of the most -pleasant character almost since boyhood. One who is a most competent and -efficient officer of the first Institution in America for the diffusion -of knowledge—one who has gained a rank amongst the first American -zoologists; and better, no man lives who is more conscientious in the -discharge of his duties, more respectful of all that renders life -agreeable, or more faithful in his friendships, than Spencer F. Baird, -of the Smithsonian Institution. - - - - - TOXOSTOMA REDIVIVA.—(Gambel.) - The Curved-billed Thrush. - PLATE XLII. Adult Male. - - -The bird now before the reader is one of the most admired songsters of -the western countries of North America. By competent judges, as we shall -see in the course of the present article, he has been pronounced worthy -of favorable mention, even when compared with our great sylvan -vocalists, the Mocking Bird, and the Rufous Thrush, to both of which he -can claim relationship, not distant. - -Viewed as the representatives of principles embodied, as it were, in the -various forms or rather classes of animal life, a consideration by no -means to be overlooked in the present age of zoological science, birds -are the especial exponents of the principles of the beautiful, and, of -all classes of animals, appeal most directly to the higher faculties of -the human mind. Entire symmetry and elegance of form, gracefulness of -motion, agreeable and varied colors, and the fact that of the vast -circle of animal life, they alone possess vocal powers which are -musical, have recommended this class, and tended to perpetuate its high -estimation in all civilized countries. - -The flight of birds, never yet successfully imitated by the ingenuity of -man (unlike in that respect the motions of fishes in their element), is -a means of locomotion so entirely peculiar as always to have attracted -attention, and, in past ages, wonder, even to such extent as to have -assumed an aspect of superstition, not entirely ignorant nor -reprehensible, because founded on facts of nature, manifesting itself in -auguries and divinations, which commanded respect for centuries -erroneously, but expanded into truth at last by the aid of the light of -Inductive science. The conclusions of the learned and cultivated nations -of antiquity, however apparently erroneous, are rarely without some -foundation in and relation to truth, and in many cases are the origin of -modern science. So the augurs were the first ornithologists, as the -astrologers were the first astronomers. - -The poets have found in birds the most attractive of animals. There is -scarcely one from the great Grecian era of taste and poetry to the -present day, in whose productions passages do not occur, recognised as -beautiful and deriving their essential character from this class of -objects. Hebrew and Greek were alike in this respect, whether in the -derivation of sacred symbols or of imagery in poetic allusion; the Dove -of the former is of the same general character as the Peacock of Juno, -or the Sparrows of Venus, poetic and truthful to nature and of the same -origin. The Greek poets found in birds suitable accompaniments for the -most sublime creations of their genius, their Deities. The greatest of -Hebrew poets rejoices in the assurance that “the time of the singing of -birds is come, and the voice of the Turtle is heard in the land.” - - [Illustration: Plate 42 - The Curved-billed Thrush - Toxostoma rediviva (_Gambel_)] - -Singing birds belong exclusively to the class of Insessores or Perching -birds. One Falcon only (an African species, _Falco musicus_), is said to -possess a musical voice, not making, though we much suspect, any -considerable figure in that line. No wading, swimming, or gallinaceous -bird makes any pretensions. - -The song was long considered as entirely the expression of love during -the season, which has its most pleasant analogy in the spring-time of -life, but that conclusion admits of some exceptions. Many birds sing in -autumn apparently without the pleasant incitement of either actual or -prospective attachment. Cases occur, too, as we have sometimes -witnessed, of a bird having, to all appearance, failed in securing the -object of his choice, remaining alone and solacing himself with a song -occasionally for the balance of the season;—possibly somewhat of the -nature of deriving comfort from “ends of verse and sayings of -philosophers.” - -Our present bird belongs to the family of Thrushes, but to a genus which -can scarcely be said to be represented in the States on the Atlantic; -though the Rufous Thrush (_Mimus rufus_) is very nearly related to it, -if not actually belonging to the group. This bird has been observed by -nearly all the naturalists who have visited western North America, and -its history is comparatively well known. To our friend, Col. McCall, we -have to acknowledge our obligations, as on many former occasions, for a -contribution intended for our present article:— - -“This remarkable bird, whose dulcet notes, flowing with exquisite -smoothness, place him almost beyond rivalry among the countless -songsters that enliven the woods of America, or indeed of the world at -large, is as retired and simple in his manners as he is gay and -brilliant in song. In his ordinary hearing, as well as in the very -marked character of his flight, he exhibits a strong resemblance to our -humble and unobtrusive, though always welcome vocalist, the Ferruginous -Thrush (_M. rufus_); while in the faculty of modulating sweet sounds he -is scarcely surpassed by the dashing, ambitious, and ever-animated -Mocking Bird (_M. polyglottus_). His resemblance to the Ferruginous -Thrush in the particulars above mentioned, forcibly impressed itself -upon me the first time I saw the California bird. This was on the banks -of the Rio Colorado, below the mouth of the Gila, where, in the month of -June, the shade and seclusion afforded by the cotton-wood and the willow -seemed to be a favorite abode of the species. I saw many individuals in -the course of a ride of fifteen miles through this wild region. In one -quiet nook I met with a pair ‘in love and mutual honors joined,’ who -evidently had some dear little ‘pledges of peace’ secreted in the dense -foliage around. They were greatly excited by my approach, deprecating -the unlooked-for intrusion with abundant energy and vehemence. It was -then that their harsh, scolding notes, their motions, and all their -attitudes, reminded me most forcibly of my old friends of the Atlantic -groves, although, under other circumstances, the resemblance was -sufficiently obvious. But, besides their traits of character, there is a -striking resemblance in the organization of the two species; the bill, -for instance of _M. rufus_, when compared with the bills of its -congeners, _M. polyglottus_, _M. carolinensis_, and others, is found to -be greatly elongated and much curved, and in this lengthened and curved -bill (to say nothing of the shorter wings and longer tail) may easily be -discerned a decided approach to the remarkable form developed in _T. -rediviva_, and other closely allied species. This coincidence of a -similarity of organization with a similarity of manners is, I think, -sufficiently marked to show a close relationship between the two -species; or, in other words, to indicate _M. rufus_ as the connecting -link between these two distinct genera. - -“The song of the California bird is far superior to that of the -Thrush,—though it must be admitted that he has not the powerful voice of -our Mocking bird, that prince of songsters, nor his imitative powers; -but he certainly has a liquid mellowness of tone united with clearness -of expression and volubility of utterance that cannot be surpassed. On -the first occasion on which it was my good fortune to hear this bird -fairly tune his pipes to sound a roundelay, the performer was perched -upon the bare branch of an ancient oak, and his farewell carol to the -departing day was delivered with a warmth and pathos so truly wonderful -as to fill me with admiration and delight; and though I was then anxious -to procure birds for the Museum of the Philadelphia Academy, I scarcely -thought of molesting him whose vesper chaunt had just enlivened that -wild, secluded vale! I cannot, even now, without a tweak of contrition -and self-reproach, acknowledge that the desire to procure a ‘specimen’ -prompted me, some time afterwards, to shoot a bird of this species. - -“This almost sacrilegious act, I feel bound to confess, met with a just -reward; for, having placed my prize on the branch of a neighboring tree, -in order to preserve its plumage unruffled, while I continued my pursuit -after game (for the larder as well as for the cabinet) I had the -mortification, on my return, to find that some savage wild animal, as -little impressed by soul-stirring music, I might almost say, as myself, -had made a hasty supper off my divine songster, feathers and all.” - -Dr. Heermann, in his manuscript notes, through his kindness now in our -possession, thus mentions the present bird:— - -“This bird is abundant. I have not only seen it in Northern California, -but also as far south as Texas, on the borders of the Rio Grande. It is -shy and retiring in its habits, and when startled, flies low for some -distance, and plunging into a thicket, alights on the ground, and so -conceals itself, that it is not again easily found. It runs or hops on -the ground with considerable facility and speed. - -“Among the feathered songsters of Western America, this bird is the most -superior, and its song is a striking feature in the localities where it -is found. Its notes are equal in harmony to those of the Mocking bird of -the United States, though not so varied. To the miners it is well known -by the name of the California Mocking bird, and it is with them a great -favorite. - -“It incubates in California, but the only nest that I ever found -contained young in the month of July. This nest was composed of coarse -twigs and lined with slender roots, not very carefully constructed, and -resembling somewhat those of some other of the Thrushes.” - -Dr. Henry has also observed this bird in the vicinity of Fort Fillmore, -rather abundantly, particularly during the months of October and -November. It has been noticed, too, by nearly all the other naturalists -who have visited California and New Mexico. - -The figure in our plate is rather less than half the size of life. - -The plant represented is a species of _Vernonia_, from the neighbourhood -of Santa Fé, New Mexico, and was raised from the seed by Mr. Robert -Kilvington, of this city. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Toxostoma. Wagler, Isis, 1831, p. 528. - Harpes. Gambel, Proc. Acad., Philada., II. p. 264. (1845.) - -Bill long, much curved, somewhat depressed, blunt; ridges of both -mandibles strongly defined; wings short, rounded; first quill short, -fourth and fifth and sixth longest; tail long; legs robust; toes rather -long; claws large, strong; plumage of the upper parts loose; feathers of -the rump lengthened. A genus containing four or perhaps five species, -all of which inhabit the western and southwestern countries of North -America. - - Toxostoma rediviva. (Gambel.) - Harpes rediviva. Gamb., Proc. Acad. Philada., II. p. 264. (1845.) - -Form. The largest of the genus; bill long, curved; wings short, rounded, -first quill subspurious, fifth and sixth slightly longest and nearly -equal; tail long, graduated; outer feathers about one inch shorther than -those in the middle; tarsi strong; toes long; claws, especially of the -hind toes, large, strong. - -Dimensions. Total length, male, about 11½ inches; wing, 4; tail, 5¼; -bill, 1¾; tarsus, 1½ inches. - -Colors. Entire upper parts light brown, slightly tinged with rufous on -the rump; quills brownish black, edged on their outer webs with lighter; -tail brownish-black, with a reddish tinge, lighter on the under surface; -an obscure ashy white superciliary line; auricular feathers dark brown, -with central white lines; throat white; breast and sides light brown, -tinged with ashy and fulvous; middle of the abdomen, flanks and under -tail-coverts rufous, darker on the last; bill black; tarsi lighter; -“irides hazel.” Sexes alike? - -Hab. California. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philadelphia, and Nat. Mus., -Washington. - -Obs. There are two other species of this genus, both of which the -present bird somewhat resembles, but it can easily be distinguished on -comparison by its larger size. From the published descriptions the -different species cannot be distinguished so readily, on account of -their similarity of form and general characters. - -Dr. Gambel regarded this bird as identical with a species mentioned and -figured by the distinguished, though unfortunate navigator, La Perouse, -and published in “Voyage de La Peyrouse autour du Monde,” Atlas, pl. 37 -(Paris, 1797), under the name of “Promerops de la California -Septentrionale.” Under this impression, Dr. Gambel gave this bird its -specific name, _redivivus_. - -Whether it is the fact, however, that the figure in La Peyrouse -represents the present bird, admits of some doubt. To us it is much more -like _Toxostoma curvirostris_, a smaller species. - - [Illustration: Plate 43 - The Vermilion Flycatcher - Cardellina rubra (_Swainson_)] - - - - - CARDELLINA RUBRA.—(Swainson.) - The Vermilion Flycatcher. - PLATE XLIII. Males. - - -Of this brilliant-plumaged little Flycatcher, we have, we regret to say, -but little information. It has been known as a Mexican bird since 1827, -when specimens were sent to Europe for the first time by Mr. William -Bullock, a Fellow of the Linnæan Society of London, who was then -resident in Mexico, but has as yet been obtained once only within the -limits of the United States. It was received in a collection made in -Texas, and containing many interesting species, by Mr. J. P. Giraud, an -accomplished and active ornithologist of the city of New York, and was -by him first introduced as entitled to a place in the ornithological -fauna of this country. Since that period no one of the several American -naturalists who have visited Texas, has had the good fortune to meet -with it. - -This bird was first described by Mr. Swainson, in the Philosophical -Magazine, new series, I. p. 367, but little or nothing more is said of -it than on the authority of Mr. Bullock, it is stated to be an -inhabitant of the table lands, and that the specimens in his collection -were obtained in the vicinity of Valladolid. Mr. Bullock himself, in his -interesting book, “Six Months in Mexico,” does not allude to it. - -Nor is there, in a more elaborate paper, in which this bird is described -by the Baron de la Fresnaye, in Guerin’s Magazine of Zoology (as cited -below), a much more explicit or satisfactory history. Its habits, it is -stated, resemble those of the Tits (Genus _Parus_), and it has a feeble -cry like the syllables _pe-pe-pe_. Mons. de la Fresnaye’s specimens were -from Jalapa, and were killed in August. - -This bird belongs to a group of Flycatchers of small size, of which -various species inhabit the warmer parts of America, and are represented -in the North only by the Redstart (_Setophagha ruticilla_), a common and -well known bird of the United States. Nearly all the species are -remarkable for the gay and showy colors of their plumage; but the bird -now before us is certainly entitled to precedence on such foundation for -pretensions. It is not equalled by any other species of its group, and -is in fact one of the most beautiful of the smaller birds of North -America. - -Our figures, which represent adult males, are about two-thirds of the -size of life, and were drawn from specimens obtained in Mexico, now in -the collection of the Philadelphia Academy. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Cardellina. Bonaparte, Cons. Av. p. 312. - -General form rather lengthened and slender; bill moderate, with several -pairs of slender bristles at the base of the upper mandible; wings -rather long, with the third quill longest; tail long; tarsi and toes -moderate, rather slender, the latter rather short; colors bright and -showy. Two American birds only are classed in this genus. - - Cardellina rubra. (Swainson.) - Setophaga rubra. Swainson, Philos. Mag. I., new series, p. 367. - (1827.) - Sylvia miniata. La Fresnaye, Guerin’s Mag. de Zool., 1836 (not paged). - Parus leucotis. Giraud, Sixteen new species N. A. Birds, 1841 (not - paged). - “Sylvia argyrotis. Illiger.” Bonap. Cons. Av. p. 312. - -Form. Bill somewhat subulate, sharp; wing with the third quill longest; -tail long, emarginate; tarsi slender; toes rather short; claws fully -curved, compressed, acute. - -Dimensions. Total length of skin, male, 5 inches; wing, 2½; tail, 2¾ -inches. - -Colors. Male.—A well-defined large space behind the eye, fine silky -white; quills and tail-feathers light hair-brown, with a tinge of -cinereous and margined externally with dark red; entire other plumage -above and below bright vermilion, lighter on the under-parts, and tinged -with purple on the back; inferior coverts of the wings and axillary -feathers pale reddish white; bill and tarsi light colored (yellow?). - -Hab. Texas and Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -Obs. This little Flycatcher is of the same general form as the Redstart -(_Setophaga ruticilla_) of the United States, and evidently belongs to -the same family, though apparently presenting sufficiently distinct -generic characters. It has nearer relatives than our northern species, -inhabiting Mexico and Central America, very nearly all of which are -clothed in plumage of gay and beautiful colors. - -This bird does not resemble any other species with which we are -acquainted in such degree as to render especial comparison necessary, -and is very easily recognised. - - [Illustration: Plate 44 - The Texan Guan - Ortalida poliocephala (_Wagler_)] - - - - - ORTALIDA POLIOCEPHALA.—(Wagler.) - The Texan Guan. - PLATE XLIV. Adult Male. - - -This bird is the only one yet discovered in the United States, of a -family of Gallinaceous Birds, of which numerous species are found in the -warmer countries of America. Various species inhabit Mexico and Central -America, some of which, including that now before us, appear to be -readily domesticated, and in Mexico especially, may frequently be seen -amongst the usual feathered denizens of the farm-yard. - -The birds of this group, known by the names of Guans, Curassow birds, -and Mexican Turkeys, and the Turkeys proper, are two families of the -Gallinaceous birds that are peculiarly American, and not distantly -related to each other. Of the Turkeys, two species are known, the most -numerous of which is the Wild Turkey of North America. The other, even -more handsome in its plumage than the former, has as yet only been found -in Central America, and is known as the Honduras Turkey. It is by no -means well established that the Domestic Turkey is descended from the -wild species of North America. Its origin probably has not yet been -discovered. - -The family to which our present species belongs (_Cracidæ_), contains -birds that for the greater part live in the forests, and are remarkable -for habitually frequenting trees to a much greater extent than is usual -amongst the larger Gallinaceous birds, and constructing their nests in -the branches much in the same style as the smaller perching birds. -Several species, amongst which is the bird now before us, have very loud -and discordant voices. - -The Curassow Birds (Genus _Crax_) are the best known of this family. -They are generally of black or dark red plumage, more or less varied -with white, and have very curious and handsome crests, of stiff, -recurved feathers. These birds are frequently domesticated in Mexico and -the other countries that they inhabit, and a species or two are -contained in almost every menagerie of any considerable pretensions in -the United States. - -The species now before us was first noticed as a bird of the United -States, by Col. McCall, who observed it in Texas. Since that period, it -has been repeatedly obtained by American naturalists either in that -country or in New Mexico. - -With that ability and courtesy which has added so much to the interest -of the present volume, Col. McCall has furnished the following for our -article on this interesting bird:— - -“This very gallant-looking and spirited bird I saw, for the first time -within our territory, in the extensive forest of _chaparral_ which -envelopes the _Resaca de la Palma_, a stream rendered famous in the -history of our country by the victory achieved by the American forces -under Gen. Taylor. Here, and for miles along the lower Rio Grande, the -_poliocephala_ was abundant; and throughout this region, the remarkable -and sonorous cry of the male bird could not fail to attract and fix the -attention of the most obtuse or listless wanderer who might chance to -approach its abode. - -“By the Mexicans it is called _Chiac-chia-lacca_, an Indian name, and -doubtlessly derived from the peculiar cry of the bird, which strikingly -resembles a repetition of those syllables. And when I assure you that -its voice in compass is equal to that of the Guinea-fowl, and in -harshness but little inferior, you may form some idea of the chorus with -which the forest is made to ring at the hour of sunrise. At that hour, -in the month of April, I have observed a proud and stately fellow -descend from the tree on which he had roosted, and mounting upon an old -log or stump, commence his clear shrill cry. This was soon responded to, -in a lower tone, by the female, the latter always taking up the strain -as soon as the importunate call of her mate had ceased. - -“Thus alternating, one pair after another would join in the matinal -chorus, and before the rising sun had fairly lighted up their close -retreat, the woods would ring with the din of an hundred voices, as the -happy couples met after the period of separation and repose. - -“When at length all this clatter had terminated, the parties quietly -betook themselves to their morning-meal. If surprised while thus -employed, they would fly into the trees above, whence, peering down with -stretched necks and heads turned sideways to the ground, they would -challenge the intruder with a singular and oft-repeated croaking note, -of which it would be difficult to give any adequate idea with words -alone. - -“Indeed, the volubility and singularity of voice of the _poliocephala_ -is perhaps its most striking and remarkable trait—at least, it so -appeared to me. In illustration of which I will state that, while on the -march from Matamoras to Tampico, we had encamped on the 30th December, -at the spring of _Encinal_, whence, a short time before sunset, I rode -out in company with an officer in search of game. We were passing -through a woodland near the stream, when our ears were saluted with a -strange sound that resembled somewhat the cry of the panther (_Felis -onca_). We stopped our horses and listened—the cry was repeated, and we -were completely at a loss to what animal to ascribe it. I dismounted, -and having crawled cautiously through the thicket for some distance, -came upon an opening where there were some larger trees; from the lower -branches of one of which I now ascertained that the sound proceeded. In -a moment or two I discovered a large male _poliocephala_ ascending -towards the top of the tree, and uttering this hitherto unheard sound as -he sprang from branch to branch in mounting to his roost. He seemed to -be much occupied with his own thoughts, and did not observe me; and -therefore I was enabled to watch his movements. In a few moments his -call was answered from a distance, and soon afterwards he was joined by -a bird of the year. Others followed, coming in from different quarters; -and there were, in a little while, five or six of them upon the tree. -One of these now discovered me, and the alarm was given. The singular -cry of the old bird ceased, and they all began to exhibit uneasiness and -a disposition to fly; whereupon I shot the old bird, as I had resolved -to secure him at all events. On rejoining my companion, he could not at -first believe me to be serious, when I told him the sound we had heard -had proceeded from the old cock that I presented to him, and who had -been calling his family together at the close of day in the manner I -have described. On my return to camp, I entered in my note-book the -following description which I took from this bird:— - -“Length 23 inches, 6 lines; alar stretch, 26 inches; tail, 11 inches; -tarsus, 2 inches, 7 lines. The bill similar to that of the common fowl, -but longer on the ridge and more curved at the point; the upper mandible -light slate blue, the lower yellowish, but brown near the base; legs and -feet blackish slate color; the nails black; the irides dark hazel; the -chin devoid of feathers, and its skin, which is of an orange-red color, -approximating in looseness to the gills of the common fowl; general -color above, a brownish olive, with dark green reflections, deepest on -the head; breast and belly light rufous, with whitish longitudinal -pencillings; tail (of twelve feathers) darker than the back, and with a -broad terminal band of dull white; wings dusky olive. A male; a very -fine specimen, killed near Encinal, Dec. 30, 1846. - -“A remarkable feature in the _poliocephala_ is the eye, which in the -living bird is full of courage and animation—it is equal, in fact, in -brilliancy to that of the finest game cock. - -“I frequently noticed this bird domesticated by the Mexicans at -Matamoras, Monterey, &c., and going at large about their gardens. I was -assured that in this condition it not unfrequently crossed with the -common fowl; but I did not see the progeny. - -“In the wild state, the eggs are from six to eight, never exceeding the -last number. They are white, without spots; and rather smaller than a -pullet’s egg. The nest is usually made on the ground, at the root of a -large tree, or at the side of an old log, where a hole several inches -deep is scratched in the ground; this is lined with leaves, and the eggs -are always carefully covered with the same when the female leaves them -for the purpose of feeding. If disturbed while on her nest, she flies at -the intruder with all the spirit and determination of the common -domestic hen, whose retreat has been invaded.” - -This species has been noticed by several of the naturalists who have -recently made such important contributions to the ornithology of the -southwestern frontier of the United States. Specimens brought by Mr. -John H. Clark, were obtained near Ringgold Barracks, Texas. The fine -collection made in Texas and Mexico, by Lieut. D. N. Couch, of the -United States Army, contained specimens obtained in the State of New -Leon, in the latter country. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Ortalida. Merrem, Icones et Desc. Av. p. 40. (1786.) - -General form rather slender and lengthened; bill short, curved, rather -wide at base; aperture of the nostril large; wings short, rounded; -fourth, fifth, and sixth quills longest; tail long; tarsi moderate, -rather robust; colors usually plain. A genus of American birds, -containing about fifteen species. - - Ortalida poliocephala. (Wagler.) - Penelope poliocephala. Wagler, Isis, 1830, p. 1112. - -Form. Bill short, curved; wing short, rounded; first quill short, sixth -slightly longest; secondaries long and broad; tail long, graduated; -external feathers nearly three inches shorter than those in the middle; -tarsi moderate, rather robust, and having in front about ten wide -transverse scales; a bare space on each side of the throat from the -corners of the lower mandible; feathers of the middle of the throat -stiff and bristle-like; plumage of the head above somewhat elongated and -erectile, and with the shafts of the feathers slightly rigid and -hair-like, especially in front. - -Dimensions. Male.—Total length of skin, about 21 inches; wing, 8; tail, -10; tarsus, 2½ inches. - -Colors. Head above and neck dark greenish cinereous, the shafts of the -feathers in front black; back, rump, wing-coverts, and exposed portions -of quills, dark olive, slightly tinged with ashy; quills brownish black, -widely edged on their outer web with olive; tail dark glossy bluish -green, widely tipped with white; plumage of the middle of the throat -black, bare spaces on each side reddish orange; breast, sides, flanks, -and tibiae, dull yellowish green, very pale, and in some specimens -nearly white on the middle of the abdomen, and frequently tinged with -rufous on the flanks and tibia; under tail-coverts dark rufous, -frequently tinged with green; bill dark, light at the tip, especially of -the under mandible; tarsi light. - -Hab. Texas. Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philad., and Nat. Mus., -Washington. - -Obs. There is a general resemblance of several species of this genus to -each other, almost impossible to be pointed out in the limits of our -present article. The bird now before us may be recognised, however, -without difficulty, by its comparatively large size and the dark -cinereous color of its head and neck. - -Specimens of this bird in adult plumage are yet rarely brought in -collections, and we suspect is only attained in several years. - - - - - BERNICLA LEUCOPAREIA.—(Brandt.) - The White-necked Goose. - PLATE XLV. Adult Male. - - -On the western coast of North America, this is one of the most abundant -of the species of Geese. In California it appears regularly in the -course of its migrations in the spring and autumn, and at both seasons -is brought to the market in San Francisco, in large numbers. - -This bird is a near relative of Hutchins’ Goose, a well known species, -though not of common occurrence on the Atlantic coast. It is more -frequently met with in the larger rivers of the interior. From that -species our present bird may be easily distinguished by the white ring -around the neck, a character not mentioned in the descriptions given by -authors, nor represented in the plate in Mr. Audubon’s Birds of America, -of Hutchins’ Goose. The plate alluded to is the only one of the species -which has come under our notice, and is given with that eminent -naturalist’s usual great accuracy, but may not, we suspect, represent a -bird in mature plumage. This suspicion we have been induced to entertain -from an examination of the specimen figured by Mr. Audubon, for an -opportunity to make which we are indebted to the kindness of our friend, -Mr. J. P. Giraud, of New York, to whose fine collection it belongs. - -We are not, however, sufficiently familiar with Hutchins’ Goose, to feel -qualified to decide respecting the identity of the present species. - -This bird was first described by Prof. Brandt, a distinguished Russian -naturalist, who ascertained it be an inhabitant of the coasts of Russian -America. This author, and various others of Russia, have done much -towards elucidating the Natural History of Northwestern America, and in -some instances names given by them will be found to anticipate those of -Americans, especially in ornithology. - -As a species occurring on the coast of California, our present bird was -first observed by Mr. John G. Bell, of New York, whose collection made -in that country contained numerous specimens. Since that period, it has -been noticed by nearly all our naturalists, though nothing is recorded -of its habits or history. In fact, the water-birds of Western America -have by no means received sufficient attention, and contributions to -their history would be important additions to American ornithology. - - [Illustration: Plate 45 - The White-necked Goose - Bernicla leucopareius (_Brandt_)] - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Bernicla. Stephens, Cont. of Shaw’s Zool. XII. p. 45. (1824). - Bernicla leucopareia. (Brandt.) - Anser leucopareius. Brandt, Bulletin Acad., St. Petersburg, I., p. 37. - Desc. et Icones Animalium Rossicorum novorum. Aves, p. 13, pl. - 2, (1836.) - Anser Hutchinsii. Richardson, Fauna Boreali Americana, Birds, p. 470? - (1831.) - “Anser canadensis. Brisson.” Pallas, Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica, II., - p. 230. - -Form. Bill small, short, wide vertically at base; wing long, second -quill longest; tail short; legs short; toes moderate, fully webbed. A -protuberance on the edge of the wing near the shoulder. One of the -smallest of the species of this genus. - -Dimensions. Total length, male (of skin) about 23 inches, wing 15, tail -5½ inches. - -Colors. Head and neck glossy black; a large somewhat reniform patch on -each cheek, white, and a ring around the neck of the same (white) at the -termination of the black part. Entire upper parts fuscous, lighter on -the back, and with the feathers edged with paler and very dark, nearly -black on the rump; upper tail coverts white; quills and tail -brownish-black; secondaries edged outwardly with pale brown; breast and -abdomen glossy yellowish ashy, with transverse stripes of brown on the -sides; ventral region and under tail coverts, white; bill and feet dark; -under wing coverts and axillaries light ashy brown; the white ring -around the neck more or less interrupted behind; the white patches on -the cheeks separated by a narrow longitudinal band on the throat. - -Hab. California. Russian America. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philad. - -Obs. As stated in the preceding pages, this bird much resembles, if it -is not identical with, the species known as _Bernicla Hutchinsii_, from -which the most essential distinctive character is the white ring around -the neck. If identical, we have, at any rate, the gratification of being -the first to represent that species, in mature plumage. At present we -regard it as a distinct, though nearly allied bird. - -The date of the publication of Prof. Brandt’s first description we have -not succeeded in ascertaining, not having access to the Bulletin of the -Academy of St. Petersburg. The reference to the volume and page we copy -from his own citation, in his work above quoted, in which, however, the -date is not stated. - - - - - THALASSIDROMA FURCATA.—(Gmelin.) - The Gray Storm Petrel. - PLATE XLVI. Adults. - - -The little birds of the group to which that now before the reader -belongs, are known to seamen, wherever the English language is spoken, -as Storm Petrels, or “Mother Carey’s Chickens,” and have too, a -reputation, not without a tinge of superstition, of being the harbingers -of the storm and of maritime disaster. - -Of the many birds adapted by their organization to a life of adventure -on the ocean or its tributaries, and of which in fact during a large -portion of their lives they are almost as much inhabitants as fishes, -the Albatrosses and the Storm Petrels, or Mother Carey’s Chickens, -venture the most boldly. The birds of both these genera, though one -contains the largest and the other the smallest of marine birds, are -alike in this particular character, and are also alike known as -inhabitants of shores very remote from each other, and as wanderers over -immense extents of the ocean. - -Boldly directing their course far out on the sea, like their gigantic -relatives the Albatrosses, our present little birds are frequently to be -met with in nearly all latitudes usually traversed by navigators, and -are generally tempted to remain for a time in the wakes of vessels, and -about them, by the fragments of food to be gleaned from refuse thrown -overboard. Flitting as it were before the gale, with it, the appearance -of these birds may readily be coincident, or premonitory of its coming, -thus acquiring, and perhaps in some degree justly, the attributed -character of precursors. - -Several species of these birds are found on the coasts of the United -States. The most abundant and best known is Wilson’s Storm Petrel -(_Thalassidroma Wilsonii_), a bird which is perhaps to be regarded as -more nearly cosmopolite than any other, so extensive are its wanderings -over the surface of the ocean. It is of common occurrence throughout the -whole extent of the eastern shores of the continent of America, and it -has been repeatedly noticed and captured at various points on the coasts -of Europe and Africa, thus demonstrating a range over nearly the entire -Atlantic Ocean. In the Pacific also it is well known, though it is not -so abundant. Mr. Gould gives it as a bird of Australia; and the -naturalists of the United States’ Exploring Expedition in the Vincennes -and Peacock, record its appearance at various other points in the -Pacific Ocean. - - [Illustration: Plate 46 - The Gray Petrel - Thalassidroma furcata (_Gmelin_)] - -The histories of this, and of other American species of Storm Petrels, -are perhaps as well known as those of the sea-birds generally, and much -that is interesting may be found in the articles on them in the works of -our predecessors in American Ornithology; but we cannot allow the -present occasion to pass without availing ourselves of the kindness of -our friend, Charles Pickering, M. D., of Boston, one of the naturalists -attached to the Exploring Expedition, and justly ranked with the most -eminent of American Zoologists. - -With his characteristic liberality, Dr. Pickering has placed at our -disposal much valuable information relative to birds observed during the -voyage of the Expedition, especially on the western coast of North -America, and in other localities of interest, with reference to American -species. From his manuscript we copy the following in relation to -Wilson’s Petrel, which occurs under date of October 24th, 1838, and from -the latitude and longitude given, the nearest land was the coast of -Africa: - -“A stormy Petrel taken, which proved to be _Thalassidroma Wilsonii_, and -although this species and others of its genus have been constantly seen -during the voyage of the Expedition, this is the first specimen that has -been captured without having been injured, thus affording whatever -facilities can be obtained on shipboard for observing its manners. - -“I was rather surprised to observe that this bird was not only entirely -incapable of perching, but even of standing upright like birds in -general, and as I have seen birds of this genus represented, unless by -the aid of its wings. In standing, or rather sitting, the whole of the -_tarsus_ (commonly mistaken for the leg) rests on the ground, and it -walks in the same awkward position, frequently being obliged to balance -itself with its wings. By a more powerful exertion of its wings, -however, it was enabled to run along on its toes in the same manner as -it does over the surface of the waves. The absence of a hind toe, the -nails being but slightly bent and flat, and perhaps I may add, its -evidently being unaccustomed to this description of locomotion, seemed -to be the causes of its helplessness on its feet. - -“These birds have been numerous about us for some days past, and their -coursing over the water with flitting wings remind me of the actions of -butterflies about a pool. One of them was seen swimming, or at least -resting, on the surface. We have seen this species very frequently, -indeed almost daily, since leaving America, and scarcely any other -sea-birds, except in the immediate vicinity of the islands. It would -seem that it scarcely ever visits the land, except for the purposes of -incubation, and there can hardly be a better comment on its untiring -power of wing than the popular fable amongst seamen that it carries its -egg and hatches its young while sitting in the water. It does not sail -in the continued manner of the gulls and some other sea-birds, but moves -by rapidly flexing its wings something like a bat, and was continually -coursing around and in the wake of the vessel, generally in considerable -numbers, during much the greater part of the time that the Expedition -was in the Atlantic Ocean.” - -The curious fact that this bird cannot stand upright we do not remember -ever before having seen noticed. Of the specimen alluded to, Dr. -Pickering gives notes of a minute and evidently very careful anatomical -examination, which the limits of our present article will not allow us -to insert. They are, however, confirmatory, in most respects, of the -account of the anatomy of this species, given by Mr. Audubon, in -Ornithological Biography, V., p. 645. - -The bird before the reader in the present plate is an inhabitant of the -Northern Pacific Ocean, and is an interesting addition to the -ornithological fauna of the United States, made by the naturalists of -the Exploring Expedition, under command of Captain Charles Wilkes, to -which we have previously alluded. Though long known as a bird of the -coasts of Asiatic Russia and of Russian America, it had never before -been noticed on the more southern coast of Oregon, where it was found in -large numbers by the Expedition, and specimens then obtained are now in -the National Museum at Washington. - -This bird was first noticed by the celebrated Pennant, in Arctic -Zoology, Vol. II., p. 255, who called it the “Fork-tailed Petrel.” An -accurate description is given by him, but no further account of it than -merely stating “taken among the ice between Asia and America.” On the -faith of this description, Gmelin, in _Systema Naturæ_, as cited below, -gave the scientific name. Subsequently, Pallas mentions it as an -inhabitant of the coasts of Unalaschka and of the Kurile Islands. It is -also mentioned in the Zoology of the Voyage of the Sulphur, (London, -1844,) and very handsomely figured from specimens obtained at Sitka in -Russian America. - -To the journal of Dr. Pickering we have again to acknowledge our -obligations for a notice of this bird. First recording its occurrence on -the 26th of April, 1840, at sea, the distance from the coast of Oregon -being about 200 miles, he subsequently mentions it under date of 29th of -the same month, as follows: - -“In sight of the coast of Oregon. Great numbers of the gray -_Thalassidroma_ are to-day flitting around and in the track of the -vessel, very actively engaged in searching for particles of food thrown -overboard. Generally, this bird reminds us of _T. Wilsonii_, but the -wings seem longer, and its movements appear to be more rapid, and in -fact more like that of the larger Petrels, (_Procellaria_.) It -occasionally sails in its flight, but for the greater part moves by very -rapidly flexing its wings in the same manner as the species mentioned. - -“These birds proved not difficult to capture, and several specimens were -taken with a hook and line. They would dive a foot or two after the -bait, and made use of their wings in and under the water, from which -they apparently had not that difficulty in rising observable in the -Albatrosses. Though their powers of swimming seemed rather feeble, they -alighted in the water without hesitation. The dead body of one of their -companions being thrown overboard, they clustered around it with as much -avidity as around any other food. - -“The specimens obtained agree generally in color of plumage, being -nearly a uniform pale gray, with the abdomen sometimes paler or nearly -white, and generally showing a lighter bar across the wing, when -expanded. Uttered a faint note when taken on board.” - -At present we have no further information relating to this interesting -species. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Thalassidroma. Vigors. Zool. Jour. II., p. 405. (1825.) - -Size small; bill rather wide at base, compressed towards the end, and -abruptly hooked; lower mandible shorter; nostril elevated, tubular; -wings long, pointed, second quill usually longest; tail moderate, rather -wide, usually emarginate or forked; legs long, slender; tibiæ more or -less naked above the joint with the tarsi; toes rather short, fully -webbed. A genus comprising about twelve species, all of which are -strictly marine, and inhabit the various oceans of the world. - - Thalassidroma furcata. (Gmelin.) - Procellaria furcata. Gm. Syst. Nat. I., p. 561. (1788.) - Procellaria orientalis. Pallas. Zoog. Ross. As. II., p. 315. (1831.) - Thalassidroma cinerea. Gould. - -Form. Wing long; second quill longest; tail forked; legs shorter than -usual in this genus; under coverts of the tail long. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 8 inches; wing 6; tail 4 -inches. - -Colors. Entire plumage light cinereous or lead color; lighter, and in -some specimens, nearly white on the abdomen and under tail coverts; -lesser wing coverts darker; in some specimens nearly black; quills and -tail slightly tinged with brown; greater wing coverts and secondaries -pale on their outer edges; primaries nearly white on their inner edges; -bill and feet black. - -Hab. Coasts of Oregon, Russian America, Northeastern Asia, and the -Pacific Ocean. Spec. in Nat. Mus., Washington, and Mus. Acad., Philad. - -This bird belongs to a group of the genus _Thalassidroma_, of which _T. -marina_ is the best known species, an inhabitant of the Southern Pacific -Ocean, and figured by Mr. Gould as a bird of Australia. - -All the species of this group are characterised by cinereous plumage, a -strong distinctive character from the greater part of the birds of this -genus, which are of dark colors, and in some species nearly black. The -present bird does not, in any considerable degree, resemble any other -American species, and may be easily recognised. - - - - - SYLVICOLA KIRTLANDII.—Baird. - Kirtland’s Warbler. - PLATE XLVII. Adult. - - -Of the smaller birds of North America, no group exceeds that of the -Warblers, in variety and richness of color. It is, too, one of the -largest of the groups of our birds, embracing not less than forty -species, besides several which are South American. - -Migrating in the spring, and again in the autumn, these little birds are -known in the Middle and Southern States, for the greater part as -visitors only, though various species are residents during the summer, -which have been supposed to continue their journey much further north, -before undertaking the duties of incubation. The Blackburnian Warbler -(_Sylvicola Blackburniæ_), the Chestnut-sided (_S. icterocephala_), the -Yellow-backed (_S. Americana_), and several others, breed in the -mountains of Pennsylvania. The Prairie (_S. discolor_), the Blue-winged -(_Helinaia solitaria_), and two or three other species, are to be met -with every summer in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. The greater -number of species proceed further north, but much the majority of all -known as North American rear their young within the limits of the United -States, as well as in more northern countries; but by no means -exclusively in the latter, as is to be inferred from the representations -of various authors. The Black-poll (_S. striata_), raises its young in -the State of Maine. - -These birds are great favorites with collectors. Coming northward, as -many species do in the months of April and May, when excursions to the -woods are attended with such agreeable accompaniments, the short period -of their stay is the most deeply interesting of the ornithological -season, whether the object be to study birds in the fields and woods, or -only to procure choice specimens for the cabinet. In either case, the -observer or collector will find himself greatly tempted by these -attractive little birds, to the exclusion, probably, of others, not so -gay, perhaps, in plumage, but equally interesting in other respects. - - [Illustration: Plate 47 - Kirtland’s Warbler - Sylvicola Kirtlandii (_Baird_)] - -Bird-collecting is the ultimate refinement,—the _ne plus ultra_ of all -the sports of the field. It is attended with all the excitement, and -requires all the skill, of other shooting, with a much higher degree of -theoretical information and consequent gratification in its exercise. -Personal activity, not necessarily to be exerted over so great a space -as in game-bird shooting, but in a much greater diversity of locality, -coolness, steadiness of hand, quickness of eye and of ear, especially -the latter;—in fact, all the accomplishments of a first-rate shot, will -be of service; and some of them are indispensable to successful -collecting. The main reliance is, however, on the ear, for the detection -of birds by their notes, and involves a knowledge, the more accurate and -discriminating the better, which can only be acquired by experience, and -always characterizes the true woodsman, whether naturalist or hunter. - -This ability is of incomparable value to the collector. Whether in the -tangled forest, the deep recesses of the swamp, on the sea-coast or in -the clear woodlands, on the mountain or in the prairie, it advises him -of whatever birds may be there, or affords him a higher gratification, -announcing the presence of a bird that he does not know. We recognise no -more exquisite pleasure than to hear a note that we are not acquainted -with in the woods. It is in the latter case, too, that the cultivated -quickness of eye of the experienced collector is especially important, -and his coolness and steadiness of nerve is fully tested. It will not do -to be flustered. But in fact all these qualities must be possessed for -the acquirement of the smaller species of birds found in the woodlands. -Some species of Warblers, for instance, are constantly in motion in the -pursuit of insects, and are most frequently met with in the tops of -trees, and are, moreover, only to be killed with the finest shot, or -they are spoiled for specimens. The obtaining of these little birds -often requires the most accurate and skilful shooting. - -There are comparatively few superior ornithological woodsmen, though we -are inclined to believe more amongst the naturalists of this country, -than of any other. There are some who never learn, though shooting for -years; and passages constantly occur in the works of authors, -notwithstanding their professions, and however honestly such may have -been made, exciting immediate suspicion that they were really little -skilled in woodcraft. We know men who have long been bird-collectors, -but who have never acquired the ability to distinguish species by their -notes, nor in fact otherwise to any considerable extent. On the other -hand, we have gone repeatedly on excursions of several miles, in company -with naturalists and accomplished woodsmen, for the sole purpose of -hearing the note of a single species with which they had not before had -an opportunity of becoming acquainted. This has been especially the case -with reference to the Prairie Warbler (_Sylvicola discolor_), which is -always to be met with in the summer, in the sandy thickets and in -neglected fields in New Jersey, and has several notes very peculiar and -characteristic. - -It is by no means desirable, however, to be exclusively a naturalist of -the woods, and in fact the greatest degree of accomplishment that can be -acquired in this line, entitles one to but a very humble rank as a -cultivator of Zoology. There must be a combination of theoretical and -practical acquirements, and the gratification of the practical -naturalist or the collector will be exactly in proportion to his -scientific or systematic information, to be obtained only in the museum -and the library. There is an indescribably pitiful display of ignorance -and meanness of idea in arrogating, as some writers have done, a -superior position for the “field-naturalist” over the -“closet-naturalist.” As well might he who navigates a ship presume on -being the greatest of astronomers, or the practical gauger pretend to be -the only mathematician. Great is life in the woods, say we, and the -greatest of all sports is bird-collecting; but, to become a scientific -ornithologist, is quite another business, and a very much more -considerable consummation. But we have digressed from the Warblers. - -In the neighborhood of the cities, and in fact throughout the Middle and -Northern States, during the last of April and the whole of May of every -year, numerous species of Warblers are to be found in abundance. It -happens occasionally though, that a species, usually common, is scarcely -to be seen in the whole season, and sometimes is rare for several -seasons in succession. The Black-throated blue Warbler (_Sylvicola -canadensis_), for instance, is generally very abundant in Pennsylvania -in May, and so is the Chestnut-sided (_S. icterocephala_); but we have -noticed seasons in which all the collectors of Philadelphia would -scarcely obtain a specimen of either. It sometimes happens, too, that a -species makes its appearance in considerable numbers, and then is of -much less common occurrence for years. This was the case with the -Blackburnian Warbler in May, 1840. That beautiful little bird was so -abundant, that our early and intimate friend, the late Mr. William R. -Spackman, then anxious to collect for the purposes of general study and -for exchanges, shot upwards of twenty specimens during a morning’s -excursion in company with us near Kaighn’s Point, New Jersey; and had -they been wanted, could readily have obtained a much larger number in -the afternoon, or, as termed by bird-collectors in common with -sportsmen, during “the evening fly.” It continued very plentiful through -the entire spring migration, but we have not seen it so abundant more -than once since, though fifteen years have elapsed. - -Very erroneous impressions relative to the rarity of several species of -Warblers, have been created by statements which have found their way -into the works of both Wilson and Audubon. For instance, the former of -these celebrated authors says of the Chestnut-sided Warbler:—“In a whole -day’s excursion it is rare to meet with more than one or two of these -birds;”—the latter, at the time of the publication of the first volume -of his Ornithological Biography (1831), had met with this bird once only -(Orn. Biog. I., p. 306), and so it stands printed in his octavo edition -of “The Birds of America,” (II., p. 35, 1840.) These rather -extraordinary statements have caused the useless destruction of very -many specimens of this little bird, particularly by young collectors, -under a false estimate of its scarcity in collections, or value for the -purposes of science. There have been few months of May in the last -twenty years, in which any person of moderate skill as a collector of -birds, could not have obtained, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, as many -specimens of the Chestnut-sided Warbler as would have supplied all the -Museums in the world. - -Again, in the months of September and October, Warblers are abundant in -our woods, but the plumage of many species is materially altered from -that of Spring. The student of ornithology must by no means, however, -neglect to become acquainted with it, and will find this knowledge -exceedingly valuable and interesting, as he advances in this branch of -science. - -The bird represented in the plate now before the reader, is one of the -rarest as yet of the North American species of Warblers. Like several -others that are well established as species, it has been obtained once -only, which was in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, by Professor J. P. -Kirtland, of that city, who presented it to Professor Baird, by whom its -discovery was first announced in the Annals of the New York Lyceum, as -cited below. - -This species is related to the Yellow-crowned Warbler, or Myrtle Bird, -as it is sometimes called (_Sylvicola coronata_), a common species of -the United States, and to Audubon’s Warbler (_S. Auduboni_), a Western -species, but differs from them in strong and unmistakable characters. It -is probably a species inhabiting the more Western regions of the -continent of North America. - -We are informed by Prof. Kirtland, that the specimen alluded to was shot -in the woods near Cleveland, and, so far as observed, was not noticed to -differ in habits essentially from _S. coronata_, or other of our species -of Warblers usually found migrating in the Spring. Though it was -captured in the Spring of 1852, and the species has been carefully -looked for ever since at the same season, it has never again been -observed. - -The figure in our plate is about two-thirds the size of life. - -The plant represented is a species of _Penstemon_ from Texas, raised in -the Horticultural establishment of Mr. Robert Kilvington, of this city. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Sylvicola. Swainson. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, p. 204. (1831.) - -Size small; bill moderate, slightly curved, tapering gradually to the -tip, slightly notched; wings rather long; second and third quills -usually longest; tail moderate, or rather long, usually emarginate; legs -rather long, slender. An American genus, embracing a large number of -species, nearly all of which are of bright or gay colors. - - Sylvicola Kirtlandii. Baird. Ann. Lyc. Nat. Hist., N. Y., V., p. 218. - (1852.) - -Form. About the size of _S. coronata_. Rather large for this genus; bill -straight; wing moderate; third quill slightly longer than the second; -tail rather long, emarginate; legs slender. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) male, 5½ inches; wing 2¾; tail 2½ -inches. - -Colors. Entire upper part, bluish-ashy; on the head and back nearly -every feather having a longitudinal line of black; front and space -before and under the eye, black; quills dark-brown, paler on their outer -edges; tail brownish-black, several of the outer feathers having a white -spot each on their inner webs; entire under parts pale-yellow, with -small spots of black most numerous on the breast and sides, and obsolete -on the throat and middle of the abdomen; under tail coverts nearly -white; bill and feet dark. - -Hab. Northern Ohio. - -This bird bears an evident relationship to _Sylvicola coronata_, and to -_S. Auduboni_, from either of which it may at once be distinguished by -the entire absence of the yellow rump which characterises both the -species mentioned. It does not, however, resemble either of them to such -extent as to render a minute statement of comparative characters -necessary. The specimen above described is not in entirely mature -plumage. - -We most cordially concur in the justice of naming this handsome little -bird in honor of our friend, Professor Jared P. Kirtland, M. D., of -Cleveland, Ohio; a gentleman who, to a reputation in private life most -exemplary and unexceptionable, adds high distinction as a naturalist and -pioneer of the Zoological Sciences in the Western United States. - -To our friend, Thomas M. Brewer, M. D., of Boston, we are indebted for -much valuable information on the incubation and breeding places of many -of the Warblers of the United States. This interesting department of -Ornithology has been a special matter of research with Dr. Brewer for -many years; and we are happy to learn that his great work on the Oology -of North America is shortly to appear under the auspices of the -Smithsonian Institution. We venture to say that no more valuable -contribution to American Zoology has ever appeared. - - [Illustration: Plate 48 - The Orange-breasted Warbler - Sylvicola olivacea (_Giraud_)] - - - - - SYLVICOLA OLIVACEA.—(Giraud.) - The Orange-breasted Warbler. - PLATE XLVIII. Adult. - - -Of this handsome and peculiar-looking Warbler, unfortunately we can say -very little. It is known as a bird of Mexico, but has been noticed -within the limits of the United States, as yet, in one instance only, -having been received from Texas by our friend, Mr. Jacob P. Giraud, -Jun., of New York. At the period of its receipt it was unknown to -ornithologists, and it was accordingly described by Mr. Giraud, with -other new and interesting species, in his “New Species of Birds of North -America.” - -Since the time of the discovery of this bird, we have looked for it, -with constant interest, amongst the many new and little-known birds -collected by American naturalists in Texas, but in vain. It has not yet -appeared again, and is to be regarded as one of the now numerous birds -of our country, of which the history remains to be written by the future -naturalist. - -The Baron Du Bus, an ornithologist of Belgium, has received this bird -from Mexico; and specimens, also from that country, are in the -collection of the Philadelphia Academy. The short notice of it by the -author just mentioned in the Bulletin of the Royal Academy of Brussels, -contains no account of its history or of its habits; nor have we any -information from other sources. From the fact of its visiting Texas in -the summer, however, we infer that it is a species of which the Southern -range probably extends into Central or perhaps South America. - -In general appearance, this bird somewhat resembles the Prothonotary -Warbler (_Helinaia protonotaria_), of the United States, but is much -darker colored, and it does not belong to the same group or sub-genus. - -The figure in our plate is about two-thirds the natural size. - -The plant represented is a species of _Asclepias_ from Texas, raised -from the seed by our friend, Mr. Kilvington. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Sylvicola. Swainson. Faun. Bor. Am. Birds, p. 204. (1831.) - Sylvicola olivacea. (Giraud.) - Sylvia olivacea. Giraud. New species of N. A. Birds, p. 14, pl. 7, - fig. 2. (1841.) - Sylvia tæniata. Du Bus. Bull. Acad., Brussels, XIV., p. 104. (1847.) - -Form. About the size of _Sylvicola æstiva_. Bill slender; wing rather -long, pointed; second and third quills longest, and nearly equal; tail -moderate, emarginate; tarsi long, slender. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 4¾ inches; wing 3¼; tail 2¼ -inches. - -Colors. Entire head, neck, and breast, dark orange, inclining to rufous, -lighter on the throat; through the eye to the ear, a band of black; back -and rump ashy-olive; quills brownish-black, edged on their outer webs -with yellowish-olive, and on their inner webs with white; tail -brownish-black, the outer feathers with a spot of white on their inner -webs near the end; wing coverts brownish-black tipped with white, -forming two conspicuous bars on the wing; abdomen and under tail -coverts, pale greenish-ashy, nearly white in the middle of the former; -under wing coverts white, tinged with ashy; bill dark, lighter at base -of under mandible; tarsi dark. - -Hab. Texas. Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -This bird presents some affinities and resemblance to the _Sylvicola -protonotarius_ of the Southern United States, but is much darker -colored, and may readily be distinguished from that or any other species -with which we are acquainted. - - [Illustration: Plate 49 - The Great-crested Woodpecker - Dryotomus imperialis (_Gould_)] - - - - - DRYOTOMUS IMPERIALIS.—(Gould.) - The Great-crested Woodpecker. - PLATE XLIX. Adult Male. - - -Though not clearly made out as a bird entitled to a place in the -ornithological fauna of the United States, we have given the plate now -before the reader on grounds regarded as sufficient for the introduction -of descriptions of this magnificent species into the works of other -American authors, though it has never before been figured. - -This is the largest of all known Woodpeckers, and is one of the most -beautiful in plumage. It belongs strictly to the same group or genus as -other large American species. - -Though originally described by Mr. Gould as from California, and -subsequently supposed by Dr. Townsend and Mr. Audubon to have been seen -by the former in the Rocky Mountains, it has escaped the attention of -all recent American travellers and naturalists. The specimens in the -collection of the Philadelphia Academy are labelled as having been -collected in Mexico. It is probable that this fine bird is an inhabitant -of the dense forests, the trees of which attain such enormous dimensions -in the western regions of North America, a supposition coinciding with -Dr. Townsend’s observations on the species seen by him, from which we -shall present an extract in the course of the present article. - -In the immense forests which skirt the slopes of the Rocky Mountains in -the possessions of the United States, and of the Sierra Madre in Mexico, -we find a congenial locality for this giant of his tribe. In those -regions the trees are not less gigantic, travellers of unquestioned -veracity having given two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty -feet as a heighth frequently to be observed. - -The first notice of this bird by an American naturalist is in Mr. -Audubon’s Ornithological Biography, V., p. 313, who merely publishes a -note from Dr. Townsend, which was his only information respecting it, -except Mr. Gould’s description. It will be seen that Dr. Townsend did -not succeed in obtaining specimens, though it is in all respects -probable that the species now before us is alluded to by him in the -following, which we take the liberty of copying from Mr. Audubon, as -above: - -“On the 14th of August, 1834, I saw several specimens of a large black -Woodpecker, about the size of _Picus principalis_. A broad band of white -appeared to extend transversely across the wings and back. It inhabited -the tall pine trees, and was very shy. The note was almost exactly that -of the Red-headed Woodpecker; so nearly, that at first Mr. Nuttall and -myself were both deceived by it. - -“I lingered behind the party, which at that time was travelling rapidly, -and at last got a shot at one of them with slugs, my large shot having -been entirely expended. The bird fell wounded in a thicket at a -considerable distance. I searched for an hour without finding it, and -was at last compelled to relinquish it and follow the party, which had -been leaving me at a rapid trot, to find my way as I best could, and -keep out of the reach of Indians, who were dogging us continually.” - -On reference to Dr. Townsend’s Narrative, (p. 123,) it will be seen that -this incident occurred on the Mallade River, in the Rocky Mountains. -Though he states that the bird mentioned by him was “about the size of -_Picus principalis_,” which is the Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the -Southern States, it must be borne in mind that he saw it at a distance -only, and was therefore readily mistaken. The present bird is very -considerably larger than that species. - -In Dr. Pickering’s notes we find one allusion which is very probably to -this bird:—“A very large Ivory-billed species of _Picus_ was spoken of -by Dr. Marsh as having been occasionally seen by him. It is larger, he -says, than any other Woodpecker of the United States, and is very -difficult to approach. It is probably the new California species -described by Mr. Gould a few years since.” - -This memorandum occurs in that portion of Dr. Pickering’s journal kept -in California, and we have no doubt relates to the bird now before us. -To the gentleman mentioned, Dr. Marsh of San Joaquim, California, Dr. -Pickering frequently acknowledges his obligations for information, which -is often of high value, and is of evident reliability. - -We have now given the only two instances, mere glimpses as it were, in -which this large Woodpecker has come under the notice of American -travellers or naturalists in its native localities. It is to be -regretted that such is the case, and perhaps somewhat extraordinary, on -account of its conspicuous size and colors; but it is expressly stated -to be of a shy disposition, and difficult to obtain. Its well known -existence in California, and the fact that so few of our naturalists -have observed or heard of it, is additional evidence of the yet partial -character of our knowledge of the ornithology of that country. - -Mr. Gould’s description of this bird is in the Proceedings of the -Zoological Society of London for 1832, p. 140; and, with the statement -accompanying it, is the only notice of this species that has yet -appeared in Europe. The latter is as follows:— - -“Specimens were exhibited of a species of Woodpecker hitherto -undescribed, which has recently been obtained by Mr. Gould, from that -little explored district of California which borders the territory of -Mexico. The exhibition was accompanied by a communication from Mr. -Gould, in which, after some general remarks on the _Picidæ_ and their -geographical distribution, he referred to the species before the -Committee as possessing the characters of the genus _Picus_ in their -most marked development, together with the greatest size hitherto -observed in that group. In this respect it as far exceeds the -_Ivory-billed Woodpecker_ of the United States _Picus principalis_, as -the latter does the _Picus martius_ of Europe. - -“This species is readily distinguishable from the _P. principalis_, by -its much larger size, by the length of its occipital crest, the pendent -silky feathers of which measure nearly four inches, by the absence of -the white stripe which ornaments the neck of that bird, and by the -bristles which cover its nostrils being black, whereas those of the -_Picus principalis_ are white.” - -These notices comprise, at present, all that is known of the largest and -one of the handsomest of Woodpeckers. Its history, yet to be written, -will be a highly interesting contribution to the ornithology of the -United States. - -Several specimens of this bird, in the collection of the Philadelphia -Academy, are stated on their labels to be from Mexico, without other -note or indication. All of them were obtained in Europe by our -distinguished patrons, Messrs. Thomas B. and Edward Wilson. - -The adult male is represented in the present plate. The female differs -essentially only in having the crest black instead of scarlet. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Dryotomus. Swainson. Lardner’s Cyclopedia, Birds, II., p. 308. - (1837.) - -Size large; bill straight, long, wide at base, very strong; wings long, -third and fourth quills usually longest; tail long, graduated, rigid; -legs short; tarsi distinctly scaled; toes rather long, outer hind toe -longest, claws strong, compressed; feathers of the head behind elongated -and crest-like; colors generally black, white, and scarlet; contains -species of both the old and new world, amongst which are the largest of -the _Picidæ_. - - Dryotomus imperialis. (Gould.) - Picus imperialis. Gould. Proc. Zool. Soc., London, 1832, p. 140. - -Form. The largest of Woodpeckers; bill long, wide at base, three -distinct ridges on the upper mandible; wing long, primaries narrow, -third and fourth longest; tail rather long, graduated, middle feathers -longest; all the feathers of the tail narrow, rigid; tarsi moderate, -strong, scales in front very distinct; toes long, claws strong, curved, -compressed; general organization very strong; crest-like feathers long. - -Dimensions. Male. Total length (of skin) about 23 inches; wing 12½; tail -9½; bill to the corner of the mouth 4; tarsus 2 inches. - -Colors. Male. Elongated feathers of the head or crest, bright scarlet; -interscapular feathers, outer two-thirds of secondaries, and inner edges -of shorter primaries, white; under wing coverts white; all other parts -of the plumage deep black, with a greenish lustre; bill yellowish-white; -tarsi and toes dark; secondaries at their bases black; bristle-like -feathers at the base of upper mandible black. Female similar to the -male, but rather smaller, and with the crest black. - -Hab. Oregon. California. Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Acad., Philada. - -This gigantic Woodpecker is strictly of the same generic group as the -well known Ivory-billed Woodpecker of the forests of the Southern States -of this Union, and in some measure resembles it, but not in such degree -as to be readily confounded. The present bird is considerably the -larger, and is without the white stripes on the neck which are to be -found in the Ivory-billed. In both species, the females have the -elongated or crest-like feathers black. - -It is quite remarkable that this fine species has not been brought by -any of the naturalists or travellers who have visited, or at least -passed through its native forests. This fact tends to demonstrate the -truth of our views, occasionally expressed in the present volume, that -we have much yet to learn of the Ornithology of Western America. - - [Illustration: Plate 50 - The Short-tailed Albatross - Diomedea brachyura (_Temminck_)] - - - - - DIOMEDEA BRACHYURA.—Temminck. - The Short-tailed Albatross. - PLATE L. Adult Male. - - -This Albatross is the adult of the bird represented in plate 35, (the -Black-footed Albatross, _Diomedea nigripes_, Aud.) of the present -volume. At the time of the publication of the plate alluded to, and our -article accompanying it, we were not aware of this identity; but having -had our attention called to it by a distinguished European -ornithologist, we have, on careful re-examination and comparison, fully -confirmed its truth. So great a change taking place, however, in this -bird, from early age to maturity, the two figures only fairly represent -the species, of which that formerly given, as above, is the young bird. - -The common occurrence of this species on the coasts of California and -Oregon, was ascertained by the naturalists of the Exploring Expedition -in the Vincennes and Peacock, under command of Captain Charles Wilkes, -of the United States’ Navy; and its addition to the ornithology of North -America is one of many services to Zoology performed by that celebrated -and most important Expedition. In fact, of the many similar undertakings -of governments for the purposes of exploration and scientific research -within the present century, the expedition alluded to stands pre-eminent -in its contributions to Geographical and Zoological Science, a result to -be attributed to the enlightened and judicious exertions of its -distinguished Commander, and to the fact that it numbered amongst its -naturalists several of the most accomplished Zoologists of America. - -This Albatross probably inhabits the entire extent of the Pacific Ocean, -from the northern coasts of America and Asia to Australia. It is given -by Mr. Gould as a bird of the coast of Australia, though somewhat -doubtfully, and is very probably the species sometimes mistaken for the -Great Wandering Albatross (_D. exulans_), and found abundantly in the -vicinity of the Kurile Islands and the coast of Kamtschatka, and other -more southern coasts of Asia. It is smaller than the species just -mentioned, but otherwise much resembles it. That species, though -abundant in the southern hemisphere, does not apparently venture so far -north as the present bird. - -In a volume on Quadrupeds and Birds, by Mr. Titian R. Peale, which was -printed and partially distributed as one of the valuable series of works -on the scientific results of the Exploring Expedition of the Vincennes -and Peacock, we find the following in relation to the bird now before -us:— - -“Numbers of the Short-tailed Albatross were observed by the Expedition -on the Northwest coast of America, and this species is believed to be a -common inhabitant of all the Pacific Ocean, north of the Tropic of -Cancer. Specimens vary as much, or perhaps more, from each other, than -in the Wandering Albatross (_Diomedea exulans_), of the Southern Ocean, -and require several years to attain to their perfect dress. The changes -are regularly progressive. Until the second year the plumage remains of -a dark sooty-brown color, with black feet, and dirty flesh-colored bills -(which become black when the skins are dried), and in this state this -bird pairs and raises its first young; after this, cloudy-white spots -appear about the base of the bill, and white spots over and under the -eyes; the rump begins to show a conspicuous spot of the same; and the -bill turns yellow, with a tinge of carmine; the tip bluish; the legs are -then flesh-colored; and, finally, the back, wings, and tail, become -cinereous-brown; rump, head, and all the under parts pure white; a white -margin shows along the back-edge of the wing in flight; and a -cloudy-black spot generally remains in front of the eye. Thus, in some -years, the plumage of the body is changed from nearly black to a pure -snow-like white. - -“On the 20th of December we found this species breeding on Wake’s -Island. The single egg of each pair was laid on the ground, in a slight -concavity, without any lining material; both sexes take turns in the -duties of incubation, and neither the male nor the female abandoned the -nest on our approach, but walked around us in a very dignified manner, -and made but a few demonstrations of defence with their beaks, when -taken up in our arms. The eggs are white, of an oblong figure, nearly -alike at both ends, and measure four and two-tenths inches long, and two -and six-tenths inches in diameter. - -“The two sexes are alike in plumage, and do not vary much in size, -though the male is rather the larger. - -“This bird is usually silent, but sometimes quarrels with its fellows -over the offal thrown from ships, when it “brays” in much the same tone -as a jackass. It is easily caught with a hook and line, but owing to its -thick plumage and tenacity of life, it is difficult to kill it with -shot. - -“It was not our fortune to observe more than this one species of -Albatross in the North Pacific. It is subject to great variations of -plumage, as stated above, but is very distinct from the species of the -Southern Hemisphere. The Wandering Albatross (_D. exulans_), and the -Yellow-nosed (_D. chlororhynchus_), both of which, it has been asserted, -have been sometimes found in the Northern Oceans, we believe, on the -contrary, to be entirely restricted to the Southern hemisphere, or else -they would sometimes be seen in crossing the intermediate tropical -region. We saw both of those species, and also the Sooty Albatross (_D. -fusca_), as far south as latitude 57° 41′, which appeared to be nearly -their southern limit. Their northern limit of migration on the Atlantic -shores of South America is somewhere about the River La Plata, and on -the Pacific coasts about the southern parts of Peru.” - -In Dr. Pickering’s Journal this bird is alluded to frequently, and -especially as occurring at sea north of the Hawaiian Islands, and on the -coast of Oregon. His observations agree with those by Mr. Peale, above -quoted. - -This species is given by Messrs. Temminck and Schlegel, as a bird of -Japan, in their Fauna Japonica, and is well figured in its young -plumage, but they give no account of its manners or history. - -The figure in our plate represents the adult male, and was made from a -specimen obtained on the coast of Kamtschatka, now in the Museum of the -Philadelphia Academy, but precisely similar to others in the collection -of the Exploring Expedition in the National Museum, Washington city. - - - DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL OBSERVATIONS. - - Genus Diomedea. Linnæus. Syst. Nat., I., p. 214. (1766.) - Diomedea brachyura. Temm. Pl. col., V., p. (liv. 75, about 1828.) - Diomedea nigripes. Aud. Orn. Biog., V., p. 327. (1839.) - -Form. Very similar to _Diomedea exulans_, but much smaller; bill rather -long, strong, abruptly hooked at the end; wings long, pointed, first -quill longest; tail short; legs strong; toes long, fully webbed. - -Dimensions. Total length (of skin) about 28 inches; wing 20; tail 6 -inches. - -Colors. Adult. Primaries, greater wing coverts, tips of secondaries and -tertiaries, and upper edge of the wing brownish-black; tail white, -tipped with dark brown. All other parts, including the head and entire -body, white, usually in adult specimens tinged with pale yellow on the -head and neck. Under wing coverts white; bill pale reddish-yellow (in -prepared and dried specimen pale, dull yellow); legs pale flesh-color. - -Young. Entirely sooty-brown; lighter on the inferior parts of the body; -bill and feet dark; in more advanced plumage, variously spotted with -white, generally most observable around the base of the bill and on the -rump. - -Hab. Western coast of North America. Spec. in Mus. Acad. Philada. - -Of the smaller species of the Albatrosses, this is the largest and next -in size to the large _D. exulans_, which it much resembles in general -appearance. It may always, however, be readily distinguished from any -other species by the characters given above. Specimens occur in which -the pale yellow tinge of the head and neck is not distinguishable, but -usually it is a strongly marked character. - -It was by our friend, that distinguished ornithologist, Gustav Hartlaub, -M. D., Director of the Museum of the city of Bremen, that our attention -was first called to the fact of this bird and the Black-footed Albatross -being identical, and a re-examination suggested. Not for this only are -we indebted to the same gentleman, but for much advice and instruction -most encouraging and valuable, and a constant assurance of good feeling, -uninterrupted for years. Naturalists of all climes should work out their -mission in harmony and fellowship. It is often not so,—would that all -like Hartlaub cultivated and understood, as well as Science, kindness, -friendship, justice. - - * * * * * * * - -But we are at the close of our volume. Like the traveller at the end of -his day’s journey, or the husbandman when the sun has sunk behind the -hills, we willingly stop for repose, not without thoughts mainly, and -perhaps necessarily, retrospective, but agreeable. - -Reader! our barks have glided together for a period on the great stream -which carries us alike to our future destiny. Thou hast been to me as a -companion most pleasant, and an encourager. We have chatted, not always, -perhaps, with sufficient reverence, or possibly sometimes frivolously, -of the magnificence of our pathway,—of the mountain and the forest,—even -of the birds that sing in the branches. By no means without dignity of -subject,—the highest dignity attaches to all created things as the -realized ideas of Omnipotence. - -We could wish that some passages in our book were more clearly stated; -but there is little that we would erase. We aspire to no perfection, -much less have we accomplished any. Imperfection is a characteristic of -mankind. Man exists in this world as an intellectual being, in a -rudimental condition only. - -Trust not too implicitly in the delights of the wilds, nor of solitude. -They are temporary, and only to be as a teacher,—we must return ever to -social life as the ark of safety, bringing, we may hope, the -olive-branch of peace with knowledge. For all that I have said, or that -any one else has said, our greatest and truest interests are in society. -There only we acquire true cultivation and elevation. Science, -Literature, Art, the great civilizers, there only flourish. Betake -thyself not to the wilderness, or for a period only, and never longer -than forty days,—never!—if there is any help for it. - -We part now,—I would that it may be lover-like, oft promising to meet -again, and hoping ever,—parted already, as it were, and distant, -perhaps, by the length and breadth of our native land, or by the wide -waters of the Atlantic,—from my heart I waft to thee a blessing and a -farewell. - - - - - FOOTNOTES - - -[1]This name _Kelp_ is applied to species of marine plants of the genus - _Macrocystis_ which grow profusely in the sea on the Pacific coast - of the American continent. The species particularly alluded to as - abounding on the coast of California is one of the most gigantic of - plants, having been observed upwards of three hundred feet in - length, and occurs in such immense and dense masses as to present - formidable difficulties to the navigator. For this reason many - localities of this extraordinary plant have been carefully marked in - the charts containing the results of the Coast Survey now being made - by order of the Government of the United States. All the recent - travellers in California represent it as being cast on the shore in - large quantities by the action of the sea, and it could probably be - as readily applied to the production of Barilla (carbonate of soda) - as any other marine species of the vegetable kingdom from which, in - other countries, this important article of commerce is manufactured. - -[2]Nearly the whole of the Zoological portion of this important work is - omitted in the English edition (Quarto, London, 1843.) - -[3]Dec. 1853. - -[4]The works of this naturalist (who is Director of the Zoological - Museum in Dresden) are in the highest degree important, and in fact - indispensable to the ornithologist. In his great work, “The Complete - Natural History” (Die Volstandigate Naturgeschichte, Dresden and - Leipsic, now in the course of publication in parts), he has - undertaken to give plates of all known species of birds, and has - already published several thousand figures. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - -—Silently corrected a few typos. - -—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook - is public-domain in the country of publication. - -—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by - _underscores_. - -—Left, unresolved, the confusion between “Brown-headed Finch” and - “Western Swamp Sparrow”. - -—This attribution, with minor orthographic variations, appears on all - plates: - - - Drawn on Stone by W^m. E. Hitchcock - Geo. L. White, del. Lith^d. printed and Col^d. by J. T. 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