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","Full text of \"The bird boo","k : illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred North American birds,","also several hundred photographs of their nests and eggs\"","

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ransas","\fJLUMT","REFERENCE ROOM","T O be , *KEft","T. ROOM","From the collection of the","z n
z _ m
Prelinger
i a
oJibrary
p","San Francisco, Kalifornien","2006","REFERENCE","THE BIRD BOOK","PASSENGER OR WILD PIGEON","Female Male","\fYoung","ILLUSTRATING IN NATURAL COLORS","MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED","NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS;","ALSO SEVERAL HUNDRED","PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR","NESTS AND EGGS","BY
CHESTER A. REED, B. S.","GARDEN CITY NEW YORK","DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY","I9IS","Copyright, 1914, by
CHARLES K. REED
All rights reserved, including that of
translation into foreign languages,
including the Scandinavian",",-","\fBARN OWL","Tr^o^ V nneY --M^","\\oes <wdd\\e--fi%r","TOPOGRAPHY OP A BIRD","TABLE OF CONTENTS
Diving Birds. Order I. Pygopodes 10
Grebes. Family Colymbidas 11
Loons. Family Gaviidse 17
Auks, Murres and Puffins. Family Alcidae 21
Long-winged Swimmers. Order II. Longipennes 35
Skuas and Jaegers. Family Stercoraridse 35
Gulls and Terns. Family Laridae 38
Skimmers. Family Rynchopidse 58
Tube-nosed Swimmers. Order III. Tubinares 59
Albatrosses. Family Diomedeidae 59
Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels. Family Procellariidae 61
Totipalmate Swimmers. Order IV. Steganopodes 72
Tropic Birds. Family Phaethontidas 72
Gannets. Family Sulidae 74
Darters. Family Anhingidae 77
Cormorants. Family Phalacrocoracidae 78
Pelicans. Family Pelecanidae 83
Man-o'-War Birds. Family Fregatidse 86
Lamellirostral Swimmers. Order V. Anseres 87
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family Anatidae 87
Lamellirostral Grallatores. Order VI. Odontoglossae 115","\fFlamingoes. Family Phrenicopteridae 115","Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Order VII. Herodiones 115","Spoonbills. Family Plataleidae 115","Ibises. Family Ibididas 117","Storks and Wood Ibises. Family Ciconiidae 118","Herons, Bitterns, etc. Family Ardeidae 119","Cranes, Rails, etc. Order VIII. Paludicolaa 127","Cranes. Family Gruidse 127","Courlans. Family Aramidae 129","Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family Rallidae 131","Shore Birds. Order IX. Limicolse 137","Phalaropes. Family Phalaropodidae 137","Avocets and Stilts. Family Recurvirostridae 139","Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. Family Scolopacidae 140","Plovers. Family Charadriidas 161","Surf Birds and Turnstones. Family Aphrizidae 169","Oyster-catchers. Family Haematopodidae 170","Jacanas. Family Jacanidse 172","Gallinaceous Birds. Order X. Gallinae 175","Grouse, Partridges, etc. Family Odontophoridae 175","Turkeys. Family Meleagridae 178","Curassows and Guans. Family Cracidae 191","CONTENTS
Pigeons. Order XI. Columbae 192
Pigeons. Family Columbidae 192
Birds of Prey. Order XII. Raptores 198
American Vultures. Family Cathartidse 198
Hawks, Eagles, etc. Family Buteonidae 201
Falcons, etc. Family Falconidae 218","\fOsprey. Family Pandionidae 225","Barn Owls. Family Aluconidae 227","Owls. Family Strigidae 227","Parrots, Paroquets. Order XIII. Psittaci 241","Parrots and Paroquets. Psittacidae 241","Cuckoos, etc. Order XIV. Coccyges 241","Cuckoos, Anis, etc. Family Cuculidae 241","Trogons. Family Trogonidae 246","Kingfishers. Family Alcedinidae 247","Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, etc. Order XV. Pici 249","Woodpeckers. Family Picidae 249","Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Order XVI. Macrochires 262","Goatsuckers, etc. Family Caprimulgidse 263","Swifts. Family Micropodidae 268","Hummingbirds. Family Trochilidae 271","Perching Birds. Order XVII. Passeres 280","Cotingas. Family Cotingidae 280","Tyrant Flycatchers. Family Tyrannidae 280","Larks. Family Alaudidae 297","Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Family Corvidae 300","Starlings. Family Sturnidas 314","Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. Family Icteridae 314","Finches, Sparrows, etc. Family Fringillidae 324","Tanagers. Family Tangaridae 369","Swallows. Family Hirundinidae 372","Waxwings. Family Bombycillidae 375","Shrikes. Family Laniidae 376","Vireos. Family Vireonidae 378","Honey Creepers. Family Crerebidse 385","Warblers. Family Mniotiltidse 385","\fWagtails. Family Motacillidae 418","Dippers. Family Cinclidae 419","Wrens. Family Troglodytidae 423","Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidae 419","Creepers. Family Certhiidae 430","Nuthatches. Family Sittidae 431","Titmice. Family Paridae 431","Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidae 433","Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidae 442","Index . 450","BALTIMORE ORIOLE","DIVING ^IRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES","GREBES. Family COLYMBID^E","Grebes are birds haying a dueklike body, but with pointed bills. Their","feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and","having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body,","making it impossible for them to^rise an flight from the land. They rise from","the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured","sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After","having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they","are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they","generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally, stand up, supporting them","selves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most","expert aquatic birds that jwe. have, diving like a flashtarid swimming for an in","credible distance under 'water.","10","DIVING BIRDS","1. WESTERN GREBE. Aech?nophorus occidentalis","\fRange. Western parts of North America, from","southern Alaska southward; east to Minnesota","and south in winter to the southern parts of the","United States and Mexico. Breeds from the Dakotas and northern California northward. These","are the largest of the American Grebes ; owing to","their unusually long necks, they are frequently","called \"Swan Grebes.\" They are very timid","birds and conceal themselves in the rushes on","the least suspicion of danger. At times, to escape","Holboell's Grebe","Chalky bluish white, stained buff","observation, they will entirely submerge their","body, leaving only their head and part of the","long neck visible above the water. This Grebe","cannot be mistaken for any other because of the","long slender neck and the long pointed bill,","which has a slight upward turn. They nest abundantly in the marshes of North Dakota and central","Canada. Their nests are made of decayed rushes,","and are built over the water, being fastened to","the rushes so that the bottom of the nest rests in","the water. The nesting season is at its height","during the latter part of May. They lay from Western Grebe","three to five eggs, the ground color of which is a","pale blue; this color is, however, always concealed by a thin chalky deposit,","and this latter is frequently stained to a dirty white. Size 2.40 x 1.55.","2. HOLBOELI/S GREBE. Colymbus holboellii.","Range. Throughout North America, breeding from northern United","States northward and wintering","from the middle to the southern","portions of the United States.","In regard to size this Grebe comes","next to the Western, being 19 in.","in length. This bird can be distinguished by the white cheeks and","throat and the reddish brown foreneck. They breed abundantly in","the far north placing their floating","islands of decayed vegetation in","the water in the midst of the","marsh grass. They lay from three","to six eggs of a dingy white color","\fwhich have the stained surface common to Grebes eggs. Size 2.35 x 1.25.
11","White, stained buff","Walter Raine","NEST AND EGGS OF HOLBOELL'S GREBE","Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba","12","3. HORNED GREBE. Colymbus auritus.","Range. The whole of North America, breeding","in the interior from North Dakota northwest;","winters along the Gulf Coast. This species is","one of the most beautiful of the Grebes, having","in the breeding season buffy ear tufts, black","cheeks and throat, and chestnut neck, breast and","sides. They breed abundantly in the marshy flats","of North Dakota and the interior of Canada.","Buffy white, nest stained","They build a typical Grebe's nest, a floating mass","of decayed matter which stains the naturally","white eggs to a dirty brown. The number of","eggs varies from three to seven. Size 1.70 x 1.15.","Data. Devils Lake, N. Dakota, June 20, 1900.","6 eggs much stained. Nest floating in 4 ft. of","water, a large mass of rotten rushes and weeds.","Collector. James Smalley.","<k EARED GREBE. Colymbus nigricollis.","\fcalifornicus.
Range. North America west of the Mississippi, breeding from Texas to Manitoba and wintering along the Pacific Coast of the United States
and from Texas southward.
Eared Grebes differ from the preceding in haying the entire neck blackish. They nest very
abundantly throughout the west, in favorable localities, from Texas to Minnesota and Dakota.
Their nests are constructed in the same manner as the preceding varieties and are located in similar localities. As do all
the Grebes when leaving the nest, they cover the eggs with the damp rushes from
.,, , around the base of the nest. This is prob,.- , ably for the purpose of assisting incubation during their absence, by the action \"of
. the sun's rays on the wet mass. As they
.are nearly always thus covered upon the
approach of anyone, this may be done also
as a protection from discovery. They lay
from three to eight bluish white eggs with
the , usual chalky and discolored appearance. The breeding season is at its height
early in June, or earlier, in the southern
portion of its range. Size 1.75 x 1.20. Data.
Artesian, S. Dakota, June 21, 1899. Nest
of rushes, floating in three feet of water.
Large colony in a small lake. Collector, F. A. Patton.
13","Horned Grebe","Eared Grebe","Bluish white, stained","\fNEST AND EGGS OF HORNED GREBE","Saltcoats Marshes, Assinibola, June 6, 1901","5. MEXICAN GREBE. Coif) nib us","dominicus brachypterus.","Range. Southern Texas and Lower California southward to South America, breeding throughout its range.","The Least Grebe is by far the smallest of","the Grebes in this country, being but 10 in.","in length; it can not be mistaken for any","other, the Eared Grebe being the only species of this family found in the same localities during the summer. These little Grebes","nest very abundantly along the Rio Grande","Deep huff or rich brown","Valley in Texas, the nesting season lasting","from the latter part of May until well into","December.","Their nests are floating piles of grass and","weeds upon which they lay from three to","five chalky white eggs, which are always","discolored, sometimes to a deep chocolate","hue. These eggs average a great deal darker in color than do any of the other Grebes.","In a series of fifty sets fully half were a","rich brown tint. Sl:;e 1.40 x .95.","6. PIED-BILLED GREBE. Podilymbus","podiceps.","Range. From the British provinces","southward to Argentine Republic, breeding","locally throughout the northern portions of","its range.","The Dabchick, as this bird is called, is the most evenly distributed bird","of this family. It is nowhere especially abundant, nor is it, except in a very","\fMexican Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe","few localities, regarded as rare. Consequently","the species. They do not congregate in such","Grebes during the nesting season, but one","or more pairs may be found in almost any","favorable locality. These birds render their","floating nest a little more substantial than","those of the preceding varieties by the addition of mud which they bring up from the","bottom of the pond; this addition also tends","to soil the eggs more, consequently the","eggs of this bird are, as a general rule,","browner than the other Grebes with the exception of the Least. The bird may always","be known by the shape of its bill which is","higher than it is broad, and in the summer","is white with a black band across the middle.","it is the best known bird of","large numbers as the other","Deep buff
The throat is also black at","this season. They lay from five to nine eggs commencing about the middle
of May. Size 1.70 x 1.18.
15","PIED-BILLED GREBE","LOONS. Family GAVIIDAE","Loons may be likened to gigantic Grebes from which they differ externally, chiefly in the full webbed foot instead of the individually webbed toes of","\fthe Grebe, and in the sharper, msore pointed and spear-like bill. These birds
are similar in their habits to the Grebes , except that their homes are generally more substantially built and are placed upon a solid foundation, generally upon an island in some inland lake.
Both Loons and Grebes are literally \"Water witches,\" being practically,
and in the case of Grebes, actually, born in the water and living in it ever
afterwards. Loons are strong fliers, but like the Grebes, because of their
small wings they must get their first impetus from the water in order to
rise; in case there is any wind blowing they also make use of this by starting
their flight against it. They are very peculiar birds and the expression
\"crazy as a loon\" is not a fanciful one, being formed from their early morning
and evening antics when two or more of them will race over the top of the
water, up and down the lake, all the while uttering their demoniacal laughter. They vie with the Grebes in diving and disappear at the flash of a gun.","EGG OF LOON
Dark greenish brown","==_ _","L.oon
Black-throated Loon","7. LOON. Gavia immer.","Range. North America north of the Mexican boundary, breeding from the northern","parts of the United States northward.","Unlike the Grebes, Loons do not build in","colonies, generally not more than one, or","at the most two pairs nesting on the same","lake or pond; neither do they seek the","marshy sloughs in which Grebes dwell, preferring the more open, clear bodies of","water. The common Loon may be known","in summer by the entirely black head and","neck with the complete ribbon of black and","white stripes encircling the lower neck and","the narrower one which crosses the throat.","The back is spotted with white. In some","sections Loons build no nest, simply scooping a hollow out in the sand, while in other","places they construct quite a large nest of","sticks, moss and grasses. It is usually plac-","\fed but a few feet from the waters edge, so","that at the least suspicion the bird can slide","off its eggs into the water, where it can cope","with any enemy. The nests are nearly always concealed under the overhanging","bushes that line the shore; the one shown","in the full page illustration, however, was","located upon the top of an old muskrat","house. The two eggs which they lay are a","very dark greenish brown in color, with","black spots. Size 3.50x2.25. Data. Lake","Sunapee, N. H., June 28, 1895. Nest placed","under the bushes at the waters edge. Made","of rushes, weeds and grasses; a large structure nearly three feet in diameter. Collector, H. A. Collins.","8. YELLOW-BILLED LOON. Gavia adamsi.","Range. Northwestern North America, along the Arctic and northern Alaskan coasts.","The Yellow-billed Loon with the exception of its whitish or yellowish bill","in place of the black, is practically otherwise indistinguishable from the","common Loon. It averages somewhat larger in size. This is one of the most","northerly breeding birds and it is only within a very few years that anything","has been learned about the breeding habits. Their nesting habits and eggs","are precisely like the preceding except that the lattr average a little larger.","Size 3.60 x 2.25.","9. BLACK-THROATED LOON. Gavia arctica.","Range. From northern United States northward, breeding along the Arctic","Coast.","This species can be easily separated from the Loon by the gray crown and","white streaks down the back of the neck. Its size, too, is about five inches","shorter. The nesting habits are the same as the Loons and the eggs have","rather more of an olive tint besides having the majority of spots at the","larger end. Size 3.10x 2.00.","18","10. PACIFIC Loox. Gavia pacifica.","Range. Western North America along the","coast chiefly, breeding from Alaska south to","British Columbia. In winter, south along the","coast to Mexico.","This species differs from the Black-throated","only in the tint of the head reflections. The","\fhabits are the same as those of the other members","of the family. They lay two eggs of a greenish","brown or greenish gray hue with black spots.","Size 3.10 x 1.90. Data. Yukon River, Alaska,","June 28, 1902. Nest of rubbish on an island;","found by a miner.","11. RED-THROATED LOON. Gavia stellata.","Range. Northern parts of North America,","breeding from southern Canada northward in the","interior on both coasts. South to the middle portions of the United States in winter.","This is the smallest of the Loon family, being","twenty-five inches in length. In plumage it is","wholly unlike any of the other members at all","seasons of the year. In summer the back, head","and neck are gray, the latter being striped with","white. A large chestnut patch adorns the front","of the lower part of the neck. In winter the","back is spotted with white, whereas all the others","are unspotted at this period. The nesting habits are","identical with the other species; the ground color","of the two eggs is also the same. Size, 2.00 x 1.75.","Pacific Loon
Red-throated Loon","PACIFIC LOON
Greenish brown or gray
19","J. A. Munro","NEST AND EGGS OF LOON","This nest is built on top of a Muskrat house","20","\fNEST AND EGGS OF PIED-BILLED GREBE","PUFFINS, AUKS and MURRES.","Family ALCID^E","Puffins, Auks and Murres are all sea birds and are only found inland when","blown there by some severe storm of winter. At this season numbers of them","are apt to lose their bearings and may sometimes be found with their feet","frozen in some of our inland ponds. Puffins are heavily built birds in appearance, but are very active both on the wing and in the water. Their wings are","much larger comparatively than those of the other members of this family,","so they are enabled to perform evolutions in the air, which are withheld from","the others. They stand upright on the sole of the foot and are able to walk","quite easily on land. Puffins have very heavy and deep but thin bills, which","are entirely unlike those of any other bird and often give then the name of","Parrot Auks. Puffins, Auks and Murres are otherwise recognized by the presence of but three toes which are webbed.","21","12. TUFTED PUFFIX. Lunda cirrhata.","Tufted Puffin
Puffin","Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska southward","to southern California, breeding locally throughout their range.","Tufted Puffins are the largest of the Puffins.","In the breeding plumage, they are a sooty brownish or black color; the cheeks are white, and a","long tuft of straw colored feathers extends back","from each eye; the bill is bright red and greenish yellow. They breed commonly on the Farallones, where two or three broods are raised by a","bird in a single season, but much more abundantly on the islands in the north. Their single","eggs are laid in burrows in the ground or else in","White","\fnatural crevices formed by the rocks. The eggs are pure white or pale buff
and are without gloss. They very often have barely perceptible shell markings
of dull purplish color. The eggs are laid about the middle of June. Size 2.80
x 1.90. Data. Farallone Is., May 27, 1887. Single egg laid in crevice of rocks.
Collector, W. O. Emerson.
13. PUFFIN. Fratercula arctica arctica.
Range. North Atlantic Coast, breeding from the Bay of Fundy northward.
Winters from breeding range along the New England Coast.
The common Puffin has the cheeks, chin and underparts white; upper parts
and a band across the throat, blackish. Bill deep and thin, and colored with
red, orange and yellow. They breed in large numbers on Bird Rock in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The nest is either among the natural crevices of the
22","DIVING BIRDS
rocks, or in burrows excavated in the ground by the birds.
These burrows vary in length
from two and a half to four
or five feet. Except upon the
positive knowledge of the absence of the bird, it is a
hazardous thing to put the
hand in one of these burrows
for the bird can, and will nip
the fingers, sometimes to the
bone. They lay but a single
egg, usually dull white and
unmarked, but in some cases
White obscurely marked with reddish brown. Size 2.50 x 1.75. Data. So. Labrador, June 23, 1884. Single egg
laid at end of burrow in the ground. Collector, J. H. Jameson.","13a. LARGE-BILLED PUFFIN. Fratercula arctica naumanni.","A more northerly subspecies of the last, inhabiting the Arctic region on the","Atlantic side. The bird is somewhat larger but otherwise indistinguishable","from the common species. The eggs are exactly the same or average a trifle","larger. Size 2.55 x 1.80. Data. Iceland, July 6, 1900. Single egg in hole under",".a rock. Collector, Chas. Jefferys.","14. HORNED PUFFIN. Fratercula corniculata.","Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska to British Columbia. The Horned Puffin","\fdiffers from the common in that the blackish band across the throat extends
upwards in a point to the bill. Their nesting habits are precisely the same as
those of the preceding species. A single pure white egg is laid; the shell is
slightly rougher than those of the others. Size 2.65 x 1.80. Data. Round Is.,
Alaska, June 24, 1884. Single egg laid at end of burrow in ground; no nest.
Collector, G. L. Kennedy.","15. RHINOCEROS AUKLET. Cerorhinca monocerata.","Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from British Columbia northward and wintering southward to Lower California.","The Rhinoceros Auklet or Horned Auk has a much smaller bill than the","Puffins; in the summer this is adorned at the base by a horn from which it","takes its name. There are also slender plumes from above and below the eyes.","Unlike the Puffins, these birds sit upon their whole tarsus.","They nest on islands of the North Pacific Coast from Vancouver northward.","A single egg is laid in crevices among the rocks or in burrows in the ground.","It is similar both in size and shape to that of the Puffins, but is often quite","heavily blotched with brown. Size 2.70x1.80. Data. Unak Is., Alaska, June","30, 1900. Egg laid in a fissure of the rocks; no nest. Collector, F. Weston.","23","Horned Puffin
Rhinoceros Auklet
Cassin Auklet","16. CASSIN AUKLET. Ptychoramphus aleuticus*","Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska to Lower","California, breeding nearly throughout its range.","A plain appearing bird about 9 in. in length,","with blackish upperparts relieved only by a white","spot over the eye; breast and throat gray and","belly white. This Auklet is fairly abundant on","the Farallones, breeding on the lower portions of","the island. The late Mr. C. Barlow says that it","is found in deserted rabbit burrows and in all","\fprobability often excavates its own burrows. It","also nests among the cliffs placing its eggs among","the rocks in any crevice or tunnel which may offer","a dark retreat during the day for they are nocturnal in their habits. The single egg which they","lay is dull white in color, the inside of the shell","being a pale green, which color can only be seen","by holding the egg to the light. They are generally slightly nest stained. Size 1.80 x 1.30.","Data. Coronado Islands, Cal., March 23, 1897.","Single egg laid on the bare ground at end of a","burrow three and one-half feet long. Collector,","E. A. Shives.","RHINOCEROS AUKLET
Color white, sometimes heavily blotched,
as above, and again unspotted
24","17. PAROQUET AUKLET. Phaleris psittacula.","Range. The Alaskan Coast, casually farther","south in winter.","This bird is about the same size as the preceding, and the plumage is similar, except that it","has no white spot over the eye, and the breast is","white. It also has a slender plume extending","from back of the eye. The bill is very peculiar,","being quite deep and rounded and having an upward tendency. It is orange red in color. They","Crested Auklet","White
breed very commonly on the islands of Bering
Strait. Their eggs are laid in the crevices of the
cliff, often several feet in and by a crooked path
so that it is impossible to reach them. The single chalky white egg is laid in May. Size 2.30 x
1.45. Data. Rocky Islet in the Aleutians, June","\f22, 1890, Single egg laid on bare rock in a deep Paroquet Auklet
crevice. Collector, Capt. S. Wilson.
18. CRESTED AUKLET. Aethia cristatella.
Range. Alaska Coast, Similar in form and plumage to the latter, except
that the whole under parts are gray and it has a crest of recurved feathers.
The nesting season begins in May, the birds nesting upon the same islands
and in the same kinds of sites as the last species. The single egg is chalky
white. Size 2.10x1.50. Data. Unak Is., Alaska, July 1, 1900. Egg laid in a
crevice among the rocks. Collector, F. Weston.
19- WHISKERED AUKLET. Aethia pygmaea.
Range. The Alaska Coast.
Much smaller than the preceding; but 7.5 in. in length. Breast gray, belly
white; a small tuft of recurved feathers on the forehead and slender white
plumes from base of bill over the eye and from under the eye, backwards. The
bill in summer is a bright vermillion color. On some of the islands of the
Aleutian chain they breed quite abundantly. The nests are placed back in
the crevices of the rocks, where the single white eggs are laid. Size 2.00 x 1.2
5.
25","V V
-v- V","20. LEAST AUKLET. Aethia pusilla.","Range. North Pacific on the islands and coast","of Alaska. This is the smallest of the Auklets;","length 6.5 in. This species has no crest, but has","the slender white plumes extending back from","the eye. The entire under parts are white sparsely spotted with dusky. This species is by far the","most abundant of the water birds of the extreme","Northwest, and thousands of them, accompanied","by the two preceding species, nest on the rocky","cliffs of the islands of Bering Sea. Their nesting","habits are the same as those of the other Auklets, they placing their single white egg on the","bare rocks, in crevices on the cliffs. Size 1.55 x","1.10. Data. Pribilof Is., Alaska, June 8, 1897.","Single egg laid in crevice. Thousands breeding","on the island.","\fWhite
21. ANCIENT MURRELET. Synthliboramphus
antiquus.
Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from the bordiLeast Auklet er of tne United States, northward, and wintering
Ancient Murrelet south to southern California.
Marbled Murrelet
The Murrelets have no crests or
plumes and the bills are more slender than the Auklets and are not ^-^ '-^ / J * liighly colored. The ancient Murrelet or Black-throated Murrelet, ^Bk '* . c - . . ... as it is also called, has a gray * * *V.* \\ f - ^ .
back, white under parts and a
black head and throat, with a broad
white stripe back of the eye and
another formed by the white on
the breast extending up on the side
of the neck. They breed abundantly on the islands in Bering Sea,
laying one or two eggs at the end
of burrows in the banks or on the
ground, and in some localities in crevices on the cliffs. The eggs are a buffy
white color and are faintly marked with light brown, some of these being in
the shape of spots and others lengthened. Siae 2.40 x 1.40. Data. Sanak Islands, July 1, 1894. Two eggs on the ground under a tuft of grass and in a
slight excavation lined with fine grass.
26","*/","Buff","23. MARBLED MURRELET. Brachyramphus marmoratus.","Range. North Pacific Coast,","\fbreeding from Vancouver Island. South in winter to south- , . f ,","ern California. /L :","In the breeding plumage,","this bird is brownish black","above, barred with rusty and","below is marbled with brownish","gray and white. Its nesting","habits and eggs are very similar","to those of the Ancient Murrelet, they placing their single","eggs in holes in the ground or Buffi","crevices among the cliffs. Size","2.20 x 1.40. Data. Chichagof Is., Alaska, June IS, 1898. Single egg in crevice","on face of cliff. Large colony breeding in company with Ancient Murrelets.","24. KITTLITZ MURRELET. Brachyramphus brevirostris.","Range. North Pacific Coast in the Aleutian Islands and north to Unalaska,","breeding on isolated islands","throughout its range. This species is very similar to the Marbled Murrelet, the chief difference being in the bill which is","shorted. They have been found","IL breeding on the same islands","|p with the preceding species.","Their single white egg is laid","in crevices in the cliffs. Size","2.40 x 1.30. Data. Sanak Is.,","Alaska, June 25, 1890. Nest in","a hollow under a bunch of rank","matted grass. Many ancient","Burrelets breeding on the same","Islands. Collector, Capt. Tilson.","25. XANTUS MURRELET. Brachyramphus hypoleucus.","Range. Resident along the coast of southern and Lower California.","This bird is blackish above and entirely white below, inculding the sides of","the head below the eye. The whole of <#&?\"","the under surface of the wing is also","white. They breed on the coast islands","from Santa Barbara southward. The single egg is laid at the end of a burrow","or in crevices among the rocks. It is a","pale buffy white in color and thickly, but","finely dotted over the whole surface with","purplish brown, and with some larger","\fspots at the larger end. Sise 2.05 v 1.40.","Data. Galapagos Islands, March 2, 1901.","No nest. Single egg laid in a crevice in","the rocks. Collector, Hollo H. Beck.","Pale Blue","26. CRAVERI'S MURRELET.","Brachyramphus craveri.
Range. Both coasts of Lower California, breeding chiefly on the Gulf side. Craveri Murrelet is
very similar to the last except that the under surfaces of the wings are dusky. Breeds on the islands near Cape St. Lucas, burrowing in the
ground as do most of the others of this species.
They lay a single egg, the ground color of which
is buff; they are quite heavily blotched with
brownish. Size 2.00 x 1.40.
27. BLACK GUILLEMOT. Cepphus grylle.
Range. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, breeding from Maine northward to southern Greenland. Guillemots are larger birds than
the Murrelets (length 13 inches) and their plumage is entirely different. This species in summer","Bluish white","Xantus Murrelet
Mandt's Guillemot
is entirely black except the wing coverts which
are white. The bases of the greater coverts,
however, are black, this generally breaking the
white mirror as it is called. The under surfaces of the wings are white. Legs red. These
birds breed abundantly on the rocky islands
and high cliffs along the coast. Soon after
the first of June the eggs are laid in the crevices of the rocks and sometimes upon the bare","\fledges. Two or three eggs make the set. The","ground color is a pale bluish or greenish white","and the markings are various shades of brown","and black. Size 2.40 x 1.60. Data. Grand","Manan, June 15, 1896. Two eggs laid in a","cavity back of large boulder. No nest. Collector, D. H. Eaton.","Black Guillemot","28","Murre","28. MANDT'S GUILLEMOT. Cepphus mandti.","Range. North Atlantic coast, more northerly than the preceding, breeding from Labrador to northern Greenland.","The bird differs from the Black Guillemot","only in having the bases of the coverts white","also. The nesting habits and eggs are identical. They nest in colonies of thousands and","place the' eggs upon the bare rock with no attempt at nest building. Generally the eggs","are in the crevices so as to be difficult to get","at. Size 2.30 x 1.55. Data. Depot Island, Hudson Bay, June 6, 1894. Two eggs laid on bare","rocky ground. Collector John Comer.","29. PIGEON GUILLEMOT. Cepphus columba.","Range. The Pacific Coast of North America, breeding from southern California northward. This bird is very similar to the Black","Guillemot except that the under surfaces of","the wings are dark. They breed abundantly on some of the islands of Bering","Sea and a few of them nest on the Farallones. They lay their two eggs on","the bare rock in dark crevices. The color is grayish or pale greenish blue","and the markings are brown and","black with paler shell markings of ,.**. .","lilac. Size, 2.40 x 1.60. Data. S.","Farallone Islands, Cal. Two eggs","\flaid on gravel at the end of a burrow, about two feet from the entrance and 285 feet above the sea
level. Collector, Claude Fyfe.
SO. MURRE. Uria troile troille.
Range. North Atlantic coasts
and islands, breeding from Bird
Rock northward. Murres are similar in form to the Guillemots, but
are larger, being about 16 inches
in length. Entire head and neck
sooty brown ; rest of upper parts
grayish black except the tips of
the secondaries which are white.","Pale bluish gray","Under parts white. These birds nest by","thousands on Bird Rock and on the cliffs of Labrador. They build no nests","but simply lay their single egg on the narrow ledges of cliffs, where the only","guarantee against its rolling off is its peculiar shape which causes it, when","moved, to revolve about its smaller end instead of rolling off the ledge. The","eggs are laid as closely as possible on the ledges where the incubating birds","sit upright, in long rows like an army on guard. As long as each bird succeeds in finding an egg to cover, on its return home, it is doubtful if they","either know or care whether it is their own or not. The ground color of the","eggs vary from white to a deep greenish blue and the markings of blackish","brown vary in endless patterns, some eggs being almost wholly unspotted.","Size 3.40 x 2. Data. South Labrador, June 19, 1884. Single egg laid on the","bare cliff. Large colony breeding. Collector, M. A. Granar.","29","30a. CALIFORNIA MURRE. Uria troille californica.","Range. -Pacific Coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska.","This Pacific form of the common Murre is the most abundant breeding bird","on the Farallones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for commercial","purposes and these islands being located, as they are, within easy distance","from San Francisco, thousands of dozens of the eggs are sold yearly, chiefly","to bakeries. Although continually robbed, their numbers have not as yet","diminished to any great extent. They lay but a single egg on the bare ledge.","Individual eggs are indistinguishable from the last species but in a large","series the ground color averages brighter. They show the same great difference in color and markings. The first set is laid in May, but owing to","their being so often molested, fresh eggs can be found during August. Data.","Farallones, July 4, 1895. Single egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E.","\fSlevin.","SI. BRUNNICH MURRE. Uria lomvia lomvia.","Range. North Atlantic Coast, breeding range the same as the common","Murre.","Varies from white to greenish blue","This species differs from the common Murre in having a shorter and thicker","bill, the base of the cutting edge of which is less feathered. They breed on","the same islands in company with the common Murre and their eggs are indistinguishable. Data. Coast of South Labrador. Single egg laid on ledge of","cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony.","DIVING BIRDS
3 la. PALLAS MURRE. Uria lomvia arra.
Range. The Pacific coasts and islands.
This is the Pacific form of Brunnich Murre. Its breeding range is more
northerly than that of the California variety. Countless thousands of them
breed on the islands off the coast of Alaska, their breeding habits and eggs
being the same as the more southern form.
32. RAZOR-BILLED AUK. Alca torda.
Range. North Atlantic coast, breeding from Bird Rock northward and
wintering south to the Middle States on the coast.","Grayish white
The Razor-billed Auk is in form similar to the Murres, but the bill is very
different, being deep and thin, and with the upper mandible rounded at the
tip. Entire upper parts black shading to brownish on the throat. Under parts
and tips of secondaries, white; line from eye to bill and another across the
middle of the bill, white. They nest in large numbers on Bird Rock in company with the Murres and in still greater numbers off the coast of Labrador.
Their eggs are not placed in as exposed positions as the Murres, being generally behind boulders or in crevices. This is necessary because, not being ( ^
of the pear-shaped form of the Murres, they would be very apt to be dislodged
if commonly placed on the narrow ledges. The eggs vary endlessly in marking but do not show the differences in ground color that the Murres do. The
color is white, grayish or buffy. But one egg is generally laid, although two
are sometimes found. Size 3.00x2.00. Data. Bay of Fundy. June 17, 1891.
Single egg laid on bare rock in a crevice under loose rocks. Collector, A. C.
Bent.","\f31",")
f","Great Auk
Dovekie","33.","GREAT AUK. Plautus impennis.","Range. Formerly the whole of the North Atlantic coasts. Now extinct.
These great auks formerly dwelt in large numbers on the islands of the North Atlantic, butowing to their lack of the powers of flight and
the destructiveness of mankind, the living bird
has disappeared from the face of the earth.
Although they were about thirty inches in length,
their wings were even smaller than those of the
Razor-billed Auk, a bird only eighteen inches in
length. Although breeding off the coast of Newfoundland, they appeared winters as far south as
Virginia, performing their migration by swimming alone. The last bird appears to have been
taken in 1844, and Funk Island, off the coast of
Newfoundland, marks the place of their disappearance from our shores. There are about seventy known specimens of the bird preserved, and
about the same number of eggs. The immediate
cause of the extinction of these birds was their
destruction for food by fishermen and immigrants,
and later for the use of their feathers commercially. The single egg that they laid was about 5.00 x 3
inches, the ground color was buffy white, and the shpots brownish and blackish. The markings varied in endless pattern as do those of the smaller Auk.
There are but two real eggs (plaster casts in imitation of the Auks eggs are
to be found in many collections) in collections in this country, one in the
Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, and the other in the National
Museum, at Washington. Through the kindness of Mr. Witmer Stone, of the
Academy of Natural Science, we are enabled to sohw a full-sized reproduction","\ffrom a photograph of the egg in their collection.","32","EGG OF THE GREAT AUK","Photographed from the specimen in the Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia","not more than ten or twelve of these eggs are in this country;","the one figured is one of the best marked specimens.","33","^ j THE BIRD BOOK","A Ji J
J. J. A","34*. DOVEKIE. Alle alle.","Range. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and East Arctic oceans, breeding in the","Arctic regions and wintering as far south as the","Middle States. The little Dovekie or Sea Dove is","the smallest member of the family, being only 8","inches in length, and is the only member of the","sub-family allinae. The form is very robust and","the bill is short and stout. In summer the plumage is black above; the throat and upper breast","Dovekie","Pale greenish blue","\fare sooty brown, and the under parts are white,","as are also the tips of the secondaries and edges","of the scapulars. They nest in large numbers","on the Rocky cliffs of islands in the East Arctic.","Their single pale greenish blue egg is placed in","a crevice of the rocks. Size 1.80 x 1.25. Data.","Greenland, June 8, 1893. Single egg laid in a","crevice of a sea cliff.","MURRE White, buff, or deep greenish blue","34","LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. Order II. LONGIPENNES","SKUA AND JAEGERS. Family STERCORARIIDAE","Skuas and Jaegers are birds having a Gull or Tern-like form and with a hooked bill, the base of which is covered with a scaly shield. They have webbed","feet and are able to swim and dive, but they commonly get their living by","preying upon the Gulls and Terns, overtaking them by their superior speed","and by their strength and ferocity forcing them to relinquish their food. The","Jaegers especially are one of the swiftest and most graceful birds that fly.","35","35. SKUA. Megalestris skua.","Range. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly on the European side; rare on the","Atlantic coast of North America.","Skuas are large (22 inches in length) and very","powerfully built birds, having the general form","of a Gull. Their whole plumage is a dingy brownish black color, palest below. Breeds in Iceland","and possibly on some of the islands in Hudson","Strait. The nest is a hollow on the ground in","Skua
Pomarine Jaeger","\fOlive brown
the marsh grass and is lined with grass. The
two eggs which they lay have an olive greenish
ground, spotted with dark brown. Size 2.75 x 1.90.","36. POMARINE JAEGER. Stercorarius pomarinus.","Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle, more","commonly in the Old World.","In the breeding plumage, this","Jaeger has the crown and face","blackish; back and sides of head,","throat and under parts pure white,","except the pointed stiffened feathers of the neck which are yellow.","Back, wings and tail blackish, the","latter with the two middle feathers lengthened about four inches","beyond the rest of the tail, and","broad to the tips, which are twisted so that the feathers are vertical. They breed throughout the","Arctic regions, but not as commonly in America as the following","species. The nest is on the ground D olive brown","in the marsh grass and is made of","grass and moss. They lay two and rarely three eggs of an olive brown or","greenish color. These are spotted with brown and black. Size 2.20x1.70.","36","LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS","37- PARASITIC JAEGER. Stercorarius parasiticus","Range. Northern Hemisphere, wintering south","to South America.","The Parasitic Jaeger is very similar to the","Pomarine except that the central tail feathers","are pointed and are straight instead of twisted.","It is an abundant bird in Alaska, breeding from","the Aleutian Chain northward.","They locate their nests in the highest parts","of marshy places, the nest itself being only a depression in the ground lined with grass and moss.","The two eggs have an olive greenish or brownish","\fground and are marked with various shades of","brown and black. Size 2.15 x 1.65.","Brownish","38.","Stercorarius","in winter to","LONG-TAILED JAEGER.
longicaudus.
Range. Arctic America ; south
South America Parastic Jaeger
The long-tailed Jaeger is, according to length, Long-tailed Jseger
the largest of the Jaegers, being 21 in. long; this is, however, due to the long
sharp pointed central pair of tail feathers, which extend about eight inches
beyond the others, and from the most noticeable distinguishing point from
the former species. The plumages that have been described are the light
phases; all the Jaegers have a dark
phase in which the plumage is a nearly uniform sooty brown, lightest below.
The Long-tailed Jaegers are the
most numerous in Alaska and are
even more graceful in flight than are
the Gulls and Terns, floating, skimming, sailing, plunging, and darting
about with incredible swiftness and
ease. Like the others of this family,
they pilfer their food from the Gulls,
and are also very destructive to young
birds and eggs. Their eggs are either
laid on the bare ground or in a
slight depression, scantily lined with
grasses. The eggs are indistinguishable from those of the preceding species
except that they average a trifle smaller. Size 2.10 x 1.50.
37","\fTHE BIRD BOOK","GULLS and TERNS. Family LARID^)","Gulls are webbed footed birds having a slight hook to the end of the upper","mandible. Their plumage is generally a silvery gray above and white below.","They nest in large colonies, some on the islands of fresh water inland, but","mostly on the sea coast. They procure their food from the surface of the","water, it consisting mostly of dead fish and refuse matter, and Crustacea which","they gather from the waters edge. When tired they rest upon the surface of","the water, where they ride the largest waves in perfect safety.","Terns are birds of similar plumage to the Gulls, but their forms are less robust and the bills are generally longer and sharply pointed. Their food consists chiefly of small fish which they secure by hovering above the water, and","then plunging upon them. They are less often seen on the surface of the","water than are the Gulls.","CHARACTERISTIC NEST OF A LOON","38","Walter","LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS
39. IVORY GULL. Pagophila alba.
Range. Arctic regions; south in winter to the
northern border of the United States.
The little Snow Gull, as it is often called, is
eighteen inches in length. In the breeding season the plumage is entirely white; the bill is tipped with yellow and there is a red ring around
the eye. These Gulls nest in large colonies in
the Arctic Regions, placing their nests on the
high rocky cliffs. The nest is made of grass,
moss and rubbish, and the three eggs are laid
during June. The eggs are olive color and the
markings are dark brown.
10. KITTIWAKE. Rissa tridactyla trydactyla.
Range. North Atlantic and Arctic regions,","\fbreeding from the Gulf of the St. Lawrence northward and wintering south to the Great Lakes and
Long Island.
The Kittiwake is sixteen inches in length, has
a pearly gray mantle, black tips to the primaries,
and remainder of plumage white. Its hind toe
is very small being apparently wanting in the
eastern form, while in the Pacific it is more developed. These are very noisy Gulls, their notes ;
resembling a repetition of their name. They are
very common in the far north, placing nests on
the ledges of high rocky cliffs, often in company
with Murres and Auks. They gather together a '
pile of sticks, grass and moss, making the interior cup-shaped so as to hold their two or three
eggs. Large numbers of them breed on Bird
Rock","Ivorv","Kittiwake","they occupying certain","ledges while the Gannets and","Murres, which also breed there,","also have distinct ledges on","which to make their homes.","The breeding season is at its","height during June. The eggs","are buffy or brownish gray and","are spotted with different shades","of brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data.","So. Labrador, June 15, 1884.","Three eggs. Nest made of seaweed and moss, placed on ledge","of cliff. Many Murres nesting","on other ledges.","*v","39","40a. PACIFIC KITTIWAKE. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris.","Range. Coast of the North Pacific, wintering","south to California.","The Pacific Kittiwake breeds in immense rookeries on some of the islands in Bering Sea. They","are well distributed over Copper Island where","they nest in June and July, choosing the high","ledges which overhang the sea. The nesting","habits and eggs are precisely the same as those","of the common Kittiwake.","11. RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. Rissa brevirostris.","Range. Northwestern coasts, breeding in high","latitudes.","This Kittiwake is similar to the preceding, with","the exception that the legs are bright red, the","mantle is darker, and the bill is shorter. This","species was found by Dr. Leonard Stejneger to be","a very abundant nesting bird on islands in Ber-","Red-legg-ed Kittiwake
Glaucous Gull Brownish buff
ing Sea, selecting steep and inaccessible rocks and ledges on which to build
its nest. Their nesting habits, are precisely the same as the Pacific Kittiwake,
but they most often nest in separate colonies, but can be distinguished readily
when nesting together by the darker mantles when on the nest and the red
legs when flying. Grass, moss and mud are used in the nest. The ground color
of the eggs is buffy or brownish, and the spots are dark brown and lilac.
Size 2.15 x 1.50.
42. GLAUCOUS GULL. Larus hyperboreus.
Range. Arctic regions, south in winter to Long Island, the Great Lakes, and
San Francisco Bay.
This Gull shares with the Great Black-backed Gull the honor of being
the largest of the Gulls, being 28 inches. in length. Mantle light gray; it is
distinguished by its size and the primaries, which are white to the tips. A
powerful zird that preys upon the smaller Gulls and also devours the young
and eggs of smaller birds.","\fThey nest on the ground on the islands and shores of Hudson Bay, Greenland, etc. The nest is made of seaweed, grass and moss and is generally quite
bulky. The two or three eggs are laid in June. They are of various shades of
color from a light drab to a brownish, and are spotted with brownish and
black. Size about 3 x 2.20.
40","LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS
42.1. POINT BARROW GULL. Larus barrovianus.
Range. Northwest coast from Bering Sea to Point Barrow.
This species is almost
identical with the Glaucus Gull, averaging per. * ^ \" . haps a trifle smaller.
* Its standing as a dis!CqB tinct species is still
- Ite questioned and has not
41 yet been decided satisl|lf, t factorily. Early in June
their nests are built on
remote islands in Bering Sea. These nests
are the same as the last
species, large piles of
vegetation, hollowed on
top for the reception of
the eggs. The eggs
have the same variations in color and markings as the Glaucus
Gull. Size 3 x 2.10.
Data. Her sch el Is.,
Alaska, July 1, 1900. Nest made of seaweed and grass; placed on the ground.
Three eggs. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer.","43.","ICELAND GULL. Larus leucopterus.","\fRange. Arctic regions, south in winter to","This Gull in appearance is precisely like","siderably smaller; 24 inches in length. A","breeding in colonies of thousands on many","the Middle States.","the two preceding ones but is convery common bird in the north,","of the islands. It is regarded as","one of the most common","-*^ ^r*s-^^ of the larger Gulls in Ber,> ^V- ing Sea and also nests","'-.^ commonly in Hudson Bay",".y'#*' ** -, and Greenland, as well as","'* ' . .-''* ^l % *-' *\"'**''% ; ^ in the Eastern Hemis^ \"AiJt \"'* -\\'i^ ,\" - s Wi phere. They nest indifferently on high rocky cliffs or","on low sandy islands. Ex3ept when the eggs are laid","in a sandy depression in","the soil, quite bulky nests","are made of seaweed and","moss. The eggs are laid","about the first of June;","Greenish brown thev numbei> tW ^ thl i ee","and have a ground color","of brownish or greenish brown and are blotched with umber. Size 2.80 x 1.83.","Data. Mackenzie Bay, Arctic America. June 18, 1899. Nest made of seaweed","and grass on an island in the bay.","41","44. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. Larus","glaucescens.","Range. North Pacific coast, breeding from","British Columbia northwards and wintering from","the same country to southern California.","This Gull is very like the preceding except","that the primaries are the same color as the","mantle, and are tipped with white. Length about","\f27 inches. Not so northerly distributed a bird","as the previous ones, and consequently better","Iceland Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull","Pale greenish brown","known. They breed in large numbers both on","the high rocky cliffs of the islands along the","coast and on the low sandy islands of the Aleutian Chain. On Copper Island they breed on the","inaccessible cliffs overhanging the water. As in","the case of the Iceland Gull, when the nests are","on the cliffs, a large nest of seaweed is made,","whereas if they are on the ground, especially in","sandy places","brown ground","of Vancouver","Located on a","no attempt is made at nest-building. The eggs have a greenish","color and dark brown spots. Sise 2.75 x 2.05. Data. West Coast","Island. June 20, 1896. Three eggs; nest made of seaweed.","low ledge. Collector, Dr. Newcombe.","45. KUMLIEN'S GULL. Larus Kumlieni.","Range. North Atlantic coast, breeding in Cumberland Sound and wintering","as far south as Long Island.","This bird differs from the Glaucous-winged only in the pattern of the gray","markings of the primaries and in having a little lighter mantle. It is quite","common in its breeding haunts where it places its nest high up on the ledges","of the cliffs. The eggs are not different apparently from glaucescens.","46. NELSON'S GULL. Larus nelsoni.","Range. Coast of Alaska.","Plumage exactly like that of Kumlien Gull and questionably a new species.","The nests and eggs are not to be distinguished from the preceding.","42","47. GREAT-BLACK-BACKED GULL.","Larus marinus.","Range. North Atlantic on both the American","and European sides; breeds from Nova Scotia","\fnorthward and winters south to the Great Lakes","and the Middle States.","The largest of","and unlike any","black, and the","tips. The bill","the Gulls (thirty inches long)","other. The mantle is dark slaty","primaries are black with white","is very large and powerful and","Great Black-backed Gull","Kumlien's Gull","Grayish buff
quite strongly hooked. They are quite abundant
birds in their range, and are very quarrelsome,
both among themselves and other species. They
do not breed in as large colonies as do the other
Gulls, half a dozen pairs appropriating a small
island to the exclusion of all other birds. They
are very rapacious birds and live to a great extent, especially during the breeding season, upon the eggs and young of other
birds such as Ducks, Murres and smaller Gulls. They place their nests upon
the higher portions of sandy islands. They are made of grasses and seaweed.
The three eggs are laid early in June; they are grayish or brownish, spotted
with brown and lilac. Size 3x2.15. Data.- -South Labrador, June 21, 1884.
Three eggs. Nest on a small island off the coast; of grasses and moss.
18. SLATY-BACKED GULL. Larus schistisagus.
Range. North Pacific and Arctic Oceans.
This Gull, which is similar to the Great Black-backed, but is smaller and has
a lighter mantle, does not breed in any considerable numbers on the American side of the Pacific. It nests in June on some of the islands in Bering Sea
and probably more commonly farther onrth. They often nest in company with
other species, placing their small mounds of seaweed on the ground on the
higher parts of the islands. The full set contains three eggs of grayish or
brownish color, spotted with dark brown or black. Size 2.90 x 2. Data. Harrowby Bay, N. W. T. Canada, June 11, 1901. Nest of grass, roots and mud and
lined with dry grass; on point making into the bay. Collector, Capt. H. H.
Bodfish.
43","49. WESTERN GULL. Larus occidentalis.","\fRange. Pacific Coast, breeding from southern","California to British Columbia.","This bird, which is the most southerly distributed of the larger Gulls is twenty-four inches in","length. Mantle slate colored; primaries black,","both these and the secondaries being broadly","tipped with white. These Gulls nest abundantly","on the Farallones, the majority of them showing","a preference for the lower portions of the island,","although they nest on the ledges also. Besides","man, these Gulls are the greatest enemies that","the Murres have to content against. They are","always on the watch and if a Murre leaves its","nest, one of the Gulls is nearly always ready to","pounce upon the egg and carry it away bodily in","his bill. The Gulls too suffer when the eggers","come, for their eggs are gathered up with the","Murres for the markets. They make their nests","of weeds and grass, and during May and June","lay three eggs showing the usual variations of","color common to the Gulls eggs. Size 2.75 x 1.90.","[50.] SIBERIAN GULL. Larus affinis.","This bird does not nest in North America, and","has a place on our list, by its accidental occurrence in Greenland. It is an Old World species","and its nesting habits and eggs are like those of","the Herring Gull.","51. HERRING GULL. Larus argentatus.","Range. Whole of the Northern Hemisphere,","breeding from Maine and British Columbia north__, ward and wintering south to the Gulf.","This Gull, which formerly was No. 51a, a subWestern Gull species of the European variety, is now regarded","Herring Gull as identical with it, and is no longer a sub-species.","It is twenty-four inches in length, has a light gray mantle and black primaries","which are tipped with","white. The Herring , ^- \"\\-~ ~~^","Gulls nest in colonies *%. * ^. '","in favorable localities","throughout their range,","chiefly on the coasts","and islands. A few pairs","also nest on islands in","some of the inland","bodies of fresh water.","Except in places where","they are continually","molested, when they","\fwill build in trees, they","place their nests on the","ground either making","no riest on the bare","sand, or building a","bulky nest of seaweed","in the grass on higher","parts of the island. Buff","They lay three eggs of","a grayish color marked with brown. In rare cases unspotted bluish white","eggs are found. Size 2.8 x 1.7. 44","52. VEGA GULL Larus vegae.","Range. Coast of Alaska, south in winter to","California.","Similar to the Herring Gull, but with the mantle darker, but not so dark as in the Western Gull.","The nesting habits and eggs are the same as","those of the Herring Gull, except that in a series, the eggs of the Vega will average a little","darker in ground color. It nests during May on","the coasts and islands of Bering Sea, placing its","eggs in a hollow on the ground. Size 2.75 x 1.65.","Grayish brown","1 Gull
California Gull","53. CALIFORNIA GULL. Larus calif orni-","Range. Western North America, breeding in til","the interior. Kiim'-i>i:","\fA smaller Gull than the Herring with the primaries grayish instead of black; length twenty-five inches. This Gull is found
in winter on the coast from British Columbia southward to Lower California,
but nests in the interiar from Utah northward. They nest very abundantly
around the Great Salt Lake, placing their nests generally upon the bare ground.
Sometimes there is a scant lining of grasses or weeds and again the nests will
be situated in the midst of a tussock of grass. Three or four eggs generally
constitute a set, but occasionally five are laid. The usual nesting time is during May. They show the same great variations in color and markings common to most of the Gulls. Size 2.60 x 1.80.
51. RING-BILLED GULL. Larus delawarenis.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding from the United States northward and wintering south to the Gulf States.
A small Gull, eighteen inches in length, with a light gray mantle, black
primaries with white tips, and always to be distinguished in the breeding season by the black band around the middle of the greenish yellow bill. They
nest in enormous colonies on islands in the interior of the country and in
smaller colonies on the coasts. Thousands of them breed on the lakes of the
Dakotas and northward. The majority of them nest on the ground, although
on the coast they are often found on the cliffs. They commonly lay three eggs
placing them in a slight hollow in the ground, generally on the grassy portions
of the islands. The color varies from grayish to brownish, marked with
brown and lilac. The height of the nesting season is in June. Size of eggs,
2.80 x 1.75. 45","55. SHORT-BILLED GULL. Larus brachyrhynchus.","Range. Breeds from the interior of British","Columbia northward to Alaska; south in winter to","Lower California.","The Short-billed or American Mew Gull is seventeen inches in length, has a short, stout bill and","is otherwise similar to the preceding species.","Nests on islands in the lakes and along the river","banks of Alaska. The nest is made of grass,","weeds and moss and is placed on the ground.","Pale greenish-brown
Early in June the birds lay their set of three eggs,
the ground color of which is greenish brown marked with dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data,","\fMackenzie River, N. W. T., June 13, 1900. Three","eggs. Nest made of seaweed and grass and placed","on the ground on an island in the river.","[56.] MEW GULL. Larus canus.","This is the European variety of the above species, breeding commonly both in the British Isles","and northern Europe. This species is given a place in our avifauna because","of its accidental appearance in Labrador.","Short-billed Gull
Heerman's Gull","57. HERRMAN'S GULL. Larus heermanni.","Range. Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia south to","Panama, breeding chiefly south of the United States border.","A very handsome species, often called the White-headed Gull, and wholly","unlike any other; length seventeen inches. Adults, in summer, have the","ntire head, neck and throat white, this shading quite abruptly into the slaty","upper and upder parts; the primaries and tail are black, the latter and the","secondaries being tipped with white. The legs and bill are vermilion. They","are found off the coast of California, but are not believed to breed there.","They are known to breed on some of the islands off the Mexican coast nesting","on the ground the same as the other species. The three eggs are greenish","drab in color and are marked with different shades of brown and lilac. Size","2.45 x 1.50.","46","58. LAUGHING GULL. Lams atricilla.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding","from the Gulf to Nova Scotia, chiefly on the","coast. A beautiful Gull, 16 inches long, with","a dark slate colored head, gray mantle, black","Pale grayish brown Laughing Gull","\fprimaries, and white neck, underparts and tail. Bill and feet red. This bird
has its name from its peculiar laughing cry when alarmed or angry; it is
also called the Black-headed Gull. They nest by thousands on the islands off
the Gulf Coast and along the South . -^
Atlantic States. The nest is placed
on the ground and is made of seaweed. Three, four and sometimes
five eggs are laid, of a grayish to
greenish brown color, marked with
brown and lilac. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data. Timbalin Is., La., June 3,
1896. Three eggs. Nest of drift
grass thrown in a pile about 8
inches high, slightly hollowed on
top, in low marsh back of beach.
Collector, E. A. McTlhenny. RING-BILLED GULL-Gray","47","59. FRANKLIN'S GULL.","Larus franklini.
Range. Interior North America, breeding from
middle United States northward.
Like the last but smaller and with the primaries light. Underparts rosy in breeding season.
Nests very abundantly in the marshes of Minnesota and northward. Nest made of grasses and","Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull","Grayish brown
placed in the marsh grass barely above the surface of the water. Eggs same color as the last
but the markings more inclined to zigzag lines.","\fSize 2.10 x 1.40. Data. Heron Lake, Minn., May","26, 1885. Nest of wet sedge stalks and rubbish","placed in a bunch of standing sedge in shallow","water; at least five thousand birds in rookery.","Collector, J. W. Preston.","60. BONAPARTE'S GULL. Larus Philadelphia.","Range. Breeds in the northern parts of North America; winters from Maine","and British Columbia to the southern border of the United States.","Smaller than the last; 14 inches long.","Plumage similar, but bill slender and","black. They nest in great numbers on","the marshes of Manitoba and to the","northward. The nests, of sticks and","grass, are placed on the higher parts of","the marsh and the usual complement of","three eggs is laid during the latter part","of June. The eggs are grayish to greenish brown, marked with dark brown and","lilac. Size 1.90 x 1.30.","Pale grayish brown","48","[60.1] LITTLE GULL. Larus minutus.","This Gull is the smallest of the family; it is","a European bird, and has accidentally strayed to","our shores but a few times. Its plumage is similar to that of the Bonaparte Gull but the bill is","red. It breeds in the marshes around the Baltic","Sea, placing its nest of dead vegetation on the","highest parts of the marsh. They lay three eggs","of a greenish gray color marked with dark brown","and lilac. Size 1.75 x 1.25.","61. Ross GULL. Rhodostethia rosea.","Range. The Arctic regions, south in winter","to Alaska, Greenland, northern Europe and Asia.","\fThis beautiful bird is the most rare of all the","Gulls, being very difficult to obtain because of","its extreme northerly distribution. It is in form","and plumage like Bonaparte Gull, with the exceptions that the head is white, there being a narrow black collar around the neck, the tail is","wedge shaped, and the whole under parts from","the chin to the tail are rosy in the breeding plumage. The nests and eggs remain still undiscovered, although Nansen, in August 1896, found a","supposed breeding ground in Franz Josef Land,","because of the numbers of the birds, but found","no nests.","62. SABINE'S GULL. Xema sabinii.","Range. Arctic regions, breeding from Alaska","and Greenland and northward, and wintering","south to New England. Sabine Gul1","A handsome bird, having the slaty hood","bordered behind with a black ring, the primaries black, white tipped, and the tail slightly","forked. They breed abundantly on the marshes","of northern Alaska and Greenland, nesting the","same as others of the species. The two or","there eggs are laid in June. They are greenish","brown in color and are marked with dark","brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data. Hudson Bay,","August 1, 1894. Eggs laid on the ground in","Greenish brown the moss ; no nest except the hollow in the","moss.","Rose Gull","63. GULL-BILLED TERN. Gelochelidon nilotica.","Range. Found in North America along the Gulf Coast and on the Atlantic","Coast north to Virginia and casually farther.","This is one of the largest of the Terns,","is 14 inches long, has a short, thick, black","bill and a short slightly forked tail; the","\fcrown is black, mantle pearly gray, white","below. This species is very widely distributed, being found in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. They are known","locally as \"Marsh Terns\" where they","breed in immense numbers on some of","the marshes about the Gulf, particularly","in Texas. They also breed on many of","the islands along the Coast, rarely making any nest, but laying the eggs in a","hollow in the sand. They nest most","abundantly in the latter part of May,","generally laying three eggs. They are","of a yellowish, grayish or greenish buff","color and are spotted with brown and lilac. Size 1.80x1.30. Data. Northampton Co., Va., May 28, 1882. Three eggs laid on a mass of seaweed on marsh","above tide water.","Pale greenish buff","64. CASPIAN TERN. Sterna caspia.","Range. Like the preceding species, this bird is nearly cosmopolitan in its","range, in North America breeding from the Gulf Coast and Texas northward","to the Arctic Regions.","This beautiful bird is the largest of the Tern family, being about 22 inches in","length, with the tail forked about 1.5 inches. The bill is large, heavy and","bright red; the crest, with which this and the next three species are adorned,","is black. The mantle is pale _-~^^","pearl and the under parts \" * m","white. These Terns sometimes nest in large colonies","and then again only a few","pairs will be found on an","island. In Texas, the breeding season commences in","May, it being later in the","more northern breeding","grounds. They may be regarded as largely eastern","birds, as while they are common in the interior of the","country, they are rarely found","on the Pacific Coast. Two or","three eggs constitute a complete set; these are laid on Grayish buff","the sand in a slight hollow scooped out by the birds. They vary from gray to","greenish buff, marked with brown and lilac. Size 2.60 x 1.75. Data. Hat Island, Lake Michigan, July 1, 1896. No nest. Two eggs in a hollow in the","\fgravel. Fully a thousand terns nesting on about one acre. Collector, Charles
L. Cass.
50","65. ROYAL TERN. Sterna maxima.","Range. Temperate North and South America,","breeding in the United States locally from Texas","and the Gulf States northward to the northern","boundary of the United States.","The Royal Terns nest in great numbers on the","coasts and islands on the South Atlantic and","Gulf States and in the marshes of southern Texas.","Grayish buff
Like the former species they lay two or three
eggs in a hollow on the bare sand. The eggs are
the same size but differ in being more pointed
and having a lighter ground and with the markings more bold and distinct. Size 2.60 x 1.70.
66. ELEGANT TERN. Sterna elegans.
Range. Pacific Coast of South and Central
America; north to California in summer.
A similar bird to the Royal Tern, but easilyGull-billed Tern","Caspian Tern
Royal Tern","Cream color","distinguished by its smaller size,","slender bill, and more graceful","form. In the breeding plumage","the under parts of these Terns","are tinged with rosy, which","probably first gave the birds","\ftheir name. They breed on the","coasts and islands of Mexico and","Central America, placing their","eggs on the sand. They are believed to lay but a single egg,","like that of the Royal Tern, but","smaller. Size 2.40 x 1.40. Data.","Honduras, Central America,","June 5, 1899. Single egg laid on","the sandy beach.","51","67. CABOT TERN. Sterna sandvicensis","acuflavida.","Range. A tropical species breeding regularly","north to the Bahamas and Florida; casually","farther north. A beautiful bird distinguished","from the three preceding ones by its smaller size","(sixteen inches) and by the bill which is black","~-^;","Klegant Tern
Cabot's Tern","Cream color
with a yellow tip. They nest in colonies on the
shores of islands in the West Indies and Bahamas, but not to a great extent on the United States
Coast. Their two or three eggs have a creamy
ground color, and are boldly marked with brown
and black. Size 2.10 x 1.40.","[68.] TRUDEAU'S TERN. Sterna trudeaui.","\fRange. South America; accidentally along the coast of the United States.
A rare and unique species with a form similar to the following, but with the
coloration entirely different. About fifteen inches in length; tail long and
deeply forked; bill yellow with a band of black about the middle. Whole head
pure white, shading into the pearly color of the upper and under parts. A
narrow band of black through the eye and over the ear coverts. A very rare
species that is supposed to breed in southern South America. Given a place
among North American birds on the strength of a specimen seen by Audubon
off Long Island.","52","69- FORSTER'S TERN. Sterna forsteri.","Range. Temperate North America, breeding","from Manitoba, Mass., and California, south to","the Gulf Coast and Texas.","Length about fifteen inches; tail long and deeply forked; crown black, back and wings pearl and","under parts white. Bill orange red. This species and the three following are the most graceful of birds in appearance and flight. Their move-","Forsters Tern
Common Tern
Eggs in a hollow on grassy","Brownish buff
ments can only be likened to those of the Swallows, from which they get the name of \"Sea Swallows.\" Their food consists of fish, which they
get by diving, and marine insects. They breed by
thousands in the marshes from Manitoba to Texas
and along the South Atlantic coast. The eggs are
laid in a hollow on the dry grassy portions of the
islands or marshes. They generally lay three
eggs and rarely four. They are buffy or brownish spotted with dark brown and lilac. Size 1.80
x 1.30. Data. Cobb's Island, Va., June 8, 1887,
bank. Collector, F. H. Judson.","\f70. COMMON TERN. Sterna hirundo.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding both on the coast and in the interior from the Gulf States northward.","This bird differs from the preceding chiefly in having a bright red bill tipped","with black, and the under parts washed with pearl. These are the most common Terns on the New England coast, nesting abundantly from Virginia to Newfoundland. These beautiful Terns, together with","others of the family, were formerly killed","by thousands for millinery purposes, but the","practice is now being rapidly stopped. In","May and June they lay their three, or sometimes four eggs on the ground as do the","other Terns. They are similar to the preceding species but average shorter. Data.","Duck Is., Maine, June 30, 1896. Three eggs","in marsh grass about fifty feet from beach.","No nest. Collector, C. A. Reed.","53","71. ARCTIC TERN.","Sterna paradisaea.
Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding from
New England northward to the Arctic Regions
and wintering south to California and the South
Atlantic States. A similar bird to the last, differing in having the bill wholly red and the feet being smaller and weak for the size of the bird. A
more northern bird than the last, breeding abundantly in Alaska, both on the coast and in the interior. In the southern limits of its breeding
range, it nests in company with the Common","\fTern, its nests and eggs being indistinguishable","from the latter. When their nesting grounds are","approached, all the birds arise like a great white","clour, uttering their harsh, discordant \"tearrr,","tearrr,\" while now and then an individual, bolder","than the rest, will swoop close by with an angry","\"crack.\" On the whole they are timid birds, keeping well out of reach. The nesting season is","early in June. Eggs like the preceding. Data.","Little Duck Is., Me., June 29, 1896. Three eggs","in a slight hollow on the beach, three feet above","high water mark.","72. ROSEATE TERN. Sterna dougalli.","Range. Temperate North America on the east","coast, breeding from New England to the Gulf.","These are the most beautiful birds, having a","delicate pink blush on the under parts during","Arctic Tern
Roseate Tern
Aleutian Tern","Grayish or Brownish","the breeding season; the tail is very long and deeply forked, the outer
ers being over five inches longer than the middle ones; the bill is red
black tip. They nest in large colonies on the islands from Southern New
land southward, placing the nests in the short grass, generally without
lining. They lay two or three eggs which are indistinguishable from the
two preceding species.","feathwith a
Engany","73. ALEUTIAN TERN. Sterna aleutica.","Range. Found in summer in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.","South in winter to Japan. This handsome Tern is of the form and size","of the Common Tern, but has a darker mantle, and the forehead is white,","leaving a black line from the bill to the eye. They nest on islands off the coas","t","of Alaska, sometimes together with the Arctic Tern. The eggs are laid upon","the bare ground or moss, and are similar to the Arctic Terns, but average narrower. They are two or three in number and are laid in June and July. Size","1.70 x 1.15. Data. Stuart Is., Alaska. Three eggs in a slight hollow in the moss",".","\f54","74. LEAST TERN. Sterna antillarum.","Range. From northern South America to","southern New England, Dakota and California,","breeding locally throughout its range.","These little Sea Swallows are the smallest of","the Terns, being but 9 inches in length. They","have a yellow bill with a black tip, a black crown","and nape, and white forehead. Although small,","these little Terns lose none of the grace and beauty of action of their larger relatives. They nest","Least Tern
Sooty Tern","Light buff
in colonies on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,
placing their eggs upon the bare sand, where they
are sometimes very difficult to see among the
shells and pebbles. They are of a grayish or
buffy color spotted with umber and lilac. They
number two, three and rarely four, and are laid
in May and June. Size 1.25 x .95. Data. DeSota
Beach, Fla., May 20, 1884. Three eggs laid on
the sandy beach. Collector, Chas. Graham.
75. SOOTY TERN. Sterna fuscata.
Range. Tropical America, north to the South
Atlantic States. This species measures 17 inches
in length; it has a brownish black mantle, wings
and tail, except the outer feathers of the latter which are white; the forehead
and under parts are white, the crown and a line from the eye to the bill, black.
This tropical species is very numerous at
its breeding grounds on the small islands
of the Florida Keys and the West Indies.","\fThey lay but a single egg, generally placing it on the bare ground, or occasionally
building a frail nest of grasses. The egg
has a pinkish white or creamy ground
and is beautifully sprinkled with spots of
reddish brown and lilac. They are laid
during May. Size 2.05 x 1.45. Data.
Clutheria Key, Bahamas, May 28, 1891.
Single egg laid on bare ground near water.
Collector, D. P. Ingraham.","/\" ^
*","\\x","Creamy white","55","[76.] BRIDLED TERN. Sterna anaetheta.","Range. Found in tropical regions of both hemispheres; casual or accidental in Florida. This
Tern is similar to the last except that the nape
is white and the white of the forehead extends
in a line over the eye. The Bridled Tern is common on some of the islands of the West Indies
and the Bahamas, nesting in company with the","\fOS,","Creamy white
Sooty Terns and Noddies. The single egg is laid
on the seashore or among the rocks. It is creamy
white beautifully marked with brown and lilac.
Size 1.85x1.25. Data. Bahamas, May 9, 1892.
Single egg laid in a cavity among the rocks. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.","77- BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon nigra","surinamensis.","Black Tern
Noddy
Black Skimmer","V~ V","Range. Temperate America, breeding from the","middle portions of the United States northward","to Alaska; south in winter Beyond the United","States Border.","The identity of these Terns cannot be mistaken","They are but ten inches in length; the whole head, neck and under parts are","black; the back, wings and tail are slaty and the under tail coverts are white.","Their dainty figure with their long slender wings gives them a grace and airiness, if possible, superior to other species of the family. They are very active","and besides feeding upon all manner of marine","Crustacea, they capture many insects in the air.","They nest in large colonies in marshes, both along","the coast and in the interior, making a nest of","decayed reeds and grasses, or often laying their","eggs upon rafts of decayed vegetation which are","floating on he water. The nesting season commences in May, they laying three eggs of a brownish or greenish color, very heavily blotched with","blackish brown. Size 1.35 x .95. Data. Winnebago City, Minn., May 31, 1901. Three eggs. Nest","made of a mass of weeds and rushes floating on Deep greenish brown","water in a swamp. Collector, R. H. Bullis.","56","\fLONG-WINGED SWIMMERS
[78.] WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon leucoptera.
Range. Eastern Hemisphere, its addition to American birds being made because of the accidental
appearance of one bird in Wisconsin in 1873. They
lest very abundantly among the lakes and marshes","Greenish buff
of southern Europe, placing their
eggs the same as the American spe- &*-.- *
cies, upon masses of decayed reeds v \" and stalks. They lay three eggs
which have a somewhat brighter
appearance than the common Black
Terns because of a somewhat lighter ground color.
79. NODDY. Anous stolidus.
Range. Tropical America, north to the
Gulf and South Atlantic States, A peculiar
but handsome bird (about fifteen inches long),
with a silvery white head and the rest of the
plumage brownish, and the tail rounded.
They breed in abundance on some of the Florida Keys, the West Indies and the Bahamas.
Their nests are made of sticks and grass, and
are placed either in trees or on the ground.
They lay but a single egg with a buffy or
cream colored ground spotted with chestnut
and lilac. Size 2.00 x 1.30. Atwood's Key,
Bahamas, June 1, 1891. Nest made of sticks
and grasses, three feet up a mangrove. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.","Noddy","\f57","SKIMMERS. Family RYNCHOPID^E","Skimmers are Tern-like birds having a very strangely developed bill. The","lower mandible is much longer than the upper and very thin, the upper edge","being as sharp as the lower. The lower mandible is rounded at the end while","the upper is more pointed. Young Skimmers are said to have both mandibles","of the same length, the abnormal development not appearing until after flight.","Skimmers are very graceful birds, and, as implied by their name, they skim","over the surface of the water, rising and falling with the waves, and are said","to pick up their food by dropping the lower mandible below the surface, its thin","edge cutting the water like a knife. There are four species of Skimmers, only","one of which is found in North America.","80. BLACK SKIMMER. Rynchops nigra.","Range. The South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, breeding from New Jersey","southward. The Black Skimmer is about eighteen inches in length, and besides the remarkable bill is a bird of striking plumage; the forehead, ends of","the secondaries, tail feathers and under parts are white; the rest of the plumage is black and the basal half of the bill is crimson. Skimmers nest in large","communities, the same as do the Terns, laying their eggs in hollows in the","sand. They are partially nocturnal in their","habits and their hoarse barking cries may","- - \" , be heard after the shadows of night have","x","4^ enveloped the earth. Fishermen call them","llfc * 4 ). % A by the names of \"Cut-water\" and \"Sea Dog.\"","' . \\ The nesting season commences in May and","* . . *","continues through June and July. They lay","from three to five eggs, having a creamy","or yellowish buff ground, blotched with","black, chestnut and lilac. Size 1.75x1.30.","Buffy yellow Data. Cobb's Is., Va., June 8, 1894. Three","eggs laid in a hollow on the beach. No","nest.","58","\fTUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS
TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. Order III. TUBINARES.
ALBATROSSES. Family DIOMEDEIDAE
Albatrosses are the largest of the sea birds and have an enormous expanse
of wing, the Wandering Albatross, the largest of the family, sometimes attaining an expanse of fourteen feet. Their nostrils consist of two slightly projecting tubes, one on each side near the base of the bill. They are unsurpassed
in powers of flight, but are only fair swimmers and rarely, if ever, dive, getti
ng
their food, which consists of dead animal matter, from the surface of the water.
81. BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS. Diomedea
nigripes.
Range. North Pacific from California northward. This Albatross is thirty-two inches in
length; it is of a uniform sooty brown color shading into whitish at the base of the bill, which is
rounded. Like the other members of the family,
this species is noted for its extended flights, following vessels day after day without any apparent
period of rest, for the purpose of feeding on the
refuse that is thrown overboard. They breed
during our winter on some of the small isolated
islands in the extreme southern portions of the
globe. They lay a single white egg on the bare
ground.
82. SHORT- TAILED ALBATROSS. Diomedea
albatrus.
Range. North Pacific Ocean in summer, from
Lower California to Alaska. With the exception
of the Wandering Albatross, which is now regarded as doubtful as occurring off our coasts, the
Short-tailed Albatross is one of the largest of
the group, measuring thirty-six inches in length,
and has an extent of seven feet or more. With
the exception of the black primaries, shoulders
and tail, the entire plumage is white, tinged with
straw color on the back of the head. They breed
on the guano islands in the North Pacific off the
coasts of Alaska and Japan. They lay a single
white egg on the bare ground or rocks. As with
the other members of the family, the eggs are
extremely variable in size, but average about
4.25x2.50.
59","82.1. LAYSAN ALBATROSS.","mutabilis.","Diomedea im-","Laysan Albatross
Yellow-nosed Albatross
Sooty Albatross","Range. Laysan Island of the Hawaiian Group,","appearing casually off the coast of California.","This species breeds in large numbers on the island from which it takes its name. The birds are","white with the exception of the back, wings and","tail, which are black. The birds, having been little molested in their remote island, are exceedingly tame, and it is possible to go among the sitting","birds without disturbing them. Mr. Walter K.","Fisher has contributed an admirable report on","this species in the 1913 Bulletin of the Fish Commission, the report being illustrated with numerous illustrations of the birds from photos by the","author. Their single white eggs are laid on the","bare ground.","[83.] YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS.","Tlialassogeron culminatus.","This is a species which inhabits the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, and is said to rarely occur on the California coast. They breed during","our winter on some of the small islands and during our summer are ocean wanderers. An egg in","the collection of Col. John E. Thayer was taken on","Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean; Sept. 1st,","1888. The nest was a mound of mud and grass","about two feet in height. The single white egg","measured 3.75 x 2.25. It was collected by George","Comer.","84. SOOTY ALBATROSS Phoebetria-palpebrata.","Range. Southern seas, north in our summer along the Pacific coast of the","\fUnited States.
This species is entirely sooty brown except the white eyelids. It is similar
to the Black-footed Albatross from which species it can be distinguished in
all plumages by the narrow base of the bill, while the bill of the former specie
s
is broad and rounded. They breed commonly on isolated islands in many
quarters of the southern hemisphere. Sometimes this species constructs a
mound of mud on which to deposit its single white egg, and also often lays
it on the bare ground or rock. A specimen in Mr. Thayer's collection, taken
by Geo. Comer on So. Georgia Is. in the South Atlantic ocean, was laid in a
hollow among loose stones on the ledge of an overhanging cliff. Size 4.10 x
2.75.
60","TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS","EGG OF SOOTY ALBATROSS White","FULMARS, SHEARWATERS and : PETRELS","Family PROCELLARIDAE","Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels are Gull-like birds with two nostril tubes","located side by side, in a single tube, on the top of the bill at it's base.","The Fulmars are mostly northern birds while the majority of the Shearwaters nest in the extreme south during our winter, and appear off our coasts","during the summer. Their food consists of fish or offal which they get from","the surface of the water; large flocks of them hover about fishermen, watching their chance to get any food which falls, or is thrown, overboard.","[85.] GIANT FULMAR.","gigantea","Macronectes","Range. This Petrel is a native of the southern seas and is only casually met with off the","\fPacific coast.
It is the largest of the family, being about
three feet in length, and is normally a uniform
sooty color, although it has light phases of
plumage. They nest in December on many of
the islands south of Africa and South America,
laying their single white egg on the bare rocks.
86. FULMAR. Fulmarus glacialis glacialis.
Range. North Atlantic coasts from New
England northward, breeding from Hudson
Fulmar Bav and southern Greenland northward.
This bird which is 19 inches in length, in the light phase has a plumage
very similar to that of the larger Gulls. They nest by thousands on rocky
islands of the north, often in company with Murres and Gulls. Owing to the
filthy habits of the Fulmars, these breeding grounds always have a nauseating odor, which is also imparted to, and retained by the egg shell. Their
single white eggs are laid on the bare rocks, in crevices of the cliffs, often
hundreds of feet above the water. Size 2.90 x 2. Data. St. Kilda, off Scotland.
June 5, 1897. Single egg laid on rock on side of sea cliff. Collector, Angus
Gillies.","62","86'b. PACIFIC FULMAR. Fulmarus glacialis glupischa.","This sub-species of the preceding, has a darker","mantle than the common Fulmar; it is found on","the northern Pacific coasts where it breeds on","the high rocky cliffs, the same as it's eastern","relative. They nest in large colonies, every","crevice in the rocks having its tenant. Their","flight is graceful like that of the Gulls, which","they closely resemble. They lay but a single","white egg, the average dimensions of which are","slightly smaller than those of the common Fulmar. Data. Copper Is., Alaska. May 14, 1889.","Egg laid in a crevice among the cliffs.","86.1. RODGER'S FULMAR. Fulmarus rodgers.","Range. North Pacific, breeding in large numbers on some of the islands in Bering Sea; south","to California in winter. Very similar to the two","preceding species except that the back is mixed","\fwith whitish, it is not believed to have a dark","phase. Their breeding habits and eggs do not","differ from the common Fulmar. The eggs are","laid on the rocky cliffs during June.","Pacific Fulmar
Slender-billed Fulmar","87. SLENDER-BILLED FULMAR. Priocella glacialoides.","Range. Southern seas, appearing on the Pacific coast of the United States","in the summer. This species has a paler mantle than the others of the family,","and the primaries are black. The make-up and plumage of the whole bird is","more like that of the Gulls than any of the others. They probably breed in","the far south during our winter, although we have no definite data relative","to their nesting habits.","63","88. CORY'S SHEARWATER. Puffinus borealis.","This species probably breeds in the far south.","It has been found only off the coast of Massachusetts and Long Island. This is the largest","of our Shearwaters, and can be distinguished from","the next species by its wholly white underparts,","its light mantle and yellowish bill. We have no","data relative to its nesting habits.","89. GREATER SHEARWATER. Puffinus gravis.","Range. The whole of the Atlantic Ocean.","Thousands of them spend the latter part of the","summer off the New England coast, where they","are known to the fishermen as Haglets. Their","upper parts are brownish gray, darker on the","wings; bill and feet dark; under parts white, with","the middle of the belly and the under tail covers dusky. Length about 20 inches. Little is","known concerning their nesting quarters, although they are said to breed in Greenland.","From the fact of their early appearance off the","\fNew England coast it is probable that the greater part of them nest in the far south.
[90.] MANX SHEARWATER. Puffinus puffinus.
This species inhabits the North Atlantic ocean
chiefly on the European side, being abundant in
the Mediterranean and in the British Isles. These
birds deposit their single pure white eggs in","Cory\" Shearwater","Greater Shearwater
crevices among the cliffs, on the graound or in
burrows dug by themselves. Size of egg 2.35
x 1.60. Data. Isle of Hay, North Scotland.
June 1, 1893. Single egg laid at the end of a
three foot burrow.","Egg of Audubon's Shearwater White","64","91. PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER. Puffinus","creatopus","Range. Pacific Ocean, north on American side","to California in summer.","This species, whose breeding habits are little","known, is similar in size and color to the Greater","Shearwater, differing chiefly in the yellowish bill","and pinkish colored feet.","92. AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER. Puffinus","Iherminieri.","Range. Middle Atlantic, ranging north in late","summer to Long Island.","This bird, having a length of but twelve inches,","is the smallest of the Shearwaters found along our","coasts. Large colonies of them breed on some","\fof the small islands and keys of the West Indies","and Bahamas, and not so commonly in the Bermudas. Their eggs, which are pure white, are deposited at the end of burrows dug by the birds.","Size of egg 2. x 1.35. Their nesting season commences about the latter part of March and continues through April and May. After the young","are able to fly, like other members of the family,","the birds become ocean wanderers and stray","north to southern New England. Data. Bahamas,","April 13, 1891. Single egg laid at the end of a","burrow about two feet in length. Collector, D.","P. Ingraham.","[92.1.] ALLIED SHEARWATER. Puffinus","assimilis.","This is an Australian and New Zealand species","that has accidentally strayed to the shores of","Nova Scotia.","Pink -fooled Shearwater","Black -ven ted Shearwater","Town senc's Shear \\vatei","93. BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER. Puffin us opisthomelas.","Range. Middle Pacific coast of the Americas, north in late summer along","the coast of California. This species breeds commonly on the islands off the","coast of Lower California, especially on the Gulf side. Their single egg is","white, size 2. x 1.30, and is located at the end of a burrow. Data. Natividad","Is., Lower California, April 10, 1897. Single egg laid on the sand at the","end of a burrow six feet in length. Collector, A. W. Anthony.","93.1. TOWNSEND'S SHEARWATER. Puffinus auricularis.","This bird ranges from Cape St. Lucas, south along the Pacific coast of Mexico, breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the Mexican coast.","65","94. SOOTY SHEARWATER. Puffins fuliginosus.","Range. A common species off the Atlantic","coast in summer; breeds along our northern","coasts, and it is also supposed that many of","\fthem nest in southern seas and reach our","coasts early in the summer. These Shearwaters are entirely sooty gray, being somewhat lighter below. They are called \"black","haglets\" by the fishermen, whose vessels they","follow in the hope of procuring bits of refuse.","They commonly nest in burrows in the ground,","but are also said to build in fissures among","the ledges. Their single white egg measures","2.55x1.75. Data. Island in Ungava Bay,","northern Labrador, June 14, 1896. Egg laid in","a fissure of a sea cliff. Collector, A. N. McFord.","Sooty Shearwater","Dark-bodied Shearwater
Slender-billed Shearwater","95. DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER.","Puffinus griseus.","This is a southern species which, after having nested on islands in the far south during","our winter, comes north and appears off the","Pacific coast of the United States during the","summer. It is a similar bird to the Sooty Shearwater, but is considerably darker and the under","coverts are whitish. Their nesting habits are","the same as those of other members of the family. Size of egg, 2.40x1.65. Data. Stewart's","Island, New Zealand, February 15, 1896. Single","egg at the end of a long burrow.","96. SLENDER-BILLED SHEARWATER. Puffinus","tenuirostris.","Range. Northern Pacific Ocean in the summer, extending from Japan and Alaska southward. Supposed to breed in the southern hemisphere, as well as probably on some of the Aleutians in Alaska.","96.1. WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER. Puffinus","cuneatus.","Range. North Pacific, breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the coast of Mexico, and","probably on some of the small islands in the","\fGulf of California.
[97-] BLACK-TAILED SHEARWATER. Priofinus
cinerus
This is a Shearwater which inhabits the southern hemisphere, but which has accidentally wandered to the Pacific coast of the United States.
It is dark above and whitish below, with black
under tail coverts. It breeds in the far south.","[98.] BLACK-CAPPED PETREL.","tata.","Msirelata hasi-","This is not a common species; it is an inhabitant of tropical seas and has only been casually
found on our coasts or inland. It is a handsome
species with white forehead, underparts and nape
with a small isolated black cap on the crown;
the rest of the upper parts are blackish. It is a
native of the West Indies.
[99-] SCALED PETREL. Mstrelata scalaris.
This is another rare species which is an inhabitant of southern seas. A single specimen
taken in New York State gives it a claim as a
doubtful North American species. It is a handsome bird, the feathers of the grayish upperparts
being edged with white, thus giving it the appearance of being barred. Its egg have only been
known to science within the past few years.
Data. Preservation Inlet, New Zealand, June 7,
1900. Single white egg. Size 2.40 x 1.75. Collector, P. Seymour. Parent bird taken with the egg.
100. FISHER'S PETREL. JEstralata fisheri.
This is a handsome bird known only from the
type specimen taken off Kadiak Is., Alaska, by
Mr. Fisher.","Black-capped Petrel
Scaled Petrel","\fFisher's Petrel","[101.] BULWER'S PETREL. Bulrveria bulweri.","An eastern Atlantic species which is only an accidental visitant to our","shores. They breed on the Madeira Islands where the eggs are laid in crevices","among the rocks or in burrows in the ground. Size 1.75 x 1.55, white.","[102.] PINTADO PETREL. Daption capensis.","This is the Cape Pigeon of the southern hemisphere. It has only accidentally","occurred on our coast.","G7","Least Petrel
Stormy Petrel
Forked-tailed Petrel","103. LEAST PETREL. Halocyptena microsoma.","Range. Pacific coast of America from Lower","California to Panama. The Least Petrel is the","smallest of this family, in length measuring only","5.75 inches. Their plumage is entirely dark","sooty. They have been found breeding on San","Benito Island, Lower California, and they probably do on others farther south. The single 'jgg","that this bird lays is white with a wreath of fine","black specks around one and sometimes both","ends. Data. San Benito Is., Lower California,","June 12, 1897. No nest, the egg being simply","laid on the bare rock in a crevice. Size 1.00","x .75. Collector, A. W. Anthony.","1 0-1. STORM PETREL. Thalassidroma pelagica.","North Atlantic Ocean chiefly on the European","side, wintering south to New Brunswick. Small-","\fest of the white rumped, black petrels; 5.75","inches in length.","This species is the originally called \"Mother","Gary's Chicken\" by the","sailors. They nest abundantly on many of the islands off the coasts of","Europe and the British","Isles, laying their single White","egg either in burrows or crevices among the cliffs.","Data. Coast of County Kerry, Ireland, June 1,","1895. Single egg laid at the end of burrow in a","sea cliff. Size 1.05 x. 80; white with a wreath of","very fine dots about the larger end. Collector,","G. H. McDonald.","105. FORKED-TAILED PETREL. Oceanodroma furcata.","Range. North Pacific from California to Alaska, breeding in the Aleutians.","These birds have a plumage of bluish gray, the wings being darker and the","underparts lightest. The nests are made in burrows or crevices in the banks.","Data. Uniak Is., Alaska, June 10, 1900. No nest. Single egg laid at the","end of a burrow. Several pairs nesting near. Egg white with a fine wreath","of purplish black specks about the large end. Size 1.25 x .5.","68","105.2. KJEDING'S PETREL. Oceanodroma","kcedingi.","This bird is similar to Leach Petrel, but is","smaller and the tail is less deeply forked. Its","range is from California to Panama breeding","on the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico.","106. LEACH'S PETREL.","hoa.","Oceanodroma leucor-","\fRange. North Atlantic and North Pacific","Oceans, breeding from Maine and from the","Farallones, northward to Greenland and the Aleutians.","These are the most common of the Petrels","found on our coast; they are eight inches in","length, of a sooty brown color, and have a white","rump. The forked tail will at once distinguish","them from any of the Atlantic Petrels. They","nest in burrows in the ground, laying a pure","white egg, sometimes with a very faint dusty","wreath about the larger end. Size 1.20 x .95.","These birds generally take turns in the task of","incubation, one remaining at sea during the day","and returning at night while his mate takes her","turn roving the briny deep in search of food.","The young are fed by","regurgitation upon an oily","fluid which has a very of4.-, fensive odor. This odor","is always noticeable about","an island inhabited by","Petrels and is always retained by the eggs or skins","Kseding's Petrel
Leach's Petrel
Guadalupe Petrel","\fof these birds. They are very rarely seen flying in the vicinity of
ing island during the day; the bird that is on the nest will remain
moved by hand. Data. Pumpkin Is., Maine, June 22, 1893. Single egg;
of a few grasses at the end of a burrow dug in the bank. Collector,","their nestuntil renest","J. Lefavour.","106.1 GUADALUPE PETREL. Oceanodroma macrodactyla.","This species, which is very similar to the preceding, except for a longer","and more deeply forked tail, breeds on Guadalupe","Is. Their eggs are white very minutely wreathed . . .","with reddish brown; they are, however, nearly al- ^K^SlfS^^Si^^^^","ways nest stained to an uneven brownish color.","Data/ Guadalupe Is., Lower California, March 24 S","1897. Single egg laid on a few oak leaves and pine","needles at the end of a three foot burrow. Size of","egg 1.40 x 1.00. Collector, A. W. Anthony.","69","White, nest stained","Black Petrel","Ashy Petrel","107. BLACK PETREL. Oceanodroma melania.","Range. South Pacific, from southern California southward, breeding on the small islands on","both coasts of Lower California. They are similar to the Leach's Petrel except that the rump is","blackish. Data. San Benito Is., Lower California, July 23, 1896. White egg laid on bare ground","at the end of three foot burrow. Size 1.40 x 1.","Collector, A. W. Anthony.","108. ASHY PETREL. Oceanodroma Tiomochroa.","Range. California coast, breeding on the Farallones and Santa Barbara Islands.","\fThis species, while not common, nests in all","manner of localities on the Farallones, concealing their eggs under any rock or in any crevice","that may attract their fancy. Their single white","egg is only faintly if at all wreathed with fine","dust-like specks of reddish brown. Size 1.15 x",".86. Data. Farallone Is., California, June 12,","1895. Egg laid on sand in crevice at the base of","a stone wall; well concealed. Collector, Chester","Barlow.","108.1. SOCORRO PETREL.","Oceanodroma socorroensis.","Breeds on Socorro, San Benito and Coronado","Islands, placing its eggs at the end of burrow.","Data. San Benito Is., Lower California, July 12,","1897. Single egg at the end of a burrow 3 feet","in length. Egg pure white very finely wreathed","with pale reddish brown. Size 1.15 x .87. Collector, A. W. Anthony.","70","109- WILSON'S PETREL.","Breeds in the southern hemisphere in February","and March and spends the summer off the Atlantic coast as far north as Newfoundland. This species can be distinguished from Leach Petrel by","its square tail and from the Stormy Petrel by its","large size and yellow webs to its feet. These","birds are the greatest wanderers of the genus,","being found at different seasons in nearly all","quarters of the globe. Their single egg is white.","Size 1.25 x. 90.","[110.] WHITE-BELLIED PETREL.","Fregetta grallaria.","A small species (length about 7.5 inches) inhabiting southern seas. Recorded once at Florida. General plumage blackish. Upper tail coverts, bases of tail feathers, under wing coverts,","and abdomen, white.","[111.] WHITE-FACED PETREL. Pelagodroma","marina.","\fRange. Southern seas, accidentally north to","the coast of Massachusetts. This beautiful species is of about the same size as the Leach's","Petrel. It has bluish gray upper parts; the whole","under parts, as well as the forehead and sides","of head, are white.","TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS
Oceanites oceanicus.","Wilson's Petrel
White-billed Petrel
White-faced Petrel","These birds have the same characteristics as do others of the species, pattering over the water with their feet as they skim over the crests and
troughs of the waves. They are not uncommon in the waters about New
Zealand where they breed. Their single eggs are about the same as Leach's
Petrel, are brilliant white and are, very strongly, for a Petrel egg, wreathed
about the large end with dots of reddish brown. Size 1.32 x .90. Data. Chatham Is., New Zealand, January 7, 1901. Egg laid at end of a burrow. Collector, J. Lobb. This egg is in Mr. Thayer's collection.","71","TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. Order IV. STEGANOPODES","TROPIC BIRDS. Family PHAETHONTIDAE","Tropic Birds are Tern-like birds, having all the toes connected by a web,","and having the two central tail feathers very much lengthened.","112. YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phccthon","americanus.","Range. Tropical regions, breeding in the Ba-","\fhamas, West Indies and the Bermudas, casual in","Florida and along the South Atlantic coast.","The Tropic Birds are the most strikingly","beautiful of all the sea birds; they are about 30","inches in length, of which their long slender tail","takes about 20 inches. They fly with the ease","and grace of a Tern, but with quicker wing beats.","They feed on small fish, which they capture by","Dull purplish
darting down upon, and upon snails which they
get from the beach and ledges. They build their
nests in the crevices and along the ledges of the
rocky cliffs. While gregarious to a certain extent they are not nearly as much so as the Terns.
The nest is made of a mass of seaweed and weeds;
but one egg is laid, this being of a creamy or pale
purplish ground color, dotted and sprinkled with
chestnut, so thickly as to often obscure the*!!3 Yellow - bill ? d Tropic Bird
ground color. Size 2.10x1.45. Data Coney Is ^ Red-billed Tropic Bird","TOTJPALMATE SWIMMERS","113. RED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phcethon cethereus.","Range. Tropical seas, chiefly in the Pacific Ocean; north to southern","They breed on several islands in the Gulf of California. This species differs","from the preceding in having a red bill, and the back being barred with black.","Their plumage has a peculiar satiny appearance and is quite dazzling when","viewed in the sunlight. They","are strong fliers and are met","with, hundreds of miles from","land. They often rest upon the","water, elevating their long tails","to keep them from getting wet.","They nest, as do the preceding","species, on rocky islands and","are said to also build their nests","in trees or upon the ground.","\fThe single egg that they lay","has a creamy ground and is minutely dotted with chestnut.","Pale purplish size 2.40 x 1.55. Data. Daphone","Is., Galapagos Is., South Pacific, March 6, 1901. Egg laid in hole of a sea clif","f.","The eggs are easily told from those of the yellow-billed by their much larger","size. Collector, R. H. Beck.","[113.1] RED-TAILED TROPIC BIRD. Phcethon rubricaudus.","Range. Tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, accidental off","the coast of Lower California.","This is a singularly beautiful species resembling the latter except that the","central tail feathers are bright red, with the extreme tips white. During","August and September they","breed in large colonies on","small islands in the South","Seas. On Mauritius Island","they build their nests either","in the trees or place them on","the ground; the nest is made","of seaweed, sticks and weeds;","numbers of them nest on",".*'.>* \"*. f JK32WHB^^^V Laysan Is., of the Hawaiian","group, concealing their nests","on the ground under overhanging brush.","The single egg has a pale","purplish ground speckled","with brown.","Pale purplish ground color","73","\fGANNETS. Family SULIDAE","Gannets are large stoutly built birds, having the four toes joined by a web;","they have a small naked pouch beneath the bill; the bill is a little longer than","the head, and the tail is quite short. The plumage of the adults is generally","white, that of the young grayish.","114. BLUE-FACED BOOBY. Sula syanops.","Range. Widely distributed in the tropical seas,","north casually to Florida and breeding in the Bahamas.","Like the rest of the Gannets, this one is stupid","and will often remain on the nest until removed","with the hand, merely hissing at the intruder.","Often they lay their eggs on the bare ground, but","sometimes the nest is lined with seaweed or grass.","They lay either one or two eggs early in April.","These eggs are of a dull white color and are heavily covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.50 x 1.70.","Data. Clarion Is., Mexico, May 24, 1897. Nest","a mere hollow in the sand near the beach. Collector, A. W. Anthony.","114.1. BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY. Sula nebouxi.","Range. Pacific coasts and islands from the","Gulf of California southward to Chili.","These birds nest in numbers on the island of","San Pedro Martir in the Gulf of California. They","lay but a single egg, placing it upon the bare","rock. Their breeding season extends from the","latter part of March into May. The egg is a dull","white, generally nest stained and is covered with","the usual chalky deposit. Size 2.35x1.60. Data.","Clarion Island, Mexico, May 21, 1897. Two eggs","in a hollow in the sand near the beach. Collector,","A. W. Anthony.","Blue-faced Booby
Blue-footed Booby",".115. BOOBY. Sula leucogastra.","\fRange. Tropical coasts and islands of the Atlantic; north casually to Georgia.
The common Booby is an abundant bird on
some of the islands of the Bahamas and Bermudas; it is commonly called the Brown Booby because the upper parts are of a brownish gray.
These birds, as do the other Gannets, have great
powers of flight and without apparent effort dart","TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS","Chalky bluish white, nest stained","about with the speed of an arrow. They are","quite awkward upon their feet and are not very","proficient swimmers. They rarely rest upon the","water except when tired. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of them breed in company, laying their eggs upon the bare rocks. Sometimes","a few sticks or grasses will be placed about the","bird to prevent the eggs from rolling away. They","generally lay two eggs, chalky white and nest","stained. Size 2.40x1.60. Data. Key West, Bahamas, April 14, 1891. No nest; two eggs laid on","the bare rocks.","Booby
Red-footed Booby","115.1. BREWSTER'S BOOBY. Sula brewsteri.","Range. Pacific coast from Lower California southward. This Gannet replaces the common Booby on the Pacific coast. It nests abundantly on many","islands in the Gulf of California, and in company with the blue-footed variety,","on San Pedro Martir Island. They generally lay two eggs, placing them upon","the bare rocks and surrounding them with a ring of sticks and seaweed to keep","them in place. The eggs are chalky white and cannot be distinguished from","those of the other Boobies. Data. San Benedicto Is., Lower California, May","18, 1897. Single egg laid on the sand amid a few blades of grass.","116. RED-FOOTED BOOBY. Sula piscator.","This is another species that is only occasionally taken on the Florida coast.","The habits of the birds and their nesting habits are the same as those of the","others of the family. Two chalky white eggs are laid. Data. San Benedicto","Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg. Nest a few twigs of rank","\fgrass. Collector, A. W. Anthony.","75","117- GANNET. Sula bassana.","Range. North Atlantic, breeding, in America,","only on Bird Rocks in the St. Lawrence.","These are the largest of the family, being 35","inches in length. They feed on fish which they","catch by diving upon, from the air. When flying","their neck is carried fully extended. They rest","on the water when tired, the numerous air cells","beneath the skin, causing them to sit high up in","the water and enabling them to weather the","severest storm in perfect safety. The only known","breeding place in America is Bird Rocks, where","they nest by thousands, placing their nests in","rows on the narrow ledges; the nests are made","of piles of seaweed, mud and stones. They lay","but one egg of dingy white color and covered with","a chalky deposit. On St. Kilda Island, off the","coast of Scotland, they breed by millions. They","are very tame and will frequently allow themselves to be touched with the hand. It is said","that thousands of the young are killed by fishermen every year and marketed in Edinburg and","other places. Data. St. Kilda Island, Scotland,","June 18, 1896. Single egg laid on a large mass of","seaweed on a sea cliff. Collector, H. McDonald.","Chalky bluish white","76","TOTIPALMATK SWFMMKKS","DARTERS. Family ANHINGIDAE","118. WATER TURKEY. Anhinga anhinga.","\fRange. Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States and up the
Mississippi Valley to Illinois.
Anhingas or Snake Birds are curiously formed creatures with a Heron-like
head and neck, and the body of a Cormorant. They live in colonies in inaccessible swamps. Owing to their thin and light bodies, they are remarkable
swimmers, and pursue and catch fisli
under water with ease. When alarmed they have a habit of sinking their
body below water, leaving only their
head and neck visible, thereby having
4 the appearance of a water snake.
They also fly well and dive from their
perch into the water with the greatest
celerity.
They nest in colonies in the swamps,
placing their nests of sticks, leaves
and moss in the bushes over the
water. They breed in April, laying
from three to five bluish eggs, covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.25 x 1.35.
Data. Gainesville, Florida, May 18, 1894. Nest in the top of a button-wood
tree, made of leaves and branches, overhanging the water. Collector, George
Graham.","I M<: LI CAN POND","Washington Zoological Park","i i","CORMORANTS. Family PHALACROCORACID^E","Cormorants have a more bulky body than do the Anhingas; their tail is","shorter and the bill strongly hooked at the tip. Cormorants are found in","nearly all quarters of the globe. They are very gregarious and most species","are maritime. They feed upon fish which they catch by pursuing under water.","Most of the Cormorants have green eyes.","\fTOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS","119. CORMORANT. PTialacrocorax carbo.","Range. The Atlantic coast breeding from Maine","to Greenland.","The common Cormorant or Shag is one of the","largest of the race, having a length of 36 inches.","In breeding plumage, the black head and neck","are so thickly covered with the slender white","plumes as to almost wholly obscure the black.","There is also a large white patch on the flanks.","They nest in colonies on the rocky shores of New-","Chalky greenish or bluish whitae","foundland and Labrador, placing their nests of","sticks and seaweed in rows along the high ledges,","where they sit, as one writer aptly expresses it,","like so many black bottles. A few pairs also nest","on some of the isolated rocky islets off the Maine","coast. During the latter part of May and during June they lay generally four or five greenish","white, chalky looking eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.40. Data.","Black Horse Rock, Maine coast, June 6, 1893.","Four eggs in a nest of seaweed and a few sticks;","on a high ledge of rock. Collector, C. A. Reed.","Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant:","120. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus.","Range. The Atlantic coast and also in the interior, breeding from Nova","Scotia and North Dakota northward.","This is a slightly smaller bird than carbo, and in the nesting season the white","plumes of the latter are replaced by tufts of black and white feathers from","above each eye. On the coast they nest the same as carbo and in company with","them on rocky islands. In the interior they place their nests on the ground or","occasionally in low trees on islands in the lakes. They breed in large colonies,","making the nests of sticks and weeds and lay three or four eggs like those of","the common Cormorant but averaging shorter. Size 2.30 x 1.40. Data. Stump","Lake, North Dakota, May 31, 1897. Nest of dead weeds on an island. Six eggs.","Collector, T. F. Eastgate.","\f79","NESTS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS","80","TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS
120a. FLORIDA CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus ftoridanus.
This sub-species is a common breeding bird in the swamps and islands of the
Gulf coast and north to South Carolina and southern Illinois. The nests are
placed in the mangroves in some of the most impenetrable swamps and are
composed of twigs and lined with leaves or moss. They lay three or four chalky
bluish white eggs. Size 2.30x1.40. Data. Bird Is., Lake Kissimee, Florida,
April 5, 1898. Three eggs. Nest made of weeds and grass, in a willow bush.
120b. WHITE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus.
Range. Northwestern coast of North America, breeding in Alaska, and south
to the northern boundary of the United States, breeding both in the interior
and on the coast, in the former case generally on the ground or in low trees
on swampy islands and in the latter, on the rocky cliffs of the coasts and
islands. The nests are built in the same fashion as the other Cormorants, and
the three to five eggs are similar. Size 2.45 x 1.40.
120c. FARALLON CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus.
Range. This sub-species breeds on the coasts and islands of California and
southward.
In company with other species of Cormorants, these birds breed in large
numbers on the Farallones, placing their nests well up on the higher ridges and
rocks. They breed most abundantly during May. When nesting on the inland
islands, they place their nests in low bushes. Their nests and eggs are similar
to those of the other Cormorants. Size 2.40 x 1.50. Data. Farallones, California. Nest of weeds and seaweed on the rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson.","121. MEXICAN CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus.","\fRange. Breeds abundantly from southern Texas, south through","north rarely to Kansas; har","Greenish white","Mexico;
recently
been found breeding in limited number on some of the Bahamas. In the
interior they nest in trees, chiefly
those overhanging or growing in the
water. On the coasts they nest on the
rocky ledges, as do the other Cormorants. They nest in colonies building
their abode of twigs and weeds, and
during May laying three or four eggs,
greenish white in color and chalky, as
are all the Cormorants. Size 2.25 x 1.35.","81","120c 122","122. BRANDT'S CORMORANT.","Phalacrocorax penicillatus.","Range. Pacific coast breeding along the whole coast","of the United States.","This species is found more abundantly on the Farallones than is the Parallone Cormorant. Like the other","Cormorants breeding on these islands, these cling closely","to their nests, for fear of being robbed by the Gulls, that","are ever on the watch to steal either eggs or young.","Their nesting iiabits and eggs are identical with those of","\f. the other species. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data. Bird Island,","California, May 24, 1885. A very bulky nest of seaweed","on the rocks. Collector, A. M. Ingersoll.","123. PELAGIC CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus.","These are perhaps the most beautiful species of Cormorants, having brilliant violet green metallic reflections and, in the breeding plumage, crests on the forehead and nape, as well as large white flank patches.","They breed in large colonies on the Aleutian Islands,","placing their nests of sticks and sea mosses on the rocky","ledges, often hundreds of feet above the sea level. Three","or four eggs are laid during May and June. The young","birds' when hatched are naked and black, and are repulsive looking objects, as are those of all the other Cormorants. The eggs","are greenish white with the usual calcareous deposit. Size 2.30 x 1.40.","123a. VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus.","This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the Aleutian Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the","Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the pM^s^^-.r^-^a^ss^-.-agi","rocky islands. The eggs are the same size as those of","the preceding.","123b. BAIRD'S CORMORANT.","agicus resplendens.","This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Washington south to Mexico. They nest on the Parallones,","but in smaller numbers than the other varieties found","there. Both the birds and their eggs are smaller than","the preceding. Size of eggs 2.20 x 1.40.","1 24. RED-FACED CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax urile.","Range. Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to","Japan in the winter.","This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having","the forehead bare. They do not differ in their breeding","habits from others of the family. That the Cormorants","are expert fishermen may be seen from the fact that the","Chinese tame and have them catch fish for them, placing","a ring around their neck to prevent their swallowing the","fish. Their nesting places are very filthy, being covered","with excrement and remains of fish that are strewn","around the nests. They breed in June laying three or","four eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.50. j93 b 124","82","\fPhalacrocorax pel-","TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS
PELICANS. Family PELECANID^E
Pelicans are large, short legged, web footed (all four toes joined by a web)
birds, the most noticeable feature of which is the long bill with its enormous
pouch suspended from lower mandible. This pouch, while normally contracted,
is capable of being distended to hold several quarts. It is used as a scoop in
which to catch small fish. Their skin is filled with numerous air cells, making
them very light and buoyant.
125. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.
Range. Temperate North America, breeding in the interior, from Utah and
the Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five feet, are
entirely white except for the black primaries. They get their food by approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their head beneath the surface, sometimes scoop up a large number of fish at a time; after allowing the
water to run out of the sides of the mouth, they proceed to swallow their catch.
They nest in large communities on islands in some of the inland lakes.
Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Shoal Lake, Manitoba, furnish breeding ground
for many thousands of Pelicans. They build their simple nests on the ground,
making them of sticks and weeds. They generally lay two eggs, but often
three or four. Size 3.45 x 2.30. Data. Egg Island, Great Salt Lake, June 19,
1884. Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, surrounded by a few
sticks. Collector, F. F. Leonard.","Chalky white","83","AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN","84","\f126'. BROWN PELICAN. Pelecanus occidental.","Range. Found on the South Atlantic and Gulf","coasts of the United States.","Brown Pelicans are about 50 inches in length;","they have a blackish and grayish body and a","white head and neck with a brown stripe down","the back of the latter. The pouch is a dark greenish brown. This species is maritime and is not","found inland. They breed in large colonies on","many of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico and on","Brown Pelican
White Pelican","Chalky white
Pelican Island on the east coast of Florida, in
which latter place they are now protected from
further depredations at the hand of eggers and
gunners. Their fishing tactics differ from those
of the White Pelican. They dive down upon the
school of fish from the air and rarely miss making a good catch. Their nests are quite bulky structures made of sticks and
weeds and grasses. These are generally located on the ground but occasionally
in low mangroves, these latter nests being more bulky than the ground ones.
They lay from two to five chalky white eggs during May and June. Size 3. x
1.90. Data. Tampa Bay, Fla., May 29, 1894. Three eggs. Nest in the top of
a stout mangrove; made of sticks, branches and leaves. Collector, Geo. Graham.","127. CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN. Pelecanus calif ornicus.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia south to the Galapagos Islands.","This bird is similar to the preceding, but larger and the pouch is reddish.","They breed abundantly on the Coronado Islands and southward. Their habits,","nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Brown Pelican. Size of","the three or four chalky white eggs is 3.10 x 1.95. Data. Coronado Islands,","Calif., March 28, 1897. Three eggs. Nest of sticks, lined with green leaves,","located on the ground. Collector, H. McConville.","85","\fMAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. Family FREGATID^E","128. MAN-O'-WAR BIRD. Fregata aqtiila.","Range. Tropical seas, north regularly in America to the South Atlantic and","Gulf coasts, casually farther.","Man-o'-war Birds or \"Frigates,\" as they are","often called, are remarkable birds in many respects. In comparison with their weight they","have the largest expanse of wing of any known","bird. Weighing only about four pounds they have","an extent of from seven to eight feet, their wings","being extremely long and pointed. The length of","the bird is about 40 inches, of which the tail comprises about 18 in., 10 inches of this being forked.","They have a large bright orange gular sac, a long,","White
hooked bill, and small slightly webbed feet. Their
powers of flight combine the strength of the
Albatrosses and the grace of the Terns. They
are very poor swimmers and do not dive, so are
forced to procure their food by preying upon the
Gulls and Cormorants, forcing them to drop their
fish, which the pirates catch before it reaches the
water. They also feed upon flying fish, catching
them in the air, whither they have been driven by
their enemies in their natural element. They nest in large colonies on some of
the Bahama Islands and on some of the small Florida Keys. Their nests are
small frail platforms of sticks and twigs and the single egg is laid in March
and April. It is white and has a smooth surface. Size 2.80 x 1.90. Data. Key
Verde, Bahamas, March 6, 1889. Single egg. Nest a frail affair of sticks on a","\fcactus. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.","Man-O'-War Bird","LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS
Order V. ANSERES","DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS. Family ANATIDAE","The birds comprising this family are of greatly varying sizes, but all have","webbed feet, and generally the bill is broader than high, and is serrated on the","edges or provided with gutters to act as a strainer in assisting the birds to","gather their food.","12Q. MERGANSER. Mergus americanus.","Range. North America, breeding from the","northern border of the United States northward.","The three species of Mergansers are almost","exclusively fish eating birds. Therefore their flesh","is unpalatable and they are known as \"Pish","Ducks.\" They are also sometimes called \"Saw-","Brownish buff
bills\" because of the teeth-like serration on both
the upper and the under mandibles. Unlike the
other species of ducks, their bills are long, slender and rounded instead of being broad and flat;
it is also hooked at the tip. Like the Cormorants,
they often pursue and catch fish under the water,
their teeth-like bills enabling them to firmly hold
their prey.
The American Mergansers, Goosanders, or Sheldrakes, as they are often called, are found botii
on the coast and in the interior. Except in certain mountainous regions, they breed chiefly north
of the United States. The male bird has no crest
and the head is a beautiful green, while the female has a reddish brown crest
and head, shading to white on the chin. They build their nest in hollow trees
near the water. It is made of grasses, leaves and moss and is lined with feathers from the breast of the female. During May, they lay from six to ten eggs
of a creamy or buff color. Size 2.70 x 1.75. Data. Gun Is., Lake Winnipeg.
June 16, 1903. Eleven eggs in a nest of white down, located between two large
boulders. Collector, Walter Raine.","\fAmerican Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser","<^gsr>","87","Hooded Merganser
Mallard","130. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Mergus serrator","Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward.","This species is more abundant than the preceding. It is slightly smaller, being 22 inches in","length, and the male is crested. Found abundantly in the United States in winter. Breeds commonly in the interior of British America and in","Labrador and Newfoundland. They make their","nests on the ground, near the water, concealing","them under rocks or tufts of grass. The nest is","made of grasses, leaves and moss and lined with","feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of","a buffy or greenish buff color. Size 2.50 x 1.70.","Data. Lake Manitoba, N. W. Canada. Two eggs","in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of rose","bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Karnaugh.","131. HOODED MERGANSER.","Lophodytes cucullatus.","Range. North America, breeding locally throughout its range, in the interior. These are beautiful","Grayish white","\flittle Ducks distinguished from all others by the semi-circular, compressed","crest which is black with an enclosed white area. They make their nests in","hollow trees, in wooded districts near the water, lining the cavity with","grasses and down. They lay ten or twelve grayish white eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.70.","132. MALLARD. Anas platyrhynchos.","Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United","States northward, and wintering south to Panama and the West Indies.","Contrasting with the preceding Pish Ducks, the Mallards are regarded as","one of the most esteemed table birds. They feed on mollusks and marine","insects which they generally reach by tipping in shallow water. They nest in","many localities in the United States but more abundantly north of our borders.","They nest in fields in close proximity to ponds or lakes, placing their nests","of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In May and June they lay from six","to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color. Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data. San Diego, California, May 19, 1897. Nest made of grass, lined with down, placed on the edge","of a field near a pond.","8*","Lake Winnipegosls, June 16, 1902 Walter Kaine","NEST AND EGGS OF AMERICAN MERGANSER","This species usually nest in holes in trees, but on this island they were nestin","g","in holes under boulders.","133. BLACK DUCK. Anas rubripes.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding from","the middle portions north to the Hudson Bay territory and Labrador.","Throughout their breeding region, one or more","pairs of these ducks nest in nearly every favorable","locality. Their nests are placed on the ground","in marshes, swamps or fields bordering a pond","or lake, the nest being concealed in the long grass","\fBlack Duck
Florida Duck","Pale greenish buffi","or reeds. They breed in equal abundance, either","in the interior or along the sea coast; in the latter case their nests are often placed beside of, or","under an overhanging rock. It is made of weeds,","grass and moss and is lined with feathers and","down. They lay from six to twelve eggs during","May and June; these are buff or greenish buff in","color. Si^a 2.30 x 1.70. Data. Duck Is., Maine,","June 3, 1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a","large tuft on water's edge.","134. FLORIDA DUCK. Anas fulvigula fulvigula.","Range. Florida and the GuK of the Mississippi.","This is a similar, lighter colored, locally distributed race of the foregoing.","The most noticeable difference in plumage between this and the Black Duck is","the absence of markings on the chin. The habits are the same, and the eggs,","which are deposited in April, are similar to those of the Black Duck, but","smaller. Size 2.15 x 1.60.","90","LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS","MOTTLED DUCK. Anas fulvigula maculosa.","Range. Gulf coast of Texas and up the Mississippi Valley to Kansas.","The habits of this bird differ in no way -from","the preceding ones. The six to ten eggs are","greenish buff in color. Size 2.15 x 1.55.","335. GADWALL. Chaulelasmus streperus.","Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in","America, chiefly in the United States and north","to Manitoba, chiefly in the interior.","\fWidgeon","Creamy buff
South in winter to the Gulf. The males of these
birds may be identified by the white speculum
and the chestnut wing coverts. Gadwalls nest
on the ground among the reeds of marshes or in
the long grass of bordering fields; they make little or no nest but line the cavity with down from
their breasts. They lay from seven to twelve Gadwall
eggs of a creamy buff color. Size 2.10 x 1.60.
Data. Benson Co., North Dakota, June 19, 1898.
Eight eggs. Nest on the ground among rank grass on a low island in Devils
Lake. Made of weeds lined with down. Collector, E. S. Rolfe.
136. WIDGEON. Mareca penelope
Range. Northern Hemisphere,
breeding in America, only in the
Aleutian Islands ; rare or accidental
in other parts of the country.
The European Widgeon is similar in build and plumage to the following species, except that the
whole head, with the exception of
the white crown, is chestnut. They
build their nests in the rushes, making them of reeds and grass and
lining them with feathers. They
lay from six to ten light buff colored eggs. Size 2.20 x 1.50,","137. BALDPATE. Mareca americana.","Range. North America, breeding in the interior from Texas north to Hudson Bay.","The Baldpate (so-called because of the white","\f3rown) or American Widgeon is a handsomely","marked bird and is regarded as a great table","delicacy. The male birds cannot be mistaken for","any other species because of the white crown,","Baldpate
Green-winged Teal","Creamy white
wing coverts and underparts and the broad green
stripe, back of the eye. They breed locally in
many parts of the country, building their nests
of grass and weeds, neatly lined with feathers,
on the ground in marshes. They lay from six
to twelve creamy eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.50. Data.
Lac Aux Morts, North Dakota. Eight eggs. Nest
of grass and down on ground in a grassy meadow.
Collector, E. S. Bryant.
[138.] EUROPEAN TEAL. Nettion crecca.
An old world species that is casually found on
both coasts of America.","139. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Nettion carolinense.","Range. Whole of North America,","^******** breeding chiefly north of the United","States.","A small, handsome species, the male of","which can readily be identified by the","reddish brown head and neck, with the","large green patch behind each ear ; length","fourteen inches. Green-winged Teals are","our smallest representative of the Duck","family. They are eagerly sought by","sportsmen, both because of their beauty","/ ^^^^^^^^P^\" and the excellence of their flesh. They","are among the most common of Ducks in","the interior, where they nest generally in","tufts of grass along ponds, lakes or","-as;,^ brooks. Nest of grass and weeds, lined with down from the bird. Eggs buff","y,","\fBuff","four to ten in number. Size 1.85 x 1.25.","92","140. BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Querquedula discors","Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward; rare on the Pacific","coast.","Another small species, known by the blue wing","coverts and the white crescent in front of eye.","They nest in the same localities with the preceding species, placing their nest of grass and weeds","on the ground in meadows near water. Eggs","buffy white. Six to twelve in number. Size 1.90 x","1.30.","141. CINNAMON TEAL.","tera","Querquedula cyanop-","Range. Western United States, chiefly west","of the Rocky Mountains. Casually east to Texas,","Illinois and British Columbia.","The Cinnamon Teal is another small Duck,","marked by the uniform rich chestnut plumage and","light blue wing coverts. The speculum is green.","The nesting habits are the same as those of the","Teals, the nests being placed on the ground in","marshes or fields near water. Their nests are","closely woven of grass and weeds and lined with","down and feathers from the breast of the bird.","The eggs are pale buff and number from six to","fourteen. Size 1.85 x 1.35.","[141.1.] RUDDY SHELDRAKE.","\fC as area ferruginea.
This is an Old World species that has accidentally occurred in Greenland.","Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal","93","142. SHOVELLER. Spatula clypeata.","Range. Whole of North America, breeding in","the interior from Texas northward.","This strikingly marked Duck is twenty inches","in length, has a green head and speculum, blue","wing coverts and chestnut belly. The bill is long","and broad at the tip. It makes its nest on the","ground in marshy places, of grass, weeds and","Dull olive gray","Lead gray
feathers. Six to ten eggs constitute a complete
set. They are greenish or leaden gray color.
Sise 2.10 x 1.50. Data. Graham's Island, North
Dakota, May 28, 1899. Nest of dead weed stems
and grass, lined with down. Ten eggs. Collector,
E. S. Bryant.","PINTAIL. Dafila acuta.","North America from northern United States northward, wintering south to Panama. This species,","which is also known as the Sprig-tail, is very","common in the United States in the","\fspring and fall migrations. It is about","thirty inches long, its length depending upon the development of the tail","feathers, the central ones of which are","long and pointed. They breed casually in many sections of the United","States, but in abundance from Manitoba to the Arctic Ocean. They nest","near the water, laying from six to","twelve eggs of dull olive color. Size","2.20 x 1.50. Data. Graham's Island,","Devil's Lake, N. Dakota, June 15, 1900.","Ten eggs. Nest on the ground, of","weeds, lined with down. Colony breeding. Collector, B. S. Bryant.","04","144. WOOD DUCK. Aix sponsa.","from Labrador and British Columbia south to","Florida.","Bridal Duck is a name often given to this, the","most beautiful of all Ducks.","They are beautifully marked, have a large crest,","and are iridescent with all colors of the rainbow.","They frequent wooded country near ponds and","Rich buff
lakes, feeding on water insects and mollusks in
the coves. They build their nests in hollow trees
and stumps, often at quite a distance from the
water. When the young are a few days old, they
slide, scramble, or nutter down the tree trunk to
the ground below, and are led to the water. The
nest is made of twigs, weeds and grass, and warmly lined with down. The eggs are a buff color
and number eight to fifteen. Size 2. x 1.5.
[145.] RUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK. Netta rufina.","Wood Duck","\fRedhead","A European species; a single specimen taken on Long Island in 1872.","146. REDHEAD. Marila americana.","Range. No f rth America at large,","breeding from northern United","States northward, chiefly in the interior.","A bird commonly seen in the","markets where it is often sold as","the following species because of","their similarity. The nests are","placed on the ground in marshes or","sloughs, and are made of grasses,","lined with feathers. Eggs from","six to fourteen in number, of a","buffy white color. Size 2.40 x 1.70.","147. CANVAS-BACK. Marila valisineria.","Range. Whole of North America, breeding","chiefly in the interior from the United States to","the Arctic Ocean.","A noted table bird, especially in the south","where it feeds on wild celery. Can be distinguished from the Redhead by its darker head, lighter","back, and gradually sloping bill. They nest abundantly in Manitoba, their habits being the same as","the preceding. They lay from six to ten eggs of","a darker shade than the Redheads. Size 2.40 x","1.70. Data. Haunted Lake, N. Alberta, June 12,","1897. Ten eggs. Nest of reeds in a heavy reed","bed out in the lake. Collector, Walter Raine.","1 18. SCAUP DUCK. Marila marila.","Range. North America, breeding from North","Dakota northward, chiefly in the interior; south","in winter to Central America.","\fCanvas-hack
American Scaup Duck","Pale greenish gray","This and the following species are widely known","as \"Blue-bills\" owing to the slaty blue color of","that member. Their plumage is black and white,","somewhat similar in pattern to that of the Redhead, but darker, and the whole head is black.","They nest, in marshes about many of the ponds and lakes in the interior of","British America. The nest is made of marsh grasses and lined with feathers.","The six to ten eggs are pale grayish or greenish gray. Size 2.50 x 1.70. Data.","Saltcoats Marshes, N. W. Canada, June 15, 1901. Ten eggs. Nest in the grass;","a depression lined with down and dried grasses. Collector, Walter Raine.","97","149- LESSER SCAUP DUCK. Marila affinis.","Dakota and British Columbia northward; win","ters south to Central America.","This Duck is distinguished from the preceding,","chiefly by its size which is about two inches less,","or 17 inches in length. The nesting habits are","the same as those of the Greater Scaup and the","eggs are similar but smaller. Size 2.25 x 1.55.","Data. Northern Assiniboia, June 10, 1901. Ten","eggs on grass and down at the edge of a lagoon.","Collector, Walter Raine.","150. RING-NECKED DUCK. Marila collaris.","Range. North America, breeding in the interior, from North Dakota and Washington northward. Winters from Maryland on the east and","British Columbia on the west to Central America.","Lesser Scaup Duck","\fRing-necked Duck","Lead gray
Similar to the Lesser Scaup in size and plumage, except that it has a narrow chestnut collar
around the neck, the back is black instead of
barred with white, and the speculum is gray instead of white. The habits and
nesting habits of the Ring-neck do not differ from those of the other Scaups.
They lay from six to twelve eggs. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data. Cape Bathurst,
N. Y. T., June 18, 1901. Ten eggs in a slight hollow in the moss, lined with
down. Collector, Captain Bodfish.","98","151.","GOLDEN-EYE.
americana.","Clangula clangula","Range. North America, breeding both on the","coast and in the interior, from the northern border of the United States northward to the Arctic","Ocean.","These are handsome Ducks known as \"Whistlers\" from the noise of their wings when flying,","ind \"Greatheads\" because of the puffy crest. The","Grayish green
head is greenish with a large round white spot in
front of, and a little below the eye. The rest of
the plumage is black and white. This species
nests in hollow trees near the water, lining the
cavity with grass, moss and leaves, and lining the
nest with down from thefr breasts. In May and","\fJune they lay from six to ten eggs of a grayish","green color. Size 2.30 x 1.70.","152. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE.","Clangula islandicaRange. Northern North America, breeding","north of the United States except from the mountainous portions of Colorado northward.","This Golden-eye differs from the preceding chiefly in the shape of the white","spot before the eye, which in this species is in the form of a crescent. The","size is the same, about 20 inches in length. The reflections on the head are","purplish rather than greenish as in the preceding. The nesting habits are","the same, they building in hollow trees near water. The six to ten eggs are","not different from the preceding. Size 2.30 x 1.65. Data. Alfusa, Iceland, June","30, 1900. Seven eggs. Nest of grass and down in a box attached to a tree by","an islander.","American Golden-eye
Barrow Golden-eye","99","Buffle-head
Old-squaw","153. BUFFLE-PIEAD. Charitonetta albeola.","Range. North America, breeding from United","States northward. Winters south to Mexico.","Gunners know this handsome little duck by","the names of \"Butter-ball,\" and \"Dipper,\" a name","also given to Grebes. It is also quite similar, but","smaller (15 in. long), to the American Golden-eye","but has a large white patch on the back of the","Dull buff
head, from eye to eye. It is an active bird and,
like the two preceding, is capable of diving to a
great depth to get its food. Its nesting habits
are like the preceding. Eggs eight to fourteen.
Size 2 x 1.40. Data. Alberta, Canada, June 6,
1899. Seven eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump,
lined with down. Collector, Dr. George.
154. OLD-SQUAW. Harelda hy emails.
Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the
Arctic regions; south in winter to New Jersey
and Illinois.
The Long-tailed Duck, as it is called,
is especially noticeable because the
breeding plumage of the male differs
markedly from that in the winter. In
summer their general plumage is blackish brown, with a white patch around the
\\ eye, and white belly. In winter they are
\\. largely white. The central tail feathers are much lengthened. They breed
abundantly in Greenland, Alaska and the
Hudson Bay Territory, placing their
nests of grasses and weeds on the ground
near the water. It is generally concealed in the long grass. The eggs number
from six to twelve. Size 2. x 1.50. Data
N. Iceland, June 10, 1900. Nest on ground,
lined with down. Collector, S. H. Wallis.","100","155. HARLEQUIN DUCK.","histrionicus.","Histrionicus","Range. Northern Hemisphere in America,","\fbreeding from Newfoundland and the Rocky","Mountains in Colorado, northward. South in winter to California and New England.","A beautiful and most gorgeous bird, not in colors, but in the oddity of the markings, the colors","only including black, white, gray and chestnut.","Either sex can be recognized by the small short","Greenish buff
bill. They breed mostly in single pairs along
swiftly running streams, placing their nest, which
is woven of weeds and grasses, in the ground
near the water. It is also claimed that they sometimes nest in hollow trees. They lay from five
to eight eggs, yellowish or greenish buff in color.
Size 2.30 x 1.60. Data. Peel River, Alaska, June
13, 1898. Seven eggs in a hollow in river bank,
lined with down. Collector, C. E. Whittaker.","Harlequin Duck
Labrador Due","156. LABRADOR DUCK.","dorius.","Camptorhynchus labra-","This bird, whose range was from Labrador to New Jersey in the winter,
has probably been extinct since 1875, when the last authentic capture was
made. It is a strange fact that a bird of this character should have been
completely exterminated, even though they were often sold in the markets.
Only forty-one specimens are known to be preserved at present and nothing
is known in regard to their nesting habits or eggs.","101","157- STELLER'S DUCK. Polysticta stelleri.","Range. Arctic regions in America, chiefly on","the Aleutian Islands and northwest coast of","Alaska.","A very beautiful species eighteen inches long;","head white, washed with greenish on the forehead and nape; chin, throat, neck, back, tail and","crissum, black; underparts chestnut; wing coverts white, the long scapulars black and white.","It breeds on the rocky coasts and islands of","Bering Sea. The six to 'nine eggs are pale olive","green in color. Size 2.25x1.60. Data. Admiralty Bay, Alaska, June 22, 1898. Nest on a hummock of the tundra, near a small pool, lined with","grass and down. Collector, B. A. Mcllhenny.","158. SPECTACLED EIDER. Arctonetta fischeri.","Range. Coast of Alaska from the Aleutians","to Point Barrow.",">teller's Duck
Spectacled Eider","Pale olive green","Like the rest of the true Eiders, this species is black beneath and mostly
white above. The head is largely washed with sea green, leaving a large patch
of white, narrowly bordered by black around each eye, thus resembling a pair
of spectacles. The nests are made of grass and seaweed and lined with down;
they are placed on the ground in clumps of grass or beneath overhanging
stones. The five to nine eggs are an olive drab or greenish color. Size 2.70
x 1.85. Data. Point Barrow, Alaska, June 15, 1898. Six eggs. Nest of moss
and down in a hollow in dry tundra. Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.
159- NORTHERN EIDER. Somateria mollissima borealis.
Range. North Atlantic coast, breeding from Labrador to Greenland and
wintering south to New England.
A large Duck similar to the next species, but with the base of the bill
differing, as noted in the description of the following species, and with a more","\fnortherly distribution. The nesting habits are the same as those of the other
Eiders. Six to ten eggs generally of a greenish drab color. Size 3. x 2,
102","LAMELLIROST^AL SWIMMERS","160. EIDER. Somateria dresseri.","Range. Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to","Labrador and wintering south to Delaware.","This species differs from the preceding only in","the fleshy part of the base of the bill, which extends back on each side of the forehead, it being","broad and rounded in this species and narrow and","Greenish drab
pointed in the Northern or Greenland Eider. This
species, but more especially the Northern Eider,
are the ones chiefly used for the eider-down of
commerce. The preceding species is often semidomesticated in Greenland, the people protecting Eider
them and encouraging them to nest in the neigh- Pacific Eider
borhood. They make their nests of seaweed and
grass and warmly line it with down from their
breast; this down is continually added to the nest during incubation until
there is a considerable amount in each nest, averaging about an ounce in
weight. The birds are among the strongest of the sea ducks and get their food
in very deep water. Their flesh is not good eating. Their eggs number from
five to ten and are greenish drab. Size 3. x 2.","161. PACIFIC EIDER. Somateria v-nigra.","Range. North Pacific from the Aleutian Islands northward, and east to","Great Slave Lake.","This bird is, in plumage, like the Northern Eider, except that it has a black","V-shaped mark on the throat. They nest sparingly on the Aleutian Islands,","but in great numbers farther north on the coast about Point Barrow. Their","habits, nests and eggs are precisely the same as those of the eastern forms.","Their eggs number from five to ten and are of olive greenish color. Size 3. x 2.","Data. Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 8, 1900. Eight eggs. Nest a hollow in the","moss, lined with grass and down.","103","162. KING EIDER. Somateria spectabilis.","America from Labrador to Greenland and the","Arctic Ocean; south in winter to the New England States and rarely farther on the eastern","side, and to the Aleutians on the Pacific; also","casually to the Great Lakes in the interior.","A handsome and very different species from","any of the foregoing, having the crown ashy blue,","and the long scapulars black instead of white.","It also has a broad V-shaped mark on the throat.","Like all the other Eiders, the female is mottled","brown and black, the different species being very","difficult to separate. The nests are sunk in the","ground and lined with down. Eggs number from","six to ten. Size 2.80 x 1.80. Data. Point Barrow,","Alaska, July 5, 1898. Five eggs. Nest a hollow","in the moss on tundra lined with moss and down.","Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.","163. SCOTER. Oidemia americana.","Range. Northern North America, breeding","from Labrador, the Hudson Bay region and the","Aleutien Islands northward; winters south to","Virginia, the Great Lakes and California.","Scoters or \"Coots\" as they are generally called","are sea ducks whose plumage is almost wholly","black; they have fantastically colored and shaped","bills. The American Scoter is entirely black","without markings; base of bill yellow and orange.","This species nest as do the Eiders, often concealing the nest, of grass and feathers, under some","overhanging rock. They lay from six to ten eggs","of a dingy buff color. Size 2.50 xl.70. Data.","Mackenzie Bay, June 15, 1899. Ten eggs. Nest","a hollow in the sand, lined with down.","Buff
104","\fLAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS","[164.] VELVET SCOTER. Oidemia fusca.","An Old World species that has accidentally occurred in Greenland.","165. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Oidemia deglandi","Range. Abundant in North America, breeding","from Labrador, North Dakota and British Columbia, northward. Wintering south to the Middle","States, southern Illinois and southern California.","The largest of the Scoters, length 22 inches,","distinguished by a large white speculum on the","wing, also a white comet extending from under","the eye backwards. It also has a yellow eye.","Like the other Scoters, this species often feeds","in very deep water. They are strong, active diving birds, and are also strong on the wing, generally flying close to the surface of the water.","Their flesh is not regarded as good eating, although they are often sold for that purpose. They","nest on the ground, generally in long grass or","under low bushes making a coarse nest of","grasses, and sometimes twigs, lined with feathers.","They lay from five to eight eggs of a pale buff","color. Size 2.75 x 1.85.","166. SURF SCOTER. Oidemia perspicillata.","<Range. Northern North America, breeding","north of the United States boundary, and wintering south to Virginia and southern California.","The male of this species is entirely black, except for the white patches on the forehead and","nape, and the vari-colored bill of black, white,","pink and yellow. They nest either along the","coast or in the interior, building a nest lined","with down, in the marsh grass bordering small ponds. They lay from five to","eight buffy cream colored eggs. Size 2.40 x 1.70. The females of all the","Scoters are a dingy brownish color, but show the characteristic marking of the","species, although the white is generally dull or sometimes mottled. Data.","Mackenzie River, June 25, 1894. Six eggs in a nest of down on an island in the","river.","\fSurf Scoter
White-winged Scoter","105","167. RUDDY DUCK. Erismatura jamaicensis.","chiefly north of the United States border except","locally on the Pacific coast. Winters along the","Gulf and through Mexico and Central America.","This peculiar species may always be recognized","by the brownish or chestnut upper parts, blackish","crown, white cheeks and silvery white underparts.","The bill is very stout and broad at the end, and","the tail feathers are stiff and pointed like those","Ruddy Duck
Masked Duck","Grayish white
of a Cormorant. They build their nests in low
marshy places, either placing them on the
ground near the water or in the rushes ovei it.
Their nests are made of rushes and grasses,
sometimes lined and sometimes not, with down
from the parents breast. The eggs number from
six to twelve and are grayish in color. Size 2.40
x 1.75. Data. Northern Assiniboia, Canada, June
6, 1901. Eight eggs. Nest made of aquatic
grasses, lined with down. Built in a tuft of rushes
in a marsh. Collector, Walter Raine.","[168.] MASKED DUCK. Nomonyx dominions.","This is a tropical species which is resident in Mexico, Central America and","\fin the West Indies. It occurs in Mexico north to the lower Rio Grande Valley and has in three known instances strayed to northern United States. The
general plumage is a rusty chestnut, mottled with blackish, it has a black face
and throat, with white wing bars.","106","169.","SNOW GOOSE.
hyperboreus.","Chen hyperboreus","Range. North America west of the Mississippi","Valley, breeding in northern Alaska and the Mackenzie River district.","This smaller species of the Snow Goose nests","on islands in rivers along the arctic coast. The","nest is a depression in the ground, lined with","grasses and, occassionally down. They lay from","four to eight eggs of a buffy or yellowish white","color. Size 2.75 xl.75.","l69a. GREATER SNOW GOOSE.","Chen hyperboreus nivalis.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding in","the Arctic regions and wintering chiefly on the","Atlantic coast, south to Cuba.","Grayish White Lesser Snow Goose","Blue Goose","This bird is like the preceding; except in size;","\fabout thirty-six inches, instead of twenty-six inches in length as is the lesser","variety. The entire plumage is white except for the black primaries. They","construct their nests of grasses on the ground the same as the preceding variety. The eggs number from five to eight and are cream colored. Size 3.40x","2.40.","169.1. BLUE GOOSE. Chen ccerulescens.","Range. North America, principally in the interior, breeding from Hudson","Bay northward and wintering along the Gulf coast.","This species may always be recognized by the entirely white head and neck,","the body being grayish or bluish gray. They nest on the ground as do the","other geese laying from four to eight eggs of a brownish buff color. Size 2.50","xl.75. Data Cape Bathurst, Arctic coast, June 29, 1899. Four eggs laid in a","depression lined with grass, on an island. Collected with the parent bjrds by","the Esquimaux.","107","White-fronted Goose","170. Ross's SNOW GOOSE. Chen rossi.","Range. This beautiful species, which is similar in plumage to the large Snow Goose, is but","twenty-one inches in length. It breeds in the extreme north, and in winter is found in the western part of the United States as far south as the","Gulf of Mexico. Their nesting habits and eggs","probably do not differ from others in the family","except in the matter of size.","[171.] WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser albifrons albifrons.","This European species is exactly like the American except that it is said to average a trifle","smaller. It is occasionally found in Greenland.","171a. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.","\fAnser albifrons gambeli.","the Arctic regions and wintering south to the","Gulf coast; not common on the Atlantic coast","during migrations.","These birds may be recognized by their mottled","plumage, dark head and white forehead. This","species is more abundant than any of the preceding and nests in large colonies along the arctic coast and in Alaska. Their nests are made of","dried grasses, feathers and down and are placed","on the ground in a slight depression. From","four to nine eggs are laid; these have a dull buff","ground. Size 3.00x2.05. Date. Island in delta","of Mackenzie River, June 10, 1&99. Pour eggs.","Nest of grass and feathers on the ground on a","small island. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer.","[171-1.] BEAN GOOSE. Anser fabalis.","This European spocies is casually found in Greenland. It is one of the","most ccmmon of the Old World Species.","108","172.","CANADA GOOSE.
canadensis.","Branta canadensis","from northern United States northward, and wintering in the southern parts of the United States.","This species is the most widely known of American Geese and is the most abundant. Its familiar","\"honk\" has long been regarded as the signal of","\fthe coming of spring, and the familiar V-shaped","formation in which the flocks migrate is always","an object of interest to everyone. With the exception of in North Dakota and Minnesota, they","breed chiefly north of the United States. They","construct quite a large nest of weeds and grass,","and warmly line it with down and feath.ers.","They lay from four to nine eggs of a buff or drab","color. Size about 3.50x2.50. Data. Ellingsars","Lake, North Dakota, May 18, 1896. Five eggs.","Nest on an island in the lake, constructed of","weeds and trash, and lined with a few feathers.","Collector, Edwin S. Bryant.","172a. HUTCHINS GOOSE. Branta canadensis","hutchinsi.","This sub-species is like the preceding except","that it is smaller, thirty inches in length. It is","a western variety, breeding in Alaska and along","the Arctic coast and wintering to southern California. Its breeding habits, nests and eggs are","the same as the common goose except that the","eggs are smaller. Sibe 3.00 x 2.05.","172b. WHITE-CHEEKED GOOSE. Branta canadensis occidentalis.","This bird is about the same size as the Canada","Goose and the plumage is very similar except","that the black sometimes extends on the throat,","thereby isolating the white cheek patches, and","there is a white collar below the back of the neck. It is a western species,","breeding in Alaska and wintering along the Pacific coast of the United States.","Its nesting habits and eggs are same as those of the Canada Goose except that","the latter are a trifle smaller.","Gooso
Cackling\" Goose","I72c. CACKLING GOOSE. Branta canadensis minima.","This bird is really a miniature of the Canada Goose, being but twenty-four","inches in length. It breeds in Alaska and along the Arctic coast and migrates","into the western parts of the United States. They are abundant birds in their","breeding range, where they place their nests upon the shores of ponds, or on","islands in inland rivers or lakes. The nests are made of weeds and grasses,","lined with down. The eggs which are buff colored, number from four to nine","and are laid during June and July. Size 2.30 x 1.95.","109","\fCANADA GEESE","173. BRANT. Branta bernicla glaucogastra.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding in the","Arctic regions and wintering in the United States","east of the Mississippi.","The Brant resembles a small Canada Goose,","except that the black of the neck extends on the","breast, and only the throat is white. They are","one of the favorite game birds and thousands are","shot every fall and spring. Their nests and eggs","are the same as the next species.","174. BLACK BRANT. Branta nigricans.","Range. Western North America, breeding in","Alaska and wintering on the Pacific coast of the","United States. Rare east of the Mississippi.","Brant
Black Brant","Grayish
This species is like the last except that the
black extends on the under parts. This species
nests very abundantly in northern Alaska, laying
their eggs in a depression in the ground, lined with down. Favorite locations
are the many small islets in ponds and small lakes. They lay from four to
eight grayish colored eggs. Size 2.80 x 1.75. Data. Cape Bathurst, North
West Territory, Junes 22, 1901. Seven eggs in a small hollow in the ground,
lined with down. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.","111","\fRarnacle Goose
Emperor Goose","[175.] BARNACLE GOOSE. Branta leucopsis.","This Old World species occurs frequently in","Greenland and very rarely is found on the mainland of this continent.","176. EMPEROR GOOSE. Philacte canagica.","Range. Alaska, south in winter casually to California.","This handsome species is twenty-six inches in","length; it may be known from the mottled or","\"scaly\" appearance of the body, and the white","head with a black chin and throat. While not uncommon in restricted localities, this may be considered as one of the most rare of North American","Geese. Their nests are built upon the ground","and do not differ from those of other geese. They","lay from three to seven eggs of a dull buff color.","Size 3.10x2.15. Data. Stuart Island, Alaska,","June 16, 1900. Six eggs laid in a slight hollow in","the ground, lined with a few feathers and some","down. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.","Egg of Canada Goose Buffy drab","112","177. BLACK-BELLIED TREE-DUCK.","cygna autumnalis.","Range. Tropical America, north in the Rio","Grande Valley to southern Texas.","These peculiar long-legged Ducks are very","abundant in southern Texas during the summer","months. They build their nests in hollow trees,","often quite a distance from the water. They lay","their eggs upon the bottom of the cavity with","only a scant lining, if any, of feathers and down.","They are very prolific breeders, raising two broods","in a season, each set of eggs containing from ten","\fto twenty. These eggs are creamy or pure white,","size 2.05 x 1.50. The first set is laid during the","latter part of April or early in May, and fresh","eggs may be found as late as July. They are","especially abundant about Brownsville and Corpus","Christi, Texas. Data. Hidalgo, Mexico, May 29,","1900. Ten eggs in a hole in an old elm tree on","side of lake in big woods near town. Eight feet","from the ground. Collector, F. B. Armstrong.","LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS
Dendro-","Black-bellied Tree duck","Fulvous Tree-duck","FULVOUS TREE-DUCK. Dendrocygna bicolor.","Range. This species is tropical like the last, but the summer range is extended to cover, casually the whole southwestern border of the United States.","This bird is long-legged like the last, but the plumage is entirely different,","being of a general rusty color, including the entire under parts. The nesting","habits and eggs are the same as those of the Black-bellied Duck, the white eggs","being laid at the bottom of a cavity in a tree. They number from eight to (in","one instance) thirty-two eggs in one nest. This species is nearly as abundant","as the preceding in southern Texas.","Whistling Swan","[179-] WHOOPER SWAN. Olor cygnus.","This European variety frequently is found in","Greenland and formerly, regularly bred there.","It nests in secluded swampy places in northern","\fEurope.
180. WHISTLING SWAN. Olor columbianus.
Range. North America, breeding in the Arctic Circle, and wintering south to the Gulf of
Mexico.
These birds, which are nearly five feet in
length, are snow white with the exception of
the black bill and feet. The Whistling Swan
is distinguished from the next species by the
presence of a small yellow spot on either side
Df the bill near its base. Their nests are made
of a large mass of rubbish, weeds, grass, moss,
feathers and occasionally a few sticks. It is
generally placed in a somewhat marshy place
in the neighborhood of some isolated pond.
The eggs are of a greenish or brownish buff
color, and number from three to six. Size 4.00
x 2.75. Data. Mackenzie River. Nest a mass
of weeds, sods and grass, lined with feathers;
on an island near the mouth of the river. Collector, I. O. Stringer.","181. TRUMPETER SWAN. Olor buccinator.","Range. Interior of North America from the Gulf of Mexico northward, breeding from northern United States northward.","This is a magnificent bird, about five and one-half feet in length. Its plumage is exactly like that of the preceding except that the bill is entirely black",",","and the nostral is located nearer the eye. Their nesting habits and eggs are","the same as those of the Whistling Swan. While a few pairs may breed within","the United States by far the greater number are found in the extreme north,","from Hudson Bay to Alaska. The eggs may average a trifle larger than those","of the preceding species.","114","LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES. Order VI. ODONTOGLOSS^E","FLAMINGOES. Family PHOENICOPTERIDAE","182. FLAMINGO. Phcenicopterus ruber.","Range. Tropical and sub-tropical America on","the Atlantic coasts, breeding in the Bahamas and","West Indies; north to Florida and casually to the","\fSouth Atlantic States.","These remarkable and grotesque appearing","birds attain a length of about 48 inches. The","plumage varies from white to a deep rosy red. It","requires several years for them to attain the perfect adult plumage, and unlike most birds, they","are in the best of plumage during the winter, the","colors becoming faded as the nesting season approaches. The birds are especially noticable because of the crooked, hollow, scoop-shaped bill,","and the extremely long legs and neck. The feet","are webbed, but more for the purpose of supporting them upon the mud flats than for use in swimming. The nests are usually built on a sandy","point of an island; they are mounds of earth, grass","and rubbish from one to two feet in height, the","top being hollowed to receive the eggs. One or","two eggs are a complete set. The shell is pale","blue, but this is covered with a heavy white chalky","deposit. The eggs are laid in June and July.","Size 3.40x2.15.","American Flamingo
Roseate SpoonbT","IBISES, STORKS, HERONS, etc. Order VII. HERODIONES","The members of this order are wading birds, consequently they all have","long legs and necks. They have four toes, not webbed.","SPOONBILLS. Family PLATALEIDAE","183. ROSEATE SPOONBILL. Ajaia ajaja.","Range. Tropical America, north in summer to the Gulf States. They formerly nested in remote swamps along the whole Gulf coast, but are now confined","chiefly to the Everglades in Florida.","115","This bird, with its broad, flat bill, bare head, and rosy plumage with carmine
epaulets and tail coverts, seem more like the fanciful creation of some artist
than a real bird of flesh and blood. Its plumage and colors are strikingly clear
and beautiful. Full plumaged","\f- - ._ adult birds have very brilliant","carmine shoulders and tail coverts, a saffron colored tail, and a","lengthened tuft of bright rosy","feathers on the foreneck. This","species breed in small colonies","-J in marshy places, often in com'* pany with herons and ibises.","* Their nests are rather frail platW forms of sticks, located in bushes or trees, from four to fifteen","feet from the ground. The eggs","are laid during the latter part","of May and June. They are","three or four in number and","have a ground color of dull","white, or pale greenish blue and","are quite heavily blotched with several shades of brown. Size 2.50 x 1.70.","Egg of American Flamingo","116","WADING BIRDS","IBISES. Family IBIDID^","Ibises are gracefully formed birds having a long","curved bill and a bare face.","184. WHITE IBIS. Guara alba.","Range. This is a tropical and sub-tropical","species which is found along the Gulf coast, and","north to South Carolina, west to Lower California.","These handsome birds are wholly white, with","the exception of black primaries. The legs and","the bare skin of the face is orange red. These","birds are very abundant in most marshy localities","\fScarlet Ibis","Grayish
along the Gulf coast, especially in Florida, where
they nest in rookeries of thousands of individuals.
Owing to their not having plumes, they have not
been persecuted as have the white herons. They
build their nests of sticks and grasses, in the
mangroves a few feet above the water. In other White ibis
localities they build their nests entirely of dead
rushes, attaching them to the standing ones a foot or more above the surface
of the water. They are quite substantially made and deeply cupped, very different from the nests of the Herons. Their eggs are from three to five in number, vary from grayish ash to pale greenish or bluish in color, blotched with
light brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. The nesting season is during May and June.
Data. Tampa Bay, Fla., June 4, 1895. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and a few
weeds in small bushes on an island. Collector, Fred Doane.
[185.] SCARLET IBIS. Guara rubra.
Range. Occasionally, but not recently met with in the southern states.
Their habitat is tropical America, they being especially abundant along the
Orinoco River in northern South America.
Full plumaged adults of this species are wholly bright scarlet, except for the
primaries, which are black. Their nests are built in impenetrable thickets,
rushes or mangroves, the nests being constructed like those of the White Ibis.
The eggs, too, are very similar to those of the preceding species, but both the
ground color and the markings average brighter. While still common in some
localities, the species is gradually becoming less abundant, chiefly because of
the demand for their feathers for use in fly-tying.
117","Glossy Ibis
White-faced Glossy Ibis
Wood Ibis","186. GLOSSY IBIS. Plegadis autumnalis.","Range. This tropical and sub-tropical species,","is chiefly found in the Old World. It is occasion-","\fally found in southeastern United States where it","sometimes breeds. Its habits, nesting habits and","eggs are just the same as the next species.","187. WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. Plegadis","guarauna.","Range. A sub-tropical species found in the","southwestern parts of the United States, rarely","found east of the Mississippi.","This species differs from the Glossy Ibis in","having the feathers on the front of the head white,","the rest of the plumage is a dull brownish chestnut, with greenish reflections on the back. As","these birds are not in demand commercially, their","numbers have not decreased, and thousands of","them breed in colonies in southern Texas. They","build a substantial nest of reeds and rushes woven","about the upright canes, close to the surface of the","water. Their eggs are laid during May, and number from three to four. They are easily distinguished from those of the Herons, being of a","deeper greenish blue color and averaging more","elongate. Size 1.95x1.35. Data. Corpus Christi,","Texas, May 26, 1899. Pour eggs. Nest of twigs","and rushes on side of river. Collector, F. B.","Armstrong.","STORKS and WOOD IBISES","Family CICONHDAE","188. WOOD IBIS. Mycteria americana.","Range. A sub-tropical species which is resident along the Gulf coast and","which strays casually north to New England and Colorado.","This peculiar member of the Stork family has the whole head and part of the","neck bare and covered with numerous scales; the bill is large, long and heavy;","the plumage is white, except for the black primaries and tail. It is a large","bird about four feet in length. They are quite abundant in swamps along the","11$","Gulf coast, where they place their nests, which","are platforms of sticks, in trees and bushes over","the water. They lay three eggs which are white,","and have a rough surface. Size 2.75 x 1.75.","\f[189.] JABIRU. Jabiru mycteria.","This large bird, which is the only true Stork","that claims a place in our avifauna, is a native","of South and Central America, wandering north,","casually to Texas. Their nests are large platforms of sticks in very high trees.","BITTERNS and HERONS","Family ARDEIDAE","Herons and Bitterns are long-legged waders,","having straight, pointed bills, and with the head","feathered, except for the lores.","190. BITTERN. Bautaurus lentiginosus.","Range. United States and southern British","provinces, breeding in the northern half of the","United States and wintering in the southern portion.","Bittern","Jabiru","Brownish drab","This species, with its mottled rusty brownish plumage, is one of the best
known of the Heron family. It is known locally by a great many names, nearly
all of which have reference to the \"booming\" or \"pumping\" sound made during
the mating season. They build their nests in swampy or marshy places, placing them on the ground, frequently on a tussock, entirely surrounded by water.
The nest proper is only a few grasses twisted about to form a lining to the
hollow. They lay from three to five eggs of brownish drab. Size 1.95 x 1.50.
They do not breed in colonies, generally, but one or two pairs nesting in one
marsh. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 3, 1897. Four eggs laid in a grass lined
hollow in middle of a hummock of earth and grass, in middle of marsh. Collector, James Jackson.","\f191. LEAST BITTERN. Ixobrychus exilis.","Range. Common throughout the United States,","especially in the eastern part, and in the southern","British provinces.","This small variety of Bittern is very common","in the southern portions of the United States, but","less so and locally distributed in the northern","portions of its range. They are very quiet and","sly birds, and their presence is often unsuspected","when they are really quite abundant. When approached, they will remain perfectly quiet, with","the body erect and the","head and neck pointed","skyward, in which position their yellowish","brown plumage strongly","resembles the rushes","among which they are","found. Their nests are","made of strips of rushes","woven about upright","stalks, generally over water. They lay from","three to five eggs of a pale bluish white color.","Size 1.20 x .90. Data. Avery's Island, La., May 1,","1896. Four eggs. Nest of strips of rushes woven","together to form a platform and fastened to saw","grass growing on the bank of a stream. Collector,","E. A. Mcllhenny.","191.1. CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. Ixobrychus","neoxenus.","This rare species, of which about twenty specimens are known is probably resident in Florida,","wandering north in the summer, specimens having been taken in Ontario, Canada, and in several","localities in eastern United States. It is very different from the Least Bittern","having a more uniform chestnut coloration, especially on the under parts. It is","twelve inches in length. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of five eggs of this","species, taken on the Caloosahatchee River, Fla., April 15, 1891, by S. B. Ladd.","nest was made of grasses and rushes placed in the cane two feet above the","water.","\fLeast Bittern
Cory's Least Bittern","120","192. GREAT WHITE HERON.","Ardea occidentalis.","Range. This species occurs in the- United","States regularly, only in the southern parts of","Florida. It is a resident of the West Indies.","This large white Heron is about the same size","as the Great Blue Heron; it has none of the","slender plumes found on the smaller White Herons. These birds are not uncommon in southern","Florida, especially on the Keyes, where they build","their nests in company with Great Blue Herons.","Their nesting habits and eggs are very similar","to those of the Blue Heron. Size of eggs 2.25 x","1.80. Data. Outside of Torch Key, Florida, June","16, 1899. Nest a platform of sticks about five feet","from the ground, in a mangrove tree. Three eggs.","Collector, O. Tollin.","GREAT BLUE HERON.","herodias.","Ardea herodias","Range. Nearly the whole of North America,","except the extreme north; resident south of the","middle portions of the United States and migratory north of there.","This handsome Heron is about four feet in","length. Its general color is a bluish gray, relieved by a black crest, primaries and patches on the","sides, and a white crown. In the south they breed","in large colonies, often in company with many","other species. In the northern portions of their","range they breed singly or in companies of under","\fa hundred individuals. They generally place","their rude platforms of sticks well up in trees,","near ponds, swamps or rivers, but in the most","northerly parts of their range, where trees are","scarce, they often build on the ground. Unless","they are disturbed, they return to the same breeding grounds, year after year. They lay from three to five eggs of a greenish","blue color. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data. Duck Island, Maine, May 20, 1883. Three","eggs. Nest of sticks and twigs, about fifteen feet from the ground. Collector,","R. B. Gray.","194a. NORTHWEST COAST HERON. Ardea herodias fannini.","This darker sub-species of the breeding is found along the Pacific coast,","north to Sitka, Alaska. Its nests and eggs do not differ from the former","species.","Great White Heron","Great Blue Heron","121","194b. WARD'S HERON. Ardea herodias rvardi.","This sub-species is a resident in Florida. It is","a lighter variety than the common. It nests together with the Great Blue Heron and its habits","are the same.","[195.] EUROPEAN HERON. Ardea cinerea.","This species is only an accidental straggler in","Greenland. It is very similar to our Blue Heron","and is the one which was formerly used to furnish sport for the royalty when falconry was at","its height.","196. EGRET. Herodias egretta.","Range. Resident in the southern portions of","the United States, straggling northward casually","to the northern parts.","This is one of the beautiful Herons which have","\fbeen sought by plume hunters till they are upon","the verge of extermination. They are entirely","white, with a long train of beautiful straight","\"aigrettes\" flowing from the middle of the back.","In remote localities, quite large colonies of them","may still be found, but where they numbered","thousands, years ago, they can be counted by","dozens now. They breed in impenetrable swamps,","very often in company with the following species, and also with Louisiana and Little Blue","Herons, and White Ibises. Their nests are but","frail platforms, generally in bushes over the","water. Their usual complement of eggs numbers","from three to five, four as the most common number. They are generally laid during the latter","part of May, but often on account of their being","disturbed, nests with eggs may be found in July.","The eggs are a light bluish green in color. Size","2.25x1.45. Data. Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. Four eggs on a platform of sticks and grass, in a buttonwood bush over six feet of water. Collector, George Graham.","Snowy Egret
Egret","?
**-!","197- SNOWY EGRET. Egretta candidissima candidissima.","Range. Common now only in restricted localities in the Gulf States and Mexico.","This species, which is smaller than the last,","being but twenty-four inches in length, is also","adorned with \"aigrettes,\" but they are beautifully recurved at the tips. Owinjf to the merciless slaughter to which they have been subjected, their ranks have been woefully decimated, and it is to be hoped that the remaining","ones may be safely protected. Their nesting","habits are the same as the last, although, of","course, the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 x 1.25.","122","Light greenish blue","\fWADING BIRDS","198. REDDISH EGRET. Dichromanassa rufescens.","Range. In the United States, this species is","confined chiefly to the Gulf States.","It is somewhat larger than the last species, the","head and neck are rufous, the body is bluish gray,","and the back is adorned with slender gray plumes.","It also has a white phase. This Egret is very","abundant along the whole Gulf coast, but especial-","Pale bluish green","ly so in Texas. Their nesting habits are identical with those of the other small Herons and","Egrets. The three or four eggs are rather of a","more greenish blue than the preceding. Size 1.90","x 1.45. Data. Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894.","Three eggs. Nest of sticks and straw in a button-wood tree, two feet above the water. Collector, George Graham.","199. LOUISIANA HERON. Hydranassa tricolor","ruficollis.","Range. Subtropical America, north regularly","to the Gulf States and casually farther.","This Heron is of about the size of the Reddish","Egret, but the neck is longer, more slender and","dark, while the chin, throat and underparts","are white. The plumes from the back are","short, reaching barely to the end of the","tail. They nest in large colonies in company with Egrets and Little Blue Herons,","placing their nests in the mangroves, only","a few feet above the water. Their nests are","the same as those of the other species, a","slight platform of sticks, and the three to","five eggs are practically not distinguishable","from those of the Snowy or Little Blue","Herons. Size 1.75 x 1.35.","123","Reddish Egret","\fLouisiana Heron","Little Blue H<","Green Heron","200. LITTLE BLUE HERON. Florida ccerulea.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north","casually to New England and Manitoba; west to","Kansas and Nebraska.","A smaller species than the preceding, length","22 inches, plumage a uniform slaty blue changing to purplish red on the head and neck. They","also have a white phase, but always show traces","of the slaty blue, especially on the primaries.","Young birds are always white. They breed in","immense rookeries during April and May. Their","nesting habits and eggs are very similar to the","last species, although the eggs average a trifle","smaller. Size 1.75x1.25. Data. Avery's Island,","Louisiana, April 21, 1896. 5 eggs. Nest a flat","and frail platform of twigs in a Mimosa tree","growing in floating turf, over deep water in a","large swamp. Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.","201.","GREEN HERON.
virescens.","\fButorides virescens","Range. Temperate and sub-tropical America,","breeding north to the British Provinces.","This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well known all over the country.
Sometimes they breed in numbers in rookeries, in company with the larger
Herons, but in most sections of the country they will be found nesting, one or
two pairs together, along the border- of some
swamp or stream. They have a greater diversity
of building sites, than do any of the other Herons
and frequently nest a long ways from water.
Their nests may be found in alders, birches or
even apple trees. It is the usual Heron type of
platform, upon which the three to six eggs are
laid. They are a pale greenish blue in color, and
measure 1.45 x 1.10. Data. Avery's Island, Louisiana, April 10, 1894. 5 eggs on a platform of
twigs placed in a willow tree growing on the edge
Light bluish green o f a pond. Collected by E. A, Mcllhenny.","124","WADING BIRDS
201a. FRAZAR/S GREEN HERON. Butorides virescens frazari.
A darker variety found in Lower California; nesting the same as the common
species.
201b. ANTHONY'S GREEN HERON. Butorides virescens anihonyi.
A lighter, desert form found in the arid portions of the interior of southwestern United States and Mexico.","NEST AND EGGS OF GREEN HERON","125","\f202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.","Nycticorax nycticorax naevius.","Range. North America from southern British","Provinces, southward; winters along the Gulf","coast and beyond.","A well known bird, often called \"quawk\" from","the sound of its note frequently heard in the evening. While, in some localities, only a few pairs","of these birds are found nesting together, most","of them gather together into large colonies during the breeding season. In New England they","generally select a remote pine grove as their","Black-crowned Night Heron","Yellow-crowned Heron","breeding grounds. If not disturbed","turn to this same place each year.","are built of sticks and lined with","and are placed well up towards the","trees.","they will reTheir nests","small twigs,","tops of the","Frequently several nests will be found in the","same tree, and I have counted as many as fifty","nests in view at the same time. In large swamps","in the south they generally nest at a low elevation, while in the marshes of Wisconsin and Minnesota, large colonies of them","nest on the ground, making their nest of rushes. Like all Heronries, those of","this species have a nauseating odor, from the remains of decayed fish, etc.,","which are strewn around the bases of the trees. Their eggs number from three","to five and are of a pale bluish green color. Size 2.00 x 1.40. Data. Uxbridge,","Mass., May 30, 1898. 4 eggs. Nest of sticks, about thirty feet up in a pine tree","Many other nests. Collector, H. A. Smith.","203. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Nyctanassa violacea.","Range. Sub-tropical America, breeding along the Gulf coast and to Lower","California; casually farther north, to Illinois and South Carolina.","A handsome grayish colored species, with long lanceolate plumes on the","back, and two or three fine white plumes from the back of the head, like those","of the Black-crowned species. Its black head, with tawny white crown and ear","coverts, renders it unmistakable. This species nests in colonies or by pairs,","like the preceding, and very often in company with other Herons. They lay","from three to six eggs, very similar in size, shape and color to those of the","Black-crowned Heron.","126","\fWADING BIRDS
CRANES, RAILS, Etc. Order VIII. PALUDICOL^
CRANES. Family GRUIDAE","Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds, somewhat resembling","Herons. Their structure and mode of living partakes more of the nature of","the Rails, however. They are found upon the prairies, where besides shell","fish from the ponds, they feed largely upon grasshoppers, worms, etc.","204. WHOOPING CRANE. Grus americana.","Range. Interior of North America, breeding","from about the latitude of Iowa northward to the","Arctic regions ; winters in the Gulf states and","southward.","The Whooping Crane is the largest of the family in America, measuring 50 inches or more in","length. The plumage of the adults is pure white,","with black primaries. The bare parts of the head","and face are carmine. It is a very locally distributed species, in some sections being practically unknown, while in a neighboring locality it","may be rated as common. They are very shy","birds and are not easily obtained. They nest","either upon the solid earth or in marshy places","over the water. In either case the nest is a very","bulky mass of grass and weeds from two to three","feet in diameter and raised perhaps a foot above","the ground. They lay two eggs of a brownish","buff color, irregularly blotched with brown, and","with fainter marking of gray. Size 3.75 x 2.50.","Data. Torkton, northern Assiniboia, northwest","Canada. Nest a mass of marsh hay, three feet in","diameter, on the prairie. The birds seen, but very","wary. Collector, Cowbry Brown.","205. LITTLE BROWN CRANE.","Grus canadensis.","Range. North America in the interior, breeding from Hudson Bay and southern Alaska north","to the Arctic coast; south in winter to Mexico.","This uniform gray colored Crane differs from","the next species only in size, being about three","feet in length, while the Sandhill averages three","and one-half feet. The eggs cannot be distin- -.*-. ^~rr","guished with any certainty. P Little Brown Crane","&","Brownish buff
EGG OF WHOOPING CRANE","Buff
EGG OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE","128","206. SANDHILL CRANE. Grus mexicana.","from the Gulf States, locally north to the southern parts of the British Provinces.","This is the most common and the most southerly distributed member of the family. In some","sections of Florida and Texas it is regarded as","abundant. They nest in marshy places near secluded ponds. The nests are masses of grass,","weeds and roots, generally placed in marshes and","entirely surrounded by water. The two eggs are","similar to those of the Whooping Crane, but the","ground color is lighter. The eggs of the two species cannot always, with certainty, be distinguished. Size 3.75 x 2.40. Data. Carman, Manitoba,","May 31, 1903. 2 eggs. Nest on a knoll in a","marsh, hidden by dead rushes and weeds; a flat","loose structure of broken rushes and reeds. Collector, Chris Forge.","COURLANS. Family ARAMIDJE","207. LIMPKIN. Aramus vociferus.","Range. This bird is a native of the West","\fIndies and Central America, but occurs regularly","north to the southern portions of Florida.","This strange bird is the only member of its family found in the United States. It may be likened","to a large Rail or a small Crane, being apparently, a connecting link between the two. It is about","two feet in length, and the plumage is mottled","brownish and white. It lives in the marshes,","from whence, until late at night, emanate its","strange cries, which are likened to those of a","child in distress. They nest in the most impen-","Sandhill Crane.
Limpkin.","Buffy white
etrable parts of swamps, building their nests of rushes, grass and weeds, in
tangled masses of vines a few feet above the ground or water. They lay from
three to eight eggs having a ground color of buff or grayish white and blotched with light brown. Their coloration is very similar to those of the Cranes.
Size 2.30 x 1.70. They nest in April and May.
129","RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS. Family RALLID^E","Members of this family are almost exclusively frequenters of marshes,","where they lead a shy, retiring life and are more often heard than seen.","208. KING RAIL. Rallus elegans.","Range. Fresh water marshes of eastern United States from New England
and the Dakotas, southward. Very abundant on the South Atlantic coast, in
the inland marshes.
This is one of the largest of the Rails, (17
inches in length) and may be known by the
richness of its plumage, the breast and wing
coverts being a rich cinnamon color. It is
almost exclusively a fresh water species and is
very rarely found around a salt water marsh.","\fIts nest is built on the ground, in a tuft of grass","and weeds woven about the upright stalks.","They lay from five to twelve eggs having a","cream colored ground, sparingly speckled with","brown and lilac. Size 1.60 x 1,20. Data. Clark","County, Missouri, June 6, 1893. 10 eggs. Nest Cream color.","composed of reed stalks; a slightly concave mass 8 inches across, and only","two inches above the water, in a clump of reeds. Collector, Ed. S. Currier.","2()f). BELDING'S RAIL. Rallus beldingi.","Range. Lower California and the islands in the Gulf.","This is a locally confined species, very similar to the preceding but darker","and with the flank bars narrower. Its nesting or eggs will not differ from those","of the King Rail.","CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus obsoletus.","Range. Salt marshes of the Pacific coast of the United States.","This species is like a dull colored King Rail,","with reference to the markings of the back, or","a bright colored Clapper Rail, as it has a cinnamon colored breast. It is an abundant species","in nearly all the salt marshes along the coast,","They make their nests on the higher parts of","the marsh, where it is comparatively dry, building them of grass and strips of rushes. They","lay from four to nine eggs of a light buff color,","boldly spotted with brown, and with fainter","markings of lilac. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data.","Palo Alto, Gal., May 1, 1899. Nest of marsh","grass under a small bush on bank of slough.","Collector, Ernest Adams.","Light buff.","131","\fcoast","; F 211. CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans","crepitans.","Range. Salt marshes of the Atlantic","from southern New England southward.","A grayish colored Rail, about the size of, and","with the markings similar to those of the King","Rail. It is as exclusively a salt water species as","the King Rail is a fresh water one. With the","possible exception of the Carolina or Sora Rail,","this is the most abundant of all the Rails, hun-","Buff.
dreds nesting in a single marsh on the South
Atlantic coast. Their nests are built of rushes
and weeds, and are placed on the ground either in
the tall grass bordering the marshes or attached
to the rushes in the midst of the marsh. The
nesting season commences during April and continues through May. They lay from six to fourteen eggs, of a buff color spotted irregularly with
brown and gray. Size 1.70 x 1.20.
21 la. LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans saturatus.
The habitation of this subspecies is limited to
the coast of Louisiana. It is very similar to the proceeding but is said to be
brighter in plumage.","King Rail.
Clapper Rail.","21 Ib. FLORIDA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans scotti.","Range. Western coast of Florida.","This bird is also similar to crepitans but is much darker and brighter.","21 Ic. WAYNE'S CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans waynei.","Range. South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida.","This subspecies is a little darker than crepitans, being about midway between that species and Rallus scotti. The nests and eggs of any of these sub-","\fspecies cannot be distinguished from those of the common Clapper Rail.","211.2. CARIBBEAN CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus longirostris caribaeus.","Range. West Indies and east coast of Mexico, north to southern Texas.","This species is similar to the Clapper, but has a shorter and relatively stouter","bill.","132","212. VIRGINIA RAIL. Rallus virginianus.","from the Middle States and California, northward","to British Columbia and Labrador, and wintering","along the Gulf coast; most abundant in the east.","A small Rail, 9 inches","long, very similar in","markings and colora- ^''","tion to the King Rail.","It is found chiefly in","fresh water swamps,","where it builds its nests","in tufts of rushes. The","eggs number from six","to fourteen, and are","creamy white, or white,","Creamy white.","speckled with reddish brown. Size 1.25 x .90 Data.","Fighting Island, Detroit River, Michigan, May","30, 1904. Nest made of marsh grass, in rushes, 6","inches above the water. Collector, E. Leroy King.","[213.] SPOTTED CRAKE. Porzana porzana.","This common European species is casually","found in Greenland. It breeds in large numbers","throughout temperate Europe, nesting as do the","\fAmerican Rails.
214. SORA. Porzana Carolina.
Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from the southern parts of the British possessions, south to the Gulf coast.
This abundant species of Rail may be readily
known by its small size, about eight inches long,
and the black face and throat of the adult. These
are the \"Rail-birds\" or \"Ortolans\" which are annually slaughtered by thousands, for sport and marketing, during their fall migration. It is only because of the large families
that they rear, that they are able to withstand this ^ * . *>
yearly decimanation of their ranks. They nest
either in salt of fresh water marshes, making a jj^y
rude structure of grass, weeds and strips of rushes,
on the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of ghass
in a tangled swamp or marsh. During May, they
lay from six to sixteen eggs of a bright, buffy gray
color, spotted with reddish brown and lavender.
Size 1.25X.90. Bright buff.","Sora
Virginia Rail.","133","Rich buff.","215. YELLOW RAIL.","Coturnicops noveboracensis.","Ranrge. Locally distributed in temperate North","America, from New England and Nova Scotia, to","California and British Columbia; south to the","Gulf States in winter.","This is a very handsome species, with plumage","of glossy brown, yellowish buff, black and white;","length seven inches. They are very shy and se-","\fcretive, and are probably","more common than generally supposed. Their nesting habits are the same","as those of the preceding.","Their eggs are of a rich","buff color, speckled in the","form of a wreath about","the large end, with reddish brown. They are","relatively narrower than","those of other Rails. Size","1.10 x .80. Data. Benson Co., North Dakota, June","4, 1901. Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B.","Peabody. This set is in the collection of Mr.","John Lewis Childs.","216. BLACK RAIL. Creciscus jamaicensis.","from northern United States southward.","Smallest of the rails; 5 inches in length. A","dark slaty colored bird with","white specks, and a patch of","dark chestnut on the fore","back. This diminutive spescies is very hard to find because of its retiring habits,","but according to Mr. Brewster it may be located by the","clicking sound of its song.","Their nests are woven of strips of rushes or grasses, and are well \"cupped\"","to receive the eggs. They are on the ground on the border of, or in, marshy","places. Mr. Childs has a fine set of eight eggs, taken by Arthur T. Wyane, at","Mt. Pleasant, S. C., June 10, 1903. The nest was located in an oat field. The","eggs have a creamy white ground, and are specked all over with reddish brown.","Size 1.03 x. 75.","Yellow Rail.
Black Rail","[216.1.] FARALLON RAIL.","Known only from a single specimen, which is","censis and without the white specks on the back.","Creciscus coturniculus.
slightly smaller than jamai-","\f134","[217-] CORN CRAKE. Crex crex.","This European Rail is casually found in Greenland and along the Atlantic coast of North America. It is the most abundant of European Rails","and is found breeding in marshes, meadows and","along streams.","218. PURPLE GALLINULE. lonornis martinicus","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States; casually north in eastern United States to Massachusetts and Ohio.","Pale buff.
A very handsome bird with purplish head,
neck and under parts, and a greenish back. Like
all the Gallinules and Coots, this species has a
scaly crown plate. An abundant breeding species
in the southern parts of its range. Its nests are
made of rushes or grasses woven together and
either attached to living rushes or placed in tufts
of grass. They lay from six to ten eggs of a
creamy or pale buff color sparingly blotched with
chestnut. Size 1.60 x 1.15. Data. Avery's Island,
Louisiana, May 7, 1896. Ten eggs. Nest of dry rushes, woven to standing ones
growing around an \"alligator hole\" in a marsh. Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.","Purple Gallinule.
Corn Crake.","135","21Q. FLORIDA GALLINULE. Gallinula galeata.","Range Temperate North America, from New","England, Manitoba and California, southward.","A grayish colored bird of similar size to the","last (13 inches long), with flanks streaked with","white, and with the bill and crown plate reddish.","They nest in","colonies in","marshes and","swamps, building their nests","like those of","the Purple","Gallinule. The","eggs, too, are","similar, but","larger and","slightly duller.","Size 1.75x1.20.","Data. Montezuma marshes, Florida, June 6, 1894. Eleven","eggs. Nest of dead flaggs, floating in two feet of","water. Collector, Robert Warwick.","Pale buff.","[220.] EUROPEAN COOT. Fulica atra.","A European species very similar to the next,","and only casually found in Greenland. Nesting","the same as our species.","Florida Gallinule.
Coot.","Grayish.","221. COOT. Fulica americana.","\fRange. Whole of temperate North America,","from the southern parts of the British Provinces,","southward; very common in suitable localities","throughout its range.","The Coot bears some resemblance to the","Florida Gallinule, but is somewhat larger,","its bill is white with a blackish band about","the middle, and each toe has a scalloped","web. They inhabit the same marshes and","sloughs that are used by the Rails and Gallinules as nesting places, and they have the","same retiring habits, skulking through the","grass to avoid observation, rather than flying. Their nests are either floating piles","of decayed vegetation, or are built of dead","rushes in clumps of rushes on the banks.","They generally build in large colonies. The","eggs number from six to sixteen and have","a grayish ground color, finely specked all over the surface with blackish.
1.80x1.30.","136","Size","Greenish buff","SHORE BIRDS. Order IX. LIMICOL^E","PHALAROPES. Family PHALAROPODIDAE","Phalaropes are small Plover-like birds, but with lobate webbed feet, similar","to those of the Grebes and Coots.","222. RED PHALAROPE. Phalaropus fulicarius.","Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the","far north, and migrating to the middle portions","of the United States, chiefly on the coasts.","The Red Phalarope during the breeding season","has the underparts wholly reddish brown; they","are very rarely seen in the United States in this","dress, however for it is early changed for a suit","of plain gray and white.","This species has a much","\fx 1 -\" w*^K stouter bill than the two","following; it is about nine","inches in length. All the","Phalaropes are good swimmers, and this species, especially, is often found in","large flocks off the coast,","floating on the surface of","the water; they feed largely upon small marine","insects. Nests in hollows on the ground, lined","with a few grasses. The eggs are three or four","in number, generally of a greenish buff color,","spotted and blotched with brown and blackish.","Data. Myvates, Iceland, June 19, 1897, Collector,","C. Jefferys.","223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. Lobipes labatus.","northern parts of the British Provinces.","This is the smallest of the Phalaropes ^being","about eight inches long; in summer it has a","chestnut band across the breast and on the side","of the neck. Its habits and nesting habits vary","but little from those of the Red Phalarope, although its distribution is a little more southerly,","and it is not as exclusively maritime as the preceding species. It is found on both coasts of the","United States, but more common on the Pacific side,","during the fall and spring, when going to or returning from its winter quarters in the tropics.","Their eggs cannot, with certainty, be distinguished","from the preceding species.","137","Red Fhaiarope.
Northern Phalarope.","Greenish buff.","\\","\fMale, female, young.","Wilson's Phalarope","224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE.","Steganopus tricolor.","Range. Interior of temperate North America,","breeding from the latitude of Iowa, northward,","and wintering south of the United States.","This is the most handsome species of the family, being of a very graceful form, of a grayish","and white color, with a broad stripe through the","eye and down the neck, where it fades insensibly","into a rich chestnut","color. It is an exclusively American","species and is rare","ly found near the","coast. It builds its","nest generally in a","tuft of grass, the","nests also being of Brownish buff,","grass. The eggs","are of a brownish or greenish buff color, spotted","and blotched with black and brown. Size 1.30 x",".90. Data. Larimore, N. D., May 30, 1897. Nest","a shallow depression, scratched in the sand, under","a tuft of grass on an island. Collector, T. F.","Eastgate.","138","SHORE BIRDS","AVOCETS and STILTS. Family RECURVIROSTRIDyE","225. AVOCET. Recurvirostra americana.","Range. Western North America, breeding","north to Northwest Territory.","The Avocet can be known from any other bird","\fby its up-curved bill, light plumage, webbed feet","and large size (length about 17 inches). These","waders are quite numerous in suitable localities","American Avocet
Black-necked Stilt.","Greenish buff.
throughout the west, constructing their nests in
the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest is
simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the ground.
They lay three or four eggs of a dark greenish
or brownish buff color, boldly marked with
brown and black. Size 1.90x1.30. Data. Rush
Lake, Assiniboia. Pour eggs laid in a depression
in the sand, lined with dry weeds. Many birds
nesting in the colony.
226. BLACK-NECKED STILT.
Himantopus mexicanus.
Range. Like the last, this species is rarely
found east of the Mississippi, but is very abundant in the United States west of that river.
A black and white wader, with exeremely long red legs; otherwise a gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large
colonies anywhere in its range, making
its nests of weeds and sometimes a few
twigs, on the ground beside of, or in the
marshes. Their eggs number three or
four and are brownish or greenish buff
with numerous markings of brownish
black, these markings being somewhat
lengthened and mostly running lengthwise of the shell. They nest during
April in the southern parts of their
range and through May and June in the
northern. Size of eggs 1.80x1.25. Data. Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest.
Collector, Evan Davis.
139","SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACID^","Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size,","and found either about streams or ponds in the interor or along the coasts.","They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing","in the soft mud.","227. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK.","Scolopax rusticola.","This European bird is similar to the American","Woodcock, but is larger and is barred beneath.","Their habits are the same as those of our species.","228. WOODCOCK. Philohela minor.","Range. Eastern North America, north to the","British Provinces, breeding throughout its range.","This is one of the most eagerly sought game","birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and","erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whistling","sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it","requires a skillful","marksman to","bring them down.","They frequent","boggy places especially \"runs\"","lined with alders,","where they bore","in the soft ground","for worms and","grubs. Their","eggs are laid up-","Buffy gray.","AmerTTTcrn
Wilson'","\fon the bare
ground among
the leaves and sticks; they are of about the color
of dead leaves, as is also the bird, making it quite
difficult to discover their nests. They lay three
or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown
spots. Size 1.50x1.15.","[229.] EUROPEAN SNIPE. Gallinago gallinago.","A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Greenland. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are","the same.","X40","C. A. Reed.","WOODCOCK ON HER NEST.","141","230. WILSON SNIPE. Gallinago delicata.","Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward;","winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward.","Another favorite game bird, but one which requires skill to hunt successfully. Of about the","same size as the Woodcock (11 inches long).","This species, to a great extent frequents the same","haunts used by Woodcock, but is especially fond","of open marshy meadows, with winding brooks.","Their nests are depressions in grassy banks, generally unlined; the three or four eggs have an","olive gray color and are strongly marked with","blackish brown. Size 1.50 x 1.10. Data. Lake","\fWinnipegosis, Manitoba, June 10, 1903. Nest in","a hollow on a tuft of marsh grass, the four eggs","having their points together. Collector, Walter","Raine.","Olive gray.","[230.1.] GREATER SNIPE. Gallinago media.","A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at Hudson Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species.","NKST AND EGGS OF WOODCOCK.","143","fffr \"\"","231. DOWITCHER. Macrorhamphus griseus.","Range. North America, most abundant in","the eastern parts; breeds in the extreme north,","and winters from the Gulf States to Northern","South America.","This species is","commonly known","as \"Red-breasted",", .^^aoewm - Snipe\" in late","^^^^e?k spring and sumX^^^a.^^^/A mer because ofi","^m^SL \"^^^^Sfe^ the rich > rusty","1 \" red coloration of","the underparts,","and as \"Gray-","\fback in winter
because of its
color at that season. They are very common along the Atlantic coast during the Spring migration; they
can be easily identified by their very long
bills, which are over two inches in length and
nearly one quarter the length of the whole
They nest during June, placing their three or four eggs in a slight hollow, which may or may not be lined with dried grass or leaves. The eggs have
a greenish or brownish buff color and are boldly marked with dark brown.
They do not differ greatly from those of the Snipe. Data. Mackenzie River,
June 27. 1900. Four eggs in a hollow in the grass, lined with dead grass. Collector. Walter Raine.","Grenish buff","Dowitcher.","bird.","LOON.","144","232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.","Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus.","Range. Whole of North America, but not common on the Atlantic coast; breeds in the Arctic","regions and migrates chiefly through the central","and western parts of the United States to Mexico.","This bird is practically the same as the last, but","is a trifle larger and the bill averages about a","half inch longer. They are very numerous in","\ftifceir breeding
haunts, and, during
their migrations, fly
in large compact
. flocks. They are
u not very timid, and
consequently fall an
easy prey to the gunners. Their nesting
habits and eggs are
the same as the last
species, except that
the eggs may average a trifle larger. Size 1.75 x
1.15. Data. Norton Is., Alaska, June, 1900. Nest
a small hollow in the dry ground. Four eggs.
Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.","' .. -' V *
ut^'f. \"? s. &,
jfcjk- - y","Micropalama himan-","233. STILT SANDPIPER.","topus.","Range. North America, east of the Rocky","Mountains; breeds in the Arctic regions and winters from the Gulf States southward.","In the summer, these birds may be known by","the reddish coloration of the underparts, which","are numerously barred; they are smaller than","the preceding, length about eight inches. Their","nesting habits are the same as those of the majority of the members of the family. The three","or four eggs are buffy or grayish, and are blotched and spotted with shades of","brown. Size 1.40 x 1.00.","145","\f10","Knot.
Purple Sandpiper.","234. KNOT. Tringa canutus.","Range. Arctic regions in summer; south","through the United States, chiefly on the Atlantic coast, to South America.","Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length","10.5 inches, but with a much shorter bill. In","summer the entire under parts are a uniform reddish chestnut color. They are known to breed","in Arctic America, from Point Barrow and Hudson Bay, northward, but no authentic eggs are","known, at present, to exist in collections. One","taken from a bird by Lieut. Greely, was a pea","green color, specked with brown; size 1.10x1.00.","As it was not fully developed, it was probably","correct neither as to size nor color.","235. PURPLE SANDPIPER. Arquatella maritima","maritima.","Range. Arctic regions, wintering south to the","Middle States and the Great Lakes, but chiefly","on the coast.","A grayish and blackish colored species, about","nine inches long. It nests in northern Labrador,","about Hudson Bay and","in Iceland. Its eggs are","a grayish buff color","handsomely splashed","with rich shades of","brown and obscure","markings of darker","gray. Data. Northern Iceland, June 7,","1897. Four eggs. Nest","a hollow in the ground","among grass and weeds","\fGrayish buff.
and lined with a few","grasses. Collector, C. Jefferys.","235a. ALEUTIAN SANDPIPER. Arguatella maritima couesi.","Range. Supposed to be a resident on the coast and islands of Alaska, from","the Aleutians northward.","A very similar species to the preceding; scarcely distinguishable. These","Sandpipers, which are found in Alaska at all seasons of the year, breed during","May and June. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding","bird and the eggs are indistinguishable. Size 1.40 x 1.00. Data. Unalaska,","Bering Sea, June 3, 1898. Nest containing four eggs, a depression in the moss,","lined with grasses and bits of moss. The eggs were laid with their small ends","together.","146","SHORE BIRDS
237- PRIBILOF SANDPIPER.
Arquatella maritina ptilocnemis.
Range. Coast and islands of Bering Sea, south
in winter to southern Alaska.
This bird, which is ten inches in length, has
the feathers of the upper parts edged with
rusty, and the underparts light, with a distinguishing patch of black on the breast. Similar in
appearance to the Red-backed Sandpiper, but not
so reddish above, and the latter has the black
patch on the belly. They breed commonly on
the Pribilof and other islands in Bering Sea,
nesting the same as other Sandppers. Their four
eggs are similar to those of the preceding, but
average darker. Size 1.50 x 1.05.
238. SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER.
Pisobia aurita.
Range. An Asiatic species, quite abundant in
Alaska in the summer; supposed to migrate
south in winter, wholly on the Asiatic side of
the Pacific.","\fA similar bird, in appearance, to the following,","but slightly smaller and with the breast more","ruddy. Its nesting habits probably do not differ","from those of the following Sandpiper.","239- PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Pisobia maculata.","the Arctic regions, and wintering south of the","United States, most abundant in the eastern parts","of the United States during migrations.","This species is blackish brown above, with","light brown edgings to the feathers, and white","below, except the chest, which is brownish,","streaked with black. A very peculiar species,","having the power, during the mating season, of inflating the throat to a great extent, making a balloonlike appendage, nearly the size of the bird. They","have more the habits of Snipe, than do most of the","Sandpipers, frequenting grassy meadows or marshes,","in preference to the seashore. Their nests are","grass lined depressions, and the eggs are grayish","or greenish buff, blotched with brown. Size 1.45 x","1.00. Data. Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 1900. Four","eggs in a hollow in the ground, lined with grass","Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Pectoral Sandpiper.","147","White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper.","\f240. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER.","Pisobia fuscicollis.","Range. North America, breeding from Labrador and southern Greenland, northward and wintering from central to Southern South America;","most common on the Atlantic coast.","This species is 7.5 inches in length, and has","white upper tail coverts; otherwise it is marked","similarly to the preceding Sandpiper. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the majority","of the family, and the three or four eggs that they","lay cannot be distinguished from those of the following species. Size 1.30 x .90. These are one","of the most common of the beach birds along","the Atlantic coast during migrations; they are","very often known as Bonaparte Sandpipers.","241. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Pisobia bairdi.","Range. North America, chiefly in the interior,","breeding along the Arctic coast and about Hudson Bay, and wintering south of the United","A very similar species to the preceding, but","without the white rump. Their nests are hollows","in the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of","grass, and lined with grasses and a few leaves.","They lay three or four eggs having a grayish","colored ground, and marked with different shades","of brown, and also with some faint markings of","lilac. Sh;e 1.30 x .90. Data. Peel River, Arctic","America, June 18, 1898. Pour eggs, taken with","the bird by an Indian. Eggs in a slight hollow","on the river bank.","242. LEAST SANDPIPER. Pisobia minutilla.","Range. North America, breeding from the southern parts of the British","Provinces northward; winters from southern United States southward. Common in the interior and on both coasts.","This is the smallest of our Sandpipers, being under six","inches in length. Except for size, they are similar in ^aBBB^k^","appearance to Baird's Sandpiper, only the back is browner.","A very abundant species during migrations, being found","on the seashore or in marshes, nearly always in company","with other species of the family. Their nests are the same","as other Sandpipers, and the eggs are grayish, thickly","specked with brown. Size 1.15 x .80. Data. Peel River,","Arctic America, June 20, 1899. Nest simply a depression","in the river bank, lined with grass.","\f148","[242.1.] LONG-TOED STINT.","Pisobia damacensis.","An Asiatic species accidentally found on the","Alaskan shores. It is a very similar bird to the","Least Sandpiper, and about the same size. As","implied by its name, it has unusually long toes.","[24-3.] DUNLIN. Pelidna alpina alpina.","A very common Sandpiper in the British Isles","and in Europe, but only casually occurring as a","straggler along the Atlantic coast. Very similar","to the next species, but a trifle smaller. The nest","and eggs do not differ from the following.","243a. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. Pelidna alpina","sakhalina.","from southern Greenland, Labrador, Hudson Bay","and the Yukon, northward, wintering from the","Gulf States southward. This handsome species is","similar to the Pribilof Sandpiper, but is","smaller (length 8","inches), the upper","parts are more reddish, the breast","more heavily streaked, and it has a black","patch on the belly instead of on the breast as in","ptilocnemis. Their nesting habits are similar to","others of the family; they lay three or four eggs","with a brownish or greenish buff color, heavily","blotched and spotted with shades of brown and","\fchestnut. Size 1.40x1.00. Data. Peel River, Arctic America, June 30, 1899.
Nest a simple cavity in the ground, lined with a few grasses and three or four
leaves. Collector, J. O. Stringer.","Greenish huff.","Red-backed Sandpiper.
Curlew Sandpiper.","244. CURLEW SANDPIPER. Erolia ferruginea.","Range. A common Old World species, but regarded as rare in eastern North","America and northern Alaska.","A bird of slighter build, but similar coloration to the Knot; smaller (length","eight inches) and with a slightly decurved bill. Until within recent years, eggs","of these birds were rarely seen in collections, and I believe they have not yet","been taken in this country, although a few pairs nest along our Arctic coast.","Their eggs are very similar to those of the Red-backed Sandpiper, but average","somewhat larger. Size 1.50 x 1.05. Data. Kola, northern Lapland, June 15,","1898. Four eggs laid in a grass-lined hollow in the ground. Collector, J.","Ramberg.","149","Spoonbill Sandpiper.
Semipalmated Sandpiper","[245.] SPOONBILL SANDPIPER.","EurynorTiynchus pygmeus.","A very rare Asiatic species, which has been","taken in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska. A very peculiar bird having the end of the bill broadened","and flattened into a sort of spatula. Otherwise","\fvery similar to the Least Sandpiper, but with","the breast and sides of neck ruddy in summer.","About 75 specimens of this rare bird are known","to exist.","246. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.","Ereunetes pusillus.","Range. Whole of North America, but chiefly","in the eastern and central parts, breeding about","the ponds and streams of Labrador and Hudson","Bay, and northward. These little Sandpipers are","abundant during the migrations either in marshes","or on beaches. They are most often found in","company with other species, such as the Spotted","and Least Sandpipers. Their appearance is very","similar to that of the Least Sandpipers, but they","are slightly larger and the feet are partially","webbed. Their eggs have a greenish buff or grayish ground color and are","spotted with brownish or","blackish, sometimes, so","heavily as to completely","obscure the shell color.","Size 1.20 x .80. Data.","Small island near Okak,","Labrador, July 3, 1895. 2","eggs. Nest a hollow at the","foot of a tuft of grass,","lined with a few bits of grass and small leaves.","Eggs unmistakable in this dark type.","150","Grayish buff.","247. WESTERN SANDPIPER. Ereunetes mauri.","the Arctic regions and migrating through the","\fUnited States, chiefly west of the Mississippi to","the Gulf States and southward.","Scarcely to be distinguished from the preceding species, but the upper parts are","said to be brighter and the","bill, to average a trifle longer. The nesting habits and","eggs are precisely the same","as those of the Semipalmated","variety. Data. Cape Prince","of Wales, Alaska, June 28, 1898. Four eggs. Nest","a neatly rounded hollow, sunk into a mossy hummock in marshy ground. Collector, Joseph Grinnell.","248. SANDERLING. Calidris leucophaea.","Range. Found in all parts of the northern hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle and","wintering in North America, from California and","South Carolina southward.","A handsome and abundant species, found during migrations by thousands on beaches and about","large bodies of water in the interior. They are","one of the lightest colored of the Sandpipers,","either in winter or summer plumage. In summer","the upper parts are a light rusty color and black,","and the whole underparts are white. Owing to","their extreme northerly distribution in summer,","but few of their eggs have been taken. Their","nesting habits are like those of the other Sandpipers. The three or four eggs are greenish buff in","color, spotted and blotched with brown. Size 1.45 x","Alaska, June 18, 1897. Three eggs in a depression on","Western Sandpiper.
Sanderling-.
Marbled Godwit.
.95. Data. Peel River,
the ground.","249. MARBLED GODWIT. Limosa fedoa.","Range. North America, breeding, chiefly in the interior, from northern","United States northward.","Godwits are large Plovers with long slightly upcurved bills. This species","is 19 inches in length, is of a nearly uniform ruddy color and is handsomely","\fmarbled above, and barred below with black. Their eggs are laid upon the
ground in the vicinity of ponds or rivers; sometimes there is no lining and
again a few straws or grasses may be twisted around the depression. Their
eggs number three or four and have a ground color of grayish or greenish buff,
sometimes quite dark, and are blotched with dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data. Devil's Lake, N. D., June 10, 1895. Four eggs laid on the ground in the
middle of an un-used road. Lined with a few grasses. Collector, W. F. Hill.","v-","161","250. PACIFIC GODWIT.","Limosa lapponica baueri.","Range. Coasts and islands of the Pacific Ocean","on the Asiatic side, north in summer to Alaska.","This species is more uniform and brighter ruddy beneath than the preceding, and the back is","not marbled as strongly. Even in Alaska where","it breeds, it is not a common species, and it only","occurs elsewhere on the Pacific coast of America,","casually. The nesting habits are the same, but","the eggs are somewhat darker than those of the","preceding, but not as dark as those of the following species. Size 2.20x1.45.","251. HUDSONIAN GODWIT. Limosa haemastica","Mountains, breeding in the Arctic regions and","wintering south of the United States.","Brownish.","Pacific Godwit.
Hudsonian Godwit.","This species is apparently not as common or is","more locally distributed during migrations than","\fis the Marbled Godwit. They are more abundant in their breeding grounds and
are occasionally seen in large flocks. They are smaller than the Marbled
Godwit (length 18 inches) and are deep reddish brown below. They lay four
eggs on the ground, in marshes or near ponds or streams, lining the hollow
with weeds and dried leaves. The eggs have a dark brownish buff ground
color and are blotched with brownish black. Size 2.20 x 1.40. Data. Mackenzie River, Arctic America. Four eggs laid in a hollow in the ground. Collector,
J. O. Stringer.
[252.] BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. Limosa limosa.
A European and Asiatic species only casually occurring in Greenland. Very
similar in appearance to our Hudsonian Godwit, which is frequently called by
the name of this species. The nesting habits and the eggs are precisely like
those of the American bird.
[253.] GREEN SHANK. Glottis nebularia.
A common bird in Europe and the British Isles, but only American as having
been taken once in Florida. A very similar species to the following.","152","254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.","Totanus melanoleucus.","Range. Whole of North America, nesting in","the British Provinces and rarely in the northern","part of the Mississippi Valley.","This and the next species are much sought by","sportsmen during their migrations; they are","commonly called \"Tell-tale,\" the present species","being the \"Greater Tell-tale.\" They are blackish","above, speckled with white, and below are white","and, in summer, marked with arrowhead spots of","black. The legs, as implied by the name of the","Grayish white.
bird, are yellow and long; length of bird, 14
inches. They nest most abundantly in localities
remote from habitations, in the interior of Canada. The eggs are generally laid on the ground,
near a marsh or on the bank of a stream, with
little or no lining to the nest. They are grayish
white, boldly splashed with several shades of
brown, and with lilac. Size 1.65 x 1.25. Data.
Whale River, Labrador, June 10, 1902, Eggs laid","\fon the ground in an open marsh.","Greater Yellow-legs.
Yellow-legs.","255. YELLOW-LEGS. Totanus flavipes.","Range. North America, breeding chiefly in the interior and eastern parts of","Canada, and rarely in the upper Mississippi Valley. This species is very similar to the preceding, but is smaller; length","10.5 inches. It is also called the \"Lesser","Telltale,\" a name applied because of their","wariness, and because, when they fly, they","warn all other species within hearing, of","danger. Their eggs are laid on the ground,","and in similar localities to the preceding.","They are three or four in number, grayish","or buffy in color, and are quite heavily","blotched and spotted with rich brown and","grayish or lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.20. Data.","Whale River, Labrador, June 14, 1902. Pour","eggs laid on the ground in a large marsh. Buffy.","153","256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER.","Helodromas solitarius solitarius.","chiefly north of the United States boundary,","but apt to be found nesting in any part of its","range; winters south of the United States.","A bird with a greenish gray back, barred","with white, and white below; length 8.5 inches.","Solitary Sandpiper.","Clay-colored.","\fThis species is one of the oddities among the","waders. They are most always met with, singly or in pairs, and are very rarely seen, even","in very small flocks. Their preference is for small ponds or streams in wet","woods or open meadows, rather than marshes which are frequented by other","species. They are occasionally seen during the nesting season, even in the","southern parts of their range, and they probably breed there although their","eggs are very rarely found. The eggs are clay-colored, spotted with brownish","black. Data. Simco Island, Kingston, Ontario, June 10, 1898. 5 eggs in a","shallow depression on the ground, lined with a few grasses.","NEST OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER,","154","256a. WESTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus.","Range. North America, west of the Plains;","breeds in British Columbia and probably south","of there, also.","This bird is like the last, except that the spots","on the back are buffy instead of white. Its nest","and eggs will not differ in any respect from those","of the eastern form.","[257-] GREEN SANDPIPER. Helodromas acrophus.","This species, which very closely resembles our","Solitary Sandpiper, is common in the northern","parts of the Old World. It has only accidentally","strayed to our shores.","258. WILLET. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus","semipalmatus.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding north","to the Middle States and occasionally straying to","Buff.","\fWestern Sandpiper
Willet.","the Canadian border, especially in the Mississippi Valley.","These large waders are among the most abundant of the marsh or beach","birds. They breed in small companies in marshes, frequently in those which","are covered with water at high tide, building a frail nest of grasses and weeds,","where it will be barely out of reach of the highest water. The three or four","eggs have a brownish, or sometimes greenish, buff ground color and are blotched with umber, and have fainter markings of lilac. Size 2.00 x 1.50. Data.","Sandy Bank, South Carolina, May 3, 1901. Nest on the ground, secreted in the","high grass. Made of dead marsh grass, lined with finer grasses.","155","258a. WESTERN WILLET.","Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus.","north to Manitoba and British Columbia. Casually found on the South Atlantic coast during migrations.","A larger and paler form of the preceding species; length 15.5 inches. The nesting habits are","the same, and the eggs cannot be distinguished","from those of the common Willet. Data. Refugio, Texas, May 18, 1900. 4 eggs in a grass","lined depression on the bay shore flat. Collector, J. W. Preston.","25Q. WANDERING TATTLER.","canus.","Heteractitis in-","\fWandering Tattler.
Ruff.
Upland Plover.","Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia northward.
This is a handsome species, uniform grayish
above and white below, closely barred (in summer) with blackish. During the breeding season it is found on the rugged coasts and islands of
Alaska, and casually south. It breeds in the
marsh grass near the shores and along the banks
of streams.","[260.] RUFF, Machetes pugnax,","A common European species, occasionally found","on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is a","species remarkable for its pugnacity during the","mating season; in size and appearance it is about","like the Upland Plover, with the exception of the","\"ruff\" which adorns the neck and breast of the","male bird,","261. UPLAND PLOVER. Bartramia longicauda.","Range. North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding from","middle United States, northward.","A handsome bird, 12 inches in length, '^^' r","generally known as the \"Upland Plover,\"","from its habit of frequenting dry side hills,","where it feeds upon grasshoppers and","worms. It is a favorite bird with many","sportsmen. It builds a nest of grasses, on","the ground in a tuft of grass in the middle","of fields. The three or four eggs have a buff","ground and are blotched with yellowish","brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data. Stump Lake,","N. D., June 10, 1897. Nest of grass, lined","with wool, under a tuft of grass left by the","mower. Collector, Alf. Eastgate.","\fJ56","NEST AND EGGS OF UPLAND PLOVER.","Walter Uaine.","262. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.","Tryngites subruficollis.","from the Hudson Bay region to the Arctic coast.","A buffy colored species, with a peculiarly marbled back. Size 8.5 inches long. It is an upland","species like the last. The nests are scantily lined","depressions in the ground. The eggs have a","grayish white ground","and are boldly blotched","with rich brown and","chestnut with fainter","markings of lilac. Size","1.45 x 1.05. Data. Cape","Smythe, Alaska, June,","1900. 4 eggs in a hollow in dry spot on a","marsh. Collector, H. H.","Bodfish. Grayish white.","263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Actitis macularia.","Range. Whole of North America from Hudson","Bay southward, breeding throughout its range.","A small wader about 7.5 inches in length, with","brownish gray upper parts, and white underparts","thickly spotted with blackish, especially on the","breast and flanks. This is the most abundant of","all the shore birds, and its \"peet-weet\" is a familiar sound to every country boy. It has a peculiar","habit of continually moving its tail up and down,","when at rest on a stone or when running along","the shore; from these characteristic actions it","has received the very common names of \"Teetertail\" and \"Tip-up.\" They build their nests on the","ground near ponds, brooks or marshes, generally","concealing it in a tuft of grass or weeds on the","shore or in the high grass at the edge of the","meadows. The eggs number from three to five and are of a grayish buff color,","\fspotted and blotched with blackish brown. The young, like those of all the
shore birds, are hatched covered with down, and run about as soon as born.
They are anxiously attended by the parents and at
the least sign of danger, conceal themselves beneath ^ 3^5 ^.
a tuft of grass or behind a small stone, where they ^ r
remain perfectly motionless until called by the old
birds. The adults frequently attempt to lead an enemy away from the young by feigning a broken
wing, or lameness. Size of eggs 1.35 x .90. Data.
Parker County, Ind., May 22, 1901. Nest about six
yards from bank of creek, among weeds on a sand
bar; a hollow in the sand lined with weeds. Collector, Winfield S. Catlin. Buff.","Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Spotted Sandpiper.","158","264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW.","Numenius americanus.","Range. Breeds in the South Atlantic states","and northward in the interior to Manitoba and","British Columbia.","This is the largest of the family of shore birds,","having a length of about 24 inches. Its plumage","is of a buffy color, much variegated above with","black and brown ; the bill is strongly curved downward and is from four to eight inches in length.","Their nests are located on the ground in meadows","Greenish buff.
or on the prairies, and three or four eggs are laid,
of a buff or greenish buff color, covered with
numerous spots of brownish black. Eggs of the
common Curlew of Europe, have been very frequently used as belonging to this species, but the
eggs of our species have a lighter and more
greenish ground, and the spots are smaller and
more numerous. Size, 2.50 x 1.80.","\fLong-billed Curlew.
Hudsonian, Curlew,","265. HUDSONIAN CURLEW. Numenius hudsonicus.","Range. Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering south of the United States.","This species is smaller (length","17 inches), darker, more grayish","and has a shorter bill than the preceding species. It also has white","median and lateral stripes on the","top of the head. The nesting habits are the same as those of the","Long-billed species; the three or","four eggs have a brownish bulf","ground color and are blotched with","blackish brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60.","Data. McKenzie River, Arctic","America. Nest a pile of grass,","moss and weeds on an island in","the river.","Brownish buff.","159","Eskimo Curlew.","266. ESKIMO CURLEW. Numenius borealis.","the Arctic regions and wintering in South","America; migrating through the eastern half","of the United States, more abundantly in the","interior than on the coast.","\fA still smaller species than the last (length","14 inches) and very similar to it. A few years","ago this was considered the most abundant of","the curlews, but so persistently have they been","hunted that they are now practically exterminated. They were the most unsuspicious of the","shore birds, and would allow the near approach","of the gunner, and the penalty may now be","seen. Only a short while ago they were very","often found, during migration, in company with","ether waders such as the Golden or Blackbellied Plovers. . Their nests are simply hollows","in the plains, lined with a few grasses, dried","leaves, or moss. The three or four eggs are the","same as the last for color but are smaller;","size 2.00 x 1.45.","[267.] WHIMBREL.' Numenius phaeopus.","A European species casually appearing in Greenland; very similar to the","Hudsonian Curlew, but with the rump white,","This species is known as the","Jack Curlew in England and ^^^dBUBH^G*","Scotland, where it is very abundant, and is a favorite game bird.","It breeds in the northern parts","of Europe and Asia, and in the","extreme north of Scotland and","on the Shetland Islands. The","eggs are laid in hollows on the","ground on higher parts of the","marshes. The three or four eggs","have an olive or greenish brown","color and are blotched with dark","brown. Size 2.30 x 1.60. Data.","Native, Iceland, May 29, 1900.","Six eggs. Nest a depression in","the ground, lined with dried","grass. Olive br o W n.","[268.] BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW. Numenius tahiliensis.","Range. Islands and coast on the Asiatic side of the Pacific; casually found","in Alaska. A very peculiar species with many of the feathers on the flanks","terminating in long bristles.","160","\fSHORE BIRDS","PLOVERS. Family CHARADRIID^E","Plovers are stouter built birds than those of","the previous family, have larger head, shorter","necks and but three toes, the bill also is much","harder and shorter.","[269-] LAPWING. Fanellus vanellus.","An abundant European species accidentally","occurring on the Atlantic coast. It may readily be recognized by its long black crest, black","chin and throat, and white under parts. It","breeds throughout temperate Europe, laying","its eggs in hollows on the ground. The eggs","have a dark grayish buff ground and are spotted with black. Size 1.85x1.30.","[269-1-] DOTTEREL. Eudromias morinellus.","A European bird supposed to have been accidentally taken on the Atlantic","BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Squatarola squatarola.","Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering","from the Gulf States to northern South America.","This is a remarkably handsome species when in the summer dress. The upper parts are largely white with black","spots and bars on the back, wings and","tail; the throat, sides of head, breast","and fore under parts, black. In winter,","brownish-black, somewhat mottled, above;","below, dull white. Young similar to winter adults, but the back is spotted with","yellowish-white. While these handsome","plover migrate to some extent, and sometimes in large flocks, through the interior of the United States, they are chiefly","and most abundantly found on the coast.","\fThis species has a very small hind toe.","It is a very familiar bird to sportsmen","and gunners, to whom it is generally known by the names of \"Bull-head,\" or","\"Beetle-head Plover.\" They are very numerous in the fall, during which season the underparts are entirely white. The eggs are either laid upon the bare","ground or upon a slight lining of grass-es of dead leaves. They are three or","four in number, brownish or greenish buff in color and boldly marked with black.","Size 2.00 x 1.40. Data. Point Barrow, Alaska, June, 1900. Nest a small hollow","on side of hillock, lined with dry grass.","Ifil","Grenish buff.","11","[272.] EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER.","Charadrius apricarius.","A European bird, similar to the next, casually","found in Greenland.","It is a very abundant bird throughout Europe,","breeding in the northern parts. Its habits, nests","and eggs are the same as those of the American","272. GOLDEN PLOVER.","dominions.","Charadrius dominions","the Arctic regions and wintering south to Patagonia.","\fBlack-bellied Plover.
Golden Plover.","Greenish buff.
This handsome bird is about the same size as
the Black-bellied Plover (10.5 inches long). No
hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and
yellow; below, more or less entirely black to the
tail. Young and winter adults, more or less spotted with yellow and blackish-brown above, and
grayish-white below, with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often confused with
the last species in this plumage, but is smaller, bill smaller and more slender,
and the axillars, or feathers nearest the body, under the wings, are gray while
those of the Black-bellied Plover are black. This species is now regarded as
rare on the North Atlantic coast during migrations, while in the interior it is
more abundant than the last species. They do not seem to be as suspicious as
the Black-bellies, and a flock will often allow a close approach, even when they
see you. They nest abundantly along the coast and islands of the Arctic Ocean.
The four eggs are very similar to those of the preceding, but smaller. Size 1.90
x 1.30. Data. Peel River, Arctic America, June 1, 1898. Nest of grasses and
leaves on the ground in the moss.
272a. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER. Charadrius dominions fulvus.
Range. An Asiatic species, breeding in northern Asia and on the islands
and coast of Asia. Very like the preceding, but more golden color on the back
and wings. Nesting and eggs the same.
163","NEST AND EGGS OF KILLDEER.","A. R. Spaid.","273. KILLDEER. Oxyechus vociferus.","Range. Temperate North America from the","\fsouthern parts of Canada southward. Next to the","Spotted Sandpiper, this bird is the most common","of the shore birds in the United States. It is","rarely seen in New England, but is common south","of there and in the interior of the country to Canada.","They are very noisy birds, continually uttering","their \"kil-deer, kil-deer\" from which they take","Grayish buff.
their name. They nest anywhere on the ground,
generally near water, placing their nests in fields,
cornfields or meadows. The eggs are drab or
greenish buff and profusely spotted with black.
Size 1.50x1.10. Data. Refugio county, Texas,
May 11, 1899. 4 eggs in a depression on the
ground, lined with a few grasses.","SEMIPALMATED.
Mgialitis semipalmata.
Range. North America, breeding in the interior of Canada and wintering south from the Gulf
States.","Kildeer.
Semi-palmated Plover.","Small web between ..the bases of the two outer","toes. Single broad,black band across the breast;","black line from base of bill to eye. They are very","abundant on our seacoast in Fall, both in flocks","composed entirely of their own kind, and also","with Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. They","usually keep on the inner side of sandbars or","muddy flats bordering marshes, rather than on the","open ocean beach. It is also found in smaller","flocks, about ponds and marshes in the interior of","the country. They are usually unsuspicious and will allow a close approach, or","if you are still, will run by within a very few feet. Nest on the ground; eggs","buffy, sparsely specked with black, 1.30x.90; June.","165","275. RING PLOVER. JEgialitis hiaticula.","Range. A European bird that breeds abundantly in Greenland. It nests in great numbers on","the banks of streams","and in fields, laying","its eggs in hollows on","the ground, generally","without any lining.","Their three or four","eggs are practically","not distinguishable","from those of the Semipalmated Plover, but","BufCy.","larger; siae, 1.40x1.00. The bird, too, is similar,","but the toes are not palmated, and the black","breast band is wider.","[276.] LITTLE RINGED PLOVER.","JEgialitis dubia.","An Old World species, accidentally occurring","on the Pacific coast. Like the last species, but","smaller. The eggs, too, are smaller; size 1.20","x.85.","277. PIPING PLOVER. JEgialitis meloda.","Range. Eastern North America, chiefly along","the Atlantic coast, breeding from the Carolinas","north to Newfoundland.","A handsome little bird, with a black crescent","i on each side of neck, a small black patch on top","of the head, and without any black on the lores","or ear coverts. It is the lightest colored of any","of the eastern Plovers. Length, 7 inches. Young,","similar, but the black replaced by grayish, as is","\fthe case with the last species. This species, apparently, never could be classed
as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather rare along our Atlantic
coast; this is probably more due to the building of
summer resorts and homes along their former breeding
grounds than to hunters. They are rather more shy
than the last species, but will usually attempt to escape by running along the beach or by hiding, rather
than by flight. Owing to their light colors it is very
difficult to see them at any distance. They lay their
eggs upon the sandy beaches in slight, and generally
unlined, hollows. The eggs have a pale clay colored
ground and are sparsely specked with small black
dots. Size 1.25 X 1.00. Clay Color,","Ring Plover.
Snowy Plover.","166","278. SNOWY PLOVER. JEgialitis nivosa.","Range. Breeds along the Pacific coast of the United States, and from Texas","to Manitoba in the interior. Winters on the California coast and south to Chili.","Snowy Plovers are very much like the Piping, but","are smaller (length 6.5 inches), have a longer and","more slender bill, and have a small black patch on","the side of head. It is the palest colored of the","Plovers. Large numbers of them nest along the","Pacific coast and in Texas; north of Texas, in the","interior, they are locally distributed. The eggs are","pale clay color, marked with small scratchy dots of","black. Size 1.20 x .90. Data. Newport Beach, California, May 1, 1897. Nest a hollow in the sand, a","short distance above high water; lined with broken","\fshell. Collector, Evan Davis.","[279-] MONGOLIAN PLOVER. JEgialitis mongola.","An inhabitant of the Old World, awarded a place in our avifauna because of","its accidental occurrence at Alaska.","SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND NEST.","167","Wilson's Plover
Mountain Plover.","280. WILSON'S PLOVER.","Octhodromus rvilsonius.","Range. An abundant breeding species on the","Gulf coast, coast of Lower California, and on the","Atlantic coast north to Virginia, and casually","farther.","A common Plover, which may be distinguished","from others of the genus by its comparatively","large heavy black bill, and the single broad black","band across the","breast, and not extending around the","back of the neck.","They nest on pebbly \"shingle\" or in","\fthe marsh, back of","the beaches. Their","eggs are an olive","gray color and are","spotted and scratched with blackish Olive gray","brown, with some","fainter markings of gray. Size 1.40x1.05. Data.","Corpus Christi, Texas, May 10, 1899. 4 eggs","laid on the ground among drifted grass on a salt","marsh near town. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.","281. MOUNTAIN PLOVER. Podasocys montanus","Range. Plains and prairies of western North","America, breeding from the central portions","north to Manitoba, and wintering in California","and southward.","A very peculiar species, inhabiting even the","driest portions of the western prairies. It is 9","inches in length, and has a plumage of a pale","buffy tone. It seems to be less aquatic than any","other American Plover and is rarely found in the","vicinity of bpdies of water. It nests on the ground","anywhere on the prairie, laying its eggs in a","slight hollow. The eggs are brownish gray in","color and are spotted and blotched with blackish","brown. Data. Morgan county, Colorado, May 7,","1902. Nest a slight hollow on the ground, near a","large cactus bed and close to a water hole. No","lining to nest. Collector, Glenn S. White.","SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. Family APHRIZHXE","282. SURF BIRD. Aphriza virgata.","This species, which is found on the Pacific","coast from Alaska to Chili, seems to be the","connecting link between the plovers and the","Turnstones, having the habits of the latter","combined with the bill of the former. Its nest","and eggs are not known to have been yet discovered.","Creamy.","Turnstone.","\f283. TURNSTONE. Arenaria interpres.","Range. The distribution of this species, which is grayer above than the following, is supposed to be confined, in America, to the extreme north from","Greenland to Alaska. Its habits and eggs are precisely like the next.","283a. RUDDY TURNSTONE. Arenaria interpres morinella.","Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions, and migrates through all parts of the","United States, south to the southern parts of South America. This species has","the upperparts variegated with reddish brown, black and white; the underparts","are pure white, except for a black patch on the throat, branching upward to the","eye and back to the sides of the breast. It has a peculiar, slightly up-turned","bill, which is used, as their name implies, for turning over pebbles and stones","in their search for food. They nest commonly in northern Labrador, about","Hudson Bay and in Alaska, laying their eggs in scantily lined hollows on the","ground, near water. The eggs are very peculiar and beautiful, having a light","grayish or cream color ground, peculiarly marbled with many shades of brown","and lilac. Size 1.65 x 1.10. Data. Mackenzie River, Arctic America, June 28,","1900. Four eggs in a grass lined depression in the sand.","169","284. BLACK TURNSTONE. Arenaria melanocephala.","Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia northward, and wintering south to Lower California.
This species, which has the form and habits of
the preceding, is blackish above and on the breast;
the rump and the base of the tail are white, being
separated from each other by the black tail coverts. Their nesting habits are in no wise different from those of the common turnstone. The
eggs are similar, but the markings are not so
strikingly arranged. Size 1.60 x 1.10. Data.
Kutlik, Alaska, June 21, 1898. Nest simply a de-","\fpression in the sand on the sea beach.","OYSTER-CATCHERS. Family H^EMATOPODID^","[285.] EUROPEAN OYSTER-CATCHER. Hcematopus frazari.","This European species is very similar to the American one which follows,","casually occurs in Greenland.","It","286. OYSTER-CATCHER.
Haematopus palliatus.
Range. Breeds on the coast of the South
Atlantic States and Lower California and winters south to Patagonia. Oyster-catchers are","American Oyster-catcher.","Buff.
large, heavy-bodied birds, with stocky red legs
and long, stout red bills. The present species
has the whole upper parts and entire head and
neck, blackish ; underparts and ends of secondaries, white; length, 19 inches. T
hey
are abundant breeding birds on the sandy beaches of the South Atlantic States,
and casually wander north to Nova Scotia. They lay their two or three eggs
on the ground in slight hollows scooped out of the sand. The eggs are of a
buffy or brownish buff color, and are irregularly spotted with blackish brown,
with subdued markings of lavender. Size 2.20x1.50. Data. Sandy Point, S.
C., May 12, 1902. Three eggs on the sand just above high water mark; nest a
mere depression on a small \"sand dune\" lined with pieces of shells,","170","SHORE BIRDS
286.1. FRAZAR'S OYSTER-CATCHER. Hcematopus bachmani.
Range. Lower California.","\fThis species is darker on the back than the preceding,","and the breast is mottled with dusky. Bill very long,","heavy, compressed, and thin and chisel-like at the tip.","Brownish buff.
Bill and eyes red; legs flesh color; under parts white, and
a white wing bar. These are large, awkward looking birds.
It is not an uncommon wader in its somewhat restricted
range. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the
preceding one, but the markings are generally more sharply
defined. The one figured is from a set in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.","287-286.1","287- BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER. Haematopus bachmani.","Range. Pacific coast of North","America from Lower California , ^MM","north to Alaska.","This species is the same size as -W^F<t ^","the Oyster-catcher, but the plumage","is entirely black both above and below. They are found upon the","rocky coasts and islands, more frequently than upon sandy beaches.","Their eggs are laid upon bare rocks","or pebbles with no attempt at lining for the nest. The eggs are an","olive buff in color, spotted and","blotched with brownish black.","Size 2.20 x 1.55. Breeding throughout the Aleutian Islands, British","Columbia and south to Lower California.","to'l*:","*'/","Olive buff.
Three or four eggs are laid.","\f171","JACANAS. Family JACANHXE","288. MEXICAN JACANA. Jacana spinosa.","Range. Tropical America, north in summer","to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and","casually to Florida.","Mexican Jacana.","Yellowish olive.
a^ j^r
r^P^i^,^ This interesting species has most of its
structural characters similar to the Plovers,
but has more the appearance and habits of the
Rails. They are about eight inches long, the
head and neck are black, the body chestnut,
and the wings largely greenish yellow. They
have long legs, long toes and extremely long toe nails, a scaly leaf on the fore
head, and a sharp spur on the shoulder of the wing. Owing to their long toes
and nails, they are enabled to walk over floating weeds and rubbish that would
sink beneath their weight, otherwise. They build their nests on these little
floating islands in the marsh; they are also sometimes made of weeds and
trash on floating lily pads. They lay from three to five eggs of a yellowish
olive color, curiously scrawled with brown and black. Size 1.22 x .95. Data.
Tampico, Mexico, June 3, 1900. Three eggs. Nest of weeds and drift on lily
leaf floating in fresh water pond near town.","172","NEST AND EGGS OF BOB-WHITE","w s
o
ffl fc","GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Order X. GALLING
GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. Family TETRAONIDAE
The members of this family are birds of robust form, subdued (not brightly
colored) plumage, comparatively short legs and necks; the tarsi and toes are
feathered in the Ptarmigan, the tarsi, only, feathered in the Grouse, and the
tarsi and toes bare in the Partridges and Bob-whites. They feed upon berries,
buds, grain and insects.","289. BOB-WHITE.
Colinus virginianus virginianus.
Range. United States east ot North Dakota and
Texas and from the southern British Provinces to
the Gulf coast.
A celebrated \"game bird\" which has been hunted so assiduously in New England that it is upon
the verge of extermination, and the covers have
to be continually replenished with birds trapped
in the south and west. They frequent open fields,
which have a luxuriant
growth of weeds, or
grain fields in the fall.
Their nests are built
along the roadsides, or
beside stonewalls or
any place affording sat-","\fisfactory shelter. The","nest is made of dried","grasses and is arched","over with grass or","as to conceal the eggs,","eggs,","when","White.
overhanging leaves
They lay from ten to twenty pure white
which are very frequently nest stained","so","found. Size 1.20 x .95. Often two or three broods","are raised in a season, but frequently one or more","broods are destroyed by rainy weather.","289a. FLORIDA BOB-WHITE.","Colinus virginianus floridanus.","Range. This sub-species, which is found in the","southern half of Florida, is very much darker","than the northern Bob-white, and is numerously","barred below with black. Its nesting habits and","eggs are identical with those of the preceding.","289b. TEXAS BOB- WHITE. Colinus virginianus texanus.","Range. Texas ; casually north to Kansas. A grayer variety of the Bob-white,","The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Bob-white, except that","the eggs may average a trifle smaller. Size 1.18 x .92.","291. MASKED BOB-WHITE. Colinus ridgwayi.","Range. Sonoran region of Mexico north to southern Arizona.","The female of this species is like that of the Texan Bob-white. Their nesting","habits and eggs are in all respects like those of the other Bob-whites. Size of","eggs, 1.20 x. 95.","175","Bobwhite.
Florida Bobwhite.
Masked Bobwhite.","292. MOUNTAIN QUAIL. Oreortyx picta picta.","Range. Pacific coast of North America from","California to Washington.","This is the largest of the Partridges, being 11","inches in length. It is of a general grayish color,","with chestnut throat patch, and chestnut flanks,","barred with white.","Two long plumes extend downward from","the back of the head.","This species nests","abundantly in the","mountainous portions","of northern California","and throughout Oregon,","and is gradually increasing in numbers in","Washington. As a rule","they nest only on the","higher mountain ranges, placing their nest of","leaves under the protection of an overhanging","bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number from","six to fifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color.","Size 1.35 x 1.05.","Reddish buff.","PLUMED QUAIL.
fera.","Oreortyx picta plumi-","Mountain Partridge
Scaled Partridge.","Range. Mountain ranges of California and","Lower California, chiefly in the southern parts of","the former. This species is like the latter except","\fthat it is grayer on the back of the head and","neck. Its nesting habits and eggs are like the","preceding.","292b. SAN PEDRO QUAIL.","Oreortyx picta confinis.","Range. San Pedro Mountains, Lower California","This .species, which is grayer above than the preceding two, breeds only in","the highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs are the","same as the other Plumed Partridges.","293. SCALED QUAIL. Callipepla squamata squamata.","Range. Mexico and southwestern border of the United States.","This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the","feathers on the neck and underparts have narrow","dark borders, thus giving the plumage a scaly appearance, from which the birds take their name.","They have a small tuft of whitish or buffy feathers","on the top of the head. It is especially abundant in","the dry arid portions of its range, being found often <fr","many miles away from water. Their eggs are laid","in a shallow hollow under some small bush or cactus,","and number from eight to sixteen; they are creamy","white, finely specked with buff or pale, brownish.","Size 1.25 X .95. Creamy white.","176","GALLINACEOUS BIRDS","293a. CHESTNUT-BELLIED SCALED QUAIL. Callipepla squamata castanogastris.","Range. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and","and southward into Mexico.","This sub-species is like the last with the addition of a chestnut patch on the belly. Their","breeding habits do not vary in any particular way","from those of the Scaled Partridge.","294- CALIFORNIA QUAIL. Lophortyx calif ornica calif ornica.","Range. Coast region of California, Oregon,","Washington and British Columbia.","This is one of the most beautiful of the Partridges, with its crest of feathers rising from the","\fcrown and curving forwards so that the broadened ends hang directly
over the bill. It is
about the size of the preceding species, and is distinguished from the following one by its white
forehead, chestnut patch
on the belly and the scaly
appearance of the feathers
in that region, by its dark
crown and the gray flanks
They lay from eight to
twenty eggs with a creamy white or buffy ground
color, handsomely blotched with shades of brown
and yellowish brown. Size 1.20 x .93","Creamy white
with white streaks.","California Partridge
Gambel's Partridge","294a. VALLEY PARTRIDGE. Lophortyx calif ornica vallicola.","Range. Interior portions of California, Oregon and Washington.","The nesting habits of this grayer sub-species do not differ in any manner","from those of the above species. The eggs are indistinguishable.","295. GAMBEL QUAIL. Lophortyx gambeli.","Range. Southwestern United States from Texas to California; north to Utah.","This handsome species differs from the California","in the Chestnut crown and flanks, and the black","patch on the belly. They are very abundant in Arizona, both on the mountains and in the valleys, and","apparently without any regard to the nearness to, or","remoteness from a water supply. They breed during","May, laying their eggs on the ground under any","suitable cover. The eggs cannot be distinguished","from those of the California Partridge, except that","they average a trifle larger. Size 1.25 x.95. Buff","177","\f12","THE BIRD BOOK'","Mearns Partridge","296. MEARNS QUAIL.","Cyrtonyx montezumce mearnsi.","Range. Mexico, north to southern Arizona","and New Mexico, and to western Texas.","A remarkable species about 9 inches long;","often called 'Tool Quail\" because of its eccentric and clownish markings, streaks and spots","of black, white, buff, gray and chestnut. It is","met with in small flocks on the mountains and","less frequently in the valleys. It frequents","scrubby wooded places rather than open hill","sides and is very easy to approach and kill;","this confidence or stupidity together with its","clownish appearance are the reasons for its","commonly used local name. Their nests are","hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and","concealed by overhanging tufts of grass. The","eggs, which are pure white, are not distinguishable with certainty from those of the Bobwhite, but average longer. Size 1.25 x .95.","297. DUSKY GROUSE. Dendragapus obscurus obscurus.","< Rocky Mountain region from central Montana south to New Mexico.
With the exception of the Sage Grouse, this species is the largest of the family, being about 20 inches in length. The general tone of its plumage below is
gray; above, blackish gray and the tail blackish with a broad terminal band of
light gray. They frequent the wooded and especially the coniferous districts,
where they build their nests under fallen trees or at the bases of standing ones
.
They lay from six to ten eggs of a buffy color, sparsely spotted and blotched
with brownish. Size 2.00x1.40.
297a. SOOTY GROUSE. Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus.
Range. Mountain ranges along the f ,<","\fPacific coast from California to British Columbia.","Like the last, this somewhat darker","sub-species is met with in timbered","regions, where its habits are about the","same as those of the Ruffled Grouse,","except, of course, that they are not","nearly as shy as the Grouse in New","England. Their eggs are laid in hollows beside stumps or under logs.","The eggs are buff colored, spotted with","reddish brown. Size 2.00 x 1.40. Rich","178","297b. RICHARDSON'S GROUSE.","Dendragapus obscurus richardsoni.","Range. Northern Rocky Mountains from central Montana to British Columbia.","A dark variety with no terminal band of gray","on the tail. Its habits, nesting and eggs are precisely like those of the preceding species.","298. HUDSONIAN SPRUCE PARTRIDGE.","Canachites canadensis canadensis.","Range. Northern United States and southern","British Provinces; west to Minnesota.","A dark species, smaller than the last (15 inches","long), and easily recognized by its black throat","and extensive black patch on the breast. The","habits of this species and the two varieties into which it","has been sub-divided","are ^ e same > as a","\fspecies, they are","very tame, will not","fly unless actually","obliged to, and frequently allow themselves to be knocked","down with sticks.","Their nests are hollows in the leaves on the ground, generally under","the sheltering branches of a low spreading fir","tree. The six to fifteen eggs are a bright buff","color, blotched and spotted boldly with various","shades of brown. Size 1.70 x 1.25.","Bright buff","Sooty Grouse","Spruce Grouse","298b. ALASKA SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. Canachites canadensis osgoodi.","Range. Alaska.","This variety is practically the same as the preceding, the birds not always being distinguishable; the nest and eggs are the same as the Canada Grouse.","298c. CANADA SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. Canachites canadensis canace.","Range. Labrador and the Hudson Bay region.","Like the last, this variety is hardly to be distinguished from the Hudsonian.","Its nesting habits and eggs are the same.","179","\f299- FRANKLIN'S GROUSE.","Canachites franklin franklini.","Range. Northwestern United States and British Columbia.","This species is very similar to the Canada","Grouse, the most apparent difference being the","absence of the brownish gray tip to the tail, and","the upper coverts are broadly tipped with white.","This species,","which is very","abundant in the","northwest, has","the same stupid","habits of the eastern bird. During","the mating season, the males of","both this and the","preceding species","have the same","habit . of \"drumming\" that the","Ruffed Grouse has.","Brownish buff","Ruffed Grouse","Their nests are placed on","the ground under bushes or fir trees and from","eight to fifteen eggs are laid. These are brownish buff in color, spotted and blotched with rich","brown. They are very similar to the eggs of the","Canada Grouse. Data. Moberly Peak, Cascade","Mts., British Columbia, June 9, 1902. 7 eggs in a","slight hollow on the ground. Collector, G. P.","Dippie.","300. RUFFED GROUSE. Bonasa umbellus umbellus.","Range. Eastern United States from Minnesota","to New England; south to Virginia.","\fThe Ruffed Grouse is \"King of the Game Birds\"","in the east, where it has been hunted so freely,","that it has become very wary and requires a skillful marksman to bring it down. Because of the","cutting off of all heavy timber, and the vigor with","which they are pursued by hunters, they are becoming very scarce in New England, and within","a few years they will probably be practically extinct in that section. Their favorite resorts are","heavily timbered woods or low growth birches.","Their nests are hollows in the leaves under fallen","trees, beside some stump or concealed among the","small shoots at the base of a large tree. The bird","sits very close, but when she does fly, goes with the familiar rumble and roar","which always disconcerts the novice, the wind created by her sudden flight","generally causing the leaves to settle in the nest and conceal the eggs. They","lay from eight to fifteen eggs, of a brownish buff color, sometimes with a few","faint markings of brown, but generally unspotted. Size 1.55 x 1.15. The young","of all the Partridges and Grouse are born covered with down and follow their","parents soon after leaving the shell. The adults are very skillful in leading","enemies away from their young, feigning lameness, broken wings, etc. The","nesting habits and eggs of the three sub-species are precisely the same in every","respect as those of this bird.","180","299 300a","300a. CANADA RUFFED GROUSE.","Bonasa umbellus togata.","Range. Northern t United States and southern British","Provinces from Maine and Nova Scotia west to Washington and British Columbia.","SOOb. GRAY RUFFED GROUSE. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides.","Range. Rocky Mountain region from Colorado to","A grayer species than the common.","300c. OREGON RUFFED GROUSE. Bonasa umbellus","sabini.","\fRange. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.","A dark species with the prevailing color a reddish tone.","J. B. Pardoe","NEST AND EGGS OF RUFFED GKOUSE,","182","301. WILLOW PTARMIGAN.","Lagopus lagopus lagopus.","Range. Arctic regions, in America south nearly","to the United States border, and casually to","Maine.","Ptarmigan are Grouse-like birds, feathered to","the toe nails; they have many changes of plumage, in winter being nearly pure white, and in","summer largely reddish brown or grayish, barred with black.","In the breeding","plumage they","have red comblike wattles over","the eye. In other","seasons, their","plumage varies in","all degrees between winter and","summer. They","nest on the","ground in hollows
among the leaves,
lined with a few grasses, and sometimes feathers.","\fThey lay from six to sixteen eggs which have a","ground color of buff or brownish buff, heavily","speckled, blotched and marbled with blackish","brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25.","301 a. ALLEN'S PTARMIGAN.","I^agopus lagopus alleni.","Range. Newfoundland. A very similar bird to","the preceding; eggs indistinguishable.","Willow Ptarmigan
Rock Ptarmigan","302. ROCK PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris rupestris.","Range. Chiefly in the interior of British","America, from the southern portions to Alaska","end the Arctic Ocean.","A species with a smaller bill and in summer","a grayer plumage, more finely barred with","black. Its nesting habits are the same as the","other species, it nesting on the ground in such","localities as would be frequented by the Ruffed","Grouse. Its eggs cannot be positively distinguished from those of the Willow Ptarmigan.","Size 1.70x1.20.","183","302a. REINHARDT'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris reinhardi.","\fRange. Labrador and Greenland; an eastern variety of the preceding species.","Its habits, nesting habits and eggs are just the same as those of Rock Ptarmigan","302b. NELSON'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris nelsoni.","Range. Unalaska, of the Aleutian chain. An abundant species in its","restricted range, making its nest on the ground in the valleys. Eggs like the","others.","302c. TURNER'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris atkhensis.","Range. Atka Island, of the Aleutian chain. Nests and eggs not distinctive.","302d. TOWNSEND'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris torvnsendi.","Range. Kyska Island of the Aleutian group.","On account of the constantly changing plumage of these birds, while interesting, they are very unsatisfactory to study, and it is doubtful if anyone can ide","ntify the different sub-species of the Rock Ptarmigan, granting that there is any","difference, which is doubtful.","302.1. EVERMANN'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus evermanni.","Range. Attu Island, of the Aleutian group.","This is, in summer, the darkest of the Ptarmigans, having little or no rufous","and much blackish. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the","Rock Ptarmigan.","303. WELCH'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rvelchi.","Range. Newfoundland.","This species, in summer, is more grayish","than the Rock Ptarmigan, and is very finely","vermiculated with blackish. It is a perfectly","distinct species from the Allen Ptarmigan,","which is the only other species found on the","island. They inhabit the higher ranges and","hills in the interior of the island, where they","are quite abundant. They build their nests on","the ground under protection of overhanging","bushes. The eggs are laid in a hollow in the","dead leaves, sometimes with a lining of grasses.","The eggs do not differ in size or appearance","from those of the Rock Ptarmigan. Data. Newfoundland, June 3, 1901. Nest","a slight hollow in the moss, besides a fallen stump; lined with a few feathers.","Collector, E. H. Montgomery.","X84","\fBuff\"","304. WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. Lagopus leucurus leucurus.","Range. Higher ranges of the Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico north to","Ptarmigan are remarkable birds in that they are in an almost continual state","of molting, nearly every month in the year showing them in different stages of","plumage, ranging from the snow-white winter dress to the summer one in which","reddish-brown prevails on Willow Ptarmigan and a black and gray barred effect","predominates on the other species. Notice that they are feathered to the toes,","in winter the feathers on the toes growing dense and hair-like, not only prqtect","ing the toes from the cold but making excellent snowshoes which enable them","to walk with impunity over the lightest snow.","Ptarmigan form the staple article of diet for northern foxes, and were it not","for the fact that their plumage changes to correspond to the appearance of the","ground at the various seasons they would fare hardly indeed.","In spring the little red combs above the eyes of the males are swollen and","conspicuous. At this season they strut and perform curious antics, such as all","Grouse are noted for.","This species differs from any of the preceding in having at all seasons of the","year, a white tail; it is also somewhat smaller than the Rock Ptarmigan. They","nest abundantantly near the summits of the ranges in Colorado, making their","nests among the rocks, and generally lining them with a few grasses. During","June, they lay from six to twelve eggs having a creamy background, speckled","and blotched with chestnut brown. Size 1.70 x 1.15.","304a. KENAI WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. Lagopus leucurus peninsularis.","Range. Kena'i Peninsular, Alaska. A similar but paler (in summer) variety","of the preceding. The nesting habits or eggs will not differ.","305. PRAIRIE CHICKEN. Tympanuchus americanus americanus.","Range. The prairies, chiefly west of the Mississippi; north to Manitoba, east","to Ohio, and west to Colorado.","This familiar game bird of the west is about 18 inches in length, brownish","above and grayish below, with bars of brownish black both above and below.","In the place of the ruffs of the Ruffled Grouse, are long tufts of rounded or","square ended feathers, and beneath these a peculiar sac, bright orange in the","Olive buff
185","Prairie Chicken
Heath Hen","breeding season, and capable of being inflated to","the size of a small orange; this is done when the","bird makes its familiar \"booming\" noise. They","are very good \"table birds\" and although they are","still very abundant in most of their 'range, so","many are being killed for market, that it has","become necessary to make more stringent laws","relating to the killing and sale of Pinnated","Grouse, as they are often called. They nest anywhere on the prairie, in hollows on the ground","under overhanging bushes or tufts of grass. They","lay from eight to fifteen eggs having a buffy or","olive buff ground color, sparingly and finely","sprinkled with brown ; size 1.70 x 1.25.","305a. ATTWATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN. Tympanu*","chus americanus attwateri.","*","Range. Coast region of Louisiana and Texas.","This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of","the Pinnated Grouse. Its eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the more northerly distributed bird.","306. HEATH HEN. Tympanuchus cupido.","Range. Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass.","This species is similar to the preceding, but has the scapulars more broadly","tipped with buff, the axillars barred, and the pinnated feathers on the neck","pointed. It is slightly smaller than the western species. It is found on the","wooded portions of the island, where its breeding habits are the same as those o","f","the Ruffed Grouse. Mr. Brewster probably has the only authentic set of the","eggs of this species. They are of a yellowish green color and are unspotted.","Size 1.70 x 1.25. A number of Prairie Hens liberated on the island several","years ago are apparently thriving well, and nests found there now would be","\ffully as apt to belong to this species.","Pale buff","307. LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN.","Tympanuchus pallidicinctus.","Range. Prairies from southwestern Kansas","through Indian Territory to western Texas.","A smaller and paler species than the Prairie","Chicken. Never as abundant as the common Pinnated Grouse, this species appears to be becoming","scarcer each year. Its nests are concealed under","overhanging brush or placed under a large tuft oi!","prairie grass, and are generally lined with a few","grasses or leaves. They lay from eight to twelve","eggs of a buffy color, much lighter than those of","the Prairie Chicken, and unmarked. Size 1.65 x","1.25.","308. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.","Pedioecetes phasianellus phasianellus.","Range. Interior of British America, from","the United States boundary northwest to the","Yukon.","Sharp-tailed Grouse are similar in form to","Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse","Buffy drab
the Prairie Chicken, but are somewhat smaller
and very much lighter in color, being nearly
white below, with arrowhead markings on the
breast and flanks. This species is very abundant in Manitoba and especially so","\fon the plains west of Hudson Bay. Their nests are generally concealed under
a thicket or a large tuft of grass, and are lined with grasses and feathers.
They lay from <Sx to fi fteen eggs of a drab color, very minutely specked all
over
with brown. Size 1.70 x 1.25.
308a. COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus.
Range. Northwestern United States and British Columbia to central Alaska.
Both the nesting habits and eggs of this variety are the same as the last, with
which species, the birds gradually intergrade as their ranges approach.
308b. PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris.
Range. Plains of the United States from the Mississippi to the Rockies.
This sub-species shades directly into the two preceding where their ranges meet,
and only birds from the extreme parts of the range of each show any marked
differences. The nesting habits and eggs of all three are not to be distinguished.
187","309*. SAGE HEN.","Centrocercus urophasianus.","Range. Sage plains of the Rocky Mountain","region from British Columbia to New Mexico,","and from California to Dakota. This hand-","Pale greenish drab","some bird is the largest of the American","Sage Hen Grouse, being about 30 inches long (the hen","bird is about six inches shorter). It may easily be recognized by its large size, its peculiar graduated tail with extremely","sharp pointed feathers, and the black belly and throat. Their nests are hollows","scratched out in the sand, under the sage bushes, generally with no lining.","The nesting season is during April and May, they laying from six to twelve","\feggs of a greenish drab color, spotted with brown. Size 2.15 x 1.50.","PHEASANTS. Family PHASIANID^E","* * * RING-NECKED PHEASANT. Phasianus torquatus.","Several species of Pheasants have been introduced into the United States,","among them being the Ring-necked, English, and","Green Pheasants. The Ring-necked species seems","to be the only one that has obtained a really strong","foothold, it being now very abundant in Oregon","and Washington, and adjacent states, and also","found in abundance on many game preserves in","the east. The males of any of the species may at","once be distinguished from any of our birds by","the long tail. Their nests are hollows in the","leaves under tufts of grass or bushes. They lay","from eight to fourteen eggs of a buff or greenish","buff color, unmarked ; size 1.50 x 1.30.","188","TURKEYS. Family MELEAGRID^E","310. WILD TURKEY.","Meleagris gallopavo silvestris.","Range. Eastern United States from southern","Middle States south to central Florida and west","to the Missippi Valley and eastern Texas. These","magnificent birds, which once ranged over the","whole of eastern United States, are being yearly","confined to a smaller range, chiefly because of the","destruction of their natural covers, and from per-","Buffi
secution by hunters. They are generally very","\fwary birds and either escape by running through","the underbrush or by flying as soon as a human","being appears in sight. Their nests are made","under tangled growths of underbrush or briers.","Their eggs, which are laid during April and May,","range from eight to sixteen in number. They are","Sag-e Hen o f a buff color sprinkled and spotted with brownWild Turkey . gh gize 2 55 x 1 9Q Data . Hammond, La., April","17, 1897. Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground under a bush on","the edge of a pine woods; lined with grasses and leaves. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.","'","' -' .. . - !,","310a. MERRIAM'S TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo merriami.","Range. Southwestern United . Slates, .from. Colorado ^outh. .timrngh. western","Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico.","This variety is abundant throughout its range, its nesting habits and eggs","being practically indistiguishable from those of the eastern form.","190","GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
31 Ob. FLORIDA TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo osceola.
Range. Southern Florida.
A small variety of the Wild Turkey, about 42 inches long. They
breed in the tangled thickets in the
higher portions of the southern
half of Florida, laying from ten to
sixteen eggs of a brighter and
deeper buff color than the northern
variety, and smaller; size 2.30 x
1.75. Their nests are generally lined with grasses and occasionally
with feathers. The female sits
very close when incubating and will
not fly until almost trod upon,
trusting to her variegated markings to conceal her from observation. Greenish buff
310c. Rio GRANDE TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo intermedia.
Range. Lowlands of the southern parts of Texas and northern Mexico. A
sub-species which differs slightly in plumage and not at all in nesting habits o
r
eggs from the common Wild Turkey.
CURASSOWS AND GUANS. Family CRACID^E","\f311. CHACHALACA. Ortalis vetula mccalli.","Range. Eastern portions of Mexico, north","to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","A very peculiar grayish colored bird with a","Chachalaca","Buffy white ^
greenish gloss to the back, and a long, broad
tail, quite long legs, and with the face and
sides of the throat devoid of feathers. They
are very abundant birds in some localities, and very noisy during the breeding
season, their notes resembling a harsh trumpeting repetition of their name.
They are ground inhabiting birds, but nest in low bushes. Their nests are
made of sticks, twigs, leaves, or moss and are generally frail, flat structures
only a few feet above the ground. During April, they lay from three to five
buffy white eggs, the shell of which is very rough and hard. Size 2.25 x 1.55.
191","PIGEONS AND DOVES. Order XL COLUMBA","Family COLUMBIDAE","Pigeons and doves are distributed throughout nearly every temperate and","tropical country on the globe, nearly five hundred species being known, of","which twelve occur within our limits. Their plumage is generally soft and","subdued colors, the head small, the wings strong and the flight rapid.","312. BAND-TAILED PIGEON. Columba fasciata fasciata.","Range. The Rocky Mountains and westward to the Pacific, from British","Columbia south to Mtexico.","This large species may be generally recognized","by the white crescent on the nape; it is about 15","inches in length. They nest abundantly on the","mountain ranges, sometimes in large flocks, and","again, only a few pairs together. Their nests are","rude platforms of sticks and twigs either in bushes","or in large trees in heavily wooded districts. The","two eggs which are laid during May or June are","pure white in color, and like those of all the","\fpigeons, equally rounded at each end. Size","1.55 x 1.10. White","312a. VIOSCA'S PIGEON. Columba fasciata vioscce.","Range. Southern Lower California. This is a paler variety of the preceding","species and is not noticeably different in its habits, nesting or eggs.","313. RED-BILLED PIGEON. Columba flavirostris.","Range. Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and","New Mexico.","This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck and","breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley of the","Lower Rio Grande, where they build their frail nests in thickets and low bushes,","and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of eggs, 1.55 x 1.05.","314. WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON. Columba leucocephala.","Range. Resident of the West Indies; in summer, found oh the Florida Keys.","This species, which can be identified by its white crown, nests in trees or mangroves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white eggs on its rude","platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs 1.40 x 1.05. Nests in April and","May.","[314.1.] SCALED PIGEON. Columba squamosa.","A West Indian species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West,","A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast; named from the","scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the neck.","192","PIGEONS","315. PASSENGER PIGEON.","Ectopistes migratorius.","Range. Formerly, North America east of the","Rockies; casually seen in the upper Mississippi Valley, now extinct.","A handsome species (see frontispiece) with","ruddy underparts, grayish upperparts and a","long graduated","tail. This species","years ago found","in flocks of thousands or millions,","\fis now practically exterminated,","chiefly by being","hunted and trapped. A few pairs","probably now nest","in the interior,","from northern","United States to Hudson Bay. Their nests are","very rude, frail platforms of twigs, on which","two white eggs are laid, they being longer and","narrower, comparatively, than those of other species. Size of eggs, 1.50","Data. Southwest shore of Lake Manitoba, June 1, 1891. Nest of twigs","aspen tree.","Passenger Pigeon","xl.02.
in an","316. MOURNING DOVE. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis.","Range. North America from New England, Manitoba and British Columbia,","Now that the Passenger Pigeon has","disappeared, this","species becomes the","only one found in","the east, with the exception of the little","Ground Dove in the","South Atlantic and","Gulf States. While, White","sometimes, small flocks of them nest in a community, they generally nest in companies of","two or three pairs. Their nests are generally","at a low elevation, in trees, bushes and often","upon the ground. Their nests are made entirely of twigs and rootlets, and eggs may be","found from early in April until the latter part","of September, as they often raise two or three","broods a season. The two eggs are white.","Size 1.15 x .80. Data. Refugio Co., Texas, May","\f3, 1899. Two eggs laid on the ground in a","slight cradle of twigs. Collector, James J.","Carroll.","1113","Mourning- Dove","13","NEST AND EGGS OF MOURNING DOVE","H. B. Stough","317. ZENAIDA DOVE. Zenaida zenaida.","Range. West Indies; in summer, on the Florida Keys, but not in great numbers.","This species is similar in size to the Mourning Dove, but it has a short and","square tail, and the secondaries are tipped with white, and the underparts more","ruddy. They generally nest upon the ground, but occasionally in small bushes,","laying two white eggs a trifle larger than those of the preceding species. Size","1.20 x.90 The nests are made of grasses and twigs, on the ground under bushes.","194","318. WHITE-FRONTED DOVE.","Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera.","Range. Mexico and Central America north","to southern Texas.","\fSlightly larger than the last, much paler below, with no black ear mark as in the two preceding species, and with the forehead whitish.
They build their nests of sticks, grasses and
weeds, and place them in tangled vines and
thickets a few feet from the ground. Their
two eggs, which are laid in May and June,
have a creamy white or buffy color. Size 1.15
x .85. They canot be called a common species
within our borders.
319. WHITE-WINGED DOVE.
Melopelia asiatica.
Range. Central America, Mexico and the
W southwestern border of
the United States.
This species is 12 inches in length, has a
black patch on the ear
coverts, white tips to
the greater and lesser
coverts and some of the
secondaries, and broad
white tips to the outer tail feathers, which are black. This species is very
abundant in some localities within our borders. Their nests are very frail platforms of twigs placed in trees or bushes or precariously suspended among
tangled vines. Their two eggs are white or creamy white, and measure
1.15 x .85","White-fronted Dove
White-winged Dove","320. GROUND DOVE. Columbigallina pa&serina terrestris.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States to eastern Texas.","The Ground Doves are the smallest of the family, measuring but about 6.5","inches in length. Their nesting habits and eggs are exactly like those of the","next to be described. They are very abundant, especially along the South Atlantic coast.","320a. MEXICAN GROUND DOVE. Chcemepelia passerinus pallescens.","\fRange. Border of the United States from Texas to southern","California and southward.","This paler sub-species builds a nest of twigs and weeds, 4","placing the flat structure either in low bushes or on the","ground. Their two white eggs are laid during April to July,","they sometimes rearing two broods a season. Size of eggs,",".85 x .65. White","320b. BERMUDA GROUND DOVE. Chcemepelia passerina bermudiana.","Range. Bermuda. Smaller and paler than the last; otherwise the same in","nesting habits and eggs.","195","321. INCA DOVE. Scardafella inca.","Range. Mexican border of the United States","south to Central America and Lower California.","This handsome species is about the size of","the last, but its tail is longer and graduated,","consequently its length is","greater, it being about 8","inches long. It is not an","uncommon species along","our Mexican border, but is","not nearly as abundant as","is the Ground Dove. It is","often called \"Scaled Dove\"","because af the blackish edges of nearly all iU","feathers. They build fairly compact nests of","twigs, rootlets and weeds, these being placed","in bushes at a low elevation. They are two in","number and pure white. Size.85 x .65.","[322.] KEY WEST QUAIL DOVE.","Geotrygon chrysia.","Range. West Indies, rarely found at Key","West, although supposed to have been common","there in Audubon's time. This species is of","about the size of the Mourning Dove, has rusty","colored upper parts, and is whitish below, the","white below the eye being separated from that of the throat by a stripe of dusky","from the base of the bill. They nest in trees, laying two buffy white eggs.","Size 1.15 x. 90.","\fInca","Ground Dove","[322.1.] RUDDY QUAIL DOVE. Geotrygon montana.","Range. Central America, north to eastern Mexico and the West Indies; once","taken at Key West. This species is similar to the last but has no white streak","under the eye, and the underparts are buffy. Eggs, creamy white. Size","1.15 x. 90.","[323.] BLUE-HEADED QUAIL DOVE. Starnoenas cyanocephala.","Range. Cuba, accidentally straying to Key West, but not in recent years.","It is a beautiful species, with a bright blue crown, black throat and stripe","through the eye, separated by a white line under the eye. The rest of the","plumage is of a brownish or rusty color. Eggs buffy white. Size 1.30 x 1.05.","196","VULTURES, HAWKS and OWLS. Order XII. RAPTORES","AMERICAN VULTURES. Family CATHARTIDAE","Vultures are peculiarly formed birds of prey, having a bare head and neck, a","lengthened bill strongly hooked at the end for tearing flesh, and long, strong,","broad wings upon which they float in the air for hours at a time without any","visible flapping. They are scavangers and do great service to mankind by devouring dead animal matter, that, if allowed to remain, would soon taint the","atmosphere. Their eyesight and sense of smell is very acute. They do not,","except in very unusual cases, capture their prey, but feed upon that which has","been killed or died of disease.","Ashy gray","CALIFORNIA VULTURE. Gymnogyps calif ornianus.","Range. Apparently now restricted to the coast ranges of Calitornia, casually","inland to Arizona, and formerly to British Columbia.","\fThis large bird, which weighs about","length, and has an expanse of wings","with lengthened lanceolate feathers","coverts broadly tipped with grayish","very rare in their restricted range","20 pounds, measures about 4 feet in","of about 10 feet. Its plumage is blackish","about the neck, and with the greater wing","white (in very old birds). The birds are","and are becoming scarcer each year, owing to","their being shot and their nests robbed. While the eggs are very rarely found
and only secured at a great risk, they are not as unobtainable as many suppose,
as may be seen from the fact that one private collection contains no less than
six perfect specimens of the eggs and as many mounted birds. These birds lay
but a single egg, placing it generally in caves or recesses in the face of cliff
s,
hundreds of feet from the ground, and often in inaccessable locations. The eggs,
are of an ashy gray color and measure about 4.45 x 1.55.
198","BIRDS OF PREY","325. TURKEY VULTURE. Cathartes aura septentrionalis.","Range. America, from New Jersey on the Atlantic coast,","Manitoba and British Columbia, south to southern South","324 32;\">","Creamy \\vhite
America, wintering in the southern half of the United
States.
The plumage of this small Buzzard (length 30 inches) is blackish brown, the
naked head being red. It is very common in the southern and central portions
of its range, where it frequents the streets and door yards picking up any refus
o
that is edible. It is a very graceful bird while on the wing, and can readily be
identified when at a distance from the fact that, when in flight, the tips of th
e
wings curve upward. The two eggs which constitute a set are laid upon the
ground between large rocks, in hollow stumps, under logs, or between the
branching trunks of large trees, generally in large woods. They frequently
nest in communities and again, only a single pair may be found in the woods.
Its nesting season ranges from March until June in the different localities.
The eggs are creamy or bluish white, spotted and blotched with shades of brown,
and with fainter markings of lavender. Size 2.70 x 1.85.","\f,326. BLACK VULTURE. Catharista uruba.","Range. More southerly than the preceding; north regularly to North Carolina and southern Illinois, and west to the Rocky Mountains.","This species is about the same size, or slightly smaller than the Turkey","Vulture; its plumage is entirely black as is also the naked head, and bill. In","the South Atlantic and Gulf States, the present species is even more abundant","than the preceding, and might even be said to be partially domesticated. The","nesting habits are the same as those of the Turkey Buzzard but their eggs","average longer and the ground color is pale greenish or bluish white rather than","creamy. They are spotted and blotched the same. Size 3.00 x. 2.00.","199","Bluish white
EGG OP BLACK VULTURE","NEST AND EGGS OF TURKEY VULTURE","N. W. Swayne","KITES, HAWKS AND EAGLES. Family BUTEONID^","The members of this family are chiefly diurnal; they get their living by","preying upon smaller animals or birds. They have strong sharply hooked","bills, powerful legs and feet armed with strong, curved and sharply pointed","talons.","327. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.","Elanoides forficatus.","Range. Southern United States; casually","north to New York and Manitoba.","\fWhite
This most beautiful Kite can never be mistaken for any other; its whole head, neck and
underparts are snowy white, while the back, wings and tail are glossy blue
black, the wings being very long and the tail long and deeply forked. The extreme length of the bird is 24 inches. As a rule nests of this bird are placed
high up in the tallest trees; they are made of sticks, weeds and moss. Two
eggs, or rarely three, constitute a full set. They are white or bluish white,
spotted with brown. The one figured is an unusually handsome marked specimen in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. Average size of eggs, 1.80 x 1.50.
Data. Yegna Creek bottoms, Texas, April 27, 1891. Two eggs. Nest of sticks
and green moss, the same moss also being used for lining; in an elm tree 80
feet up.
328. WHITE-TAILED KITE. Elanus leucurus.
Range. Southern United States, north to the Carolinas, Illinois and middle
California.
This species can be recognized by its light
bluish gray mantle, black shoulders and white
tail. It is a very active species, feeding upon
insects and reptiles, and small birds and mammals. The nests of these species are placed
in trees at quite an elevation from the ground,
being made of sticks, weeds and leaves. The
eggs are creamy white, profusely blotched and
spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size
1.65 x 1.25. Data. Los Angeles, Cal., April 9,
1896. Nest in fork of willows about 25 feet up.
Made of willow twigs and weed stalks, lined
with pieces of bark.
201","328, BRHI","329. MISSISSIPPI KITE.","Ictinia mississippiensis.","Range. Southeastern United States, north","\fto South Carolina and Illinois.","White-tailed Kite
Mississippi Kite","Bluish white
A small species ( length 14 inches) with the
head, neck, and undeparts gray, and the back,
wings and tail blackish, the tips of the secondaries being grayish. They live almost exclusively upon insects, such as grasshoppers,
and small reptiles. They build their nests of sticks and weeds well up in tall
trees. The eggs are two or three in number and normally bluish white, unmarked, but occasionally with very faint spots of pale brown. Size 1.65 x 1.25.
Data. Giddings, Texas, May 31, 1887. Nest of sticks and weeds, with green
pecan leaves in the lining; placed in the top of a live oak sapling, 20 feet fro
m
the ground. Collector, J. A. Singley.
330. EVERGLADE KITE. Rostrhamus sociabilis.
Range. South America, north to southern Florida and Mexico.
This peculiar species has a long, slender, curved bill, blackish plumage, with
white rump and bases of outer tail feather. They feed largely upon snails,
both land and water varieties. They nest at a low elevation in bushes or under
brush, often over the water. The nests are
of sticks, weeds and leaves. The three eggs
are light greenish white, spotted and splashed","Pale greenish white","with chestnut brown. Size, 1.70 x 1.30. Nest","in a custard apple tree, 6 feet from the ground,","built of twigs, lined with small vine stems and f","willow leaves.","202","Everglade Kite","NEST AND EGGS OF MARSH HAWK","331. MARSH HAWK. Circus hudsonius.","Range. Whole of North America, very","abundant in all sections.","Pale bluish white","The adult of this species is very light colored,","and young birds of the first two years have a","(Adult and young) reddish brown coloration; in both plumages","the species is easily identified by the white","patch on the rump. They are, almost exclusively frequenters of fields and","marshes, where they can most often be seen, towards dusk, swooping in broad","curves near the ground, watching for field mice, which form the larger portion","of their diet. Their nests are made in swampy ground, often in the middle of a","large marsh, being placed on the ground in the centre of a hummock or clump","of grass; it is generally well lined with grasses and often rushes. They lay","from four to seven pale bluish white eggs, generally unmarked; size 1.80x1.40.","332. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Accipiter velox.","Range. Whole of North America, wintering in the United States and southward; breeds throughout its range, but most abundantly in northern United","States and northward. This is one of the smallest of the hawks and in the","adult plumage is a beautiful species, being barred below with light brown, and having a bluish","slate back. It is a very spirited and daring","bird and is one of the most destructive to small","birds and young chickens. Its nest is a rude","and sometimes very frail platform of twigs and","Bluish white
leaves placed against the trunk of the tree at
any height, but averaging, perhaps, fifteen feet.
The eggs are bluish white, beautifully blotched
and spotted with shades of brown.
204","Sharp-shinned Hawk","\fBIRDS OF PREY","333. COOPER'S HAWK. Accipiter cooperi.","Range. Whole of temperate North America,","breeding throughout its range.","oopers Hawk","Although larger (length 17 inches), the plumage of this species is almost exactly the same
as that of the preceding. Like the last, this is also a destructive species.
They construct their nests in the crotches of trees, generally at quite a height
from the ground; the nest is made of sticks and twigs, and often lined with
pieces of bark; occasionally an old Hawk's or Crow's nest is used by the birds.
Their eggs are bluish white, unmarked or faintly spotted with pale brown.
334<. GOSHAWK. Astur atricapillus atricapillus.
Range. Northern North America, south in winter to the northern parts of
the United States.
This species is one of the largest, strongest and most
Hawks, frequently carrying off Grouse and poultry, the
presence of the owner. It is a handsome species in the
bluish gray upper parts, and light under parts, finely","audacious of American
latter often in the
adult plumage, with
vermicuiated with grayish","and black shafts to the feathers. Length 23 inches. Their nests are placed
well up in the tallest trees, usually in dense woods, the nests being of sticks
lined with weeds and bark. The three or
four eggs are bluish white, generally unjum*). marked, but occasionally with faint spots of
***M^ brown. Size 2.30x1.70.","\fBluish white","American","205","Geo. L. Fordyce
NEST AND EGGS OF COOPER'S HAWK","334a. WESTERN GOSHAWK.","Astur atricapillus striatulus.","Range. Western North America from Alaska to California, breeding chiefly north of","the United States except in some of the higher","Harris's Hawk","ranges of the Pacific coast. This sub-species is darker, both above and below,
than the American Goshawk. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the
same. The eggs are quite variable in size.
335. HARRIS'S HAWK. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi.
Range. Mexico and Central America, north to the Mexican border of the
United States; very abundant in southern Texas.
This is a peculiar blackish species, with white rump, and chestnut shoulders
and thighs. It is commonly met with in company with Caracaras, Turkey Buzzards and Black Vultures, feeding upon carrion. They also feed to an extent
on small mammals and birds. Their nests are made of sticks, twigs and weeds,
and placed in bushes or low trees. The three or four eggs ahe laid in April or
May. They are dull white in color and generally unmarked, although often","\fshowing traces of pale brown spots. They are quite variable in size, averaging
2.10x1.65.","White
207","337. RED-TAILED HAWK.","Buteo borealis borealis.","This is one of the handsomest of the larger","hawks, and is the best known in the east,","Red-tailed Hawk","where it is commonly, but wrongly, designated as \"hen hawk\", a name, however, which is indiscriminately applied to any bird that has talons and a hooked
beak. The adult of this species is unmistakable because of its reddish brown
tail; young birds are very frequently confounded with other species. Their
food consists chiefly of small rodents, snakes and lizards, and only occasionall
y
are poultry or birds taken. They nest in the tallest trees in large patches of
woods, the nests being made of sticks, weeds, leaves and trash. The eggs
number from two to four, and are white, sometimes heavily, and sometimes
sparingly, blotched and spotted with various shades of brown. Size 2.35 x 1.80.
337a. KRIDER'S HAWK. Buteo borealis krideri.
Range. Plains of the United States, north to Manitoba.
This sub-species is described as lighter on the underparts, which are almost
immaculate. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the preceding.
337b. WESTERN RED-TAIL. Buteo borealis calurus.
* Range. Western North America,
chiefly west of the Rocky Moun-","\ftains.
This sub-species varies from the
plumage of the eastern Red-tail, to
a nearly uniform sooty above and
below, with the dark red tail crossed by several bands; it is a generally darker variety than the Redtail. Its nesting habits are the
same and the eggs show the great
variations in markings that are
common to the eastern bird.","208","337d. HARLAN'S HAWK.","Butea borealis harlani.","Range. Gulf States and southward, north to","Kansas.","This dark sub-species is generally nearly uniform blackish, but sometimes is lighter or even","white below. Its tail is rusty, mottled with","blackish and white. Its nesting habits are the","same and the eggs are not distinguishable","from those of the other Red-tails.","mm
'//S/VJ^P
I'M/ film","33Q. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.","lineatus lineatus.","Buteo","\fRed-shouldered Hawk","Range. North America, east of the Plains","and from the southern parts of the British","Provinces southward; abundant and breeding","This species is smaller than the Red-tailed","and is not as powerfully built; length 19 inches.","The adults are handsomely barred beneath","with reddish brown, giving the entire","underparts a ruddy color. Like the","last species, they rarely feed upon","poultry, confining their diet chiefly to","mice, rats, frogs, reptiles, etc. These","Hawks nest in the larger growths of","timber, usually building their nests","high above the ground. The nest is","of sticks, and lined with leaves, weeds","and pieces of bark. They lay three","or four eggs with a white ground","color, variously blotched and spotted,","either sparingly or heavily, with different shades of brown. Size 2.15 x","1.75. Data. Kalamazoo, Michigan,","April 25, 1898. Nest about 40 feet up","in an oak tree; made of sticks and","twigs and lined with bark. Four eggs.","White Collector, J. C. Holmes.","339a. FLORIDA RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Buteo lineatus alleni.","Range. Florida and the Gulf coast; north to South Carolina. The nesting","habits of this paler sub-species are precisely like those of the last species.","209","14","\fGeo. L. Pordyce
NEST AND EGGS OF RED-SHOULDERED HAWK","339b. RED-BELLIED HAWK. Buteo Uneatus elegans.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia south to","Lower California, chiefly west of the Rockies.","This variety is similar to, but darker than Uneatus, and","the underparts are a uniform reddish brown, without bar-","339b 340","White
ring. Their nests are like those of the Red-shouldered
variety, and almost always placed high up in the largest
trees. The eggs are very similar, but average lighter in markings. Size 2.15
x 1.70. Data. Diego, Cal., April 13, 1897. Nest in a sycamore 20 feet from
ground, made of sticks, leaves and feathers.","3-10. ZONE-TAILED HAWK. Buteo abbreviatus.","Range. Mexico and Central America, north to the Mexican border of the","United States.","This species, which is 19 inches long, is wholly black with the exception of","the tail, which is banded Their nests are built in heavy woods, and preferably","in trees along the bank of a stream. The nest is of the usual Hawk construction and the two to four eggs are white, faintly marked with pale chestnut.","Data. Marathon, Texas. Nest of sticks, lined with weeds and rabbit fur; on a","horizontal branch of a cotton-wood tree, 30 feet up.","White
211","341.","SENNETT'S WHITE-TAILED HAWK.","Buteo albicaudatus sennetti.","A large, handsome Hawk which may be identified by its dark upper parts and white underparts and tail, the flanks and tail being lightly","barred with grayish; the shoulders are chestnut. It is especially abundant in the southern","parts of Texas, where it builds its nests of","sticks and weeds, lined with grasses, leaves","and moss. They nest in March and April, laying two, or rarely three, eggs which are a diill","white, and generally immaculate, but occasionally faintly or sparingly spotted with brown.","Size of eggs 2.25 x 1.80.","342. SWAINSON'S HAWK. Buteo srvainsoni.","Range. Central and western North America,","from the Mississippi Valley and Hudson Bay,","to the Pacific coast, breeding throughout its","Sennett's White-tailed Hawk j grea ter part of its range, this is","the most abundant of the Hawk family.","Its plumage is extremely variable, showing all the intergradations from a uniform sooty blackish to the typical adult plumage of a grayish above, and a","white below, with a large breast patch of rich chestnut. Their nesting habits","are as variable as their plumage. In some localities, they nest exclusively in","trees, in others indifferently upon the ground or rocky ledges. The nest is the","usual Hawk structure of sticks; the eggs are white, variously splashed and","\fspotted with reddish brown and umber. Size","2.20x1.70. Data. Stark Co., N. D., May 21,","1897. Nest of sticks, lined with weeds in an","ash tree. Collector, Roy Dodd.","212","Swainson's Hawk","343. BROAD-WINGED HAWK.","Buteo platypterus.","Range. North America, east of the Plains,","and from the British Provinces southward.","Grayish white
A medium sized species, about 16 inches in
length, and with a short tail and broad rounded American Rough-legrged Hawk
wings ; adults have the underparts handsomely barred with brown. Their nests
are usually built in large trees, but generally placed against the trunk in the
crotch of some of the lower branches. It is made of sticks and almost invariably lined with bark. The two to four eggs are of a grayish white color, marked with chestnut, brown and stone gray; size 1.90x1.55. Data. Worcester,
Mass., May 16, 1895. Nest about 20 feet up in a large chestnut tree. The birds
continually circled overhead, their weird cries sounding like the creaking of
branches. Collector, A. J. White.
844. SHORT-TAILED HAWK. Buteo brachyurus.
Range. A tropical species, which occurs north to the Mexican border and
regularly to southern Florida, where it breeds in the large cypress swamps. Its
eggs are pale greenish white, sparingly spotted with brown, chiefly at the large
end. Size 2.15x1.60.
345. MEXICAN BLACK HAWK. Urubitinga anthracina.
Range. Mexican border of the United
States and southward.
A coal black species about 22 inches in
length, distinguished by the white tip,
and broad white band across the tail","\fabout midway. This is one of the least","abundant of the Mexican species that","cross the border. They are shy birds and","build their nests in the tallest trees in","remote woods. Their two or three eggs","are grayish white, faintly spotted with","pale brown; size 2.25x1.80. Data. Los","Angeles County, Cal., April 6, 1889.","Nest of sticks, lined with bark and","leaves; 45 feet up in a sycamore tree.","Collector, R. B. Chapman. Grayish white","213","346. MEXICAN GOSHAWK. Asturina plagiata","Range. Mexico, north to the border of the","A beautiful, medium sized Hawk (17 inches","long), slaty gray above, white below, numer-","Rough-legged Hawk","ously barred with grayish; tail black, crossed","by several white bars. These are graceful","and active birds, feeding largely upon small rodents, and occasionally small","birds. They nest in the top of tall trees, laying two or three greenish white,","unmarked eggs; size 1.95x1.60. Data. Santa Cruz River, Arizona, June 3,","1902. Nest in the fork of a mesquite tree about forty feet from the ground;","made of large sticks, lined with smaller ones and leaves. Three eggs. Collector, O. W. Howard.","347a. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.","Range. Northern North America, breeding chiefly north of our borders and","wintering south to the middle portions of the United States.","The Rough-legs are large, heavily built birds of prey, specially characerized","\fby the completely feathered legs. The present species is 22 inchse long, and in
the normal plumage has a whitish head, neck, breast and tail, the former being
streaked and the latter barred
with blackish; the remainder of.
the upper and underparts are black-;
ish brown. Their nests are usually
placed in trees, and less often on
the ground than those of the next
species. These Rough-legs are very
irregularly distributed, and are nowhere as common as the next. 7 *
While the greater number nest. ; I
north of the United States, it is N
very probable that a great many | i
nest on the higher ranges within ; ,
our borders. The species is often jj
taken in summer, even in Massa-;!|
chusetts. They lay three eggs of a !j
bluish white color, boldly splashed ;ji
with dark brown; size 2.25x1.75. ;|] Bluish white
214","34>8. FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG.","Archibuteo ferrugineus.","White Rough-legged Hawk","Range. North America, west of the Mississippi, breeding from the latitude","of Colorado north to the Saskatchewan region.","This species nests very abundantly along our northern states, particularly in","Dakota. It is a larger bird than the preceding and can easily be told by its","reddish coloration, particularly on the shoulders and tibia. While in some","localities they nest only in trees, the greater number appear to build their nes","ts","on the ground or rocky ledges, making a large heap of sticks, weeds and grass.","Their three or four eggs are white, beautifully spotted and blotched, in endless","variety, with various shades of brown. Size 2.60x2.00. Data. Stark Co., N.","D., April 29, 1900. Nest built of coarse sticks on a clay butte.","349. GOLDEN EAGLE. Aquila chryscetos.","Range. North America, west of the Mississippi; most abundant in the Rockies and along","the Pacific coast ranges.","This magnificent bird, which is even more","\fpowerful than the Bald Eagle, measures about","34 inches long, and spreads about 7 feet. Its","plumage is a rich brownish black, very old","birds being golden brown on the nape. They","can be distinguished in all plumages from the","Bald Eagle by the completely feathered tarsus.","They build their nests in the tops of the tallest","trees in the wild, mountainous country of the","west, and more rarely upon ledges of the cliffs.","The nests are made of large sticks, lined with","smaller ones and leaves and weeds. Their eggs","are the most handsome of the Raptores, being","white in color, and blotched, splashed, spotted","and specked with light brown and clouded with","gray or lilac, of course varying endlessly in","pattern and intensity. Size 2.90x2.50. Data.","Monterey Co., Cal., May 3, 1888. Three eggs.","Nest of sticks, lined with pine needles, in a","pine tree, 50 feet up,","215","Golden Eagle","BALD EAGLE","BIRDS OF PREY
[351.] GRAY SEA EAGLE. Haliceetus albicilla.
A common species on the sea coasts of Europe; straggling to southern Greenland, where it nests upon the rocky cliffs.
352. BALD EAGLE. Haliceetus leucocephalus
leucocephalus.","Bald Eagle","Range. Whole of North America; most abundant on the Atlantic","coast; breeds throughout its range. This large white-headed and white-tailed","species is abundant in sufficiently wild localities along the Atlantic","coast. It only attains the white head and tail when three years old,","the first two years, being blackish. It is about 34 inches in length","and expands about seven feet, never over eight feet, and only birds of the secon","\fd
year (when they are larger than the adults) ever approach this expanse.
Their food consists of fish (which they sometimes capture themselves, but
more often take from the Osprey), carrion, and Ducks, which they catch in
flight. Their nests are massive structures of sticks, in the tops of tall trees.
They very rarely lay more than two eggs, which are white. Size 2.75 x 2.10.
Data. Mt. Pleasant, S. C., nest in top of a pine, 105 feet from the ground;
made of large sticks and lined with Spanish moss.
352a. NORTHERN BALD EAGLE. Haliceetus leucocephalus alascanus.
Range.
Eagle,
habits
y
cliffs","Alaska. This sub-species averages slightly larger than the Bald","but never exceeds the largest dimensions of that species. Its nesting","and eggs are the same, except that it more often builds its nests on rock","than does the Bald Eagle. The eggs are laid in February and March.","217","FALCONS AND CARACARAS","Family FALCONDIDAE","tKBa^^M^H^^^^^Ma^^^n 353. WHITE GYRFALCON. Falco island us.","Range. Arctic regions; south in winter casually to northern United States, chiefly on the","Gyrfalcons are large, strong, active and fear-","Gray Gyrfalcon
White Gyrfalcon","less birds, about 23 inches in length. Their food consists chiefly of hares,
Ducks and Waders which abound in the far north. The present species is
snowy white, more or less barred with blackish brown on the back and wings
and with a few marks on the breast. They nest upon the ledges of high cliffs,
laying three or four eggs of a buffy color, blotched and finely specked with
reddish brown, this color often concealing the ground color. Size of eggs, 2.30
x","\f1.80. In America, they nest in Greenland and the Arctic regions.","354. GRAY GYRFALCON. Falco rusticolus rusticolus.","Range. Arctic regions; south in","winter to northern United States.","This species is of the size of the last","but the plumage is largely gray, barred with dusky. They nest more","abundantly in southern Greenland than","do the preceding species. The nesting","habits and eggs do not differ.","854a. GYRFALCON.","Falco rusticolus gyrfalco.","Range. Arctic regions; south casually to Long Island.","This sub-species is hardly to be distinguished from the preceding; its","nesting habits and eggs are identical,","the nests being of sticks, lined with weeds and feathers and placed upon the","most inaccessible ledges of cliffs.","218","354tb. BLACK GYRFALCON.","Falco rusticolus obsoletus.","Range. Labrador; south casually, in winter,","to Long Island.","A slightly darker variety. Eggs indistinguishable. Data. Ungava coast, Labrador,","May 25, 1900. Nest a heap of seaweed and","feathers on sea cliff, containing three eggs.","355. PRAIRIE FALCON. Falcon mexicanus.","Range. United States west of the Missis","sippi, and from Dakota and Washington southward to Mexico.","\fFalcon
This species abounds in suitable localities, generally placing its nests
upon rocky ledges and cliffs, and sometimes trees, generally upon the banks
Reddish buff of some stream. The nests are masses
of sticks, lined with weeds and grasses. The three or four eggs have a reddish
buff ground color, and are thickly sprinkled and blotched with reddish buff
brown and chestnut; size 2.05x1.60.
356a. DUCK HAWK. Falco peregrinus anatum.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding locally, chiefly in mountainous regions, throughout its range.
This beautiful species, characterized by its black moustache, is the most
graceful, fearless, and swiftest of the Falcons, striking down birds of several
times its own weight, such as some of the larger Ducks. It breeds quite
abundantly on the Pacific coast and in certain localities in the Dakotas, laying
its eggs on the rocky ledges. Their eggs are
similar to those of the Prairie Falcon, but are","Duck Hawk","Buff or reddish buff","darker and brighter, in fact they are the darkest, brightest marked, and most beautiful of","Falcon eggs ; size 2.05 x 1.55.","219","356b. PEALE'S FALCON.","Falco peregrinus pealei.","Range. Pacific coast from northern United","States north to Alaska.","A darker form of the preceding, such as occurs in this section with a great many other","birds. The nesting habits and the eggs are","\fprecisely like those of the Duck Hawk.","357. PIGEON HAWK. Falco columbarius","columbarius.","Pigeon Hawk","Brownish buff
Range. North America, breeding chiefly north
of the United States except in some of the higher
ranges along our northern border. A small Fal-","con, about 11 inches long, often confused with the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but
much darker and a more stoutly built bird. It is a daring species, often attacking birds larger than itself; it also feeds on mice, grasshoppers, squirrels, et
c.
They generally build a nest of sticks in trees, deep in the woods; less often in
natural cavities of dead trees; and sometimes on rocky ledges. Their four or
five eggs have a brownish buff ground color, heavily blotched with brown and
chestnut. Size 1.50 x 1.22
357a. BLACK PIGEON HAWK. Falco columbarius suckleyi.
Range. Pacific coast from northern United States north to Alaska.
Very similar in appearance to the preceding, uM^MKftaaKSgraag^^HBIBI
but much darker, both above and below. Its j
nesting habits and eggs will not differ in any i %manner from those of the Pigeon Hawk.
357b. RICHARDSON'S PIGEON HAWK.
Falco columbarius richardsoni.
Range. Interior of North America from the
Mississippi to the Rockies and from Mexico to
the Saskatchewan.
This species is similar to the Pigeon Hawk,
but is paler both above and below, and the tail
bars are more numerous and white. Their
nesting habits are the same as those of the
preceding species, they either building in hollow trees, or making a rude nest of sticks and
twigs in the tops of trees. The eggs have a
creamy ground and are sprinkled with dots
and blotches of various shades of brown. Size
1.60 x 1.23. The egg figured is one of a beautiful set of four in the collection of Mr. C. W.","\fCrandall.
220","Richardson's Pigeon Hawk","[358.1] MERLIN. Falco assalon.","This common European species was once accidentally taken in southern Greenland. Their eggs","are generally laid on the ground on cliffs or banks.","359. APLOMAUO FALCON.","Falco fusco-ccerulescens.","Range. Tropical America north to Mexican","This handsone and strikingly marked Falcon is","found in limited numbers within the United States,","but south is common and widely distributed. They","nest at a low elevation, in bushes or small trees,","making their rude nests of twigs, lined with a","few grasses. They lay three, and sometimes four,","eggs which have a creamy white ground color,","finely dotted with cinnamon, and with heavy","blotches of brown. Size 1.75 x 1.30.","Aplomado Falcon
Desert Sparrow Hawk","[359.1.] KESTREL. Falco tinnunculus.","Range. Whole of Europe; accidental on the","coast of Massachusetts.","This species is very similar in size and colora-","\ftion to the American Sparrow Hawk. They are","much more abundant than the Sparrow Hawk is","in this country and frequently nest about houses,","in hollow trees, on rafters of barns, or on ledges","and embankments. Their eggs are of a reddish","buff color, speckled and blotched with reddish","brown, they being much darker than those of the","American Sparrow Hawk.","360a. DESERT SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius phalcena.","Range. Western United States from British Columbia south to Mexico.","This variety is slightly larger and paler than the eastern form. There are no","differences in the identification of the two varieties.","221","360. SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius.","Mountains and north to Hudson Bay; winters","from the middle portions of the United States,","This beautiful little Falcon is the","smallest of the American Hawks, being","only 10 inches in","length. They are","very abundant in the","east, nesting anywhere in cavities in","trees, either in","woods or open fields.","The eggs are generally deposited upon","the bottom of the","cavity with no lining; they are creamy or yellowish buff in color, sprinkled, spotted or","blotched in endless variety, with reddish brown.","Size 1.35 x 1.10. These birds are very noisy,","especially when the young are learning to fly, uttering a loud, tinkling, \"killy","killy, killy.\" They have a very amiable disposition, and frequently nest harmoniously in the same tree with other birds, such as Flickers and Robins.","\f360b. ST. LUCAS SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius peninsularis.","Range. Lower California.","This variety is smaller than the eastern, and even paler than the western","form. Eggs identical with eastern specimens.","[361.] CUBAN SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparveroides.","A darker colored West Indian form, whose habits and nesting do not vary","from those of the common Sparrow Hawk; casually taken in Florida.","Buffy","Sparrow Hawk","Egg of Golden Eagle","222","SPARROW HAWK","Hi
~Audubon T s","362. AUDUBON CARACARA.","Polyborus cherirvay.","Range. Southern border of the United States","south to South America.","Range. Southern border of the United","States south to South America.","A strikingly marked blackish and whitish","species, much barred on the fore back and the","breast, with the head and throat largely white,","except for a black and somewhat crested","crown. They are numerous in southern Texas","\fand also in the interior of southern Florida,","where they are resident. They build bulky,","but shabby nests of sticks, weeds and grass,","piled into a promiscuous heap, generally located in bushes or low trees. Their two or three","eggs have a ground color varying from buff to","bright cinnamon, and are dotted and blotched","with all shades of brown and umber. On the","whole, these eggs show a greater diversity of","markings and ground color than those of any","other species. Size 2.50 x 1.80.","Cinnamon
363. GUADALUPE CARACARA. Polyborus lutosus.
Range. Gaudalupe Island and others off Lower California.
This species is somewhat like the preceding, but the plumage is duller, and
the coloration more uniform. Their nesting habits and eggs do not vary essentially from those of Audubon Caracara. Mr. John Lewis Childs has a set of two
eggs taken June 8, 1896, on Santa Anita Island, by Coolidge and Miller. The
nest was made of sticks and situated in a giant cactus. The eggs are slightly
brighter and more clearly marked than any of eherlijcay that I have ever seen.","224","364. OSPREY.","BIRDS OF PREY
OSPREY. Family Pandionidae
Pandion halicetus carolinensis.","Range. Whole of temperate","America from the Arctic circle","south to the equator, most abundant along the sea coasts.","Real old birds have the head","whiter, and less white edging","to the back feathers, than do","the young. Feet very strong,","and very hard and rough, perfectly adapted to grasping slippery fish; outer toe can be used","\fequally as well, either in front","or behind, when perching or","grasping their prey.","Probably this great fisherman","is as well known from one end","of the country to the other as","any of our wild birds. He is","protected by law in a great many","states and by custom in nearly","all localities where they breed.","It is one of the pleasantest","sights along the coast to watch","a number of these great birds","as they soar at an elevation","above the water, watching for","fish to come near the surface, when, with folded wings, the bird speeds downward and plunges into the water, rarely missing his prey. In many localities","they are very tame and nest in the vicinity of houses, sometimes even in the","yard. Their nests are platforms of sticks, which, being used year after year","and constantly added to, become of enormous proportions. They lay two or","three eggs of a bright creamy color, handsomely blotched with bright chestnut","brown. They show a great diversity of sise as well as markings, but average,","2.40x1.80.","American Osprey","15","OSPREY LEAVING NEST","C. A. Reed","BARN OWLS.","BIRDS OF PREY
Family Alucondidae","365. BARN OWL. Aluco pratincola.","Range. Chiefly in the southern parts of the","United States ; north casually to Massachusetts,","\fMinnesota and Washington.","White
This is one of the lightest colored of the
Owls; it has a long, peculiarly hooded face,
from which it gets the name of \"Monkey-faced Barn Owl
Owl.\" Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with blackish.
It nests usually in hollow cavities of trees, but appears to have no objections
to barns, holes in banks, or anywhere it can find a concealed crevice in which
to deposit its four to six pure white eggs; size 1.70 x 1.30.
HORNED OWL. Family Strigidae
366. LONG-EARED OWL. Asio rvilsonianus.
Range. North America, breeding from the southern parts of British America,
southward. ;
This species is 15 inches in length; it can easily be separated from any other
species by its long ear tufts, brownish face,
and barred underparts. Their food consists
almost entirely of small rodents, which they
catch at night. Most of their nests are found","\"Lone- eared Owl","White
in trees, thay generally using old Crow's Oi
Hawk's nests. They also, in some localities,
nest in hollow trees, or in crevices among
rocks. They lay from four to seven pure white
eggs; size 1.55x1.35.
227","LONG-EARED OWL ON NEST","367. SHORT-EARED OWL. Asio fiammeus.","\fRange. Whole of North America, breeding","from the middle portions of the United States","northward, and wintering in the United States.","Short-cared Owl","White
This species is of the size of. the last, but is
paler, has very short ear tufts, and is streaked
beneath. Its habits are the same except that it
frequently hunts, over the marshes and meadows, on dark days and towards dusk.
Their four to seven pure white eggs are laid upon the ground in marshy
places, sometimes upon a lining of sticks and weeds, and are generally under a
bush, or close to an old log. Size of eggs 1.55 x 1.25.
368. BARRED OWL. Strix varia varia. . ,/* :r *
Range. Eastern North America, from
the British Provinces, southward; west to
the Rockies.
This species is the most common of
the large owls, and can be distinguished
by its mottled and barred gray and white
plumage, and lack of ear tufts; length 20
inches. It is the bird commonly meant
by the term \"hoot owl\", and being strictly","White
nocturnal, is rarely seen flying in the day time,
unless disturbed from its roosting place in the
deep woods. Its food consists chiefly of rats,
mice and frogs, and sometimes, but not often,
poultry. It nests in the heart of large woods,
generally in hollows of large trees, and less
often in deserted Crow's nests. They lay from
two to four pure white eggs, averaging considerably smaller than those of the Great Horned Owl; size 1.95x1.65.","368a. FLORIDA BARRED OWL.","\fStrix varia alleni.","Range. Florida and the Gulf States; north","to South Carolina.","229",",.","Barred Owl","BARRED OWL","Chas. W. Long","368b. TEXAS BARRED OWL.","Strix varia albogilva.","Range. Southern Texas.","A very similar but slightly paler variety than","the Barred Owl, and with the toes bare, as in","alien i. Eggs indistinguishable.","369. SPOTTED OWL.","dentalis.","Stria,' occidentalis occi-","Range. Western United States, from southern Oregon and Colorado, southward.
Similar to the Barred Owl, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back of head and neck,
and much more extensively barred on the under
parts. The nesting habits do not appear to
differ in any respect from those of the eastern
Barred Owl, and their eggs, which are from two","\fto four in number, can not be distinguished","from those of the latter species; size 2.05 x 1.80.","Great Gray Owl","369a. NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL. Strix occidentalis caurina.","Similar to the preceding, but darker, both above and below; nesting the same,","in hollow trees or in old Hawk's or Crow's nests. Eggs not distinguishable.","370. GREAT GRAY OWL.","Scotiaptex nebulosa.","Range. Northern North America;","wintering regularly south to the northern border of the United States and","casually farther.","This is the largest of American Owls,","being about 26 inches in length; it","does not weigh nearly as much, however, as the Great Horned or Snowy","Owls, its plumage being very light","and fluffy, and dark gray in color,","mottled with white. The facial disc is","very large, and the eyes are small and","yellow, while those of the Barred Owl","are large and blue black. They nest in","heavily wooded districts, building","their nests of sticks, chiefly in pine","trees. The two to four white eggs are laid during May and June; size 2.15 x 1.70","*!; *:.^v^^^
_i* _ ,=^-r- / f ,1' LI *l,I> ' ^W&r) '\" ' \"ZZffZF?***'* '","\f[370a.J LAPP OWL.","Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica.","A paler form of the Great Gray Owl, inhabit","ing the Arctic regions of the Old World; accidental on the coast of Alaska. Their nesting","habits and eggs do not differ from those of the","American bird.","371.","RICHARDSON'S OWL.
erea richardsoni.","Cryptoglaux fun","Richardson's Owl
Saw-whet Owl","Range. Northern North America, breeding north of the United States ; winters south to our border and casually farther.
This is a dark grayish and white bird, 10 inches in length, and without ear
tufts. Breeds commonly in the extensively wooded districts of British America,
chiefly in the northern parts. Their three or four white eggs are usually at
the bottom of a cavity in a tree, but occasionally the birds build a rude nest o
f
sticks and twigs, lined with leaves and placed in trees at a moderate height
from the ground. Size of eggs, 1.25 x 1.05.","372. SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL. Cryptoglaux acadica acadica.","Range. North America, breeding in the northern parts of the United States","and in British America, and south in the Rockies to Mexico; winters south to","the middle portions of the United States.","This small species (length 8 inches) is marked very similarly to the preceding,","but the plumage is brown instead of gray. They normally nest in hollow trees.","generally in deserted Woodpecker holes, in extensively wooded sections, and","\fusually in mountainous country, especially in the United States. They have","also been known to nest in bird boxes near faa?m houses and in old Crow's nests.","During April or May, they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.20x1.00.","They are quiet and chiefly nocturnal birds, not often seen, and may be found","nesting in any of the northern states.","372a. NORTHWESTERN SAW-WHET OWL. Cryptoglaux acadica scoticea.","Range. A dark variety found on the coast of British Columbia.","232","373. SCREECH OWL. Otus asio asio.","Range. North America, east of the plains","and from the southern British Provinces to","This well known","species, which is often called \"Little","Horned Owl\" because of its ear tufts f j","is found either in the I","type form of some of 1|V","its varieties in all","parts of the United","States. They have","two color phases, the","plumage being either Whitp","a yellowish brown or","gray, and black and white; these color phases","are not dependent upon sex or locality, as often","young or both phases are found in the same","riest; the gray phase is the most abundant.","They nest anywhere in hollow trees, being","found very frequently in decayed stubs of apple trees. They also often nest in","barns or other old buildings which are not frequented too freely. Their food","consists chiefly of mice and meadow moles, with occasionally small birds.","During April or May they lay their white eggs, the full complement of which","is from five to eight. Size 1.35 x 1.20. The nesting habits of all the sub-speci","es,","as far as we can learn, are exactly like those of the eastern Screech Owl; the","eggs cannot be distinguished, and in most cases, even the birds cannot be distinguished.","\fScreech Owl","373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. Otus asio ftoridanus.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts.","Slightly smaller and darker than asin. The eggs average slightly smaller.","Size 1.30x1.15.","373b. TEXAS SCREECH OWL. Otus asio mccalli.","Range. Texas, and southward into Mexico. Very similar to floridanus.","373c. CALIFORNIA SCREECH OWL. Otus asio bendirei.","Range. Coast of California and Oregon. Size of, but darker than asio.","373d. KENNICOTT'S SCREECH OWL. Otus asio kennicotti.","Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. This is the darkest of the","Screech Owls and averages a trifle larger than the eastern form.","373e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. Otus asio maxwellia.","Range. Foothills of the Rockies, from Colorado to Montana. This is the","palest form of the Screech Owl, Of the same size as the last.","233","374_375a","373f. MEXICAN SCREECH OWL. Otus asio cineraceus.","Range. Western Mexico and southwestern border of","the United States. A gray form with little or no buff, and","more numerously barred below.","373g. AIKEN'S SCREECH OWL. Otus asio aikeni.","Range. El Paso County, Colorado. A gray form, with","the dark markings coarser and more numerous than in any","other.","373h. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL.","Otus asio macfarlanei.","Range. Northern border of the United States from","\fWashington to Montana.
373.1. SPOTTED SCREECH OWL. Otus trichopsis.
Range. Mountains of southern Arizona, south into
Mexico.
A grayish species, similar to asio, but paler and more
finely barred beneath, and with whitish spots on the
feathers of the foreback. The nesting habits and eggs are
probably the same as those of the Screech Owl.","373.2. XANTUS'S SCREECH OWL. Otus xantusi.","Range. Southern Lower California.","A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with reddish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the habits or eggs","of this species will be found to differ from those of the Screech Owl.","374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. Otus flammeolus flammeolus.","Range. Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to California.","This species is smaller than a trio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is much","streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to their base. They","nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted Woodpecker holes. Their three","or four eggs are white. Size 1.15 x .95. This species is uncommon in all parts","of its range.","374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. Otus flammeolus idahaensis.","Range. Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California.","This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably paler,","eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller than the last.","Its","334","37!>- GREAT HORNED OWL,","\fBubo virginianus virginianus.","and north to Labrador.","Great Horned Owl","This species and its varieties are the only large Owls having conspicuous ear
tufts. They are about 22 inches in length, and have a mottled brown, black and
white plumage, barred below. This is also one of the \"Hoot Owls,\" but is not
nearly as abundant as the Barred Owl. It is one of the strongest of the family,
and captures rabbits, grouse and poultry, and is very often found to have been
feeding upon, or to have been in the immediate vicinity of a skunk. They nest
very early, January, February and March. Deserted Hawk's or Crow's nests
are very frequently used by this bird, if they are located in dense woods. They
also sometimes nest in hollow cavities in large trees. They lay from two to
four pure white eggs. Size 2.25 x 1.85.","WESTERN HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus pallescens.","Range. Western North America, except the Pacific coast.","A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding, having the same habits","and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern bird.","in","ARCTIC HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus subarcticus.","Range. Interior of Arctic America from Hudson Bay to Alaska; south","winter to the northwestern tier of states.","A very pale colored Horned Owl with little or no buff or brownish in the","plumage, some specimens (very rare) being pure white with only a few black","bars on the back. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs do not vary","appreciably from those of the eastern Horned Owl.","375C. DUSKY HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus saturatus.","Range. Pacific coast from California to Alaska.","This is the darkest of the Horned Owls, the extreme case being nearly black","on the back and very dark below. Nesting the same as the Great Horned Owl.","\f375d. PACIFIC HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus pacificus.","Range. California, southward and east to Arizona.","Smaller and darker than the eastern form but not as dark as the last,","the same as those of the others.","Eggs","375e. DWARF HORNED OWL.","Bubo virginianus elachistus.","This is a similar but darker form of the","Horned Owl and is very much smaller than","virginianus. The nesting habits will be the","same, but the eggs may average smaller.","Snowy Owl","376. SNOWY OWL. Nyctea nyctea.","Range. Arctic regions, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering to","the northern border of the United States and casually farther.","This very beautiful species varies in plumage from pure white, unmarked, to","specimens heavily and broadly barred with blackish brown. It is, next to the","Great Gray Owl, the largest species found in America, being 2 feet in length.","Like the Great Horned Owls, they are very strong, fearless, and rapacious birds,","feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc. They nest upon the ground, on banks or mossy hummocks on the","dry portions of marshes, laying from two to eight eggs, white in color and with","a, smoother shell than those of the Great Horned Owl. Size 2.25 x 1.75. Data.","Point Barrow, Alaska, June 16, 1898. Three eggs laid in a hollow in the moss.","\f[377-] EUROPEAN HAWK OWL. Surnia ulula ulula.","Range. Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Alaska.","Similar to the American species, but lighter and more brownish.","377a. HAWK OWL. Surnia ulula caparoch.","from the central portions of British America","northward; probably also breeds in the Rocky","Mountains in the northern tier of states and","1
| . This handsome mottled and barred, gray and
Am i TTawk Owl black Owl mi ht readily be mistaken for a
Hawk, because of his Hawk-like appearance
and long rounded tail. They are very active birds, especially in the day time,
for they are more diurnal than nocturnal; their food is mostly of small rodents,
and also small birds. They nest either in the tops of large fir trees, in hollow
s
of stumps, or, in some cases, upon the ground. When in trees their nests are
made of twigs, leaves and weeds, and sometimes lined with moss and feathers;
they lay from three to eight white eggs, size 1.50 x 1.20. Data. Labrador, May
3, 1899. Five eggs. Nest in the top of a dead tree, 15 feet from the ground.","378. BURROWING OWL. Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea.","Range. Western North America from the Mississippi","Valley west to California; north to the southern parts","of British America and south to Central America.","These peculiar birds are wholly different in plumage,","\fform and habits from any other American Owls. They","can readily be recognized by their long, slender and","scantily feathered legs. Their plumage is brownish,","spotted with white above, and white, barred with brown","below; length 10 inches. They nest, generally in large","communities in burrows in the ground, usually deserted","Prairie Dog holes. While generally but a single pair","occupy one burrow, as many as twenty have been found nesting together.","Sometimes the burrows are unlined, and again may have a carpet of grasses","and feathers. Their white eggs generally number from six to ten; size 1.25 x","1.00. Data. Sterling, Kans., May 7, 1899. Nest of bits of dry dung at the end of","a deserted Prairie Dog burrow.","37 8a. FLORIDA BURROWING","OWL. Speotyto cunicularia","floridana.","Range. Local in the interior","of Florida.","Like the last, but slightly","smaller and paler, and with the","tarsus less feathered. Their","habits or eggs do not differ from","379- PYGMY OWL. Glaucidium","gnoma gnoma.","Range. Rocky Mountain region and westward; from British Columbia southward. These","interesting little Owls, which are","but seven inches in length, feed","in the day time upon insects,","mice and, occasionally, small","birds. They frequent extensively wooded districts, chiefly in","the mountain ranges. They nest","in tall trees, generally in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, laying","three or four white eggs during","May; size about 1.00 x .90.","\fBurrowing Owl","379a. CALIFORNIA PYGMY OWL. Glaucidium gnoma calif ornicum.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia, south through California. This","sub-species is darker and more brownish than the last. It is not an uncommon","bird in California. They nest in the tallest trees along the ranges, often being","found 75 or more feet from the ground. The eggs do not differ from those of","the Pygmy Owl, ranging in size from 1.00 x .85 to 1.20 x .95.","379-1. HOSKIN'S PYGMY OWL. Glaucidium hoskinsi.","This species is smaller and more gray than the preceding. It is not probable","that its manners of nesting or eggs differ in any respect from those of the othe","rs","of this genus.","239","380. FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL.","Glaucidium phalcenoides.","Range. Mexico and Central America; north to the Mexican border of the United States.","This species is of the same size as the last, but is much","tinged with rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a","bright chestnut brown color, crossed by about eight bars","of black. They nest in hollow cavities in trees, from ten","to forty feet from the ground, laying three or four glossy","white eggs; size 1.10 x .90.","381. ELF, OWL. Micropallas whitneyi.","Range. Mexico, north to the bordering states.","This odd little bird is the smallest","\fmember of the family found in America, attaining a length of only six inches. In plumage it may be described
as similar to a very small, earless
Screech Owl, only with the pattern of
the markings a great deal finer. They
are said to be quite abundant in the
table lands of central Mexico and in
southern Arizona, where they build
their nests in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, perhaps most frequently in the
giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal than the Pygmy Owls and to feed
almost exclusively upon insects. They lay from three to five eggs having a
slight gloss. Size 1.02 x .90. Data. Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a
deserted Woodpecker hole. Two eggs.","380 381","240","PAROQUETS AND PARROTS. Order XIII. PSITTACI.","Family PSITTACIDAE","382. CAROLINA PAROQUET.","Conuropsis carolinensis.","Range. Now rare in Florida and along the","Gulf coast to Indian Territory. As late as 1885,","the Carolina Paroquets were abundant in the","South Atlantic and Gulf States, but owing to","their wanton destruction by man, they have","been exterminated in the greater portion of","their range, and now are rarely seen in any","locality, and then only in the most unhabitable","swamps and thickets. A reliable account of","their nesting habits is lacking, as are also specimens of their eggs","taken from wild birds.","They are said to build","rude nests of sticks","upon horizontal branches of cypress trees,","and to nest in colonies; it is also claimed that they nest in","\fhollow trees, laying","from three to five pure","white eggs. The one","figured is one of three","laid in confinement at Washington, D. C., by a","pair of birds owned by Mr. Robert Ridgeway.","Ca,rolina Paroquet","It is 1.31x1.06 and was laid","July 12, 1892. This set is in the collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.","382.1. THICK-BILLED PARROT. Rhynchopsitta","pachyrhyncha.","Range. Mexico, north casually to the Mexican border of the United States.","This large Parrot (16 inches long) has a heavy black bill, and the plumage is","entirely green except for the deep red forehead, strips over the eye, shoulder,","and thighs, and the yellowish under wing coverts. Their eggs are white and","are laid in natural cavities in large trees in forests.","CUCKOOS, TROGANS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Order XIV.","CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Family CUCULIDAE","[383.] ANI. Crotophaga ani.","Range. Northeastern South America and the West Indies; casual in Florida,","and along the Gulf coast; accidental in Pennsylvania.","This species is similar to the next, but the bill is smoother and without","grooves.. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the more common American species.","241","16","\fROADRUNNER","CUCKOOS, ETC.","384. GROOVE-BILLED ANI.","Crotophaga sulcirostris.","Range. Mexico and the border of the United","States; common in southern Texas. This odd","species has a Cuckoo-like form, but is wholly","blue black in color, and has a high thin bill","with three conspicuous longitudinal grooves on","each side. They build","large bulky nests of","twigs, lined with","leaves and grasses,","and located in low","trees and bushes. They","build in small colonies but do not, as is","claimed of the common Ani, build a large","nest for several to occupy. They lay from","three to five eggs of a greenish blue color, covered with a chalky white deposit. Size 1.25","x 1.00. They are laid in May or June.","38+.","385.","Road Runner
Groove-billed Ani","385. ROAD-RUNNER. Geococcyx calif ornianus.","Range. Western United States from Oregon, Colorado and Kansas, southward; most abundant on the Mexican border, and wintering in central Mexico.","This curious species is known as the \"Chaparral","Cock,\" \"Ground Cuckoo,\" \"Snake-killer,\" etc. Its","upper parts are a glossy greenish brown, each","feather being edged or fringed with whitish; the","\ftail is very long, broad and graduated, the feathers","v A being broadly tipped with white. They are noted","fo~ their swiftness on foot, paddling over the","; y ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their out^ |>' stretched wings and spread tail, which act as","aeroplanes; their legs are long and have two toes","front and two back. Their food consists of lizards","QHJ and small snakes, they being particularly savage","White in their attacks upon the latter. They build rude","nests of sticks and twigs, in low trees or bushes,","and during April or May, lay from four to ten eggs, depositing them at intervals of several days. They are pure white and measure 1.55 x 1.20.","243","386.","Mangrove Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo","386. MANGROVE CUCKOO.","Coccyzus minor minor.","Range. West Indies, Mexico and South","America, north regularly to southern Florida.","This species is very","similar to our common","Yellow-billed Cuckoo,","but the whole underparts are deep buff. It","is a common species and","nests abundantly in the","West Indies, but occurs","only in limited numbers","in southern Florida.","Their nests are shallow","platforms of twigs and rootlets, placed in","bushes and low trees, and upon which they lay","\fthree or four pale greenish blue eggs, similar","to those of the Yellow-billed species but averaging smaller; size 1.15 x .85.","[386a.] MAYNARD'S CUCKOO.","Coccyzus minor maynardi.","Range. Bahamas; accidental on Florida Keys,","and paler form than the preceding.","This is a slightly smaller","387. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus americanus americanus.","Range. United States east of the Plains and from southern Canada southward.","This species is generally abundant in all localities in its range, which afford","suitable nesting places of tangled underbrush or vines. It may be distinguished","from the Black-billed variety by its larger size (12 inches long), blackish tail","with broad white tips, and yellowish lower mandible. They are often regarded","by the superstitious as forecasters of rain, and as","omens, probably because of their gutteral croaking","notes.","Their nests are made of twigs, lined with shreds","of grape vine bark or catkins; the nests are generally very shabbily made and so flat on the top that","the eggs frequently roll off. They are located near","the ground in bushes or low trees. The three or four","eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and","frequently young birds and eggs are found in","the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker, this","bird will frequently continue laying if one egg is","removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest,","by this means. The eggs are light greenish blue. Size 1.20 x .90. They are","usually laid during May or June.","244","\fPale greenish blue","A. R. Spaid
NEST ANP EGGS OF YELLO \\V-BlLJvEp CUCKOO","387a. CALIFORNIA CUCKOO.","Coccyzus americanus occidentalis.","Range. Western North America, from","British Columbia, southward.","Slightly larger and with a stouter bill than","the last. Eggs not distinguishable.","388. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus","erythrophthalmus.","Range. United States east of the Rocky","Mountains; north to Labrador and Manitoba;","south in winter to Central and South America.","This species is rather","more common in the","northern part of the","United States than the","Yellow - billed variety.","The bird is smaller, has","a blackish bill, and the","tail is the same color as","the back and only slight-","Greenish blue","similar locations and of the same materials as used by the Yellow-bill; the thre
e
or four eggs are smaller and a darker shade of greenish blue. Size 1.15 x .85.
All the Cuckoos are close sitters and will not leave the nest until nearly reach
ed","\fwith the hand, when they will slowly nutter off through the underbrush, and
continue to utter their mournful \"Kuk-kuk-kuk,\" many times repeated.
[388.1.] KAMCHATKA CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus telephonus.
An Asiatic subspecies of the common European Cuckoo, accidentally occurring in Alaska.","TROGONS. Family TROGONID^","389. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON.","Trogon ambiguus.","Range. Southern Mexico, north to","Grande in Texas and in southern Arizona,","localities they probably breed.","This is the only member of this","family of beautiful birds which","reaches our borders. This species","is 12 inches in length, and is a","metallic green color on the upper","parts and breast, and with coppery","reflections of the middle tail feathers, the outer ones being white,","very finely vermiculated with black,","as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except for a white band","across the breast, are rosy red. This","cavities in large trees, generally in large","pecker holes. They are also said to have","ing in holes in banks. Their eggs are","number and are a dull white in color.","246","the Lower Rio","in both of which","species nest in
, deserted Woodbeen found nestthree or four in
Size 1,10 x .85.","387a 389","\fKINGFISHERS","KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINID^E","390. BELTED KINGFISHER. Ceryle alcyon.","from southern United States, northward and","wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range, southward.","This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its rattling notes are","among the most familiar of sounds. Their food","is almost entirely of small fish, which they","catch by plunging upon from their perch on an","old dead limb overhanging the water,","or by hovering in","the air like an Os- /","prey. Their nests /","are located at the [ :","end of burrows in > 1","sand banks or the","banks of creeks and","rivers. These tunnels, which are dug","by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top","of the bank and extend back from six to eight","feet, either in a straight line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitabl","e","nesting place, in which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and","pure white in color. Size 1.35 x 1.05. Data. Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bir","d","removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe.","Belted Kingfisher","[390.1.] RINGED KINGFISHER. Ceryle torquata.","Range. Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","\fThis handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the
underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They nest in
river banks the same as the common American species, and the eggs are white,
but larger. Size 1.45 x 1.10.","247","WOODPECKERS","391. TEXAS KINGFISHER.","Ceryle americana septentrionalis","Range. Southern Texas, south through Mexcio.","This variety is much smaller than the Belted,","length 8 inches, and is a lustrous greenish","above, variously speckled with white, and is","white below, spotted with greenish. It is a","common and resident species in southern","Texas, where it lays its eggs in holes in the","banks along streams. The eggs are white and","glossy, and measure .95 x .70.","WOODPECKERS. Order XV. PICI.","Family PICIDAE","Woodpeckers are well known birds having","sharp chisel-like bills, sharply pointed and","stiffened tail feathers, and strongly clawed feet","with two toes forward and two back, except in","one genus. Their food is insects and grubs,","which they get by boring in trees, and from under the bark, clinging to the","sides of trunks or the under side of branches with their strong curved nails,","aided by the tail, for a prop. They are largely resident where found.","Texas King-fisher","392. IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.","Campephilus principalis.","\fRange. Locally distributed, and rare, in","Florida, along the Gulf coast and north casually to South Carolina and Arkansas.","This is the largest of the Woodpeckers found","within our borders, being 20 inches in length.","But one other American species exceeds it in","size, the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, which","reaches a length of nearly two feet; as this","species is found within a few miles of our","Mexican border, it may yet be classed as a","North American bird. The present species has","a large, heavy, ivory-white bill. They can","readily be identified, at a great distance, from","the Pileated Woodpecker by the large amount","of white on the secondaries. They used to be","not uncommonly seen in many sections of the","southeast but are now found very locally and","only in the largest and remote woods. They","nest in holes in large trees in the most impenetrable swamps; laying three, and probably as","six pure white glossy eggs measuring 1.45 x 1.00.","249","Woodpecker","Hairy Woodpecker","3Q3. HAIRY WOODPECKER.","Dryobates villosus villosus.","Range. United States east of the Plains and","from North Carolina to Canada.","The Hairy Woodpecker or its sub-species is","found in all parts of North America. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub-species are","not in any way different from those of the","eastern bird, consequently what is said in reSard to the eastern form will apply equally to","all its varieties.","Except during the winter months, this species","is not as commonly seen","about houses or orchards","as the Downy Wodpecker.","\fDuring the summer they","retire to the larger woods","to nest, laying their eggs","in holes in the trunks or White","limbs of trees at any height from the ground,","and generally using the same hole year after","year, and often twice or three times during","one season, if the first sets are taken. They","lay from three to six glossy white eggs ; size .95 x .70. This species can be di","stinguished from the Downy Woodpeckers by their larger size (9 inches long),","and the white outer tail feathers, which are unspotted.","393a. NORTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus leucomelas.","Range. North America, north of the United States.","Slightly larger than the preceding.","3931). SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus auduboni.","Range. Southern United States; north to South Carolina.","Similar to the Hairy Woodpecker, but smaller.","393c. HARRIS'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus harrisi.","Range. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.","Similar to the Hairy but with fewer or no white spots","on the wing coverts, and grayish on the underparts.","393d. CABANIS WOODPECKER.","Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.","Range. Southern California, east to Arizona and south","into Mexico. Like the preceding but whiter below.","393e ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus monticola.","Range. Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south","to New Mexico.","Similar to liarrisi but slightly larger and pure white below.","393f. QUEEN CHARLOTTE WOODPECKER. Dryobates","villosus picoideus.","Range. Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.","Like Harris Woodpecker, but with the flanks streaked","and the middle pf the back spotted with blackish. 393c 394a","50","\f394. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER.","Dryobates pubescens pubescens.","Range. Gulf and South Atlantic States;","north to South Carolina.","This species, which is the smallest of the","North American Woodpecker (length 6 inches),","is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodpecker,","but has the ends of the white, outer tail feathers spotted with black. Like the last species,","it is represented by sub-species in all parts of North X","America, the nesting habits \\","of all the varieties being the","same and the eggs not distinguishable from one another. They nest in holes in","trees, very often in orchards","or trees in the neighborhood of houses. They are","not nearly as shy as the Hairy Woodpeckers, and","also associate with other birds very freely. The","three to six eggs are laid upon the bottom of","the cavity, with no lining. The height of the","nesting season is during May or June. The","white glossy eggs are .75 x .60.","white, glossy","Southern Downy","394a. GAIRDNER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates.","pubescens gairdneri.","Range. Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia.","This sub-species is like the last, but is without spots on the wing coverts and","is a dingy white below, differing the same as Harris Woodpecker from the Hairy.","394b. BATCHELDER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens homorus.","Range. Rocky Mountain region of the United States.","Like the last but whiter below.","394c. DOWNY WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens medianus.","Range. North America, east of the Plains and north of South Carolina.","Similar to the southern variety but slightly larger and whiter.","394d. NELSON'S DOWNY WOODPECKER. Dryobates 'pubescens nelsoni.","Similar to the northern variety but still larger.","\f394e. WILLOW WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens turati.","Range. California except the northern parts and the ranges of the south.","Similar to Gairdner Woodpecker, but smaller and whiter.","395. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. Dryobates borealis.","Range. Southeastern United States, from South Carolina and Arkansas,","This black and white species may be known from any other because of","the uniform black crown and nape, the male having a small dot of red on","either side of the crown, back of the eye. They are quite abundant in ttie","Gulf States and Florida, where they nest during April and May, and in some","localities in March. They build in hollow trees or stumps at an elevation","from the ground, laying from three to six glgssy white eggs; size .95 x .70.","251","396,","Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Texas Woodpecker","3Q6. TEXAS WOODPECKER.","Dryobates scalaris bairdi.","Range. Southwestern United States from","southern Colorado south to northern Mexico.","This species is brownish white below, has the","back barred with black and white, and the male","has the whole crown red, shading into mixed","black and whitish on the forehead. Its habits","and nesting are just the same as those of the","Downy, but the three or four white eggs, that","they lay in April, are larger; size .80 x .65.","396a. SAN LUCAS WOODPECKER. Dryobates scalaris lucasanus.","Range. Lower California, north to the Colorado Desert, California.","Very similar to the last; less barring on the","outer tail feathers. Eggs the same.","\f397. NUTTALI/S WOODPECKER. Dryobates nuttalli.","Range. Pacific coast from Oregon south to Lower California.","Similar to the Texan Woodpecker but whiter below,","with whitish nasal tufts, and the fore part of the crown","black and white striped, the red being confined to the","nape region. They nest in holes in trees, either in dead","stumps or in growing trees, and at any height above","ground. During April or May they deposit their white","glossy eggs upon the bottom of the cavity. The eggs","measure .85 x .65.","398. ARIZONA WOODPECKER. Dryobates arizonce.","Range. Mexican border of the United States, chiefly in","Arizona and New Mexico.","This species is entirely different from any others of","our Woodpeckers, being uniform brownish above, and soiled","whitish below, spotted with black. The male bird has a","red crescent on the nape. They are said to be fairly abundant in some sections of southern Arizona. Their nesting","habits do not vary from those of the other Woodpeckers","found in the same regions, and they show no especial preference for any particular kind of a tree in which to lay","their eggs. The nesting season appears to be at its","height in April. The pure white eggs average in size","about .85x.60.","252","399- WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER.","Xenopicus albolarvatus.","Range. Western United States from southern California to southern British Columbia.","This odd species is wholly a dull black color,","except for the white head and neck, and basal","half of the primaries. They","are quite abundant in some","localities, particularly in","California on mountain","ranges. They nest at any","height, but the greater","number have been found","under twenty feet from the","ground and in old pine","White stubs. They lay from four","\fto six glossy white eggs,","measuring .95 x .70. They are said to be more","silent than others of the Woodpecker family,","and rarely make the familiar tapping and never","drum. It is claimed that they get at their","food by scaling bark off the trees, instead of","by boring.","400.","40!.","Three-toed Woodpecker
Arctic Three-toe^ Woodpecker","ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. Picoides arcticus.","As implied by their name, members of this genus have","but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage","of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below,","with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a","yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in","coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their","range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and","trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The","eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 x .70.","401. THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. Picoides americanus americanus.","Range. Northern parts of the United States north to the Arctic regions.","Range. From northern United States northward. ,","The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the","back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The nesting habits are","just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding.","Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in the Adirondacks and in","nearly all other portions of their range.","253","401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.","Picoides americanus fasciatus.","Range. Alaska, south to British Columbia","and Washington.","Like the last, but with more white on the","back. Eggs like the arcticus.","401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.","Picoides americanus dorsalis.","Range. Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico.","Slightly larger than the preceding and with","more white on the back, almost entirely losing","the barred effect of the American Three-toed","variety. They nest chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs that cannot be distinguished from those of many other species.","Size .95 x .70.","Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. Sphyra","picus varius varius.","Range. North America, east of the Plains; breeding from Massachusetts","northward, and wintering from the Carolinas and Illinois southward.","This species is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they can","easily be recognized by the red crown and throat (white on the female), each","bordered by black, and the yellowish underparts. The members of this genus have been found to be the only ones thai","are really injurious, and these only to a slight extent, to cui- /-\"^","tivated trees. This species and the two following are the only / ' ;","real \"sapsuckers,\" a crime that is often attributed to the most fffc","useful of the family. Their nesting season is during May and","June, they then resorting to the interior of the woods, where","they deposit their four to seven glossy eggs on the bottom","of holes in trees, generally at quite an elevation from the","ground. Size of eggs .85 x .60. White","402a. RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis.","Range. Rocky Mountain region of the United States and southern Canada","\fsouth to Mexico and west to California.","This variety differs from the last, chiefly in addition of a band of scarlet","on the nape in place of the white on the Yellow-bellied species. Coming as","it does, midway between the ranges of the preceding species and the following,","this variety, with its extension of red on the head and throat, may be regarded","somewhat as a connecting link between the two species, but it is perfectly distinct and does not intergrade with either. There appears to be no difference in","the nesting habits of the two varieties, except that the present one, according","to","Bendire, shows a preference to nesting in live aspens. The eggs measure",".90 x .65.","254","403. RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.","Sphyrapicus ruber ruber.","Range. Pacific Coast from Lower California to Oregon.","Except for a whitish line from the eye to","the bill, the entire head, neck and breast of","this species is red, of varying shades in different individuals, from carmine to nearly a scarlet; the remainder of their plumage is very","similar to that of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.","This is an abundant species and in most parts","of the range they are not timid. Like many of","the Woodpeckers, they spend a great deal of","their time in drumming on some dead limb.","They nest commonly in aspens, preferably living ones, and are said to build a new nesting","hole each year rather than use the old. The","eggs are laid during May or June, being glossy","white, five to seven in number, and measuring",".90 x .70.","Pileated Woodpecker","403a. NORTHERN RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKE.","Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis.","404. WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER. Sphyrapicus thyroideus.","This is a deeper and brighter variety, and is more yellowish on the belly. Its","nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the southern form.","\fRange. Mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Pacific; north to British
Columbia.
This oddly marked species shows a surprising number of variations in plumage; the normal adult male is largely black on the upper parts and breast,
with only a narrow patch of red on the throat, and with the belly, bright yellow
.
The female is entirely different in plumage and for a long time was supposed to
be a distinct species; she is brownish in place of the black in the male, has no
red in the plumage, and is barred with black and white on the back and wings.
They nest at high altitudes in mountain ranges, either in coniferous forests or
in aspens. There is no peculiarity in their nesting habits; they lay from four
to seven eggs, glossy white. Size .97 x .67.
405. PILEATED WOODPECKER. Phlceotomus pileatus pileatus.
Range. Southern and South Atlantic States.
This heavily built Woodpecker is nearly as large as the Ivory-bill, being 17
inches in length. They are not nearly as beautiful as the Ivory-bills, their
plumage being a sooty black instead of glossy, and the white on the wing,
being confined to a very small patch at the base of the primaries; the whole
crown and crest are vermillion, as is also a moustache mark in the male. They
breed in the most heavily timbered districts, and generally at a high elevation;
excavating a cavity sometimes 25 inches in depth and eight inches in diameter.
In most localities they are very shy and difficult to approach. During April or
May they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.30 x 1.00.","255","mmm","Williamson Sapsucker
Northern Pileated Woodpecker","405a. NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER.","Phlceotomus pileatus abieticola.","Range. Local throughout North America,","from the northern parts of the United States","northward.","\fThis variety is only very slightly larger","than the preceding, it otherwise being the","same. It is still abundant in many localities,","but its range is rapidly being reduced, on account of cutting away the forests. Its nesting","habits and eggs are the same as those of the","southern variety.","406. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.","Melanerpes ery throe ephalus.","Range. United States, east of the Rockies,","except New England; north to northern Canada; winters in southern United States.","This beautiful species","has a bright red head,","neck and breast, glossy","blue black back, wings","and tail, and white underparts, rump and secondaries. It is the most abundant of the family in the","greater portion of its","range, where it nests in","any kind of trees or in telegraph poles at any","height from the ground; they also sometimes","nest in holes under the eaves of buildings. They","are the most pugnacious of the Woodpeckers,","and are often seen chasing one another or driving away some other bird. They are also known","to destroy the nests and eggs of many species,","and also to kill and devour the young, they","being the only Woodpecker, so far as known,","to have acquired this disreputable habit; they","also feed upon, besides ants and larvae, many","kinds of fruit and berries. Their nesting season is during May and June, when they lay","from four to eight white eggs, with less gloss","than those of the Flicker. Size 1.00 x .75.","407. ANT-EATING WOODPECKER.","Melanerpes formicivorus formicivorus.","Range. Mexican border of the United States,","This species may be identified by the black","region around the base of the bill, the white","forehead, red crown and nape, yellowish throat,","and blackish upper parts, extending in a band","\facross the breast, this variety having the band","streaked with white posteriorly. The habits of","this variety are the same as the next which is","most abundant in the United States.","256","Red-headed Woodpecker","407a. CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER.","Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi.","Range. California and Oregon.","This bird differs from the last in having fewer white stripes in the black breast band. In","suitable localities, this is the most abundant of","Woodpeckers on the Pacific coast. They have","none of the bad habits of the Red-heads, appear","to be sociable among their kind, and are not","afraid of mankind. It nests indifferently in all","kinds of trees at any height from the ground,","laying from three to seven eggs. Size 1.00 x",".75. This species has the habit of storing food","for future use developed to a greater extent","than any other of the family. They sometimes","completely honeycomb the exterior surface of","decayed trees, with holes designed to hold","acorns.","407b. NARROW-FRONTED WOODPECKER.","Melanerpes formicivorus angustifrons","Red-bellied Woodpecker","This variety differs from the others in being slightly smaller and in having","the white band on the forehead narrower. Its nesting habits are the same, but","the eggs average smaller. Size .95 x .75.","\f408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. Asyndesmus lewisi.","Range. Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast; from","British Columbia south to Mexico.","A very oddly colored species, 11 inches in length having a dark red face, streaked red and white under","parts, a gray breast band, and glossy greenish black","upperparts. They are not uncommon in the greater","part of their range, can not be called shy birds, and","nest in all kinds of trees at heights varying from six to","one hundred feet from the ground, the five to nine white","eggs measuring 1.05 x .80, and being laid during May","or June. White","109. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Centurus carolinus.","Range. United States east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf States north","in nearly all parts of their range, frequenting the more heavily timbered region","s,","where they nest in any place that attracts their fancy; in some localities they","also commonly nest in telegraph poles. They are quite tame, and during the","winter months come about yards and houses, the same as, and often in company","with Downy Woodpeckers. Their eggs, which are laid during May, are glossy","white, average in size 1.00 x .75 and number from four to six.","17","410. GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER.","Centurus aurifrons.","Range. Mexico and southern Texas, resident.","This is also one of the \"zebra\" or \"ladderbacked\" Woodpeckers, having the back and","wings closely barred with black and white, the","same as the preceding; the forehead, nasal","tufts and nape are gol-","\fden yellow, and the","male has a patch of red","on the crown. This is","a very common resident","species in the Lower","Rio Grande Valley in","Texas, where it nests in","trees or telegraph poles,","sometimes so numerously in the latter situations as to become a","nuisance. Their nesting habits are not in any","manner peculiar, and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. Size","1.00 x .75. Laid during April and May.","411. GILA WOODPECKER.","Centurus uropygialis.","in southern Arizona and New Mexico.","Like the preceding but without any yellow","on the head, the male having a red patch in","the center of the crown. They are locally distributed in New Mexico, but appear to be abundant in all parts of southern Arizona, where they","nest principally in giant cacti, but also in many other trees such as cottonwood","mesquite, sycamores, etc. Besides their decided preference for giant cacti,","there is nothing unusual in their nesting habits, and the eggs are not different","from those of others of the genus. They lay from three to six eggs in April or","May. Size 1.00 x .75.","408 411","412. FLICKER. Colaptes auratus auratus.","Range. Southeastern United States.","Flickers are well known, large Woodpeckers (13","inches long), with a brownish tone to the plumage, barred on the back and spotted on the breast with black.","The present species has a golden yellow lining to the","wings and tail, and the shafts of the feathers are yellow;","it has a red crescent on the nape, and the male has black","moustache marks. This species and its sub-variety are","the most widely known Woodpeckers in eastern North","America, where they are known in different localities,","by something like a hundred local names, of which","258","\fWhite","Pigeon Woodpecker and Yellow-hammer seem","to be the most universal. They have the undulating flight common to all Woodpeckers and","show the white rump patch conspicuously when","flying. They are often found on the ground in","pastures or on side hills, feeding upon ants;","they are more terrestrial than any others of","the family. They nest anywhere, where they","can find or make a suitable cavity for the reception of their eggs; in trees in woods or solitary trees in large pastures, in apple trees in","orchards, in fence posts, in holes under the","roofs of buildings, etc. They ordinarily lay","from five to ten very glossy eggs, but it has","been found that they will continue laying, if","one egg is removed from the nest at a time,","until in one case seventy-one eggs were secured. Fresh eggs may be found at any time from","May until August, as they frequently raise two","broods a season. Size of eggs, 1.10 x .90 with","considerable variations.","412a. NORTHERN P'LICKER.","tus luteus.","Colaptes aura-","Northern Flicker","Range. Whole of North America, east of the Rockies, except the southeastern portion.
Averaging larger than the preceding, but individual specimens of the northern variety are frequently found to be even smaller than the southern, and vice
versa, making the distinction one of the study rather than Nature.
413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER.
Colaptes cafer collaris.","\fRange. United States west of the Rockies.","This species is marked similarly to the preceding, but the top of the head is brownish instead of gray, and the underparts of the wings","and tail, and their quills are reddish. Neither","sex has the red crescent","on the back of the head,","except in the case of hybrids between the 'two","species, but the male has I","red moustache marks. \\* j","There are no differences","in the nidification between this species and","the preceding, but the White","eggs of this average a trifle larger (1.15x.90).","41 3a. NORTHWESTERN FLICKER. Colaptes","cafer saturatior.","Range. Pacific coast, breeding from Oregon to Alaska.","This is a much darker variety of the Red-shafted Flicker, but its nesting habits","or eggs do not differ in any way.","259","Red-shafted Flicker","NORTHERN FLICKER","G. E. Moulthrope
NEST AND EGGS OF NORTHERN FLICKER","f.THE BIRD BOOK","414. GILDED FLICKER. Colaptes chrysoides.","Range. Arizona and southward through Mexico to southern Lower California.","This pale species has the yellowish lining to the wings and tail as in the","Flicker, but has a pale cinnamon brown crown, no crescent on back of head, and","the male has red moustache marks. It is a common species in all localities","where the giant cactus abounds, and shows a preference to nesting in these","strange growths, to any other trees. Their habits are, in all respects, the same","\fas those of the other Flickers and their eggs cannot be distinguished. Size
1.10 x .90.
414a. SAN FERNANDO FLICKER. Colaptes chrysoides brunnescens.
Range. Northern Lower California.
This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of the Gilded Flicker.
415. GUADALUPE FLICKER. Colaptes rufipileus.
Range. Guadalupe Island.
Similar to the Red-shafted Flicker, but with the crown darker and the rump a
solid pinkish white. They are common in a large cypress grove in the middle
of the island, but rarely found on any other portions. The eggs have been described by Mr. Walter E. Bryant, who found them breeding on the island, to be
indistinguishable from those of the others of the genus.","GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS.","Order XVI. MACROCHIRES.","GOATSUCKERS, Family CAPRIMULGIDAE.","Goatsuckers are long winged birds, with small bills, but with an extraordinarily large mouth, the opening of which extends beneath and beyond the eyes.
They are chiefly dusk or night fliers, their food consisting of insects which
they catch on the wing. Their plumage is mottled black, brownish and white,
resembling the ground upon which they lay their eggs.
262","416.","GOATSUCKERS AND SWIFTS","CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW.","Antrostomus carolinensis.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States,","breeding north to Virginia and Indiana, and","west to Arkansas and eastern Texas.","These birds are abundant summer residents","in the southern portions of their range, but as","\fChuck -will's- widow","Grayish white
they are silent and hiding in the woods during
the day time, they are not as popularly known
as are most birds. They rarely fly during the
day time unless disturbed from their roosting
place which is on the ground under underbrush
or in hollow logs. Their notes, which are a rapid and repeatedly uttered whistling repetition of their name, are heard until late in the night. They nest dur
ing April, May or June, laying two eggs on the ground amid the leaves in woods
or scrubby underbrush. The eggs are grayish to creamy white in color, handsomely marked with shades of lilac, gray and brownish; size 1.40 x 1.00.
417. WHIP-POOR-WILL. Antrostomus vociferus vociferus.
Range. North America east of the Plains ; north to the southern parts of the
British possessions; winters along the Gulf coast and southward.
This species is well known, by sound, in nearly all parts of its range, but
comparatively few ever observed the bird, and probably the greater number
mistake the Nighthawk for this species. The two species can readily be distinguished at a distance by the absence of any pronounced white marking in
ths wings, and by the white tips to the outer
tail feathers in the present species, while the
Night Hawk has a prominent white band across
the tail, but the top is black, and the tail slightly forked. The Whip-poor-will, rarely leaves
its place of concealment before dark, and is
never, seen flying about cities, as are the Nighthawks. In their pursuit
of insects, they glide
like a shadow over
fields and woods, their
soft plumage giving
forth no sound as their
wings cleave the air.
Until late at night, their
whistling cry \"whippoor-will,\" repeated at
intervals, rings out in all wooded hilly districts. Their two eggs are deposited on the
ground among dead leaves, generally in dense
woods. They are grayish white or cream color
marbled with pale brown and gray, with faint
er markings of lilac. Size 1.50 x .85.
263","\fWhip-poor-will","41 7a. STEPHEN'S WHIP-POOR-WILL.","Antrostomus vociferus macromystax.","Range. Arizona and New Mexico, south","through the tableland of Mexico.","This sub-species is slightly larger and has","longer mouth bristles than the eastern bird.","Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs","differ only in averaging lighter in color, with","fainter markings, some specimens being almost","immaculate.","418. POOR-WILL. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli","nuttalli.","Range. United States west of the Mississippi, breeding from Kansas and northern California northward to Montana and British Columbia.","This handsome species ^,- ^","is the smallest of the family, being under 8 inches","in length. Its plumage is mottled black, white and frosty","gray, harmoniously blended together. They can easily be","distinguished from all other Goatsuckers by their size and","silvery appearance. They nest on the ground, either placing their two eggs upon a bed of leaves or upon a flat rock. White","The breeding season is from the latter part of May through July. The eggs are","pure white and glossy; size 1.00 x .75.","Poor-will","Merrill's Paraque","418a. FROSTED POOR-WILL. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli nitidus.","\fRange. Texas and Arizona, north to western Kansas.","This variety is like the last but paler, both above and below,","tinguishable from those of others of the genus.","Eggs indis-","41Sb. DUSKY POOR- WILL. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli calif ornicus.","Range. A darker race found on the coast of California, having the same nesting habits as the others.","The egg figured is of this species. Data. Los Angeles, Cal., June 24, 1900.","2 eggs on the ground at the foot of an oak tree on the side of a hill. Collector","F. M. Palmer.",". .","264","419- MERRILL'S PARATJQUE. Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli.","Range. Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas.","This species is the same length as the Chuck-will's-widow, but is not as stoutly","built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be distinguished from any other of the family by its tail,","the outer feather on each side being black (or brownish barred with black in the female), and the next","two having white ends for nearly half their length.","Their eggs are laid on the ground in open localities,","and generally under the protection of an overhanging bush. They are two in number and differ greatly","from those of any other American member of this","family, being a buff or rich salmon buff in color, spotted and splashed with gray, lavender, and reddish brown; size 1.25 x .90.","Data. Brownsville, Texas, April 16, 1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense","thicket. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.","\fSalmon buff","Geo. S. Fiske","NEST AND EGGS OF WHIP-POOR-WILL","Nighthawk","420. NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus virginianus.","Range. North America,","east of the Plains and from","Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico; winters through Mexico","to northern South America.","The Nighthawk or some of","its sub-species is found in","nearly all parts of North","America, its habits being the","same in all localities. It is","Grayish white
of the same size as the Whippoor-will, from which species
it can readily be distinguished by its lack of mouth bristles, forked tail with a white
band near the end, and the
white band across the primaries, the latter mark showing
very plainly during flight. Besides in the country, they are
very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day towards dusk
flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of the buildings, upon
the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. They nest generally on
rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their two eggs upon the top of a flat
rock. The eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with","\fdarker shades of gray. Size 1.20 x .85.","420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus henryi.","Range. United States west of the Plains.","A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage","somewhat more rusty. It frequents the more open","portions of the country in its range, its habits and","nesting habits being the same as others of the former","species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color.","420b. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani.","Range. A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf coast.","No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as compared with the","northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable.","J. E. Seebold","NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK-","420 421","420c. SENNETT'S NIGHTHAWK.","Cordeiles virginianus sennetti.","Range. A very pale species with little or","no tawny; found in the Great Plains from","Texas north to the Saskatchewan; winters","south of the United States.","421. TEXAS NIGHTHAWK.","\fChordeiles acutipennu texensis.","Range. Mexico and Central America, breed","ing north to southern Utah and California.","The pattern of the","marking of this species","is finer and more mottled with rusty than","the Nighthawk. Its ^m$t%<*t ,Y","habits do not differ to","any extent from those","of the preceding species; they lay their two Gravish whil","mottled gray eggs upon the bare ground, often on the dry sand and","in arid regions","where they are","exposed, with","no protection,","to the scorching rays of the","sun. The eggs","vary endlessly","in extent of","markings,some","being very pale","and others","very dark gray,","mottled with","various shades","of gray, brown and lilac. Size 1.10 x .75.","SWIFTS. Family MICROPODID^E","422.","BLACK SWIFT.
borealis.","Cypseloides niger","Range. Mountain ranges from Central America north to British Columbia, locally distribut-","\fed throughout its range.","The plumage of this Swift is entirely sooty","black, darkest above; the tail is slightly forked","and is without spines; length of bird, 7 inches.","Although the general habits of this species are","well known, little is known of their nesting;","they are seen during the breeding season about","the higher ranges throughout their United","States habitat, and are supposed to nest in","crevices on the face of cliffs at a high altitude.","268","422424","423. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Chcetura pelagica.","Range. North America east of the Plains,","breeding from central Canada, south to the Gulf","coast, and wintering south of our borders.","This well known species is sooty brownish","black, 5.5 inches long, and has the tail feathers","terminating in sharp spines. They are very","abundant in all portions of their range, and","may be seen on the wing at all hours of the","day, but especially abundant in the early morning and toward dusk. They formerly dwelt","and bred only in hollow trees, and a great many","still continue to do so, as large hollow stumps","are known where hundreds nest every year.","The majority of the eastern Chimney Swifts","now nest in old chimneys that are unused, at","least during the summer; some small chimneys","contain but a single pair while other large ones","may have from fifty to a hundred or more nests","glued to the sides. The birds are on the wing","during the greater part of the day, generally","not frequenting the vicinity of their nesting","site, but returning toward dusk, when they may","Chimney Swift","E. R. Forrest","\fNEST AND EGGS OF CHIMNEY SWIFT","269","be seen to, one at a time, dive headforemost into","the tops of chimneys. The nest","is made of small twigs firmly","glued to the sides of the chimney, or tree, and to each other,","with the glutinous saliva of the vbird, making a narrow semi-circle","platform for the reception of White","their three to five white eggs which are deposited","in May or June; size .75 x .50.","424. VAUX'S SWIFT. Chcetura vauxi.","Range. Western United States, chiefly west of","the Rockies; breeding north to British Columbia,","Similar to the last but smaller","(length 4.5 inches), and paler in","color, fading to white on the","throat. The habits of this species are like those of the eastern Chimney Swift, except that","the majority of these species still","continue to use hollow trees as","nesting places. The eggs are just like those of","the last bird.","WHITE-THROATED SWIFT.
Mronautes melanolcucus.","Range. Western United States south of Can9 _ 9 ada, and chiefly in the Rocky Mountains, and in
California ranges, north to Lat. 38.
A handsome species, 6.5 inches in length, with blackish upper parts and sides,
and white throat, breast and central line of under parts, flank
patches and ends of secondaries ; tail feathers not spined or
stiffened. These birds are fairly common in some localities","\fwithin their range, but appear to be found only on high ranges","or in their immediate vicinity. They nest in crevices and","caves in the face of cliffs, making a nest similar in construe","tion to that of the Chimney Swift but of weed stalks instead White","of twigs, and lined with feathers. They lay four or five dull white eggs, during","June or July; size .85 x .50.","270","HUMMINGBIRDS","HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE","Hummingbirds have been truly called \"Winged Gems.\" They are the smallest of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown
patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or violet. Thei
r
nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and intricately made of plant
fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight
is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vibrating
stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small
insects and honey both of which they get chiefly from flowers.
426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD.
Eugenes fulgens.
Range. Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains.
This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers having the crown a violet purple color,
and the throat brilliant green. This species
saddles its nest upon branches often at heights
of 20 or 30 feet from the ground. They are
made of plant down and generally decorated
with lichens on the outside, similar to nests of
the Ruby-throat. The two white eggs measure
.65 x .40.
427- BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
Cyanolcemus clemencies.","\fRange. Mexico, north in summer to the","border of Arizona and western New Mexico.","This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the","name implies, it has a patch of blue on the","throat, the upper parts being a uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped","with white. Their nests, which are placed upon the limbs of trees, are made of mosses and","plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two","eggs are laid during July and August, and","measure .65 x .40. 4 <>7_429","271","428. RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD.
Archilochus colubris.
Range North America east
of the Plains and north to
Labrador.
This is the only representative of the family found
east of the Mississippi. It is
a small species, 3.5 inches
long, with greenish upper
parts and a bright ruby throat.
Its nest is as beautiful, if not
more so, than that of any
other species. They build
their nests on horizontal
limbs of trees at any height
from the ground, but usually
more than six feet. Branches
an inch or more in diameter
are usually selected, they not
being particular as to the
kind of tree, but oaks, pines
and maples perhaps being
used the most often. The
nests are made of plant fibres
and down, and the exterior is
completely covered with green
lichens so that it appears like
a small bunch of moss on the
limb. The two white eggs are
laid in May or June; size .50
x.35.","\fHUMMINGBIRDS","Ruby-throated Hummingbird","429- BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Archilochus alexandri.","Range. North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British Colum","bia; winters south of the United States.","Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and","upper throat black, the","rest of the throat gorget","being violet or amethyst.","It is an abundant species","in summer in many localities, especially in the south'ern half of its range. They","build their nests a! low elewtions, rarely above ten","feet, on small branches or","the .fork at the end of a","limit* T^he nests are made","of yellowislr plant fibres","and 'are 'not covered with","lichens, so that they have","a peculiar spongy appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the","Ruby-throat. Laid during","April, May or June.","RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD","430. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD.","Calypte costce.","\fRange. Southwestern United States; north","to southern Utah; winters south of our border.","Smaller than the last and with both the","crown and the throat gorget, violet or amethyst, the feathers on the sides of the latter being lengthened. Their nests are situated in","the forks of branches generally near the ground,","and seldom above six feet from it. They are","made of plant down with shreds of weeds, bark","and lichens worked into the outside portions,","and are often lined with soft feathers. The","two eggs average .48 x .32. Data. Arroyo Seco,","California, June 10, 1900. Nest in an alder bush.","Collector, Charles E. Groesbeck.","431. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. Calypte anna","Range. Pacific coast of the United States","from northern California, southward, wintering in Mexico and southern California.","This handsome species has both the crown","and the broadened and lengthened throat gorgets, a purplish pink; it is slightly larger than","the Ruby-throat. They are very abundant In","their restricted range, and nest in February","and March and again in April or May, raising","two broods a season. Their nests are made of","plant down and covered on the outside with","cobwebs and a few lichens, and are generally","located at a low elevation. The white eggs","average .50 x .30. Data. Santa Monica, California, March 4, 1897. Nest in a bunch of seed","pods in a gum tree, ten feet from the ground.","Collector, Tom Bundy.","430431","275","432 433 434","\f432. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD.","Selasphorus platycercus.","Range. Rocky Mountain regions, north to","Wyoming; winters south of the United States","This species is similar to the Ruby-throat,","but larger and with the back more golden","green color, and the throat shining lilac. They","are very abundant in Colorado and Arizona,","nesting as do the Ruby-throats in the east, and","their nests being similar in construction and","appearance to those of that species. The","eggs cannot be distinguished from those of","other species.","433. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.","Selasphorus rufus.","from the Mexican border north to Alaska and","fairly abundant in most of its range.","A handsome little species with the back and","tail reddish brown, and with a throat gorget of","orange red, the feathers being slightly lengthened into a ruff on the side of the gorget. They","nest in a great variety of locations and at a","low elevation, such as vines, bushes and the","low hanging branches of trees. The nest is","made of vegetable fibres covered with cobwebs and often with lichens. The eggs do not","differ from those of the other Hummers.","276","434. ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD. Selasphorus alleni.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia southward; most abundant in","California. Winters in Mexico.","This species is like the last,","but the back is greenish, only","the tail being reddish brown.","These birds generally locate","their nests at low elevations","near the end of overhanging","branches, on vines, weed","stalks, or bushes, but have","\fbeen found as high as 90 feet","above ground. The nests of","this species are made of plant","fibres and cobwebs, generally","decorated with lichens. The","two white eggs measure .50 x",".32. Data. Santa Monica,","Cal., May 29, 1896. Nest two","feet from the ground in a","sage bush. Collector, W. Lee","Chambers.","E. L. Bickford
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD","277","436 437 438","435. MORCOM'S HUMMINGBIRD.","Atthis morcomi.","Range. This species is known only from a","single specimen, taken in the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, in 1896.","436. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD.","Stellula calliope.","Range. Western United States from British","Columbia southward, and from the Rocky","Mountains west to eastern Oregon and California.","This is the smallest of North American Hummers, being but 3 inches in length. It is greenish","above and has a violet gorget showing the","white bases of the feathers. They build their","nests in all manner of locations from high up","in tall pines to within a foot of the ground in","slender bushes. The nests are made interiorly","with plant down, but the outside is generally","grayish colored shreds and lichens. The eggs","\faverage but a trifle smaller than those of coluftris, .45x.30.","437- LUCIFER'S HUMMINGBIRD.","Calothorax lucifer.","Range. Mexico, north to southwestern Texas","and Arizona.","This species, which is common in parts of","Central Mexico, occurs only casually north to","our borders and has not yet been found nesting","there. They build small compact nests of plant","down attached to the stalks or leaves of plants","or weeds.","438. *REIFFER'S HUMMINGBIRD. Amizilis tzacatl.","Range. Abundant in southern Mexico; casual in southern Texas.","This species is greenish above, with a bronzy lustre ; the tail is reddish brown","and the throat and breast are metallic green. They breed abundantly about","houses and nest apparently at all seasons of the year in Central America, where","they are the most common species of Hummers.","278","439. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD.","Amizilis cerviniventris chalconota.","Range. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas","and southward through Mexico.","These birds are like the last but have the","underparts a pale brownish buff color. They","are quite common in ^heir summer range in the","United States, nesting at- a low elevation in","bushes and low trees. The two eggs are white,",".50x.35. Data. Brownsville, Texas, May 5,","1892. Nest of fine bark-like fibre on the outside, lined with lint from thistle plant; located","on limb of small hackberry. Collector, Frank","G. Armstrong.","440. XANTUS'S HUMMINGBIRD.","\"Basilinna xantusi.","\fRange. Southern Lower California.","A handsome species, greenish above, with a","coppery tinge and shading into reddish brown","on the tail; under parts buffy, throat metallic","green, and a broad white streak behind the eye.","They breed on the ranges making a similar","nest to those of other Hummers, placed on","weeds or bushes near the ground. The eggs","cannot be distinguished from those of the majority of other species.","440.1. WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD.","Basilinna leucotis.","Range. A Central American and Mexican","species, casually found on the ranges in Southern Arizona.","The plumage of this species is greenish above and below, being metallic green","on the breast; the forehead, sides of head, and throat are iridescent blue","and a white line extends back from the eye.","439440.1441","441. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD. Cynanthus 'latirostris.","Range. Mountains of central Mexico north to southern Arizona and New","Mexico.","The throat of this species is a rich metallic blue; otherwise the plumage is","greenish above and below, being brighter and more irisdescent on the breast.","They are not uncommon on the ranges of southern Arizona, where they have","been found nesting in July and August, their nest not being unlike those of the","Rufous Hummer, but with the exterior largely composed of shreds of grayish","bark and lichens. Their eggs are like many others of the Hummers.","279","PERCHING BIRDS. Order XVII. PASSERES","COTINGAS. Family COTINGIDAE","\f.1-.] XANTUS BE CARD. Platypsaris aglaice albiventris.","Range. i Mexico; north casually to the southern border of Arizona.","This peculiar species is grayish above and lighter gray below, has dark slaty","crown* and a patch of rose color on the lower throat. This","is the only representative of this tropical family that has","been found as yet over the Mexican border, but its near","ally, the Rose-throated Becard has been found within a","very few miles and will doubtless be added to our fauna","as an accidental visitor ere long. Their nests are large","masses of grasses, weeds, strips of bark, etc., partially","suspended from the forks of branches. Their eggs number Buffy gray","four or five and are a pale buffy gray color, dotted and scratched with a pale","reddish brown and dark gray. Size .95 x .70. The one figured is from a set","in the collection of Mr. Crandall, taken June 1, 1897 at Presidio Sinaloa, Mexic","o.","' ..A*","FLYCATCHERS. Family TYRANNIDyE","Flycatchers, which are found only in America and chiefly in the tropics, are","insect-eating birds, generally having a grayish colored plumage, sometimes","adorned with a slight crest or a coronal mark of orange, red, or yellow. Only","two of the species found in North America are gaudy in plumage, the Vermilion, and the Derby Flycatchers. They all have the habit of sitting erect on a","dead twig, and watching for passing insects, which they catch on the wing.","[442.] FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. Muscivora tryannus.","Range. A Central and South American species accidentally having occurred","in the United States on several occasions.","This is a handsome black, white and gray species of the size and form of the","next.","280","PERCHING BIRDS
443. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. MuSClVOTa forficdtd.","\fCreamy white","Scissor-tailed Flycatcher","Range. Mexico, north through Texas to","southern Kansas; accidental in other parts of","the country.","The Scissor-tail or \"Texan Bird of Paradise\"","is the most beautiful member of this interesting family. Including its long tail, often 10","inches in length and forked for about 6 inches,","this Flycatcher reaches a","length of about 15 inches.","It is pale grayish above,","fading into whitish below,","and has scarlet linings to","the wings, and a scarlet","crown patch. They are","one of the most abundant","of the breeding birds in","Texas, placing their iara;e","roughly built nests in all kinds of trees and at","any elevation, but averaging between ten and","fifteen feet above ground. The nests are built","of rootlets, grasses, weeds and trash of all","kinds, such as paper, rags, string, etc. The","interior is generally lined with plant fibres,","hair or wool. They lay from three to five, and rarely six eggs with a creamy","white ground color, more or less spotted and blotched with reddish brown, lilac","and gray, the markings generally being most numerous about the larger end.","They average in size about .90 x .67. Data. Corpus Christi, Texas, May 18,","1899. 6 eggs. Nest of moss, vines, etc., on small trees in open woods near town.","Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.","444. KINGBIRD. Tyrannus tyrannus.","from the Gulf of Mexico north to New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia; rare off","the Pacific coast.","\fThis common Tyrant Flycatcher is very","abundant in the eastern parts of its range.","They are one of the most pugnacious and courageous of birds attacking and driving away any","feathered creature to which they take a dislike, regardless of size.","Before and during the","nesting season, their","sharp, nerve-racking clatter is kept up all day long,","and with redoubled vigor","when anyone approaches","their nesting site. They","nest in any kind of a tree,","in fields or open woods, and at any height","from the ground, being found on fence rails","within two feet of the ground or in the tops of","pines 70 or 80 feet above the earth. Nearly","every orchard will be found to contain one or","281","Cream t>olor","Kingbird","more pairs of these great insect destroyers ; if more than one pair, there will
be
continual warfare as often as one encroaches on the domains of the other. Their
nests are made of strips of vegetable fibre, weeds, etc., and lined with horseha
ir
or catkins. They are sometimes quite bulky and generally very substantially
made. The three to five eggs are laid the latter part of May, and are of a
creamy ground color splashed with reddish brown and lilac. Size .95 x .70.
Data. Worcester County, Massachusetts, June 3, 1895. 4 eggs. Nest 10 feet
from the ground in an apple tree; made of fibres, string, rootlets and weeds,
lined with horse hair. Collector, F. C. Clark.","G. E. Mpulthrope
NEST AND EGGS OF KINGBIRD","\f282","PERCHING BIRDS","445. GRAY KINGBIRD.","Tyrannus dominie ensis.","Range. West Indies; north in April to Florida and the South Atlantic States to South
Carolina and casually farther.
This species is slightly larger than our Kingbird, (9 inches long), grayish instead of dark
drab above, white below, and without any
white tip to tail. Like
the common Kingbird, it
has a concealed orange
patch on the crown. Their
habits and nesting habits
are the same as those of
our common bird, but the
nest is not generally as
well built, and nearly always is made largely of
twigs. The three or four eggs have a creamy
or a creamy pink ground color, spotted and
blotched with dark brown and lilac, most numerously about the large end. Size 1.00 x .73.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, May 28, 1802. Nest of twigs and weeds in a low bush.
Collector, J. A. Southley.","Creamy","Gray Kingbird","446. COUCH'S KINGBIRD. Tyrannus melanclwlicus couchi.","Range. Mexico, north in summer to southern Texas.","This species is very similar to the next but the throat","and breast are white, and the underparts a brighter yellow. Like the other members of this genus, these build","\ftheir nests in any location in trees or bushes, making them","of twigs, weeds and moss. Their three or four eggs have","a creamy ground with a pinkish cast and are spotted","with brown and lilac. Size .97 x .12.","447. ARKANSAS KINGBIRD.","Tyrannus verticalis.","Arkansas Kingbird","Range. Western United States and southern","British Provinces from Kansas and Minnesota","west to the Pacific. '","This species has grayish upper parts, shading into darker on the wings and tail, and","lighter on the throat and upper breast; the","underparts are yellow, and there is a concealed","patch of orange on the crown. They are very","abundant throughout the west, where they","have the same familiar habits of the eastern","species, nesting in all sorts of locations such as","would be used by the latter. Their nests are","made of plant fibres, weeds, string, paper or","any trash that may be handy, being sometimes","quite bulky. Their eggs do not differ in any","particular from those of the eastern bird, except that they may average a Uttle smaller.","Size .95x.65.","448. CASSIN'S KINGBIRD.","Tyrannus vocifcrans.","Range. Western United","States from the Rocky Mountain region to California, and","from Wyoming southward.","This species is like the last","\fexcept that the throat and","breast are darker. Their","Derby Flycatcher","Buff
habits, nesting habits and
eggs are indistinguishable
from those of the other Tyrant Flycatchers, and they
are fully as courageous in the
defense of their homes
against either man or bird,
their notes resembling those
of the common Kingbird of
the east.",". DERBY FLYCATCHER. Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus.","Range. Mexico and Central America, breeding north to southern Texas.","This handsome bird is the largest of the Flycatcher family found in the","United States, being 11 inches in length. It has a black crown enclosing a","yellow crown patch; a broad black stripe from the",",-./ \" bill, through the eye and around the back of the","head, is separated from the crown by a white forehead and line over the eye; the throat is white","shading into yellow on the underparts. They are","abundant in the interior of Mexico, but can hardly","be classed as common over our border, where they","nest in limited numbers. Their nests are unlike","those of any of our other Flycatchers being large","masses of moss, weeds and grass, arched over on","top and with the entrance on the side. The three or four eggs are creamy white,","sprinkled chiefly about the large end with small reddish brown or umber spots ;","size 1.15x.85.","284","\f451. SULPHUR-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER. Myiodynastes luteiventris .
Range. Mexico and Central America, breeding north
to the Mexican border of Arizona.
This peculiar Flycatcher,
which is unlike any other
American species, can only
be regarded as a rare breeding bird in the Huachuca Mts.
It is 8 inches in length, has
a grayish back streaked with","Crested Flycatcher","Creamy buff
black, the tail largely rusty
brown and the underparts sulphur yellow, streaked on the
breast and sides with dusky;
a yellow crown patch is bordered on either side by a stripe
of mottled dusky, and is separated from the blackish
patch through the eye, by
white superciliary lines. Their
habits are similar to those of the genus Myiarchus, and, like them, they nest in
cavities in trees, and lay from three to five eggs of a creamy buff color thickl
y
spotted and blotched with brown and purplish, the markings not assuming the
scratchy appearance of the Crested Flycatchers, but looking more like those of
a Cardinal; size of egg 1.05 x .75. Data. Huachuca Mts., Arizona, June 29, 1901.
4 eggs. Nest in the natural cavity of a live sycamore tree about fifty feet from
the ground; composed of twigs. Collector, O. W. Howard.
4-52. CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchns crinitus.
Range. North America, east of the Plains, and from New Brunswick and
Manitoba southward; winters from the Gulf States southward.","\fThis trim and graceful, but quarrelsome, species is grayish on the head, neck, and breast, shading to greenish on
the back and quite abruptly into bright yellow on the
underparts; the head is slightly crested and the inner webs
of all the lateral tail feathers are reddish brown. They
are abundant in most of their range but are generally shy
so they are not as often seen as many other more rare
birds. They nest in cavities of any kind of trees and at
any elevation from the ground, the nest being made of Huff
twigs, weeds and trash, and generally having incorporated
into its make-up a piece of cast off snake skin. They lay from four to six
eggs of a buffy color, blotched and lined with dark brown and lavender.
Size .85 x .65.
285","453.","ARIZONA CRESTED FLYCATCHER.","Myiarchus magister magister.","Range. Southern Arizona and New Mexico, south","through Mexico.","This bird is very similar to, but averages slightly larger than the Mexican Flycatcher. Its nesting habits are","the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from","those of the latter, the nest being most frequently found","in giant cacti.","453a. MEXICAN CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus","magister nelsoni.","Range. Mexico, north to southern Texas.","This species is similar to the last","but is considerably paler. They are","common in some localities, nesting","in holes in trees or stumps, often","those deserted by Woodpeckers.","Their eggs are like those of the last","but average paler. Data. Corpus","Christi, Texas, May 10, 1899. Nest","in hole in telegraph pole; made of","red cow hair, feathers and leaves. 4 eggs. Collector, Prank B. Armstrong,","\fPale buff","454. ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens.","west of the Plains and","south of Canada.","Similar to the others of","the genus but grayish","brown above and with the","underparts much paler, the","throat and breast being","nearly white. Like the","others they nest in cavities in trees, either natural or ones made by Woodpeckers. Their four to","five eggs are lighter in","color than those of crinitus but cannot be distinguished from those of","the Mexican Crested Flycatcher.","286","454b. LOWER CALIFORNIA","FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus","cinerascens pertinax.","This sub-species is similar","to Nutting Flycatcher but paler below and grayish above.","455a. OLIVACEOUS FLY","\fCATCHER. Myiarchus
lawrencei olivascens.
Range. Western Mexico,
north to southern Arizona.
This is the smallest of the
genus found in the United
States, being but 7 inches in
length. Except for size it is",". '","Buffy
similar to crinitus but with
very little, if any, rusty brown
on tail, except for a slight
edging on the outer web.
Their nesting sites are the
same as those chosen by the other Crested Flycatcher, but their eggs appear
to have but little of the scratchy appearance of the other members. They are
pale buffy, speckled and spotted with brown and lilac; size .80 x .60. Data. Toluca, Mexico, May 20, 1895. Nest of brown hair and feathers, in hole in tree
in woods. Collector, Fred T. Francis.","Phoebe","4-56. PHCEBE. Sayornis phoebe.","Range. North America, east of the Rockies and north to Nova Scotia.","These very common, grayish colored birds are very often known as \"Bridge","Birds\" because of the frequency with which they construct their nests under","bridges and arches; they also build in crevices in ledges or","among the hanging roots near the tops of embankments, and on","the rafters or beams of old buildings. The nests are made of","mud, moss and grass, lined with feathers. The four or five eggs","measure .75 x .55. Occasionally, eggs will be found that have","a few minute spots of reddish brown. Freak situations in which","to locate their nests are often chosen by these birds, such as white","\fthe brake beam of a freight car, in the crevices of old wells, hen
houses, etc. The birds are one of the most useful that we have; being very
active and continually on the alert for insects and beetles that constitute thei
r
whole bill of fare.","287","G. E. Moulthrope","PHOEBE ON NEST","457. SAY'S PH<EBE. Sayornis sayus.","Range. Western United States, breeding","from southern United States, north to the Arctic regions, and from Kansas and Wisconsin","westward. Winters in Mexico.","This bird is slightly larger than the last","(7.5 inches long), and is rusty brown color on","the belly and lower breast. Like the eastern","Phoebes they are one of the earliest birds to return in the spring and are abundant in the","greater parts of their range.","Like the latter, they often","raise two broods a season,","one in April and another in","V , July. Their nests are generally placed on narrow shelves","White and crevices of ledges, but","they also nest as commonly about houses and","farms as does the eastern bird. The nests are","made of weeds, mosses, fibres and wool, and","are quite flat. They lay four or five white eggs.","Size .78 x .58.","458. BLACK PHCEBE. Sayornis nigricans.","Range. Mexico and north in summer into","the bordering States.","This species is of the size of the last but","is blackish (darkest on the head and breast),","\fwith a white belly and under","tail coverts, the latter streaked with dusky. Their habits","and nesting habits are the","same as those of the eastern","Phoebe, they building their","nests of mud, moss, weeds","and feathers on ledges or","about buildings, and generally close to or in the vicinity of water. They breed","during April or May, laying four or five white eggs which cannot be distinguished from those of the common Phoebe. Size .75 x .55.","4J8a. WESTERN BLACK PHCEBE. Sayornis nigricans semiatra.","Range. Pacific Coast of Mexico and the United States, breeding north to","Oregon.","This variety differs from the last in having the under tail coverts pure white.","Its nesting habits are precisely the same and the eggs indistinguishable.","289","459. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.","Nuttallornis borealis.","from the Middle States and California northward, and in the Rockies, south to Mexico;","winters south of the United States.","These Flycatchers are nowhere abundant,","and in some parts of the country, especially","\fin the middle portion, they are","very rare. They breed very 1^^","locally and generally not /#jiT","more than one pair in any locality. In New England, L","have always found them nesting in company with Parula","Warblers, in dead coniferous swamps in which the","branches are covered with long pendant moss,","Their nests are placed high up in the trees,","^ generally above fifty feet from the ground, and","r \"C^SL ^ on small horizontal limbs; they are made of","small twigs and rootlets, lined with finer rootlets and moss, and are very flat and shallow;","as they are generally made to match the surrounding, they are one of the most difficult nests to find. They lay three or","four cream colored eggs which are spotted with reddish brown and lilac, chiefly","about the large end. Size .85 x .65. Data. Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts,","June 12, 1897. Nest of twigs and moss, about 60 feet above the ground, in a","dead pine tree in center of a large wet swamp. Nest could not be seen from","the ground, and was found by watching the birds.","Olive-sided Flycatcher","4*60. COUES'S FLYCATCHER. Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris.","Range. Western Mexico, breeding north to central Arizona.","This Flycatcher builds one of the most artistic nests created by feathered","creatures. It bears some resemblance on the exterior to that of the next species","but it is much more firmly made, and the walls are usually","higher, making a very deeply cupped interior. The outside","of the nest is made of fibres, cobwebs, catkins, etc., firmly","felted together and ornamented with green lichens to match","the limb upon which it is saddled. The interior is heavily","lined with dried, yellowish grasses, making a very strong contrast to the exterior. They are fairly abundant birds in the","ranges of southern Arizona, where they nest generally during","\fJune. They lay three eggs of a rich creamy color, spotted and blotched, chiefly
about the larger end, with reddish brown and lilac gray. Size .95 x .61. Data.
Huachuca Mts., Arizona, July 8, 1897. 3 eggs. Nest in a yellow pine about 60
feet up and near the extremity of a long slender limb. Elevation 7000 feet.
Collector, O. W. Howard.
461. WOOD PEWEE. Myiochanes virens.
Range. North America, east of the Plains
and north to Ihe southern parts of the British
Provinces. Winters south of the United States.
This is one of the best
known and one of the most
common frequenters of open
woods, where all summer
long its pleasing notes may
be heard, resembling \"Pee-awee\" or sometimes only two
syllables \"pee-wee.\" They
nest on horizontal limbs at elevations of six
feet or over, making handsome nests of plant
fibres and fine grasses, covered on the exterior
with lichens; they are quite shallow and very
much resembles a small knot on the limb of
the tree. They lay three or four eggs of a
ceram color spotted in a wreath about the
large end, with reddish brown and lavender;
size .80 x .55. Data. Torrington, Conn., June
16, 1890. Nest of fibres covered with lichens,
saddled on the branch of an oak tree near
roadside. Collector, John Gath. Wood Pewee","Chickadee Family
291","Guy H. Briggs
NEST AND EGGS OF WOOD PEWEE","\fPERCHING BIRDS","462. WESTERN WOOD PEWEE.","Myiochanes richardsoni richardsom.","Range. Western United States from the","Plains to the Pacific, and from Manitoba southward, wintering south of the United States.","The nesting habits of this bird are the same","as those of the eastern Pewee, but their nests","are more strongly built and generally deeper,","and without the outside ornamentation of","lichens. They are saddled upon horizontal","branches, like those of the preceding, as a","rule, but are also said to have been found in","upright crotches like those of the Least Flycatcher. Their three or four eggs cannot be","distinguished from those of the eastern Wood","Pewee.","462a. LARGE-BILLED WOOD PEWEE. Mi/iochanes richardsoni peninsulas.","Range. This species which differs from the","last only slightly, as is indicated by the name,","inhabits the peninsula of Lower California; its","nesting habits and eggs will not differ from those of the other Pewees.","Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher","463. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. Empidonax flaviventris.","Range. North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador; winters","This species is slightly larger than the Least Flycatcher and is","more yellowish above and below, the breast being quite bright. ,","While common in some districts it is quite shy and frequents *","thickly wooded regions, where it is not very often seen. They '<*","nest near or on the ground among rocks or roots of fallen trees. \\< * ;\"","chiefly in swampy places; the nests are made in bunches of * v","\fmoss, hollowed out and lined with very fine grasses. Their four
eggs are creamy or buffy white, spotted and speckled about the larger end with
reddish brown and gray; size .68 x .51.","464. WESTERN FLYCATCHER. Empidonax diffictyis difficilis.","Range. Western North America, from the Rocky Mountain region to the","Pacific, and north to Alaska; winters chiefly south of the United States.","This Flycatcher, which is similar to the last, nests in similar",">' r - locations as well as in many others, such as crevices and fissures","in rocks, holes in banks, cavities in trees, rafters in buildings,","etc. The nests are variously made, but consist chiefly of fine","grasses, weeds and fibres. The eggs are as a rule similar to","Cream v white those of the last species and cannot be distinguished.","464a. SAN LUCAS FLYCATCHER.","Empidonax difficilis cineritius.","This species is similar to, but duller in plumage than the Western Flycatcher. Their nesting habits do not probably vary from those of","the latter.","465. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. Empidonax","virescens.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding","from the Gulf to southern New England, and","in the Mississippi Valley to Manitoba.","This species is very pale below and greenish","yellow on the back. They are among the latest","of the migrants to reach our","borders and arrive in the","Middle States about the latter part of May, when they","are quite common. They","\fbuild semi-pensile nests in","the forks of bushes or overhanging branches at heights","of from four to twenty feet, the nests being","made of rootlets, fibres, fine grasses, etc., and","partially suspended from the branch; they are","quite shallow and loosely constructed and often","appear more like a bunch of debris deposited in","the fork by the wind than like the creation of","a bird. Their three or four eggs are buffy, spotted or specked with brown; size .75 x .55.","466. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. Empidonax trailli trailli.","Range. Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific;","This species is very similar to the next, but the back is said","to be more brownish. They are common and nest abundantly","in thickets and low scrubby woods, usually placing the nest","at a low elevation, preferably in a clump of willows ; the nests","are made of fine strips of bark, plant fibres, and very fine rootlets being woven about and firmly fastened in upright","Creamy white crotches. Their eggs, which are laid in June, are buffy white,","specked and spotted, chiefly at the large end, with brownish ; sixe .70 x .54.","464 '.","Least Flycatcher","PERCHING BIRDS
466a. ALDER FLYCATCHER.
Empidonax trailli alnorum.
Range. United States, east of the Mississippi
and north to New Brunswick.
The only difference between this and the preceding variety is in the more greenish upper","\fparts. They are quite abundant in the breeding season from New England and northern
New York northward, frequenting, to a great
extent, alder thickets bordering streams. Their
nests and eggs do not differ appreciably from
those of the western variety of Traill Flycatcher.
467- LEAST FLYCATCHER.
Empidonax minimus.
Range. North America, east of the Rockies
and north to the interior of Canada, wintering
south of the United States.
These little birds (5.5 inches
long) are common about houses
and orchards on the outskirts of cities, and on the edges of forests or open woods. They are very frequently known by the
name of Chebec from their continually uttered note. In nearly
all instances, the nests are placed in upright forks at elevations
varying from four to twenty-four feet from the ground. The
nests are made chiefly of plant fibres, fine grasses, string, cobwebs, etc., and
the three to five eggs are pale creamy white; size .65 x .50.
468. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER. Empidonax hammondi.
Range. North America, west of the Rockies and from British Columbia southward, wintering south of the United States.
This western representative of the Least
Flycatcher is less abundant and more shy,
but has the same nesting habits as the eastern birds, placing its nests either in upright
crotches or, more rarely, upon horizontal
branches at a low elevation. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the last
species.
469. WRIGHT'S FLYCATCHER. Empidona.r wrighti.
Range/ Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border to Oregon and wintering south of the United
States.
A very similar bird to the last but whiter
^\"~ below. It is a much more abundant species
/ than the last and is found breeding In open
woods and thickets on all the
nests are built like those of
catcher and nearly always are
the crotch of trees or bushes","ranges. The
the Least Flyfound in
at a low ele-","\fation; their nests, like those of the two","preceding species, bear a strong resemblance to those of","the Yellow Warblers which are found in the same localities and locations. The eggs are pale creamy white, four","in number and measure .68 x .52,","469 4694","295","469-1- GRAY FLYCATCHER. Emptdonax","griseus.","Range. Lower California, north to southern","This is a slightly larger species than the preceding and is grayish above and paler below,","with little or no tinge of brownish or yellow.","As far as I can learn its eggs have not yet been","taken.","470a. BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmceus.","Range. Western Mexico, north to southern","New Mexico and Arizona.","This small bird, which is but 4.75 inches in","length, is brownish gray above and brownish","buff below. It is not a common species anywhere, but is known to nest during June or","July, on high mountain ranges, saddling its","nest of fibres, covered with lichens, on horizontal boughs at quite an elevation from the","ground. The eggs are pale buffy white, unspotted, and measure .60 x .50.","\fVermillion Flycatcher","471- VERMILLION FLYCATCHER. Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus.","Range. Mexico, north regularly to southern Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.","This is one of the most gaudy attired of all North American birds, being","brownish gray on the back, wings and tail, and having a bright vermillion crown,","crest and underparts. They are quite common in southern Texas, but far more","abundant in the southern parts of Arizona. Their habits do not","differ from those of other Flycatchers, they living almost exclusively upon insects. The majority of their nests can not be distinguished from those of the Wood Pewee, being covered with","lichens and saddled upon limbs in a similar manner, but some","lack the mossy ornamentation. Their three or four eggs are Buff","buffy, boldly blotched with dark brown and lavender, chiefly in a wreath about","the middle of the egg; size .70 x .50. Data. San Pedro River, Arizona, June 10,","1899. Nest in the fork of a willow about 20 feet above the stream. Collector,","O. W. Howard.","472. BEARDLESS FLYCATCHER. Camptostoma imberbe.","Range. Central America; north casually to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.","This strange little Flycatcher, several specimens of which have been taken in","the vicinity of Lomita, Texas, is but 4.5 inches in length, grayish in color and","has a short bill, the upper mandible of which is curved. It has all the habits","peculiar to Flycatchers. Their eggs have not as yet been found as far as I can","learn.","LARKS. Family ALAUDID^E","Grayish","[473.] SKYLARK. Alauda arvensis.","Range. Old World, straggling casually to","Greenland and Bermuda.","\fThis noted foreigner has been imported and","liberated a number of times in this country, but","apparently is not able to","thrive here, a fact which will","not cause much regret when","we remember the experiment","with the English Sparrow.","They are abundant in Europe","and Great Britain where they","nest on the ground in cultivated fields or meadows, laying from three to","five grayish eggs, marked with brown, drab and","lavender.","474. HORNED LARK.","Otocoris alpestris alpestris.","Labrador and about Hudson Bay; winters in","eastern United States south to Carolina.","This variety of this much sub-divided species is 7.5 inches in length, ha?","brownish gray upper parts and is white below with black patches on the breast","and below the eye, yellowish throat and small black ear tufts. The various subspecies are all marked alike, their distinction being based upon slight differen","ces in size, variations in the shade of the back, or the greater or less intensi","ty","of the yellowish throat and superciliary stripe. The nesting habits of all the","varieties are the same and the eggs differ only in the shade of the ground color","this variation among the eggs of the same variety being so great that an egg","cannot be identified without knowing the locality in which it was taken. The","present variety build their nests on the ground generally under tufts of grass","or in hollows in the moss which is found in their breeding range, making them","of dried grasses and generally lining them with feathers. The eggs are grayish","with a slight greenish tinge, and are specked and spotted over the whole surface with drab, brownish and dark lavender. The eggs of this and the next","variety average considerably larger than those of the more southerly distributed","varieties; size .92 x .65.","Horned Lark","474a. PALLID HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris arcticola.","\fRange. Breeds in Alaska and winters south to Oregon and Montana.","This is the largest of the Horned Larks and has the throat white, with no","trace of yellow. Its nest is built in similar locations and the eggs are like","those of the preceding species.","297",".474c 474e 47","474b. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK.","Otocoris alpestris praticola.","Range. Breeds in the Mississippi Valley from Illinois","north to Manitoba and east to the Middle States; winters","south to Carolina and Texas.","This sub-species is considerably smaller than the Horn","ed Lark, and the throat is paler yellow, while the line over","the eye and the forehead is white. They","are the most abundant and have the","most extended range of any of the better","known species. In the Mississippi Valley, where they are of the most common","of the nesting birds, they build on the","ground in meadows or cultivated fields,","and very often in cornfields; the nests","are made of grasses and lined with horse hairs or feathers,","and placed in slight hollows generally under a tuft of grass","or sods. They raise two broods a season and sometimes","three, laying the first set of eggs in March and another in","June or July. The three or four eggs have an olive buff","ground and are thickly sprinkled with drab and lavender;","size .83 x .60.","474c. DESERT HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris leucolcema.","Range. Plains of western United States, east of the Rockies and west of","Kansas and Dakota; breeds north to Alberta, and winters south to Mexico,","Texas and southern California.","This species is like praticola, but paler on the back; nest and eggs the same.","\f474d. TEXAS HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris giraudi.","Range. Coast of southeastern Texas.","A pale variety like leucnlwma, but smaller; throat bright yellow, and breast","tinged with yellow. Nest and eggs like those of the others.","474e. CALIFORNIA HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris actia.","Range. Lower California and southern California.","This bird is similar to the last but the yellow areas are brighter, and the","nape and back are ruddy.","474f. RUDDY HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris rubea","Range/ Sacramento Valley, California.","This variety has the yellow areas brighter than in any other","and the back and nape are more ruddy. The eggs cannot be","distinguished from those of the others.","Olive buff","PERCHING BIRDS
474g. STREAKED HORNED LARK. Ostocoris alpestris strigata.
Range. Northwestern United States (Washington, Oregon and northern California).
Similar to the last, but with the back broadly streaked with black, the ruddy
less intense and the underparts tinged with yellowish.
474h. SCORCHED HORNED LARK. Otacoris alpestris adusta.
Range. Western Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona.
This variety has the back and nape nearly a uniform pinkish ruddy with but
little streaking.
4741. DUSKY HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris merrilli.
Range. Northwestern United States and southern British Columbia, wintering south to central California.
Similar to praticola but slightly darker above.","\f474j. SONORA HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris pallida.","Range. Gulf coast of northern Lower California.","The upperparts of this variety are very pale pinkish brown.","474k. HOYT'S HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris hoyti.","Range. Interior of British America, west of Hudson Bay and east of Alaska,","south in winter in the interior of the United States to Kansas.","Much larger than the last; equal in size and similar to articola but with the","throat yellowish and the upperparts darker and brighter.","4741. MONTEZUMA HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris occidentalis.","Range. Western New Mexico and eastern Arizona, south in winter to northern Mexico.","This variety has the upperparts pale brownish and not streaked; throat and","forehead yellowish.","474m. ISLAND HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris insularis.","Range. Santa Barbara Islands, California.","Similar to strigata but darker. With the exception of the three large varieties of Horned Larks found north of our borders, neither the eggs nor, in most","cases, the birds can be identified without the precise location where they were","299","CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. Family CORVID^E.","475. MAGPIE. Pica pica hudsonia.","Range. Western North America from the","Great Plains to the Pacific and from Alaska","to Arizona and New Mexico.","These large handsome birds have the entire","head, neck and breast velvety black, abruptly","defined against the","white underparts.","The back, wings and","tail are greenish or","bluish black, and the","scapulars, white ;","length of bird 20","inches. They are well","known throughout","\fthe west, where their Grayish white","bold and thievish habits always excite comment. They nest in bushes and trees at low","elevations from the ground, making a very","large nest of sticks, with an opening on the","side, and the interior is made of weeds and","mud, lined with fine grasses; these nests often","reach a diameter of three feet and are made of","large sticks. During April or May, they lay from four to eight grayish","eggs, plentifully spotted with brown and drab. Size 1.25 x .90.","Mag-pie","quite
white","4<76. YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. Pica nuttalli.","Range. Middle parts of California, west of the","Sierra Nevadas.","This species is slightly smaller than the last and","has a yellowish bill and lores, otherwise being precisely like the more common species. Their habits","do not differ from those of the other, the nests are","the same and the eggs are indistinguishable. Size","1.25 x. 88.","A /","300","R. B. Rockwell","NEST OF AMERICAN MAGPIE","\fPERCHING BIRD:","477.","BLUE JAY.
cristata.","Cyanocitta cristata","P.] UP Jay","and north to Hudson Bay; resident and very","abundant in its United States range.","These beautiful and","bold maurauders are too","well known to need description, suffice it to","say that they are the","most beautiful of North","American Jays; but beneath their handsome","plumage beats a heart","as cruel and cunning as","that in any bird of prey. In the fall, winter","and spring, their food consists largely of","acorns, chestnuts, berries, seeds, grain, insects,","lizards, etc., but during the summer months","they destroy and devour a great many eggs and","young of the smaller birds, their taste for","which, being so great that they are known to","watch a nest until the full complement of eggs","is laid before making their theft. They nest","in open woods or clumps of trees, indifferently, in pines or young trees, building most often below twenty feet from the ground; the nests are made of twigs","and rootlets, lined with fine rootlets. During May they lay from four to six","eggs of a greenish buff color spotted with olive brown. Size 1.10 x .80","\f477a. FLORIDA BLUE JAY. Cyanocitta cristata florincola.","Range. Florida and the Gulf coast.","The nesting habits and eggs of this smaller sub-species are the same as those","of the northern Blue Jay. Like our birds, they frequently nest near habitations.","478. STELLER'S JAY. Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri.","Range. Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska; resident and breeding throughout its range.","All the members of this sub-species are similar in","plumage, having a sooty black head, crest and neck,","shading insensibly into dark bluish on the back and","underparts, and brighter blue on the wings and tail.","They usually have a few streaks or spots of pale blue on","the forehead. They are just as noisy, bold and thievish","as the eastern Jay and are also excellent mimmics like","the latter. They nest in fir 'trees at any height from the","ground and in April or May deposit their three to six","greenish blue eggs which are spotted with various","shades of brown. Size 1.25 x .90. Their nests are more","bulky than those of the eastern Jay and are usually made of larger sticks and","held together with some mud.","478a. BLUE-FRONTED JAY. Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis.","Range. Coast ranges of California and Oregon.","The nesting habits and eggs of this variety are indistinguishable from those","of the preceding. The bird has more blue on the forehead.","478b. LONG-CRESTED JAY. Cyanocitta stelleri diademata.","Range. Southern Rocky Mountains from Arizona to Wyoming.","No general difference can be found between the eggs of this species and the","Steller Jay, and the nests of each are constructed similarly and in like situations. 303","YOUNG BLUE JAYS","Dr. J. B. Pardoe","\fBLUE JAY","fcf","478c. BLACK-HEADED JAY. Cyanocitta","stelleri annectens.","Range. Northern Rocky Mountains from","northern Colorado to British Columbia.","The eggs of this sub-species cannot be identified from those of the other varieties. Like","the others, their nests are made of sticks plastered together with mud and lined with weeds","and rootlets.","178d. QUEEN CHARLOTTE JAY. Cyanocitta","stelleri carlottce.","Range. Queen Charlotte Islands, British","Columbia.","-.., :","479. FLORIDA JAY. Aphelocoma cyanea.","Range. Locally distributed in Florida.","All the birds of this genus have no crests or","londa jay decided markings, are white or grayish below,","and more or less intense blue above, with the back grayish mmm","or brownish blue. This species is 11.5 inches long, has a","pale blue crown and a nearly white forehead. It has a very","limited distribution, being confined chiefly to the coast districts of middle Florida, and very abundant in some localities and rare in adjoining ones. They build shallow structures of small sticks and weeds lined with fine rootlets and","placed at low elevations in bushes or scrubby trees. The","three or four eggs, which are laid in April or May are dull","\fgreenish blue, marked with olive brown. Size 1.00 x .80.","Greenish blue
Data. Titusville,",",
Fla., April 17, 1899. Nest of sticks in a scrub oak, five feet fromj:he ground.
480. WOODHOUSE'S JAY. Aphelocoma woodhousei.
Range. United States west of the Rockies and from
Oregon and Wyoming to Mexico.
This species has the crown and forehead bluish, and
the underparts gray, streaked with bluish gray on the
breast. It is also larger than the last, being 12 inches
long. They are very abundant in
the Great Basin between the Rock^: \"**- ies and the Sierra Nevadas, breeding during April or May in scrub
by trees or bushes at low elevations
and generally near streams. They
lay from three to five eggs of a
dull bluish green color, spotted
with umber and lilac gray. Size
1.08 x .80. Data. Iron County, Utah,
Nest of sticks and weeds in a small","Bluish green","May 3, 1897.
pinq tree.","4 eggs.","}S7","306","\f480.1. BLUE-EARED JAY. Aphelocoma cyanotis.","Range. Interior of Mexico north to the southern boundary of Texas.","The nesting habits of this species are the same as those","of the others of the genus and the eggs are similar but","the markings are generally more prominent and larger.","Size 1.10 x .80.","480.2. TEXAS JAY. Aphelocoma texana.","Range. Southeastern Texas.","It is not likely that the eggs of this species differ essentially from those of many of the others.","Aphelocoma californica","482 4S4a 485","481. CALIFORNIA JAY.","californica.","Range. Pacific coast of California and Washington.","This is a very abundant species","both about habitations and in low","woodlands. They are very bold","and familiar, stealing everything","they may take a fancy to, and frequently robbing smaller birds of","their eggs and young. They are said to be more tame","and familiar than the eastern Blue Jay, thereby bringing their bad habits much more frequently to the attenBright bluish green tion of the masses . They nest most often in bushes or","low trees, but not as a rule, far above the ground. Their eggs are a bright","bluish green color, speckled and spotted with brownish and lavender. Size","1.10 x. 80.","48 la. XANTUS'S JAY. Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca.","The habits and nests and eggs of this lighter colored variety do not differ","from those of the California Jay.","\f481b. BELDING'S JAY. Aphelocoma calif omit a cbscura.","Range. San Pedro Martir Mts. Lower California.","A darker variety of the California Jay, whose nesting habits will not differ in","any essential particular.","481.1. SANTA CRUZ JAY. Aphelocoma insularis.","Range. Santa Cruz Island, California.","This species is the largest and darkest colored bird","of the genus ApJielwoma. It is said to be a very abundant species on the island from which it takes its name,","and to have the habits and traits common to all the","members of the Jay family. The nesting habits are","the same as those of the others, but the eggs are slightly","larger, averaging 1.15 x .85.","set of three in the collection of John Lewis Childs, taken","by R. H. Beck on May 10, 1897.","482. ARIZONA JAY. Aphelocoma sieberi arizonas.","Range. Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south into Mexico.","307","Green Jay","Grayish buff","482a. COUCH'S JAY. Aphelocoma sieberi","couchi.","Range. Eastern Mexico, north to western","Texas.","483. GREEN JAY. Xanthoura luxuosa","Range. Northeastern Mexico and the Lower","\fRio Grande Valley in Texas. This handsome species has a bright blue
crown and patches under
the eyes, the rest of the ^ ;-.?**' r\"\\
upper parts being greenish; throat and sides of
head black, underparts
greenish white. This gaudy
and noisy bird has all the
habits common to other
Jays including that of robbing birds' nests. They
build generally in tangled
thickets or low bushes, placing their nests at a low elevation and making them
of twigs, weeds, moss, etc., lined with fine rootlets. Their four or five eggs,
which are laid during April or May, are grayish buff in color, spotted with
various shades of brown and lavender gray. Size 1.20 x .85.
484. CANADA JAY. Perisoreus canadensis canadensis.
Range. Southeastern British Provinces and the adjacent portions of the
United States ; west to the Rockies.
This is the bird that is well known to hunters of \"big game\" by various
names such as \"Whiskey Jack,\" \"Moose Bird,\" \"Camp Robber,\" etc. During the winter months, owing to the scarcity of food, their thieving
propensities are greatly enhanced and they
remove everything from the camps, which looks
as though it might be edible. Birds of this
genus are smoky gray
on the back and lighter
below, shading to white
on the throat; the forehead and part of the
crown is white and the
nape blackish. Their
nests are placed at low
elevations in bushes or
fir trees, and are usually very different from any of the preceding Jays'
nests. They are nearly as high as wide, and
are made of small twigs, moss, catkins, weeds
and feathers making a soft spongy mass which
is placed in an upright crotch. The eggs are
a yellowish gray color spotted and blotched with
brown and grayish. Size 1.15 x .80. Data. Innisfail, Alberta, March 12, 1903. Nest a beautiful structure of twigs, moss and feathers in a
willow bush, 6 feet from the ground. The thermometer registered 32 below zero the day the","\feggs were taken. Collector, W. Blackwood.","308","Canada Jay","PERCHING BIRDS
484a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN JAY. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis.
Range. Rocky Mountains from Montana to Arizona.
This variety has the whole crown white and only a small amount of blackish
on the nape. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the last.
_ . . -","NEST AND","S OK CANADA JAY SHOWING CONSTRUCTION","484b. ALASKA JAY. Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons.","A very similar bird to the Canada Jay but with the forehead yellowish or","duller; the nests and eggs are like those of the others of the genus.","484c. LABRADOR JAY. Perisoreus canadensis nigricapillus.","Range. Labrador.","This is a darker variety of the Canada Jay. Its eggs cannot be distinguished","from those of any of the others of the genus.","485. OREGON JAY. Perisoreus obscurus obscurus.","Range. Mountain ranges from northern California to British Columbia.","These birds are very similar to wtnntlrnxix but have the whole underparts","white. Like the Canada Jays they appear to be wholly fearless and pay little","\for no attention to the presence of mankind. Their nesting habits and eggs","are the same as the preceding except that they have generally been found nesting near the tops of tall fir trees. Size of eggs, 1.05 x .80.","309","-18 5a. GRAY JAY. Perisoreus obscurus griseus.","Range. British Columbia to northern California, east of the coast ranges.","This bird is said to be larger and grayer than the preceding.","486. RAVEN. Corvus corax sinuatus.","Range. North America west of the Rockies and from British Columbia","The Raven is like a very large Crow,","length 24 inches, but has the feathers","on the neck lengthened and stiffened.","Their habits are similar to those of the","Crow, but more dignified, and they","remain mated for life. Besides grasshoppers and worms, they feed largely","upon animal matter such as lizards,","shell fish, frogs, eggs and young of","birds, and carrion. They nest on","ledges of high inaccessible cliffs or","the tops of tall trees, making largo","nests of sticks lined with smaller ones","and hair or wool; the eggs are laid in","April or May, number from four to","seven, and are light greenish in color,","blotched with umber and drab. Size 1.95 x 1.25.","486a. NORTHERN RAVEN. Corvus corax principalis.","Range. Eastern North America chiefly north of the United States and northwest to Alaska; south on some of the higher ranges to Georgia.","This variety is like the last but is larger. They are not nearly as abundant","\fas the western form and are very rare within the United States. A few pairs
still breed on some of the rocky islands off the coast of Maine; more off New
Brunswick and Newfoundland, and they are quite common on the cliffs of
Labrador and Alaska. Their nesting habits and eggs are like those of the last.","487. WHITE-NECKED RAVEN. Corvus cryptoleucus.","Range. Mexico and the border of the United States; north to eastern Kansas.","This small Raven is of about the size of","the Crow, and has the bases of the neck","feathers white. They are very abundant in","some localities, especially in southern Arizona. Their food consists chiefly of animal","matter, the same as the large Ravens, and","they are not nearly as shy, frequently feeding in camps upon refuse which is thrown","out to them. They build at low elevations","in any tree, but preferably in mesquites,","making their nests of sticks and lining them","with hair, leaves, bark, wool or anything","soft. During June they lay from four to six","pale bluish green eggs, generally sparingly spotted or scratched with dark","brown and drab. Size 1.75 x 1.20.","311","488. CROW. Corvus","brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos.","Range. Whole of North ATnerica south of","the Arctic Circle; most abundant in eastern","United States; rare in many localities in the","west.","American Crow
American Raven","\fGreenish white
These birds, against which the hand of every
farmer is uplifted, are very shy and cunning;
as is well known, they nearly always post a
sentinel in some tree top to keep watch while
the rest of the flock is feeding in the field below. In the fall and winter, large numbers of them flock, and at night all roost
in one piece of woods; some of the \"crow roosts\" are of vast extent and
contain thousands of individuals. Crows nest
near the tops of large trees, preferably pines,
either in woods or single trees in fields. Their
nests are made of sticks and lined with rootlets,
and the eggs, which are laid in April or May,
range from four to seven in number, are a bluish
or greenish white, sparingly or very densely
speckled, spotted and blotched with various shades
of brown and lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.15.","4<88a. FLORIDA CROW. Corvus","brachyrhynchos pascuus.","Range. Florida.","This variety has a slightly shorter tail and wings than the last.","490. FISH CROW. Corvus ossifragus.","Range. Northwest coast from Oregon to Alaska.","This small Crow which is but 16 inches in length, is found only on the coast,","where they feed upon shell fish and offal. They nest, as do the Ravens, either","on ledges or in tree tops. The eggs resemble those of the common Crow, but","are smaller. Size 1.55 x 1.05.","489- NORTHWESTERN CROW. Corvus caurinus.","in summer to Connecticut.","From Virginia southward, this small Crow","(length 16 inches) is more abundant on the coast","than the common Crow which is often in company","with this species. Their food consists of grain,","berries, and animal matter. Their nesting habits","are like those of the common Crow and the eggs","are similar and have as great variations, but are","smaller. Size 1.45 x 1.05.","\f312","491. CLARKE'S NUTCRACKER. Nucifraga","columbiana.","Range. Mountains of western North America from Mexico to Alaska.","The Clarke Crow, as this bird is often known,","is a common resident in most of its range. The","adults are grayish with black wings and central tail feathers, the tips of the primaries and","outer tail feathers being","-~i c. white. Their tail is short",",-'-> ;- ' * \\V. and their flight slow and","^;'\" ; . ~ -. ;.* V ; somewhat undulating like","'''.. . : .' - . , ' ' that of some of the Wood\\7l-. * - . ^ * . ;'.^ >: peckers. Their food consists of anything edible","from seeds and larvae in","the winter to insects, berries, eggs and young birds","at other seasons. In the spring they retire to","the tops of ranges, nearly to the limit of trees,","where they build their large, nests of sticks,","twigs, weeds, strips of bark, and fibres matted","together so as to form a soft round ball with a","deeply cupped interior; the nest is located at","from ten to forty feet from the ground in pine trees and the eggs are laid early","before the snow begins to leave. They are three in number, grayish in color","with a greenish tinge and finely spotted over the whole surface with dark","brown and lavender. Size 1.30 x .90. Data. Salt Lake Co., Utah, April 25,","1900. Nest placed in pine 40 feet up on a horizontal branch, and not visible","from below. The tree was at the upper edge of a pine forest at an altitude of","about 3000 feet above Salt Lake City. The nest was discovered by seeing the","parent fly into the tree; the next day a nest was found with three young nearly","ready to fly. Collector, W. H. Parker. This set of three eggs is in the oologica","l","collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.","Grayish blue","\fClarke's Nutcracker","492. PINON JAY. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus.","Range. Western United States between the Rockies","and Sierra Nevadas, and from southern British Columbia to Arizona.","This Crow-like Jay has a nearly uniform bluish plumage, and is found abundantly in the pine belts of its","range. Their habits are similar to those of the Clarke","Crow and the nests are similarly built at lower elevations in pines or junipers. During April or May they lay","from three to five eggs of a bluish white color specked","and spotted with brown. Size 1.20 x .85.","313","Starling","STARLINGS. Family STURNID^","[493.] STARLING. Sturnus vulgaris.","Range. A European species which has casually been taken in Greenland. It was liberated a number of years ago in Central Park,","New York City, and has","now become abundant","there and is spreading","slowly in all directions.","They build their nests","in all sorts of locations","such as are used by the","English Sparrow, wher-","\fever they can find a","sufficiently large crevice or opening; less often they build their nests","in trees, making them of straw, twigs and","trash. They lay from four to six pale bluish","green eggs; size 1.15 x .85. Two broods are","reared in a season.","BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. Family ICTERID^E","494. BOBOLINK. Dolichonyx oryzivorus.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding from New Jersey north to Nova","Scotia and Manitoba, and west to Utah and Nevada; winters in South America.","This black and white bird is well known in the east, where his sweet, wild","music, often uttered on the wing, is much admired. He sings all day long during May and","June to his Sparrow-like mate, who is sitting","on her nest concealed in the","meadow grass. They are","quite sociable birds and several pairs often nest in the","same field, generally a damp","meadow; the nests are hoiGrayish white lows in the ground, lined with","grass and frequently with the top slightly arched to conceal the eggs, which are grayish white,","clouded, spotted and blotched with brownish,","gray and lilac; size .84 x .62. They number from","four to six and are laid in June.","495. COWBIRD. Molothrus ater ater.","Range. North America from the Atlantic","to eastern California, and from New Brunswick","and Manitoba southward; winters from the","southern half of the United States southward.","These uncivilized members of the bird world","build no nests for themselves, but slyly deposit Bobolink","3X4","their egg in the nest of some other bird from","the size of a Robin down, probably the greater","\fnumber being in Warblers",".*#?'\"\"**\"?\"' an( l Sparrows nests; the","/&+.' ^ - eggs are hatched and the","young cared for by the unfortunate birds upon which","they are thrust. The eggs","are white, spotted and","speckled all over, more or","less strongly with brown and yellowish brown;","size .85 x .64.","495a. DWARF COWBIRD.","obscurus.","Molothrus atcr","and","Cowbird","Light blue-green","Range. Southwestern United States","Mexico, wintering south of our borders.","This variety is like the last, but slightly","smaller. The nesting habits of the two are","identical and the eggs are indistinguishable,","It is believed that Cowbirds do more damage to","the smaller birds than all other dangers combined, as their young being larger and stronger","either crowd or smother the other young or else starve them by getting most","of the food brought to the nest.","1-96. RED-EYED COWBIRD. Tangariux ceneus involucratus.","Range. Mexico; north in summer to the Lower Rio","\fGrande in Texas.
This parasite is larger than the Cowbird, being 9 inches
long, and is glossy black with brassy reflections on the
upper and under parts. They are abundant in southern
Texas where they deposit their eggs in the nests of other
birds, apparently preferring those of Orioles; their eggs
are pale bluish green, unmarked; size .90 x .70.
HI 497. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.
Range. North America west of the Mississippi to eastern California, breeding from the
southern parts of the United States north to
British Columbia and Hudson Bay and wintering from southern United States downward.
This large handsome
Blackbird with bright yellow head and breast is
very abundant in some
parts of the west, where
they nest, in large colonies
in sloughs and marshes,
being especially abundant
in the Dakotas and Manitoba. The nests are made of strips of rushes,
skillfully woven together and attached to upright cane near the surface of the water. They
lay from four to six eggs having a grayish
white ground color, finely specked and spotted
with shades of brown and gray; sixe 1.00 x .70,
315","Yellow-beaded Blackbird","498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. Agelaius","phceniceus phceniceus.","jtiiuish white","Red-winged Blackbird","\f-**|>*^^^\"\\ / Range. North America east of the Rockies","* . ' i. an( j from the southern British Provinces southward to the Gulf; winter in southern United","These birds are familiar ..","to every frequenter of the","country, in their range;","too familiar to many, for","the enormous flocks do","considerable damage to","grain fields in the fall.","They also do a great","amount of good at other","seasons in the destruction of injurious insects","and weed seed. They breed from April in the","southern parts of their range to May and June","in the northern, making their nests of grasses,","woven and twisted together and placing them","in bushes in swamps or over water, and sometimes on the ground in clumps of grass. Their","eggs are from three to five in number, bluish","white boldy spotted, clouded or lined with blackish brown and purplish. Size","1.00 x .70. The nests and eggs of the numerous sub-species are all precisely the","same as those of this bird, so we will but enumerate the varieties and their","range. To identify these varieties other than by their ranges will require","micrometer calipers and the services of the men who separated them.","498a. SONORA RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus sonoriensis.","Range. A slightly larger variety found in southern United States.","498b. BAHAMA RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus bryanti.","Range.-- Bahamas and southern Florida.","This species has a slightly longer bill.","498c. FLORIDA RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus floridanus.","Range. Florida and Gulf coast.","A smaller species with a longer bill.","498d. THICK-BILLED RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus fortis.","Range. Breeds in the interior of British America; in winter south through","the Plains to southwestern United States.","498e. SAN DIEGO RED-WING. Agelaius Phceniceus neutralis.","Range. Great Basin between the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas, from British","Columbia to Mexico, wintering in the southern parts of its range.","\f498f. NORTHWESTERN RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus caurinus.","316","499- BICOLORED RED-WING. Agelaius","gubernator calif ornlcus.","Range. Pacific coast, west of the Sierra","Nevadas, from Washington south to Lower","The males of this species are distinguished from","those of the Red-wings by","the absence of light margins to the orange red","shoulders. They are fairly","abundant in their restricted localities, building their","Dull bluish white nest / in swamps about","ponds and streams. The","nests are like those of the Red-wings, and the","eggs are similar and with the same great variations in markings, but average a trifle smaller;","size .05 x .67.","Meadowlark","500. TRICOLORED RED-WING. Agelaius tricolor.","Range. Pacific coast of California and Oregon ; rare east","of the Sierra Nevadas.","This species differs from the Red-wing in having the","shoulders a much darker red and the median coverts white","instead of buffy. Like the last species they have a limited","range and are nowhere as common as are the Red-wings in","the east. Their nests are like those of the Red-wings and","the eggs are not distinguishable in their many variations,","but they appear to be more often lined than those of the","former.","\fDull bluish white","501. MEADOWLARK. Sturnella magna magna.","Range. North America east of the Plains and north to","Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters from New England","This handsome dweller among our fields and meadows is","frequently heard giving his high, pleasing, fiute-like whistle","with its variations; his beautiful","yellow breast with its black","crescent is not so frequently","seen in life, for they are usually","quite shy birds. They artfully","conceal their nests on the ground","among the tall grass of meadows,","arching them over with dead","grass. During May or June they","lay from four to six white eggs.","speckled over the whole surface with reddish brown and","purplish; size 1.10 x .80.","501 a. Rio GRANDE MEADOWLARK. Sturnella magna","hoopesi.","Range. A brighter and slightly smaller variety found","along the Mexican border.","317","501.1. WESTERN MEADOWLARK.","neglecta.","Sturnella","Range. North America west of the Mississippi and from Manitoba and British Columbia
southward, its range overlapping that of the","\feastern Meadowlark in the Mississippi Valley,","but the two varieties appear not to intermingle.","This variety is paler than the eastern, but the","greatest point of difference is in the songs,","they being wholly unlike, and that of the western bird much louder, sweeter and more varied","than the simple whistle of the eastern form.","The nesting habits of both varieties are the","same and the eggs indistinguishable.","501c. SOUTHERN MEADOWLARK.","magna argutula.","A very similar bird to the northern form","but slightly smaller and darker. There is no","difference between the eggs of the two varieties,","Audubon Oriole","503. AUDUBON'S ORIOLE. Icterus melanocephalus auduboni.","Range. Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","This large Oriole has a wholly black head, neck, fore breast, tail and wings;","it is 9.5 inches in length. They are quite abundant and","resident in southern Texas where they build at low elevations in trees, preferably mesquites, making the nests of","woven grasses and hanging them from the small twigs of","the trees; the nests are more like those of the Orchard","Oriole and not long and pensile like those of the Baltimore.","The three to five eggs are grayish white, blotched, clouded,","spotted or streaked with brownish and purple. Size 1.00","x .70. Data. Brownsville, Texas, April 6, 1897. 5 eggs.","Nest of threads from palmetto leaves, hanging from limb of mesquite, 10 feet","above ground in the open woods. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.","\f319","Hooded Oriole","504. SCOTT'S ORIOLE. Icterus parisorum.","Range. Western Mexico north to the adjoining states; north to Nevada.","This handsome black","and yellow species does","not appear to be abundant","in any part of its range.","Their nests are swung","from the under side of","leaves of the yucca palm","or from small branches of","low trees, and are made of grass and fibres.","The eggs are bluish white, specked and blotched chiefly about the large end with blackish","brown and lilac gray. Size .95 x .65. Data.","Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, June 5, 1900. Nest","placed on the under side of a yucca palm leaf,","being hung from the spines, about 4 feet from","the ground. Altitude 7000 feet. Collector, O.","W. Howard.","505. SENNETT'S ORIOLE. Icterus cucullatus sennetti.","Range. Mexico, north in summer to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","This species is orange yellow except for the face, throat,","fore back, wings and tail, which are black; the wings are","crossed by two white bars. These handsome birds are the","most abundant of the Orioles on the Lower Rio Grange,","where their pure mellow whistle is heard at frequent intervals throughout the day. They generally build their nests","in hanging moss from mesquite trees, turning up at the","ends and lining the pocket with moss, or else make a","shallow hanging nest of fibres and suspend it from yuccas.","During May or June they lay from three to five eggs of a white color, spotted","(rarely lined) with purplish brown and gray. Size .85 x .60.","505a. ARIZONA HOODED ORIOLE. Icterus cucullatus nelsoni.","Range. Western Mexico; in summer north to southern Arizona, New Mexico","and California.","This variety is like the last but more yellowish. Their nests are made of a","wiry grass compactly woven together and partially suspended to mistletoe twigs","growing from cottonwood trees; nests of this type are perfectly distinct from","those of the preceding, but when they are made of fibre and attached to yuccas,","they cannot be distinguished from nests of the former variety. Their eggs are","similar to those of the Hooded Oriole, but generally more strongly marked and","usually with some zigzag lines. Size .85 x .60.","506. ORCHARD ORIOLE. Icterus spurius.","Range. United States, east of the Plains,","breeding from the Gulf to southern New England, and Canada in the interior. Winters beyond our borders.","The adult male of this species is a rich chocolate brown","and black, it requiring three","years to attain this plumage.","They nest commonly about","habitations in their range,","usually preferring orchard","trees for sites. Their nests","are skillfully woven baskets","of fresh grasses, about as high as wide; they","are generally placed in upright forks and well","concealed by drooping leaves. They lay from","four to six bluish white eggs, spotted and","blotched with brown and lavender. Size .80 x",".55. Data. Avery's Island, La., May 10, 1896.","Nest of grass, lined with thistledown; semipensile in drooping twigs of a willow. Collector, F. A. Mcllhenny.","\fArizona Hooded Oriole","Orchard Oriole","507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Icterus galbula.","Range.- -North America, east of the Rockies, breeding from southern United
States north to New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.
\\ This beautiful and well known eastern Oriole
can readily be identified by its orange., flame
color and entirely black head. Even better
known than the birds, are the pensile nests
which retain their positions on the swaying
drooping branches all
through the winter. Although they build in
many other trees, elms
seem to be their favorites. Their nests are
made of plant fibres and
frequently string, and
often reach a length of
about 10 inches and
about half that in diameter; they are usually
attached to drooping branches by the rim so
that they rock to and fro, but are sometimes
held more firmly in position by having their
side bound to a branch. Their eggs, which are
laid in May and June, are white, streaked and
lined with blackish brown and grayish. Size
.90 x .60.
321","Baltimore Oriole","Rasty Blackbird
Brewster';","Blackbird","508. BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. Icterus bullocki.","Range. North America, west of the Plains","and from British Columbia southward, wintering in Mexico.","This handsome species","is as abundant in the west","^fT as the Baltimore Oriole is","^ga in the east, and breeds",") throughout its United","1^?' States range. Their nests","are similarly made and in","similar locations, and the","Bluish white eggs are hardly distinguishable from those of the preceding, but the","ground color is generally of a pale bluish white","tint and the markings are usually finer, the","lines running around the eggs and often making a very handsome wreath about the large","end. Size of eggs, .94 x .62.","509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Euphagus carolinus.","Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding from northern New England and the Adirondacks northward; winters in southern United States.","But few of these birds breed within our borders, the majority of them passing on to the interior of Canada. They","generally nest in pairs, or at the most three or four pairs","in a locality, building their large substantial nests of moss,","twigs and grass, lined with fine green grass; this structure","is situated in bushes or low trees in swampy places and at","from 3 to 20 feet from the ground. The eggs are laid in","May or June; they vary from three to five in number, of a","pale bluish green color, spotted, blotched and clouded with","shades of brown and gray. Size .96 x .71.","Range. North America west of the Plains, and from British Columbia and","\fSaskatchewan southward.","510. BREWER'S BLACKBIRD. Euphagus cyanocephalus.","Dull white","This western representative of the preceding is of about","the same size (10 inches Ipng), but differs in having a","purplish head and greenish black body. They nest abund","antly throughout their range either in bushes or trees at","low elevations or upon the ground; the nests are made of","sticks, rootlets and grasses, lined with finer grass and","moss, and the eggs, which are very variable, are dull","whitish, clouded and blotched with brownish and streaked with blackish. Size 1.00 x .75.","322","511.","Quiscalus quiscula","PURPLE GRACKLE.
quiscula.
Range. Eastern United States from the Gulf
to Massachusetts; winters along the Gulf.
This species, which is
I i commonly known as Crow
Blackbird, nests in trees
or bushes anywhere in its","\frange, and on the coast","frequently constructs its","nests among the large","sticks of Ospery nests.","Large pines appear to be","favorite sites for them to","locate their large nests of twigs, weeds, grass","and trash. They are placed at any elevation","from nearly on the ground to 50 feet above it.","The eggs range from three to five and are","greenish white, splashed, spotted and scrawled with various shades of brown and gray, and","with streaks of black. Size 1.10 x .80. The","nesting habits and eggs of the sub-species of","this Grackle do not differ in any particular. Like those of this variety the egg","s","show an endless number of patterns of markings.","Dull greenish
White","Purple Grackle
Bronzed Grackle","51 la. FLORIDA GRACKLE. Quiscalus quiscula aglceus.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States.","A smaller variety of the preceding; length about","inches. Eggs indistinguishable.","1 1","51 Ib. BRONZED GRACKLE.","ceneus.","\fRange. North America east of the Rockies, breeding","from the Gulf to Hudson Bay and Labrador. Winters","in the southern parts of the United States. This is the most common and","widely distributed of the Crow Blackbirds and is distinguished by the brassy","color of the upper parts.","513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE. Megaquiscalus major major.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States ; north to Virginia.","This handsome bird measures about 16 inches in","length, is irridescent with purplish and greenish, and","has a very long, graduated and hollowed tail. These","Grackles are very abundant residents along the Gulf,","breeding in large colonies in swamps, placing their","nests of weeds, moss, grasses, etc., in bushes, trees,","cans or rushes, but a few inches above the water, while","those in trees are sometimes 50 feet above the ground.","The eggs are laid in March, April or May, are from","three to five in number, and are a dull bluish or grayish","white, streaked, lined, clouded and blotched with brown, black and gray; size","1.25 x. 95.","323","Grayish ^vhite","513a. GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE.","Megaquiscalus major macrourus.","Range. Mexico to southern and eastern","This variety is larger than the last (length","18 inches) and the tail is very broad and flat.","Evening Grosbeak","\fLike the former, they nest in bushes, rushes or","trees at any elevation from the ground. The","nests are built of the same materials and the","eggs are similar to those of the Boat-tailed","Grackle, but larger; size 1.28 x .88.","FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Family FRINGILLD^E","514 EVENING GROSBEAK. Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina.","Range. Western United States in the Rocky Mountain region; north to Saskatchewan; south in winter to Mississippi Valley and casually east to New England and the intermediate states.","These are dull and yellowish birds, shading to brownish","on the head; with a bright yellow forehead and susperciliary line, black wings and tail, and white inner secondaries","and greater coverts. They breed in the mountainous portions of their range, placing their flat nests of sticks and","rootlets in low trees or","bushes. The eggs are laid in May or June and","are greenish white spotted and blotched with","brown; size .90 x .65.","514a. WESTERN EVENING GROSBEAK.","Hesperiphona vespertina montana.","Range. Western United States, breeding in","the mountains from New Mexico to British","The nesting habits and eggs of this variety","are the same as those of the preceding, and the","birds can rarely be separated.","515. PINE GROSBEAK.","leucura.","Pinicola enucleator","Range/ Eastern North America, breeding","from northern New England northward, and","wintering to southern New England and Ohio","\fand casually farther. They build in conifers","324","Pine Grosbeak","making their nests of small twigs and rootlets,","lined with fine grasses and lichens. During the","latter part of May or June they lay three or","four eggs, which have a","ground color of light","greenish blue, spotted and","splashed with dark brown,","and with fainter markings","of lilac. Size 1.00 x .70.","Pine Grosbeaks have been","separated into the following sub-species, the chief","distinction between them being in their","ranges. The nesting habits and eggs of all","are alike.","515a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PINE GROSBEAK.","Pinicola enucleator montana.","Range. Rocky Mountain region from New","Mexico to Montana.","51 5b. CALIFORNIA PINE GROSBEAK.","cola enucleator calif ornica.","Pini","Purple Finch
Range. Higher parts of the Sierra Nevadas in California.
515c. ALASKA PINE GROSBEAK. Pinicola enucleator alascensis.
Range. Interior of Northwest America from Alaska south to British Col-","\fumbia.
515d. KADIAK PINE GROSBEAK. Pinicola enucleator flammula.
Range. Kadiak Island and the southern coast of Alaska.
[516.] CASSIN'S BULLFINCH. Pyrrhula cassini.
Range. Northern Asia; accidental in Alaska.
517- PURPLE FINCH. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus.
Range. North America east of the plains, breeding
from the Middle States onrth to Labrador and Hudson Bay ;
winters in the United States.
These sweet songsters are quite abundant in New England in the summer, but
more so north of our borders. While
they breed sometimes in trees, in orchards, I have nearly always found their
nests in evergreens, usually about threefourths of the way up. The nests are
made of fine weeds and grasses and lined Greenish blue
with horse hair. The eggs, which are usually laid in June,
are greenish blue, spotted with dark brownish; size
.85 x .65.
517a. CALIFORNIA PURPLE
FINCH. Carpodacus purpureus californicus.
Range. Pacific coast, breeding from central California
to British Columbia and wintering throughout California.
The nesting habits and eggs of this darker colored
variety are just like those of the last,
325","515b 517a","518. CASSIN'S PURPLE FINCH. Carpodacus cassini.","Range. North America west of the Rockies, breeding","from British Columbia south to New Mexico;","This species is similar to the last but","the back, wings and tail are darker and","the purplish color of the preceding spe-","\fcies is replaced by a more pinkish shade.","The nesting habits and eggs are the","same as those of the eastern Purple","Finch; size of eggs .85 x .60. Data. Greenish blue","Willis, New Mexico, June 23, 1901. Nest made of twigs","and rootlets and lined with horse hair. Collector, F. J.","Birtwell.","519- HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis.","Range. United States west of the Plains and from","Oregon and Wyoming to Mexico.","This is one of the best known of western","birds, and nests commonly in all situations ,/'","from trees and bushes to vines growing on j-' j","porches. Their nests are made of rootlets iL_","and grasses and are lined with horse hair. IBi","Their nesting season includes all the summer months, they raising two and sometimes Gre","three broods a season. The three to five eggs are pale greenish blue with a few","sharp blackish brown specks about the large end. Size .80 x .55.","51S 519","olQb. SAN LUCAS HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mexicanus ruberrimus.","Range. Southern Lower California. A slightly smaller variety of the preceding.","51Qc. SAN CLEMENTE HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mexicanus clematis.","Range. San Clemente and Santa Barbara Islands. Somewhat darker than","the last.","520. GUADALUPE FINCH. Carpodacus amplus.","Range. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.","Similar to the House Finch, but deeper red and slightly larger. Their nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the House Finch but the eggs","average larger; size .85 x .60.","520.1. MCGREGOR'S HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mcgregori.","Range. San Benito Island, Lower California.","A newly made species, hardly to be distinguished from the last,","bably the same.","326","\fEggs pro-","521. CROSSBILL. Loxia curvirostra minor.","in the Alleghanies and from northern New","England northward; winters south to the mid","die portions of the United States and casually","The birds are very cur","- *. ious both in appearance and","fflT'i * actions, being very \"flighty\"","o and restless, and apt to remain to breed on any of the","mountains. They build dur","ing March or April, making","Greenish white their nestg Qf twigg> roo tlets,","moss, feathers, etc., and placing them in forks","or on branches of trees (usually conifers) at","any height from the ground. The eggs are","greenish white, spotted with brown and with","lavender shell markings; size .75 x .55.","52 la. MEXICAN CROSSBILL.","tra stricklandi.","ILoxi","'ia curviros-","Crossbill","Range. Mountain ranges from central Mexico north to Wyoming.","A larger variety of the preceding. The eggs will not differ except perhaps","a trifle in size.","\f522. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Loxia leucoptera.","Range. Northern North America, breeding in the Alleghanies and from northern Maine northward; winters to","middle portions of the United States.","This species is rosy red with two white wing bars. Like","the last, they are of a roving disposition and are apt to","be found in any unexpected locality. Their nesting habits","are the same as those of the American Crossbill, but the","eggs average larger and the Greenish while","markings are more blotchy; size .80 x .55.",".97 x .67.","523. ALEUTIAN ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte","griseonucha.","Range. Aleutian and Pribilof Islands; south","to Kadiak.","This is the largest of the genus, and can","be distinguished from the others by its very","dark chestnut coloration and the gray hindneck","and cheeks. Like the other","Leucostictes, they are","found in flocks and frequent rocky or mountain","ous country, where they","are nearly always found","on the ground. They build","in crevices among the","rocks or under ledges or","embankments, making the","nest of weeds and grasses.","pure white eggs are laid during June. Size",".97 x .67. Data. St. George Islands of the","327","\fTheir four or five","White-winged Crosbill","524. . GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte","tephrocotis tephrocotis.","Range. Rocky Mountain region from Saskatchewan","south to northern United States and also","breeding in the Sierra Nevadas; winters","on the lowlands of northwestern United","States and east to Manitoba.","The habits and breeding habits of this","species are like those of the last. The","bird is paler colored and the gray is restricted to the hind part of the head.","They nest on the ground in June, laying","four or five white eggs.","523524","524<a. HEPBURN ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte tephrocotis","littoralis.","Range. Higher ranges from Washington and British","Columbia to Alaska.","This variety is like the Aleutian Leucosticte but the","brown is a great deal paler. The nesting habits and eggs","are, in all probability, like those of the last.","525. BLACK ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte atrata.","Range. Rocky Mountain region of northern United States; known to breed","in Idaho.","This species is black in place of the brown of the others ; the gray is restrict","ed to the hind part of the head and the rosy is rather more extensive on the","\fwings. Their eggs probably cannot be distinguished from those of the Graycrowned variety.
526. BROWN-CAPPED ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte australis
Range. Breeds at high altitudes in the Rockies in Colorado; south to New Mexico in winter.
A similar bird to the Gray-crowned Leucosticte but with
no gray on the head. They nest on the ground above
timber line on the higher ranges of the Rockies.
527- GREENLAND REDPOLL. Acanihis hornemanni
hornemanni.
Range. Greenland and northern Europe; south in winter
to Labrador.
This large Redpoll nests at low elevations in trees and
bushes, its habits and eggs being similar to the more common American species.
527a. HOARY REDPOLL. Acanihis hornemanni exilipes.
Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions and winters south
to the northern parts of the United States.
This variety is smaller than the last and is considerably
darker but still retains the white rump of the Greenland
Redpoll. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the
next.","525526","528. REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria Unarm.","Range. Breeds within the Arctic Circle;","winters south to New York, Kansas and northern California and casually farther.","This species is similar to the last but mucn","darker, and the rump is also streaked with","blackish. These handsome birds are often met","with in winter, feeding on seeds","of the weed stems that project","above the snow. Their flight","and song is similar to that of the","Goldfinch or Pine Siskin. They","nest at low elevations, either in","Bluish green trees or bushes. The eggs number from three to six and are pale bluish, spar-","\fingly specked with reddish brown. Size .65 x",".50. Data. Mouth of Great Whale River, Hudson Bay, May 16, 1899. Nest in a willow 4 feet","from the ground ; made of fine rootlets and","grass, lined with feathers. Collector, A. P.","Lowe.","*>","Redpoll","528a. HOLBOLL'S REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria holbcelli.","Range. Arctic regions; south casually to the border of the United States.","A slightly larger variety of the common Redpoll. Eggs probably not distinguished.","528b. GREATER REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria rostrata.","Range. Breeds in southern Greenland; in winter south through Labrador to","the northern border of the United States.","This variety is larger and darker than the common Redpoll. It has been","found breeding abundantly in southern Greenland, where its nesting habits are","^ the same as those of the Redpoll and the eggs","~\" ~n similar but averaging a trifle larger.","52Q. GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus tristis tristis","Range. North America east of the Rockies,","and from Labrador and Manitoba southward.","These beautiful birds are","among our sweetest songsters from May until September. They are resident","throughout their United States","range, where they breed in","August or early in Septem- Bluish white","ber, being one of the latest nesting birds that","we have. Their nests are located in bushes, at","a height of generally below fifteen feet above","\fthe ground, being placed in upright forks, and","made of plant fibres and thistle down, firmly","woven together. They lay from three to six","plain bluish white eggs. Size .65 x .50. The majority of nests that I have found have been in","alders over small streams.","329","Gojdflnch","B ' H","AMERICAN GOLDFINCH","529a. PALE GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus tristis pallidus.","Range/ Rocky Mountains from Mexico to British Colum","bia.","This variety is slightly larger and (in winter) paler than","529b. WILLOW GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus tristis","salicamans.","Range. Pacific coast from Washington to Lower California.","Similar to the eastern Goldfinch but back said to be","slightly greenish yellow.","530. ARKANSAS GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus psaltria","psaltria.","Range. United States, west of the Plains and from Oregon to Mexico.","This species has greenish upper parts and","yellow below; the crown, wings and tail are","black, the bases of the lateral tail feathers","llBfe^ and primaries being whitish. They are common in portions of their range, nesting in similar locations to","\fBluish white those chosen by the common Goldfinch and laying from three to
five eggs which are similar but slightly smaller. Size .60 x .45. Data. Riverside, California, May 20, 1891. 5 eggs. Nest made of fine grasses lined with
cotton ; 5 feet from the ground in a small tree.","529a 529b 530","530a. GREEN-BACKED GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus hesperophilus.","Range. Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas.","A similar bird to the last but with the entire upper parts and cheeks, black.","The habits, nests and eggs are identical with those of the Arkansas Goldfinch.","531. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus lawrencei.","Range. Pacific coast of California, wintering along the Mexican border.","This grayish colored Goldfinch has a black face and yellow breast, rump,","wing coverts and edges of the primaries. They are quite common in their","restricted range, nesting either in upright crotches or in the forks of horizont","al","limbs. The four or five eggs which they lay are pure white; size .60 x .45.",";Data. Santa Conica Canyon, Cal., April 26, 1903. Nest in a cypress tree 12","'feet up; composed of grasses, feathers, etc. Collector, W. Lee Chambers.","[532.] BLACK-HEADED GOLDFINCH. Spinus notatus.","Range. Mountainous regions of Central America and southern Mexico;","accidental in the United States.","331","533. PINE SISKIN. Spinus pinus.","Range. Breeds from northern United States","northward, in the Alleghanies and in the Rockies south to New Mexico. Winters throughout","the United States.","Siskins are of the size of the Goldfinch (5","inches long), and their calls, songs and habits","are similar to those of this bird. Their plumage is grayish brown, streaked with dusky and","the bases of the wings and tail feathers are","yellow. Like the Crossbills,","they frequently feed along our /^ r ' .","\fnorthern borders, but very sporadically. Their nests are built","on horizontal branches of pines","or cedars at any elevation from","the ground, being made o f Greenish white","grasses and rootlets lined with hair or pine","needles, and of rather frail and flat construction. Their eggs are laid during May or June","and are greenish white, specked with reddish","brown; size .68 x .48. Data. Hamilton Inlet,","Labrador, June 17, 1898. Nest on branch of a spruce, 10 feet from the ground;","made of grass, lined with moss and feathers. Collector, L. Dicks.","Pine Siskin","534. SNOW BUNTING. Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis.","Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions, and winters irregularly in large flocks
through the United States to Oregon, Kansas
and Georgia.
These birds are only seen in the United
States in large roving flocks,
- x , during the winter when they
*V* ** ' . feed on weed seeds on side
hills. Their nests are built
on tne ground, being sunk
into the s P a S num nioss, and
made of grasses lined with
feathers. Their four or five
eggs are a light greenish white, spotted and
splashed with yellowish brown and lilac. Size
.90x.65.",".-","534a. PRIBILOF SNOW BUNTING.","phenax nivalis towns endi.","\fPlectro-","Range. Pribilof and Aleutian Islands, Alaska.","A slightly larger variety which is resident","on the islands in its range. Eggs like those","of the preceding; laid from May to July.","Snowflake","PERCHING BIRDS
535. McKay's SNOW BUNTING. Pletrophenax hyperboreus.
Range. Western Alaska; known to breed on Hall's Island.
This beautiful species is, in summer, entirely white except for the tips of the
primaries and a black spot on end of central tail feathers, thus being very distinct from the preceding, which has the back and the wings to a greater extent
black, at this season. Their eggs probably very closely resemble those of the
last species.","536. LAPLAND LONGSPUR. Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus.","Range. Breeds in northern North America ; winters south","casually to New York, Ohio and Oregon and occasionally farther.","These sparrow-like birds are 6.5 inches long and have a black","crown, cheeks and throat, and chestnut band on nape. Like the","Snowflakes they nest on the ground in moss, but the four to six","eggs that they lay are grayish, heavily mottled and blotched witii","chocolate brown; size .80 x .60.","536a. ALASKA LONGSPUR. Calcarius lapponicus alascensis.","Range. Northwest North America, breeding in Alaska; winter south to Oregon. This sub-species is like the last but slightly paler. Eggs indistinguishable.","Norman W. Swayns","\fNEST AND EGGS OF GOLDFLNCH","333","Smith's Longspur","537- SMITH'S LONGSPUR. Calcarius pictus.","Range. Breeds in Hudson Bay and Mackenzie River districts and winters south to","Texas chiefly o nthe Plains.","This species is of the size","of the last but is a rich buff","color below, and the other","markings are very different.","These birds together with","the next species are very","common on the prairies in","central United States in win- Grayish","ter. They nest on the ground like the preceding species but the nests are scantily made of","grasses and not warmly lined like those of the","last. The eggs are similar but paler; size .80","x .60. Data. Herschell Island, Arctic Ocean,","June 10, 1901. Nest built in a tuft of grass;","made of fine roots and grass, lined with feathers.","538. CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. Calcarius ornatus.","Range. Plains in the interior of North America, breeding from Kansas north","to Saskatchewan; very abundant in the Dakotas and Montana.","This handsome species in the breeding plumage has the","throat white, breast and belly black, and a chestnut collar on","the nape. They are one of the most abundant breeding birds","on the prairies, nesting in hollows on the ground either in the","open or protected by a tuft of grass. The nests are made of","grasses and sometimes moss; three or four eggs laid in June","\for July; white, blotched, lined","and obscurely marked with","brown and purplish; size .75 x .55.","539. McCowN's LONGSPUR. Rhynchophanes","mccowni.","Range. Great Plains, breeding from Kansas","to the Saskatchewan.","This Longspur which breeds in company with","the preceding, throughout its range, can be distinguished from it by the","small black patch on the","breast, the black crown, and","chestnut wing coverts. Their","nesting habits are the same,","and at this season all the","Longspurs have a sweet song","often uttered during flight, Grayish white","like that of the Bobolink. Their eggs are of the","same size and similarly marked as the last, but","the ground color is more gray or olive.","Chestnut-collared Longspur","540. VESPER SPARROW. Pocecetes","gramineus gramineus.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding from","Virginia and Missouri north to Manitoba and","New Brunswick; winters in the southern half","A streaked grayish, buffy","and white bird distinguished","by its chestnut shoulders and","white outer tail feathers.","They are abundant birds in","eastern fields where their","loud piping whistle is known","to many frequenters of weedy","pastures. They build on the ground, either","in grassy or cultivated fields, lining the hollow","scantily with grasses. Their four or five eggs","are usually laid in May or June; they are dull","whitish, blotched and splashed with light","\fbrown and lavender tints; size .80 x .60.","Whitish","McCown's Long-spur","540a. WESTERN VESPER SPARROW. Pocecetes gramineus confinis.","Range. This paler variety is found in North America west of the Plains and","south of Saskatchewan.","Its nesting habits are like those of the preceding and the eggs are indistinguishable.","5 4 Ob. OREGON VESPER SPARROW. Pooecetes gramineus affinis.","A browner variety found on the coast of Oregon and northern California.","Its nesting habits are like those of the eastern bird and the eggs similar but","averaging a trifle smaller.","SPARROW. I asser","Vesper Sparrow","domesticus.
These birds, which were imported from
Europe, have increased so rapidly that they
have overrun the cities and villages of the country and are doing inestimable damage both by
driving out native insect
eating birds and by their
own destructiveness. -They
nest in all sorts of places
but preferably behind
blinds, where their unsightly masses of strawprotrude from between the
slats, and their droppings besmirch the buildings below; they breed at all seasons of the
year, eggs having often been found in January,","\fwith several feet of snow on the ground and","the mercury below zero. The eggs number from","four to eight in a set and from four to eight","sets a season; the eggs are whitish, spotted","and blotched with shades of gray and black.","Size .88 x .60.","335","A. R. Spaid","NEST AND EC.GS OF VESPER SPARROW","541. IPSWICH SPARROW. Passerculus","princeps.","Range. Breeds on Sable Island, off Nova","Scotia; winters on coast of South Atlantic","States. This a large and pale colored form of","the common Savannah Sparrow. Its nesting","habits are similar to those of the latter and the","eggs are marked the same but average larger.","Size .80 x .60.","542. ALEUTIAN SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis sandwichensis.","Range. Breeds on the Alaskan coast; winters south to northern California.","A streaked Sparrow like the","next but with the yellow superciliary line brighter and more","extended. Its nesting habits","are precisely like those of the","next variety which is common","and well known; the eggs are","\findistinguishable.","Savannah Sparrow","542a. SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna.","Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding from the","Middle States north to Labrador and the Hudson Bay region.","Similar to the last but with the superciliary line paler and","the yellow reduced to a spot on the lores. Their nests are","hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and generally concealed by tufts of grass or weeds. Their three to five eggs","vary greatly in markings from finely and evenly dotted all","over to very heavily blotched, the ground color being grayish","white. Size .75 x .55","42b.","SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis alau-","WE STERN
dinus.
Range. Western North America from Alaska to Mexico.
A slightly paler form whose nesting habits and eggs do
not differ from those of the last.
542c. BRYANT'S SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis.
bryanti.
Range. Salt marshes of California from San Francisco
Bay south to Mexico.
Slightly darker and brighter than the eastern Savannah
Sparrow and with a more slender bill. The eggs are riot
different from many specimens of savanna', they are light
greenish white heavily blotched with various shades of
brown and lavender. Size .75 x .55.
543. BELDING'S SPARROW. Passerculus beldingi.
Range. Pacific coast marshes of southern California
and southward.","\fThis species is similar to the last but","darker .and more heavily streaked below.","They breed abundantly in salt marshes,","building their nests in the grass or","patches of seaweed barely above the","water, and making them of grass and Gravish wh j t e","weeds, lined with hair; the eggs are dull","grayish white, boldly splashed, spotted and clouded with","brown and lavender. Size .78 x .55.","337","22","544. LARGE-BILLED SPARROW. Passerculus restrains","restrains.","Range. Coast of southern and Lower California.","Similar to the Savannah Sparrow but paler and grayer,","without yellow lores and a larger and stouter bill. They","are common in salt marshes, often in company with the","last species and their nesting habits are similar to and","the eggs not distinguished with certainty from those of","544a. SAN LUCAS SPARROW. Passerculus rostratus","guttatus.","A slightly darker form of the preceding, having identical","habits, and probably, eggs.","544c. SAN BENITO SPARROW. Passerculus rostratus","sanctorum.","Range. Breeds on San Benito Islands; winters in southern Lower California.","The nesting habits and eggs of these very similar subspecies are identical.","544 544c","\f545.","545. BAIRD'S SPARROW. Ammodramus bairdi","Range. Plains, breeding from northern United States to","the Saskatchewan; south in winter to the Mexican border.","These Sparrows breed abundantly on the plains of Dakota","and northward, placing their nest in hollows on the ground in","fields and along road sides. During June or July, they lay","three to five dull whitish eggs, blotched, splashed and spotted","with light shades of brown and gray. Size .80 x .60. White","546. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW","Ammodramus savannarum australis.","Range. United States east of the Plains,","breeding from the Gulf to Canada.","A stoutly built Sparrow marked on the upper","parts peculiarly, like a quail; nape grayish","and chestnut. These birds","are common in dry fields and","pastures, where their scarcely audible, grasshopper-like","song is heard during the heat","of the day. Their nests are","sunken in the ground and","arched over so that they are very difficult to","find, especially as the bird will not flush until","nearly trod upon. The four or five eggs, laid in","June, are white, specked with reddish brown.","Size .72 x .55.","Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatns","546a. WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.","Range. West of the Plains from British","Columbia to Mexico.","Slightly paler than the last; has the same","nesting habits; eggs indistinguishable.","338","Baird's Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow","GRASSHOPPER SPARROW ON NEST","C. A. \"Ree'd","Hpnslow's Sparrow
Lieconte's Sparrow","546b. FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.","Ammodramus savannarum ftoridanus.","Range. Central Florida.","A local form, darker above and paler below","than the common species. Eggs not different","in any particular.","547. HENSLOW'S SPARROW. Passerherbulus","henslowi henslowi.","breeding locally from Maryland and Missouri","north to Massachusetts and Minnesota.","This species is similar in form and marking","to the last, but is olive green on the nape, and","the breast and sides , are","streaked with blackish. Their","nesting habits are very similar to those of the Grasshopper Sparrow, the nests being","difficult to find. The eggs","are greenish white, spotted White","with reddish brown. Size .75x.55.","\f547a. WESTERN HENSLOW'S SPARROW. Passerherbulus henslowi accident alia.","Range. A paler and very local form found in the Plains in South Dakota and","probably, adjoining states. Eggs not apt to differ from those of the preceding.","548. LECONTE'S SPARROW. Passerherbulus lecontei.","Range. Great Plains, breeding from northern United States to Assiniboia;","winters south to Texas and the Gulf States.","A bird of more slender form than the preceding, and with","a long, graduated tail, the feathers of which are very narrow","and pointed. They nest on the ground in damp meadows, but","the eggs are difficult to find","because the bird is flushed","from the nest with great diffiWhite culty. The eggs are white","and are freely specked with brown. Size .70 x .52.","549. SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. Passerherbulus caudacutus.","Range. Breeds in marshes along the Atlantic coast from Maine to South Carolina and","winters farther south.","These birds are very common in nearly all","the salt marshes of the coast, nesting in the","marsh grass. I have nearly always found their","nests attached to the coarse","marsh grass a few inches above","water at high tide, and generally","under apiece of drifted seaweed.","The nests are made of grasses,","and the four or five eggs are","whitish, thickly specked with White","reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. The birds are","hard to flush and then fly but a few feet and","quickly drop into the grass again.","340","Sharp-tailed Sparrow","\f54-9.1. NELSON'S SPARROW.","nelsoni nelsoni.","Passerherbulus","Range. Breeds in the fresh water marshes","of the Mississippi valley from Illinois to Manitoba.","This species is similar to the Sharp-tailed","Finch but more buffy on the breast and generally without streaks. The nesting habits are","the same and the eggs indistinguishable.",". ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPARROW.","Passerherbulus nelsoni subvirgatus.","Range. Breeds in the marshes on the coast","of New England and New Brunswick; winters","south to the South Atlantic States.","This paler variety of Nelson's Sparrow nests","like the Sharp-tailed species and the eggs are","the same as those of that bird.","Seaside Sparrow
Dusky Seaside Sparrow","550. SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus maritimus.","Range. Atlantic coast, breeding from southern New England to Carolina and","wintering farther south.","This sharp-tailed Finch is uniform grayish above and light","streaked with dusky, below. They are very abundant in the","breeding range, where they nest in marshes in company with","caudacutus. Their nests are the same as those of that species","and the eggs similar but slightly larger. Size .80 x .60.","Data. Smith Island, Va., May 20, 1900. Nest situated in tall","grass near shore; made of dried grass and seaweed. Collector,","H. W. Bailey. White","All the members of this genus have a habit of fluttering out over the water,","and then gliding back to their perch on the grass, on set wings, meanwhile","uttering a strange rasping song. The nesting habits and eggs of all the subspecies are precisely like those of this variety, and they all occasionally arch","\ftheir nests over, leaving an entrance on the side.","550a. SCOTT'S SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus peninsulce.","Range. Coasts of Florida and north to South Carolina. Above blackish","streaked with brownish gray; below heavily streaked with black.","550b. TEXAS SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus sennetti.","Range. Coast of Texas. Similar to maritimus, but streaked above.","550c. LOUISIANA SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus fisheri.","Range. Gulf coast. This form is similar to peninsulce, but darker and more","brownish.","341","550d. MACGILLIVRAY'S SEASIDE SPARROW.","Passerherbulus maritimus macgillivrai.","Range. Coast of South Carolina. Like","fisheri but grayer.","5.11. DUSKY SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus nigrescens.","Range. Marshes of Indian River near Titusville, Florida.","This species is the darkest of the genus, both","above and below, being nearly black on the","upperparts. Their habits are like those of the","others and the eggs are not likely to differ.","552. LARK SPARROW. Chondestes grammacus grammacus.","Range. Mississippi Valley from the Plains","to Illinois and casually farther east, and from","Manitoba to Texas; winters in Mexico.","This handsome Sparrow has the sides of the crown and ear ^^^^^","patches chestnut, and the sides of the throat and a spot on the","breast, black. They are sweet singers and very welcome birds","in their range, where they are quite abundant. Their nests","\fare generally placed on the ground in the midst of or under a","clump of weeds or tuft of grass, but sometimes in bushes or","even trees; they are made of grasses and weeds and the eggs,","which are usually laid in May, are white marked chiefly","about the large end with blackish zigzag lines and spots.","552a. WESTERN LARK SPARROW.","Range. United States west of the Plains;","breeds from British Columbia to Mexico.","This paler and duller colored variety is common on the Pacific coast; its habits and nests","and eggs are like those of the last.","553. HARRIS'S SPARROW.","Zonotrichia querula.","Range. Mississippi Valley, chiefly west,","breeding in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the","exact range being unknown.","Although the birds are","abundant during migrations,","they seem to suddenly and","strangely disappear during","the breeding season. Supposed nests have been found","a few inches above the ground","in clumps of grass, the eggs","Whitish being wh iti s h, thickly spotted","with shades of brown. Size .85 x .65.","342","Chondestes grammacus strigatut","Harris's Sparrow","554. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys.","Range. North America breeding abundantly","in Labrador and about Hudson Bay, and casually in northern New England and in western","United States in the Rockies and Sierras.","Winters along our Mexican","border and southward. A","handsome species with a","broad white crown bordered","on either side by black, and","with a white superciliary line","and black lores; the underparts are uniform grayish","white. These birds appear to","be nowhere as common as the White-throated","Sparrows with which they associate during migrations and in the breeding grounds. They","build on the ground, generally near the edges","of woods or in clearings, and lay from four to","six eggs similar but larger, and with as much White-crowned Sparrow","variation in markings as those of the Song Sparrow ; pale greenish blue, spotted","and splashed with reddish brown and grayish. Size .90 x .65. Data. Nachook,","Labrador, June 10, 1897. Nest of fine grasses on the ground in a clump of grass.","Pale greenish
blue","554a. GAMBEI/S SPARROW. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli.","Range. Rocky Mountains and westward from Mexico to Alaska, breeding","chiefly north of the United States.","This bird is like the last but the lores are white. Its nesting habits and eggs","cannot be distinguished from those of the former.","Zonotrichia leucophrys","\f554b. NUTTALL'S SPARROW.","nut t alii.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia to Lower","Similar to the last but smaller and browner above; nests","on the ground or in bushes, the eggs not being distinguishable from those of the other White-crowns.","557. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW. Zonotrichia coronata","Range. Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska, breeding","chiefly north of our borders.","This species has the crown yellow, bordered by black on","the sides. Their habits are like those of","the White-crowned Sparrows, they feeding upon the ground among the dead","leaves, and usually being found in flocks","and often accompanied by many of the","last species. They nest upon the groundor in low bushes, and in May or June lay","three or four eggs very similar to the","last. Size .90 x .65.","343","CHIPPING SPARROW","558. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.","chia albicollis.","Zonotri-","\fWhite-throated Sparrow","Range. North America east of the Plains'","and breeding from the northern tier of states!","northward; winters from the Middle States;","To my mind this is the","most beautiful of Sparrows,","with its bright and softly","blended plumage and the pure","white throat boldly contrasting with its grayish breast","and sides of the head; the","lores are adorned with a","bright yellow spot. They are one of the most","abundant of Sparrows in the east during migrations and their musical piping whistle is","heard from hedge and wood. They nest most","abundantly north of our borders, laying their","three or four eggs in grass lined hollows in","the ground, or more rarely in nests in bushes.","The eggs are white or bluish white, thickly spotted with several shades of","brown. Size .85 x .62. They nest most often in thickets or on the edge of","swamps, in just such places as they are met with on their migrations.","559. TREE SPARROW. Spizella monticola monticola.","Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding north of the United States","to the Arctic coast, east of the Rockies ; winters within the United States.","A larger bird but somewhat resembling the common Chipping Sparrow, but","browner above, with a black spot on the breast and no black on the head.","They are quite hardy birds and winter in many of the northern","states where they may be found in flocks upon the snow, feeding","on seeds of protruding weeds. They breed very abundantly in","Laborador and about Hudson Bay, placing their green nests in","hollows on the ground or moss;","their three or four eggs are","greenish white, abundantly","speckled all over the surface","with reddish brown. Size .80 x .55. Data.","Foothills of Black Mountains, McKenzie River,","Arctic America, June 13, 1899. Nest on the","ground under a tuft of grass on level plain;","made of grasses and moss and lined with feathers.","559a. WESTERN TREE SPARROW. Spizella","monticola ochracea.","Range. North America west of the Plains,","breeding in Alaska and wintering to Mexico.","A paler form of the last, the nesting habits","\fand eggs of which are the same.","560. CHIPPING SPARROW. Spizella passerina passerina.","breeding from the Gulf to the interior of Canada and Newfoundland.","345","THE BlftD BOOK","As indicated by their name socialis, Chipping Sparrows","are sociable birds not only with others of the bird tribe, but","with man. In all localities that are not overrun with English Sparrows, you will find these confiding birds nesting in","trees and shrubs in the yard and in vines from porches,","#hile in orchards, nearly every tree has its","tenant. They are smaller birds than the","last (5.5 in. long) and have the brown","crown bordered by blackish and a black","line through the eye. Their nests, which","may be found at any height from the","ground and in any kind of a tree or shrub,","are made of fine grass and weed stems, lined with hair; their three to five eggs are a handsome","greenish blue, sparingly specked chiefly about the large","end with blackish brown and purplish. Size .70 x .52.","f>60a. WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW. Spizella","passerina arizonce.","Range. Western North America, chiefly west of the","^sSSeoa Rockies, from Mexico to Alaska; winters in Mexico.","This variety is much duller colored than the last and","has but little brown on the back; its nesting habits are the same and the eggs","do not appear to differ in any respect from those of the eastern bird.","\f56l. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Spizella pallida.","Range. Interior of United States and Canada, from the Mississippi Valley to","the Rockies, breeding from Iowa and Colorado northward; wipaTefs in Mexico.","These birds can best be described as like","the Chipping Sparrow with the brown largely replaced with blackish. They breed quite","abundantly in Manitoba and Minnesota, placing their nests on or near the ground, and","making them of fine grasses. The eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty from","those of the preceding but average a trifle","smaller. Size .65 x .50. Data. Barnsley, Manitoba, May","24, 1900. Nest of grass stalks lined with fine grass, one","foot above ground in tuft of grass.","562. BREWER'S SPARROW. Spizella breweri.","Range. Western United States from Mexico to British Columbia rarely and chiefly","between the Rockies and the Sierras; most","abundant in New Mexico and Arizona.","This bird is similar to the last but is paler","and more finely streaked. Their nesting","Bluish white nabits are like those of pallida and the eggs","are indistinguishable.","346","561562564","563. FIELD SPARROW.","Spizella pusilla pusilla.","breeding from the Gulf to southern Manitoba","and Quebec; winters in the Gulf States.","\fThese are abundant birds","along roadsides, in thickets, or","on dry sidehills, where they nest","indifferently on the ground or in","bushes, making their nests of","grass and weed stems. They are","the birds, whose high piping","song is most frequently heard","on hot sultry days in summer. Their eggs. are","laid in May or June; they are pale bluish","white, speckled and blotched with yellowish","brown and grayish purple. Size .65 x .50.","563a. WESTERN FIELD SPARROW. Spizella","Field Sparrow pusilla arenacea.","Range. Great Plains from Mexico to Montana, breeding in the northern half","of its range and wintering in the southern.","A paler form of the last, whose general habits and eggs are the same as those","of the eastern bird.","564. WORTHEN'S SPARROW. Spizella wortheni.","Range. Southern New Mexico southward through central Mexico.","This pale colored species is the size of the Field Sparrow but has no decided","markings anywhere. It is a rare bird within our borders and uncommon anywhere. I am not able to find any material in regard to their eggs.","565. BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. Spizella atrogularis.","Range. Mexican border of the United States and southward.","This slim-bodied, long-tailed species is grayish with a dusky","streaked, reddish brown patch on the back and a black face, chin","and throat. Their habits are similar to those of the Field","Sparrow and their nests are made near the ground in bushes,","but the eggs are plain bluish green, about like unmarked","Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size","Greenish
white
.65 x .50.","566. WHITE-WINGED JUNCO. Junco aiJceni.","Range. Breeds in the Black Hills of Dakota and Wyoming; winters in Colorado and","casually to Kansas.","This species is like the next","but larger and with the wings","\fcrossed by two white bars. Its","habits are like those of the common Juncos, the nests are placed","on the ground, concealed under","overhanging rocks or tufts of","grass, and the eggs are like","those often seen of the Slate-colored Junco;","3 or 4 in number, pinkish white specked and","spotted with light reddish brown. Size .75 x .55.","348","White-winged Junco","PERCHING BIRDS
567. SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. Junco hyemaUs hyemalis.
Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding in the northern tier of states and
northward; winters in southern United States.
This species is slaty gray
on the head, neck, breast,
flanks, back, wings and central tail feathers; the rest of
the underparts are white,
sharply defined against the
gray. They migrate through
the United States in large
flocks, usually accompanied by White-throated
or Fox Sparrows. They breed very abundantly
in the northern parts of their range, frequently
in the immediate vicinity of houses but generally on the edges of clearings, etc., placing
their nests on the ground and generally partially concealed by rocks, stumps, sods or logs;
the nests are made of grasses, lined with hair,
and the four or five eggs are white or greenish
white, variously speckled with reddish brown
either over the entire surface or in a wreath about the large end. Size .80 x .5
5.","Junco hyemalis oreganus.","from California to Alaska,","breeding north of the","f>67a. OREGON JUNCO.","Range. Pacific coast","This sub-species is entirely unlike the preceding, having a black head, neck,","throat, breast, wings and tail, and brown back; the remainder of the underparts","are white, washed with pinkish brown on the sides. The habits and nesting","habits of this western Junco are the same as those of the eastern, the birds","building in similar localities and making the nests of the same material. There","appears to be little, if any, difference between the eggs of the two varieties.","/>67b. SHUFELDT'S JUNCO. Junco hyemalis counectens.","Range. Pacific coast breeding from Oregon to British","Columbia and wintering south to the Mexican boundary.","Said to be slightly larger and duller colored than the","Oregon Junco; eggs the same.","567c. THURBER'S JUNCO. Junco hyemalis thurberi.","Range. The Sierra Nevadas from Oregon to southern","Similar to oreganus but paler and back more pinkish;","eggs will not differ.","567d. POINT PINOS JUNCO. Junco hyemalis pinosus.","Range. A very locally confined variety breeding in pine","woods of southwestern California, about Monterey and","Santa Cruz.","Similar to tnurberi with the head and neck slaty instead","of black.","349","567e. CAROLINA JUNCO. Junco hyemalis carolinensis. '","Range. Alleghanies in Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia.","A slightly larger bird than the Slate-colored Junco and","with the bill horn color instead of pinkish white. They","have been found to breed very abundantly in the higher","ranges of the Carolinas, nesting under banks, in tufts of","grass, or occasionally in small bushes, in fact in such locations as are used by liyemalis. Their eggs which are laid","during May, June or July (probably two broods being raised) are similar to those of the Slate-colored species but","slightly larger.","56?f. MONTANA JUNCO. Junco hyemalis montanus.","Range. Prom northern Idaho and Montana north to","Alberta; winters south to Mexico.","This variety is like mearnsi but darker on the head and","throat and with less pink on the sides. Its nesting habits","and eggs do not differ from those of the Pink-sided Junco.","567g- PINK-SIDED JUNCO. Junco hyemalis mearnsi.","Range. Breeds in mountains of Idaho, Wyoming and","Montana and winters south to Mexico.","This species has the head and breast gray, the back brownish and the sides pinkish brown. They breed at high altitudes in the ranges, placing their nests of grasses under sods","or overhanging rocks; their eggs are pinkish white before","being blown and are spotted over the whole surface but more","heavily at the large end with pale reddish brown and gray.","Size .80x.60. White","570. ARIZONA JUNCO. Junco phceonotus palliatus.","Range. Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona.","Similar to the preceding species but upper mandible blackish and the gray","on throat shading insensibly into the grayish white underparts. They are quite","abundant in the higher ranges of southern Arizona, where they breed, placing","their nests on the ground in similar locations to those chosen by other Juncos ;","the three or four eggs are greenish white, finely speckled chiefly about the lar","ge","end with reddish brown. Sixe .76 x .60.",",5708. RED-BACKED JUNCO. Junco phceonotus dorsalis.","Rang. Breeds in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona and southward.","This variety is like the last but the reddish brown on the back does not extend","\fto the coverts or wings. The nesting habits are like those of the last but the
eggs are only minutely specked about the large end.
570b. GRAY-HEADED JUNCO. Junco pJiceouotus caniceps.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Mexico.
This species is similar to the Slate-colored Junco but has a
reddish brown patch on the back. They nest on the ground in
mountainous regions, concealing the nests in tufts of grass or
under logs, stones, etc. The eggs are creamy or bluish white,
specked over the whole surface, but most numerously about the
larger end with reddish brown. Size .75 x .60. Data. Custer
Co., Colo., June 4, 1897. Slight nest of small rootlets and fine
grass placed under a tuft of grass. Altitude over 8,000 feet.
350","571. BAIRD'S JUNCO. Junco bairdi.","This gray headed species with rusty back","and sides is locally confined to the southern","parts of the California peninsula where it is","resident. Its eggs are not likely to differ from","those of the Pink-sided Junco which it most","nearly resembles.","56?i. TOWNSEND'S JUNCO.","townsendi.","Junco hy emails","Range. Mountains of northern Lower California; resident and breeding. Similar to the
Pink-sided Junco but duller colored; eggs probably the same.
572. QUADALUPE JUNCO. Junco insularis.","\fBlack-throated Sparrow
Resembles the Pink-sided Junco but is smaller, darker and
They are common on the island where they nest in the pine
first sets in February or March. The nests are like those
eggs are greenish white, finely dotted with reddish brown
Size .77 x .60.","duller colored.
groves, laying their
of the genus and the
at the large end.","573. BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, ^mphupisa bilineata bilineata.","Range. Breeds from central Texas to Kansas; winters in southern Texas","and Mexico.","This species is grayish brown above, with black throat, white","superciliary and line on side of throat. This is a common","species that nests on the ground or at low elevations in bushes,","making their nests of weed stems and grasses. The three to five","eggs are bluish white, unmarked and similar to those of the","Bluebird but smaller. Size .72 x .55. Bluish white","573a. DESERT SPARROW. Amphispiza","bilineata deserticola.","Range. Southwestern United States from western Texas","to southern California, and north, to Colorado and Nevada;","winters in Mexico.","Like the last but paler above. An abundant bird among","the foothills and on plains throughout its range. Found","generally in sage brush and thickets where it nests in","bushes or on the ground laying three or four bluish white","eggs like those of the last.","57k BELL'S SPARROW. Amphispiza belli.","Range. Southern half of California and southward.","These grayish, black and white birds are abundant in","sage brush and thickets, nesting on the ground or at low","elevations in bushes, and during May or June, laying from","three to four eggs of a pale greenish white color, spotted","and blotched with reddish brown and purplish. Size .75","x .60.","351","Amphispiza nevadensis neva-","574.1. SAGE SPARROW.","\fdensis.
Range. Sage deserts of the Great Basin from Oregon
and Montana, south to Mexico.
This sub-species is abundant throughout its range where
it nests near or on the ground, in or under bushes and generally concealed from view. The nests are made of grass
and sage bark lined with fine grass ; the eggs are like those
of the last species, greenish white, spotted and blotched
with shades of brown and purplish.
574. la. GRAY SAGE SPARROW. Amphispiza nevadensis cinerea.
Range. A smaller and paler variety found in Lower
California.
The nests and eggs of this pale variety probably do not
differ in any respect from those of the better known varie.ties.
575. PINE-WOODS SPARROW. Peuccea cestivalis cestivalis.
Range. Florida and southern Georgia.
These birds are common in restricted localities in their range, nesting on the
ground under bushes or shrubs; the nests are made of grasses and the four or
five eggs are pure white with a slight gloss. Size .75 x .60. The birds are said
to be fine singers and to frequent, almost exclusively, pine barrens.","575a. BACHMAN'S SPARROW. Peuccea cestivalis bachmani.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Indiana","and Illinois.","This variety is common in most localities in its range, frequenting pine woods and barrens chiefly, and nesting on the","ground in May or June. Their nests are made of grasses and","lined with very fine grass, and have the tops completely","arched over leaving a small entrance on the side. The eggs","are pure white with a slight gloss and measure .75 x .60.","576. BOTTERI'S SPARROW. Peuccea botterii.","Range. Mexican plateau north to southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.","They nest in abundance in tall grass in the lowlands of their range, the nests","being difficult to find because the bird flushes with great difficulty. The nest","\fare on the ground, made of grass, and the three to five eggs are pure white,
measuring .75 x .60.","352","578. CASSIN'S SPARROWS Peuccea cassini.","Range. Plains and valleys from Texas and Arizona","north to Kansas and Nevada.","These birds breed in numbers on the","arid plains, placing their grass nests on","the ground at the foot of small bushes","or concealed in tufts of grass, and during","'ajjtt May lay four pure white eggs which are","of the same size and indistinguishable","from those of others of the genus.","579- RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. Aimophila carpalis.","Range. Plains of western Mexico and north to southern","Arizona.","This pale colored bird bears a remote","resemblance to the Tree Sparrow. They","nest commonly in dry arid regions, plac- /","ing their nests at low elevations in /","bushes or cacti, preferably young mesquites, and making them of coarse grass","lined with finer. Two broods are raised","a season and from May to August sets","of four or five plain bluish white eggs may be found. Size","580. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps ruficeps.","Range. Local in southern half of California and in Lower California.","A brownish colored species both above and below, which is found on mountains and hillsides in restricted localities. They nest on the ground placing the","ir","grass structures in hollows, usually at the foot of a small bush or shrub and","well concealed. They lay from three to five pale bluish white eggs. Size",".SOx.60.","580a. SCOTT'S SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps scotti.","Range. Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona south in Mexico.","\fA paler species, above, than the last, and whitish below. It is quite a common species on the mountain ranges where it nests on the ground, in clumps of
grass or beneath shrubs or overhanging rocks; the nests are made of grasses
and weeds scantily put together. The eggs are white, untinted. Size .80 x .60.
580b. ROCK SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps eremceca.
Range. Middle and southern Texas and south in Mexico.
This variety frequents rocky mountain sides where it nests
abundantly under rocks or at the foot of shrubs, the nests
being made of coarse grasses loosely twisted together and
lined with finer grass. The birds are shy and skulk off
through the underbrush upon the approach of anyone so that
the nests are quite difficult to find. The three to five eggs are
pure white and of the same size as those of the last.
580c. LAGUNA SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps sororia.
Range. Mountains of southern Lower California.
The nests and eggs of this very similar variety to nt//re/>.v proper are not
likely to differ in any particular from those of that species.
353","581.","SONG SPARROW.
melodia.","Melospiza melodia","breeding from Virginia to Manitoba and New","Brunswick, and wintering chiefly in the southern half of the United States.","A favorite and one of the","most abundant in all sections","of the east. They are sweet","and persistent songsters and","\ffrequent side hills, pastures,","roadsides, gardens and dooryards if English Sparrows be","not present. They nest indifferently upon the ground or in bushes, generally artfully concealing the nest by drooping","leaves; it is made of grass and weed stems,","lined with fine grass or, occasionally, horse","hair. As is usual in the case of birds that","abound about habitations they frequently","choose odd nesting sites. They lay two and","Song- Sparrow
sometimes three sets of eggs a season, from May to August, the eggs being
three to five in number and white or greenish white, marked, spotted, blotched
or splashed in endless variety of pattern and intensity, with many shades of
brown; some eggs are very heavily blotched so as to wholly obscure the ground
color while others are specked very sparingly. They measure .80 x .60 with
great variations.
581a. DESERT SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia fallax.
Range. Desert regions of southern Nevada, Arizona and southeastern California. The eggs of this very pale form are the same as those of the last.
58 Ib. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia montana.
Range. Rockies and the Great Basin from Oregon and Montana southward.
This variety is paler than the Song Sparrow but darker than fall ax. Eggs
the same.
58 Ic. HEERMAN'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia heermanni.
Range. California, west of the Sierra Nevadas.
Similar to melodia but with less brown and the markings
blacker and more distinct. The nesting habits are the same
and the eggs similar to large dark specimens of the eastern
Song Sparrow. Size .85 x .62.
58 Id. SAMUELS SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia
samuelis.
Range. Coast regions of California, chiefly in the
marshes.
Similar to the last but smaller. They nest on the ground
in marsh grass, usually in sandy districts along the shore.
The eggs average smaller than those of melodia. Size
.78 x .58.","\f58 le. RUSTY SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia","morphna.","Range. Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia.","A dark species with the upper parts dark reddish brown","and heavily streaked with the same below. The nesting","habits and eggs are like those of melodia.","354","PERCHING BIRDS
581 f. SOOTY SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia rufina.
Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska.
A darker bird, both above and below, even than the last. Eggs like the last
but averaging a trifle larger. Size .82 x .62.
58 Ig. BROWN'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia rivularis.
Range. Southern Lower California.
A light colored form like the Desert Song Sparrow; said to build in cat tails
above water as well as on the ground; eggs not different from others of the
genus.
58 Ih. SANTA BARBARA SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia graminea.
Range. Breeds on Santa Barbara Islands; winters on adjacent coast of California.
A variety of the same size but paler than samuelis. Nesting or eggs not
peculiar.
58 li. SAN CLEMENTE SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia clementce.
Range. San Clemente and Santa Rosa Island of the Santa Barbara group.
Slightly larger than the last; habits and eggs the same.
581 j. DAKOTA SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia juddi.
Range. North Dakota, breeding in the Turtle Mountains.
Practically indistinguishable from the common Song Sparrow; the eggs will
not differ.
581k. MERRILL'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia merrillL
Range. Northwestern United States; eastern Oregon and Washington to
Idaho.
Very similar to, but lighter than the Rusty Song Sparrow.
5811. ALAMEDA SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia pusillula
Range. Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay, California.","\fSimilar to, but still smaller than Samuel Song Sparrow. Eggs will not differ.
581m. SAN DIEGO SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia cooperi.
Range. Southern coast of California; north to Monterey Bay.
Similar to, but smaller and lighter than heermanni.
581 n. YAKUTAT SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia caurina.
Range. Coast of Alaska from Cross Sound to Prince Williams Sound.
Similar to the Sooty Song Sparrow but larger and grayer. Eggs probably
average larger.
58 lo. KENAI SONG SPARROW. Melospiza Melodia kenaiensis.
Range. Kenai Jeninsula on the coasts.
Like the last but still larger; length about 7 inches.
58 Iq. BISCHOFF'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia insignis.
Range. Kadiak Island, Alaska.
Similar to and nearly^s large as the next species, but browner.
58 Ir. ALEUTIAN SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia sanaka.
Range. Found on nearly all the islands of the Aleutian group, excluding
Kadiak.
This is the largest of the Song Sparrows being nearly 8
inches in length; it is similar in appearance to the Sooty
Song Sparrow but grayer. It nests either on the ground or
at low elevations in bushes, the nest usually being concealed in a tuft of grass or often placed under rocks or,
sometimes, driftwood along the shores. The nests are
made of grasses and weed stems, and the eggs are similar
to those of the Song Sparrow but much larger and more
elongate. Size .90 x .65. Greenish white
355","Lincoln's Sparrow","583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolni","lincolni.","Range. North America, breeding from","northern United States north to the Arctic regions; most abundant in the interior and the","west; rare in New England.","This bird is shy and retiring and skulks off through","\fthe underbrush of thickets","and swamps that it frequents","upon the approach of anyone;","consequently it is often little","known in localities where it","is quite abundant. They nest","on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely","in bushes. Their eggs are very similar to","those of the Song Sparrow, three or four in","number, greenish white in color, heavily spotted and blotched with chestnut and gray. Size",".SO x .58.","alto ,","583a. FORBUSH'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolni striata.","Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like those","of the last.","584. SWAMP SPARROW. Melospiza georgiana.","Range. North America, east of the Plains, breeding from","middle United States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay.","This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy","places where it breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not","commonly seen during the breeding season. Its nests are","made of grasses and located on the ground usually in places","where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs are","similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally Greenish","darker and more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 x .55.","585. Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca iliaca.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding r~from southern Canada northward, and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United","This large handsome species, with its mottled grayish and reddish brown plumage and","bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern","United States during migrations, being found","in open woods and hedges in","company with Juncos and","White-throated Sparrows,","\fwith which species their song","vies in sweetness. They nest","usually on the ground, but","sometimes in low bushes ; the","nests are made of grasses and Greenish","are concealed beneath the","overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens.","The three or four eggs are greenish-white,","spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 x .68.","356","Swamp Sparrow","Passerella - .","585a. SHUMAGIN Fox SPARROW.","iliaca unalaschensis.","Range. Shumagin Islands and the Alaska","coast to Cook Inlet.","Similar to the last but paler, being one of the","several recent unsatisfactory subdivisions of","this genus. The nesting habits and eggs of all","the varieties are like those of the common eastern form.","585b. THICK-BILLED SPARROW. Passerella","iliaca megarhyncha.","Range. Mountains of eastern California and","western Nevada; locally confined.","Entire upper parts and breast spots gray;","wings and tail brown. It nests in the heaviest","underbrush of the mountain sides, building on","or close to the ground.","585c. SLATE-COLORED SPARROW. Passerella","iliaca schistacea.","Fox Sparrow","\fRange. Rocky Mountain region, breeding from Colorado to British Columbia.","This variety which is similar to, but smaller than the last, nests in thickets","along the mountain streams. The eggs are like those of iliaca, but average","smaller.","585d. STEPHEN'S SPARROW. Passerella iliaca stephensi.","Range. Breeds in the San Bernadino and San Jacinto Mts. in southern Call","fornia.","Like the Thick-billed Sparrow, but bill still larger and bird slightly so.","585e. SOOTY Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca fuliginosa.","Range. Coast of Washington and British Columbia; south to California in","winter.","585f. KADIAK Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca insularis.","Range. Breeding on Kadiak Island; winters south to California.","Like the last but browner above and below.","585g. TOWNSEND'S Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca townsendi.","Range. Southern coast of Alaska; winters south to California. Like the last","but more rufous above.","Upperparts and tail uniform brownish umber, below heavily spotted.","586. TEXAS SPARROW. Arremonops rufivirgatus.","Range. Eastern Mexico and southern Texas.","This odd species has a brownish crown, olive greenish upperparts, wings and","tail, and grayish white underparts. They are common resident birds along the Lower Rio Grande, being found in tangled","thickets, where they nest at low elevations, making their A","quite bulky nests of coarse weeds and grass and sometimes .","twigs, lined with finer grass and hair; they are often partially domed with an entrance on the side. Their eggs are plain","white, without markings; often several broods are raised in a","season and eggs may be found from May until August. White","357","587- TOWHEE. Pipilo erythrophthalmus","\fRange. North America east of the Plains,","breeding from the Gulf to Manitoba.","The well known Towhee, Ground Robin or","Chewink is a bird commonly met with in eastern United States; it frequents thickets,","swamps and open woods where they nest generally upon the ground and sometimes in","bushes near the ground. The nests are well","made of grasses, lined with","fine grasses and rootlets,","and the eggs, which are laid","in May or June, are pinkish","white, generally finely","sprinkled but sometimes","with bold markings of light","reddish brown, with great","variations. Size .90 x .70.","Towhees are noisy birds and at frequent intervals, while they are scratching among the","leaves for their food they will stop and utter their familiar \"tow-hee\" or \"chewink\" and then again will mount to the summit of a tree or bush and sing their","sweet refrain for a long time.","Purplish white","Towhee or Chewink","587a. WHITE-EYED TOWHEE. Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni.","Range. Florida and the Atlantic coast to South Carolina.","This variety is like the preceding except that the eyes are white instead of","red. There is no difference between their nesting habits and eggs, except that","they much more frequently, and in some localities, almost always, nest in trees.","588. ARCTIC TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus arcticus.","Range. Great Plains, breeding from northern United States to the Saskatchewan.","This species is similar to the eastern Towhee but has the scapulars and","coverts tipped with white. They nest abundantly in suitable localities in Montana and North Dakota and more com- ^Sfifi^fe^","monly north of our borders. Like the eastern Towhee, they","nest on the ground under the protection of overhanging","bushes, the nests being made of strips of bark and grasses","and lined with fine rootlets. Their three or four eggs, which","\fare laid during May, June or July, are pinkish white, profusely speckled with reddish brown; very similar to those
of the eastern Towhee. Size .92 x .70.","Pinkish white","588a. SPURRED TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus montanus.","Range. Breeds from Mexico to British Columbia, west of the Rockies.","Similar to the last but with less white on the back. The nesting habits and","eggs are like those of the Towhee, but in some localities the nests are most","often found in bushes above the ground.","358","NEST AND EGGS OF TOWBEE","588b 591","588b. OREGON TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus oregonus.","Range. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia; winters to Mexico. Similar to the last but with still","fewer white markings on the back and the chestnut flanks","brighter. The nesting habits and eggs of this variety","differ in no essential particular from those of the preceding Towhees.","588c. SAN CLEMENTE TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus clementce.","Range. San Clemente Is. and other of the Santa Barbara group.","Black of male said to be duller. Probably no difference","between the eggs and others.","\f588d. SAN DIEGO TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx.","Range. Coast of southern California and Lower California. Said to be darker than mecjalonyx.","588e. LARGE-BILLED TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus magnirostris.","Range. Southern Lower California. Similar to arcticus ; bill said to be larger.","589- GUADALUPE TOWHEE. Pipilo consobrinus.","Similar to oregonus but smaller and with a relatively shorter tail. The nesting habits and eggs of this species will not likely be found to differ essential","ly","591. CANON TOWHEE. Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus.","Range. Mexico and north to Arizona and New Mexico and casually farther","to Colorado.","A common species in the valleys and on the side hills,","nesting in bushes near the ground, and sometimes on","the ground; the nests are made of grasses, weeds and twigs","lined with rootlets, and the three or four eggs are greenish","blue sparingly spotted or scrawled with blackish brown, the","markings being similar to those on many Red-winged","Blackbirds' eggs. Size 1.00 x .70. Greenish blue","59 la. SAN LUCAS TOWHEE. Pipilo fuscus albigula.","This variety is like the last but is usually paler below. It is abundant in the","region about the cape where they nest in thickets, either in the bushes or on","the ground. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Canon Towhee.","59 lb. CALIFORNIA TOWHEE. Pipilo crissalis crissalis.","Range. Pacific coast of California.","This variety is similar to the Canon Towhee but is browner, both above and","below. They are one of the most common of California birds, frequenting","scrubby thickets, both on mountain sides and in valleys and canons, from","which their harsh scolding voice always greets intruders. They place their","nests in bushes at low elevations from the ground and sometimes on the ground ;","360","PERCH","\fthey are made of twigs, strips of bark, weeds and coarse","grasses, lined with fine rootlets. Their three or four eggs","are laid in April or May; they are light bluish green marked like the others with purplish or brownish black. Size",".95x.72.","5.9 1.1 a. ANTHONY'S TOWHEE. Pipilo crissalis senicula.","Range. Southern California and south through Lower","A very similar bird to the last but","sightly smaller and lighter below.","The habits and nesting habits of","these birds are in every way identical with those of the California Towhee and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of that variety.","They are fully as abundant in the","southern parts of California as the","others are in the northern.","BIRDS","591.3 592 5!J2.1","592. ABERT'S TOWHEE. Pipilo aberti.","Range. Arizona and New Mexico north to Colorado","and Nevada and east to southeastern California.","This bird is wholly brownish gray both above and below","PP** shading into reddish brown on the under tail coverts; the","face is black. They are abundant in the valleys of Arizona","and New Mexico, but unlike the preceding species, they","are generally wild and shy. They nest in chaparral thickets along streams, the nests being constructed similarly to","those of the California Towhee, and the eggs are not easily","distinguishable from those of that species, but they are","usually more sparsely specked and the markings more disGreenish blue tinct. Size 1.00 x .75.","592.1. GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE. Oreospiza Morura.","\fRange. Western United States, chiefly west","of the Rockies from Montana and Washington","south to Mexico; wintering in southwestern","This handsome and entirely different plumaged species from any of the preceding would,","from appearance, be better placed in the group","with the White-throated Sparrow than its present position. It has a reddish brown crown,","the remainder of the upper","parts, wings and tail being","greenish yellow; the throat","is white, bordered abruptly","with gray on the breast and","sides of head. These birds","ground. The nests are built","similarly to those of the eastern Towhee, and the eggs, too, are similar, being whitish, finely dotted and specked with","reddish brown, the markings being most numerous around the larger end. Size .85 x .65.","mj^jjfr.","Green -tailed Towhee","361","CARDINAL","593. CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis.","Range. Eastern United States, north to New York and Illinois, west to the","Plains and Texas. Resident in most of its range.","These beautiful fiery red and crested songsters are one of the most attractive","of our birds, and in their range, nest about habitations as","\ffreely as among the thickets and scrubby brush of wood","or hillside. Their nests are rarely placed higher than ten","feet from the ground in bushes, branches, vines, brush","piles or trees; they are loosely made of twigs, coarse","grasses and weeds, shreds of bark, leaves, etc., and lined","with fine grass or hair. They frequently lay two or three","sets of eggs a season, the first being completed usually","early in May; three or four, and sometimes five, white or","pale bluish white eggs are laid; they are very varied in markings but usually","profusely spotted, more heavily at the large end, with reddish brown and","lavender. Size 1.00 x .70.","ARIZONA CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis superbus.","Range. Northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona.","A larger and more rosy form of the Cardinal. Its eggs","tinguished from those of the eastern Redbird.","cannot be dis-","593b. SAN LUCAS CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis igneus.","Like the last but smaller and with less black on the forehead; eggs the same.","OF CA11DINAJ
363","mm","5p3c. GRAY-TAILED CARDINAL.","cardinalis canicaudus.","Cardinalis","\fCardinal","Range. Northeastern Mexico and southern","The male of this species is like the eastern","Cardinal but the female is said to be grayer.","The nesting habits are the same and the eggs","identical with those of the latter.","593d. FLORIDA CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus.","Range. Southern Florida.","Supposed to be a deeper and richer shade oi","red. Eggs like those of cardinalis.","594. ARIZONA PYRRHULOXIA. Pyrrhuloxia","sinuata sinuata.",". Range. Northwestern Mexico and the southern border of New Mexico, Arizona and western","This species is of similar form and crested like a Cardinal,","but the bill is very short and hooked like that of a Parrot ; the","plumage is grayish, with wings and tail dull reddish; face","and throat, and middle of belly rosy red. Their habits are","the same as those of the Cardinal, but their nests are said to","be slighter; they are placed in similar locations to those of","the latter, the two species often nesting together in the same","thicket. Their eggs are like those of the Cardinal but average","smaller, although the ranges overlap so that the eggs cannot","be distinguished. Size .90 x .70. Data. San","Antonio, Texas, May 16, 1889. Nest of fine","grasses, lined with rootlets ; 4 feet from ground","in a mesquite tree.","5Q4a. TEXAS PYRRHULOXIA. Pyrrhuloxia","sinuata texana.","Said to be grayer and the bill to average","larger than that of the last. There are no differences in the nesting habits or eggs between","the two varieties.","594b. SAN LUCAS PYRRHULOXIA. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata peninsula.","Smaller than the Arizona Cardinal but with","a larger bill. The eggs are like those of the","\fothers but may average a trifle smaller. Texas Pyrrhuloxia","364","595. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.","ludoviciana.","Zamelodia","Range. United States,","east of the Plains, breeding from the Middle States","and Ohio north to Manitoba and Nova Scotia.","This beautiful black and","white bird with rosy red","breast and under wing coverts, is one of the most","pleasing of our songsters. They nest either in","bushes or trees, generally between six and","twenty feet from the ground and usually in","thick clumps of trees or scrubby apple trees.","The three or four eggs, which are laid in June,","are greenish blue, spotted, most heavily about","the larger end, with reddish brown. Size 1.00","x .75. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 5, 1899.","Nest of twigs and rootlets in small apple tree","in woods ; nest very frail, eggs showing through","the bottom.","5.96'.. .BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.","Zamelodia melanocephala.","Range. United","States, west of","the Plains, breed-","\fing from Mexico","north to British","Columbia ; w i riters south of the","Pale greenish white United states<","(8 inches long), and is a bright cinnamon brown color with black head, and","black and white wings and tail. The","habits of this bird are the same as","those of the Rosebreasted Grosbeak","and its song is very similar but more","lengthy. Their nests, like those of the","last, are very flimsy structures placed","in bushes or trees, usually below twenty feet from the ground; they are open","frameworks of twigs, rootlets and","weed stalks, through which the eggs","can be plainly seen. The eggs are","similar to those of the preceding but","are usually of a paler color, the markings, therefore showing with greater","distinctness. Size 1.00 x .70.","Rose-breasted Grosbeak","J. B. Pardoe.
NEST OP ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.","365","597. BLUE GROSBEAK. Guiraca ccerulea.","Range. Southeastern United States, breeding from the","Gulf north to Pennsylvania","\fand Illinois, and casually to","New England.","Smaller than the last two","species and deep blue, with","wings and tail blackish, and","the lesser coverts and tips of","greater, chestnut. It is a fairly common species in the southerly parts of its range, nesting most frequently in low bushes or vines","in thickets; the nest is made of rootlets, weed","stalks and grasses and sometimes leaves. The","three or four eggs are bluish white, unmarked.","Size .85 x .65. Data. Chatham Co., Ga., June","10, 1898. 3 eggs. Nest of roots, leaves and","snake skin, lined with fine rootlets, 3 feet from","the ground in a small oak bush.","Blue Grosbeak","If
^","597a. WESTERN BLUE GROSBEAK. Guiraca ccerulea lazula.","Range. Western United States north to Kansas, Colorado and northern California.","Slightly larger than the last and lighter blue; nests the same and egg not distinctive.","598. INDIGO BUNTING. Passerina cyanea.","Range. United States, east of the Plains, breeding north to Manitoba and","Nova Scotia; winters south of the United States.","This handsome species is rich indigo on the","head and neck, shading into blue or greenish","blue on the upper and under parts. They are","very abundant in some localities along roadsides, in thickets and open woods, where their","song is frequently head, it being a very sweet refrain resembling, somewhat, certatin","passages from that of the","Goldfinch. They nest at low","elevations in thickets or","vines, building their home of","grass and weeds, lined with","fine grass or hair, it being quite a substantial","\fstructure. The eggs, which are laid in June","or July, are pale bluish white. Size .75 x .52.","599. LAZULI BUNTING. Passerina amcena.","from Mexico to northern United States and the","interior of British Columbia; east to Kansas.","This handsome bird is of the size of cyaneu,","but is azure blue above and on the throat, the indigo Bunting:","366","breast being browish and the rest of the underparts, white. It is the western representative
of the Indigo Bunting, and its
habits and nesting habits are
in all respects the same as
I those of that species, the
nests being made of twigs,
grasses, strips of bark, weeds,
leaves, etc. The eggs are like
those of the last, pale bluish
white. Size .75 x .55.","Pale bluish
vhite","..","Pale bluish
white","\f600. VARIED BUNTING. Passerina","versicolor","Range. Mexico and north to southern Texas.","The general color of this odd bird is purplish, changing to bright blue on the crown and","^^__^^ rump, and with a reddish","nape. They are quite abundant in some localities along","the Lower Rio Grande, where","they nest in bushes and tangled under bru&h, the nests being like those of the last","species, and rarely above five feet from the ground. The eggs","are pale bluish white, three or four in number, and laid during May or June. Size .75 x .55.","600a. BEAUTIFUL BUNTING. Passerina versicolor pulchra.","Slightly smaller but very similar to the last; eggs will not differ.","601. PAINTED BUNTING. Passerina ciris.","Lazuli Bunting","Range. South Atlantic and","Varied Bunting","ciris.
Gulf States; north to Illinois in the interior.
Without exception, this is the most gaudily attired of North American birds, the
whole underparts being red, the head and
neck deep blue, the back yellowish green, and
the rump purple, the line of demarcation between the colors being sharp. They are frequently kept as cage birds but more for their
bright colors than any musical ability, their
song being of the character of the Indigo Bunting, but weaker and less musical. They are
very abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf
States, where they nest usually in bushes or hedges at low
elevations, but occasionally
on branches of tall trees.
Their nests are made of
weeds, shreds of bark,","\fgrasses, etc., lined with fine","grass, very much resembling white","that of the Indigo. Their","eggs are laid in May, June or July, they frequently raising two broods; they are white or","pale bluish white, speckled with reddish","brown. Size .75 x .55.","367","Painted Bunting","602. SHARPE'S SEED-EATER. Sporophila","morelleti morelleti","Range. Eastern Mexico, breeding north to","the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","This peculiar, diminutive Finch is but 4.5","inches in length, and in plumage is black, white","and gray. In restricted localities in southern","Texas, they are not uncommon during the summer months. They build in bushes or young","trees at low elevations making their nests of","fine grasses or fibres, firmly woven together","and usually placed in an upright","crotch. The eggs are pale","greenish blue, plentifully speckled with reddish and umber","brown, and some markings of","lilac. Size .65 x .45. Data.","Brownsville, Texas, May 7, 1892. Greenish blue","Nest of fine fibre-like material lined with horse","hairs, on limb of small tree in open woods near","a lake of fresh water; 6 feet above ground.","Collector, Frank B. Armstrong. This set is in","the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.","[603.] GRASSQUIT. Tiaris bicolor.","Range. This small Finch is a Cuban species which casually strays to southern Florida.","\fThey are abundant on the island, building large arched nests of grass, with a
small entrance on the side. They lay from three to six white eggs, specked with
brown. Size .65 x .50.
[603.1] MELODIOUS GRASSQUIT. Tiaris canora.
Another Cuban Finch which has been taken in the Florida Keys. Eggs like
the last.","604<. DICKCISSEL. Spiza americana.","Range. Interior of the United States, breeding from the Gulf to northern United States,","west to the Rockies, east to the Alleghanies.","A sparrow-like Bunting with a yellow breast","patch, line over eye and on side of throat;","throat black, chin white and wing coverts chestnut. These sleek-coated, harmoniously colored","birds are very common in dry bush-grown pastures and on the prairies.","^rtf^-r- They are very persistent","/? ^^ singers, and their song, while","Ji -;*;, very simple, is welcome on","\\>y fill*' hot days when other birds","pr are quiet. They nest anywhere, as suits their fancy,","Bluish white on the ground, in clumps of","grass, in clover fields, bushes,","low trees, or in thistles. The nests are made","of weeds, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined","with fine grass, and the three to five eggs are","bluish white. Size .80 x .60.","368","Sharpe's Seed-eater","605. LARK BUNTING. Calamospiza melanocorys..","Range. A bird of the Plains, abundant from","western Kansas to eastern Colorado and north","to the Canadian border; winters in Mexico.","\fThese black and white birds have a sweet","song which they often utter while on the wing","after the manner of the Bobolink, all their habits being","similar to those of this bird,","except that this species likes","the broad dry prairies where","it nests on the ground under","the protection of a tuft of","grass or a low bush. Their","four or five eggs are like","those of the last but slightly larger. Size .85","x .65. Data. Franklin Co., Kansas. 4 eggs.","Nest in cornfield in a hollow on the ground at","the base of a stalk; made of straw and weeds.","Dickcisf","TANAGERS. Family TANAGRID^E","WESTERN TANAGER. Piranga ludoviciana.","Range. United States, west of the Plains and north to British Columbia.","This handsome species is black and yellow, with an orange or reddish head.","They are common and breed in suitable localities through their range, nesting","as do the eastern Tanagers in trees usually at a low elevation, the nests being","saddled on the forks of horizontal branches; they are made of rootlets, strips","of bark, and weed stalks,","- __ and are usually frail like","those of the Grosbeaks.","Their eggs, which are laid","in May or June, are bluish","green, specked with brown","of varying shades. Size",".95 x .65.","\fI.ai-k Hunting","()()8. SCARLET TANAGER.","romelas.","Piranha en/th-","These beautiful scarlet","and black birds frequent,","chiefly, woodlands, although they are very often found breeding in orchards and small pine","groves. They are quiet","birds, in actions, but their","loud warbling song is","heard at a great distance, and is readily recognized by its peculiarity. They nest upon hori-","24","zontal limbs or forks at elevations of four to","twenty feet, making frail nests of twigs, rootlets and weeds; they are often found in pine","trees, but apparently just as frequently in","other kinds. Their eggs are greenish blue,","specked and spotted with various shades of","brown. Size .95 x .65. Data. Holden, Mass.,","May 31, 1898. Nest on low limb of an oak, 4","feet above ground; of weeds and rootlets and","very frail.","6'09. HEPATIC TANAGER. Piranga hepatica.","Range. Western Mexico,","north to New Mexico and Ari-","\fzona in summer.
This species is similar to
the next but is darker red on
the upper parts and bright
vermilion below. They nest
on the lower horizontal Bluish green
branches of trees, usually live oaks, making
the nests of rootlets and weeds; the eggs are bluish green, like those of the
next, but the markings appear to average more blotchy and brighter. Size
.92 x .64.","Scarlet Tanager","6'10. SUMMER TANAGER. Piranga rubra rubra. Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New York and Kansas, and casually farther; west to Texas; winters south of our borders.
This bird is of the size of the Scarlet Tanager, but is of a uniform rosy red
color, darker on the back. They are very common in the South Atlantic and
Gulf States. Their nests are located at low elevations on horizontal branches
of trees in open woods, edges of clearings, or
along the roadside; the nests are made of
strips of bark, weed stems, leaves, etc., and are
frail like those of the other Tanagers. Their
eggs are light bluish green,
speckled and spotted with
reddish brown, and not
distinguishable with certainty from those of the
^^^ Scarlet Tanager. Size .92
Light bluish green X .64.
6lOa. COOPER'S TANAGER.
Piranga rubra cooperi.
Range. Western United States, breeding
from the Mexican border and Texas north to
central California and Nevada.
Similar to but slightly larger than the last.
There are no differences between the nesting
of this form and the last and the eggs are not
in any way different.
370","\fSummer Tanager","SCARLET TAN AGE K","SWALLOWS. Family HIRUNDINID^","611. PURPLE MARTIN. Progne subis subis.","Range. Breeds throughout the United States","and temperate British America; winters in","These large, lustrous, steely-blue Swallows","readily adapt themselves to civilization and,","throughout the east, may be found nesting in","bird houses, provided by appreciative land","owners or tenants; some of these houses are","beautiful structures modelled","after modern residences and : x","tenanted by twenty or thirty ,,.,","pairs of Martins; others are","plain, unpainted soap boxes","or the like, but the birds","seem to take to one as kindly","as the other, making nests in","their compartments of weeds,","feathers, etc. They also, and most commonly","in the west, nest in cavities of trees making","nests of any available material. During June","*WLz, \"^t ^ or July, they lay from four to six white eggs;","size .95 x .65. Data. Leicester, Mass., June","16, 1903. 5 eggs in Martin house; nest of","Purple Martin grasses.","White
grass, mud,","\f61 la. WESTERN MARTIN. Progne subis hesperia.","Range. Pacific coast from Washington south.","The nesting habits, eggs, and birds of this form are identical with those found","In the east.","611.1. CUBAN MARTIN. Progne cryptoleuca","Range. Cuba and southern Florida (in summer).","Slightly smaller than the Purple Martin and","the eggs average a trifle smaller.","6*12. CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons.","Range. -Whole of North America, breeding","north from the south Atlantic and Gulf States.","These birds can easily be recognized by their brownish throat","and breast, whitish forehead and","buffy rump. They build one of","the most peculiar of nests, the","highest type being a flask","shaped structure of mud securely cemented to the face of a cliff or under the","eaves of a building, the entrance being drawn","out and small, while the outside of the nest","proper is large and rounded; they vary from","372","Cliff Swall","this typical nest down to plain mud platforms,","but are all warmly lined with grass and","feathers. In some localities, cliffs resemble","bee hives, they having thousands of these nests","side by side and in tiers. Their eggs are","creamy white spotted with reddish brown;","size .80 x .55 with great variations. Data.","Rockford, Minn., June 12, 1890. Nest made","of mud, lined with feathers; placed under the","eaves of a freight house.","\f[612.1.] CUBAN CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon fulva.","Range. West Indies and Central America;","accidental on Florida Keys.","Hirundo erythro-","Barn Swallow","613. BARN SWALLOW.","gastra.","Range. Whole of North America; winters","This Swallow is the most beautiful and graceful of the family, and is a familiar sight to everyone, skimming over the meadows and ponds in long graceful sweeps, curves and turns, its lengthened outer","tail feathers streaming behind. Throughout their range, they nest in barns,","sheds or any building where they will not be often disturbed, making their nests","of mud and attaching them to the rafters; they are warmly lined with feathers","and the outside is rough, caused by the pellets which they place on the exterior","Before the advent of civilized man, they attached their","nests to the sides of caves,","in crevices among rocks and","in hollow trees, as they do","now in some localities. Their","eggs cannot be distinguished","from those of the Cliff Swallow. Data. Penikese Is., Mass., July 2, 1900.","Nest on beam in sheep shed; made of pellets of","mud, lined with feathers.","614. TREE SWALLOW; WHITE-BELLIED SWAL","LOW. Iridoprocne bicolor.","breeding from middle United States northward;","winters in the Gulf States and along the Mexican border and southward.","\fThis vivacious and active species is as well","known as the last, and nests about habitations","on the outskirts of cities and in the country.","Ti-ee Swallow","They naturally nest in holes in trees or stumps, preferable","in the vicinity of water, but large numbers now take up","their abode in houses provided for them","by man, providing that English Sparrows","are kept away. They make their nests of","straws and grasses, lined with feathers,","and lay four to six plain white eggs;","size .75 x .50. Data. Portage, Mich.,","May 26, 1897. Nest in a gate post; hole","about 6 inches deep, lined with feathers.","6 15. NORTHERN VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. Tachycineta thalassina lepida.","Range. United States in the Rocky Mountains and west","to the Pacific coast, breeding from Mexico to British Columbia; winters south of our borders.","This very beautiful species is smaller than the last, but,","like it, is white below, but the upper parts","are blue, green and purple without gloss. ^7*^- ~.^","They are common in their range and /%.","nest, usually in holes in trees, less often","in banks and under eaves; the nests are","made of grass and feathers, and the eggs","are pure white, four or five in number;","615 616 size .72 x .50.","\f6'1 5a. SAN LUCAS SWALLOW. Tachycineta thalassina brachyptera.","Range. Southern Lower California. Practically the same bird as the last","but with the wing very slightly shorter. Nesting habits or eggs will not differ.","[615.1.] BAHAMAN SWALLOW. Callichelidon cyaneoviridis.","Range. Bahamas; casual at Dry Tortugas, Florida.","This very beautiful species is similar to the western Violet-green Swallow, as","are also its eggs.","6l6. BANK SWALLOW. Riparia riparia.","Range. Whole of North America, north to the limit of trees, breeding from","the middle portions of the United States northward; winters south of our","borders.","This dull-colored Swallow is grayish above and white below,","with a gray band across the breast, they breed in holes in embankments, digging small tunnels from one to three feet in","^4'* length, enlarged and lined at the end with grass and feathers.","During May, June or July, according to latitude, they lay from","White four to six pure white eggs; size .70 x .50.","ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.","61
Range. United States, breeding from Mexico north to southern New England,
Manitoba and British Columbia; winters south of our borders.
This species is slightly larger than the last and similar but
with the throat and breast grayish and with the outer web of
the outer primary provided with recurved hooks. They nest in
holes in embankments, in crevices in cliffs or among stones
of bridges or buildings. Their eggs are like those of the","Bank Swallow but average a trifle larger; size .75 x .52.","374","\fWAXWINGS. Eamily AMPELID^E","0'18. BOHEMIAN WAXWING. Bombyeilla","gar ruins","Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions except","in the Rockies where it nearly reaches the","United States ; winters south to the northern","tier of states.","This handsome crested, grayish brown Waxwing resembles the common Cedar Waxwing","but is larger (length 8","inches), has a black throat,","much white and yellow on the","wing and a yellow tip to tail.","Their nests are made of rootlets, grass and moss, and situated in trees usually at a","low elevation. The eggs resemble those of the Cedar-bird, but are larger","and the marking more blotchy with indistinct","edges ; dull bluish blotched with blackish","brown; size .95 x .70. Data. Great Slave Lake,","June 23, 1884. Nest in a willow 8 feet from","the ground. Collected for Josiah Hooper.","(Crandall collection).","Dull bluish","Bohemian Waxwing","(J19- CEDAR WAXWING. Bombyeilla cedrorum.","Range. Whole of temperate North America, breeding in the northern half","of the United States and northward.","These birds are very gregarious and go in large flocks during the greater","part of the year, splitting up into smaller","companies during the breeding season and","nesting in orchards or groves and in any kind","of tree either in an upright crotch or on a horizontal bough; the nests are made of grasses,","strips of bark, moss, string, etc., and are","often quite bulky. Their eggs are of a dull","grayish blue color sharply speckled with blackish brown; size .85 x .60. Data. Old Say-","\fbrook, Conn., June 22, 1900. Nest composed of","cinquefoil vines, grasses, wool and cottony substances ; situated on an apple tree branch about 10 feet","from the ground. Collector,","John N. Clark. This species","has a special fondness for","cherries, both wild and cultivated, and they are often","known as Cherry-birds. They","also feed upon various berries, and frequently","catch insects in the air after the manner of","Flycatchers. Their only notes are a strange","Cedar Waxwing lisping sound often barely audible.","m-","375","620. PHAINOPEPLA. Phainopepla nitens","Range. Southwestern United States and Mexico; north","to southern Utah and Colorado.","This peculiar crested species is wholly","shining blue black except for a patch of","white on the inner webs of the primaries.","Their habits are somewhat like those of","the Cedar-bird, they being restless, and","feeding upon berries or insects, catching","the latter in the air. They make loosely","constructed nests of twigs, mosses, plant Light gray","fibres, etc., placed on branches of trees, usually below 20","feet from the ground, in thickets or open woods near water,","the eggs are two or three in number, light gray, spotted","sharply with black; size .88 x .65. Data. Pasadena, Cal.,","July 15, 1894. Nest in an oak 10 feet up; composed of","weeds and string. Collector, Horace Gaylord.","SHRIKES. Family LANIID^","621. NORTHERN SHRIKE. Lanius borealis.","Range. North America, breeding north of our borders;","winters in northern half of the United States and casually","farther south.","\fAll Shrikes are similar in nature and plumage, being","grayish above and white below, with black wings, tail and ear patches, and","with white outer tail feathers and bases of primaries; the present species may","be known by its larger size (length over 10 inches) and wavy dusky lines on the","breast. They are bold and cruel birds, feeding upon insects, small rodents and small birds, in the capture of","which they display great cunning and courage; as they","have weak feet, in order to tear their prey to pieces with","their hooked bill, they impale it upon thorns. They nest","in thickets and tangled underbrush, making their nests of","vines, grasses, catkins, etc., matted together into a rude","Grayish white structure. During April or May they lay from four to","six grayish white eggs, spotted and blotched","with yellowish brown and umber; size 1.05","x .75.","622. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus .","breeding north to New England and Illinois;","winters in Southern States.","Like the last but smaller","(length 9 inches), not marked","below and with the ear","patches sharply defined. They","nest in hedges or thickly tangled brush, showing a predilection for dense thorn","bushes, where they place Grayish white","their piles of weeds, grasses, feathers and rubbish; the four or five eggs are laid in April","or May; they are like those of the last, but","smaller, averaging .96 x .72.","376","Northern Shrike","I. E. Hess","LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE AND NEST","\f6'22a. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE.","ovicianus excubitorides.","Lanius iud-","Loggerhead Shrik","Range. North America, west of the Plains,","breeding north to Manitoba and the Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico.","Like the last but paler and the rump white.","Their nesting habits and eggs are in every respect like those of the Loggerhead Shrike.","()22b. CALIFORNIA SHRIKE.","Lanius ludovicianus gambeli.","Range. Pacific coast north to British Columbia.","Similar to the eastern form but with the","breast washed with brownish and with indistinct wavy bars. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the others.","622c. ISLAND SHRIKE. Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi.","Range. Santa Barbara Islands, California. Like the last but smaller and","darker. Eggs not distinguishable.","VIREOS. Family VIREONDID/E","623. BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO. Vireosylva calidris","barbatula.","Range. A Central American species, breeding in Cuba, I","Bahamas and southern Florida.","Like the Red-eyed Vireo but with a J \\, -r'fr <*<BM",";5V BHk dusky streak on either side of the chin. ff/","They build pensile nests of strips of bark","afrd fibres, swung from the forks of","branches. The eggs cannot be distin-","\fguished from those of the next species,","White being white, more or less specked about","the large end with reddish brown and umber. Size .78 x .55. A","622a 622b","378","624. RED-EYED VIREO. Vireosylva olivacea","breeding north to Labrador, Manitoba and British Columbia.","This is the most common of the Vireos in","the greater part of its range and is a most perpistent songster, frequenting groves, open","woods or roadsides. Their eyes are brown,","scarcely if any more red than those of any","other species and I have yet","to see one with red eyes out- \\","side of mounted museum specimens. They swing their","nests from the forks of trees","at any . elevation from the","ground but usually below ten","feet, and I have found them White","where the bottom rested on the ground; they","are made of strips of bark, fibre, etc., and often","have pieces of string or paper woven into the","sides; they are one of the most beautiful of","bird homes and are woven so strongly that old","nests hang to the branches for several seasons.","Red-eyed Vireo Their three or four eggs, often accompanied by","one of the Cowbirds, are laid in May or June; they are white, sparingly specked","with blackish brown. Size .85 x .55.","625. YELLOW-GREEN VIREO. Vireosylva flavoviridis.","\fRange. Southern Texas and southward to South America.","Similar, to the Red-eye but greener above and more yellowish on the sides.","The nesting habits are the same and the eggs indistinguishable from those of","that species.","626. PHILADELPHIA VIREO. Vireosylva philadelphica","Range. Eastern United States breeding from northern New England and","Manitoba northward.","This species is much smaller than the Red-eye (length 5 in.)","and is yellowish below, and without black edges to the gray","; crown. Their eggs do not dif'^^^^^ fer from those of the Redeyed Vireo except in size,","averaging .70 x .50.","627- WARBLING VIREO. Vireosylva gilva","gilva.","Range. North America east to the Plains,","breeding north to Labrador.","This Vireo is nearly as abundant as the Redeye but is not generally as well known, probably because it is usually higher in the trees","and more concealed from view. Their nests","are like those of the Red-eye, but smaller and","usually placed higher in the trees. The birds","are even more persistent singers, than are the","latter but the song is more musical and delivered in a more even manner, as they creep about","among the foliage, peering","t - * under every leaf for lurking","insects. The eggs are pure","write, spotted with brown or","White reddish brown. Size .72 x .52.","380","RED- EYED VIREO ON NEST","\f627a. WESTERN WARBLING VIREO. Vireosylva gilva srvainsoni.","from Mexico to British Columbia.","This species is like the last but said to be","a trifle smaller and paler color. Its nesting","habits and eggs are precisely like those of","the eastern form.","628.","Lanivireo","Yellow- throated Vireo","YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
fiavifrons.
Range. United States east
of the Plains, breeding from
the Gulf to Manitoba and
New Brunswick.
This handsome bird is
wholly unlike any others of
the Vireos, having a bright
yellow throat and breast; the
upper parts are greenish and the wings and
tail gray, the latter with two white bars. They
are fairly common breeding birds in northern
United States, placing their handsome basketlike structures in forks of branches and at any
elevation from the ground; the nests are like those of the preceding Vireos but
are frequently adorned on the outside with lichens, thereby adding materially
to their natural beauty. The four or five eggs are pinkish or creamy white,
speckled about the large end with reddish brown. Size .80 x .60.
629. BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Lanivireo solitarius solitarius.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from southern
New England and the northern states north to Hudson Bay;
winters in the Gulf States and southward.","\fA beautiful Vireo with a slaty blue crown and nape, greenish","back, white wing bars and underparts, the flanks being washed","with greenish yellow; a conspicuous mark is the white eye","ring and loral spot. They build firm, pensile, basket-like","White nests of strips of birch and grapevine bark, lined with fine","grasses and hair, suspended from forks, usually","at low elevation and often in pine or fir treeo","(of some twenty nests that I have found in","New England all have been in low branches of","conifers). Their three or four white eggs are","specked with reddish brown. Size .80 x .60.","()29a- CASSIN'S VIREO.","cassini.","Lanivireo solitarius","Range. United States west of the Rockies;","north to British Columbia.","Similar to the last but with the back grayish.","62Qb. PLUMBEOUS VIREO. Lanivireo soliRange. Rocky Mountain region, breeding","from Mexico to Dakota and Wyoming.","Like the Blue-headed Vireo but with the","yellowish wholly replaced by leaden gray.","282","Blue-headed Vireo","629c. MOUNTAIN VIREO. Lanivireo solitarius alticola.","Range. Mountains of Carolina and Georgia;","winters in Florida.","\fSaid to be larger and darker than solitariuv","proper. From all accounts, the habits, nests","or eggs of this species differ in no wise from","many of those of the northern Solitary Vireo,","whose nests show great variations in size and","material.","62Qd. SAN LUCAS VIREO. Lanivireo solitarius lucasanus.","Similar to cassini but with the flanks more","yellow. Their nesting habits or eggs will not","differ from the others.","630. BLACK-CAPPED VIREO.","lus.","Vireo atricapil-","to Kansas ;","Range. Central Texas north","winters in Mexico. Black-capped Vireo","This peculiar Vireo has a black crown and sides of head,","broken by a white eye ring and loral stripe; upper parts greenish,","below white. They appear to be fairly common in certain","localities of their restricted range, and nest at low elevations in","mesquites or oaks, placing the nests in forks the same as other","Vireos; they are of the ordinary Vireo architecture, lined with","grasses. The three or four eggs are pure white, unmarked. Size",".70 x .50. Data. Comal Co., Texas, May 21, 1888, 4 eggs. Nest","located in a scrub Spanish oak, 5 feet from the ground.","fi.Sl. WHITE-EYED VIREO. Vireo griseus griseus.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to northern United","This Vireo has white eyes, as implied by its","name, is yellowish green on the sides and with","\ftwo prominent bars. They have no song, like","the other Vireos, but a strange medley of notes","resembling those of the Chat or Shrike. They","nest near the ground in tangled thickets, making large ^","nests for the size of the birds","and not always suspended;","they are made of weeds,","leaves, grass, bark or any","trash. Their three or four","eggs are laid late in May or White","early in June; they are white, sparingly speckled with brown; size .75 x .55.","63 la. KEY WEST VIREO. Vireo griseus","maynardi.","This grayer and paler variety nests in the","same manner and the eggs are not distinct","White-eyed Vireo from those of the last form.","383","63 lb. BERMUDA VIREO. Vireo griseus bermudianus.","Range. Bermudas.","This variety is said to be slightly smaller and to have","no yellow on the sides. Its eggs are probably the same as","those of the others.","63 Ic. SMALL WHITE-EYED VIREO. Vireo griseus","micrus.","Range. Eastern Mexico north to southern Texas.","Said to be slightly smaller and grayer than the common","White-eyed Vireo. Its eggs will not differ.","632. HUTTON'S VIREO. Vireo huttoni huttoni.","Range. Resident on the California coast; chiefly in","the southern parts.","A similar species to noveboracensis but r","with the under parts tinged with yellow.","These birds are quite common but shy, nesting at any height from the ground in open","\fwoods or groves; the nests are made of","grasses and moss and swung from forked","limbs ; the three or four eggs are pure white,","finely specked with reddish brown. Size .70 x .50.","632a. STEPHEN'S VIREO. Vireo huttoni stephensi.","Range. Northwestern Mexico and the boundary of the United States.","This variety, which is more yellowish than the last, appears to be rather uncommon but as far as I can learn its habits and nesting do not differ from those","of the other Vireos; the eggs are white, specked with brown. Size .70 x .50.","632c. ANTHONY'S VIREO. Vireo huttoni obscurus.","Range. Pacific coast from Oregon (and Cal. in winter)","to British Columbia.","The nesting habits and eggs of this darker and smaller","variety are the same in all respects as those of the Hutton's","Vireo.","633. BELL'S VIREO.","Vireo belli belli.","States, breeding from","Range. Interior of the United","Texas to Minnesota and Dakota.","The nesting habits of this smaller species","are just the same as those of the larger varieties, they suspending their small grasswoven baskets in the forks of bushes or","trees and usually at a low elevation. Their","nests are handsome and compact little structures, being often made almost wholly of","strips of bark lined with very fine grasses. The eggs are","\fwhite, specked with reddish brown. Size .70 x .50. Data.","Austin, Texas, June 16, 1898. Nest of strips of bark,","fibres and grasses, neatly woven and swung from the fork","of a low bush, 2 feet from the ground.","384","PERCHING BIRDS
633a. LEAST VIREO. Vireo belli pusillus.
Range. Western Mexico, Arizona and southern California.
This Vireo is slightly smaller and grayer than the last; they are quite common in southern Arizona, nesting the same as Bell's at low elevations in bushes
or small trees. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of IcUi.
634. GRAY VIREO. Vireo vicinior.
Range. Southwestern United States from western Texas, southern California
and Nevada southward.
This species is grayish above and grayish white below, with
white eye ring, lores and wing bar. They are not uncommon
birds in the Huachuca Mts. of southern Arizona, where they
nest in bushes at low elevations, making the semi-pensile struc- X
tures of woven strips of bark and grasses, lined with fine round ] ...
grasses attached by the rim to a fork and sometimes stayed on
the side by convenient twigs. Eggs white, specked with brown.
Size .72 x .53.","HONEY CREEPERS. Family COEREBIDvE","f)35. BAHAMA HONEY CREEPER Ccereba bahamensis","Range. Bahamas, casually to southern Florida and the Keys.","This peculiar curved-billed species is dark brown above, with the underparts,","superciliary line and spot at base of primaries, whitish; the rump and a breast","patch .are yellow. They nest at low elevations in bushes or trees usually in","tangled thickets, making a large dome-shaped nest of grasses, leaves and fibres","and, during May or June, lay from three to five pale creamy white eggs, speckled","sparingly all,, over the surface and more abundantly at the large end with reddi","\fsh
;>rown. Size .65 x .50.
WARBLERS. Family MNIOTILTID^E
Warblers, as si %niily may be classed as the most beautiful, interesting and
useful birds that- we nave. With few exceptions, they only return from their
winter quarters a^tlje trees shoot forth their leaves or flowers, they feed larg
ely
among the foliage upon small, and mostly injurious, insects. They are very
active and always flitting from branch to branch, showing their handsome
plumage to the beat advantage. Their songs are simple but effectively delivered
and the nests are 6f a high order of architecture.
*- < -T^rammm
()3(). *' BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. Mniotilta varia.
Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding, from the Gulf States north to the
Hudson Bay region; winters from our southern
borders to South America.
This striped black and white
Warbler is usually seen creeping
about tree trunks and branches
after the manner of a Nuthatch.
They are very active gleaners
and of inestimable value to man.
They, nest on the ground in
woods or swamps, making their nest of strips
of bark and grass, placed among the leaves
usually beside stones,, stumps or fallen trees.
Their three to five eggs are white, finely
specked and wreathed with reddish brown.
Size .65 x. 50. Data. Worcester, Mass., June
3, 1889. Nest of strips of bark on the ground
in an old decayed stump.
385","Black and White Warbler","\f25","637- PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.. Prothonotaria citrea.","north in the interior to Iowa and Illinois.","This species is often known","as the Golden Swamp Warbler because of the rich golden","yellow of the head and underparts. They frequent and","nest in the vicinity of swamps","or ponds, nesting in the cavities of trees or stubs at low Creamy white","elevations, filling the cavity with leaves, moss","and grasses, neatly cupped to receive the four","to seven eggs, which are creamy or pinkish","white, profusely spotted with reddish brown","and chestnut. Size .72 x .55. Data. Quincy,","Mo., June 1, 1897. 5 eggs. Nest in hole of","a dead stub 6 feet up, in timber some distance","from water; made of moss and grasses, lined","with hair.","notary Warbler","638. SWAINSON'S WARBLER. Helinaia","swainsoni.","Range. South Atlantic and Gull","States, north to Virginia and Indiana, and west to eastern Texas;","winters in Mexico and the West","Indies.","This species is brownish above","t and white below, with a whitish","superciliary stripe. It has been","found breeding most numerously in thickets and","tangled underbush about swamps and pools in","\fany locality. Their nests are either in bushes or","attached to upright rushes over water after the","manner of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, being","made of leaves, moss, rootlets, etc., lined with fine","grasses or hair, and deeply cupped for the reception of the three or four unmarked white or bluioh","white eggs which are laid during May or June.","Size .75 x .58. Data. Near Charlestown, S. C.,","May 12, 1888, 3 eggs. Nest in canes 4 feet from","ground, made of strips of rushes, sweet gum and","water oak leaves, lined with pine needles.","63Q, WORM-EATING WARBLER.","Helmitheros vermivorus.","Range. United States east of the","Plains, breeding north to southern","New England and Illinois; winters","south of our borders.","This bird can be identified in all","plumages by the three light buff","and two black stripes on the crown White","and narrower black stripes through the eye. Their","habits are similar to those of the Oven-bird, they","386","Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler","feeding largely upon the ground amid dead leaves.","They are quite abundant in most localities in their","range, nesting in hollows on the ground in open","woods or shrubbery on hill sides ; the nest is made","of leaves, grasses and rootlets, lined with hair or","finer grasses, and is usually placed under the","shelter of some small bush. They lay (in May,","June or July) three to six eggs, white, marked or","blotched either sparingly or heavily with chestnut","or lavender. Size .70 x .52.","640. BACHMAN'S WARBLER.","\fbachmani.","Vermivora","Range. Southeastern United States, along tne","Gulf coast to Louisiana and north to Virginia and","Missouri.","This species is one of the rarest of the Warblers, but is now much more abundant than twenty","years ago, when it had apparently disappeared.","They are greenish above, and yellow below, and","on the forehead and shoulder, and with black","patches on the crown and breast. They have","been found breeding in Missouri, nesting on the","ground like others of this genus; the eggs are","white wreathed about the large end and sparingly","specked over the whole surface with reddish","brown and chestnut. Size .65 x .50.","(iH. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. Vermivora vinus.","Bachman's Warbler
Lawrence's Warbler
Rrewster's Warblei","Range. Eastern United States, breeding north to southern New England and
in the Mississippi Valley to Minnesota; winters south of our borders.
This common species has the crown and underparts yellow, line through the
eye black, and white wing bars and spots on outer tail feathers. They breed
most abundantly in the northern half of their United States
range, placing their nests on the ground in thickets or on the * f $. - ,
edge of woods ; the nests are made of strips of bark, usually
grapevine, and leases, and are usually high and deeply cupped, 1
they are almost always placed among the upright shoots of
young bushes. The eggs are white, finely specked with reddish
brown with great variations as to markings. Size .65 x .50.
Data. Old Saybrook, Conn., June 1, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest composed chiefly of
dry beech leaves and strips of cedar bark, lined with shreds of bark and fine
grass; situated on the ground among a bunch of weeds in the woods.
387","642. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.","Vermivora chrysoptera.","north to the southern parts of the British Provinces, winters south of the United States.","This is a very handsome species with black","throat and ear patches, and yellow crown and","wing bars, the upper parts being","gray and the lower white. They ^tfHfe^.","frequent low fields or hillsides","where they nest among weeds","or vines, making the nest of","strips of bark, grasses and fibres,","and locating it close to the","ground in clumps of weeds, low bushes or","briers. The three to five eggs are white with","a very great diversity of markings, either","heavily or minutely spotted or wreathed with","chestnut and gray. Size .62 x .50.","Golden-winged Warbler
fM-3. LUCY'S WARBLER. Vermivora lucice.
Range. Western Mexico, north
commonly to Arizona and casually
to southern Utah.
This small gray and white Warbler is especially distinguished by a
chestnut rump and patch in center
of the crown. Besides nesting in
forks of low bushes, this species is said to place
the domiciles in almost any crevice or nook that
suits their fancy, such as loose bark on tree
trunks, holes in trees, or other birds' nests. The
eggs which are usually laid during May are white,
sparingly specked and wreathed with reddish
brown. Size .60 x .50.
6l'k VIRGINIA'S WARBLER.
I-'ermivora Virginia.
Range. Western Mexico, north to Arizona and
New Mexico, and also less commonly to Colorado.","\fThis species is similar to the last but has the","rump and a patch on the breast, yellow. They","are found quite abundantly in some localities,","usually on mountain ranges, nesting in hollows","on the ground beside rocks, stumps or in crevices","among the rocks; the nests are","made of fine strips of bark and ^ffiH^.","grasses, skillfully woven together,","and the three to five eggs are pure","white, specked arid wreathed with","reddish brown. Size .62 x .50.","388","L.uy's Warbler
Virginia Warbler","615. NASHVILLE WARBLER. Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla.","breeding from New York and Illinois north to","Hudson Bay and Labrador; winters south of our","This small species is yellow below and greenish above, with an","ashy gray head and neck, enclosing a chestnut crown patch. Tiiey","breed abundantly in New England,","usually on side hills covered with","White clumps of young pines, the nests","being placed flush with the surface of the ground","and usually covered with overhanging grass; they","are made of grasses and pine needles, the eggs","are white, finely specked with bright reddish","brown. Size .60 x .45. Data. Worcester, Mass.,","June 23, 1895. Nest of pine needles and grasses","in hollow in the moss on a scrubby pine hillside.","()km. CALAVERAS WARBLER. Vermivora rubricapilla gutturalis.","Range. Western United States, breeding on","ranges from California and Idaho north to British","Columbia; winters in Mexico.","\fA slightly brighter colored form of the last","species. Their habits are the same and the eggs","cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern","ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
Vermiiora celata celata.","Nashville Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler","United","rhite
brown.","Range. North America, chiefly in the interior, breeding north of the","States except in the Rockies south to Arizona and New Mexico;","winters in the Gulf States and southward.","This plainly clad, greenish colored species has a concealed","patch of orange brown on the crown. They have been found","breeding about Hudson Bay and in the Mackenzie River district,","placing their nests in hollows on the ground, usually on the","side of banks or hills and concealed by small tufts of grass or","bushes. The three or four eggs are white, speckled with reddish","Size .64 x .45.","GiCa. LUTESCENT WARBLER. Vermivora celata lutescens.","Range. Pacific coast, breeding from California to Alaska; winters in Mexico.","Similar to the last but more yellowish below. They make their nests of","leaves, rootlets, moss, etc., lined with hair, and placed on the ground, conceal","ed","by tufts of grass or by bushes. The eggs are like those of the last. Data.","Danville, Gal., April 21, 1898. Nest on the ground on a side hill; among weeds","in the shade of a large oak.","389","\f646b. DUSKY WARBLER.","dida.","Vermivora celata sor-","Tennesee Warblers
Olive Warblers","Range. Santa Barbara Islands, off California.","Said to be duller colored and darker than the","others. The eggs cannot be distinguished.","647. TENNESSEE WARBLER.","Vermivora peregrina.","the northern tier of states, northward; winters to","northern South America.","This species has greenish upper","parts, white lower parts and super- $ V '..-.","ciliary line, and gray crown and ^/ N","nape. They nest either on the '**\".","ground or at low elevations in","bushes, making the structure of","grasses and fibres, lined with hair;","they are found on wild, tangled","White
hillsides and","mountain ranges. The eggs are pure white, sparingly specked with reddish brown. Size .62 x .45.
648. PARULA WARBLER. Compsothli/pis
americana americana.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding in the
southern half.
The upper parts of this handsome species are","\fbluish gray with a greenish patch in the middle","of the back; the throat and breast are yellow","with a patch of black and chestnut. They are","abundant birds in suitable localities, breeding in","swamps, especially those with old or dead trees","covered with hanging moss (usnea). The nests may be found","at any height from the ground, and are usually made by turning and gathering up the ends of the hanging moss to form a","pocket, which is lined with fine grass or hair. The four to six","eggs are white or creamy white, wreathed with specks of reddish","brown and chestnut. Size .64 x .44.","648a. NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER. Compsothlypis americana usnece.","Range. Northern half of eastern United States and southern Canada ; winters
from the Gulf States southward.
The nesting habits of the northern form of the Blue-yellow-backed Warbler
are in all respects like those of the last, and like them, where moss grown
swamps are not to be found, they have been known to construct nests of moss
suspended from branches of trees, or to nest in bunches of dead leaves. Data.
Oxford, Mass., June 7, 1895. Nest in a dead pine swamp; made in end of hanging
moss about 6 feet from the ground. Large colony breeding.
390","SENNETT'S WARBLER.
piti ayumi nigrilora.","Compsothlypis","Range. Eastern Mexico, north to the Lower","Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","This species is similar to the Parula but is more","extensively yellow below, and has black lores and","ear coverts. Their habits are the same as those","of the last and their nests are generally placed in","hanging moss, and are also said to have been","found hollowed out in the mistletoe which grows","\fon many trees in southern Texas, New Mexico and","Arizona. The eggs cannot be distinguished from","those of the last.","650. CAPE MAY WARBLER. Dendroica tigrina.","> , Range. Eastern North America,","breeding from northern New England and Manitoba northward; winters south of the United States.","This beautiful Warbler is yellow","below and on the rump, streaked on","the breast and sides with black;","the ear coverts and sometimes the throat are","chestnut. They are very local in their distribution both during migrations and in their breeding grounds. They nest in the outer branches of","trees, preferably conifers, making the nest of","slender twigs, rootlets, grasses, etc., lined with","hair; the four or five eggs are white, variously","specked with reddish brown and lilac; size .65","x .48.","6*51. OLIVE WARBLER. Peucedramus olivaceus.","Range. Mountains of New Mexico and Arizona southward.","This peculiar species may readily be recognized by its saffron or orangebrown colored head and neck, with broad black bar through the eye. They","nest at high elevations in coniferous trees on the mountain sides, placing their","nests either on the horizontal boughs or forks at the end of them.","The nests are very beautiful structures made of moss, lichens,","fine rootlets and grasses and setting high on the limb like those","of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The eggs are grayish white with","a bluish tinge, thickly speckled with blackish; size .64 x .48.","Data. Huachuca Mts., Arizona, June 21, 1901. Nest in a sugar (","pine near extremity of branch, 25 feet from the ground and 20","feet out from the trunk of the tree; composed of lichens and fine rootlets, line","with plant down.","'arula Warbler
Sonnott's \\Varblei","\f652. YELLOW WARBLER.","cestiva.","Dendroica cestiva.","Cape May Warblers","Yellow Warblers","Ragne. Breeds in the whole or North America ;","winters south of our borders.","This well known and very common species is","wholly yellow, being more or less greenish on","the back, wings and tail, and the male is streaked","on the sides with chestnut. They nest anywhere","in trees or bushes, either in woods, pastures,","parks or dooryards, and their sprightly song is","much in evidence throughout the summer. The","nests are usually placed in upright","crotches or forks, and are made of","vegetable fibres and fine grasses","compactly woven together and lined","with plant down and hair; the eggs,","which are laid in May or June, are","greenish white, boldly specked in Greenish","endless patterns with shades of brown and lilac;","size .65 x .50.","()52n. SONORA YELLOW WARBLER. Dendroica","cestiva sonorana.","Range. Arizona, New Mexico and western","Texas, southward.","This form is brighter yellow, especially above,","than the last. The nesting habits are the same","and the eggs indistinguishable from those of the","()f>2b. ALASKA YELLOW WARBLEH. Dendroica","cestiva rubiginosa.","Range. Breeds in Alaska and on the coast","south to Vancouver; winters south of the United","\fSimilar to the common Yellow Warbler but slightly darker above; its eggs*
and nesting habits are the same.","392","J. B. Pardoe
NEST OF YELLOW WARBLER","653. MANGROVE WARBLER. Dendroica bryanti","castaneiceps.","Range. Southern Lower California and western Mexico and","Central America.","This species is very similar to","the Yellow Warbler but the eutire head and neck of the male","are yellowish chestnut. Their","nesting habits or eggs do not vary in any essential particular from those of the common Yellowbirds of the United States.","654. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.","droica ccerulescens ccerulescens.","Dew-","Mangrove Warblers
Black-throated Blue
Warblers","\fRange. Eastern North America, breeding from","northern United States northward; winters in","These black-throated bluish-backed Warblers","are abundant in swampy woodland both during","migrations and at their breeding grounds; either","sex can readily be identified in any plumage, by","the presence of a small white spot at the base of","the primaries. They nest in underbrush or low","bushes only a few inches above the ground, making the nests of bark strips, moss rootlets, etc.,","lined with fine grasses or hair;","the eggs are pale buffy white","more or less dotted with pale","brownish; size .65 x .50. Data.","Warren, Pa., June 9, 1891. 3","eggs. Nest one foot from the","Buffy white g rou nd in brush; made of fine","pieces of rotten wood, laurel bark and lined with","fine grasses.","654a. CAIRNS WARBLER. Dendroica ccerulescens cairnsi.","Range. Mountain ranges of North Carolina to Georgia.","A darker form whose habits and eggs are identical with those of the last.","394","655. MYRTLE WARBLER. Dendroica coronata.","northern United States northward. Winters in","the southern half of eastern United States.","This beautiful gray, white and","/ black Warbler can readily be identified by its yellow rump, side","patches and crown patch. It is one","of our most common species during","migrations when it is found west","to the Rockies and casually far","ther. They nest on the lower branches of coniferous trees, making their homes of rootlets, plant","fibres and grasses; during June or the latter part","of May, three or four eggs are laid; they are white,","\fspotted with several shades of brown and lilac;","size .70 x .50. Data. Lancaster, N. H., June 7,","1888. Nest in a small spruce, about 6 feet up;","made of fine twigs, lined with leathers.","656. AUDUBON'S WARBLER.","boni auduboni.","Dendroica audu-","Range. Mountain ranges of western","States from British Columbia to Mexico.","This bird resembles the last in the location of","^^^^ the yellow patches but has a yellow","instead of a white throat, and is","otherwise differently marked. They","are as abundant in suitable localities as are the Myrtle Warblers in","the east, nesting on the outer","branches of coniferous trees at any","height from the ground. The nests are made of","bark strips, rootlets, plant fibre, grasses and pine","needles, the three to five eggs are greenish or bluish white marked with brown","and lilac; size .68 x .52. The one figured is from a beautiful set of four in Mr","0. W. Crandall's collection, and the ground color is a delicate shade of blue.","Data. Spanaway, Washington, April 23, 1902. Nest on the limb of a large fir","in a clump of three in prairie country.","Hluish white","Myrtle Warblers","\fAudubon's Warblers","656a. BLACK-FRONTED W T ARBLER. Dendroica auduboni nigrifrons.","Range. Mountains of southern Arizona and Mexico.","Similar to the preceding, but with the forehead and ear coverts black. Their","nests and eggs are in no way different from those of Audubon's Warbler.","395","657- MAGNOLIA WARBLER.","nolia.","Dendroica mag-","breeding from northern United States to Hudson","Bay region and in the Alleghanies, south to Pennsylvania. Winters south of our borders. This","species, which is one of the most beautiful of the","Warblers, is entirely yellow below and on the","rump, the breast and sides being heavily streaked","with black; a large patch on the","back and the ear coverts are black.","They build in coniferous trees at","any elevation from the ground,","making their nests of rootlets and","grass stems, usually lined with","hair; the eggs are dull white, White","specked with pale reddish brown; size .65 x .48.","Data. Worcester, Mass., May 30, 1895. 4 eggs.","Nest of fine rootlets and grasses about 30 feet","up on the end of a limb of a pine overhanging a","brook.","658. CERULEAN WARBLER. Dendroica coerulea","Range. United States east of the Plains, breeding chiefly in the northern half of the Mississippi","Valley, rare east of the Alleghanies and casual in","\fNew England. These beautiful","Warblers are light blue gray above,","streaked with black on back, white","below, with a grayish blue band on","breast and streaks on the sides;","they have two wide white wing bars","and spots on the outer tail feathers.","They are found chiefly in the higher trees where","they glean on the foliage; they build also usually","above twenty feet from the ground in any kind of","tree, placing the nests well out on the horizontal","limbs, generally in a fork. The nests are made of","rine strips of bark, fibres, rootlets, etc., lined with hair; the eggs are white","oder","pale bluish white, specked with reddish brown; size .62 x .48. Data. Fargo,","Ontario, June 2, 1901. Nest in a burr oak, 18 feet from the ground on a horizontal limb.","Magnolia Warblers
Cerulean Warblers","396","Chestnut-sided Warblers
Bay-breasted Warblers","659- CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. Dendroica","pensylvanica.","Range. United States, east of the Plains, breeding in the Middle States and Illinois, north to Manitoba and New Brunswick. Winters south of our","border.","\fThe adults of this handsome species may readily be known by the","white underparts and the broad","chestnut stripe on the flanks; the","crown is yellow. They frequent low","brush in open woods or on hillsides","and pastures, nesting at low elevations, usually below three feet from the ground,","and often concealing their nests beneath the","leaves in the tops of low small bushes. The nests","are made of grasses, weed stems and some fibres,","but they do not have as wooly an appearance as","those of the Yellow Warblers which nest in the","same localities and similar locations. Their eggs","are white or creamy white (never greenish white),","specked with brown and gray. Size .65 x .50.","Data. Worcester, Mass., June 6, 1890. Nest in","the top of a huckleberry bush, 2 feet from the","ground; made of grasses and plant fibres. Bird","did not leave nest until touched with the hand.","BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. Dendroica castanea.","breeding from northern United States north to","the Hudson Bay; winters in Central and South","America.","This species has the crown, throat and sides a","rich chestnut; forehead and face black; underparts white. They","nest in coniferous trees in swampy places, making their nests","of bark shreds and rootlets and placing them in horizontal","forks at elevations of from five to thirty feet from the ground.","The three or four eggs are laid late in May or during June;","they are white, usually quite heavily spotted and blotched with","reddish brown, umber and grayish. Size .70 x .50.","398","\f661. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. Dendroicu","striata.","Range. North America, east of the Rockies,","Labrador and Alaska; winters in South America.","This black and white Warbler has","a solid black cap, and the underparts are white, streaked witii","black on the sides. In the woods","they bear some resemblance to the","Black and White Warbler, but do","not have the creeping habits of that","species. During migrations they are found in","equal abundance in swamps or orchards. In their","breeding range, they nest at low elevations in","stunted pines or spruces, making their nests of","rootlets and lichens, lined with feathers. The","eggs are dull whitish, spotted or blotched with","brown and neutral tints. Size .72 x .50. Data.","Grand Manan, N. B., June 12, 1883. Nest and","four eggs on branch of a stunted spruce 2 feet","from the ground.","662. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Dendroica","fusca.","breeding from Massachusetts and Minnesota north","to Hudson Bay; south in the Alleghanies to the","Carolinas. Winters in Central and South America.","This species is, without exception, the most exquisite of the family; the male can always be","known by the bright orange throat, breast and","superciliary stripe, the upper parts being largely","black. They arrive with us when the apple trees","are in bloom and after a week's delay pass on to","more northerly districts. Their nests are constructed of rootlets,","fine weed stalks and grasses, lined with hair, and are placed on","horizontal limbs of coniferous trees. The three or four eggs are","greenish white, speckled, spotted and blotched with reddish","brown and neutral tints. Size .70 x .48. Data. Lancaster, Mass.,","June 21, 1901. Nest in a white pine, 38 feet from the ground on Greenish whit","a limb 4 feet from the trunk; composed of fine rootlets and hair,","resembling the nest of a Chipping Sparrow.","Black-poll Warblers","\fBlarkburnian Warblers","BLACKBURN! AN WARBLERS","663. YELLOW-THRAOTED WARBLER. Dendroica dominica dominica.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, north","to Virginia and casually farther; winters in Florida and the West Indies.","This species has gray upper parts with two","white wing bars, the throat, breast and superciliary","line are yellow, and the lores,","cheeks and streaks on the sides","are black. These birds nest abundantly in the South Atlantic States, \\","usually in pines, and either on horizontal limbs or in bunches of Span- ^ reen j sh white","ish moss. The nests are made of","slender pieces of twigs, rootlets and strips of","bark, and lined with either hair or feathers, the","eggs are three to five in number, pale greenish","white, specked about the large end with reddish brown and gray. Size .70 x .50. Data.","Raleigh, N. C., May 3, 1890. Nest 43 feet up on","limb of pine; made of grasses and hair.","663a. SYCAMORE WARBLER.","inica albilora.","Dendroica dom-","Range. Mississippi Valley, breeding north to","Ohio and Illinois, and west to Kansas and Texas;","This bird is precisely like the last except that","the superciliary stripe is usually white. Their","nesting habits are precisely like those of the","last, and the nests are usually on horizontal","\fbranches of sycamores; the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Yellow-throated
Warbler.","Yellow-throated Warblers
Grace's Warblers","664. GRACE'S WARBLER. Dendroica gracice.","Range. Southwestern United States, abundant in Arizona and New Mexico.","This Warbler is similar in markings and colors to the Yellowthroated variety except that the cheeks are gray instead of black.","The nesting habits of the two species are the same, these birds","building high in coniferous trees; the nests are made of rootlets","and bark shreds, lined with hair or feathers; the eggs are white,","dotted with reddish brown and lilac. Size .68 x .48. White","401","26","Black-throated Warblers
Golden-cheeked Warblers","665. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. Dendroica nigrescens.","Range. United States from the Rockies to the","Pacific coast and north to British Columbia; winters south of our borders.","The general color of this species","is grayish above and white below as","is a superciliary line and stripe","\fdown the side of the throat; the","crown, cheeks and throat are black","and there is a yellow spot in front","Greenish white of the eye. They inhabit woodland","and thickets and are common in","such localities from Arizona to Oregon, nesting","usually at low elevations in bushes or shrubs;","the the nests are made of grasses and fibres,","woven together, and lined with hair or fine","grasses, resembling, slightly, nests of the Yellow","Warbler. The eggs are white or greenish white,","specked with reddish brown and umber. Size",".65 x .52. Data. Waldo, Oregon, June 1, 1901.","Nest 3 feet from the ground in a small oak in","valley. Collector, C. W. Bowles. (Crandall collection.)","666. GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER. Dendroica","chrysoparia.","Range. Central and southern Texas south to","This beautiful and rare species","is entirely black above and on the","throat, enclosing a large bright yellow patch about the eye and a","small one on the crown. In their","very restricted United States range,","White
the birds are met with in cedar timber where they
nest at low elevations in the upright forks of young trees of this variety. Thei
r
nests are made of strips of cedar bark, interwoven with plant fibres and spider
webs making compact nests, which they line with hair and feathers. Their
three or four eggs are white, dotted and specked with reddish brown and umber.
Si2e .75 x .55.","402","667- BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.","Dendroica virens.","southern New England, South Carolina in the Al-","\fleghanies, and Illinois north to Hudson Bay; winters south of the United States.
These common eastern birds are
similar to the last but the entire
upper parts are olive greenish.
They are nearly always found, and
always nest, in pines, either groves
or hillsides covered with young
pines. The nest are usually placed
out among the pine needles where they are very
difficult to locate, and resemble nests of the Chipping Sparrow. I have found them at heights ranging from six to forty or fifty feet from the ground.
The three or four eggs, which they lay in June,
are white, wreathed and speckled with brownish
and lilac. Size .60 x .50.","TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.
townsendi.","Dendroica","Range. Western United States,","from the Rockies to the Pacific and","from Alaska southward; winters in","This is the common western representative of the last species, and","is similar but has black ear patches","and the crown is black. They nest","in coniferous woods throughout their United","States and Canadian range, the nests being placed","at any height from the ground and being constructed like those of the Black-throated Green.","Their eggs are not distinguishable from those of","the latter. Size .60 x .50.","Black-throated Green","\fWarbler
Townsend's Warblers","403","669- HERMIT WARBLER. Dendroica occidentalis.","Range. Western United States and British Columbia chiefly on the higher ranges. Winters","south to Central America.","This peculiar species has the entire head","bright yellow and the throat black; upperparts","grayish, underparts white. They are found nesting in wild rugged country, high up in pine trees,","the nests being located among bunches of needles","so that they are very difficult to find. The nests","are made of rootlets, shreds of bark, pine needles,","etc., lined with fine grasses or hair. The three or","four eggs are laid during June or the latter part","of May; they are white or creamy white, and","sometimes with a faint greenish tinge, specked","and wreathed with brown and lilac gray. Size",".68 x .52.","670. KIRTLAND'S WARBLER.","landi.","Dendroica kirt-","Range. Eastern United States; apt to be found","in any of the South Atlanic, Middle or Central","States, and in Ontario, Canada. Winters in the","Bahamas where by far the greater number of","specimens have been found.","This very rare Warbler is bluish gray above,","streaked with black, and yellow below with the","throat and sides streaked. Until the summer of","\f1903, the locality where they bred was a mystery.","The capture of a specimen, in June, in Oscodo Cc.,","Michigan, led to the search for the nests by N.","A. Wood, taxidermist for the Michigan Museum","at Ann Arbor. He was successful in his quest","and found two nests with young and one egg. The","nest in which the egg was found contained two","young birds also. It was in a depression in the","ground at the foot of a Jack pine tree and only a few feet from a cart road.","The nest was made of strips of bark and vegetable fibres, lined with grass and","pine needles. The egg is white, sprinkled with brown in a wreath about the","large end. Size .72 x .56. It is estimated that there were thirteen pairs of the","birds in this colony.","Hermit Warblers
Kirtland's Warblers","404","671. PINE WARBLER. Dendroica","vigorsi.","the Gulf to southern British Provinces; winters","in the Gulf States and southward.","This common eastern species","is greenish above and dull yellowish below, streaked with","dusky on the sides. They are","almost exclusively found in pine","woods, either light or heavy","growth, where they can always","be located by their peculiar, musical lisping trill. They nest high in these trees,","placing their nests in thick bunches of needles,","so that they are very difficult to locate. They","\fnest from March in the south to May in the northern states, laying three or four dull whitish eggs,
specked or blotched with shades of brown and
lilac; size .68 x .52. Data. Worcester, Mass.,
May 28, 1891. Nest 30 feet up in a pine; made of
pine needles and rootlets.","Dendroica palmarum","672. PALM WARBLER.","palmarum.","about Hudson Bay and northward and wintering","in the lower Mississippi Valley and the West","This species is brownish yellow","above and yellow on the throat and","breast, the crown and streaks on","the sides are chestnut. They are","found during migrations on or near","the ground on the edges of woods","or thickets and along roadsides;","have a peculiar habit of \"teetering\" their tail","which will readily identify them. They nest on the ground in, or on the edges","of swampy places, lining the hollow with grasses and rootlets. In May or June","they lay three or four eggs which are creamy white, variously specked with","brown and lilac; size .68 x 52.","Warblers
Palm Warblers","672a YELLOW PALM WARBLER. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea.","\fRange. Eastern North America, breeding from Nova Scotia, northward.","This is the common Yellow Red-poll Warbler of the eastern states, and is","very abundant during migrations. Their habits are the same, if not identical","with the interior species. Their nests are also like those of the last, placed","on the ground and the eggs are indistinguishable.","405","PRAIRIE WARBLER NEST","6'73- PRAIRIE WARBLER. Dendroica discolor.","the Gulf to Massachusetts and Ontario; winters","in southern Florida and the West Indies.","A species readily recognized by","its bright yellow underparts and","the black stripes on the face and","sides; several bright chestnut","spots are in the middle of the","greenish back. These birds will","be found on dry scrubby hillsides","and valleys, where they nest in low bushes, and","the male will be found in the tops of the tallest","lookout trees delivering his quaint and very peculiar lisping song. Their nests are handsomely","made of vegetable fibres and grasses, closely","woven together and lined with hair; this structure","is placed in the top of low bushes so that it is","well concealed by the upper foliage. Their three","to five eggs are whitish, specked and spotted","with shades of brown and neutral tints; size .64","x .48. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 23, 1891.","Nest in the top of a young walnut, two feet from","ground; made of plant fibres and grasses. Four","eggs","\f674. OVEN-BIRD. Seiurus aurocapillus.","breeding from the middle portions of the United","States, north to Labrador and Alaska. Winters","from the Gulf States southward.","This species is fully as often known as the","Golden-crowned Thrush, because of its brownish","orange crown bordered with black. They are","woodland birds exclusively and nest on the","ground, arching the top over with rootlets or leaves, the nest","proper being made of grasses and leaf skeletons. As they","are concealed so effectually, the nests are usually found","by flushing the bird. The four to six eggs are white, slightly","glossy and spotted, blotched or wreathed with reddish brown","and lilac; size .80 x .60. Data. Old Saybrook, Conn., June","19, 1899. Domed nest with a side entrance on the ground in","woods.","Prairie Warblers
Oven-bird","407","ARCHED NEST OF OVEN-BIRD","J. B. Canfleld
NEST AND EGGS OF LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH","675. WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus novebora","censis noveboracensis.","northern United States north to Hudson Bay and","Newfoundland. Winters from the Gulf to South","This species is uniform brownish","olive above and white below,","streaked heavily with blackish; it","has a whitish superciliary line. It","is known in most of the United","States only as a migrant, being","found in moist woods or swampy","places. They nest in such localities in their","breeding range, placing their nests among the","cavities of rootlets and stumps, the nest being","made of moss, leaves and rootlets. Their eggs","are white, profusely specked and blotched with","reddish brown and lavender gray. Size .80 x .60.","Data. Listowell, Ontario, May 28, 1895. Nest in","a turned-up root over water; made of moss, grass","and hair. Collector, Wm. L. Kells. This set of","five is in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.","6?5a. GRINNELL'S WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus","noveboracensis notabilis.","Range. Western North America, migrating between the Mississippi Valley and the Rockies;","breeds from northern United States north to","Alaska; winters in the south.","This sub-species is said to be very slightly","larger, darker on the back, and paler below. Their","nesting habits and eggs are identical with those","Louisiana Water Thrush","Water-Thrush","676. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus motacilla.","\fRange. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf, north to southern
New England, Ontario and Minnesota; winters south of our borders.
This species is similar to the last but is larger, grayer and
less distinctly streaked on the underparts. They nest in
swampy places, concealing their home in nooks among roots
of trees or under overhanging banks, the nest being made
of leaves, moss, mud, grasses, etc., making a bulky structure.
The eggs, which are laid in May and number from four to
six, are white, spotted and blotched with chestnut and neutral tints. Size .76 x .62.","409","677- KENTUCKY WARBLER. Oporornis formosus.","the Gulf to New York and Michigan; winters","south of the United States to South America.","Crown and ear coverts black, underparts and line over eye yellow; x^-*<~ -<","no white in the plumage. Thesbirds are found in about such local- Bggy^-iflV","ities as are frequented by Ovenbirds, but with a preference for","woods which are low and damp. White","They are locally common in some of the southern","and central states. They are active gleaners of","the underbrush, keeping well within the depths","of tangled thickets. Like the Maryland Yellowthroat, which has similar habits to those of this","bird, they are quite inquisitive and frequently","come close to you to investigate or to scold. They","nest on the ground in open woods or on shrubby","hillsides, making large structures, of leaves and","strips of bark, lined with grasses. The eggs are","white, sprinkled with dots or spots of reddish","brown and gray. Size .70 x .55. Data. Greene","Co., Pa., May 26, 1894. 4 eggs. Nest a mass of","leaves, lined with rootlets, placed on the ground","at the base of a small elm sprout in underbrush","on a hillside.","\f678. CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Oporonis","Range. Eastern United States; known to breed","only in Manitoba and Ontario.","These birds have greenish upperparts and","sides, yellowish underparts, and an ashy gray","head, neck and breast; they have a complete whitish ring about the eye, this distinguishing them","in any plumage from the two following species.","As they do most of their feeding upon the ground","and remain in the depths of the thickets, they are rarely seen unless attention","is drawn to them. They are quite abundant in New England in fall migrations,","being found in swampy thickets. They have been found breeding in Ontario","by Wm. L. Kells, the nest being on the ground in the woods among raspberry","vines. It was made of leaves, bark fibres, grass, rootlets and hair. The eggs","are white, specked with brown and neutral tints. Size .75 x .55.","Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warblers","410","PERCHING BIRDS
679- MOURNING WARBLER. Oporornis phila.
delphia.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from
northern New England, Pennsylvania, (Philadelphia) and Nebraska northward.
Very similar to the last but with
no eye ring and a black patch on
the breast. The habits and nesting
habits of this species are very similar to those of agilis, the nest being on or very close to the ground.
White With the exception of on mountain
ranges it breeds chiefly north of our borders.
The eggs are white, specked with reddish brown.
Size .72 x .55. They cannot be distinguished from
those of the last. Data. Listowell, Ontario, June","\f5, 1898. Nest in a tuft of swamp grass in low","ground; not very neatly made of dry leaves,","grasses and hair. Collector, Wm. L. Kells. (Crandall collection.)","680. MACGILLIVRAY WARBLER. Oporornis","tolmiei.","Range. Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific, breeding north to British Columbia; winters in Mexico and Central America.","__ Similar to the last but with white","spots on the upper and lower eyelids, black lores, and the black","patch on the breast mixed with","gray. These ground inhabiting","birds are found in tangled thickets","and shrubbery where they nest at","low elevations, from one to five feet from the","ground. Their nests are made of grasses and","shreds of bark, lined with hair and finer grasses,","and the eggs are white, specked, spotted and blotched with shades of brown","and neutral tints; size .72 x .52. Data. Sonoma, Cal., May 17, 1897. A small","nest, loosely made of grasses (wild oats) lined with finer grasses; placed in","blackberry vines 14 inches from the ground in a slough in the valley.","Mourning Warblers
Macg-illivray Warblers","Maryland Yellow-throats
Belding's Yellow-throat","\f681. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis","trichas trichas.","Range. Eastern United States; this species has","recently been still further sub-divided so that this","form is supposed to be restricted to the south","Atlantic coast of the United States.","The Maryland Yellow-throat is represented in","all parts of the United States by one of its forms.","They are ground loving birds, frequenting swamps","and thickets where they can be","located by their loud, unmistakable","song of \"Witchery, witchery,","witch.\" They nest on or very near","the ground, making their nests of","grass, lined with hair; these are","either in hollows in the ground at","the foot of clumps of grass or","weeds, or attached to the weed stalks within a","few inches of the ground. They lay from three","to five eggs in May or June; these are white,","specked about the larger end with reddish brown","and umber, and with shell markings of stone gray.","Size .70 x .50. All the sub-species of this bird","have the same general habits of this one and their","eggs cannot be distinguished from examples of","the eastern form; the birds, too, owing to the","great differences in plumage between individuals","from the same place, cannot be distinguished with","any degree of satisfaction except by the ones who","\"discovered\" them.","68 la. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis","trichas occidentalis.","Range. This variety, which is said to be brighter yellow below, is ascribed to the arid regions of","western United States; not on the Pacific coast.","68 Ib. FLORIDA YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis","trichas ignota.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coast to Texas.","681c. PACIFIC YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis","trichas arizela.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia southward.","68 le. SALT MARSH YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis trichas sinuosa.","Range. Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay.","4X2","682. BELDING'S YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis","This peculiar species is like the common Yellow-throat but has the black mask bordered by","yellow instead of white, and the black on the","forehead extends diagonally across the head from","in front of one eye to the rear of the other. Theii","habits are like those of the other Yellow-throats","and the nests are similar to those of the latter,","which are frequently placed in cane over the","water. Nests found by Mr. Walter E. Bryant","were situated in clumps of \"cat-tails\" between","two and three feet above the water; the nests","were made of dry strips of these leaves, lined","with fibres; the eggs were like those of the common Yellow-throats but larger; size .75 x .56.","682.1. Rio GRANDE YELLOW-THROAT. Chamcethlypis poliocephala.","Range. Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande","Valley in Texas.","This Yellow-throat has the crown and ear","coverts gray, only the lores and forehead being","black. The nests and eggs of these birds, which","are fairly common about Brownsville, Texas, do","not differ from those of the other Yellow-throats.","683. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Icteria virens","virens.","Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf","coast north to southern New England and Minnesota.","This strange but handsome species is very common in underbrush and thickets in the south; they are","usually shy and endeavor, with success, to keep out of","sight, but their strange song and calls, consisting of","various whistles and squawks mingled together, are often","heard. Their nests are built in bushes or briars at low","elevations, being made of grass, strips of bark and leaves,","lined with finer grass; their eggs are white, sharply","speckled and spotted with various shades of brown and","lavender; size .90 x .70.","\fRio Grande Yellow-throat","Yellow-breasted Chat","LONG-TAILED CHAT. Icteria virens longicauda.","Range. United States west of the Plains, breeding from Mexico to British","This bird is said to be grayer and to have a slightly longer tail than the last.","Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the same.","413","684. HOODED WARBLER. Wilsonia citrina.","Range. Eastern United States, ^ fc","breeding north to southern New","England and Michigan; winters","This yellow and greenish species","can be identified by its black head,","neck and throat, with the large","yellow patch about the eye and the forehead. The","members of this genus are active fly-catchers,","darting into the air after passing insects in the","manner of the Flycatchers. They frequent tangled thickets where they build their nests within","a few inches of the ground, making them of leaves,","bark and grass, lined with hair; the four or five","eggs are white, specked with reddish brown and","neutral tints; size .70 x .50. Data. Doddridge Co.,","Mo., May 29, 1897. Nest one foot from the ground","in a small bush; made of leaves, strips of bark","and fine grasses.","685. WILSON'S WARBLER. Wilsonia pusilla","pusilla","northern United States northward; south to Central America in winter.","These handsome little black-capped flycatching Warblers are abundant during migrations, especially","in the spring, being found on the","edges of woods and in orchards.","They nest on the ground, usually","on the edges of swamps, embedding","their nests in the ground under the shelter of low","branches or on the edges of banks; the nest is oi!","bark strips, fibres and leaves, and the eggs are white, specked with reddish","brown; size .60 x .50.","Hooded Warblers
Wilson's Warblers","685a. PILEOLATED WARBLER. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.","Range. Western United States, breeding in the Rocky Mountain region from","Mexico to Alaska; winters south of the United States.","Similar to the eastern form but the yellow underparts and greenish back are","brighter. Like the last species, this form nests on the ground or very close to","it,","in weeds or rank undergrowth, in swamps. Their eggs which are laid in May","or June are not distinguishable from those of the last.","414","PERCHING BIRDS
685b. GOLDEN PILEOL/ATED WARBLER. Wilsonia pusilla chryseola.
Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from southern California in mountain ranges","\fnorth to British Columbia.","686. CANADIAN WARBLER. Wilsonia canadensis.","Mass., New York, and Michigan north to Labrador","and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America.","This handsome Warbler is plain",", , v gray above and yellow below, with","a black stripe down the sides of","the neck and across the breast in","a broken band. They frequent","swamps or open woods with a","heavy growth of underbrush, where","they build their nests on or very close to the","ground. I have always found them in Massachusetts nesting about the roots of laurels, the nests","being made of strips of bark, leaves and grass;","in June or the latter part of May they lay from","three to five white eggs, specked and wreathed","with reddish brown and neutral tints; size .68","x .50. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 10, 1891.","Nest on the ground under laurel roots in swampy","woods; made entirely of strips of laurel bark","lined with fine grass.","687. AMERICAN REDSTART. Setophaga","ruticilla.","Range. North America, chiefly east of the","Rockies, breeding in the northern half of the","United States and north to Labrador and Alaska;","The male of this handsome, active and well known species is black with a","white belly, and orange patches on the sides, wings and bases of outer tail","feathers. They breed abundantly in swamps, open woods or","thickets by the roadside, placing their nests in trees or bushe?","at elevations of from three to thirty feet above ground and","usually in an upright fork. The nests are very compactly","made of fibres and grasses, felted together, and lined with","hair. Their eggs are white, variously blotched and spotted","with brown and gray; size .65 x .50. Data. Chili, N. Y., June White","1, 1894. Nest, a cup-shaped structure of plant fibres lined with fine grasses","and hair; 4 feet from the ground in the crotch of a small chestnut.","Canadian Warblers","\fAmerican Redstart","416","C. A. REED","MALE REDSTART FEEDING YOUNG","688. PAINTED REDSTART. Setophaga picta.","Range. Southern New Mexico","and Arizona, southward.","This beautiful Redstart is black","with a large white patch on the","wing coverts, white outer tail","w , . feathers, and with the belly and","middle of the breast bright red.","These active birds, which have all the habits and","mannerisms of the common species, nest on the","ground in thickets or shrubbery usually near","water, and generally conceal their homes under","overhanging stones or stumps; the nests are","made of fine shreds of bark and grasses, lined","with hair; the eggs are white, dotted with reddish brown; size .65 x .48. Data. Chiricahua","Mts., Arizona, May 31, 1900. Nest of fine bark","and grass under a small bush on the ground.","689. RED-BELLIED REDSTART. Setophaga","mini at a.","Range. Mexico; admitted to our avifauna on","the authority of Giraud as having occurred in","This species is similar to the last, but has a","chestnut crown patch, more red on the underparts, and less white on the tail; it is not probable that their nesting habits or eggs differ from","\fthe last.","690. RED-FACED WARBLER.","rubrifrons.","Cardellina","Range. Southern Arizona and New Mexico,","This attractive little Warbler is quite common in mountain","ranges of the southern Arizona. They nest on the ground on the","side hills, concealing the slight structure of grasses and rootlets under overhanging shrubs or stones. Their eggs are specked and blotched with light reddish brown and lavender. Size",".64 x .48. Data. Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, May 31, 1902. Nest","in a depression under a tuft of grass growing about 8 feet up on","the side of a bank.","Painted Redstart
lled-faeed Warblers","417","27","WAGTAILS. Family MOTACILLID^","[694.] WHITE WAGTAIL. Motacilla alba.","\fPrague's Pipit","Range. An Old World species; accidental in","Greenland.","These birds are abundant ^ -?","throughout Europe, nesting ^0","on the ground, in stone walls, ;;","or in the crevices of old","buildings, etc., the nests being made of grass, rootlets,","leaves, etc.; the eggs are White","grayish white, finely specked with blackish","gray. Size .75 x .55.","[695.] SWINHOE'S WAGTAIL.","ocularis.","Motacilla","Range. Eastern Asia; accidental in Lower","California and probably Alaska.","ALASKA YELLOW WAGTAIL. Budyt<","flavus alascensis.","the","Range. Eastern Asia; abundant on the Bering Sea coast of Alaska in","summer.","These handsome Wagtails are common in summer on the coasts","and islands of Bering Sea, nesting on the ground under tufts of","grass or beside stones, usually in marshy ground. Their eggs","number from 'four to six and are white, profusely spotted with","various shades of brown and gray. Size .75 x .55. Data. Kamchatka, June 20, 1896. Nest on the ground; made of fine rootWhite lets, grass and moss, lined neatly with animal fur.","697. PIPIT. Anthus rubescens.","\fRange. North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, and in the Rocky
Mountains south to Colorado, winters in southern United States and southward.
The Titlarks are abundant birds in the United States during ..,,_.migrations, being found in flocks in fields and cultivated ^
ground. Their nests, which are placed on the ground in '^
meadows or marshes under tufts of grass, are made of moss
and grasses; the four to six eggs are dark grayish, heavily
spotted and blotched with brown and blackish. Size .75 x .55. Gray
[698.] MEADOW PIPIT. Anthus pratensis.
Range. Whole of Europe; accidental in Greenland.
This species is similar to the American Pipit and like that species nests on
the ground; they are very abundant and are found in meadows, woods or thickets in the vicinity of houses. Their nests are made chiefly of grasses, lined
with hair; the eggs are from four to six in number and are grayish, very heavily spotted and blotched with grayish brown. Size .78 x .58.
418","[699-] RED-THROATED PIPIT. Anthus","PERCHING BIRDS
'","cermnus.
Range. An Old World species; accidental in
the Aleutians and Lower California.
The nesting habits of this bird are like those
of the others of the genus.
700. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT. Anthus spraguei.
Range. Interior of North America, breeding from Wyoming north to Saskatchewan.
Winters in the plains of Mexico.
These birds are common on
the prairies and breed abundantly on the plains of the interior of northern United
States and Manitoba. They
have a flight song which is
Grayish white said to be fully equal to tnat
of the famous European Skylark. They nest on
the ground under tufts of grass or up-turned","\fsods, lining the hollow with fine grasses; their","three or four eggs are grayish white, finely specked with grayish black or purplish. Size .85 x .60. Data. Crescent Lake, Canada. Nest of fine dried","[Trasses, built in the ground at the side of a sod.","Sage Thrasher","DIPPERS. Family CINCLID^E","701. DIPPER. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor.","Range Mountains of western North America from Alaska to Central America.","These short-tailed, grayish colored birds are among the strangest of feathered","creatures; they frequent the sides of mountain streams where they feed upon","aquatic insects and small fish. Although they do not have webbed feet, they","swim on or under water with the greatest of ease and rapidity, using their","wings as paddles. They have a thrush-like bill and the teetering habits of the","Sandpiper, and they are said to be one of the sweetest of songsters. They nest","among the rocks along the banks of swiftly flowing streams, and sometimes","beneath falls; the nests are large round structures of green moss, lined with","fine grass and with the entrance on the side. The eggs are pure white, four or","five in number, and laid during May or June. Size 1.00 x .70.","WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. Family TROGLODYTID^","702. SAGE THRASHER. Oreoscoptes montanus.","Range. Plains and valleys of western United States, east of the Sierra Nevadas, from Montana to Mexico.","This species is abundant in the sage regions of the west,","nesting on the ground or at low elevations in sage or other","bushes. Their nests are made of twigs, rootlets and bark","strips, lined with fine rootlets; the three or four eggs are a","handsome greenish blue, brightly spotted with reddish brown","and gray. Size .95 x .70. Data. Salt Lake Co., Utah, May","11, 1900. Nest placed in a sage bush; made of twigs of the","same and lined with bark strips. Collector, W. H. Parker,","(Crandall collection.)","419","Urreenish","\f703.","MOCKINGBIRD.
polyglottos","Mimus polyglottos","north to New Jersey and Illinois.","These noted birds are","very common in the south","where they are found, and","nest about houses in open","woods, fields, and along","roadways; their nests are","rude, bulky structures of","twigs, grasses, leaves, etc.,","placed in trees or bushes Dull greenish blue","at low elevations; the three to five eggs are","usually dull greenish blue, boldly spotted with","brownish. Size .95 x .72.","703a. WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD. Mimus","polyglottos leucopterus.","Texas to California, and southward.","This subspecies is as common in its range,","and its habits are the same as those of the eastern bird. The nests and eggs","are identical with those of the last, and like that variety they frequently nest","in odd places as do all common birds when they become familiar with civilization.","Mockingbird","704*. CATBIRD. Dumetella carolinensis.","Gulf States to the Saskatchewan; rare on the","Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and","This well known mimic is abundant in the","\ftemperate portions of its range, frequenting","open woods, swamps, hillsides and hedges. Their","nests are usually low","down in bushes or trees,","and are constructed similarly to those of the Mockingbird, of twigs and rootlets; a tangled mass of","vines and briers is a fa Bluish green","vorite place for them to locate their home.","Their eggs are laid in the latter part of May","or during June, and are from three to five in","number and a bright bluish green in color,","unmarked. Size .95 x .70.","420","705. BROWN THRASHER. Toxostoma rufum","from the Gulf States north to Canada. Win","ters in the Gulf States and southward.","This large, handsome songster is found","breeding in just such localities as are preferred by","the Catbird and the two","are often found nesting in","the same hedge or thicket.","The nests, too, are similar","but that of the Thrasher is","usually more bulky; besides building in bushes","they frequently nest on","the ground, lining the hollow under some bush","with fine rootlets. Their three to five eggs","are laid during May or June; they are whitish","or pale greenish white, profusely dotted with","reddish brown. Size 1.05 x .80. Brown Thrusiu-r","706. SENNETT'S THRASHER. Toxostoma longirostre sennetti.","Range. Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.","\fVery similar to the last but darker above and with the spots on the breast
blacker and more distinct. This species which is very abundant in the Lower
Rio Grande Valley nests the same as the last species
in thick hedges and the eggs are very similar to those
of the Brown Thrasher, but in a large series, average
more sparingly marked over the whole surface and with
a more definite wreath about the large end. Data. Corpus
Christi, Texas, May 12, 1899. Nest
of twigs and vines in a bush in
thicket. Six feet from the ground.","indant in the Lower","m","i07a 708 710","Greenish white
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER. Toxostoma
currirostre curvirostre.
Range. Mexico, north to southern Texas and eastern
New Mexico.
This species is a uniform ashy gray above and soiled
white below; the bill is stout and decurved. These
birds are as numerous in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
as are the Sennett's Thrasher, frequenting thickets
where they breed in scrubby bushes and cacti. Their
nests are rather larger and more
deeply cupped than are those ol:
the last species and the eggs can
easily be distinguished. They
have a ground color of light bluish green, minutely dotted evenly all over the surface with reddish brown. Size 1.10 x .80.
Data. Brownsville, Texas, April
6, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest of sticks and thorns on a cactus
in a thicket; 6 feet from the ground,
421","ties and cacti, men","707a. PALMER'S THRASHER. Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri.","Range. Very abundant in southern Arizona and southward into Mexico.","The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are exactly like those of the last;","they show a preference for placing their nests of sticks and thorny twigs upon","cacti at elevations below five feet from the ground. Like the last, they general","raise two broods a season.","708. BENPIRE'S THRASHER. Toxostoma bendirei.","Range. Southern Arizona and Mexico; north locally to southern Colorado.","This species is not as abundant in the deserts of southern","Arizona as are the last species with which they associate. /'\"\"","They nest at low elevations in mesquites or cacti, laying","their first sets in March and early April and usually raising two brooks a season; their three or four eggs are dull","whitish, spotted and blotched with brownish drab and lilac","gray. Size 1.00 x .72. Data. Tucson, Arizona, April 15,","1896. Nest 3 feet up in a cholla cactus; made of large","sticks lined with fine grasses. Grayish white","709. SAN LUCAS THRASHER. Toxostoma cinereum cihereum.","This species is similar to curvirostre but the under","parts are spotted with dusky. Their habits and nests","are similar to those of the other Thrashers and the three","'-iff '+*& r four eggs are P ale greenish white, spotted with reddish brown. Size 1.08 x .75. Data. Santa Anita, June","I ,*5^r''' 3, 1896. 3 eggs. Nest in a cactus.","70Qa. MEARNS'S THRASHER. Toxostoma cinereum mearnsi.","Range. Northern Lower California.","This species is described as darker than the last and with larger, blacker spots","on the breast and underparts.","710. CALIFORNIA THRASHER. Toxostoma redivivum.","Range. Southern half of California, west of the Sierra Nevadas.","\fThis species is more brownish than the other curvebilled species and has a much longer and more curved ^ ,. y -^ .
bill. They are common in the under brush of hillsides
and ravines, where they locate their nests at low elevations. Their nests are made of sticks and grass, lined
with rootlets, and the three or four eggs are bluish
green with spots of russet brown. Size 1.12 x .82. Data.
San Diego, Cal., Feb. 7, 1897. Nest of sticks and rootlets in a grease-wood bush 4 feet from the ground.
Collector, Chas. W. Brown. Bluish green","422","Pale er","11712","PERCHING BIRDS
711. LECONTE'S THRASHER. Toxostoma lecontei
lecontei.
Range. Desert regions of southwestern United States,
chiefly in the valleys of the Gila and Colorado Rivers.
This species is much paler
than the last and has a shorter
: f ~ bill. It is fairly common but
locally distributed in its range
and nests at low elevations in
bushes or cacti. The three or
four eggs are pale greenish blue,
sparingly dotted with reddish
brown. Size 1.10 x .75. Data.
Phoenix, Arizona, April 2, 1897. 3 eggs. Large nest
of dry twigs, rootlets, etc., lined with bits of rabbit hair
and feathers; 4 feet from the ground in a small shrub.
71 la. DESERT THRASHER. Toxostoma lecontei
arenicola.
Range. Northern Lower California.
This form of the last is said to differ in being darker
above. It is a very locally confined race, chiefly about
Rosalia Bay, Lower California. Its eggs will not be distinctive.
712. CRISSAL THRASHER. Toxostoma crissale.","\fRange. Southwestern United States from western Texas","to eastern California; north to southern Utah and Nevada.","This species may be known from any other of the curvebilled Thrashers by its grayish underparts and bright","chestnut under tail coverts. These sweet songsters are","abundant in suitable localities, nesting at low elevations in","chaparral. Their nests are large, and bulkily made of","sticks and rootlets ; the eggs range from two to four in number and are pale greenish blue, unmarked. Size 1.10 x .75.","713. CACTUS WREN. Ileleodytes brunneicapillus couesi.","Texas to eastern California; north to southern","Nevada and Utah.","This species is the largest of the Wrens, be","ing 8.5 inches in length. They are very common in cactus and chaparrel districts, where","they nest at low elevations in bushes or cacti,","making large purse-shaped structures of","grasses and thorny twigs, lined with feathers","and with a small entrance at","one end. They raise two or","three broods a year, the first","set of eggs being laid early in","April; the eggs are creamy","white, dotted, so thickly as to","obscure the ground color, with","pale reddish brown. Size .95","x .65. Data. Placentia, Cal., April","Nest in cactus about 6 feet from the ground;","made of grasses and lined with feathers and rab","bit fur ; nest 8 inches in diameter, 18 inches long.","423","Pale greenish blui","1901.","Cactus Wren","\f71 3a. BRYANT'S CACTUS WREN. Heleodytes","brunneicapillus bryanti.","Range. Northern Lower California and","coast of southern California.","The nesting habits of this variety differ in","no respect from those of the last.","713b. SAN LUCAS CACTUS WREN. Heleodytes brunneicapillus affinis.","Eggs indistinguishable from those of the last.","715. ROCK WREN. Salpinctes obsoletus","obsoletus.","Range. United States, west of the plains,","breeding north to British Columbia, and south",",___ ll ^^^____. to Mexico; winters in southt^glBBT^BBBIM^, western United States and southward.","mrti$z This species appears to be ^KA.>-.->I","quite abundant on rocky hillsides throughout its range; like","most of the Wrens they draw White","attention to themselves by their loud and varied song. They nest in crevices or beneath overhanging rocks, making the","nest out of any trash that may be handy, such as weeds, grass, wool, bark, rootlets, etc.; their eggs range from four to eight in number and are pure white,","linely specked with reddish brown. Size .72 x .50.","Rock Wren","716. GUADALUPE ROCK W T REN. Sdlpmctes guadeloupensis.","A similar but darker and browner species than the Rock Wren. It breeds in","abundance throughout the island from which it takes its name, placing its","nests in crevices among the boulders or cavities of fallen tree trunks and, as i","often done by the last species, lining the pathway to the nest with small","pebbles. The eggs, which are laid from January to April, resemble, in all","respects, those of the common Rock Wren.","\f717. WHITE-THROATED WREN. Catherpes mexicanus albifrons.","Range. Northeastern Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.","The habits of the White-throated Wren are the same as those of the Canon","Wren, which variety is more common and better known; the eggs of this","species are not distinguishable from those of the next.","424","7l7a. CANON WREN. Catherpes mexicanus","conspersus.","Range. Rocky Mountain region and west to","the Sierra Nevadas; north to Wyoming and","Idaho and south to New Mexico and Arizona.","The Canon Wrens are uniform rusty brown","all over except the large sharply denned white","throat patch; the underparts, wings and tail","are barred with black, and the back is specked","with white. Their name is well chosen for","they are found abundantly in rocky canyons,","ravines, and side hills. They nest in crevices","or caves among the rocks, placing their nests","in small niches; they are made of twigs, leaves,","grasses and feathers, and the three to six eggs,","which are laid from April to June according to","locality, are white, sprinkled and blotched with","reddish brown and lilac. Size .72 x .52.","71 7b. DOTTED CANON WREN. Catherpes","mexicanus punctulatus.","Carolina Wren","Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Lower California.","The habits and eggs of this coast form of the White-throated Wren do not","vary in any particular from those of the preceding variety.","\f718. CAROLINA WREN. Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to","southern New England and Illinois; resident in the greater","part of its range.","These loud-voiced songsters are well known in the south","where they are very abundant, being found along banks of","streams, in thickets, along walls, or about brush heaps. They","^ nest in almost any suitable nook or corner, in hollow trees","& or stumps, bird boxes, about buildings, and in brush or","^ bushes. When in exposed positions, the nest, which is","1|| made of all sorts of trash, is arched over; the eggs, which","^gk are laid from March to June, and frequently later, as sev1% eral broods are sometimes reared in a season, are white,","profusely specked with light reddish brown and purplish.","Size .74 x .60.","71 8a. FLORIDA WREN. Thryothorus ludovicianus","miamensis.","A similar bird to the last but darker above and brighter","below. Its eggs are not distinguishable from those of","718b.","LOMITA WREN.
lomitensis.","Thryothorus ludovicianus","717a 719a","This sub-species is abundant along the Lower Rio","Grande in southern Texas, where its habits are the same as","those of the others and the eggs are not distinctive,","\f425","719. BEWICK'S WREN. Thryomanes bewicki","bewicki.","Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, and","the Mississippi Valley north to Minnesota and","locally to the Middle States in the east.","This species is not common on the Atlantic","coast but in the interior it is","the most abundant of the Wrens, ^~ .","nesting in holes in trees, stumps,","fences, bird boxes, tin cans, etc.,","filling the cavities with grass","and rootlets. Their eggs are","laid in the latter part of April","or May; they are white, specked and usually","wreathed about the large end with reddish","brown and purplish. Size .65 x .50.","719a. VIGORS 's WREN. Thryomanes bewicki","spilurus.","This similar bird to the last has the same","general habits and the eggs are not in any way different from those of Bewick's","Wren.","Bewick's Wren","719b. BAIRD'S WREN. Thryomanes bewicki bairdi.","Range. Southwestern United States, from western Texas to eastern California and north to Colorado and Nevada.","Like the two preceding Wrens, this one nests in natural or artificial cavities,","and the four to seven eggs that they lay are precisely alike, in every respect,","to those of the others.","719c. TEXAS WREN. Thryomanes bewicki cryptus.","Range. Texas, north in summer to western Kansas.","A very abundant bird in Texas. Nesting habits not unusual nor eggs dis-","\ftinctive.
719d. SAN DIEGO WREN. Thryomanes bewicki charienturus.
Range. Coast of southern California.
719e. SEATTLE WREN. Thryomanes bewicki calophonus.
Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to British Columbia.
These last two sub-species have recently been separated from Vigors's Wren,
but their habits and eggs remain the same as those of .that variety.","719-1. SAN CLEMENTE WREN. Thryomanes leucophrys.","Range. San Clemente Island, California.","This species is similar to Vigors's Wren but is grayer and paler above,","not peculiar in its nesting habits and the eggs are like those of bcwickii.","It is","720. GUADALUPE WREN. Thryomanes brevicauda.","Range. Guadalupe Island.","A very similar species to the Vigors's Wren; nesting habits and the eggs are","not apt to differ in any respect.","426","721. HOUSE WREN.","aedon.","Troglodytes aedon.","Range. North America east of the Mississippi, breeding from the Gulf north to Manitoba and Ontario; winters in the southern half
of the United States.
This familiar and noisy little Wren is the","\fmost abundant and widely distributed of the","Wrens; they are met with on","the edges of woods, swamps,","fields, pastures, orchards and","very frequently build about","houses, in bird houses or any","nook that may suit them; they","fill the cavity of the place they","may select with twigs, grass, feathers, plant","down, etc., and lay from five to nine eggs in a","set and frequently three sets a year. The eggs","are pinkish white, very profusely and minutely","dotted with pale reddish brown so as to make","the egg appear to be a nearly uniform salmon","color and with a wreath of darker spots about","the large end. Size .65 x .52. Data. Gretna,","N. Y., May 29? 1896. Nest three feet from the ground in cavity of an apple tree;","made of twigs and grass, and lined with hair and feathers.","House Wren","72 la. WESTERN HOUSE WREN. Troglodytes aedon parkmani.","Range. United States, from the Mississippi Valley to eastern California.","This variety is grayer above and below than the eastern form, but its habits","and eggs do not differ in any respect.","722. WINTER WREN. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis.","Range. Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward, and south in the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in the United","These are the smallest of the Wrens, being but four inches in","length; they have a very short tail which, like those of the","others, is carried erect over the back during excitement or","anger. They are very sly birds and creep about through stone","\fwalls and under brush like so many mice; they have a sweet
song but not as loud as that of the House Wren. Their nests
are placed in crevices of stumps, walls, old buildings or in brush
heaps, oeing made of twigs and leaves, lined with feathers. Their eggs, which
are laid during May or June, are pure white, finely and sparingly dotted with
reddish brown; size .60 x .48.","427","722a. WESTERN WINTER WREN.","hiemalis pacificus.","Nannus","Range. Western North America from","Rockies to the coast, north to Alaska.","This species is much browner both above and","below and is more heavily barred than the","last; its habits and eggs are like those of","hiemalis.","722b. KADIAK WINTER WREN.","hiemalis helleri.","Range. Kadiak Island, Alaska.","Said to be slightly larger and paler than","\fpacificus.","723. ALASKA WREN. Nannus alascensis.","Range. Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, AlWinter Wren aska.","Larger and paler than the Western Winter","Wren. The habits of this species are similar to those of","the eastern Winter Wren; they nest between boulders and in crevices of rocks or","stumps, making their nesfs of moss and","rootlets, lined with feathers. The eggs are","like those of the Winter Wren but slightly","larger; size .65 x .51. White","723.1. ALEUTIAN WREN. Nannus meliger.","Range. Western Aleutian Islands to Alaska. Very similar to the above, both in song and general habits. They","nest in the crevices of rocks or between boulders, making","their nests of rootlets and grass, lining it with hair and","feathers. Usually six eggs are laid, white with a few specks","of brown (.58x.46).","724. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. Cistothorus stellaris","Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf","to Manitoba and Maine.","This species does not appear to be as common anywhere","as is the Long-billed variety, whose habits and nests are","similar. They nest in or on the borders of","marshes, and nests being globular structures of grasses, lined with hair, and with","j the entrance on the side; they are attached above the ground or","water in marsh grass or reeds. Their eggs, which number from","six to eight, are pure white; size .64 x .48.","428","623 723.1 725a","PERCHING BIBDS","725. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. Telma-","\ftodytes palustris palustris.","Range. United States east of the Rockies,","breeding from the Gulf north to Manitoba and","New England; winters in southern United","These birds are very abundant in suitable","localities throughout their range, breeding in","colonies in large marshes and in smaller num","bers in small marshy places.","Their nests are similar to those","of the last, being globular and","attached to cat-tails or reeds;","the entrance is a small round","hole in the side of the rushwoven structures and the interior is neatly finished with fine grass and hair.","They lay from five to eight eggs of a pale chocolate color, dotted and spotted with darker","shades of the same; size .64 x .45. Data.","Delray, Mich., May 27, 1900. Six eggs. Nest","a ball of woven flags and grasses, lined with","cat-tail down, and attached to rushes in salt marsh over two feet of water.","Collector, Geo. W. Morse.","Pale brown","Short-billed Marsh Wren","Long-billed Marsh Wren","TULE WREN. Telmatodytes palustris paludicola.","Range. Western United States on the Pacific coast; north to British","The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are in all respects like those of","725b. WORTHINGTON'S MARSH WREN. Telmatodytes palustris griseus,","Range. Coast of South Carolina and Georgia.","The habits and eggs of this paler form are identical with those of palustri*.","72oc. WESTERN MARSH WREN. Telmatodytes palustris plesius.","\fRange. United States west of the Rockies, except the Pacific coast; north to
British Columbia. This variety is like the Tule Wren but slightly paler; its
nesting habits and eggs are the same.","725.1. MARIAN'S MARSH WREN. Telmatodytes palustris mariance.","Range. West coast of Florida.","This species is similar to the Long-billed variety but is darker and more barred above and below. Its nests and eggs will not be found to differ materially","from those of. the others of this genus.","429","CREEPERS. Family CERTHIID^E","726. BROWN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris","americana.","firon^. the northern tier of states northward ;","Brown Creeper","Thiese peculiar, weak-voiced Creepers are","common in northern United States during the","winter, when they may be seen slowly toiling","up the tree trunks, searching the","crannies of the bark for larvae.","They make their nests behind","loose hanking bark on old tree","stubs, usually at low elevations,","building them of twigs, bark,","moss, etc., held together with","cobwebs. The eggs, which are laid in May","or June, are pure white, specked and spotted","with reddish brown; they average in size .58","x .48. The nests are most often found under","the loosened bark on coniferous trees.","726a. MEXICAN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris albescens.","Range. Western Mexico north to southern Arizona.","The nesting habits of this brighter colored form are the same as those of","the others.","726b. ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris montana.","Range. Rocky Mountains, breeding from New Mexico to Alaska.","The eggs of this grayer variety cannot be distinguished from those of the","eastern birds and the nests are in similar situations.","726c. CALIFORNIA CREEPER. Certhia familiaris occidentalis.","Range. Pacific coast from southern California north to Alaska.","An abundant species, especially on mountatin ranges, breeding behind the","bark chiefly on pine trees. The eggs are not different from those of the others.","726d. SIERRA CREEPER. Certhia familiaris zelotes.","Range. Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Cascade Range in","Very similar to the last and with the same habits; eggs indistinguishable.","430","NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Family SITTID^E","727- WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.","carolinensis carolinensis.","Sitta","breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada;","resident throughout its range.","These birds are creepers, but unlike the last","species, these run about on the trunks, either","\fup or down; their tails are not pointed and","stiffened like those of the Brown","Creepers, and their plumage is","gray and black above with a","black crown, and white below.","They nest in holes in trees,","usually deep in the woods and","at any elevation from the","ground; they nearly always use deserted Woodpeckers' holes but are said at times to excavate their own, with great labor as their bills","are little adapted for that work. They, line the","cavities with bark strips and hair or feathers,","and during April or May, lay from four to nine","white eggs, profusely specked with reddish","brown and lilac. Size .80 x .60. Data. Lancaster, Mass., May 16, 1902. Nest in","hole in an oak tree, 45 feet above ground; made of fine strips of bark fibre and","hair.","White-breasted Nuthatch","SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis aculeata.","Range. North America, west of the Rockies and from Mexico to British Columbia.","This species is as abundant in the west as the last is in the east, and nests in","like situations. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern","birds.","727b. FLORIDA WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis atkinsi.","Range. Florida and the South Atlantic coast to South CarolinaThe habits and eggs of these birds are like those of the northern ones.","727c. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis nelsoni.","Range. Rocky Mountains from Mexico north to British Columbia.","Their nesting habits or eggs are not distinctive in any respect.","\f727d. SAN LUCAS NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis lagunce.","Range. Mountain ranges of Lower California.","Said to be like aculeata but with the wings and tail slightly shorter.","431","728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.","densis.","Sitta cana-","ited-breasted Nuthatch","northern tier of states northward, and farther","south in mountain ranges; winters south to","southern United States.","This species is smaller than","the last and has reddish brown","underparts and a black stripe","through the eye. The breeding habits are the same as those","of the White-bellied variety, but","these birds almost invariably","coat the tree below the opening with pitch,","for what purpose is unknown. They lay from","four to six white eggs, numerously spotted","with reddish brown; size, .60 x .50. Data.","Upton, Maine, June 21, 1898. Nest in hole of","dead birch stub, 20 feet from the ground; made","of strips of bark and a few feathers. 5 eggs.","729. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. Sitta pusilla.","\fRange. South Atlantic and Gulf States.","This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their","habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in","cavities at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground.","That they sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced","by the data accompanying this egg. They lay from four to","seven eggs, white with profuse markings of reddish brown; size",".60 x .48. Data. St. Mary's Ga. Nest situated under the bark","of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from the ground; made of fine","strips of bark.","730. PYGMY NUTHATCH. Sitta pygmcea","pygmaia.","Range. North America west of the Rockies,","breeding from Mexico north to British Columbia. Resident throughout its range.","This species has an olive gray crown bordered by dusky, the back is ashy blue and the","underparts soiled white or rusty. They are","common in mountains of western United States,","nesting in holes in trees the","same as the other species of ^ : * ,,","Nuthatches. They lay from five","to nine eggs which are white, '.","speckled thickly with reddish","brown; size .60 x .50. Data.","Huachucha Mts., Arizona, May White","25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches deep) in","dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground ;","composed of a mass of vegetable down; altitude 9000 feet.","432","Brown-headed Nuthatch","\f730a. WHITE-NAPED NUTHATCH. Sitta","pygmcea leuconucha.","Like the last but grayer above and white","below. Its habits and eggs are the same as","those of the Pyginy Nuthatch.","731. TUFTED TITMOUSE. Bceolophus bicolor","Range. Eastern United States, resident and","breeding from the Gulf north to New York and","Illinois.","This species has a grayish","crest and upper parts, and is","white beneath with brownish","sides and black forehead.","These common and noisy","birds nest in natural cavities","in trees or in holes deserted","by Woodpeckers; they may","be found at any elevation, from two to thirty","feet from the ground. They line the bottom","of the cavity with leaves, bark, fibres and hair, and during April or","five to eight white eggs, plentifully specked with reddish brown. Size","Tufted Titmouse
Black-crested Titmouse","May lay
.74 x .54.","BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE. Bceolophus atricristatus atricristatus.","Range. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward.","This Titmouse has a black crest and the forehead is white; otherwise similar","to the preceding. Like the last, these birds nest in deserted","\fWoodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees, either in opeu","woods or in the vicinity of habitations. Their eggs are sparsely","spotted with reddish brown, and not usually distinguishable from","those of the Tufted Titmouse. Size .70 x .54. Data. Brownsville, Texas, May 11, 1892. Nest of moss, hair, down and wool in","cavity in tree in open woods near town; 4 feet from the ground.","433","733. PLAIN TITMOUSE. Bceolophus inornatus inornatus","Range. California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas.","This common, slightly crested Titmouse is grayish brown","above and grayish white below. They nest anywhere in","cavities that meet with their approval, about","old buildings, in fence posts, etc., as well","as holes in trees. Their eggs range from","five to eight in number and are white, usually spotted with pale brownish. Size .72 x",".52. Data. Tulare Co., California, April 3,","1895. Nest in an oak tree, 32 feet from the","ground, in a natural cavity of a horizontal limb; composed","of grasses, feathers and fur.","733a. GRAY TITMOUSE. Bceolophus inornatus griseus.","Range. Southeastern United States, from Colorado and","Nevada southward.","The nesting habits of this gray Titmouse are just the","\f733 734 same as those of the other.","733b. ASHY TITMOUSE. Bceolophus inornatus cineraceus.","The habits of this variety are the same as those of the Plain Titmouse and","doubtless the eggs are also.","734. BRIDLED TITMOUSE. Bceolophus wollweberi.","Range. Mexico north to southern Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.","This handsome species is quite abundant in the mountains","of southern Arizona, and nests in woods or about ranches,","ft \\ lining the cavities of trees with moss, down, leaves, etc. The","three to seven eggs that they lay are pure white, unmarked.","Size .65 x .52. Data. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, April","5, 1901. Nest in the natural cavity of a live oak, 12 feet","from the ground; cavity lined","with bark and feathers.","735. CHICKADEE. Penthestes atricapillus","atricapillus.","itom the Middle and Central States northward","to Labrador; only migratory to a slight extent.","The Chickadee is too well known","to need any description; suffice it","to say that they are the favorites,","with everybody, among all the","North American birds. They breed","in holes in trees in orchards or","woods, and also in bird boxes. 1","have found by far the greater number in decayed birch stubs. They line the cavities","with fine grasses and feathers, and during","May or June lay from five to eight white","eggs, dotted with reddish brown; size .55 x .45.","434","\fChickadee
Carolina Chickadee","735a. LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. Penthestes","ataricapillus septentrionalis.","Range. Rocky Mountain region, north to British Co","lumbia.","This variety is very similar to the last but has a slightly","longer tail and the colors are purer. Its nesting habits","are the same and the eggs are indistinguishable from those","of the eastern Chickadee.","735b. OREGON CHICKADEE.","occidentals.","Penthestes atricapillus","The habits and eggs of this slightly darker variety are","just the same as those of the common Chickadee of","the east.","786. CAROLINA CHICKADEE.","carolinensis.","Penthestes carolinensis","537538","Range. Southern United States from the","\fGulf to New Jersey and Illinois.","The southern Chickadee is smaller than","the northern and the wing coverts and feathers have little or","no white edgings, Their nesting habits are in every particular","the same as those of atricapillus and the eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty, but average smaller; size .53 x .43.","736a. PLUMBEOUS CHICKADEE. Penthestes carolinensis agilis.","Range. Eastern and central Texas.","This variety is said to be more plumbeous above and much whiter below","than the preceding. No differences can be found in the eggs of the two varieties","and the nesting habits are the same.","737. MEXICAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes sclateri.","This species has the black more extended on the throat and the under parts","are grayish of a lighter shade than the upper, the cheeks, however, remaining","white. Their nests are in hollow stubs and the eggs are indistinguishable from","those of the foregoing Chickadees.","738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. Penthestes gambeli gambeli.","Range. Rocky Mountain region and west to the Pacific; north to British","Columbia chiefly in higher ranges.","This handsome little Titmouse has a white superciliary","line, leaving a black stripe through the eye. Their habits","are like those of the other Chickadees and they are equally","confiding and inquisitive. Their eggs range from five to eight ^v: : , ;","in number and are either pure white or faintly marked with","reddish brown; size .60 x .45. Data. Estes Park, Colorado,","June 8, 1803. Nest in an old Sapsucker's hole in a live as- \\viiite","pen tree, 28 feet from the ground; cavity lined with hair and fur.","435","739- ALASKA CHICKADEE.","ctus alascensis.","Penthestes cin-","\fRange. Northern Alaska and eastern Siberia.","This bird, which is most like the Hudsonian","Chickadee, nests in the usual manner and its","eggs are like those of the common Chickadee","of the east.","74-0. HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes","hudsonicus hudsonicus.","Range. Western half of British America.","These brown capped Chickadees","m. are very abundant throughout the","Jy \\^V northwest and are even tamer than","our United States varieties. They","usually make their nests at low elevations in dead and decayed stumps","and line the bottom of the cavity,","which varies from three to eight inches in","depth, with moss and fur. Their eggs, which","they lay in May, June or July, are white, specked with reddish brown and","cannot with any certainty be distinguished from those of the Black-capped","Chickadees, the eggs of all the species showing considerable variations; size",".60 x .45.","Hudsonian Chickadee","740a. ACADIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis.","Range. Kowak River, northwest Alaska.","A larger and grayer form of the last species; nesting habits and eggs not","differing.","740b. COLUMBIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes hudsonicus columbianus.","Range. Rocky Mountains from northern United States to Alaska.","Like nudsonicus but with the crown slaty instead of brownish. No difference","can be distinguished either in their habits or eggs.","740c. CANADIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis.","Range. Eastern half of Canada and northern New England and New York.","These birds were formerly hudsonicus in company with the western ones, but","\fthey are now supposed to be a trifle smaller and with the crown duller; this
division does not affect the similarity of their habits and eggs.","PERCHING BIRDS
741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens rufescens.
Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska.
This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a
brown crown and black throat, but has in addition, a chestnut colored back and sides. They breed locally in Oregon,
more commonly in Washington and are abundant in British
Columbia, making the nests of animal fur in holes in dead
stubs. Their eggs vary in number from five to eight and are
creamy white, dotted with reddish; size .60 x .45. Data. Dayton, Oregon,
May 28, 1806. Nest of hair and fur in willow stub, 10 feet up.
74 la. CALIFORNIA CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens neglectus.
Range. Coast regions of California.
This variety is not as rufous on the sides as the more northern one. Its habits
and eggs are the same.
741b. BARLOW'S CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens barlowi
Range. About Monterey Bay, California.
This variety is said to have no rusty on the flanks. Its habits and eggs are
like those of the others.
742a. PALLID WREN-TIT. Chamcea fasciata henshawi
Range. Interior of California from Lower California to the Sacramento
Valley.
This duller colored variety has the same nesting habits and similar eggs to
those of the Coast Wren-tit.
742b. COAST WREN-TIT. Chamcea fasciata fasciata.
Range. Pacific coast from southern California north to Oregon.
These peculiar brownish gray colored birds frequent the tangled underbrush of ravines and mountain sides where they lead
the life of a recluse. They nest at low elevations in the densest
thickets, making them of twigs, strips of bark, grasses and
feathers, compactly woven together and located in bushes from
one to four feet from the ground. They lay from three to five
plain, unmarked, pure white eggs; size .75 x .54. Data.
Wrights, Cal. Nest in a tangle of vines in a deep ravine; composed of strips of bark, moss and grasses, lined with cattle hair; a bulky nest.","\f743. BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus minimus.","Range. Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington.","These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of","architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from","twigs usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are","made of moss, lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with","feathers or wool; the opening is on one side near the top, and a","typical nest averages 12 inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter","at the bottom and 3 at the top. Their eggs number from four to","nine and are pure white; size .54 x .40. The birds are very active and have the","same habits as the Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward,","from the ends of twigs, in their search for insects.","437","743a. CALIFORNIA BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus calif ornicus.","Range. California with the exception of the northern part.","This sub-species, which is like the last but with a lighter brown head, has","the same habits, nests in the same manner and its eggs are not distinguishable","from those of the others.","743b. GRINDA'S BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus grindce.","The nesting habits of this variety,","which is very similar to the last, do","not vary in any respect; eggs indistinguishable.","744. LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT.","Psaltriparus plumbeus.","Range. Rocky Mountain region","from Wyoming south to Arizona.","This species suspends its semi-pensile nests in bushes or trees, and some","times from the mistletoe, which grows","on numerous trees in southern Arizona. The nests are composed like","those of the Cal. Bush-Tit and range","from 6 to 10 inches in length. The","eggs are white, five or six in number","and measure .55 x .42.","745. LLOYD'S BUSH-TIT. Psaltri-","\fparus melanotis lloydi.","Range. Northern Mexico north into","western Texas and New Mexico.","This species is similar to the leadcolored Bush-Tit but has the ear coverts glossy black. Like the others, it","builds a long pensile nest of similar","material and suspended from .the","extremities of limbs near the ground","The five to seven eggs are pure white.","Size .58 x .42.","E. L. Bickford
BUSH-TIT AND NEST","438","746. VERDIN. Auriparus ftaviceps ftaviceps","north to Colorado and Nevada.","This Bush-Tit has a bright yellow head and","throat, the upper parts being gray and the","belly, white. They are abundant in chaparral","brush, locally throughout their","range. Their large globular","nests are situated in bushes at","low elevations from the ground,","and are made of twigs and","( , weeds, softly lined with fur and","feathers. Their three to six eggs","are pale greenish blue, specked and dotted","with reddish brown. Size .58 x .44. Data.","Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1894. Large nest","of sticks and thorns, lined with hair and","feathers, and located in a bush in brush thicket,","8 feet from the ground.","\fVerdin","746'a. CAPE VERDIN. Auriparus ftaviceps lamprocephalus.","This new sub-species is said to have shorter wings and tail, and also to be","brighter yellow on the head. Its habits and eggs will not differ from those of","the common Verdin or Yellow-headed Bush-Tit.","747.","WARBLERS, KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS.","Family SYLVIID/C","KENNICOTT'S WILLOW WARBLER. Acanthopneuste borealis.","Range. Asia, casually found in Alaska.","This species breeds in the extreme northern parts of Asia, and","I believe its eggs have never been found on this continent. They","build their nests of moss and grasses, on the ground in open","woods, concealing them under tufts of grass or tussocks of earth.","The three to five eggs are white, spotted with pale reddish brown.","Size .70 x .50.","748. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus satrapa satrapa.","Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward,","and south in the Rockies to Mexico, and in the Alleghanies to the Carolinas;","winters throughout the United States.","This rugged little fellow appears to be perfectly content in our","northern states even during the most severe winters and leaves","us early in the spring for his breeding grounds farther north.","They are usually found in company with Chickadees and, like","them, may be seen hanging to twigs in all sorts of positions as","Grav thev search for their meagre fare. Their nests are large, round","structures of green moss, bark strips and fine rootlets, very","thickly lined with soft feathers; these are placed in forks or partially suspend","among the branches of spruce trees, usually high above the ground. During","June they lay from five to ten eggs of a dull whitish or grayish color, spotted","\fheavily with pale brown and lilac. Size .55 x .42,","748a. WESTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulas satrapa olivaceus.","Range. Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska.","This variety is said to be brighter colored","than the last; its habits and eggs are the same","in all particulars.","749. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus","calendula calendula.","Range North America, breeding from the northern border of","the United States northward,","and farther south in mountain","ranges; winters in southern","This little bird is of the size","of the Golden-crowned Kinglet","long) and has a partially concealed patch of","red on the crown, not bordered by black and","yellow as is the last species. Their nests are","similar in construction to those of the last species and are situated in conifer","ous","trees at any altitude from the ground. Their four to nine eggs are creamy","white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .56 x .44.","White
(4.25 inches","Golden-crowned Kinglets","C. A. Smith
NEST AND EGGS OF BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER
440","74<9a. SITKA KINGLET. Regulas calendula","grinnelli.","Range. Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska.","Said to be brighter than the preceding va","riety.","749b. DUSKY KINGLET. Regulus calendula","This species nests during March in the large","cypress and pine groves at high elevations","above the ground. The nests are similar in","construction to those of the common Rubycrown, and the eggs are scarcely different from","some specimens of that species; white, dotted","and wreathed with reddish brown. Size .56","x .43.","751. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.","Polioptila ccerulea ccerulea.","Ruby-crowned Kinglet","Range. United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to the
Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and Minnesota.
These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead and central
tail feathers, and white underparts. They are common in wooded districts in
the south, where they saddle their beautiful nests upon horizontal branches or
in crotches usually at quite an elevation from the ground; they
resemble large Ruby-throated Hummers' nests but the walls are jfr V-V-.
much higher and thicker; they are made of plant fibres and ^f%T
down, lined with cottony substances and hair, and covered on tt^'-v'-., ',
the outside with lichens to match the limb upon which it is","placed. Their eggs are bluish white, specked with reddish chestnut. Size .58 x .45. Data. Chattanooga, Tenn., April 30, 1900.
Nest of moss, covered with lichens and lined with hair and feathers; 20 feet
from the ground in a small tree.","\f75 la. WESTERN GNATCATCHER. Polioptila ccerulea obscura.","Range. Western United States and Lower California.","The habits and eggs of this sub-species are the same as those of the eastern","bird, and the nests do not differ except, perhaps, in less ornamentation of the","exterior.","752. PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER. Polioptila plumbea.","Range. Mexican boundary from western Texas to southern California.","This species has a bright shining black crown and more black","on the tail than the eastern Gnatcatcher. They saddle their","nests upon the branches of trees or in upright forks, usually at an","elevation of ten feet or more from the ground; the nests are","made of plant fibres and fine bark strips, compactly felted toGreenish blue gether, and with little, if any, ornamental lichens on the exterio","r.","Their eggs are pale greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, and vary from","three to five in number. Size .54 x .44.","441","753. BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER.","optila calif ornica.","Poli-","Blue-gray Gnatcatcher","Range. Pacific coast of southern California","and northern Lower California.","This bird is very similar to the last but has","still less white on the outer tail feathers. Like","the last, the nests of this species usually lack the exterior","covering of lichens, being made","of vegetable fibres and plant","\fdown, firmly quilted together and","saddled on horizontal limbs or","placed in forks of trees at any Grayish whlte","height from the ground. Their eggs are grayish","white, specked with bright reddish brown.","Size .55 x .44. Data. Escondido, Cal., May 17,","1903. 5 eggs. Nest on a large limb of a sycamore, 30 feet above ground; made of weed","fibres, etc., lined with hair and fine fibres.","THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. Family TURDIDAE","754. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. Myadestes townsendi.","Range. Western United States, breeding from Arizona, New Mexico and","southern California north to British Columbia.","This unique species is of a uniform brownish gray color, with a white eye","ring, narrow bar on wing, and outer tail feathers, and","with the bases of the primaries rusty colored. It is a","ground inhabiting bird, feeding upon insects and berries","in shrubbery and thickets. Their song is said to be liquid,","melodious and often long continued, equalling that of any","other bird. They nest on the ground in hollows under","banks or crevices about roots of trees or fallen stumps,","making a large, loosely constructed pile of weeds and","trash, hollowed and lined with rootlets. The three or","four eggs, which are laid in June, are grayish white,","spotted with pale brown, chiefly or most abundantly about the large end. Size",".96 x .70.","755. WOOD THRUSH. Hylocichla mustelina.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding from North Carolina and Kansas","north to northern United States; winters south of our borders.","This Thrush with his brightly spotted breast is the most handsome of this","group of musical birds. They are common in damp woods","and thickets, in which places they breed, placing their","nests of straw, leaves and grasses in low trees usually between four and ten feet from the ground; their nests are","often very rustic, being ornamented by pieces of paper","and twigs with dead leaves attached handing from the","sides of the quite bulky structures. During May or June","they lay three or four greenish blue eggs of about the","shade of a Robin's. Size 1.05 x .70.","\fGreenish blue","442","756. VEERY. Hylocichla fuscescens","fuscescens.","the northern half of its United States range","and in the southern British Provinces.","The Veery is very abundantly distributed in","woodland, either moist or dry, and nests on","the ground or within a very few inches of it,","usually placing its structures of woven bark","strips and grasses, in the midst of a clump 01'","sprouts or ferns. The three or four eggs which","they lay in May or June are bluish green, much","darker than those of the Wood Thrush, and","nearly the color of those of the Catbird. Size","756a. WILLOW THRUSH. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola.","Range. Rocky Mountain region, north tQ","British Columbia. V *","The nests and eggs of this similar bird dp","not differ from those of the last.","Wood Thrusl","757. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. Hylocichla alicice alicice. ,,","Range. Breeds from Labrador to Alaska; winters south to Central America.","The nesting habits and eggs of this species are very similar to those of the","following sub-species and the same description will answer for both.","757. BICKNELL'S THRUSH. Hylocichla alicice bicknelli.","\fRange.--Breeds in the Catskills, White Mountatins and Nova Scotia.","These birds, which are practically identical","with the preceding, build their nests at low","elevations in trees, usually evergreens when","present, making them of twigs, moss and rootlets, lined with fine grasses.","The eggs, which are laid during May or June, are pale","blotched with pale brown or","russet. Size .88 x .64. Data.","Seal Island, Nova Scotia,","June 3, 1901. Nest of green Greenish blue","moss and rootlets, in a spruce, 5 feet from the","ground.","758. RUSSET-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla","ustulata ustulata.","Range. Pacific coast, breeding in Oregon","and Alaska; winters in Central America.","This species is very abundant in moist","thickets throughout its range, nesting in bushes","Wilson's Thrush and low trees, and making them of weed","443","WOOD TH","stalks, bark strips, grasses and moss, lined","with fine black rootlets. They are found ar","elevations of from two to ten feet above the","ground. Like the Wood Thrush the birds are","tame while sitting on the nest and will allow a","very close approach, without taking alarm;","nests are frequently found which are made almost entirely out of green","moss and are very handsome","structures. Their three to","five eggs are laid in May or","June; they are greenish blue,","spotted with brown of varying shades. Size .92 x .65.","Data. Eureka, California, Greenish blue","July 6, 1899. Nest in a fir tree, 5 feet from the","ground; made of moss and strips of redwood","\fbark. 4 eggs.","758a. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla","srvainsoni.","Gray -cheeked Thrush","Range.-Eastern North America, breeding Olive-backed Thrush","chiefly north of the United States, but. locally in the northern parts, and abun","dantly in mountain ranges.","The nesting habits and eggs of this eastern representative of the last species","are like those of that bird in all respects and the eggs cannot be distinguished","from those of ustulatus.","758b. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla cedica","Range. California and southern Oregon.","Nesting habits and eggs identical with those of ustulatus.","759. ALASKA HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla guttata guttata.","Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia to","The Hermit Thrushes can readily be identified","brown tail which is in marked contract to the","habits and eggs of this species are precisely","Thrush, which is a sub-species of this.","Alaska. Winters in Mexico.","from any other by the reddish","color of the back. The nesting","like those of the eastern Hermit","75Qa. AUDUBON'S HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla guttata auduboni.","Range. Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Winters in Central","The nesting habits of this bird are like those of the next except that it more","frequently nests in bushes above the ground. The eggs are not distinctive.","75pb. HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla guttata","pallasi.","\fRange. Eastern North America, breeding in","northern United States and north to Labrador;","winters in southern United States.","This species, which is noted for its weet and","musical song, frequents damp swamps and","thickets where it builds its nest either on the","ground or near it, like that of the Wilson","Thrush; it is made of shreds","of bark, grasses, leaves and","rootlets, lined with fine rootlets; the three or four eggs,","which are deposited in May","or June, are bluish green and","cannot, with certainty, be","distinguished from those of","the Veery; size .85 x .65.","759c. DWARF HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla","Hermit Thrush gut tat a nanus.","Range. Pacific coast of United States, from Washington, southward.","The nesting habits and eggs of this slightly smaller and duller colored variety","are like those of the other Hermit Thrushes.","[760.] RED-WINGED THRUSH. Turdus musicus.","Range. An Old World species, accidentally straying to Greenland.","This common European bird nests at low elevations in bushes or trees, laying","four or five bluish green eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size 1.05 x .75.","761. ROBIN. Planesticus migratorius","migratorius.","States, north to the Arctic Ocean.","These common birds nest in trees about","houses, in orchards, open woods, in corners of","fences, on blinds on houses, and in fact almost every conceivable","^^ ^\\ position. Their nests","jf ^k are made of grasses,","\fm& 2 firmly cemented togethmj er with mud and lined","f with finer grasses;","N^H when placed in trees","they are generally firmGreenish blue ly saddled in crotches","and may be found at any height, from on the","ground to sixty feet above it. Their eggs are","greenish blue; size 1.15 x .80. Eggs may be","found at any time from May until July or","August as they raise several broods a season. American Robin","446","PERCHING BIRDS
76 Ib. SOUTHERN ROBIN. Planesticus migratorius achrusterus.
Range. The Carolinas and Georgia.
The eggs of this bird, which is said to be smaller and duller colored than the
northern variety, show no differences in any respect.
76*2. SAN LUCAS ROBIN. Planesticus confinis.
Range. Southern Lower California.
This is a very much paler form of the American Robin; its eggs probably
will not differ from those of the others.","J. B. Pardoe
NEST AND EGGS OP ROBlN","Wheatear","\f763. VARIED THRUSH. Ixoreus ncevius","ncevius.","Range. Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska; south to Mexico in winter.","These handsome birds breed abundantly in","Alaska and locally in mountain ranges south","to northern California. They nest at low elevations in trees, making","them of moss, twigs,","weeds and grasses,","forming a flat shallow","structure. Their eggs","are greenish blue sharply but sparingly spotted","with dark brown; size","1.12 x .80. Data. Delta Greenish blue","of Kowak River, Alaska, June 11, 1899. Four","eggs. Nest 12 feet from the ground, against","the trunk of a slender spruce and supported","by a clump of stiff twigs.","763a. NORTHERN VARIED THRUSH. Ixoreus ncevius meruloides.","Range. Interior of western North America, breeding from British Columbia","to Alaska. Its habits and eggs do not differ from those of the last.","[764]. SIBERIAN RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT. Cyanosy I via suecica","robusta.","Range. Northern Asia; casually to Alaska.","This beautiful foreigner nests on the ground and lays four to six greenish blue","eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size .75 x .50.","765. WHEATEAR. Saxicola cenanthe cenanthe.","Range. Asia; casual in Alaska in summer; nesting habits and eggs like the","765a. GREENLAND WHEATEAR. Saxicola","cenanthe leucorhoa.","Range. Europe and Greenland ; casual on the Atlantic coast","of North America.","This very abundant Old World species is a common breeding bird in Greenland and probably also in Labrador. They j","nest in crevices of quarries, holes in the ground, or stone","walls, making a rude nest of weeds, moss or^ grasses, lined","\fwith hair or feathers, and during May lay from four to six . .
pale greenish blue eggs; size .90 x .60.
448","BLUEBIRD","766. BLUEBIRD. Sialia sialis sialis.","Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada.","Winters in the southern half of the United States.","These familiar birds build in cavities in trees,","usually below 20 feet from the ground, crevices among ledges, bird boxes and in any suitable nook they may discover about buildings,","providing that English Sparrows do not molest","them. They raise several","broods a year, commencing in","W April when they lay from","three to six pale bluish white","eggs (rarely pure white) ;","size .80 x .60. The cavities","of their nesting sites are lined","Bluish white with grasses and feathers","usually, although I have found the eggs on","the unlined bottom of cavities in trees.","766a. AZURE BLUEBIRD. Sialia sialis","fulva.","Range. This pale variety is found in southern Arizona and southward.","Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs","are indistinguishable from the last.","Bluebird","767. WESTERN BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexicana occidentalis.","Range. Pacific coast from Lower California to British Columbia.","\fThe Western Bluebird is as common and familiar in its range as the common
Bluebird is in the east. It nests in similar locations and its eggs are scarcely
distinguishable, although averaging a trifle darker in shade; size .80 x .60.
767a. CHESTNUT-BACKED BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexicana bairdi.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from Mexico to Wyoming.
The nesting habits or eggs of this brighter colored bird do not differ from
those of the last species.","767b. SAN PEDRO BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexicana anabelce.","Range. San Pedro Martir Mountains in Lower California.","The eggs of this variety will not in all probability be any different from those","of the preceding Bluebirds.","768. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. Sialia currucoides.","Range. Rocky Mountatin region, breeding from New Mexico north to Great","Slave Lake; winters in southwestern United States and Mexico.","This azure blue species is common in the greater part of its range and is found","west to the Sierra Nevadas in California. Like the eastern Bluebird they nest","in holes in trees or anywhere that they can find a suitable cavity or crevice.","Their eggs are slightly larger than those of the other Bluebirds and have a","slight_.greenish tint; size .85 x .64.","450","INDEX","Acanthis hornemanni 328","exilipes 328","linaria 329","\" holboeli 329","rostrata 329","Acanthopneuste borealis 430","Accipiter cooperi 205","velox 204","Actitis macularia 158","^Echmophorus occidentalis 11","\f^egialitis dubia 166","hiaticula 166","meloda 166","mongola 167","nivosa 167","semipalmata 165","Aeronautes melanoleucus 270","^Estrelata fisheri 67","hasitata 67","scalaris 67","Aethia cristatella 25","pygmaea 25","pusilla 26","Agelaius gubernator californicus . . 317","phoeniceus 316","bryanti 316","caurinus 316","\" floridanus 316","fortis 316","neutralis 316","sonoriensis 316","tricolor 317","Aimophila carpalis 353","ruficeps 353","eremceca 353","scotti 353","sororia 353","Aix sponsa 95","Ajaja ajaja 115","Alauda arvensis 297","\fAlaudidae 297
Albatross, Black-footed 59
Laysan 60
Short-tailed 59
Sooty 60
Yellow-nosed 60
Alca torda 31
Alcedinidae 247
Alcidae 21
Alle alle 34
Aluconidae 227
Alucopratincola 227","Amzilis cerviniventris chalconota. 279","tzacatl 278","Ammodramus bairdi 338","savannarum australis 338","bimaculatus 338","floridanus 340","Amphispiza belli 351","nevadensis cinerea 252","nevadensis 352","bilineata bilineata 351","deserticola 351","Anas platyrhynchos 88","fulvigula fulvigula 90","maculosa 91","rubripes 90","Anatidae 87","Anhinga 77","\fanhinga 77
Anhingidae 77
Ani 241
Grove-billed 243
Anous stolidus 57
Anser albif rons albifrons 108
gambeli 108
fabalis 108
Anseres 87
Anthus cervinus 419
pratensis 418
rubescens 418
spraguei 419
Antrostomus carolinensis 263
vociferus vocif erus 263
\" macromystax 264
Aphelocoma californica californica 307
Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca 307
obscura . 307
cyanea 306
cyanotis 307
insularis 307
sieberi arizonae 307
couchi 308
texana 307
woodhousei 306
Aphriza virgata 169
Aphrizidae 169
Aquila chrysaetos 215
Aramidae 129","\fAramus vociferus 129","Archibuteo ferrugineus 215","lagopus sancti-johannis 214","Archilochus alexandri 273","colubris 273","451","Arctonetta fischeri 102","Ardea cinerea 122","herodias 121","fannini 121","wardi 122","occidentalis 121","Ardeidse 119","Arenaria interpres interpres 169","melanocephala 170","morinella 169","Arquatella maritima couesi 146","ptilocnemis 147","maritima maritima 146","Arremonops rufivirgatus 357","Asio accipitrinus 229","\" flammeus 229","\" wilsonianus 227","Astragalinus lawrencei 331","psaltria psaltria 331","tristis tristis 329","\fpallidus 331
\" salicamans 331
Astur atricapillus atricapillus 205
striatulus 207
Asturina plagiata 214
Asyndesmus lewisi 257
Atthis morcomi 278
Auk, Great 33-32
Razor-billed 31
Auklet, Cassin's 24
Crested 26
Least 27
Paroquet 26
Rhinoceros 23
Whiskered 26
Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps 439
\" lamprocephalus 439
Avocet 139
Baeolophus atricristatus atricristatus 433
bicolor 433
inornatus inornatus 434
\" cineraceus 434
\" griseus 434
wollweberi 434
Baldpate 92
Bartramia longicauda 156
Basilinna leucotis 279
xantusi 279
Becard, Xantus's 280","\fBittern 119
Cory's Least 120
Least 120
Blackbird, Bicolored 317
Brewer's 322
Red-winged 316
Rusty 322","Tricolored 317
Yellow-headed 315
Bluebird 448
Azure 448
Chestnut-backed 450
Mountain 450
San Pedro 450
Western 450
Bluethroat Siberian Red-spotted . . 448
Bobolink 314
Bob-white 175
Florida 175
Masked 175
Texan 175
Bombycilla cedrorum 375
garrula 375
Bombycillidse 375
Bonasa umbellus umbellus 180
sabini 182
togata 182
umbelloides ... 182
Booby 75","\fBlue-faced 74
Blue-footed 74
Brewster's 75
Red-footed 75
Botaurus lentiginosus t 119
Brachyramphus brevirostris 27
craveri's 28
hypoleucus 27
marmoratus 27
Brant Ill
Black Ill
Branta bernicla glaucogastra Ill
canadensis canadensis 109
hutchinsi 109
minima 109
occidentalis 109
leucopsis 112
Branta nigricans Ill
Bubo virginianus virginianus 235
elachistus 237
pacificus 235
pallescens 235
\" saturatus 235
subarticus 235
Budytes flavus alascensis 418
Buffle-head 100
Bullfinch, Cassin's 325
Bulweria bulweri 67
Bunting, Beautiful 367
Indigo 366","\fLark 369
Lazuli 366
McKay's Snow 333
Painted 367
Pribilof Snow 332","452","Snow 332
Varied 367
Bush-Tit 437
California 438
Grinda's 438
Lead-colored 438
Lloyd's 438
Buteo abbreviatus 211
albicaudatus sennetti 212
borealis borealis 208
calurus 20
harlani 20?
krideri 208
brachyurus 213
lineatus lineatus 209
alleni 209
elegans 211
platypterus 213
swainsoni 212
Buteonidae 201","\fButorides virescens virescens. . . . 124","\" anthonyi .... 125","frazari 125","Buzzard, Turkey 199","Calamospiza melanocorys 369","Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus.. 333","alascensis . . 333","ornatus 334","pictus 334","Calidris leucophaea 151","Callichelidon cyaneoviridis 374","Callothrus robustus","Callipepla squamata squamata. . . . 176","\" castanogastris 177","Calothorax lucifer 278","Calypte anna 275","costae 275","Campephilus principalis 249","labradorius 101","Camptostoma imberbe 296","Canachites canadensis canadensis 179","canace . . . 179","osgoodi . . 179","franklini 180","Canvas-back 97","Caprimulgidse 263","Caracara, Audubon 224","Guadalupe 224","Cardellina rubrifrons 417","Cardinal 363","Arizona 363","Florida 364","\fGray-tailed 364
San Lucas 363
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis . . . 363
canicaudus 364
floridanus , . 364","Cardinalis igneus 363","\" superbus 363","Carpodacus amplus 326","cassini 326","mcgregori 326","mexicanus dementis 326","frontalis 326","ruberrimus 326","purpureus purpureus 325","californicus 325","Casarca ferruginea 93","Catbird 420","Catharista urubu 199","Cathartes aura septentrionalis 199","Cathartidae 198","Catherpes mexicanus albif rons . . . 424","conspersus. 425","punctulatus 425","Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus 155","semipalmatus inornatus ...... 156","Centrocercus urophasianus 188","Centurus aurifrons 258","carolinus 257","uropygialis 258","Cepphus columba 29","\fgrylle 28
mandti 29
Cerorhinca monocerata 23
Certhia familiaris albescens 430
americana .... 430
montana 430
Certhia familiaris occidentalis . . . 430
zelotes 430
Certhiidse 430
Ceryle alcyon 247
americana septentrionalis.... 249
torquata 247
Chachalaca 191
Chsemepelia passerina terrestris. 195
pallescens. 195
\" bermudiana 195
Chaetura pelagica 269
vauxi 270
Chamaea fasciata fasciata 437
henshawi 437
Chamaethlypis poliocephala 413
Charadriidae 161
Charadrius apricarius 163
dominicus dominicus 163
fulvus 163
Charitonetta albeola 100
Chat, Long-tailed 413
Yellow-breasted 413
Chaulelasmus streperus 91
Chen caerulescens 107","\fhyperboreus hyperboreus 107","453","2!)","Chen hyperboreus Nivalis 107","rossi 108","Chewink 358","Chickadee 434","Acadian 436","Alaska 436","Barlow's 437","California 437","Carolina 435","Chestnut-backed 437","Hudsonian 436","Long-tailed 435","Mexican 435","Mountain 435","Oregon 435","Plumbeous '. 435","( hcndestes grammacus grammacus 342","strigatus 342","Chbrdeiles acutipennis texensis . . 268","virginianus virginianus 266","\" chapmani 266","henryi 266","\fsennetti 268
Chuck-will's widow 263
Ciconiidae 118
Cinclidae 419
Cinclus mexicanus unicolor. . . . . . 419
Circus hudsonius 204
Cistothorus stellaris 428
Clangula clangula americana 99
islandica 99
Coccyges 241
Coccyzus americanus americanus 244
occidentalis 246
erythrophthalmus 246
Ccereba bahamensis 385
Ccerebidae 385
minor minor 244
\" maynardi 244
Colaptes auratus auratus 258
luteus 259
cafer collaris 259
Colaptes cafer. saturatior 259
chrysoides 262
rufipileus 262
Colinus ridgwayi 175
virginianus 175
floridanus 175
texanus 175
Columba fasciata fasciata 192
vioscae 192
flavirostris 192","\fleucocephala 192
squamosa 192
Columba 192
Columba- 192
Columbidae 192","Colymbidse 11
Colymbus auritus 13
dominicus brachypterus 15
holbcelli 11
nigricollis californicus 13
Compsothlypis americana americana 390
americana usnese 390
nigrilora 391
Conuropsis carolinensis 241
Coot 136
European 136
Cormorant 79
Baird's 82
Brandt's 82
Double-crested 79
Farallon 81
Florida 81
Mexican 81
Pelagic 82
Red-faced 82
Violet-green 82
White-crested 81
Corvidse 300
Corvus brachyrhynchos brachy-","\frhynchos 312
brachyrhynchos pascuus 312
corax principalis 311
\" sinuatus 311
cryptoleucus 311
ossifragus 312
Cotingidae 280
Cowbird 314
Dwarf 315
Red-eyed 315
Cracidse 191
Crake, Corn 135
Spotted 133
Crane, Little Brown 127
Sandhill 129
Whooping 127
Creciscus jamaicensis 134
coturniculus 134
Creeper, Brown 430
California 430
Mexican 430
Rocky Mountain 430
Sierra 430
Crex Crex 135
Crossbill 327
Mexican 327
White-winged 327
Crotophaga ani 241
sulcirostris 243
Crow 312","\fCarrion 199
Fish 312","454","Florida 312
Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni . . 232
acadica acadica 232
scotaea , 232
Cuckoo, Black-billed 246
California 246
Kamchatka 246
Mangrove 244
Maynard's 244
Yellow-billed 244
Cuculidae 241
Cuculus canorus telephonus 246
Curlew, Bristle-thighed 160
Eskimo 160
Hudsonian 159
Long-billed 159
Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus . . . . 313
Cyanolsemus clemencise 271
Cyanocitta cristata cristata 303
florincola 303
stelleri stelleri 303
\" annectens 306
carlottae 306","\fdiademata 303
frontalis 303
Cyanosylvia suecica robusta 448
Cyanthus latirostris 279
Cypseloides niger borealis 268
Cyrtonyx montezumse mearnsi... 178
Daflla acuta 94
Daption capense 67
Darters 77
Dendragapus obscurus obscurus.. 178
fuliginosus 178
richardsoni 179
Dendrocygna autumnalis 113
bicolor 113
Dendroica aestiva aestiva 392
rubiginosa 392
sonorana 292
auduboni auduboni 395
nigrifrons 395
bryanti castaneiceps 394
castanea 398
caerulea 396
caerulescens caerulescens 394
cairnsi 394
chrysoparia 402
coronata 395
discolor 407
dominica albilora 401
dominica dominica 401
fusca 399","\fgracise 401
kirtlandi 404
magnolia 396
nigrescens 402","occidentalis 404
palmarum palmarum 405
hypochrysea 405
pensylvanica 398
striata 399
tigrina 391
townsendi 403
vigorsi 405
virens 403
Dichromanassa rufescens 123
Dickcissel 368
DIomedea albatrus 59
immutabilis 60
nigripes 59
Diomedeidae 59
Dipper 419
Dolichonyx oryzivorus 314
Dotterel 161
Dove, Bermuda Ground 195
Blue-headed Quail 196
Ground 195
Inca 196
Key West Quail 196
Mexican Ground 195
Mourning 193","\fRuddy Quail 196","White-fronted 195","White-winged 195","Zenaida 194","Dovekie 34","Dowitcher 144","Long-billed 145","Dryobates arizonse 252","borealis 252","nuttalli 252","pubescens pubescens 251","gairdneri 251","homorus 251","medianus 251","\" nelsoni 251","turati 251","scalaris bairdi 252","lucasanus 252","villosus villosus 250","auduboni 250","harrisi 250","hyloscopus 250","leucomelas 250","monticola 250","picoideus 250","Duck, Black 90","Florida 90","Harlequin 101","Labrador 101","Lesser Scaup 98","\fMasked 106
Mottled 91","455","Ring-necked , 98
Ruddy 166
Rufous-crested 95
Scaup 97
Wood 95
Dumetella carolinensis 420
Dunlin 149
Eagle, Bald 217
Golden 215
Gray Sea 217
Northern .Bald 217
Ectopistes migratorius 193
Egret 122
Reddish 123
Snowy 122
Egretta candidissima candidissima 122
Eider 103
King 104
Northern 102
Pacific 103
Spectacled 102
Steller's 102
Elanoides forficatus 201","\fElanus leucurus 201","Empidonax difficilis cineritius 294","difficilis difficilis 293","flaviventris 293","fulvifrons pygmaeus 296","griseus 296","hammondi 295","minimus 295","trailli trailli 294","alnorum 295","virescens 294","wrighti 295","Ereunetes mauri 151","pusillus 150","Erismatura jamaicensis 10G","Erolia ferruginea 149","Eudromias morinellus 161","Eugenes fulgens 271","Euphagus carolinus 322","cyanocephalus 322","Eurynorhynchus pygmeus . . 150","Palco aesalon 221","columbarius columbarius .... 220","suckleyi 220","fusco-cserulescens 221","islandus 218","mexicanus 219","peregrinus anatum 220","pealei 220","\" peregrinus 219","\frichardsoni 220
rusticolus rusticolus 218
gyrfalco 218
\" obsoletus . . 219","sparverius sparverius 222","peninsularis 222","phalcena 221","sparveroides 222","tinnunculus 221","Falcon Aplomado 221","Peale's 220","Peregrine 219","Prairie 219","Finch, Aleutian Rosy 327","Black Rosy 328","Brown-capped Rosy 328","California Purple 325","Cassin's Purple 326","Gray-crowned Rosy 328","Guadalupe House 326","Hepburn's Rosy 328","House 32o","McGregor's House 326","Purple 325","San Clemente House 326","San Lucas House 326","Flamingo 115","Flicker 258","Gilded 262","\fGuadalupe 262
Northern 259
Northwestern 259
Red-shafted 259
Florida Ccerulea 124
Flycatcher, Acadian 294
Alder 295
Arizona Crested 286
Ash-throated 286
Beardless 296
Buff -breasted 296
Coues's 291
Crested 285
Derby 284
Fork-tailed 280
Gray 296
Hammond's 295
Least 295
Lower California 287
Flycatcher, Mexican Crested. 286
Olivaceous 287
Olive-sided 290
San Lucas 294
Scissor-tailed 281
Sulphur-bellied 285
Traill's 294
Vermilion 296
Western 293
Wright's 295
Yellow-bellied 293","\fFratercula arctica arctica 22","\" naumanni 23","456","corniculata 23
Fregata aquila 86
Fregatidae 86
Fregetta grallaria 71
Frigate Bird 86
Fringillidae 324
Fulica americana 136
atra 136
Fulmar 62
Giant 62
Pacific 63
Rodgers's 63
Slender-billed 63
Fulmarus glacialis glacialis 62
\" glupischa 63
rodgersi 63
Gadwall 91
Gallinae 175
Gallinago delicata 143
gallinago 140
meda 143
Gallinula galeata 136
Gallinule, Florida 136","\fPurple 135
Gannet 76
Gavia adamsi 18
arctica 18
immer 18
stellata 19
pacifica 19
Gaviidae 17
Gelochelidon nilotica 50
Geococcyx californianus 243
beldingi 413
trichas arizela 412
\" trichas 412
\" arizela 412
\" ignota 412
occidentalis 412
\" sinousa 412
Geotrygon chrysia 196
montana 196
Glaucidium gnoma calif ornicum .. 239
\" gnoma 239
hoskinsi 239
phalaenoides 240
Glottis nebularia 152
Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed 442
Blue-gray 441
Plumbeous 441
Western 441
Godwit, Black-tailed 152
Hudsonian 152","\fMarbled 151
Pacific 152
Golden-eye 99
Barrow's 99","Goldfinch 329
Arkansas 331
Black-headed 331
Lawrence's 331
Pale 331
Willow 331
Goose, American White-fronted. . . 108
Barnacle 112
Bean 108
Blue 107
Canada 109
Cackling 109
Emperor 112
Greater Snow 107
Hutchins's 109
Ross's 108
Snow 107
White-cheeked 109
White-fronted 108
Goshawk 205
Mexican 214
Western 207
Grackle, Boat-tailed 323
Bronzed 323
Florida 323","\fGreat-tailed 324
Purple 323
Grassquit 368
Melodious : . 368
Grebe, Eared 13
Holbcell's 14-11
Horned 12-13
Least 15
Pied-billed 16-15
Mexican 15
Western 11
Greenshank 152
Grosbeak, Alaska Pine 325
Black-headed 365
Blue 366
California Pine 325
Evening 324
Kadiak Pine 325
Pine 324
Rocky Mountain Pine 325
Rose-breasted 365
Western Blue 366
Western Evening 324
Grouse
Canada Ruffed 182
Columbian Sharp-tailed 187
Dusky 178
Franklin's 180
Gray Ruffed 182
Oregon Ruffed 182","\fPrairie Sharp-tailed 187","Richardson's 179","457","Ruffed 180
Sharp-tailed 187
Sooty 178
Gruidae 127
Grus americana 127
canadensis 127
mexicana 129
Guara alba 117
rubra 117
Guillemot, Black 28
Mandt 29
Pigeon 29
Guiraca caerulea 366
lazula 366
Gull, Bonaparte's 48
California 45
Franklin's 48
Glaucous 40
Glaucous-winged 42
Great Black-backed 43
Heerman's 46
Herring 44
Iceland 41","\fIvory 39
Kittiwake 39
Kumlien 42
Laughing *t
Little 49
Mew 46
Nelson 42
Pacific Kittiwake 40
Point Barrow 41
Red-legged Kittiwake 40
Ring-billed 45
Ross's 49
Sabine's 49
Short-billed 46
Siberian 44
Slaty-backed 43
Vega 45
Western 44
Gymnogyps californianus 198
Gyrfalcon 218
Black 219
Gray 218
White 218
Haematopodidae 170
Haematopus bachmani 171
frazari 171
ostralegus 170
palliatus 170
Haliseetus albicilla 217
leucocephalus leucocephalus . 217","\f\" alascanus . . . 217","Halocyptena, microsoma 68","Harelda hyemalis 100","Hawk, Black Pigeon 220","Broad-winged 213","Cooper's 205","Cuban Sparrow 222","Desert Sparrow 221","Duck 220","Florida Red-shouldered 209","Harlan's 209","Harris's 207","Krider's 208","Marsh 204","Mexican Black 213","Pigeon 220","Red-bellied 211","Red-shouldered 209","Red-tailed 208","Richardson's Pigeon 220","Rough-legged 214","Sennett's White-tailed 212","Sharp-shinned 204","Short-tailed 213","Sparrow 222","San Lucas Sparrow 222","Swainson's 212","Western Red-tail 208","Zone-tailed 211","\fHeath Hen 186","Heleodytes brunneicapillus affinis 424","couesi. 423","bryanti 424","Helinaia swainsoni 386","Helmitheros vermivorus 386","Helodromas ochropus 155","solitarius solitarius 154","\" cinnamomeus 155","Herodias egretta 122","Herodiones 115","Heron, Anthony's Green 125","Black-crowned Night 126","European 122","Frazar's Green 125","Great Blue 121","Great White 121","Green 124","Little Blue 124","Louisiana 123","Northwestern Coast 121","Snowy 122","Ward's 122","Yellow-crowned Night 126","Heteractitis incanus 156","Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina 324","vespertina montana 324","Himantopus mexicanus 139","Hirundinidae 372","\fHirundo erythrogastra 373","458","Histrionicus histrionicus
Honey Creeper, Bahama
Hummingbird, Allen's
Anna's
Black-chinned
Blue-throated
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Costa's
Lucifer
Morcom's
Reiffer's
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
White-eared
Xantus's
Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis. . .
Hydrochelidon leucoptera
nigra surinamensis
Hylocichla alicise aliciae
\" bicknelli
fuscescens fuscescens","\fsalicicola
guttata auduboni
\" guttata
mustelina","nanus
\" pallasi
ustulata swainsoni
ustulata
Ibididae
Ibis, Glossy
Scarlet
White
White-faced Glossy
Wood
Icteria virens virens
longicauda
Icteridse
Icterus melanocephalus auduboni,
bullocki
cucullatus nelsoni
sennetti
galbula
parisorum ,
spurius ,
Ictinia mississippiensis
lonornis martinicus
Iridoprocne bicolor
Ixobrychus exilis
neoxenus","\fIxoreus naevius meruloides","\" nsevius","Jabiru .","101 Jabiru mycteria 119","385 Jacana, Mexican 172","277 spinosa 172","275 Jacanidae 172","273 Jaeger, Long-tailed 37","271 Parastic 37","279 Pomarine 36","276 Jay, Alaska 309","279 Arizona 307","278 Belding's 307","275 Black-headed 306","278 Blue 303","2*<8 Blue-eared 307","278 Blue-fronted 303","271 California 307","273 Canada 308","276 Couch's 308","279 Florida 306","279 Florida Blue 303","123 Gray 311","57 Green 308","56 Labrador 309","443 Long-crested 30^","443 Oregon 309","443 Pinon 313","443 Queen Charlotte . , 306","\f445 Rocky Mountain 309","445 Santa Cruz 307","442 Steller's 303","446 Texas 307","446 Woodhouse's 306","445 Xantus's 307","443 Junco aikeni 348","117 Arizona 350","118 Baird's 351","117 bairdi 351","117 Carolina 350","118 Guadalupe 351","118 hyemalis hyemalis 349","413 hyemalis carolinensis 350","413 mearnsi 350","314 ' connectens 349","319 montanus 350","322 ' oreganus 349","320 ' pinosus 349","320 ' thurberi 349","321 insularis 351","320 mearnsi","321 Montana 350","202 Oregon 349","135 phaeonotus dorsalis 350","373 \" palliatus 350","120 Pink-sided 350","120 Point Pinos 349","448 Red-backed 350","448 Shufeldt's 349","\f119 Slate-colored 349","459","Thurber's 349
Townsend's 350
townsendi's 350
White-winged 348
Kestrel 221
Killdeer 165
Kingbird 281
Arkansas 283
Cassin's 284
Couch's 283
Gray 283
Kingfisher, Belted 247
Ringed 247
Texas 249
Kinglet, Dusky 441
Golden-crowned 439
Ruby-crowned 440
Sitka 441
Western Golden crowned .... 440
Kite, Everglade 202
Mississippi 202
'Swallow-tailed 201
White-tailed 201
Kittiwake 39","\fKittiwake, Pacific 40
Red-legged 40
Knot 146
Lagopus evermanni 184
lagopus lagopus 183
alleni 183
leucurus leucurus 185
\" peninsularis 185
rupestris 183
atkhensis 184
nelsoni 184
\" reinhardi 184
\" townsendi 184
welchi 184
Laniidae 376
Lanius borealis 376
ludovicianus ludovicianus 376
anthonyi 376
excubitorides 378
\" gambeli 378
Lanivireo flavifrons 382
solitarius alticola 383
cassini 382
lucasanus 383
plumbeus 382
solitarius 382
Lapwing 161
Laridse 38
Lark, California Horned 298
Desert Horned 298","\fDusky Horned 299","Horned 297","Hoyt's Horned 299","Island Horned 299","Montezuma Horned 299","Pallid Horned 297","Prairie Horned 298","Ruddy Horned 298","Scorched Horned 298","Sonora Horned 299","Streaked Horned 299","Texan Horned 29*","Larus affinis 44","argentatus 44","atricilla 47","brachyrhynchus 46","californicus 45","canus 46","delawarensis 45","franklini 48","glaucescens 42","hyporboreus 40","heermanni 46","kumlieni 42","leucopterus 41","marinus 43","minutus 49","nelsoni 42","occidentals 44","\fPhiladelphia 48
schistisagus 43
vegse 45
Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera 195
Leucosticte, atrata 328
australis 328
griseonucha 327
tephrocotis tephrocotis 328
littoralis 328
Limicolae 137
Limosa fedoa 151^
hsemastica 152
lapponica baueri 152
limosa 152
Limpkin 129
Lobipes Lobatus 137
Longipennes 35
Longspur, Alaska 333
Chestnut-collared 334
Lapland 333
McCown's 334
Smith's 334
Loon 38-17-20-18
Black-throated 18
Pacific 19
Red-throated 19
Yellow-billed 18
Lophodytes cucullatus 88
Lophortyx californica 177
vallicola... 177","\fgambeli 177","460","Loxia curvirostra minor 327","Strickland! 327","leucoptera 327","Lunda cirrhata 22","Machetes Pugnax 156","Macrochires 262","Macronectes giganteus 62","Macrorhamphus griseus griseus.. 144","\" scolopaceus 145","Magpie, Yellow-billed 300","Mallard 88","Man-o'-War Bird 86","Mareca americana 92","penelope 91","Marila affinis 98","americana 95","collaris 98","marila 97","valisineria 97","Martin, Cuban 372","Purple 372","Western 372","Meadowlark 317","Rio Grande 317","southern 319","\fWestern 319
Megalestris skua 36
Megaquiscalus major major 323
\" macrourus.. 324
Melanerpes erythrocephalus 256
formicivorus f ormicivorus .... 256
\" angustifrons . . . 257
bairdi 257
Meleagridse ' 178
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia.. 191
merriami ... 190
\" osceola 191
\" silvestris . . . 190
Melopelia asiatica 195
Melospiza melodia caurina 355
\" cooperi 355
\" clementse .... 355
\" fallax 354
\" graminea 355
heermanni . . . 354
\" insignis 355
juddi 355
\" kenaiensis .... 355
\" melodia 354
merrilli 355
montana 354
\" morphna 354
\" pusillula 355
rivularis 355
\" rufina 355","\f\" samuelis 354","georgiana 356","lincolni lineolni 356","\" striata 356","Merganser 87","Hooded 88","Red-breasted 88","Mergus americanus 87","serrator 88","Merlin 221","Micropalama himantopus 145","Micropallas whitneyi 240","Micropodidae 268","Mimus polyglottos 420","polyglottos 420","leucopterus . . . 420","Mniotilta varia 385","Mniotiltidse 385","Mockingbird 420","Western 420","Molothrus ater ater 314","\" obscurus 315","Motacilla alba 418","ocularis 418","Motacillidse 418","Murre 29","Brunnich's 31","California 30","Pallas's 31","\fMurrelet, Ancient 26
Craveri's 28
Kittlitz 27
Marbled 27
Xantus 27
Muscivora forficata 281
tyrannus 280
Myadestes townsendi 442
Mycteria americana 118
Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens 286
Myiarchus cinerascens pertinax. . 287
crinitus 285
olivascens 287
magister magister 286
nelsoni 286
Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris 291
richardsoni richardsoni 293
peninsulas 293
virens 291
Myiodynastes luteiventris 285
Nannus alascensis 428
meliger 428
niemalis helleri 428
niemalis 427
pacificus 428
Netta rufina 95
Nettion carolinense 92
crecca 92
Nighthawk 266","\f46X","Florida 266
Sennett's 268
Texas 268
Western 266
Noddy 57
Nomonyx dominicus 106
Nucifraga columbiana 313
Numenius americanus 159
borealis 160
hudsonicus 159
phseopus 160
tahitiensis 160
Nutcracker, Clark's 313
Nuthatch, Brown-headed 432
Florida White-breasted 431
Pygmy 432
Red-breasted 432
Rocky Mountain 431
Slender-billed 431
San Lucas 431
White-breasted 431
White-naped 433
Nuttallornis borealis 290
Nyctanassa violacea 126
Nyctea nyctea 237","\fNycticorax nycticorax naevius .... 126","Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli... 265","Oceanites oceanicus 71","Oceanodroma furcata 68","homochroa 70","ksedingi 69","leucorhoa 69","macrodactyla 69","melania 70","socorrcensis 70","Ochthodromus wilsonius 168","Odontoglossse 115","Odontophoridse 175","Oidemia americana 104","deglandi 105","fusca 105","perspicillata 105","Old-cquaw 100","Olor buccinator 114","columbianus 114","cygnus 114","Oporornis agilis 410","formosus 410","Philadelphia 411","tolmei 411","Oreortyx picta picta 176","\" confinis 176","\" plumifera 176","Oreospiza chlorura 361","Oriole, Arizona Hooded 320","\fAudubon's 319
Baltimore . . 321","Bullock's 322
Scott's 320
Sennett's 320
Orchard 321
Oreoscoptes montanus 419
Ortalis vetula mccalli 191
Osprey 225
Octocoris alpestris alpestris 297
actia 298
adusta 299
articola 297
giraudi 298
hoyti 299
insularis .... 299
\" leucolaema . . . 298
merrilli 299
occidentalis. . . 299
pallida 299
praticola 298
rubea 298
strigata 299
Otus asio aikeni 234
\" asio 233
\" bendirei 233
\" cineraceus 234
\" floridanus 233
\" kennicotti 233
\" macfarlanei","\f1 \" maxwellise 233","\" mccalli 233","flammeolus flammeolus 234","idahoensis 234","Trichopsis 234","Xantusi 234","Ouzel, Water 419","Oven-bird 407","Owl, Aiken's Screech 234","Arctic Horned 235","Barn 227","Barred 229","Burrowing 238","California Pygmy 239","California Screech 233","Dusky Horned 235","Dwarf Horned 237","Dwarf Screech 234","Elf 240","European Hawk 237","Ferruginous Pygmy 240","Flammulated Screech 234","Florida Barred 229","Florida Burrowing 239","\" Screech 233","Great Gray 231","Great Horned 235","Hawk 238","Hoskin's Pygmy 239","\f462","Kennicott's Screech 233","Lapp 232","Long-eared 227","MacParlane's Screech 234","Mexican Screech 234","Northern Spotted 231","Northwestern Saw- whet 232","Pacific Horned 235","Pygmy 239","Richardson's 232","Rocky Mountain Screech .... 233","Saw-whet 232","Screech 233","Short-eared 229","Snowy 237","Spotted 237","Screech 234","Texas Barred 231","Texas Screech 233","Western Horned 235","Xantus's Screech 234","Oxyechus vociferus 165","Oyster-catcher 170","European 170","Black 171","Prazar's 171","\fPagophila alba 39
Paludicolae 127
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis . . . 225
Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi 207
Parauque, Merrill's 265
Paroquet, Carolina 241
Parrot, Thick-billed 141
Partridge, Alaska Spruce 179
Canada Spruce 179
Hudsonian Spruce 179
Passer domesticus 335
Passerculus beldingi 337
princeps 337
rostratus rostratus 338
guttatus 337
santorum 338
sandwichensis sandwichensis 337
alaudinus 337
bryanti 337
savanna 337
Passerella iliaca fuliginosa 357
\" iliaca 357
\" insularis 357
megarhyncha . . 357
\" schistacea 357
\" stephensi 357
\" townsendi 357
\" unalaschensis. . . 357
Passeres 280
Passerherbulus henslowi henslowi 340","\f\" occidentalis 340","caudacutus 340
lecontei 340
maritimus fisheri 341
\"
\"
\"
\"","macgillivrai 342
maritimus.. 341
peninsulse . . 341
sennetti ... 341","nelsoni nelsoni 341","subvirgatus 341","nigrescens 342","Passerina amoena 366","ciris 367","cyanea 366","versicolor versicolor 367","pulchra 367","Pedicecetes phasianellus phasianellus 187","phasianellus campestris 187","columbianus 187","Pelagodroma marina 71","Pelecanidse 83","Pelecanus californicus 85","erythrorhynchos 83","occidentalis 85","Pelican, White 83","Brown 85","California Brown 85","Pelidna alpina alpina 149","sakhalina 149","Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus 434","\foccidentalis.. 435
\" septentrionalis 435
carolinensis agilis 435
carolinensis .... 435
cinctus alascensis 436
\" gambeli 435
hudsonicus hudsonicus 436
littoralis 436
rufescens barlowi 437
neglectus 437
\" rufescens 437
sclateri 435
Perisoreus canadensis canadensis 308
capitalis ... 309
fumifrons. . . 309
nigricapillus 309
obscurus obscurus 309
\" griseus 311
Petrel, Ashy 70
Black 70
Black-capped 67
Bulwer's 67
Fisher's 67
Fork-tailed 68
Guadalupe 69
Kaeding's 69
Leach's 68","463","\fLeast 68
Pintado 67
Scaled 67
Socorro 70
Storm 68
White-bellied 71
White-faced 71
Wilson's 71
Petrochelidon fulva 372
lunifrons lunifrons 372
melanogastra 373
Peucaea aestivalis sestivalis 352
\" bachmani 352
botterii 352
cassini 253
Peucedramus olivaceus 391
Pewee, Western Wood 293
Large-billed Wood 293
Wood 291
Phaethon americanus 72
sethereus 73
rubricaudus 73
Phaethontidse 72
Phainopepla 376
nitens 376
Phalacrocoracidae 78
Phalacrocorax carbo 79
auritus auritus 79
\" albociliatus 81","\f\" cincinatus 81
\" floridanus 81
vigua mexicanus 81
pelagicus pelagicus 82
resplendens 82
robustus 82
penicillatus 82
urile 82
Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli 264
\" californicus . . 264
\" nitidus 264
Phalarope, Northern 137
Red 137
Wilson's 138
Phalaropodidae 137
Phalaropus fulicarius 137
Phaleris psittacula 25
Phasianidae 188
Phasianus torquatus 188
Pheasant, Ring-necked 188
Philacte canagica 112
Philohela minor 140
Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus 255
Phoebe 287
Black 289
Say 289
Phcebetria palpebrata 60
Phcenicopteridse 115","Phcenicopterus ruber 115","\fPica pica hudsonia 300","nuttalli 300","Pici 249","Picidae 249","Picoides americanus americanus.. 253","dorsalis . . . 254","fasciatus . . 254","arcticus 253","Pigeon- Band-tailed 192","Passenger 193","Red-billed 192","Scaled 192","Viosca's 192","White-crowned 192","Pinicola enucleator alascensis . . . 325","californica . . . 325","flammula 325","leucura 324","\" montana 325","Pintail 94","Pipilo aberti 361","consobrinus 360","erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus 358","erythrophthalmus alleni 358","fuscus albigula 360","crissalis crissalis 360","fuscus mesoleucus 360","crissalis senicula 361","maculatus arcticus 358","\f\" clementae 360","\" magnirostris 360","\" megalonyx 360","\" montanus 35S","\" oregonus 360","Pipit 418","Meadow 418","Red-throated 419","Sprague's 419","Piranga erythromelas 369","heuatica 370","ludoviciana 369","rubra rubra 370","\" cooperi 370","Pisobia aurita 147","bairdi 148","daniacensis 149","fuscicollis 148","maculata 147","minutella 148","Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus . . 284","Planesticus confinis 447","migratorius achrusterus 447","\" migratorius 446","\" propinquus . . 446","464","\fPlataleidae 115
Platypsaris aglaise albiventris 280
Plautus impennis 32-33
Plectrophenax hyperboreus 333
nivalis nivalis 332
\" townsendi .... 332
Plegadis autumnalis 118
guarauna 118
Plover, Black-bellied 161
European Golden 163
Golden , 163
Little Ringed 166
Mongolian 167
Mountain 168
Pacific Golden 163
Piping 166
Ringed 166
Semipalmated 165
Snowy 167
Upland 156
Wilson's 168
Podasocys montanus 168
Podilymbus podiceps 15
Polioptila caerulea caerulea 441
obscura 441 .
californica 442
plumbea 441
Polyborus cheriway 224
lutosus 224
Polysticta stelleri 102","\fPocecetes gramineus gramineus.. 335","affinis 335","confinis .... 335","Poor-will 264","Dusky 264","Frosted 264","Porzana Carolina 133","porzana 133","Prairie Chicken 185","Attwater's , 186","Lesser 187","Priocella glacialoides 63","Priofinus cinereus 66","Procellariidse 61","Progne cryptoleuca 372","subis subis 372","\" hesperia 372","Protonotaria citrea 386","Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi 438","minimus minimus 437","\" californicus 438","\" grindae 438","plumbeus 438","Psittaci 241","Psittacida? 241","Ptarmigan, Allen's 183","Evermann's . . 184","Kenai White-tailed 185","Nelson's 134","\fReinhardt's 184
Rock 183
Townsend's 184
Turner's 184
Welch's 184
White-tailed 185
Willow 183
Ptychoramphus aleuticus 24
Puffin 22
Horned 23
Large-billed 23
Tufted 22
Puffinus assimilis 65
auricularis 65
borealis 64
creatopus 65
cuneatus 66
gravis 64
griseus 66
Iherminieri 65
opisthomelas 65
puffinus 64
tenuirostris 66
Pygopodes 10
Pyrocephalus rubineus mexicanus. 296
Pyrrhula cassini 325
Pyrrhuloxia, Arizona 364
sinuata sinuata 364
peninsulas 364
\" texana 364","\fSan Lucas 364","Texas 364","California 177","Chestnut Bellied Scaled 177","Gambel's 177","Mearn's 178","Quail, Mountain 176","Plumed 176","San Pedro 176","Scaled 176","Valley 177","Querquedula cyanoptera 93","discors 93","Quiscalus quiscula quiscula 323","\" aglaeus 323","asneus 323","Rail, Belding's 131","Black 134","California Clapper 131","Carribean Clapper 132","Clapper 132","Farallon 134","Florida Clapper 132","King 131","Louisiana Clapper 132","465","\fVirginia 133
Wayne's Clapper 132
Yellow 131
Rallidae 131
Rallus beldingi . . 131
crepitans crepitans 132
saturatus 132
scotti 132
waynei 132
elegans 131
longirostris caribaeus 132
obsoletus 131
virginianus 132
Raptores 198
Raven 311
Northern 311
White-necked 311
Recurvirostra americana 139
Recurvirostridae 139
Redhead 95
Redpoll 329
Greater 329
Greenland 328
Hoary 328
Holbcell's 329
Redstart 415
Painted 417
Red-wing, Bahama 316
Bicolored 317
Florida 316","\fNorthwestern 316
San Diego 316
Sonora 316
Thick-billed 316
Tricolored 317
Regulus calendula calendula 440
grinnelli 441
\" obscurus . 441
satrapa olivaceus 440
\" satrapa 439
Rhodostethia rosea 49
Rhynchophanes mccowni 334
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha .... 241
Riparia riparia 374
Rissa brevirostris 40
tridactyla tridactyla 39
\" pollicaris 40
Road-runner 243
Robin 446
Southern 447
San Lucas 447
Western 446
Rostrhamus sociabilis 202
Rough-leg, Ferruginous 215
Ruff 156
Rynchopidae 58
Rynchops nigra 58","Sage Hen 188","Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus 424","\fguadeloupensis 424
Sanderling 151
Sandpiper, Aleutian 146
Baird 148
Buff-breasted 158
Curlew 149
Green 155
Least 148
Pectoral 147
Pribilof 147
Purple 146
Red-backed 149
Semipalmated 150
Sharp-tailed 147
Solitary 154
Spoonbill 150
Spotted 158
Stilt 145
Western 151
Western Solitary 155
White-rumped 148
Sapsucker, Northern Red-breasted 255
Red-breasted 255
Red-naped 254
Williamson's 255
Yellow-bellied 254
Saxicola cenanthe cenanthe 448
\" leucorhoa 448
Sayornis nigricans 289
phoebe 287","\fsayus 289
Scardafella inca 196
Scolopacidse 140
Scolopax rusticola 140
Scoter 104
Surf |.. 105
Velvet 105
White-winged 105
Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica. . . . 232
\" nebulosa .... 231
Seed-eater, Sharpe's 368
Seiurus aurocapillus 407
motacilla 409
noveboracensis noveboracensis 409
notabilis 409
Selasphorus alleni 276
platycercus 276
rufus 277
Steophaga picta 417
ruticilla 415
Shearwater, Allied 65
Audubon's 65
Black-tailed 66
Black-vented 65
Cory's 64","466","\fGreater 64
Manx 64
Pink-footed 65
Slender-billed 66
Sooty 66
Townsend's 65
Wedge-tailed 66
Sheldrake, Ruddy 93
Shoveller 94
Shrike, California 378
Island 378
Loggerhead 376
Northern 376
White-rumped 378
Sialia currucoides 450
mexicana anabelae 450
bairdi 450
occidentalis 450
sialis sialis 448
\" fulva 448
Siskin, Pine 332
Sitta canadensis 432
carolinensis carolinensis .... 431
\" aculeata 431
atkinsi 431
lagunae 431
nelsoni 431
pusilla 432
pygmaea pygmaea 432
leuconucha 433","\fS'ttidae 431
Skimmer, Black 58
Skua 36
Skylark 297
Snakebird 77
Snipe, European 140
Great 143
Wilson's 143
Solitaire, Townsend's 442
Somateria dresseri 103
mollissima borealis 102
spectabilis 104
v-nigra 103
Sora 133
Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed... 341
Alameda Song 355
Aleutian Song 337
Bachman's 352
Baird's 338
Belding's 337
Bell's 351
Black-chinned 348
Black-throated 351
Botteri's 352
Brewer's 346
Brown's Song 355
Bryant's 337","Cassin's 353
Chipping 345","\fClay-colored 355
Dakota Song 355
Desert 351
Desert Song 354
Dusky Seaside 342
English
Field 348
Florida Grasshopper 340
Forbush's 356
Fox 356
Gambel's 343
Golden-crowned 343
Grasshopper 338
Gray Sage 352
Harris's 342
Heermann's Song 354
Henslow's 340
Ipswich 337
Kadiak Fox 357
Kenai Song 355
Laguna 353
Large-billed 338
Lark 342
Leconte's 340
Lincoln's 356
Louisiana Seaside 341
Macgillivray's Seaside 342
Merrill's Song 355
Mountain Song 354
Nelson's 341","\fNuttall's 343
Oregon Vesper 335
Pine Woods 352
Rock 353
Rufous-crowned 353
Fufous-winged 353
Rusty Song 354
Sage 352
Samuel's Song 354
San Benito 338
San Clemente Song 355
San Diego Song 355
San Lucas 338
Santa Barbara Song 355
Savannah 337
Scott's 353
Scott's Seaside 341
Seaside 341
Sharp-tailed 340
Shumagin Fox 357
Slate-colored Fox 357
Song 354
Sooty Fox 357
Sooty Song 355
Stephen's Fox 357","467","\fSwamp 356
Texas 357
Texas Seaside 341
Thick-billed Fox 357
Townsend's Fox 357
Tree 345
Vesper 335
Western Chipping 346
Western Field 348
Western Grasshopper 338
Western Henslow's 340
Western Lark 342
Western Savannah 337
Western Tree 345
Western Vesper 335
White-crowned 343
White-throated 345
Worth'en's 348
Yakutat Song 355
Spatula clypeata 94
Speotyto cunicularia floridana 239
hypogaea 238
Sphyrapicus ruber ruber 255
\" notkensis 255
thyroideus 255
varius varius 254
nuchalis 254
Spinus notatus 331
pinus 332
Spiza americana 368","\fSpi/ella atrogularis 348","breweri 346","monticola monticola 345","ochracea 345","passerina arizonae 346","\" passerina 345","pallida 346","pusilla pusilla 348","\" arenacea 348","\" arizonae 346","wortheni 348","Spoonbill, Roseate 115","tsporophila morelleti sharpei 368","Squatarola squatarola 161","Starling 314","Starncenas cyanocephala 196","Steganopodes 72","Stegonopus tricolor 138","Stelgidopteryx serripennis 374","nt.ellula calliope 278","Stercorariidae 35","Stercorarius longicaudus 37","parasiticus 37","pomarinus 36","Sterna aleutica 54","anaetheta 56","antillarum 55","caspia 50
dougalli 54","\felegans 51
forsteri 53
fuscata 55
hirundo 53
maxima 51
paradissea 54
sandvicensis acuflavida 52
trudeaui 52
Stilt, Black-necked 139
Stint, Long-toed 149
Strigidae 227
Strix occidentalis caurina 231
occidentalis ... 231
varia allogilva 231
\" alleni 229
\" varia 229
Sturnella magna magna 317
\" argutula 319
hoopesi 317
\" neglecta 319
Sturnidae 314
Sturnus vulgaris 314
Sula bassana 76
brewsteri 75
cyanops 74
leucogactra 75
nebouxi 74
piscator 75
Sulidae 74
Surf Bird 169","\fSurnia ulula ulula 237","\" caparoch 238","Swallow, Bahama 374","Bank 374","Barn 373","Cliff 372","Cuban Cliff 373","Mexican Cliff 373","Northern Violet-green 374","Rough-winged 374","San Lucas 374","Tree 373","Swallow-tailed Kite 201","Swan, Trumpeter 114","Whistling 114","Whooping H4","Swift, Black 268","Chimney 269","Vaux's 270","White-throated 270","Slyviidae 433","Sylthliboramphus antiquus 26","Tachycineta thalassina lepida 374","\" brachyptera 374","468","Tanager, Cooper's
Hepatic","\fWestern
Scarlet
Summer
Tangaridae
Tangavius aeneus involucratus
Tattler, Wandering
Teal, Blue-winged
Cinnamon
European
Green-winged
Telmatodytes palustris
griseus . . .
\" marianse . .
\" paludicola .
plesius . . .
palustris...
Tern, Aleutian
Arctic
Black
Bridled
Cabot's
Caspian
Common
Elegant
Forster's
Gull-billed
Least
Roseate
Royal
Sooty","\fTrudeau's
White-winged Black
Thalassidroma pelagica
Thalassogeron culminatus
Thrasher, Bendire's
Brown
California
Crissal
Curve-billed
Desert
Leconte's
Mearns's
Palmer's
Sage
San Lucas
Sennett's
Thrush, Alaska Hermit
Audubon's Hermit
Bicknell's
Dwarf Hermit
Gray-cheeked
Hermit
Olive-backed
Northern Varied
Red-winged","INDEX
370 Russet-backed 443
370 Varied 443
369 Willow 443","\f369 Wood 442","370 Thryomanes bewicki bairdi 426","369 bewicki bewicki 426","315 calophonus 426","156 \" charienturus 426","93 cryptus 426","93 \" spilurus 426","82 brevicauda 426","92 leucophrys 426","429 Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovi429 cianus , 425","429 ludovicianus lomitensis 425","429 miamensis 425","429 Tiaris bicolor 368","429 canora 368","54 Titlark 418","54 Titmouse, Ashy 434","56 Black-crested 433","56 Bridled 434","52 Gray 434","50 Plain 434","53 Tufted 433","51 Totanus flavipes 153","53 melanoleucus 153","50 Towhee 358","55 Abert's 361","54 Anthony's 361","51 Arctic 358","55 California 360","52 Canon 360","\f57 Green-tailed 361
68 Guadalupe 360
60 Large-billed 360
422 Mountain 360
421 Oregon 360
422 San Clemente 360
423 San Diego 360
421 San Lucas 360
423 Spurred 358
423 White-eyed 358
422 Toxostima bendirei 422
422 cinereum cinereum 422
419 \" mearnsi 422
422 crissale 423
421 curvirostre curvirostre 421
445 palmeri 422
445 lecontei lecontei 423
443 lecontei arenicola 423
446 longirostre sennetti 421
443 redivivum 422
446 rufum 421
445 Tree Duck, Black-bellied 113
448 Fulvous 113
446 Tringa canutus . 146","469","- 30","\fTrochilidae 271
Troglodytes aedon aedon 427
\" parkmani 427
Troglodytidse 423
Trogon ambiguus 246
Coppery-tailed 246
Trogonidae 246
Tropic Bird, Red-billed 73
Red-tailed 73
Yellow-billed 72
Troupial
Tryngites subruficollis 158
Tubinares 59
Turdidse 442
Turdus musicus 446
Turkey, Florida . . 191
Merriam's 190
Rio Grande 191
Wild 190
Turnstone 169
Black 170
Ruddy 169
Tympanuchus americanus americanus 185
americanus attwateri 186
cupido 186
pallidicinctus 187
Tyrannidae 280
Tyrannus dominicensis 283","\fmelancholicus couchi 283","tyrannus 281","verticalis 283","vociferans 284","Uria lomvia lomvia 30","\" arra 31","troille troille 29","\" californica 30","Urubitinga anthracina 213","Vanellus vanellus 161","Veery 443","Verdin 439","Cape 439","Vermivora bachmani 387","pinus 387","celata celata 389","\" lucescens 389","\" sordida 390","chrysoptera 388","luciae 388","peregrina 390","Vermivora rubricapella gutturalis . 389","rubricapella 389","virginiae 388","Vireo, Anthony's 384","atricapillus 383","Bell's 384","belli belli 384","belli pusillus 385","\fBermuda 384
Black-capped 383
Black-whiskered 378
Blue-headed 382
Cassin's . . 382griseus bermudianus 384
\" maynardi 383
\" micrus 384
Gray 385
Button's 384
huttoni huttoni 384
\" obscunis 384
Stephens! 384
Key West 383
Least 385
Mountain 383
Philadelphia 380
Plumbeous ...382
Red-eyed 380
San Lucas 383
Small White-eyed 384
Stephens's 383
vicinior 385
Warbling 380
Western Warbling 382
White-eyed 383
Yellow-green 380
Yellow-throated 382
Vireonidaa 378
Vireosylva calidris barbatula 378","\fflavoviridis 380
gilva gilva 380
\" swainsoni 382
olivacea 380
Philadelphia 380
Vulture, Black 199
California 198
Turkey 199
Wagtail Alaska Yellow 418
Swinhoe's 418
White 418
Warbler, Alaska Yellow 392
Audubon's 395
Bachman's 387
Bay-breasted 398
Black and White 385
Blackburnian 399
Black-fronted 395
Black-poll 399
Black-throated Blue 394
Black-throated Gray 402
Black-throated Green 403
Blue-winged 387
Cairns's 394
Calaveras 389
Canada 415","470","\fCape May 391","Cerulean 396","Chestnut-sided 398","Connecticut 410","Dusky 390","Golden-cheeked 402","Golden Pileolated 415","Golden-winged 388","Grace's 401","Hermit 405","Hooded 414","Kennicott's Willow 439","Kentucky 410","Kirtland's 404","Lucy's 388","Lutescent 389","Macgillivray's 411","Magnolia 396","Mangrove 394","Mourning 411","Myrtle 395","Nashville 389","Northern Parula 390","Olive 391","Orange-crowned 389","Palm 405","Parula 390","Pileolated 414","Pine 405","\fPrairie 407
Prothonotary 386
Red-faced 417
Sennett's 391
Sonora Yellow 392
Swainson's 386
Sycamore 401
Tennessee 390
Townsend's 403
Virginia's 388
Wilson's 414
Worm-eating 386
Yellow 392
Yellow Palm 405
Yellow-throated 401
Water Thrush 409
Grinnell's 409
Louisiana . . . e 409
Water Turkey 77
Waxwing, Bohemian 375
Cedar 375
Wheatear 448
Greenland 448
Whimbrel 160
Whip-poor-will 263
Stephens's 264
Widgeon, European 91","Willet 155
Western 156","\fWilsonia canadensis 415","citrina 414","pusilla pusilla 414","\" chryseola 415","\" pileolata 414","Woodcock 140","European 140","Woodpecker, Alaska Three-toed.. 254","Alpine Three-toed 254","Ant-eating 256","Arctic Three-toed 253","Arizona 252","Batchelder's 251","Cabanis's 250","California 257","Downy 251","Gairdner's 251","Gila 258","Golden-fronted 258","Hairy 250","Harris's 250","Ivory-billed 249","Lewis's 257","Narrow-fronted 257",", Nelson's Downy 251","Northern Hairy 250","Northern Pileated 256","Nuttall's 252","Pileated 255","Queen Charlotte 250","\fRed-bellied 257
Red-cockaded 251
Red-headed 256
Rocky Mountain Hairy 250
San Lucas 252
Southern Downy 251
Southern Hairy 250
Texas 252
Three-toed 253
White-headed 253
Willow 251
Wren, Alaska 428
Aleutian 428
Baird's 426
Bewick's 426
Bryant's Cactus 424
Cactus 423
Canon 425
Carolina 425
Dotted Canon 425
Florida 425
Guadalupe 426
Guadalupe Rock 424
House 427
Kadiak Winter 428","471","\fr Lomita 425
Long-billed Marsh .......... 429
Marian's Marsh 429
Seattle 426
Rock ......... . ^| f . 424
San Clemente . 00 426
I Short-billed Mar ; sh 428
, j San Diego \".*' 426
San Lucas Cactus 424
Texas ...... 426
Tule ,.. 429
Vigors's 426
Western House 427
Western Marsh 429
Western ' Winter ........ 428
White-throated .... . . ....... 424
Winter ............. 427
Worthington's Marsh ....... 429
wren-tit I;..::.;......;........ 437
Pallid ..::;. 437
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus . . 315
Xanthpura luxuosa glaucescens . . 30^","Xema sabini 49
Xenopicus albolarvatus 253
Yellowlegs 153
Greater 153
Yellow-throat, Belding's 413
Florida 412
Maryland 412","\fPacific 412
Rio Grande 413
Salt Marsh 412
Western 412
Zamelodia ludoviciana 365
melanocephala 365
Zenaida zenaida 194
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis . 193
Zonotrichia albicollis 345
coronata 343
leucophrys leucophrys 343
\" gambeli 343
nuttalli 343
querula ....,..,.,, , , . , 342","472","Birds of Eastern North America","By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.","THE BIRD BOOK of the year. It is authentic. The author KNOWS birds.","He has studied them for thirty years in the hand, for plumage, and in their","haunts, for habits. He has studied them in their homes and has photographed","hundreds as they were actually feeding their young. Besides being able to","write about these things in an interesting and instructive manner, he is classed","as one of the foremost bird artists in America. This rare combination of ArtistAuthor-Naturalist has produced, in \"Birds of Eastern North America,\" the","ultimate bird book.","The technical descriptions aided by the pictures give perfect ideas of the","plumage of adults and young.","The descriptive text gives the important and characteristic features in the","lives of the various species.","The illustrations well, there are 408 PICTURES IN NATURAL COLORS;","they show practically every species, including male, female, and young when","\fthe plumages differ, and they are perfectly made by the best process.
Bound in cloth, handsomely illuminated in gold; 464 pages (4 1 /^x6 1 /^); 408
colored illustrations; every bird described and pictured.
$3.00 postpaid","Color Key To N. A. Birds","By F. M. CHAPMAN and C. A. REED","This might well be called an illustrated dictionary of North American birds,","the male of each species being shown in COLOR from pen and ink drawings,","Uniform with Egg Book. 350 pages.","$2.50 net","From \"Water Birds'","From \"Land Birds","LAND BIRDS
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
An illustrated, pocket text book that enables anyone to quickly identify any
song or insectivorous bird found east of the Rocky Mountains. It describes
their habits and peculiarities; tells you where to look for them and describes
their nests, eggs and songs.
EVERY BIRD IS SHOWN IN COLOR, including the females and young
where the plumage differs, from watercolor drawings by the four-color process.
The illustrations are the BEST, the MOST ACCURATE, and the MOST VALUABLE ever printed in a bird book.
\"LAND BIRDS\" is the most popular and has the LARGEST SALE (over
300,000 copies) of any bird book published in this country. It is used and recom
mended by our leading ornithologists and teachers. 230 pages.
Bound in Cloth, 75c. net; in Leather, $1.00 net; postage 5c.","WATER BIRDS
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
This book is uniform in size and scope with LAND BIRDS. It includes all
of the Water Birds, Game Birds and Birds of Prey, east of the Rockies. Each","\fspecies is ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR from oil paintings; the bird, its habits
and nesting habits are described.
The pictures show more than 230 birds in color, every species found in our
range. They exceed in number those in any other bird book. In quality they
cannot be surpassed exquisite gems, each with an attractive background, typical of the habits of the species.
\"LAND BIRDS\" and \"WATER BIRDS\" are the only books, regardless of
price, that describe and show in color every bird. 250 pages, neatly boxed.
Bound in Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage 5c.","THE TREE GUIDE","By JULIA ELLEN ROGERS","Author of \"The Tree Book\"","THE TREE GUIDE is uniform in style and size with the well known pocket","Bird Guides which have become so universally popular. It contains illustrations (32 of them colored and many in black and white) and descriptions of","every tree east of the Rocky Mountains. The descriptions include the range,","the classification, the distinctive features such as flowers, leaves, fruit, etc",".,","and all other marks that lead to an easy identification of the tree. No detail","that will help the student has been omitted and the small size of the volume,","about the length and width of the hand, makes it convenient to carry. An","ideal volume for expert naturalist or amateur for field work or even more","exhaustive study.","32 illustrations in color; many in black and white.","Cloth, net, $1.00. Leather, net, $1.25","AnimaJ Post Cards","We have been fortunate in securing from the well known artist, Harry F.","Harvey, a number of his best paintings of our North American Wild Animals.","These have been Faithfully reproduced in NATURAL COLORS, postcard size,","and are by far, twenty-five of the best animal cards ever published.","Ask your dealer for the \"REED NATURE CARDS.\"","25 Animals, 25 Birds, 50 Wild Flowers.","ALL IN NATURAL COLORS","If your dealer is out of them we will fill your order (postpaid)","25 Animals for 50c; 25 Birds for 25c; 50 Flowers for 50c.","Special The complete set of 100 accurately colored cards postpaid, $1.00.","Send for list of Nature Books in Colors,","CHAS/ : K.|REED WORCESTER, MASS.","\fWild Flowers
East of the Rockies","BY
CHESTER A. REED","The latest flower book. In a class by itself. Original, beautiful, compact,","complete, interesting. Pictures 320 flowers, ALL IN COLOR. 450 pages.","Handsomely bound; boxed. $2.50 net; postage 15c","American Game Birds","Over ONE HUNDRED SPECIES OF GAME","BIRDS are faithfully depicted by the colored pictures and the text gives considerable idea of their","habits and tells where they are to be found at","different seasons of the year.","This book is prepared especially at the request","of a large number of sportsmen for a concise","guide devoted solely to game birds and figuring","all species.","Remember that it is the ONLY book at any","price that figures all these game birds in their","proper colors. It is the real sportsmen's guide","and companion. Nicely bound and boxed.","Price 60 cents; postage 5 cent","North American Birds' Eggs","This is the only book on the market that gives illustrations of the eggs of","all North American birds. Each egg is shown FULL SIZE, photographed","directly from an authentic and well marked specimen. There are a great many","full-page plates of nests and eggs in their natural situations.","The habitat and habits of each bird are given.","\fIt is finely printed on the best of paper and handsomely bound in cloth.","350 pages 6 x 9 inches,","Nature Studies In Field and Wood","r By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.","This book is destined to be one of the most important that the author ha","written. Absorbingly interesting in itself, yet its greatest value will lie i","the fact that it will lead the reader to realize how blind he has been to th","many woriderful things that are happening on every hand.","The brook, the pond, the field, the woods, the swamps and even the bac","yards yield quantities of very interesting subjects for study. This book treat,","entertainingly of many of these interesting creatures, but its chief aim is to b","t,","an \"awakener\" to arouse within the reader the desire to go out and verify","some of the facts given, or to do some original investigation himself. Such","studies develop the senses of perception and observation immensely, and the","one who is \"alive\" to what is going on about him surely is better able to cope","with all situations in life than one who sees nothing until it is forcibly broug","h v","to his attention.","112 pages; size 5V 2 x?Mj in. 40 illustrations in color, and black and white.","60c. net; postage ^Oc.","Camera Studies of Wild Birds in Their Homes","\"CAMERA STUDIES\" affords everyone an opportunity for a very intimate","study of bird life. A good photograph of an event together with an interesting","description of it is the next best thing to witnessing the event itself.","\"CAMERA STUDIES\" has 250 photographs of events right in birds' home.","These pictures are selected from the author's collection of over 2000 bird photo","graphs, this being one of the best collections of pictures of free, living wild","birds in existence.","Many rare and interesting poses are faithfully shown by the camera. For","instance, a pair of adult Chipping Sparrows, standing on a branch by the sides","of their four young, are engaged in pulling apart a large worm that was too","large to be given whole.","The stories accompanying these pictures are as interesting as the photographs and above all they are all actual facts.","300 pages, 5% x 7y 2 in.; 250 photographs of living, wild birds.","Handsomely bound in Cloth, $2.00 net; postage 20c.","\fWestern Bird Gxiide","This new book, a companion and uniform in size to the Bird and Flower","Guides East of the Rockies, is much more complete and shows every species of","oird, BOTH LAND AND WATER to be found IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS","and westward to the PACIFIC COAST, and from Mexico north to the Arctic","regions. EVERY BIRD IN NATURAL COLORS.","320 of them are faithfully pictured, and the text gives the more prominent","identifying features, as well as the habits, haunts and all about their nests an","sggs. 256 pages, bound and neatly boxed.","In Sock Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage 5c.","CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS.","FIELD GLASSES","FOR BIRD STUDY","or equally good for the mountains, seashore or theatre, or whatever a large,","clear image of an object is desired.","We carefully examined more than a hundred makes of field glasses, to select","the ones best adapted for bird study.","We found one make that was superior to any other of the same price and","equal optically, and nearly as well made as those costing three times as much.","They magnify about three diameters, and have an unusually large field of","vision or angle of view, making it easy to find a bird or keep him in sight.","Price only $5.00 postpaid.","CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER, MASS.","








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<a name="maincontent" id="maincontent"></a>
<h1>
Full text of "<a href="/details/birdbookillustra00reedrich">The bird boo
k : illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred North American birds,
also several hundred photographs of their nests and eggs</a>"
</h1>
<h2 class="pull-right">
<small><a href="/details/birdbookillustra00reedrich">See other formats</
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<br class="clearfix" clear="right"/>
<pre>ransas

JLUMT

REFERENCE ROOM

T O be , *KEft

T. ROOM

From the collection of the

z n
z _ m
Prelinger
i a
oJibrary
p

San Francisco, Kalifornien


2006

REFERENCE

THE BIRD BOOK

PASSENGER OR WILD PIGEON


Female Male

Young

THE BIRD BOOK


ILLUSTRATING IN NATURAL COLORS
MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED
NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS;
ALSO SEVERAL HUNDRED
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR
NESTS AND EGGS

BY
CHESTER A. REED, B. S.

GARDEN CITY NEW YORK


DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY
I9IS

Copyright, 1914, by
CHARLES K. REED
All rights reserved, including that of
translation into foreign languages,
including the Scandinavian

,-

BARN OWL

Tr^o^ V nneY --M^


\oes &lt;wdd\e--fi%r

TOPOGRAPHY OP A BIRD

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Diving Birds. Order I. Pygopodes 10
Grebes. Family Colymbidas 11
Loons. Family Gaviidse 17
Auks, Murres and Puffins. Family Alcidae 21
Long-winged Swimmers. Order II. Longipennes 35
Skuas and Jaegers. Family Stercoraridse 35
Gulls and Terns. Family Laridae 38
Skimmers. Family Rynchopidse 58
Tube-nosed Swimmers. Order III. Tubinares 59
Albatrosses. Family Diomedeidae 59
Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels. Family Procellariidae 61
Totipalmate Swimmers. Order IV. Steganopodes 72
Tropic Birds. Family Phaethontidas 72
Gannets. Family Sulidae 74
Darters. Family Anhingidae 77
Cormorants. Family Phalacrocoracidae 78
Pelicans. Family Pelecanidae 83
Man-o'-War Birds. Family Fregatidse 86
Lamellirostral Swimmers. Order V. Anseres 87
Ducks, Geese and Swans. Family Anatidae 87
Lamellirostral Grallatores. Order VI. Odontoglossae 115

Flamingoes. Family Phrenicopteridae 115


Herons, Storks, Ibises, etc. Order VII. Herodiones 115
Spoonbills. Family Plataleidae 115
Ibises. Family Ibididas 117
Storks and Wood Ibises. Family Ciconiidae 118
Herons, Bitterns, etc. Family Ardeidae 119
Cranes, Rails, etc. Order VIII. Paludicolaa 127
Cranes. Family Gruidse 127
Courlans. Family Aramidae 129
Rails, Gallinules and Coots. Family Rallidae 131
Shore Birds. Order IX. Limicolse 137
Phalaropes. Family Phalaropodidae 137
Avocets and Stilts. Family Recurvirostridae 139
Snipes, Sandpipers, etc. Family Scolopacidae 140
Plovers. Family Charadriidas 161
Surf Birds and Turnstones. Family Aphrizidae 169
Oyster-catchers. Family Haematopodidae 170
Jacanas. Family Jacanidse 172
Gallinaceous Birds. Order X. Gallinae 175
Grouse, Partridges, etc. Family Odontophoridae 175
Turkeys. Family Meleagridae 178
Curassows and Guans. Family Cracidae 191

CONTENTS
Pigeons. Order XI. Columbae 192
Pigeons. Family Columbidae 192
Birds of Prey. Order XII. Raptores 198
American Vultures. Family Cathartidse 198
Hawks, Eagles, etc. Family Buteonidae 201
Falcons, etc. Family Falconidae 218

Osprey. Family Pandionidae 225


Barn Owls. Family Aluconidae 227
Owls. Family Strigidae 227
Parrots, Paroquets. Order XIII. Psittaci 241
Parrots and Paroquets. Psittacidae 241
Cuckoos, etc. Order XIV. Coccyges 241
Cuckoos, Anis, etc. Family Cuculidae 241
Trogons. Family Trogonidae 246
Kingfishers. Family Alcedinidae 247
Woodpeckers, Wrynecks, etc. Order XV. Pici 249
Woodpeckers. Family Picidae 249
Goatsuckers, Swifts, etc. Order XVI. Macrochires 262
Goatsuckers, etc. Family Caprimulgidse 263
Swifts. Family Micropodidae 268
Hummingbirds. Family Trochilidae 271
Perching Birds. Order XVII. Passeres 280
Cotingas. Family Cotingidae 280
Tyrant Flycatchers. Family Tyrannidae 280
Larks. Family Alaudidae 297
Crows, Jays, Magpies, etc. Family Corvidae 300
Starlings. Family Sturnidas 314
Blackbirds, Orioles, etc. Family Icteridae 314
Finches, Sparrows, etc. Family Fringillidae 324
Tanagers. Family Tangaridae 369
Swallows. Family Hirundinidae 372
Waxwings. Family Bombycillidae 375
Shrikes. Family Laniidae 376
Vireos. Family Vireonidae 378
Honey Creepers. Family Crerebidse 385
Warblers. Family Mniotiltidse 385

Wagtails. Family Motacillidae 418


Dippers. Family Cinclidae 419
Wrens. Family Troglodytidae 423
Thrashers, etc. Family Mimidae 419
Creepers. Family Certhiidae 430
Nuthatches. Family Sittidae 431
Titmice. Family Paridae 431
Warblers, Kinglets, Gnatcatchers. Family Sylviidae 433
Thrushes, Solitaires, Bluebirds, etc. Family Turdidae 442
Index . 450

BALTIMORE ORIOLE

THE BIRD BOOK

DIVING ^IRDS. Order I. PYGOPODES


GREBES. Family COLYMBID^E
Grebes are birds haying a dueklike body, but with pointed bills. Their
feet, too, are unlike those of the Ducks, each toe having its separate web, and
having a broad flat nail. Their wings are very small for the size of the body,
making it impossible for them to^rise an flight from the land. They rise from
the water by running a few yards along the surface until they have secured
sufficient headway to allow them to launch themselves into the air. After
having risen from the water their flight is very swift and strong. On land they
are very awkward and can only progress by a series of awkward hops; they
generally lie flat on their breasts, but occasionally, stand up, supporting them
selves upon their whole tarsus. Grebes, together with the Loons, are the most
expert aquatic birds that jwe. have, diving like a flashtarid swimming for an in
credible distance under 'water.

10

DIVING BIRDS

1. WESTERN GREBE. Aech?nophorus occidentalis

Range. Western parts of North America, from


southern Alaska southward; east to Minnesota
and south in winter to the southern parts of the
United States and Mexico. Breeds from the Dakotas and northern California northward. These
are the largest of the American Grebes ; owing to
their unusually long necks, they are frequently
called "Swan Grebes." They are very timid
birds and conceal themselves in the rushes on
the least suspicion of danger. At times, to escape

Holboell's Grebe

Chalky bluish white, stained buff


observation, they will entirely submerge their
body, leaving only their head and part of the
long neck visible above the water. This Grebe
cannot be mistaken for any other because of the
long slender neck and the long pointed bill,
which has a slight upward turn. They nest abundantly in the marshes of North Dakota and central
Canada. Their nests are made of decayed rushes,
and are built over the water, being fastened to
the rushes so that the bottom of the nest rests in
the water. The nesting season is at its height
during the latter part of May. They lay from Western Grebe
three to five eggs, the ground color of which is a
pale blue; this color is, however, always concealed by a thin chalky deposit,
and this latter is frequently stained to a dirty white. Size 2.40 x 1.55.
2. HOLBOELI/S GREBE. Colymbus holboellii.
Range. Throughout North America, breeding from northern United
States northward and wintering
from the middle to the southern
portions of the United States.
In regard to size this Grebe comes
next to the Western, being 19 in.
in length. This bird can be distinguished by the white cheeks and
throat and the reddish brown foreneck. They breed abundantly in
the far north placing their floating
islands of decayed vegetation in
the water in the midst of the
marsh grass. They lay from three
to six eggs of a dingy white color

which have the stained surface common to Grebes eggs. Size 2.35 x 1.25.
11

White, stained buff

Walter Raine

NEST AND EGGS OF HOLBOELL'S GREBE


Lake Winnipegosis, Manitoba

12

DIVING BIRDS

3. HORNED GREBE. Colymbus auritus.


Range. The whole of North America, breeding
in the interior from North Dakota northwest;
winters along the Gulf Coast. This species is
one of the most beautiful of the Grebes, having
in the breeding season buffy ear tufts, black
cheeks and throat, and chestnut neck, breast and
sides. They breed abundantly in the marshy flats
of North Dakota and the interior of Canada.

Buffy white, nest stained


They build a typical Grebe's nest, a floating mass
of decayed matter which stains the naturally
white eggs to a dirty brown. The number of
eggs varies from three to seven. Size 1.70 x 1.15.
Data. Devils Lake, N. Dakota, June 20, 1900.
6 eggs much stained. Nest floating in 4 ft. of
water, a large mass of rotten rushes and weeds.
Collector. James Smalley.
&lt;k EARED GREBE. Colymbus nigricollis.

californicus.
Range. North America west of the Mississippi, breeding from Texas to Manitoba and wintering along the Pacific Coast of the United States
and from Texas southward.
Eared Grebes differ from the preceding in haying the entire neck blackish. They nest very
abundantly throughout the west, in favorable localities, from Texas to Minnesota and Dakota.
Their nests are constructed in the same manner as the preceding varieties and are located in similar localities. As do all
the Grebes when leaving the nest, they cover the eggs with the damp rushes from
.,, , around the base of the nest. This is prob,.- , ably for the purpose of assisting incubation during their absence, by the action "of
. the sun's rays on the wet mass. As they
.are nearly always thus covered upon the
approach of anyone, this may be done also
as a protection from discovery. They lay
from three to eight bluish white eggs with
the , usual chalky and discolored appearance. The breeding season is at its height
early in June, or earlier, in the southern
portion of its range. Size 1.75 x 1.20. Data.
Artesian, S. Dakota, June 21, 1899. Nest
of rushes, floating in three feet of water.
Large colony in a small lake. Collector, F. A. Patton.
13

Horned Grebe

Eared Grebe

Bluish white, stained

Walter Raine

NEST AND EGGS OF HORNED GREBE


Saltcoats Marshes, Assinibola, June 6, 1901

DIVING BIRDS

5. MEXICAN GREBE. Coif) nib us


dominicus brachypterus.
Range. Southern Texas and Lower California southward to South America, breeding throughout its range.
The Least Grebe is by far the smallest of
the Grebes in this country, being but 10 in.
in length; it can not be mistaken for any
other, the Eared Grebe being the only species of this family found in the same localities during the summer. These little Grebes
nest very abundantly along the Rio Grande

Deep huff or rich brown


Valley in Texas, the nesting season lasting
from the latter part of May until well into
December.
Their nests are floating piles of grass and
weeds upon which they lay from three to
five chalky white eggs, which are always
discolored, sometimes to a deep chocolate
hue. These eggs average a great deal darker in color than do any of the other Grebes.
In a series of fifty sets fully half were a
rich brown tint. Sl:;e 1.40 x .95.
6. PIED-BILLED GREBE. Podilymbus
podiceps.
Range. From the British provinces
southward to Argentine Republic, breeding
locally throughout the northern portions of
its range.
The Dabchick, as this bird is called, is the most evenly distributed bird
of this family. It is nowhere especially abundant, nor is it, except in a very

Mexican Grebe
Pied-billed Grebe

few localities, regarded as rare. Consequently


the species. They do not congregate in such
Grebes during the nesting season, but one
or more pairs may be found in almost any
favorable locality. These birds render their
floating nest a little more substantial than
those of the preceding varieties by the addition of mud which they bring up from the
bottom of the pond; this addition also tends
to soil the eggs more, consequently the
eggs of this bird are, as a general rule,
browner than the other Grebes with the exception of the Least. The bird may always
be known by the shape of its bill which is
higher than it is broad, and in the summer
is white with a black band across the middle.

it is the best known bird of


large numbers as the other

Deep buff
The throat is also black at

this season. They lay from five to nine eggs commencing about the middle
of May. Size 1.70 x 1.18.
15

PIED-BILLED GREBE

LOONS. Family GAVIIDAE

Loons may be likened to gigantic Grebes from which they differ externally, chiefly in the full webbed foot instead of the individually webbed toes of

the Grebe, and in the sharper, msore pointed and spear-like bill. These birds
are similar in their habits to the Grebes , except that their homes are generally more substantially built and are placed upon a solid foundation, generally upon an island in some inland lake.
Both Loons and Grebes are literally "Water witches," being practically,
and in the case of Grebes, actually, born in the water and living in it ever
afterwards. Loons are strong fliers, but like the Grebes, because of their
small wings they must get their first impetus from the water in order to
rise; in case there is any wind blowing they also make use of this by starting
their flight against it. They are very peculiar birds and the expression
"crazy as a loon" is not a fanciful one, being formed from their early morning
and evening antics when two or more of them will race over the top of the
water, up and down the lake, all the while uttering their demoniacal laughter. They vie with the Grebes in diving and disappear at the flash of a gun.

EGG OF LOON
Dark greenish brown

==_ _

THE BIRD BOOK

L.oon
Black-throated Loon

7. LOON. Gavia immer.


Range. North America north of the Mexican boundary, breeding from the northern
parts of the United States northward.
Unlike the Grebes, Loons do not build in
colonies, generally not more than one, or
at the most two pairs nesting on the same
lake or pond; neither do they seek the
marshy sloughs in which Grebes dwell, preferring the more open, clear bodies of
water. The common Loon may be known
in summer by the entirely black head and
neck with the complete ribbon of black and
white stripes encircling the lower neck and
the narrower one which crosses the throat.
The back is spotted with white. In some
sections Loons build no nest, simply scooping a hollow out in the sand, while in other
places they construct quite a large nest of
sticks, moss and grasses. It is usually plac-

ed but a few feet from the waters edge, so


that at the least suspicion the bird can slide
off its eggs into the water, where it can cope
with any enemy. The nests are nearly always concealed under the overhanging
bushes that line the shore; the one shown
in the full page illustration, however, was
located upon the top of an old muskrat
house. The two eggs which they lay are a
very dark greenish brown in color, with
black spots. Size 3.50x2.25. Data. Lake
Sunapee, N. H., June 28, 1895. Nest placed
under the bushes at the waters edge. Made
of rushes, weeds and grasses; a large structure nearly three feet in diameter. Collector, H. A. Collins.

8. YELLOW-BILLED LOON. Gavia adamsi.


Range. Northwestern North America, along the Arctic and northern Alaskan coasts.
The Yellow-billed Loon with the exception of its whitish or yellowish bill
in place of the black, is practically otherwise indistinguishable from the
common Loon. It averages somewhat larger in size. This is one of the most
northerly breeding birds and it is only within a very few years that anything
has been learned about the breeding habits. Their nesting habits and eggs
are precisely like the preceding except that the lattr average a little larger.
Size 3.60 x 2.25.
9. BLACK-THROATED LOON. Gavia arctica.
Range. From northern United States northward, breeding along the Arctic
Coast.
This species can be easily separated from the Loon by the gray crown and
white streaks down the back of the neck. Its size, too, is about five inches
shorter. The nesting habits are the same as the Loons and the eggs have
rather more of an olive tint besides having the majority of spots at the
larger end. Size 3.10x 2.00.
18

DIVING BIRDS

10. PACIFIC Loox. Gavia pacifica.


Range. Western North America along the
coast chiefly, breeding from Alaska south to
British Columbia. In winter, south along the
coast to Mexico.
This species differs from the Black-throated
only in the tint of the head reflections. The

habits are the same as those of the other members


of the family. They lay two eggs of a greenish
brown or greenish gray hue with black spots.
Size 3.10 x 1.90. Data. Yukon River, Alaska,
June 28, 1902. Nest of rubbish on an island;
found by a miner.
11. RED-THROATED LOON. Gavia stellata.
Range. Northern parts of North America,
breeding from southern Canada northward in the
interior on both coasts. South to the middle portions of the United States in winter.
This is the smallest of the Loon family, being
twenty-five inches in length. In plumage it is
wholly unlike any of the other members at all
seasons of the year. In summer the back, head
and neck are gray, the latter being striped with
white. A large chestnut patch adorns the front
of the lower part of the neck. In winter the
back is spotted with white, whereas all the others
are unspotted at this period. The nesting habits are
identical with the other species; the ground color
of the two eggs is also the same. Size, 2.00 x 1.75.

Pacific Loon
Red-throated Loon

PACIFIC LOON
Greenish brown or gray
19

J. A. Munro

NEST AND EGGS OF LOON


This nest is built on top of a Muskrat house

20

DIVING BIRDS

NEST AND EGGS OF PIED-BILLED GREBE

PUFFINS, AUKS and MURRES.


Family ALCID^E
Puffins, Auks and Murres are all sea birds and are only found inland when
blown there by some severe storm of winter. At this season numbers of them
are apt to lose their bearings and may sometimes be found with their feet
frozen in some of our inland ponds. Puffins are heavily built birds in appearance, but are very active both on the wing and in the water. Their wings are
much larger comparatively than those of the other members of this family,
so they are enabled to perform evolutions in the air, which are withheld from
the others. They stand upright on the sole of the foot and are able to walk
quite easily on land. Puffins have very heavy and deep but thin bills, which
are entirely unlike those of any other bird and often give then the name of
Parrot Auks. Puffins, Auks and Murres are otherwise recognized by the presence of but three toes which are webbed.
21

THE BIRD BOOK

12. TUFTED PUFFIX. Lunda cirrhata.

Tufted Puffin
Puffin

Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska southward


to southern California, breeding locally throughout their range.
Tufted Puffins are the largest of the Puffins.
In the breeding plumage, they are a sooty brownish or black color; the cheeks are white, and a
long tuft of straw colored feathers extends back
from each eye; the bill is bright red and greenish yellow. They breed commonly on the Farallones, where two or three broods are raised by a
bird in a single season, but much more abundantly on the islands in the north. Their single
eggs are laid in burrows in the ground or else in

White

natural crevices formed by the rocks. The eggs are pure white or pale buff
and are without gloss. They very often have barely perceptible shell markings
of dull purplish color. The eggs are laid about the middle of June. Size 2.80
x 1.90. Data. Farallone Is., May 27, 1887. Single egg laid in crevice of rocks.
Collector, W. O. Emerson.
13. PUFFIN. Fratercula arctica arctica.
Range. North Atlantic Coast, breeding from the Bay of Fundy northward.
Winters from breeding range along the New England Coast.
The common Puffin has the cheeks, chin and underparts white; upper parts
and a band across the throat, blackish. Bill deep and thin, and colored with
red, orange and yellow. They breed in large numbers on Bird Rock in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The nest is either among the natural crevices of the
22

DIVING BIRDS
rocks, or in burrows excavated in the ground by the birds.
These burrows vary in length
from two and a half to four
or five feet. Except upon the
positive knowledge of the absence of the bird, it is a
hazardous thing to put the
hand in one of these burrows
for the bird can, and will nip
the fingers, sometimes to the
bone. They lay but a single
egg, usually dull white and
unmarked, but in some cases
White obscurely marked with reddish brown. Size 2.50 x 1.75. Data. So. Labrador, June 23, 1884. Single egg
laid at end of burrow in the ground. Collector, J. H. Jameson.

13a. LARGE-BILLED PUFFIN. Fratercula arctica naumanni.


A more northerly subspecies of the last, inhabiting the Arctic region on the
Atlantic side. The bird is somewhat larger but otherwise indistinguishable
from the common species. The eggs are exactly the same or average a trifle
larger. Size 2.55 x 1.80. Data. Iceland, July 6, 1900. Single egg in hole under
.a rock. Collector, Chas. Jefferys.

14. HORNED PUFFIN. Fratercula corniculata.


Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska to British Columbia. The Horned Puffin

differs from the common in that the blackish band across the throat extends
upwards in a point to the bill. Their nesting habits are precisely the same as
those of the preceding species. A single pure white egg is laid; the shell is
slightly rougher than those of the others. Size 2.65 x 1.80. Data. Round Is.,
Alaska, June 24, 1884. Single egg laid at end of burrow in ground; no nest.
Collector, G. L. Kennedy.

15. RHINOCEROS AUKLET. Cerorhinca monocerata.


Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from British Columbia northward and wintering southward to Lower California.
The Rhinoceros Auklet or Horned Auk has a much smaller bill than the
Puffins; in the summer this is adorned at the base by a horn from which it
takes its name. There are also slender plumes from above and below the eyes.
Unlike the Puffins, these birds sit upon their whole tarsus.
They nest on islands of the North Pacific Coast from Vancouver northward.
A single egg is laid in crevices among the rocks or in burrows in the ground.
It is similar both in size and shape to that of the Puffins, but is often quite
heavily blotched with brown. Size 2.70x1.80. Data. Unak Is., Alaska, June
30, 1900. Egg laid in a fissure of the rocks; no nest. Collector, F. Weston.
23

THE BIRD BOOK

Horned Puffin
Rhinoceros Auklet
Cassin Auklet

16. CASSIN AUKLET. Ptychoramphus aleuticus*


Range. Pacific Coast from Alaska to Lower
California, breeding nearly throughout its range.
A plain appearing bird about 9 in. in length,
with blackish upperparts relieved only by a white
spot over the eye; breast and throat gray and
belly white. This Auklet is fairly abundant on
the Farallones, breeding on the lower portions of
the island. The late Mr. C. Barlow says that it
is found in deserted rabbit burrows and in all

White

probability often excavates its own burrows. It


also nests among the cliffs placing its eggs among
the rocks in any crevice or tunnel which may offer
a dark retreat during the day for they are nocturnal in their habits. The single egg which they
lay is dull white in color, the inside of the shell
being a pale green, which color can only be seen
by holding the egg to the light. They are generally slightly nest stained. Size 1.80 x 1.30.
Data. Coronado Islands, Cal., March 23, 1897.
Single egg laid on the bare ground at end of a
burrow three and one-half feet long. Collector,
E. A. Shives.

RHINOCEROS AUKLET
Color white, sometimes heavily blotched,
as above, and again unspotted
24

17. PAROQUET AUKLET. Phaleris psittacula.


Range. The Alaskan Coast, casually farther
south in winter.
This bird is about the same size as the preceding, and the plumage is similar, except that it
has no white spot over the eye, and the breast is
white. It also has a slender plume extending
from back of the eye. The bill is very peculiar,
being quite deep and rounded and having an upward tendency. It is orange red in color. They

DIVING BIRDS

Crested Auklet

White
breed very commonly on the islands of Bering
Strait. Their eggs are laid in the crevices of the
cliff, often several feet in and by a crooked path
so that it is impossible to reach them. The single chalky white egg is laid in May. Size 2.30 x
1.45. Data. Rocky Islet in the Aleutians, June

22, 1890, Single egg laid on bare rock in a deep Paroquet Auklet
crevice. Collector, Capt. S. Wilson.
18. CRESTED AUKLET. Aethia cristatella.
Range. Alaska Coast, Similar in form and plumage to the latter, except
that the whole under parts are gray and it has a crest of recurved feathers.
The nesting season begins in May, the birds nesting upon the same islands
and in the same kinds of sites as the last species. The single egg is chalky
white. Size 2.10x1.50. Data. Unak Is., Alaska, July 1, 1900. Egg laid in a
crevice among the rocks. Collector, F. Weston.
19- WHISKERED AUKLET. Aethia pygmaea.
Range. The Alaska Coast.
Much smaller than the preceding; but 7.5 in. in length. Breast gray, belly
white; a small tuft of recurved feathers on the forehead and slender white
plumes from base of bill over the eye and from under the eye, backwards. The
bill in summer is a bright vermillion color. On some of the islands of the
Aleutian chain they breed quite abundantly. The nests are placed back in
the crevices of the rocks, where the single white eggs are laid. Size 2.00 x 1.2
5.
25

THE BIRD BOOK

V V
-v- V

20. LEAST AUKLET. Aethia pusilla.


Range. North Pacific on the islands and coast
of Alaska. This is the smallest of the Auklets;
length 6.5 in. This species has no crest, but has
the slender white plumes extending back from
the eye. The entire under parts are white sparsely spotted with dusky. This species is by far the
most abundant of the water birds of the extreme
Northwest, and thousands of them, accompanied
by the two preceding species, nest on the rocky
cliffs of the islands of Bering Sea. Their nesting
habits are the same as those of the other Auklets, they placing their single white egg on the
bare rocks, in crevices on the cliffs. Size 1.55 x
1.10. Data. Pribilof Is., Alaska, June 8, 1897.
Single egg laid in crevice. Thousands breeding
on the island.

White
21. ANCIENT MURRELET. Synthliboramphus
antiquus.
Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from the bordiLeast Auklet er of tne United States, northward, and wintering
Ancient Murrelet south to southern California.
Marbled Murrelet
The Murrelets have no crests or
plumes and the bills are more slender than the Auklets and are not ^-^ '-^ / J * liighly colored. The ancient Murrelet or Black-throated Murrelet, ^Bk '* . c - . . ... as it is also called, has a gray * * *V.* \ f - ^ .
back, white under parts and a
black head and throat, with a broad
white stripe back of the eye and
another formed by the white on
the breast extending up on the side
of the neck. They breed abundantly on the islands in Bering Sea,
laying one or two eggs at the end
of burrows in the banks or on the
ground, and in some localities in crevices on the cliffs. The eggs are a buffy
white color and are faintly marked with light brown, some of these being in
the shape of spots and others lengthened. Siae 2.40 x 1.40. Data. Sanak Islands, July 1, 1894. Two eggs on the ground under a tuft of grass and in a
slight excavation lined with fine grass.
26

*/

Buff

DIVING BIRDS

23. MARBLED MURRELET. Brachyramphus marmoratus.

Range. North Pacific Coast,

breeding from Vancouver Island. South in winter to south- , . f ,


ern California. /L :
In the breeding plumage,
this bird is brownish black
above, barred with rusty and
below is marbled with brownish
gray and white. Its nesting
habits and eggs are very similar
to those of the Ancient Murrelet, they placing their single
eggs in holes in the ground or Buffi
crevices among the cliffs. Size
2.20 x 1.40. Data. Chichagof Is., Alaska, June IS, 1898. Single egg in crevice
on face of cliff. Large colony breeding in company with Ancient Murrelets.

24. KITTLITZ MURRELET. Brachyramphus brevirostris.


Range. North Pacific Coast in the Aleutian Islands and north to Unalaska,
breeding on isolated islands
throughout its range. This species is very similar to the Marbled Murrelet, the chief difference being in the bill which is
shorted. They have been found
IL breeding on the same islands
|p with the preceding species.
Their single white egg is laid
in crevices in the cliffs. Size
2.40 x 1.30. Data. Sanak Is.,
Alaska, June 25, 1890. Nest in
a hollow under a bunch of rank
matted grass. Many ancient
Burrelets breeding on the same
Islands. Collector, Capt. Tilson.
25. XANTUS MURRELET. Brachyramphus hypoleucus.
Range. Resident along the coast of southern and Lower California.
This bird is blackish above and entirely white below, inculding the sides of
the head below the eye. The whole of &lt;#&amp;?"
the under surface of the wing is also
white. They breed on the coast islands
from Santa Barbara southward. The single egg is laid at the end of a burrow
or in crevices among the rocks. It is a
pale buffy white in color and thickly, but
finely dotted over the whole surface with
purplish brown, and with some larger

spots at the larger end. Sise 2.05 v 1.40.


Data. Galapagos Islands, March 2, 1901.
No nest. Single egg laid in a crevice in
the rocks. Collector, Hollo H. Beck.
Pale Blue

THE BIRD BOOK

26. CRAVERI'S MURRELET.

Brachyramphus craveri.
Range. Both coasts of Lower California, breeding chiefly on the Gulf side. Craveri Murrelet is
very similar to the last except that the under surfaces of the wings are dusky. Breeds on the islands near Cape St. Lucas, burrowing in the
ground as do most of the others of this species.
They lay a single egg, the ground color of which
is buff; they are quite heavily blotched with
brownish. Size 2.00 x 1.40.
27. BLACK GUILLEMOT. Cepphus grylle.
Range. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, breeding from Maine northward to southern Greenland. Guillemots are larger birds than
the Murrelets (length 13 inches) and their plumage is entirely different. This species in summer

Bluish white

Xantus Murrelet
Mandt's Guillemot
is entirely black except the wing coverts which
are white. The bases of the greater coverts,
however, are black, this generally breaking the
white mirror as it is called. The under surfaces of the wings are white. Legs red. These
birds breed abundantly on the rocky islands
and high cliffs along the coast. Soon after
the first of June the eggs are laid in the crevices of the rocks and sometimes upon the bare

ledges. Two or three eggs make the set. The


ground color is a pale bluish or greenish white
and the markings are various shades of brown
and black. Size 2.40 x 1.60. Data. Grand
Manan, June 15, 1896. Two eggs laid in a
cavity back of large boulder. No nest. Collector, D. H. Eaton.

Black Guillemot

28

DIVING BIRDS

Murre

28. MANDT'S GUILLEMOT. Cepphus mandti.


Range. North Atlantic coast, more northerly than the preceding, breeding from Labrador to northern Greenland.
The bird differs from the Black Guillemot
only in having the bases of the coverts white
also. The nesting habits and eggs are identical. They nest in colonies of thousands and
place the' eggs upon the bare rock with no attempt at nest building. Generally the eggs
are in the crevices so as to be difficult to get
at. Size 2.30 x 1.55. Data. Depot Island, Hudson Bay, June 6, 1894. Two eggs laid on bare
rocky ground. Collector John Comer.
29. PIGEON GUILLEMOT. Cepphus columba.
Range. The Pacific Coast of North America, breeding from southern California northward. This bird is very similar to the Black
Guillemot except that the under surfaces of
the wings are dark. They breed abundantly on some of the islands of Bering
Sea and a few of them nest on the Farallones. They lay their two eggs on
the bare rock in dark crevices. The color is grayish or pale greenish blue
and the markings are brown and
black with paler shell markings of ,.**. .
lilac. Size, 2.40 x 1.60. Data. S.
Farallone Islands, Cal. Two eggs

laid on gravel at the end of a burrow, about two feet from the entrance and 285 feet above the sea
level. Collector, Claude Fyfe.
SO. MURRE. Uria troile troille.
Range. North Atlantic coasts
and islands, breeding from Bird
Rock northward. Murres are similar in form to the Guillemots, but
are larger, being about 16 inches
in length. Entire head and neck
sooty brown ; rest of upper parts
grayish black except the tips of
the secondaries which are white.

Pale bluish gray

Under parts white. These birds nest by


thousands on Bird Rock and on the cliffs of Labrador. They build no nests
but simply lay their single egg on the narrow ledges of cliffs, where the only
guarantee against its rolling off is its peculiar shape which causes it, when
moved, to revolve about its smaller end instead of rolling off the ledge. The
eggs are laid as closely as possible on the ledges where the incubating birds
sit upright, in long rows like an army on guard. As long as each bird succeeds in finding an egg to cover, on its return home, it is doubtful if they
either know or care whether it is their own or not. The ground color of the
eggs vary from white to a deep greenish blue and the markings of blackish
brown vary in endless patterns, some eggs being almost wholly unspotted.
Size 3.40 x 2. Data. South Labrador, June 19, 1884. Single egg laid on the
bare cliff. Large colony breeding. Collector, M. A. Granar.
29

THE BIRD BOOK


30a. CALIFORNIA MURRE. Uria troille californica.
Range. -Pacific Coast, breeding from the Farallones north to Alaska.
This Pacific form of the common Murre is the most abundant breeding bird
on the Farallones. Their eggs are used in enormous numbers for commercial
purposes and these islands being located, as they are, within easy distance
from San Francisco, thousands of dozens of the eggs are sold yearly, chiefly
to bakeries. Although continually robbed, their numbers have not as yet
diminished to any great extent. They lay but a single egg on the bare ledge.
Individual eggs are indistinguishable from the last species but in a large
series the ground color averages brighter. They show the same great difference in color and markings. The first set is laid in May, but owing to
their being so often molested, fresh eggs can be found during August. Data.
Farallones, July 4, 1895. Single egg laid on bare cliff. Collector, Thos. E.

Slevin.

SI. BRUNNICH MURRE. Uria lomvia lomvia.


Range. North Atlantic Coast, breeding range the same as the common
Murre.

Varies from white to greenish blue


This species differs from the common Murre in having a shorter and thicker
bill, the base of the cutting edge of which is less feathered. They breed on
the same islands in company with the common Murre and their eggs are indistinguishable. Data. Coast of South Labrador. Single egg laid on ledge of
cliff. About three hundred birds in the colony.

DIVING BIRDS
3 la. PALLAS MURRE. Uria lomvia arra.
Range. The Pacific coasts and islands.
This is the Pacific form of Brunnich Murre. Its breeding range is more
northerly than that of the California variety. Countless thousands of them
breed on the islands off the coast of Alaska, their breeding habits and eggs
being the same as the more southern form.
32. RAZOR-BILLED AUK. Alca torda.
Range. North Atlantic coast, breeding from Bird Rock northward and
wintering south to the Middle States on the coast.

Grayish white
The Razor-billed Auk is in form similar to the Murres, but the bill is very
different, being deep and thin, and with the upper mandible rounded at the
tip. Entire upper parts black shading to brownish on the throat. Under parts
and tips of secondaries, white; line from eye to bill and another across the
middle of the bill, white. They nest in large numbers on Bird Rock in company with the Murres and in still greater numbers off the coast of Labrador.
Their eggs are not placed in as exposed positions as the Murres, being generally behind boulders or in crevices. This is necessary because, not being ( ^
of the pear-shaped form of the Murres, they would be very apt to be dislodged
if commonly placed on the narrow ledges. The eggs vary endlessly in marking but do not show the differences in ground color that the Murres do. The
color is white, grayish or buffy. But one egg is generally laid, although two
are sometimes found. Size 3.00x2.00. Data. Bay of Fundy. June 17, 1891.
Single egg laid on bare rock in a crevice under loose rocks. Collector, A. C.
Bent.

31

)
f

THE BIRD BOOK

Great Auk
Dovekie

33.

GREAT AUK. Plautus impennis.

Range. Formerly the whole of the North Atlantic coasts. Now extinct.
These great auks formerly dwelt in large numbers on the islands of the North Atlantic, butowing to their lack of the powers of flight and
the destructiveness of mankind, the living bird
has disappeared from the face of the earth.
Although they were about thirty inches in length,
their wings were even smaller than those of the
Razor-billed Auk, a bird only eighteen inches in
length. Although breeding off the coast of Newfoundland, they appeared winters as far south as
Virginia, performing their migration by swimming alone. The last bird appears to have been
taken in 1844, and Funk Island, off the coast of
Newfoundland, marks the place of their disappearance from our shores. There are about seventy known specimens of the bird preserved, and
about the same number of eggs. The immediate
cause of the extinction of these birds was their
destruction for food by fishermen and immigrants,
and later for the use of their feathers commercially. The single egg that they laid was about 5.00 x 3
inches, the ground color was buffy white, and the shpots brownish and blackish. The markings varied in endless pattern as do those of the smaller Auk.
There are but two real eggs (plaster casts in imitation of the Auks eggs are
to be found in many collections) in collections in this country, one in the
Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, and the other in the National
Museum, at Washington. Through the kindness of Mr. Witmer Stone, of the
Academy of Natural Science, we are enabled to sohw a full-sized reproduction

from a photograph of the egg in their collection.

32

EGG OF THE GREAT AUK


Photographed from the specimen in the Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia
not more than ten or twelve of these eggs are in this country;
the one figured is one of the best marked specimens.

33

^ j THE BIRD BOOK

A Ji J
J. J. A

34*. DOVEKIE. Alle alle.


Range. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and East Arctic oceans, breeding in the
Arctic regions and wintering as far south as the
Middle States. The little Dovekie or Sea Dove is
the smallest member of the family, being only 8
inches in length, and is the only member of the
sub-family allinae. The form is very robust and
the bill is short and stout. In summer the plumage is black above; the throat and upper breast

Dovekie

Pale greenish blue

are sooty brown, and the under parts are white,


as are also the tips of the secondaries and edges
of the scapulars. They nest in large numbers
on the Rocky cliffs of islands in the East Arctic.
Their single pale greenish blue egg is placed in
a crevice of the rocks. Size 1.80 x 1.25. Data.
Greenland, June 8, 1893. Single egg laid in a
crevice of a sea cliff.

MURRE White, buff, or deep greenish blue


34

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS. Order II. LONGIPENNES


SKUA AND JAEGERS. Family STERCORARIIDAE
Skuas and Jaegers are birds having a Gull or Tern-like form and with a hooked bill, the base of which is covered with a scaly shield. They have webbed
feet and are able to swim and dive, but they commonly get their living by
preying upon the Gulls and Terns, overtaking them by their superior speed
and by their strength and ferocity forcing them to relinquish their food. The
Jaegers especially are one of the swiftest and most graceful birds that fly.

35

THE BIRD BOOK

35. SKUA. Megalestris skua.


Range. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly on the European side; rare on the
Atlantic coast of North America.
Skuas are large (22 inches in length) and very
powerfully built birds, having the general form
of a Gull. Their whole plumage is a dingy brownish black color, palest below. Breeds in Iceland
and possibly on some of the islands in Hudson
Strait. The nest is a hollow on the ground in

Skua
Pomarine Jaeger

Olive brown
the marsh grass and is lined with grass. The
two eggs which they lay have an olive greenish
ground, spotted with dark brown. Size 2.75 x 1.90.

36. POMARINE JAEGER. Stercorarius pomarinus.


Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle, more
commonly in the Old World.
In the breeding plumage, this
Jaeger has the crown and face
blackish; back and sides of head,
throat and under parts pure white,
except the pointed stiffened feathers of the neck which are yellow.
Back, wings and tail blackish, the
latter with the two middle feathers lengthened about four inches
beyond the rest of the tail, and
broad to the tips, which are twisted so that the feathers are vertical. They breed throughout the
Arctic regions, but not as commonly in America as the following
species. The nest is on the ground D olive brown
in the marsh grass and is made of
grass and moss. They lay two and rarely three eggs of an olive brown or
greenish color. These are spotted with brown and black. Size 2.20x1.70.
36

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

37- PARASITIC JAEGER. Stercorarius parasiticus


Range. Northern Hemisphere, wintering south
to South America.
The Parasitic Jaeger is very similar to the
Pomarine except that the central tail feathers
are pointed and are straight instead of twisted.
It is an abundant bird in Alaska, breeding from
the Aleutian Chain northward.
They locate their nests in the highest parts
of marshy places, the nest itself being only a depression in the ground lined with grass and moss.
The two eggs have an olive greenish or brownish

ground and are marked with various shades of


brown and black. Size 2.15 x 1.65.

Brownish

38.

Stercorarius

in winter to

LONG-TAILED JAEGER.
longicaudus.
Range. Arctic America ; south
South America Parastic Jaeger
The long-tailed Jaeger is, according to length, Long-tailed Jseger
the largest of the Jaegers, being 21 in. long; this is, however, due to the long
sharp pointed central pair of tail feathers, which extend about eight inches
beyond the others, and from the most noticeable distinguishing point from
the former species. The plumages that have been described are the light
phases; all the Jaegers have a dark
phase in which the plumage is a nearly uniform sooty brown, lightest below.
The Long-tailed Jaegers are the
most numerous in Alaska and are
even more graceful in flight than are
the Gulls and Terns, floating, skimming, sailing, plunging, and darting
about with incredible swiftness and
ease. Like the others of this family,
they pilfer their food from the Gulls,
and are also very destructive to young
birds and eggs. Their eggs are either
laid on the bare ground or in a
slight depression, scantily lined with
grasses. The eggs are indistinguishable from those of the preceding species
except that they average a trifle smaller. Size 2.10 x 1.50.
37

THE BIRD BOOK

GULLS and TERNS. Family LARID^)


Gulls are webbed footed birds having a slight hook to the end of the upper
mandible. Their plumage is generally a silvery gray above and white below.
They nest in large colonies, some on the islands of fresh water inland, but
mostly on the sea coast. They procure their food from the surface of the
water, it consisting mostly of dead fish and refuse matter, and Crustacea which
they gather from the waters edge. When tired they rest upon the surface of
the water, where they ride the largest waves in perfect safety.
Terns are birds of similar plumage to the Gulls, but their forms are less robust and the bills are generally longer and sharply pointed. Their food consists chiefly of small fish which they secure by hovering above the water, and
then plunging upon them. They are less often seen on the surface of the
water than are the Gulls.

CHARACTERISTIC NEST OF A LOON


38

Walter

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS
39. IVORY GULL. Pagophila alba.
Range. Arctic regions; south in winter to the
northern border of the United States.
The little Snow Gull, as it is often called, is
eighteen inches in length. In the breeding season the plumage is entirely white; the bill is tipped with yellow and there is a red ring around
the eye. These Gulls nest in large colonies in
the Arctic Regions, placing their nests on the
high rocky cliffs. The nest is made of grass,
moss and rubbish, and the three eggs are laid
during June. The eggs are olive color and the
markings are dark brown.
10. KITTIWAKE. Rissa tridactyla trydactyla.
Range. North Atlantic and Arctic regions,

breeding from the Gulf of the St. Lawrence northward and wintering south to the Great Lakes and
Long Island.
The Kittiwake is sixteen inches in length, has
a pearly gray mantle, black tips to the primaries,
and remainder of plumage white. Its hind toe
is very small being apparently wanting in the
eastern form, while in the Pacific it is more developed. These are very noisy Gulls, their notes ;
resembling a repetition of their name. They are
very common in the far north, placing nests on
the ledges of high rocky cliffs, often in company
with Murres and Auks. They gather together a '
pile of sticks, grass and moss, making the interior cup-shaped so as to hold their two or three
eggs. Large numbers of them breed on Bird
Rock

Ivorv

Kittiwake

White

they occupying certain


ledges while the Gannets and
Murres, which also breed there,
also have distinct ledges on
which to make their homes.
The breeding season is at its
height during June. The eggs
are buffy or brownish gray and
are spotted with different shades
of brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data.
So. Labrador, June 15, 1884.
Three eggs. Nest made of seaweed and moss, placed on ledge
of cliff. Many Murres nesting
on other ledges.

*v

39

THE BIRD BOOK

40a. PACIFIC KITTIWAKE. Rissa tridactyla pollicaris.


Range. Coast of the North Pacific, wintering
south to California.
The Pacific Kittiwake breeds in immense rookeries on some of the islands in Bering Sea. They
are well distributed over Copper Island where
they nest in June and July, choosing the high
ledges which overhang the sea. The nesting
habits and eggs are precisely the same as those
of the common Kittiwake.
11. RED-LEGGED KITTIWAKE. Rissa brevirostris.
Range. Northwestern coasts, breeding in high
latitudes.
This Kittiwake is similar to the preceding, with
the exception that the legs are bright red, the
mantle is darker, and the bill is shorter. This
species was found by Dr. Leonard Stejneger to be
a very abundant nesting bird on islands in Ber-

Red-legg-ed Kittiwake
Glaucous Gull Brownish buff
ing Sea, selecting steep and inaccessible rocks and ledges on which to build
its nest. Their nesting habits, are precisely the same as the Pacific Kittiwake,
but they most often nest in separate colonies, but can be distinguished readily
when nesting together by the darker mantles when on the nest and the red
legs when flying. Grass, moss and mud are used in the nest. The ground color
of the eggs is buffy or brownish, and the spots are dark brown and lilac.
Size 2.15 x 1.50.
42. GLAUCOUS GULL. Larus hyperboreus.
Range. Arctic regions, south in winter to Long Island, the Great Lakes, and
San Francisco Bay.
This Gull shares with the Great Black-backed Gull the honor of being
the largest of the Gulls, being 28 inches. in length. Mantle light gray; it is
distinguished by its size and the primaries, which are white to the tips. A
powerful zird that preys upon the smaller Gulls and also devours the young
and eggs of smaller birds.

They nest on the ground on the islands and shores of Hudson Bay, Greenland, etc. The nest is made of seaweed, grass and moss and is generally quite
bulky. The two or three eggs are laid in June. They are of various shades of
color from a light drab to a brownish, and are spotted with brownish and
black. Size about 3 x 2.20.
40

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS
42.1. POINT BARROW GULL. Larus barrovianus.
Range. Northwest coast from Bering Sea to Point Barrow.
This species is almost
identical with the Glaucus Gull, averaging per. * ^ " . haps a trifle smaller.
* Its standing as a dis!CqB tinct species is still
- Ite questioned and has not
41 yet been decided satisl|lf, t factorily. Early in June
their nests are built on
remote islands in Bering Sea. These nests
are the same as the last
species, large piles of
vegetation, hollowed on
top for the reception of
the eggs. The eggs
have the same variations in color and markings as the Glaucus
Gull. Size 3 x 2.10.
Data. Her sch el Is.,
Alaska, July 1, 1900. Nest made of seaweed and grass; placed on the ground.
Three eggs. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer.

White

43.

ICELAND GULL. Larus leucopterus.

Range. Arctic regions, south in winter to


This Gull in appearance is precisely like
siderably smaller; 24 inches in length. A
breeding in colonies of thousands on many

the Middle States.


the two preceding ones but is convery common bird in the north,
of the islands. It is regarded as

one of the most common


-*^ ^r*s-^^ of the larger Gulls in Ber,> ^V- ing Sea and also nests
'-.^ commonly in Hudson Bay
.y'#*' ** -, and Greenland, as well as
'* ' . .-''* ^l % *-' *"'**''% ; ^ in the Eastern Hemis^ "AiJt "'* -\'i^ ," - s Wi phere. They nest indifferently on high rocky cliffs or
on low sandy islands. Ex3ept when the eggs are laid
in a sandy depression in
the soil, quite bulky nests
are made of seaweed and
moss. The eggs are laid
about the first of June;
Greenish brown thev numbei> tW ^ thl i ee
and have a ground color
of brownish or greenish brown and are blotched with umber. Size 2.80 x 1.83.
Data. Mackenzie Bay, Arctic America. June 18, 1899. Nest made of seaweed
and grass on an island in the bay.

41

THE BIRD BOOK

44. GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULL. Larus


glaucescens.
Range. North Pacific coast, breeding from
British Columbia northwards and wintering from
the same country to southern California.
This Gull is very like the preceding except
that the primaries are the same color as the
mantle, and are tipped with white. Length about

27 inches. Not so northerly distributed a bird


as the previous ones, and consequently better

Iceland Gull
Glaucous-winged Gull

Pale greenish brown


known. They breed in large numbers both on
the high rocky cliffs of the islands along the
coast and on the low sandy islands of the Aleutian Chain. On Copper Island they breed on the
inaccessible cliffs overhanging the water. As in
the case of the Iceland Gull, when the nests are
on the cliffs, a large nest of seaweed is made,
whereas if they are on the ground, especially in
sandy places
brown ground
of Vancouver
Located on a

no attempt is made at nest-building. The eggs have a greenish


color and dark brown spots. Sise 2.75 x 2.05. Data. West Coast
Island. June 20, 1896. Three eggs; nest made of seaweed.
low ledge. Collector, Dr. Newcombe.

45. KUMLIEN'S GULL. Larus Kumlieni.


Range. North Atlantic coast, breeding in Cumberland Sound and wintering
as far south as Long Island.
This bird differs from the Glaucous-winged only in the pattern of the gray
markings of the primaries and in having a little lighter mantle. It is quite
common in its breeding haunts where it places its nest high up on the ledges
of the cliffs. The eggs are not different apparently from glaucescens.
46. NELSON'S GULL. Larus nelsoni.
Range. Coast of Alaska.
Plumage exactly like that of Kumlien Gull and questionably a new species.
The nests and eggs are not to be distinguished from the preceding.
42

47. GREAT-BLACK-BACKED GULL.


Larus marinus.

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

Range. North Atlantic on both the American


and European sides; breeds from Nova Scotia

northward and winters south to the Great Lakes


and the Middle States.
The largest of
and unlike any
black, and the
tips. The bill

the Gulls (thirty inches long)


other. The mantle is dark slaty
primaries are black with white
is very large and powerful and

Great Black-backed Gull


Kumlien's Gull

Grayish buff
quite strongly hooked. They are quite abundant
birds in their range, and are very quarrelsome,
both among themselves and other species. They
do not breed in as large colonies as do the other
Gulls, half a dozen pairs appropriating a small
island to the exclusion of all other birds. They
are very rapacious birds and live to a great extent, especially during the breeding season, upon the eggs and young of other
birds such as Ducks, Murres and smaller Gulls. They place their nests upon
the higher portions of sandy islands. They are made of grasses and seaweed.
The three eggs are laid early in June; they are grayish or brownish, spotted
with brown and lilac. Size 3x2.15. Data.- -South Labrador, June 21, 1884.
Three eggs. Nest on a small island off the coast; of grasses and moss.
18. SLATY-BACKED GULL. Larus schistisagus.
Range. North Pacific and Arctic Oceans.
This Gull, which is similar to the Great Black-backed, but is smaller and has
a lighter mantle, does not breed in any considerable numbers on the American side of the Pacific. It nests in June on some of the islands in Bering Sea
and probably more commonly farther onrth. They often nest in company with
other species, placing their small mounds of seaweed on the ground on the
higher parts of the islands. The full set contains three eggs of grayish or
brownish color, spotted with dark brown or black. Size 2.90 x 2. Data. Harrowby Bay, N. W. T. Canada, June 11, 1901. Nest of grass, roots and mud and
lined with dry grass; on point making into the bay. Collector, Capt. H. H.
Bodfish.
43

THE BIRD BOOK


49. WESTERN GULL. Larus occidentalis.

Range. Pacific Coast, breeding from southern


California to British Columbia.
This bird, which is the most southerly distributed of the larger Gulls is twenty-four inches in
length. Mantle slate colored; primaries black,
both these and the secondaries being broadly
tipped with white. These Gulls nest abundantly
on the Farallones, the majority of them showing
a preference for the lower portions of the island,
although they nest on the ledges also. Besides
man, these Gulls are the greatest enemies that
the Murres have to content against. They are
always on the watch and if a Murre leaves its
nest, one of the Gulls is nearly always ready to
pounce upon the egg and carry it away bodily in
his bill. The Gulls too suffer when the eggers
come, for their eggs are gathered up with the
Murres for the markets. They make their nests
of weeds and grass, and during May and June
lay three eggs showing the usual variations of
color common to the Gulls eggs. Size 2.75 x 1.90.
[50.] SIBERIAN GULL. Larus affinis.
This bird does not nest in North America, and
has a place on our list, by its accidental occurrence in Greenland. It is an Old World species
and its nesting habits and eggs are like those of
the Herring Gull.
51. HERRING GULL. Larus argentatus.
Range. Whole of the Northern Hemisphere,
breeding from Maine and British Columbia north__, ward and wintering south to the Gulf.
This Gull, which formerly was No. 51a, a subWestern Gull species of the European variety, is now regarded
Herring Gull as identical with it, and is no longer a sub-species.
It is twenty-four inches in length, has a light gray mantle and black primaries
which are tipped with
white. The Herring , ^- "\-~ ~~^
Gulls nest in colonies *%. * ^. '
in favorable localities
throughout their range,
chiefly on the coasts
and islands. A few pairs
also nest on islands in
some of the inland
bodies of fresh water.
Except in places where
they are continually
molested, when they

will build in trees, they


place their nests on the
ground either making
no riest on the bare
sand, or building a
bulky nest of seaweed
in the grass on higher
parts of the island. Buff
They lay three eggs of
a grayish color marked with brown. In rare cases unspotted bluish white
eggs are found. Size 2.8 x 1.7. 44

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

52. VEGA GULL Larus vegae.


Range. Coast of Alaska, south in winter to
California.
Similar to the Herring Gull, but with the mantle darker, but not so dark as in the Western Gull.
The nesting habits and eggs are the same as
those of the Herring Gull, except that in a series, the eggs of the Vega will average a little
darker in ground color. It nests during May on
the coasts and islands of Bering Sea, placing its
eggs in a hollow on the ground. Size 2.75 x 1.65.

Grayish brown

1 Gull
California Gull

53. CALIFORNIA GULL. Larus calif orni-

Range. Western North America, breeding in til


the interior. Kiim'-i>i:

A smaller Gull than the Herring with the primaries grayish instead of black; length twenty-five inches. This Gull is found
in winter on the coast from British Columbia southward to Lower California,
but nests in the interiar from Utah northward. They nest very abundantly
around the Great Salt Lake, placing their nests generally upon the bare ground.
Sometimes there is a scant lining of grasses or weeds and again the nests will
be situated in the midst of a tussock of grass. Three or four eggs generally
constitute a set, but occasionally five are laid. The usual nesting time is during May. They show the same great variations in color and markings common to most of the Gulls. Size 2.60 x 1.80.
51. RING-BILLED GULL. Larus delawarenis.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding from the United States northward and wintering south to the Gulf States.
A small Gull, eighteen inches in length, with a light gray mantle, black
primaries with white tips, and always to be distinguished in the breeding season by the black band around the middle of the greenish yellow bill. They
nest in enormous colonies on islands in the interior of the country and in
smaller colonies on the coasts. Thousands of them breed on the lakes of the
Dakotas and northward. The majority of them nest on the ground, although
on the coast they are often found on the cliffs. They commonly lay three eggs
placing them in a slight hollow in the ground, generally on the grassy portions
of the islands. The color varies from grayish to brownish, marked with
brown and lilac. The height of the nesting season is in June. Size of eggs,
2.80 x 1.75. 45

THE BIRD BOOK

55. SHORT-BILLED GULL. Larus brachyrhynchus.


Range. Breeds from the interior of British
Columbia northward to Alaska; south in winter to
Lower California.
The Short-billed or American Mew Gull is seventeen inches in length, has a short, stout bill and
is otherwise similar to the preceding species.
Nests on islands in the lakes and along the river
banks of Alaska. The nest is made of grass,
weeds and moss and is placed on the ground.

Pale greenish-brown
Early in June the birds lay their set of three eggs,
the ground color of which is greenish brown marked with dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data,

Mackenzie River, N. W. T., June 13, 1900. Three


eggs. Nest made of seaweed and grass and placed
on the ground on an island in the river.
[56.] MEW GULL. Larus canus.
This is the European variety of the above species, breeding commonly both in the British Isles
and northern Europe. This species is given a place in our avifauna because
of its accidental appearance in Labrador.

Short-billed Gull
Heerman's Gull

57. HERRMAN'S GULL. Larus heermanni.


Range. Pacific Coast of North America from British Columbia south to
Panama, breeding chiefly south of the United States border.
A very handsome species, often called the White-headed Gull, and wholly
unlike any other; length seventeen inches. Adults, in summer, have the
ntire head, neck and throat white, this shading quite abruptly into the slaty
upper and upder parts; the primaries and tail are black, the latter and the
secondaries being tipped with white. The legs and bill are vermilion. They
are found off the coast of California, but are not believed to breed there.
They are known to breed on some of the islands off the Mexican coast nesting
on the ground the same as the other species. The three eggs are greenish
drab in color and are marked with different shades of brown and lilac. Size
2.45 x 1.50.
46

58. LAUGHING GULL. Lams atricilla.

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

Range. Eastern North America, breeding


from the Gulf to Nova Scotia, chiefly on the
coast. A beautiful Gull, 16 inches long, with
a dark slate colored head, gray mantle, black

Pale grayish brown Laughing Gull

primaries, and white neck, underparts and tail. Bill and feet red. This bird
has its name from its peculiar laughing cry when alarmed or angry; it is
also called the Black-headed Gull. They nest by thousands on the islands off
the Gulf Coast and along the South . -^
Atlantic States. The nest is placed
on the ground and is made of seaweed. Three, four and sometimes
five eggs are laid, of a grayish to
greenish brown color, marked with
brown and lilac. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data. Timbalin Is., La., June 3,
1896. Three eggs. Nest of drift
grass thrown in a pile about 8
inches high, slightly hollowed on
top, in low marsh back of beach.
Collector, E. A. McTlhenny. RING-BILLED GULL-Gray

47

THE BIRD BOOK


59. FRANKLIN'S GULL.

Larus franklini.
Range. Interior North America, breeding from
middle United States northward.
Like the last but smaller and with the primaries light. Underparts rosy in breeding season.
Nests very abundantly in the marshes of Minnesota and northward. Nest made of grasses and

Franklin's Gull
Bonaparte's Gull

Grayish brown
placed in the marsh grass barely above the surface of the water. Eggs same color as the last
but the markings more inclined to zigzag lines.

Size 2.10 x 1.40. Data. Heron Lake, Minn., May


26, 1885. Nest of wet sedge stalks and rubbish
placed in a bunch of standing sedge in shallow
water; at least five thousand birds in rookery.
Collector, J. W. Preston.

60. BONAPARTE'S GULL. Larus Philadelphia.


Range. Breeds in the northern parts of North America; winters from Maine
and British Columbia to the southern border of the United States.
Smaller than the last; 14 inches long.
Plumage similar, but bill slender and
black. They nest in great numbers on
the marshes of Manitoba and to the
northward. The nests, of sticks and
grass, are placed on the higher parts of
the marsh and the usual complement of
three eggs is laid during the latter part
of June. The eggs are grayish to greenish brown, marked with dark brown and
lilac. Size 1.90 x 1.30.

Pale grayish brown

48

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

[60.1] LITTLE GULL. Larus minutus.


This Gull is the smallest of the family; it is
a European bird, and has accidentally strayed to
our shores but a few times. Its plumage is similar to that of the Bonaparte Gull but the bill is
red. It breeds in the marshes around the Baltic
Sea, placing its nest of dead vegetation on the
highest parts of the marsh. They lay three eggs
of a greenish gray color marked with dark brown
and lilac. Size 1.75 x 1.25.
61. Ross GULL. Rhodostethia rosea.
Range. The Arctic regions, south in winter
to Alaska, Greenland, northern Europe and Asia.

This beautiful bird is the most rare of all the


Gulls, being very difficult to obtain because of
its extreme northerly distribution. It is in form
and plumage like Bonaparte Gull, with the exceptions that the head is white, there being a narrow black collar around the neck, the tail is
wedge shaped, and the whole under parts from
the chin to the tail are rosy in the breeding plumage. The nests and eggs remain still undiscovered, although Nansen, in August 1896, found a
supposed breeding ground in Franz Josef Land,
because of the numbers of the birds, but found
no nests.
62. SABINE'S GULL. Xema sabinii.
Range. Arctic regions, breeding from Alaska
and Greenland and northward, and wintering
south to New England. Sabine Gul1
A handsome bird, having the slaty hood
bordered behind with a black ring, the primaries black, white tipped, and the tail slightly
forked. They breed abundantly on the marshes
of northern Alaska and Greenland, nesting the
same as others of the species. The two or
there eggs are laid in June. They are greenish
brown in color and are marked with dark
brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data. Hudson Bay,
August 1, 1894. Eggs laid on the ground in
Greenish brown the moss ; no nest except the hollow in the
moss.

Rose Gull

THE BIRD BOOK

63. GULL-BILLED TERN. Gelochelidon nilotica.


Range. Found in North America along the Gulf Coast and on the Atlantic
Coast north to Virginia and casually farther.
This is one of the largest of the Terns,
is 14 inches long, has a short, thick, black
bill and a short slightly forked tail; the

crown is black, mantle pearly gray, white


below. This species is very widely distributed, being found in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. They are known
locally as "Marsh Terns" where they
breed in immense numbers on some of
the marshes about the Gulf, particularly
in Texas. They also breed on many of
the islands along the Coast, rarely making any nest, but laying the eggs in a
hollow in the sand. They nest most
abundantly in the latter part of May,
generally laying three eggs. They are
of a yellowish, grayish or greenish buff
color and are spotted with brown and lilac. Size 1.80x1.30. Data. Northampton Co., Va., May 28, 1882. Three eggs laid on a mass of seaweed on marsh
above tide water.

Pale greenish buff

64. CASPIAN TERN. Sterna caspia.


Range. Like the preceding species, this bird is nearly cosmopolitan in its
range, in North America breeding from the Gulf Coast and Texas northward
to the Arctic Regions.
This beautiful bird is the largest of the Tern family, being about 22 inches in
length, with the tail forked about 1.5 inches. The bill is large, heavy and
bright red; the crest, with which this and the next three species are adorned,
is black. The mantle is pale _-~^^
pearl and the under parts " * m
white. These Terns sometimes nest in large colonies
and then again only a few
pairs will be found on an
island. In Texas, the breeding season commences in
May, it being later in the
more northern breeding
grounds. They may be regarded as largely eastern
birds, as while they are common in the interior of the
country, they are rarely found
on the Pacific Coast. Two or
three eggs constitute a complete set; these are laid on Grayish buff
the sand in a slight hollow scooped out by the birds. They vary from gray to
greenish buff, marked with brown and lilac. Size 2.60 x 1.75. Data. Hat Island, Lake Michigan, July 1, 1896. No nest. Two eggs in a hollow in the

gravel. Fully a thousand terns nesting on about one acre. Collector, Charles
L. Cass.
50

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

65. ROYAL TERN. Sterna maxima.


Range. Temperate North and South America,
breeding in the United States locally from Texas
and the Gulf States northward to the northern
boundary of the United States.
The Royal Terns nest in great numbers on the
coasts and islands on the South Atlantic and
Gulf States and in the marshes of southern Texas.

Grayish buff
Like the former species they lay two or three
eggs in a hollow on the bare sand. The eggs are
the same size but differ in being more pointed
and having a lighter ground and with the markings more bold and distinct. Size 2.60 x 1.70.
66. ELEGANT TERN. Sterna elegans.
Range. Pacific Coast of South and Central
America; north to California in summer.
A similar bird to the Royal Tern, but easilyGull-billed Tern

Caspian Tern
Royal Tern

Cream color

distinguished by its smaller size,


slender bill, and more graceful
form. In the breeding plumage
the under parts of these Terns
are tinged with rosy, which
probably first gave the birds

their name. They breed on the


coasts and islands of Mexico and
Central America, placing their
eggs on the sand. They are believed to lay but a single egg,
like that of the Royal Tern, but
smaller. Size 2.40 x 1.40. Data.
Honduras, Central America,
June 5, 1899. Single egg laid on
the sandy beach.

51

THE BIRD BOOK

67. CABOT TERN. Sterna sandvicensis


acuflavida.
Range. A tropical species breeding regularly
north to the Bahamas and Florida; casually
farther north. A beautiful bird distinguished
from the three preceding ones by its smaller size
(sixteen inches) and by the bill which is black

~-^;

Klegant Tern
Cabot's Tern

Cream color
with a yellow tip. They nest in colonies on the
shores of islands in the West Indies and Bahamas, but not to a great extent on the United States
Coast. Their two or three eggs have a creamy
ground color, and are boldly marked with brown
and black. Size 2.10 x 1.40.

[68.] TRUDEAU'S TERN. Sterna trudeaui.

Range. South America; accidentally along the coast of the United States.
A rare and unique species with a form similar to the following, but with the
coloration entirely different. About fifteen inches in length; tail long and
deeply forked; bill yellow with a band of black about the middle. Whole head
pure white, shading into the pearly color of the upper and under parts. A
narrow band of black through the eye and over the ear coverts. A very rare
species that is supposed to breed in southern South America. Given a place
among North American birds on the strength of a specimen seen by Audubon
off Long Island.

52

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

69- FORSTER'S TERN. Sterna forsteri.


Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from Manitoba, Mass., and California, south to
the Gulf Coast and Texas.
Length about fifteen inches; tail long and deeply forked; crown black, back and wings pearl and
under parts white. Bill orange red. This species and the three following are the most graceful of birds in appearance and flight. Their move-

Forsters Tern
Common Tern
Eggs in a hollow on grassy

Brownish buff
ments can only be likened to those of the Swallows, from which they get the name of "Sea Swallows." Their food consists of fish, which they
get by diving, and marine insects. They breed by
thousands in the marshes from Manitoba to Texas
and along the South Atlantic coast. The eggs are
laid in a hollow on the dry grassy portions of the
islands or marshes. They generally lay three
eggs and rarely four. They are buffy or brownish spotted with dark brown and lilac. Size 1.80
x 1.30. Data. Cobb's Island, Va., June 8, 1887,
bank. Collector, F. H. Judson.

70. COMMON TERN. Sterna hirundo.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding both on the coast and in the interior from the Gulf States northward.
This bird differs from the preceding chiefly in having a bright red bill tipped
with black, and the under parts washed with pearl. These are the most common Terns on the New England coast, nesting abundantly from Virginia to Newfoundland. These beautiful Terns, together with
others of the family, were formerly killed
by thousands for millinery purposes, but the
practice is now being rapidly stopped. In
May and June they lay their three, or sometimes four eggs on the ground as do the
other Terns. They are similar to the preceding species but average shorter. Data.
Duck Is., Maine, June 30, 1896. Three eggs
in marsh grass about fifty feet from beach.
No nest. Collector, C. A. Reed.
53

Buff

THE BIRD BOOK

71. ARCTIC TERN.

Sterna paradisaea.
Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding from
New England northward to the Arctic Regions
and wintering south to California and the South
Atlantic States. A similar bird to the last, differing in having the bill wholly red and the feet being smaller and weak for the size of the bird. A
more northern bird than the last, breeding abundantly in Alaska, both on the coast and in the interior. In the southern limits of its breeding
range, it nests in company with the Common

Tern, its nests and eggs being indistinguishable


from the latter. When their nesting grounds are
approached, all the birds arise like a great white
clour, uttering their harsh, discordant "tearrr,
tearrr," while now and then an individual, bolder
than the rest, will swoop close by with an angry
"crack." On the whole they are timid birds, keeping well out of reach. The nesting season is
early in June. Eggs like the preceding. Data.
Little Duck Is., Me., June 29, 1896. Three eggs
in a slight hollow on the beach, three feet above
high water mark.
72. ROSEATE TERN. Sterna dougalli.
Range. Temperate North America on the east
coast, breeding from New England to the Gulf.
These are the most beautiful birds, having a
delicate pink blush on the under parts during

Arctic Tern
Roseate Tern
Aleutian Tern

Grayish or Brownish

the breeding season; the tail is very long and deeply forked, the outer
ers being over five inches longer than the middle ones; the bill is red
black tip. They nest in large colonies on the islands from Southern New
land southward, placing the nests in the short grass, generally without
lining. They lay two or three eggs which are indistinguishable from the
two preceding species.

feathwith a
Engany

73. ALEUTIAN TERN. Sterna aleutica.


Range. Found in summer in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
South in winter to Japan. This handsome Tern is of the form and size
of the Common Tern, but has a darker mantle, and the forehead is white,
leaving a black line from the bill to the eye. They nest on islands off the coas
t
of Alaska, sometimes together with the Arctic Tern. The eggs are laid upon
the bare ground or moss, and are similar to the Arctic Terns, but average narrower. They are two or three in number and are laid in June and July. Size
1.70 x 1.15. Data. Stuart Is., Alaska. Three eggs in a slight hollow in the moss
.

54

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS

74. LEAST TERN. Sterna antillarum.


Range. From northern South America to
southern New England, Dakota and California,
breeding locally throughout its range.
These little Sea Swallows are the smallest of
the Terns, being but 9 inches in length. They
have a yellow bill with a black tip, a black crown
and nape, and white forehead. Although small,
these little Terns lose none of the grace and beauty of action of their larger relatives. They nest

Least Tern
Sooty Tern

Light buff
in colonies on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts,
placing their eggs upon the bare sand, where they
are sometimes very difficult to see among the
shells and pebbles. They are of a grayish or
buffy color spotted with umber and lilac. They
number two, three and rarely four, and are laid
in May and June. Size 1.25 x .95. Data. DeSota
Beach, Fla., May 20, 1884. Three eggs laid on
the sandy beach. Collector, Chas. Graham.
75. SOOTY TERN. Sterna fuscata.
Range. Tropical America, north to the South
Atlantic States. This species measures 17 inches
in length; it has a brownish black mantle, wings
and tail, except the outer feathers of the latter which are white; the forehead
and under parts are white, the crown and a line from the eye to the bill, black.
This tropical species is very numerous at
its breeding grounds on the small islands
of the Florida Keys and the West Indies.

They lay but a single egg, generally placing it on the bare ground, or occasionally
building a frail nest of grasses. The egg
has a pinkish white or creamy ground
and is beautifully sprinkled with spots of
reddish brown and lilac. They are laid
during May. Size 2.05 x 1.45. Data.
Clutheria Key, Bahamas, May 28, 1891.
Single egg laid on bare ground near water.
Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

/" ^
*

\x

Creamy white

55

THE BIRD BOOK


[76.] BRIDLED TERN. Sterna anaetheta.

Range. Found in tropical regions of both hemispheres; casual or accidental in Florida. This
Tern is similar to the last except that the nape
is white and the white of the forehead extends
in a line over the eye. The Bridled Tern is common on some of the islands of the West Indies
and the Bahamas, nesting in company with the

OS,

Creamy white
Sooty Terns and Noddies. The single egg is laid
on the seashore or among the rocks. It is creamy
white beautifully marked with brown and lilac.
Size 1.85x1.25. Data. Bahamas, May 9, 1892.
Single egg laid in a cavity among the rocks. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

77- BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon nigra


surinamensis.

Black Tern
Noddy
Black Skimmer

V~ V

Range. Temperate America, breeding from the


middle portions of the United States northward
to Alaska; south in winter Beyond the United
States Border.
The identity of these Terns cannot be mistaken
They are but ten inches in length; the whole head, neck and under parts are
black; the back, wings and tail are slaty and the under tail coverts are white.
Their dainty figure with their long slender wings gives them a grace and airiness, if possible, superior to other species of the family. They are very active
and besides feeding upon all manner of marine
Crustacea, they capture many insects in the air.
They nest in large colonies in marshes, both along
the coast and in the interior, making a nest of
decayed reeds and grasses, or often laying their
eggs upon rafts of decayed vegetation which are
floating on he water. The nesting season commences in May, they laying three eggs of a brownish or greenish color, very heavily blotched with
blackish brown. Size 1.35 x .95. Data. Winnebago City, Minn., May 31, 1901. Three eggs. Nest
made of a mass of weeds and rushes floating on Deep greenish brown
water in a swamp. Collector, R. H. Bullis.
56

LONG-WINGED SWIMMERS
[78.] WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN. Hydrochelidon leucoptera.
Range. Eastern Hemisphere, its addition to American birds being made because of the accidental
appearance of one bird in Wisconsin in 1873. They
lest very abundantly among the lakes and marshes

Greenish buff
of southern Europe, placing their
eggs the same as the American spe- &*-.- *
cies, upon masses of decayed reeds v " and stalks. They lay three eggs
which have a somewhat brighter
appearance than the common Black
Terns because of a somewhat lighter ground color.
79. NODDY. Anous stolidus.
Range. Tropical America, north to the
Gulf and South Atlantic States, A peculiar
but handsome bird (about fifteen inches long),
with a silvery white head and the rest of the
plumage brownish, and the tail rounded.
They breed in abundance on some of the Florida Keys, the West Indies and the Bahamas.
Their nests are made of sticks and grass, and
are placed either in trees or on the ground.
They lay but a single egg with a buffy or
cream colored ground spotted with chestnut
and lilac. Size 2.00 x 1.30. Atwood's Key,
Bahamas, June 1, 1891. Nest made of sticks
and grasses, three feet up a mangrove. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

Buff

Noddy

57

THE BIRD BOOK


SKIMMERS. Family RYNCHOPID^E
Skimmers are Tern-like birds having a very strangely developed bill. The
lower mandible is much longer than the upper and very thin, the upper edge
being as sharp as the lower. The lower mandible is rounded at the end while
the upper is more pointed. Young Skimmers are said to have both mandibles
of the same length, the abnormal development not appearing until after flight.
Skimmers are very graceful birds, and, as implied by their name, they skim
over the surface of the water, rising and falling with the waves, and are said
to pick up their food by dropping the lower mandible below the surface, its thin
edge cutting the water like a knife. There are four species of Skimmers, only
one of which is found in North America.
80. BLACK SKIMMER. Rynchops nigra.
Range. The South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, breeding from New Jersey
southward. The Black Skimmer is about eighteen inches in length, and besides the remarkable bill is a bird of striking plumage; the forehead, ends of
the secondaries, tail feathers and under parts are white; the rest of the plumage is black and the basal half of the bill is crimson. Skimmers nest in large
communities, the same as do the Terns, laying their eggs in hollows in the
sand. They are partially nocturnal in their
habits and their hoarse barking cries may
- - " , be heard after the shadows of night have
x
4^ enveloped the earth. Fishermen call them
llfc * 4 ). % A by the names of "Cut-water" and "Sea Dog."
' . \ The nesting season commences in May and
* . . *
continues through June and July. They lay
from three to five eggs, having a creamy
or yellowish buff ground, blotched with
black, chestnut and lilac. Size 1.75x1.30.
Buffy yellow Data. Cobb's Is., Va., June 8, 1894. Three
eggs laid in a hollow on the beach. No
nest.
58

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS
TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS. Order III. TUBINARES.
ALBATROSSES. Family DIOMEDEIDAE
Albatrosses are the largest of the sea birds and have an enormous expanse
of wing, the Wandering Albatross, the largest of the family, sometimes attaining an expanse of fourteen feet. Their nostrils consist of two slightly projecting tubes, one on each side near the base of the bill. They are unsurpassed
in powers of flight, but are only fair swimmers and rarely, if ever, dive, getti
ng
their food, which consists of dead animal matter, from the surface of the water.
81. BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS. Diomedea
nigripes.
Range. North Pacific from California northward. This Albatross is thirty-two inches in
length; it is of a uniform sooty brown color shading into whitish at the base of the bill, which is
rounded. Like the other members of the family,
this species is noted for its extended flights, following vessels day after day without any apparent
period of rest, for the purpose of feeding on the
refuse that is thrown overboard. They breed
during our winter on some of the small isolated
islands in the extreme southern portions of the
globe. They lay a single white egg on the bare
ground.
82. SHORT- TAILED ALBATROSS. Diomedea
albatrus.
Range. North Pacific Ocean in summer, from
Lower California to Alaska. With the exception
of the Wandering Albatross, which is now regarded as doubtful as occurring off our coasts, the
Short-tailed Albatross is one of the largest of
the group, measuring thirty-six inches in length,
and has an extent of seven feet or more. With
the exception of the black primaries, shoulders
and tail, the entire plumage is white, tinged with
straw color on the back of the head. They breed
on the guano islands in the North Pacific off the
coasts of Alaska and Japan. They lay a single
white egg on the bare ground or rocks. As with
the other members of the family, the eggs are
extremely variable in size, but average about
4.25x2.50.
59

THE BIRD BOOK

82.1. LAYSAN ALBATROSS.


mutabilis.

Diomedea im-

Laysan Albatross
Yellow-nosed Albatross
Sooty Albatross

Range. Laysan Island of the Hawaiian Group,


appearing casually off the coast of California.
This species breeds in large numbers on the island from which it takes its name. The birds are
white with the exception of the back, wings and
tail, which are black. The birds, having been little molested in their remote island, are exceedingly tame, and it is possible to go among the sitting
birds without disturbing them. Mr. Walter K.
Fisher has contributed an admirable report on
this species in the 1913 Bulletin of the Fish Commission, the report being illustrated with numerous illustrations of the birds from photos by the
author. Their single white eggs are laid on the
bare ground.
[83.] YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS.
Tlialassogeron culminatus.
This is a species which inhabits the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, and is said to rarely occur on the California coast. They breed during
our winter on some of the small islands and during our summer are ocean wanderers. An egg in
the collection of Col. John E. Thayer was taken on
Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean; Sept. 1st,
1888. The nest was a mound of mud and grass
about two feet in height. The single white egg
measured 3.75 x 2.25. It was collected by George
Comer.

84. SOOTY ALBATROSS Phoebetria-palpebrata.


Range. Southern seas, north in our summer along the Pacific coast of the

United States.
This species is entirely sooty brown except the white eyelids. It is similar
to the Black-footed Albatross from which species it can be distinguished in
all plumages by the narrow base of the bill, while the bill of the former specie
s
is broad and rounded. They breed commonly on isolated islands in many
quarters of the southern hemisphere. Sometimes this species constructs a
mound of mud on which to deposit its single white egg, and also often lays
it on the bare ground or rock. A specimen in Mr. Thayer's collection, taken
by Geo. Comer on So. Georgia Is. in the South Atlantic ocean, was laid in a
hollow among loose stones on the ledge of an overhanging cliff. Size 4.10 x
2.75.
60

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS

EGG OF SOOTY ALBATROSS White

FULMARS, SHEARWATERS and : PETRELS


Family PROCELLARIDAE
Fulmars, Shearwaters and Petrels are Gull-like birds with two nostril tubes
located side by side, in a single tube, on the top of the bill at it's base.
The Fulmars are mostly northern birds while the majority of the Shearwaters nest in the extreme south during our winter, and appear off our coasts
during the summer. Their food consists of fish or offal which they get from
the surface of the water; large flocks of them hover about fishermen, watching their chance to get any food which falls, or is thrown, overboard.

THE BIRD BOOK

[85.] GIANT FULMAR.


gigantea

Macronectes

Range. This Petrel is a native of the southern seas and is only casually met with off the

Pacific coast.
It is the largest of the family, being about
three feet in length, and is normally a uniform
sooty color, although it has light phases of
plumage. They nest in December on many of
the islands south of Africa and South America,
laying their single white egg on the bare rocks.
86. FULMAR. Fulmarus glacialis glacialis.
Range. North Atlantic coasts from New
England northward, breeding from Hudson
Fulmar Bav and southern Greenland northward.
This bird which is 19 inches in length, in the light phase has a plumage
very similar to that of the larger Gulls. They nest by thousands on rocky
islands of the north, often in company with Murres and Gulls. Owing to the
filthy habits of the Fulmars, these breeding grounds always have a nauseating odor, which is also imparted to, and retained by the egg shell. Their
single white eggs are laid on the bare rocks, in crevices of the cliffs, often
hundreds of feet above the water. Size 2.90 x 2. Data. St. Kilda, off Scotland.
June 5, 1897. Single egg laid on rock on side of sea cliff. Collector, Angus
Gillies.

62

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS

86'b. PACIFIC FULMAR. Fulmarus glacialis glupischa.


This sub-species of the preceding, has a darker
mantle than the common Fulmar; it is found on
the northern Pacific coasts where it breeds on
the high rocky cliffs, the same as it's eastern
relative. They nest in large colonies, every
crevice in the rocks having its tenant. Their
flight is graceful like that of the Gulls, which
they closely resemble. They lay but a single
white egg, the average dimensions of which are
slightly smaller than those of the common Fulmar. Data. Copper Is., Alaska. May 14, 1889.
Egg laid in a crevice among the cliffs.
86.1. RODGER'S FULMAR. Fulmarus rodgers.
Range. North Pacific, breeding in large numbers on some of the islands in Bering Sea; south
to California in winter. Very similar to the two
preceding species except that the back is mixed

with whitish, it is not believed to have a dark


phase. Their breeding habits and eggs do not
differ from the common Fulmar. The eggs are
laid on the rocky cliffs during June.

Pacific Fulmar
Slender-billed Fulmar

87. SLENDER-BILLED FULMAR. Priocella glacialoides.


Range. Southern seas, appearing on the Pacific coast of the United States
in the summer. This species has a paler mantle than the others of the family,
and the primaries are black. The make-up and plumage of the whole bird is
more like that of the Gulls than any of the others. They probably breed in
the far south during our winter, although we have no definite data relative
to their nesting habits.

63

THE BIRD BOOK

88. CORY'S SHEARWATER. Puffinus borealis.


This species probably breeds in the far south.
It has been found only off the coast of Massachusetts and Long Island. This is the largest
of our Shearwaters, and can be distinguished from
the next species by its wholly white underparts,
its light mantle and yellowish bill. We have no
data relative to its nesting habits.
89. GREATER SHEARWATER. Puffinus gravis.
Range. The whole of the Atlantic Ocean.
Thousands of them spend the latter part of the
summer off the New England coast, where they
are known to the fishermen as Haglets. Their
upper parts are brownish gray, darker on the
wings; bill and feet dark; under parts white, with
the middle of the belly and the under tail covers dusky. Length about 20 inches. Little is
known concerning their nesting quarters, although they are said to breed in Greenland.
From the fact of their early appearance off the

New England coast it is probable that the greater part of them nest in the far south.
[90.] MANX SHEARWATER. Puffinus puffinus.
This species inhabits the North Atlantic ocean
chiefly on the European side, being abundant in
the Mediterranean and in the British Isles. These
birds deposit their single pure white eggs in

Cory" Shearwater

Greater Shearwater
crevices among the cliffs, on the graound or in
burrows dug by themselves. Size of egg 2.35
x 1.60. Data. Isle of Hay, North Scotland.
June 1, 1893. Single egg laid at the end of a
three foot burrow.

Egg of Audubon's Shearwater White


64

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS

91. PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER. Puffinus


creatopus
Range. Pacific Ocean, north on American side
to California in summer.
This species, whose breeding habits are little
known, is similar in size and color to the Greater
Shearwater, differing chiefly in the yellowish bill
and pinkish colored feet.
92. AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER. Puffinus
Iherminieri.
Range. Middle Atlantic, ranging north in late
summer to Long Island.
This bird, having a length of but twelve inches,
is the smallest of the Shearwaters found along our
coasts. Large colonies of them breed on some

of the small islands and keys of the West Indies


and Bahamas, and not so commonly in the Bermudas. Their eggs, which are pure white, are deposited at the end of burrows dug by the birds.
Size of egg 2. x 1.35. Their nesting season commences about the latter part of March and continues through April and May. After the young
are able to fly, like other members of the family,
the birds become ocean wanderers and stray
north to southern New England. Data. Bahamas,
April 13, 1891. Single egg laid at the end of a
burrow about two feet in length. Collector, D.
P. Ingraham.
[92.1.] ALLIED SHEARWATER. Puffinus
assimilis.
This is an Australian and New Zealand species
that has accidentally strayed to the shores of
Nova Scotia.

Pink -fooled Shearwater


Black -ven ted Shearwater
Town senc's Shear \vatei

93. BLACK-VENTED SHEARWATER. Puffin us opisthomelas.


Range. Middle Pacific coast of the Americas, north in late summer along
the coast of California. This species breeds commonly on the islands off the
coast of Lower California, especially on the Gulf side. Their single egg is
white, size 2. x 1.30, and is located at the end of a burrow. Data. Natividad
Is., Lower California, April 10, 1897. Single egg laid on the sand at the
end of a burrow six feet in length. Collector, A. W. Anthony.
93.1. TOWNSEND'S SHEARWATER. Puffinus auricularis.
This bird ranges from Cape St. Lucas, south along the Pacific coast of Mexico, breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the Mexican coast.
65

THE BIRD BOOK

94. SOOTY SHEARWATER. Puffins fuliginosus.


Range. A common species off the Atlantic
coast in summer; breeds along our northern
coasts, and it is also supposed that many of

them nest in southern seas and reach our


coasts early in the summer. These Shearwaters are entirely sooty gray, being somewhat lighter below. They are called "black
haglets" by the fishermen, whose vessels they
follow in the hope of procuring bits of refuse.
They commonly nest in burrows in the ground,
but are also said to build in fissures among
the ledges. Their single white egg measures
2.55x1.75. Data. Island in Ungava Bay,
northern Labrador, June 14, 1896. Egg laid in
a fissure of a sea cliff. Collector, A. N. McFord.

Sooty Shearwater

Dark-bodied Shearwater
Slender-billed Shearwater

95. DARK-BODIED SHEARWATER.


Puffinus griseus.
This is a southern species which, after having nested on islands in the far south during
our winter, comes north and appears off the
Pacific coast of the United States during the
summer. It is a similar bird to the Sooty Shearwater, but is considerably darker and the under
coverts are whitish. Their nesting habits are
the same as those of other members of the family. Size of egg, 2.40x1.65. Data. Stewart's
Island, New Zealand, February 15, 1896. Single
egg at the end of a long burrow.
96. SLENDER-BILLED SHEARWATER. Puffinus
tenuirostris.
Range. Northern Pacific Ocean in the summer, extending from Japan and Alaska southward. Supposed to breed in the southern hemisphere, as well as probably on some of the Aleutians in Alaska.
96.1. WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER. Puffinus
cuneatus.
Range. North Pacific, breeding on the Revillagigedo Islands off the coast of Mexico, and
probably on some of the small islands in the

Gulf of California.
[97-] BLACK-TAILED SHEARWATER. Priofinus
cinerus
This is a Shearwater which inhabits the southern hemisphere, but which has accidentally wandered to the Pacific coast of the United States.
It is dark above and whitish below, with black
under tail coverts. It breeds in the far south.

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS

[98.] BLACK-CAPPED PETREL.


tata.

Msirelata hasi-

This is not a common species; it is an inhabitant of tropical seas and has only been casually
found on our coasts or inland. It is a handsome
species with white forehead, underparts and nape
with a small isolated black cap on the crown;
the rest of the upper parts are blackish. It is a
native of the West Indies.
[99-] SCALED PETREL. Mstrelata scalaris.
This is another rare species which is an inhabitant of southern seas. A single specimen
taken in New York State gives it a claim as a
doubtful North American species. It is a handsome bird, the feathers of the grayish upperparts
being edged with white, thus giving it the appearance of being barred. Its egg have only been
known to science within the past few years.
Data. Preservation Inlet, New Zealand, June 7,
1900. Single white egg. Size 2.40 x 1.75. Collector, P. Seymour. Parent bird taken with the egg.
100. FISHER'S PETREL. JEstralata fisheri.
This is a handsome bird known only from the
type specimen taken off Kadiak Is., Alaska, by
Mr. Fisher.

Black-capped Petrel
Scaled Petrel

Fisher's Petrel

[101.] BULWER'S PETREL. Bulrveria bulweri.


An eastern Atlantic species which is only an accidental visitant to our
shores. They breed on the Madeira Islands where the eggs are laid in crevices
among the rocks or in burrows in the ground. Size 1.75 x 1.55, white.

[102.] PINTADO PETREL. Daption capensis.


This is the Cape Pigeon of the southern hemisphere. It has only accidentally
occurred on our coast.

G7

THE BIRD BOOK

Least Petrel
Stormy Petrel
Forked-tailed Petrel

103. LEAST PETREL. Halocyptena microsoma.


Range. Pacific coast of America from Lower
California to Panama. The Least Petrel is the
smallest of this family, in length measuring only
5.75 inches. Their plumage is entirely dark
sooty. They have been found breeding on San
Benito Island, Lower California, and they probably do on others farther south. The single 'jgg
that this bird lays is white with a wreath of fine
black specks around one and sometimes both
ends. Data. San Benito Is., Lower California,
June 12, 1897. No nest, the egg being simply
laid on the bare rock in a crevice. Size 1.00
x .75. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

1 0-1. STORM PETREL. Thalassidroma pelagica.


North Atlantic Ocean chiefly on the European
side, wintering south to New Brunswick. Small-

est of the white rumped, black petrels; 5.75


inches in length.
This species is the originally called "Mother
Gary's Chicken" by the
sailors. They nest abundantly on many of the islands off the coasts of
Europe and the British
Isles, laying their single White
egg either in burrows or crevices among the cliffs.
Data. Coast of County Kerry, Ireland, June 1,
1895. Single egg laid at the end of burrow in a
sea cliff. Size 1.05 x. 80; white with a wreath of
very fine dots about the larger end. Collector,
G. H. McDonald.

105. FORKED-TAILED PETREL. Oceanodroma furcata.


Range. North Pacific from California to Alaska, breeding in the Aleutians.
These birds have a plumage of bluish gray, the wings being darker and the
underparts lightest. The nests are made in burrows or crevices in the banks.
Data. Uniak Is., Alaska, June 10, 1900. No nest. Single egg laid at the
end of a burrow. Several pairs nesting near. Egg white with a fine wreath
of purplish black specks about the large end. Size 1.25 x .5.

68

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS

105.2. KJEDING'S PETREL. Oceanodroma


kcedingi.
This bird is similar to Leach Petrel, but is
smaller and the tail is less deeply forked. Its
range is from California to Panama breeding
on the Revillagigedo Islands off Mexico.

106. LEACH'S PETREL.


hoa.

Oceanodroma leucor-

Range. North Atlantic and North Pacific


Oceans, breeding from Maine and from the
Farallones, northward to Greenland and the Aleutians.
These are the most common of the Petrels
found on our coast; they are eight inches in
length, of a sooty brown color, and have a white
rump. The forked tail will at once distinguish
them from any of the Atlantic Petrels. They
nest in burrows in the ground, laying a pure
white egg, sometimes with a very faint dusty
wreath about the larger end. Size 1.20 x .95.
These birds generally take turns in the task of
incubation, one remaining at sea during the day
and returning at night while his mate takes her
turn roving the briny deep in search of food.
The young are fed by
regurgitation upon an oily
fluid which has a very of4.-, fensive odor. This odor
is always noticeable about
an island inhabited by
Petrels and is always retained by the eggs or skins

White

Kseding's Petrel
Leach's Petrel
Guadalupe Petrel

of these birds. They are very rarely seen flying in the vicinity of
ing island during the day; the bird that is on the nest will remain
moved by hand. Data. Pumpkin Is., Maine, June 22, 1893. Single egg;
of a few grasses at the end of a burrow dug in the bank. Collector,

their nestuntil renest


J. Lefavour.

106.1 GUADALUPE PETREL. Oceanodroma macrodactyla.


This species, which is very similar to the preceding, except for a longer
and more deeply forked tail, breeds on Guadalupe
Is. Their eggs are white very minutely wreathed . . .
with reddish brown; they are, however, nearly al- ^K^SlfS^^Si^^^^
ways nest stained to an uneven brownish color.
Data/ Guadalupe Is., Lower California, March 24 S
1897. Single egg laid on a few oak leaves and pine
needles at the end of a three foot burrow. Size of
egg 1.40 x 1.00. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

69

White, nest stained

THE BIRD BOOK

Black Petrel

Ashy Petrel

107. BLACK PETREL. Oceanodroma melania.


Range. South Pacific, from southern California southward, breeding on the small islands on
both coasts of Lower California. They are similar to the Leach's Petrel except that the rump is
blackish. Data. San Benito Is., Lower California, July 23, 1896. White egg laid on bare ground
at the end of three foot burrow. Size 1.40 x 1.
Collector, A. W. Anthony.
108. ASHY PETREL. Oceanodroma Tiomochroa.
Range. California coast, breeding on the Farallones and Santa Barbara Islands.

This species, while not common, nests in all


manner of localities on the Farallones, concealing their eggs under any rock or in any crevice
that may attract their fancy. Their single white
egg is only faintly if at all wreathed with fine
dust-like specks of reddish brown. Size 1.15 x
.86. Data. Farallone Is., California, June 12,
1895. Egg laid on sand in crevice at the base of
a stone wall; well concealed. Collector, Chester
Barlow.

108.1. SOCORRO PETREL.


Oceanodroma socorroensis.
Breeds on Socorro, San Benito and Coronado
Islands, placing its eggs at the end of burrow.
Data. San Benito Is., Lower California, July 12,
1897. Single egg at the end of a burrow 3 feet
in length. Egg pure white very finely wreathed
with pale reddish brown. Size 1.15 x .87. Collector, A. W. Anthony.

70

109- WILSON'S PETREL.


Breeds in the southern hemisphere in February
and March and spends the summer off the Atlantic coast as far north as Newfoundland. This species can be distinguished from Leach Petrel by
its square tail and from the Stormy Petrel by its
large size and yellow webs to its feet. These
birds are the greatest wanderers of the genus,
being found at different seasons in nearly all
quarters of the globe. Their single egg is white.
Size 1.25 x. 90.
[110.] WHITE-BELLIED PETREL.
Fregetta grallaria.
A small species (length about 7.5 inches) inhabiting southern seas. Recorded once at Florida. General plumage blackish. Upper tail coverts, bases of tail feathers, under wing coverts,
and abdomen, white.
[111.] WHITE-FACED PETREL. Pelagodroma
marina.

Range. Southern seas, accidentally north to


the coast of Massachusetts. This beautiful species is of about the same size as the Leach's
Petrel. It has bluish gray upper parts; the whole
under parts, as well as the forehead and sides
of head, are white.

TUBE-NOSED SWIMMERS
Oceanites oceanicus.

White

Wilson's Petrel
White-billed Petrel
White-faced Petrel

These birds have the same characteristics as do others of the species, pattering over the water with their feet as they skim over the crests and
troughs of the waves. They are not uncommon in the waters about New
Zealand where they breed. Their single eggs are about the same as Leach's
Petrel, are brilliant white and are, very strongly, for a Petrel egg, wreathed
about the large end with dots of reddish brown. Size 1.32 x .90. Data. Chatham Is., New Zealand, January 7, 1901. Egg laid at end of a burrow. Collector, J. Lobb. This egg is in Mr. Thayer's collection.

71

THE BIRD BOOK


TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. Order IV. STEGANOPODES
TROPIC BIRDS. Family PHAETHONTIDAE
Tropic Birds are Tern-like birds, having all the toes connected by a web,
and having the two central tail feathers very much lengthened.

112. YELLOW-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phccthon


americanus.
Range. Tropical regions, breeding in the Ba-

hamas, West Indies and the Bermudas, casual in


Florida and along the South Atlantic coast.
The Tropic Birds are the most strikingly
beautiful of all the sea birds; they are about 30
inches in length, of which their long slender tail
takes about 20 inches. They fly with the ease
and grace of a Tern, but with quicker wing beats.
They feed on small fish, which they capture by

Dull purplish
darting down upon, and upon snails which they
get from the beach and ledges. They build their
nests in the crevices and along the ledges of the
rocky cliffs. While gregarious to a certain extent they are not nearly as much so as the Terns.
The nest is made of a mass of seaweed and weeds;
but one egg is laid, this being of a creamy or pale
purplish ground color, dotted and sprinkled with
chestnut, so thickly as to often obscure the*!!3 Yellow - bill ? d Tropic Bird
ground color. Size 2.10x1.45. Data Coney Is ^ Red-billed Tropic Bird

TOTJPALMATE SWIMMERS

113. RED-BILLED TROPIC BIRD. Phcethon cethereus.


Range. Tropical seas, chiefly in the Pacific Ocean; north to southern
California.
They breed on several islands in the Gulf of California. This species differs
from the preceding in having a red bill, and the back being barred with black.
Their plumage has a peculiar satiny appearance and is quite dazzling when
viewed in the sunlight. They
are strong fliers and are met
with, hundreds of miles from
land. They often rest upon the
water, elevating their long tails
to keep them from getting wet.
They nest, as do the preceding
species, on rocky islands and
are said to also build their nests
in trees or upon the ground.

The single egg that they lay


has a creamy ground and is minutely dotted with chestnut.
Pale purplish size 2.40 x 1.55. Data. Daphone
Is., Galapagos Is., South Pacific, March 6, 1901. Egg laid in hole of a sea clif
f.
The eggs are easily told from those of the yellow-billed by their much larger
size. Collector, R. H. Beck.

[113.1] RED-TAILED TROPIC BIRD. Phcethon rubricaudus.


Range. Tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, accidental off
the coast of Lower California.
This is a singularly beautiful species resembling the latter except that the
central tail feathers are bright red, with the extreme tips white. During
August and September they
breed in large colonies on
small islands in the South
Seas. On Mauritius Island
they build their nests either
in the trees or place them on
the ground; the nest is made
of seaweed, sticks and weeds;
numbers of them nest on
.*'.>* "*. f JK32WHB^^^V Laysan Is., of the Hawaiian
group, concealing their nests
on the ground under overhanging brush.
The single egg has a pale
purplish ground speckled
with brown.

Pale purplish ground color

73

THE BIRD BOOK

GANNETS. Family SULIDAE


Gannets are large stoutly built birds, having the four toes joined by a web;
they have a small naked pouch beneath the bill; the bill is a little longer than
the head, and the tail is quite short. The plumage of the adults is generally
white, that of the young grayish.

114. BLUE-FACED BOOBY. Sula syanops.


Range. Widely distributed in the tropical seas,
north casually to Florida and breeding in the Bahamas.
Like the rest of the Gannets, this one is stupid
and will often remain on the nest until removed
with the hand, merely hissing at the intruder.
Often they lay their eggs on the bare ground, but
sometimes the nest is lined with seaweed or grass.
They lay either one or two eggs early in April.
These eggs are of a dull white color and are heavily covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.50 x 1.70.
Data. Clarion Is., Mexico, May 24, 1897. Nest
a mere hollow in the sand near the beach. Collector, A. W. Anthony.
114.1. BLUE-FOOTED BOOBY. Sula nebouxi.
Range. Pacific coasts and islands from the
Gulf of California southward to Chili.
These birds nest in numbers on the island of
San Pedro Martir in the Gulf of California. They
lay but a single egg, placing it upon the bare
rock. Their breeding season extends from the
latter part of March into May. The egg is a dull
white, generally nest stained and is covered with
the usual chalky deposit. Size 2.35x1.60. Data.
Clarion Island, Mexico, May 21, 1897. Two eggs
in a hollow in the sand near the beach. Collector,
A. W. Anthony.

Blue-faced Booby
Blue-footed Booby

.115. BOOBY. Sula leucogastra.

Range. Tropical coasts and islands of the Atlantic; north casually to Georgia.
The common Booby is an abundant bird on
some of the islands of the Bahamas and Bermudas; it is commonly called the Brown Booby because the upper parts are of a brownish gray.
These birds, as do the other Gannets, have great
powers of flight and without apparent effort dart

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS

Chalky bluish white, nest stained


about with the speed of an arrow. They are
quite awkward upon their feet and are not very
proficient swimmers. They rarely rest upon the
water except when tired. Hundreds and sometimes thousands of them breed in company, laying their eggs upon the bare rocks. Sometimes
a few sticks or grasses will be placed about the
bird to prevent the eggs from rolling away. They
generally lay two eggs, chalky white and nest
stained. Size 2.40x1.60. Data. Key West, Bahamas, April 14, 1891. No nest; two eggs laid on
the bare rocks.

Booby
Red-footed Booby

115.1. BREWSTER'S BOOBY. Sula brewsteri.


Range. Pacific coast from Lower California southward. This Gannet replaces the common Booby on the Pacific coast. It nests abundantly on many
islands in the Gulf of California, and in company with the blue-footed variety,
on San Pedro Martir Island. They generally lay two eggs, placing them upon
the bare rocks and surrounding them with a ring of sticks and seaweed to keep
them in place. The eggs are chalky white and cannot be distinguished from
those of the other Boobies. Data. San Benedicto Is., Lower California, May
18, 1897. Single egg laid on the sand amid a few blades of grass.

116. RED-FOOTED BOOBY. Sula piscator.


This is another species that is only occasionally taken on the Florida coast.
The habits of the birds and their nesting habits are the same as those of the
others of the family. Two chalky white eggs are laid. Data. San Benedicto
Is., Lower California, May 18, 1897. Single egg. Nest a few twigs of rank

grass. Collector, A. W. Anthony.


75

THE BIRD BOOK

117- GANNET. Sula bassana.


Range. North Atlantic, breeding, in America,
only on Bird Rocks in the St. Lawrence.
These are the largest of the family, being 35
inches in length. They feed on fish which they
catch by diving upon, from the air. When flying
their neck is carried fully extended. They rest
on the water when tired, the numerous air cells
beneath the skin, causing them to sit high up in
the water and enabling them to weather the
severest storm in perfect safety. The only known
breeding place in America is Bird Rocks, where
they nest by thousands, placing their nests in
rows on the narrow ledges; the nests are made
of piles of seaweed, mud and stones. They lay
but one egg of dingy white color and covered with
a chalky deposit. On St. Kilda Island, off the
coast of Scotland, they breed by millions. They
are very tame and will frequently allow themselves to be touched with the hand. It is said
that thousands of the young are killed by fishermen every year and marketed in Edinburg and
other places. Data. St. Kilda Island, Scotland,
June 18, 1896. Single egg laid on a large mass of
seaweed on a sea cliff. Collector, H. McDonald.

Chalky bluish white

76

TOTIPALMATK SWFMMKKS

DARTERS. Family ANHINGIDAE


118. WATER TURKEY. Anhinga anhinga.

Range. Tropical America, north to the South Atlantic States and up the
Mississippi Valley to Illinois.
Anhingas or Snake Birds are curiously formed creatures with a Heron-like
head and neck, and the body of a Cormorant. They live in colonies in inaccessible swamps. Owing to their thin and light bodies, they are remarkable
swimmers, and pursue and catch fisli
under water with ease. When alarmed they have a habit of sinking their
body below water, leaving only their
head and neck visible, thereby having
4 the appearance of a water snake.
They also fly well and dive from their
perch into the water with the greatest
celerity.
They nest in colonies in the swamps,
placing their nests of sticks, leaves
and moss in the bushes over the
water. They breed in April, laying
from three to five bluish eggs, covered with a chalky deposit. Size 2.25 x 1.35.
Data. Gainesville, Florida, May 18, 1894. Nest in the top of a button-wood
tree, made of leaves and branches, overhanging the water. Collector, George
Graham.

Chalky bluish white

I M&lt;: LI CAN POND


Washington Zoological Park

i i

THE BIRD BOOK

CORMORANTS. Family PHALACROCORACID^E


Cormorants have a more bulky body than do the Anhingas; their tail is
shorter and the bill strongly hooked at the tip. Cormorants are found in
nearly all quarters of the globe. They are very gregarious and most species
are maritime. They feed upon fish which they catch by pursuing under water.
Most of the Cormorants have green eyes.

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS

119. CORMORANT. PTialacrocorax carbo.

Range. The Atlantic coast breeding from Maine


to Greenland.
The common Cormorant or Shag is one of the
largest of the race, having a length of 36 inches.
In breeding plumage, the black head and neck
are so thickly covered with the slender white
plumes as to almost wholly obscure the black.
There is also a large white patch on the flanks.
They nest in colonies on the rocky shores of New-

Chalky greenish or bluish whitae


foundland and Labrador, placing their nests of
sticks and seaweed in rows along the high ledges,
where they sit, as one writer aptly expresses it,
like so many black bottles. A few pairs also nest
on some of the isolated rocky islets off the Maine
coast. During the latter part of May and during June they lay generally four or five greenish
white, chalky looking eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.40. Data.
Black Horse Rock, Maine coast, June 6, 1893.
Four eggs in a nest of seaweed and a few sticks;
on a high ledge of rock. Collector, C. A. Reed.

Cormorant
Double-crested Cormorant:

120. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus.


Range. The Atlantic coast and also in the interior, breeding from Nova
Scotia and North Dakota northward.
This is a slightly smaller bird than carbo, and in the nesting season the white
plumes of the latter are replaced by tufts of black and white feathers from
above each eye. On the coast they nest the same as carbo and in company with
them on rocky islands. In the interior they place their nests on the ground or
occasionally in low trees on islands in the lakes. They breed in large colonies,
making the nests of sticks and weeds and lay three or four eggs like those of
the common Cormorant but averaging shorter. Size 2.30 x 1.40. Data. Stump
Lake, North Dakota, May 31, 1897. Nest of dead weeds on an island. Six eggs.
Collector, T. F. Eastgate.

79

Walter Raine

NESTS OF DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANTS

80

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS
120a. FLORIDA CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus ftoridanus.
This sub-species is a common breeding bird in the swamps and islands of the
Gulf coast and north to South Carolina and southern Illinois. The nests are
placed in the mangroves in some of the most impenetrable swamps and are
composed of twigs and lined with leaves or moss. They lay three or four chalky
bluish white eggs. Size 2.30x1.40. Data. Bird Is., Lake Kissimee, Florida,
April 5, 1898. Three eggs. Nest made of weeds and grass, in a willow bush.
120b. WHITE-CRESTED CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus cincinatus.
Range. Northwestern coast of North America, breeding in Alaska, and south
to the northern boundary of the United States, breeding both in the interior
and on the coast, in the former case generally on the ground or in low trees
on swampy islands and in the latter, on the rocky cliffs of the coasts and
islands. The nests are built in the same fashion as the other Cormorants, and
the three to five eggs are similar. Size 2.45 x 1.40.
120c. FARALLON CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax auritus albociliatus.
Range. This sub-species breeds on the coasts and islands of California and
southward.
In company with other species of Cormorants, these birds breed in large
numbers on the Farallones, placing their nests well up on the higher ridges and
rocks. They breed most abundantly during May. When nesting on the inland
islands, they place their nests in low bushes. Their nests and eggs are similar
to those of the other Cormorants. Size 2.40 x 1.50. Data. Farallones, California. Nest of weeds and seaweed on the rocks. Collector, W. O. Emerson.

121. MEXICAN CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax vigua mexicanus.

Range. Breeds abundantly from southern Texas, south through


north rarely to Kansas; har

Greenish white

Mexico;
recently
been found breeding in limited number on some of the Bahamas. In the
interior they nest in trees, chiefly
those overhanging or growing in the
water. On the coasts they nest on the
rocky ledges, as do the other Cormorants. They nest in colonies building
their abode of twigs and weeds, and
during May laying three or four eggs,
greenish white in color and chalky, as
are all the Cormorants. Size 2.25 x 1.35.

81

120c 122

THE BIRD BOOK


122. BRANDT'S CORMORANT.
Phalacrocorax penicillatus.
Range. Pacific coast breeding along the whole coast
of the United States.
This species is found more abundantly on the Farallones than is the Parallone Cormorant. Like the other
Cormorants breeding on these islands, these cling closely
to their nests, for fear of being robbed by the Gulls, that
are ever on the watch to steal either eggs or young.
Their nesting iiabits and eggs are identical with those of

. the other species. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data. Bird Island,


California, May 24, 1885. A very bulky nest of seaweed
on the rocks. Collector, A. M. Ingersoll.
123. PELAGIC CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax pelagicus pelagicus.
Range. Coast of Alaska.
These are perhaps the most beautiful species of Cormorants, having brilliant violet green metallic reflections and, in the breeding plumage, crests on the forehead and nape, as well as large white flank patches.
They breed in large colonies on the Aleutian Islands,
placing their nests of sticks and sea mosses on the rocky
ledges, often hundreds of feet above the sea level. Three
or four eggs are laid during May and June. The young
birds' when hatched are naked and black, and are repulsive looking objects, as are those of all the other Cormorants. The eggs
are greenish white with the usual calcareous deposit. Size 2.30 x 1.40.
123a. VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus.
This sub-species is found on the Pacific coast from Washington to the Aleutian Islands. Their habits and nests and eggs are the same as those of the
Pelagic Cormorant, nesting on the high cliffs of the pM^s^^-.r^-^a^ss^-.-agi
rocky islands. The eggs are the same size as those of
the preceding.
123b. BAIRD'S CORMORANT.
agicus resplendens.
This variety breeds on the Pacific coast from Washington south to Mexico. They nest on the Parallones,
but in smaller numbers than the other varieties found
there. Both the birds and their eggs are smaller than
the preceding. Size of eggs 2.20 x 1.40.
1 24. RED-FACED CORMORANT. Phalacrocorax urile.
Range. Southwest coast of Alaska, migrating to
Japan in the winter.
This species differs from the Pelagic chiefly in having
the forehead bare. They do not differ in their breeding
habits from others of the family. That the Cormorants
are expert fishermen may be seen from the fact that the
Chinese tame and have them catch fish for them, placing
a ring around their neck to prevent their swallowing the
fish. Their nesting places are very filthy, being covered
with excrement and remains of fish that are strewn
around the nests. They breed in June laying three or
four eggs. Size 2.50 x 1.50. j93 b 124
82

Phalacrocorax pel-

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS
PELICANS. Family PELECANID^E
Pelicans are large, short legged, web footed (all four toes joined by a web)
birds, the most noticeable feature of which is the long bill with its enormous
pouch suspended from lower mandible. This pouch, while normally contracted,
is capable of being distended to hold several quarts. It is used as a scoop in
which to catch small fish. Their skin is filled with numerous air cells, making
them very light and buoyant.
125. AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos.
Range. Temperate North America, breeding in the interior, from Utah and
the Dakotas northward. These large birds, reaching a length of five feet, are
entirely white except for the black primaries. They get their food by approaching a school of small fish and, suddenly dipping their head beneath the surface, sometimes scoop up a large number of fish at a time; after allowing the
water to run out of the sides of the mouth, they proceed to swallow their catch.
They nest in large communities on islands in some of the inland lakes.
Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Shoal Lake, Manitoba, furnish breeding ground
for many thousands of Pelicans. They build their simple nests on the ground,
making them of sticks and weeds. They generally lay two eggs, but often
three or four. Size 3.45 x 2.30. Data. Egg Island, Great Salt Lake, June 19,
1884. Two eggs. Nest a slight hollow in the ground, surrounded by a few
sticks. Collector, F. F. Leonard.

Chalky white

83

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN

84

TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS

126'. BROWN PELICAN. Pelecanus occidental.


Range. Found on the South Atlantic and Gulf
coasts of the United States.
Brown Pelicans are about 50 inches in length;
they have a blackish and grayish body and a
white head and neck with a brown stripe down
the back of the latter. The pouch is a dark greenish brown. This species is maritime and is not
found inland. They breed in large colonies on
many of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico and on

Brown Pelican
White Pelican

Chalky white
Pelican Island on the east coast of Florida, in
which latter place they are now protected from
further depredations at the hand of eggers and
gunners. Their fishing tactics differ from those
of the White Pelican. They dive down upon the
school of fish from the air and rarely miss making a good catch. Their nests are quite bulky structures made of sticks and
weeds and grasses. These are generally located on the ground but occasionally
in low mangroves, these latter nests being more bulky than the ground ones.
They lay from two to five chalky white eggs during May and June. Size 3. x
1.90. Data. Tampa Bay, Fla., May 29, 1894. Three eggs. Nest in the top of
a stout mangrove; made of sticks, branches and leaves. Collector, Geo. Graham.

127. CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN. Pelecanus calif ornicus.


Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia south to the Galapagos Islands.
This bird is similar to the preceding, but larger and the pouch is reddish.
They breed abundantly on the Coronado Islands and southward. Their habits,
nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Brown Pelican. Size of
the three or four chalky white eggs is 3.10 x 1.95. Data. Coronado Islands,
Calif., March 28, 1897. Three eggs. Nest of sticks, lined with green leaves,
located on the ground. Collector, H. McConville.

85

THE BIRD BOOK

MAN-O'-WAR BIRDS. Family FREGATID^E

128. MAN-O'-WAR BIRD. Fregata aqtiila.


Range. Tropical seas, north regularly in America to the South Atlantic and
Gulf coasts, casually farther.
Man-o'-war Birds or "Frigates," as they are
often called, are remarkable birds in many respects. In comparison with their weight they
have the largest expanse of wing of any known
bird. Weighing only about four pounds they have
an extent of from seven to eight feet, their wings
being extremely long and pointed. The length of
the bird is about 40 inches, of which the tail comprises about 18 in., 10 inches of this being forked.
They have a large bright orange gular sac, a long,

White
hooked bill, and small slightly webbed feet. Their
powers of flight combine the strength of the
Albatrosses and the grace of the Terns. They
are very poor swimmers and do not dive, so are
forced to procure their food by preying upon the
Gulls and Cormorants, forcing them to drop their
fish, which the pirates catch before it reaches the
water. They also feed upon flying fish, catching
them in the air, whither they have been driven by
their enemies in their natural element. They nest in large colonies on some of
the Bahama Islands and on some of the small Florida Keys. Their nests are
small frail platforms of sticks and twigs and the single egg is laid in March
and April. It is white and has a smooth surface. Size 2.80 x 1.90. Data. Key
Verde, Bahamas, March 6, 1889. Single egg. Nest a frail affair of sticks on a

cactus. Collector, D. P. Ingraham.

Man-O'-War Bird

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS
Order V. ANSERES

DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS. Family ANATIDAE


The birds comprising this family are of greatly varying sizes, but all have
webbed feet, and generally the bill is broader than high, and is serrated on the
edges or provided with gutters to act as a strainer in assisting the birds to
gather their food.
12Q. MERGANSER. Mergus americanus.
Range. North America, breeding from the
northern border of the United States northward.
The three species of Mergansers are almost
exclusively fish eating birds. Therefore their flesh
is unpalatable and they are known as "Pish
Ducks." They are also sometimes called "Saw-

Brownish buff
bills" because of the teeth-like serration on both
the upper and the under mandibles. Unlike the
other species of ducks, their bills are long, slender and rounded instead of being broad and flat;
it is also hooked at the tip. Like the Cormorants,
they often pursue and catch fish under the water,
their teeth-like bills enabling them to firmly hold
their prey.
The American Mergansers, Goosanders, or Sheldrakes, as they are often called, are found botii
on the coast and in the interior. Except in certain mountainous regions, they breed chiefly north
of the United States. The male bird has no crest
and the head is a beautiful green, while the female has a reddish brown crest
and head, shading to white on the chin. They build their nest in hollow trees
near the water. It is made of grasses, leaves and moss and is lined with feathers from the breast of the female. During May, they lay from six to ten eggs
of a creamy or buff color. Size 2.70 x 1.75. Data. Gun Is., Lake Winnipeg.
June 16, 1903. Eleven eggs in a nest of white down, located between two large
boulders. Collector, Walter Raine.

American Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser

&lt;^gsr&gt;

87

THE BIRD BOOK

Hooded Merganser
Mallard

130. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. Mergus serrator


Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward.
This species is more abundant than the preceding. It is slightly smaller, being 22 inches in
length, and the male is crested. Found abundantly in the United States in winter. Breeds commonly in the interior of British America and in
Labrador and Newfoundland. They make their
nests on the ground, near the water, concealing
them under rocks or tufts of grass. The nest is
made of grasses, leaves and moss and lined with
feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of
a buffy or greenish buff color. Size 2.50 x 1.70.
Data. Lake Manitoba, N. W. Canada. Two eggs
in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of rose
bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Karnaugh.
131. HOODED MERGANSER.
Lophodytes cucullatus.
Range. North America, breeding locally throughout its range, in the interior. These are beautiful

Grayish white

little Ducks distinguished from all others by the semi-circular, compressed


crest which is black with an enclosed white area. They make their nests in
hollow trees, in wooded districts near the water, lining the cavity with
grasses and down. They lay ten or twelve grayish white eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.70.
132. MALLARD. Anas platyrhynchos.
Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United
States northward, and wintering south to Panama and the West Indies.
Contrasting with the preceding Pish Ducks, the Mallards are regarded as
one of the most esteemed table birds. They feed on mollusks and marine
insects which they generally reach by tipping in shallow water. They nest in
many localities in the United States but more abundantly north of our borders.
They nest in fields in close proximity to ponds or lakes, placing their nests
of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In May and June they lay from six
to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color. Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data. San Diego, California, May 19, 1897. Nest made of grass, lined with down, placed on the edge
of a field near a pond.
8*

Lake Winnipegosls, June 16, 1902 Walter Kaine


NEST AND EGGS OF AMERICAN MERGANSER
This species usually nest in holes in trees, but on this island they were nestin
g
in holes under boulders.

THE BIRD BOOK

133. BLACK DUCK. Anas rubripes.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding from
the middle portions north to the Hudson Bay territory and Labrador.
Throughout their breeding region, one or more
pairs of these ducks nest in nearly every favorable
locality. Their nests are placed on the ground
in marshes, swamps or fields bordering a pond
or lake, the nest being concealed in the long grass

Black Duck
Florida Duck

Pale greenish buffi


or reeds. They breed in equal abundance, either
in the interior or along the sea coast; in the latter case their nests are often placed beside of, or
under an overhanging rock. It is made of weeds,
grass and moss and is lined with feathers and
down. They lay from six to twelve eggs during
May and June; these are buff or greenish buff in
color. Si^a 2.30 x 1.70. Data. Duck Is., Maine,
June 3, 1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a
large tuft on water's edge.

134. FLORIDA DUCK. Anas fulvigula fulvigula.


Range. Florida and the GuK of the Mississippi.
This is a similar, lighter colored, locally distributed race of the foregoing.
The most noticeable difference in plumage between this and the Black Duck is
the absence of markings on the chin. The habits are the same, and the eggs,
which are deposited in April, are similar to those of the Black Duck, but
smaller. Size 2.15 x 1.60.

90

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

MOTTLED DUCK. Anas fulvigula maculosa.

Range. Gulf coast of Texas and up the Mississippi Valley to Kansas.


The habits of this bird differ in no way -from
the preceding ones. The six to ten eggs are
greenish buff in color. Size 2.15 x 1.55.
335. GADWALL. Chaulelasmus streperus.
Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in
America, chiefly in the United States and north
to Manitoba, chiefly in the interior.

Widgeon

Creamy buff
South in winter to the Gulf. The males of these
birds may be identified by the white speculum
and the chestnut wing coverts. Gadwalls nest
on the ground among the reeds of marshes or in
the long grass of bordering fields; they make little or no nest but line the cavity with down from
their breasts. They lay from seven to twelve Gadwall
eggs of a creamy buff color. Size 2.10 x 1.60.
Data. Benson Co., North Dakota, June 19, 1898.
Eight eggs. Nest on the ground among rank grass on a low island in Devils
Lake. Made of weeds lined with down. Collector, E. S. Rolfe.
136. WIDGEON. Mareca penelope
Range. Northern Hemisphere,
breeding in America, only in the
Aleutian Islands ; rare or accidental
in other parts of the country.
The European Widgeon is similar in build and plumage to the following species, except that the
whole head, with the exception of
the white crown, is chestnut. They
build their nests in the rushes, making them of reeds and grass and
lining them with feathers. They
lay from six to ten light buff colored eggs. Size 2.20 x 1.50,

THE BIRD BOOK

137. BALDPATE. Mareca americana.


Range. North America, breeding in the interior from Texas north to Hudson Bay.
The Baldpate (so-called because of the white

3rown) or American Widgeon is a handsomely


marked bird and is regarded as a great table
delicacy. The male birds cannot be mistaken for
any other species because of the white crown,

Baldpate
Green-winged Teal

Creamy white
wing coverts and underparts and the broad green
stripe, back of the eye. They breed locally in
many parts of the country, building their nests
of grass and weeds, neatly lined with feathers,
on the ground in marshes. They lay from six
to twelve creamy eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.50. Data.
Lac Aux Morts, North Dakota. Eight eggs. Nest
of grass and down on ground in a grassy meadow.
Collector, E. S. Bryant.
[138.] EUROPEAN TEAL. Nettion crecca.
An old world species that is casually found on
both coasts of America.

139. GREEN-WINGED TEAL. Nettion carolinense.


Range. Whole of North America,
^******** breeding chiefly north of the United
States.
A small, handsome species, the male of
which can readily be identified by the
reddish brown head and neck, with the
large green patch behind each ear ; length
fourteen inches. Green-winged Teals are
our smallest representative of the Duck
family. They are eagerly sought by
sportsmen, both because of their beauty
/ ^^^^^^^^P^" and the excellence of their flesh. They
are among the most common of Ducks in
the interior, where they nest generally in
tufts of grass along ponds, lakes or
-as;,^ brooks. Nest of grass and weeds, lined with down from the bird. Eggs buff
y,

Buff

four to ten in number. Size 1.85 x 1.25.

92

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

140. BLUE-WINGED TEAL. Querquedula discors


Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward; rare on the Pacific
coast.
Another small species, known by the blue wing
coverts and the white crescent in front of eye.
They nest in the same localities with the preceding species, placing their nest of grass and weeds
on the ground in meadows near water. Eggs
buffy white. Six to twelve in number. Size 1.90 x
1.30.

141. CINNAMON TEAL.


tera

Querquedula cyanop-

Range. Western United States, chiefly west


of the Rocky Mountains. Casually east to Texas,
Illinois and British Columbia.
The Cinnamon Teal is another small Duck,
marked by the uniform rich chestnut plumage and
light blue wing coverts. The speculum is green.
The nesting habits are the same as those of the
Teals, the nests being placed on the ground in
marshes or fields near water. Their nests are
closely woven of grass and weeds and lined with
down and feathers from the breast of the bird.
The eggs are pale buff and number from six to
fourteen. Size 1.85 x 1.35.

[141.1.] RUDDY SHELDRAKE.

C as area ferruginea.
This is an Old World species that has accidentally occurred in Greenland.

Blue-winged Teal
Cinnamon Teal

93

THE BIRD BOOK

142. SHOVELLER. Spatula clypeata.


Range. Whole of North America, breeding in
the interior from Texas northward.
This strikingly marked Duck is twenty inches
in length, has a green head and speculum, blue
wing coverts and chestnut belly. The bill is long
and broad at the tip. It makes its nest on the
ground in marshy places, of grass, weeds and

Dull olive gray

Lead gray
feathers. Six to ten eggs constitute a complete
set. They are greenish or leaden gray color.
Sise 2.10 x 1.50. Data. Graham's Island, North
Dakota, May 28, 1899. Nest of dead weed stems
and grass, lined with down. Ten eggs. Collector,
E. S. Bryant.

PINTAIL. Dafila acuta.


Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in
North America from northern United States northward, wintering south to Panama. This species,
which is also known as the Sprig-tail, is very
common in the United States in the

spring and fall migrations. It is about


thirty inches long, its length depending upon the development of the tail
feathers, the central ones of which are
long and pointed. They breed casually in many sections of the United
States, but in abundance from Manitoba to the Arctic Ocean. They nest
near the water, laying from six to
twelve eggs of dull olive color. Size
2.20 x 1.50. Data. Graham's Island,
Devil's Lake, N. Dakota, June 15, 1900.
Ten eggs. Nest on the ground, of
weeds, lined with down. Colony breeding. Collector, B. S. Bryant.

04

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

144. WOOD DUCK. Aix sponsa.


Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from Labrador and British Columbia south to
Florida.
Bridal Duck is a name often given to this, the
most beautiful of all Ducks.
They are beautifully marked, have a large crest,
and are iridescent with all colors of the rainbow.
They frequent wooded country near ponds and

Rich buff
lakes, feeding on water insects and mollusks in
the coves. They build their nests in hollow trees
and stumps, often at quite a distance from the
water. When the young are a few days old, they
slide, scramble, or nutter down the tree trunk to
the ground below, and are led to the water. The
nest is made of twigs, weeds and grass, and warmly lined with down. The eggs are a buff color
and number eight to fifteen. Size 2. x 1.5.
[145.] RUFOUS-CRESTED DUCK. Netta rufina.

Wood Duck

Redhead

A European species; a single specimen taken on Long Island in 1872.


146. REDHEAD. Marila americana.
Range. No f rth America at large,
breeding from northern United
States northward, chiefly in the interior.
A bird commonly seen in the
markets where it is often sold as
the following species because of
their similarity. The nests are
placed on the ground in marshes or
sloughs, and are made of grasses,
lined with feathers. Eggs from
six to fourteen in number, of a
buffy white color. Size 2.40 x 1.70.

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

147. CANVAS-BACK. Marila valisineria.


Range. Whole of North America, breeding
chiefly in the interior from the United States to
the Arctic Ocean.
A noted table bird, especially in the south
where it feeds on wild celery. Can be distinguished from the Redhead by its darker head, lighter
back, and gradually sloping bill. They nest abundantly in Manitoba, their habits being the same as
the preceding. They lay from six to ten eggs of
a darker shade than the Redheads. Size 2.40 x
1.70. Data. Haunted Lake, N. Alberta, June 12,
1897. Ten eggs. Nest of reeds in a heavy reed
bed out in the lake. Collector, Walter Raine.

1 18. SCAUP DUCK. Marila marila.


Range. North America, breeding from North
Dakota northward, chiefly in the interior; south
in winter to Central America.

Canvas-hack
American Scaup Duck

Pale greenish gray


This and the following species are widely known
as "Blue-bills" owing to the slaty blue color of
that member. Their plumage is black and white,
somewhat similar in pattern to that of the Redhead, but darker, and the whole head is black.
They nest, in marshes about many of the ponds and lakes in the interior of
British America. The nest is made of marsh grasses and lined with feathers.
The six to ten eggs are pale grayish or greenish gray. Size 2.50 x 1.70. Data.
Saltcoats Marshes, N. W. Canada, June 15, 1901. Ten eggs. Nest in the grass;
a depression lined with down and dried grasses. Collector, Walter Raine.

97

THE BIRD BOOK

149- LESSER SCAUP DUCK. Marila affinis.


Range. North America, breeding from North
Dakota and British Columbia northward; win
ters south to Central America.
This Duck is distinguished from the preceding,
chiefly by its size which is about two inches less,
or 17 inches in length. The nesting habits are
the same as those of the Greater Scaup and the
eggs are similar but smaller. Size 2.25 x 1.55.
Data. Northern Assiniboia, June 10, 1901. Ten
eggs on grass and down at the edge of a lagoon.
Collector, Walter Raine.

150. RING-NECKED DUCK. Marila collaris.


Range. North America, breeding in the interior, from North Dakota and Washington northward. Winters from Maryland on the east and
British Columbia on the west to Central America.

Lesser Scaup Duck

Ring-necked Duck

Lead gray
Similar to the Lesser Scaup in size and plumage, except that it has a narrow chestnut collar
around the neck, the back is black instead of
barred with white, and the speculum is gray instead of white. The habits and
nesting habits of the Ring-neck do not differ from those of the other Scaups.
They lay from six to twelve eggs. Size 2.25 x 1.60. Data. Cape Bathurst,
N. Y. T., June 18, 1901. Ten eggs in a slight hollow in the moss, lined with
down. Collector, Captain Bodfish.

98

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

151.

GOLDEN-EYE.
americana.

Clangula clangula

Range. North America, breeding both on the


coast and in the interior, from the northern border of the United States northward to the Arctic
Ocean.
These are handsome Ducks known as "Whistlers" from the noise of their wings when flying,
ind "Greatheads" because of the puffy crest. The

Grayish green
head is greenish with a large round white spot in
front of, and a little below the eye. The rest of
the plumage is black and white. This species
nests in hollow trees near the water, lining the
cavity with grass, moss and leaves, and lining the
nest with down from thefr breasts. In May and

June they lay from six to ten eggs of a grayish


green color. Size 2.30 x 1.70.
152. BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE.
Clangula islandicaRange. Northern North America, breeding
north of the United States except from the mountainous portions of Colorado northward.
This Golden-eye differs from the preceding chiefly in the shape of the white
spot before the eye, which in this species is in the form of a crescent. The
size is the same, about 20 inches in length. The reflections on the head are
purplish rather than greenish as in the preceding. The nesting habits are
the same, they building in hollow trees near water. The six to ten eggs are
not different from the preceding. Size 2.30 x 1.65. Data. Alfusa, Iceland, June
30, 1900. Seven eggs. Nest of grass and down in a box attached to a tree by
an islander.

American Golden-eye
Barrow Golden-eye

99

THE BIRD BOOK

Buffle-head
Old-squaw

153. BUFFLE-PIEAD. Charitonetta albeola.


Range. North America, breeding from United
States northward. Winters south to Mexico.
Gunners know this handsome little duck by
the names of "Butter-ball," and "Dipper," a name
also given to Grebes. It is also quite similar, but
smaller (15 in. long), to the American Golden-eye
but has a large white patch on the back of the

Buff

Dull buff
head, from eye to eye. It is an active bird and,
like the two preceding, is capable of diving to a
great depth to get its food. Its nesting habits
are like the preceding. Eggs eight to fourteen.
Size 2 x 1.40. Data. Alberta, Canada, June 6,
1899. Seven eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump,
lined with down. Collector, Dr. George.
154. OLD-SQUAW. Harelda hy emails.
Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the
Arctic regions; south in winter to New Jersey
and Illinois.
The Long-tailed Duck, as it is called,
is especially noticeable because the
breeding plumage of the male differs
markedly from that in the winter. In
summer their general plumage is blackish brown, with a white patch around the
\ eye, and white belly. In winter they are
\. largely white. The central tail feathers are much lengthened. They breed
abundantly in Greenland, Alaska and the
Hudson Bay Territory, placing their
nests of grasses and weeds on the ground
near the water. It is generally concealed in the long grass. The eggs number
from six to twelve. Size 2. x 1.50. Data
N. Iceland, June 10, 1900. Nest on ground,
lined with down. Collector, S. H. Wallis.

100

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

155. HARLEQUIN DUCK.


histrionicus.

Histrionicus

Range. Northern Hemisphere in America,

breeding from Newfoundland and the Rocky


Mountains in Colorado, northward. South in winter to California and New England.
A beautiful and most gorgeous bird, not in colors, but in the oddity of the markings, the colors
only including black, white, gray and chestnut.
Either sex can be recognized by the small short

Greenish buff
bill. They breed mostly in single pairs along
swiftly running streams, placing their nest, which
is woven of weeds and grasses, in the ground
near the water. It is also claimed that they sometimes nest in hollow trees. They lay from five
to eight eggs, yellowish or greenish buff in color.
Size 2.30 x 1.60. Data. Peel River, Alaska, June
13, 1898. Seven eggs in a hollow in river bank,
lined with down. Collector, C. E. Whittaker.

Harlequin Duck
Labrador Due

156. LABRADOR DUCK.


dorius.

Camptorhynchus labra-

This bird, whose range was from Labrador to New Jersey in the winter,
has probably been extinct since 1875, when the last authentic capture was
made. It is a strange fact that a bird of this character should have been
completely exterminated, even though they were often sold in the markets.
Only forty-one specimens are known to be preserved at present and nothing
is known in regard to their nesting habits or eggs.

101

THE BIRD BOOK

157- STELLER'S DUCK. Polysticta stelleri.


Range. Arctic regions in America, chiefly on
the Aleutian Islands and northwest coast of
Alaska.
A very beautiful species eighteen inches long;
head white, washed with greenish on the forehead and nape; chin, throat, neck, back, tail and
crissum, black; underparts chestnut; wing coverts white, the long scapulars black and white.
It breeds on the rocky coasts and islands of
Bering Sea. The six to 'nine eggs are pale olive
green in color. Size 2.25x1.60. Data. Admiralty Bay, Alaska, June 22, 1898. Nest on a hummock of the tundra, near a small pool, lined with
grass and down. Collector, B. A. Mcllhenny.

158. SPECTACLED EIDER. Arctonetta fischeri.


Range. Coast of Alaska from the Aleutians
to Point Barrow.

>teller's Duck
Spectacled Eider

Pale olive green

Like the rest of the true Eiders, this species is black beneath and mostly
white above. The head is largely washed with sea green, leaving a large patch
of white, narrowly bordered by black around each eye, thus resembling a pair
of spectacles. The nests are made of grass and seaweed and lined with down;
they are placed on the ground in clumps of grass or beneath overhanging
stones. The five to nine eggs are an olive drab or greenish color. Size 2.70
x 1.85. Data. Point Barrow, Alaska, June 15, 1898. Six eggs. Nest of moss
and down in a hollow in dry tundra. Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.
159- NORTHERN EIDER. Somateria mollissima borealis.
Range. North Atlantic coast, breeding from Labrador to Greenland and
wintering south to New England.
A large Duck similar to the next species, but with the base of the bill
differing, as noted in the description of the following species, and with a more

northerly distribution. The nesting habits are the same as those of the other
Eiders. Six to ten eggs generally of a greenish drab color. Size 3. x 2,
102

LAMELLIROST^AL SWIMMERS

160. EIDER. Somateria dresseri.


Range. Atlantic coast, breeding from Maine to
Labrador and wintering south to Delaware.
This species differs from the preceding only in
the fleshy part of the base of the bill, which extends back on each side of the forehead, it being
broad and rounded in this species and narrow and

Greenish drab
pointed in the Northern or Greenland Eider. This
species, but more especially the Northern Eider,
are the ones chiefly used for the eider-down of
commerce. The preceding species is often semidomesticated in Greenland, the people protecting Eider
them and encouraging them to nest in the neigh- Pacific Eider
borhood. They make their nests of seaweed and
grass and warmly line it with down from their
breast; this down is continually added to the nest during incubation until
there is a considerable amount in each nest, averaging about an ounce in
weight. The birds are among the strongest of the sea ducks and get their food
in very deep water. Their flesh is not good eating. Their eggs number from
five to ten and are greenish drab. Size 3. x 2.

161. PACIFIC EIDER. Somateria v-nigra.


Range. North Pacific from the Aleutian Islands northward, and east to
Great Slave Lake.
This bird is, in plumage, like the Northern Eider, except that it has a black
V-shaped mark on the throat. They nest sparingly on the Aleutian Islands,
but in great numbers farther north on the coast about Point Barrow. Their
habits, nests and eggs are precisely the same as those of the eastern forms.
Their eggs number from five to ten and are of olive greenish color. Size 3. x 2.
Data. Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 8, 1900. Eight eggs. Nest a hollow in the
moss, lined with grass and down.
103

THE BIRD BOOK

162. KING EIDER. Somateria spectabilis.


Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in
America from Labrador to Greenland and the
Arctic Ocean; south in winter to the New England States and rarely farther on the eastern
side, and to the Aleutians on the Pacific; also
casually to the Great Lakes in the interior.
A handsome and very different species from
any of the foregoing, having the crown ashy blue,
and the long scapulars black instead of white.
It also has a broad V-shaped mark on the throat.
Like all the other Eiders, the female is mottled
brown and black, the different species being very
difficult to separate. The nests are sunk in the
ground and lined with down. Eggs number from
six to ten. Size 2.80 x 1.80. Data. Point Barrow,
Alaska, July 5, 1898. Five eggs. Nest a hollow
in the moss on tundra lined with moss and down.
Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.

163. SCOTER. Oidemia americana.


Range. Northern North America, breeding
from Labrador, the Hudson Bay region and the
Aleutien Islands northward; winters south to
Virginia, the Great Lakes and California.
Scoters or "Coots" as they are generally called
are sea ducks whose plumage is almost wholly
black; they have fantastically colored and shaped
bills. The American Scoter is entirely black
without markings; base of bill yellow and orange.
This species nest as do the Eiders, often concealing the nest, of grass and feathers, under some
overhanging rock. They lay from six to ten eggs
of a dingy buff color. Size 2.50 xl.70. Data.
Mackenzie Bay, June 15, 1899. Ten eggs. Nest
a hollow in the sand, lined with down.

Buff
104

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

[164.] VELVET SCOTER. Oidemia fusca.


An Old World species that has accidentally occurred in Greenland.

165. WHITE-WINGED SCOTER. Oidemia deglandi


Range. Abundant in North America, breeding
from Labrador, North Dakota and British Columbia, northward. Wintering south to the Middle
States, southern Illinois and southern California.
The largest of the Scoters, length 22 inches,
distinguished by a large white speculum on the
wing, also a white comet extending from under
the eye backwards. It also has a yellow eye.
Like the other Scoters, this species often feeds
in very deep water. They are strong, active diving birds, and are also strong on the wing, generally flying close to the surface of the water.
Their flesh is not regarded as good eating, although they are often sold for that purpose. They
nest on the ground, generally in long grass or
under low bushes making a coarse nest of
grasses, and sometimes twigs, lined with feathers.
They lay from five to eight eggs of a pale buff
color. Size 2.75 x 1.85.

166. SURF SCOTER. Oidemia perspicillata.


&lt;Range. Northern North America, breeding
north of the United States boundary, and wintering south to Virginia and southern California.
The male of this species is entirely black, except for the white patches on the forehead and
nape, and the vari-colored bill of black, white,
pink and yellow. They nest either along the
coast or in the interior, building a nest lined
with down, in the marsh grass bordering small ponds. They lay from five to
eight buffy cream colored eggs. Size 2.40 x 1.70. The females of all the
Scoters are a dingy brownish color, but show the characteristic marking of the
species, although the white is generally dull or sometimes mottled. Data.
Mackenzie River, June 25, 1894. Six eggs in a nest of down on an island in the
river.

Surf Scoter
White-winged Scoter

105

THE BIRD BOOK

167. RUDDY DUCK. Erismatura jamaicensis.


Range. Whole of North America, breeding
chiefly north of the United States border except
locally on the Pacific coast. Winters along the
Gulf and through Mexico and Central America.
This peculiar species may always be recognized
by the brownish or chestnut upper parts, blackish
crown, white cheeks and silvery white underparts.
The bill is very stout and broad at the end, and
the tail feathers are stiff and pointed like those

Ruddy Duck
Masked Duck

Grayish white
of a Cormorant. They build their nests in low
marshy places, either placing them on the
ground near the water or in the rushes ovei it.
Their nests are made of rushes and grasses,
sometimes lined and sometimes not, with down
from the parents breast. The eggs number from
six to twelve and are grayish in color. Size 2.40
x 1.75. Data. Northern Assiniboia, Canada, June
6, 1901. Eight eggs. Nest made of aquatic
grasses, lined with down. Built in a tuft of rushes
in a marsh. Collector, Walter Raine.

[168.] MASKED DUCK. Nomonyx dominions.


This is a tropical species which is resident in Mexico, Central America and

in the West Indies. It occurs in Mexico north to the lower Rio Grande Valley and has in three known instances strayed to northern United States. The
general plumage is a rusty chestnut, mottled with blackish, it has a black face
and throat, with white wing bars.

106

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

169.

SNOW GOOSE.
hyperboreus.

Chen hyperboreus

Range. North America west of the Mississippi


Valley, breeding in northern Alaska and the Mackenzie River district.
This smaller species of the Snow Goose nests
on islands in rivers along the arctic coast. The
nest is a depression in the ground, lined with
grasses and, occassionally down. They lay from
four to eight eggs of a buffy or yellowish white
color. Size 2.75 xl.75.
l69a. GREATER SNOW GOOSE.
Chen hyperboreus nivalis.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding in
the Arctic regions and wintering chiefly on the
Atlantic coast, south to Cuba.

Grayish White Lesser Snow Goose


Blue Goose
This bird is like the preceding; except in size;

about thirty-six inches, instead of twenty-six inches in length as is the lesser


variety. The entire plumage is white except for the black primaries. They
construct their nests of grasses on the ground the same as the preceding variety. The eggs number from five to eight and are cream colored. Size 3.40x
2.40.

169.1. BLUE GOOSE. Chen ccerulescens.


Range. North America, principally in the interior, breeding from Hudson
Bay northward and wintering along the Gulf coast.
This species may always be recognized by the entirely white head and neck,
the body being grayish or bluish gray. They nest on the ground as do the
other geese laying from four to eight eggs of a brownish buff color. Size 2.50
xl.75. Data Cape Bathurst, Arctic coast, June 29, 1899. Four eggs laid in a
depression lined with grass, on an island. Collected with the parent bjrds by
the Esquimaux.
107

THE BIRD BOOK

White-fronted Goose

170. Ross's SNOW GOOSE. Chen rossi.


Range. This beautiful species, which is similar in plumage to the large Snow Goose, is but
twenty-one inches in length. It breeds in the extreme north, and in winter is found in the western part of the United States as far south as the
Gulf of Mexico. Their nesting habits and eggs
probably do not differ from others in the family
except in the matter of size.
[171.] WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE. Anser albifrons albifrons.
This European species is exactly like the American except that it is said to average a trifle
smaller. It is occasionally found in Greenland.
171a. AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.

Anser albifrons gambeli.


Range. Whole of North America, breeding in
the Arctic regions and wintering south to the
Gulf coast; not common on the Atlantic coast
during migrations.
These birds may be recognized by their mottled
plumage, dark head and white forehead. This
species is more abundant than any of the preceding and nests in large colonies along the arctic coast and in Alaska. Their nests are made of
dried grasses, feathers and down and are placed
on the ground in a slight depression. From
four to nine eggs are laid; these have a dull buff
ground. Size 3.00x2.05. Date. Island in delta
of Mackenzie River, June 10, 1&99. Pour eggs.
Nest of grass and feathers on the ground on a
small island. Collector, Rev. I. O. Stringer.

[171-1.] BEAN GOOSE. Anser fabalis.


This European spocies is casually found in Greenland. It is one of the
most ccmmon of the Old World Species.

108

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

172.

CANADA GOOSE.
canadensis.

Branta canadensis

Range. The whole of North America, breeding


from northern United States northward, and wintering in the southern parts of the United States.
This species is the most widely known of American Geese and is the most abundant. Its familiar
"honk" has long been regarded as the signal of

the coming of spring, and the familiar V-shaped


formation in which the flocks migrate is always
an object of interest to everyone. With the exception of in North Dakota and Minnesota, they
breed chiefly north of the United States. They
construct quite a large nest of weeds and grass,
and warmly line it with down and feath.ers.
They lay from four to nine eggs of a buff or drab
color. Size about 3.50x2.50. Data. Ellingsars
Lake, North Dakota, May 18, 1896. Five eggs.
Nest on an island in the lake, constructed of
weeds and trash, and lined with a few feathers.
Collector, Edwin S. Bryant.
172a. HUTCHINS GOOSE. Branta canadensis
hutchinsi.
This sub-species is like the preceding except
that it is smaller, thirty inches in length. It is
a western variety, breeding in Alaska and along
the Arctic coast and wintering to southern California. Its breeding habits, nests and eggs are
the same as the common goose except that the
eggs are smaller. Sibe 3.00 x 2.05.
172b. WHITE-CHEEKED GOOSE. Branta canadensis occidentalis.
This bird is about the same size as the Canada
Goose and the plumage is very similar except
that the black sometimes extends on the throat,
thereby isolating the white cheek patches, and
there is a white collar below the back of the neck. It is a western species,
breeding in Alaska and wintering along the Pacific coast of the United States.
Its nesting habits and eggs are same as those of the Canada Goose except that
the latter are a trifle smaller.

Gooso
Cackling" Goose

I72c. CACKLING GOOSE. Branta canadensis minima.


This bird is really a miniature of the Canada Goose, being but twenty-four
inches in length. It breeds in Alaska and along the Arctic coast and migrates
into the western parts of the United States. They are abundant birds in their
breeding range, where they place their nests upon the shores of ponds, or on
islands in inland rivers or lakes. The nests are made of weeds and grasses,
lined with down. The eggs which are buff colored, number from four to nine
and are laid during June and July. Size 2.30 x 1.95.
109

CANADA GEESE

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS

173. BRANT. Branta bernicla glaucogastra.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding in the
Arctic regions and wintering in the United States
east of the Mississippi.
The Brant resembles a small Canada Goose,
except that the black of the neck extends on the
breast, and only the throat is white. They are
one of the favorite game birds and thousands are
shot every fall and spring. Their nests and eggs
are the same as the next species.

174. BLACK BRANT. Branta nigricans.


Range. Western North America, breeding in
Alaska and wintering on the Pacific coast of the
United States. Rare east of the Mississippi.

Brant
Black Brant

Grayish
This species is like the last except that the
black extends on the under parts. This species
nests very abundantly in northern Alaska, laying
their eggs in a depression in the ground, lined with down. Favorite locations
are the many small islets in ponds and small lakes. They lay from four to
eight grayish colored eggs. Size 2.80 x 1.75. Data. Cape Bathurst, North
West Territory, Junes 22, 1901. Seven eggs in a small hollow in the ground,
lined with down. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.

111

THE BIRD BOOK

Rarnacle Goose
Emperor Goose

[175.] BARNACLE GOOSE. Branta leucopsis.


This Old World species occurs frequently in
Greenland and very rarely is found on the mainland of this continent.
176. EMPEROR GOOSE. Philacte canagica.
Range. Alaska, south in winter casually to California.
This handsome species is twenty-six inches in
length; it may be known from the mottled or
"scaly" appearance of the body, and the white
head with a black chin and throat. While not uncommon in restricted localities, this may be considered as one of the most rare of North American
Geese. Their nests are built upon the ground
and do not differ from those of other geese. They
lay from three to seven eggs of a dull buff color.
Size 3.10x2.15. Data. Stuart Island, Alaska,
June 16, 1900. Six eggs laid in a slight hollow in
the ground, lined with a few feathers and some
down. Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.

Egg of Canada Goose Buffy drab


112

177. BLACK-BELLIED TREE-DUCK.


cygna autumnalis.
Range. Tropical America, north in the Rio
Grande Valley to southern Texas.
These peculiar long-legged Ducks are very
abundant in southern Texas during the summer
months. They build their nests in hollow trees,
often quite a distance from the water. They lay
their eggs upon the bottom of the cavity with
only a scant lining, if any, of feathers and down.
They are very prolific breeders, raising two broods
in a season, each set of eggs containing from ten

to twenty. These eggs are creamy or pure white,


size 2.05 x 1.50. The first set is laid during the
latter part of April or early in May, and fresh
eggs may be found as late as July. They are
especially abundant about Brownsville and Corpus
Christi, Texas. Data. Hidalgo, Mexico, May 29,
1900. Ten eggs in a hole in an old elm tree on
side of lake in big woods near town. Eight feet
from the ground. Collector, F. B. Armstrong.

LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS
Dendro-

White

Black-bellied Tree duck


Fulvous Tree-duck

FULVOUS TREE-DUCK. Dendrocygna bicolor.


Range. This species is tropical like the last, but the summer range is extended to cover, casually the whole southwestern border of the United States.
This bird is long-legged like the last, but the plumage is entirely different,
being of a general rusty color, including the entire under parts. The nesting
habits and eggs are the same as those of the Black-bellied Duck, the white eggs
being laid at the bottom of a cavity in a tree. They number from eight to (in
one instance) thirty-two eggs in one nest. This species is nearly as abundant
as the preceding in southern Texas.

THE BIRD BOOK

Whistling Swan

[179-] WHOOPER SWAN. Olor cygnus.


This European variety frequently is found in
Greenland and formerly, regularly bred there.
It nests in secluded swampy places in northern

Europe.
180. WHISTLING SWAN. Olor columbianus.
Range. North America, breeding in the Arctic Circle, and wintering south to the Gulf of
Mexico.
These birds, which are nearly five feet in
length, are snow white with the exception of
the black bill and feet. The Whistling Swan
is distinguished from the next species by the
presence of a small yellow spot on either side
Df the bill near its base. Their nests are made
of a large mass of rubbish, weeds, grass, moss,
feathers and occasionally a few sticks. It is
generally placed in a somewhat marshy place
in the neighborhood of some isolated pond.
The eggs are of a greenish or brownish buff
color, and number from three to six. Size 4.00
x 2.75. Data. Mackenzie River. Nest a mass
of weeds, sods and grass, lined with feathers;
on an island near the mouth of the river. Collector, I. O. Stringer.

181. TRUMPETER SWAN. Olor buccinator.


Range. Interior of North America from the Gulf of Mexico northward, breeding from northern United States northward.
This is a magnificent bird, about five and one-half feet in length. Its plumage is exactly like that of the preceding except that the bill is entirely black
,
and the nostral is located nearer the eye. Their nesting habits and eggs are
the same as those of the Whistling Swan. While a few pairs may breed within
the United States by far the greater number are found in the extreme north,
from Hudson Bay to Alaska. The eggs may average a trifle larger than those
of the preceding species.

114

LAMELLIROSTRAL GRALLATORES. Order VI. ODONTOGLOSS^E


FLAMINGOES. Family PHOENICOPTERIDAE
182. FLAMINGO. Phcenicopterus ruber.
Range. Tropical and sub-tropical America on
the Atlantic coasts, breeding in the Bahamas and
West Indies; north to Florida and casually to the

South Atlantic States.


These remarkable and grotesque appearing
birds attain a length of about 48 inches. The
plumage varies from white to a deep rosy red. It
requires several years for them to attain the perfect adult plumage, and unlike most birds, they
are in the best of plumage during the winter, the
colors becoming faded as the nesting season approaches. The birds are especially noticable because of the crooked, hollow, scoop-shaped bill,
and the extremely long legs and neck. The feet
are webbed, but more for the purpose of supporting them upon the mud flats than for use in swimming. The nests are usually built on a sandy
point of an island; they are mounds of earth, grass
and rubbish from one to two feet in height, the
top being hollowed to receive the eggs. One or
two eggs are a complete set. The shell is pale
blue, but this is covered with a heavy white chalky
deposit. The eggs are laid in June and July.
Size 3.40x2.15.

American Flamingo
Roseate SpoonbT

IBISES, STORKS, HERONS, etc. Order VII. HERODIONES


The members of this order are wading birds, consequently they all have
long legs and necks. They have four toes, not webbed.
SPOONBILLS. Family PLATALEIDAE
183. ROSEATE SPOONBILL. Ajaia ajaja.
Range. Tropical America, north in summer to the Gulf States. They formerly nested in remote swamps along the whole Gulf coast, but are now confined
chiefly to the Everglades in Florida.
115

THE BIRD BOOK

This bird, with its broad, flat bill, bare head, and rosy plumage with carmine
epaulets and tail coverts, seem more like the fanciful creation of some artist
than a real bird of flesh and blood. Its plumage and colors are strikingly clear
and beautiful. Full plumaged

- - ._ adult birds have very brilliant


carmine shoulders and tail coverts, a saffron colored tail, and a
lengthened tuft of bright rosy
feathers on the foreneck. This
species breed in small colonies
-J in marshy places, often in com'* pany with herons and ibises.
* Their nests are rather frail platW forms of sticks, located in bushes or trees, from four to fifteen
feet from the ground. The eggs
are laid during the latter part
of May and June. They are
three or four in number and
have a ground color of dull
white, or pale greenish blue and
are quite heavily blotched with several shades of brown. Size 2.50 x 1.70.

Chalky bluish white


Egg of American Flamingo

116

WADING BIRDS

IBISES. Family IBIDID^

Ibises are gracefully formed birds having a long


curved bill and a bare face.

184. WHITE IBIS. Guara alba.


Range. This is a tropical and sub-tropical
species which is found along the Gulf coast, and
north to South Carolina, west to Lower California.
These handsome birds are wholly white, with
the exception of black primaries. The legs and
the bare skin of the face is orange red. These
birds are very abundant in most marshy localities

Scarlet Ibis

Grayish
along the Gulf coast, especially in Florida, where
they nest in rookeries of thousands of individuals.
Owing to their not having plumes, they have not
been persecuted as have the white herons. They
build their nests of sticks and grasses, in the
mangroves a few feet above the water. In other White ibis
localities they build their nests entirely of dead
rushes, attaching them to the standing ones a foot or more above the surface
of the water. They are quite substantially made and deeply cupped, very different from the nests of the Herons. Their eggs are from three to five in number, vary from grayish ash to pale greenish or bluish in color, blotched with
light brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60. The nesting season is during May and June.
Data. Tampa Bay, Fla., June 4, 1895. Three eggs. Nest of sticks and a few
weeds in small bushes on an island. Collector, Fred Doane.
[185.] SCARLET IBIS. Guara rubra.
Range. Occasionally, but not recently met with in the southern states.
Their habitat is tropical America, they being especially abundant along the
Orinoco River in northern South America.
Full plumaged adults of this species are wholly bright scarlet, except for the
primaries, which are black. Their nests are built in impenetrable thickets,
rushes or mangroves, the nests being constructed like those of the White Ibis.
The eggs, too, are very similar to those of the preceding species, but both the
ground color and the markings average brighter. While still common in some
localities, the species is gradually becoming less abundant, chiefly because of
the demand for their feathers for use in fly-tying.
117

THE BIRD BOOK

Glossy Ibis
White-faced Glossy Ibis
Wood Ibis

186. GLOSSY IBIS. Plegadis autumnalis.


Range. This tropical and sub-tropical species,
is chiefly found in the Old World. It is occasion-

ally found in southeastern United States where it


sometimes breeds. Its habits, nesting habits and
eggs are just the same as the next species.
187. WHITE-FACED GLOSSY IBIS. Plegadis
guarauna.
Range. A sub-tropical species found in the
southwestern parts of the United States, rarely
found east of the Mississippi.
This species differs from the Glossy Ibis in
having the feathers on the front of the head white,
the rest of the plumage is a dull brownish chestnut, with greenish reflections on the back. As
these birds are not in demand commercially, their
numbers have not decreased, and thousands of
them breed in colonies in southern Texas. They
build a substantial nest of reeds and rushes woven
about the upright canes, close to the surface of the
water. Their eggs are laid during May, and number from three to four. They are easily distinguished from those of the Herons, being of a
deeper greenish blue color and averaging more
elongate. Size 1.95x1.35. Data. Corpus Christi,
Texas, May 26, 1899. Pour eggs. Nest of twigs
and rushes on side of river. Collector, F. B.
Armstrong.

STORKS and WOOD IBISES


Family CICONHDAE

188. WOOD IBIS. Mycteria americana.


Range. A sub-tropical species which is resident along the Gulf coast and
which strays casually north to New England and Colorado.
This peculiar member of the Stork family has the whole head and part of the
neck bare and covered with numerous scales; the bill is large, long and heavy;
the plumage is white, except for the black primaries and tail. It is a large
bird about four feet in length. They are quite abundant in swamps along the

11$

Gulf coast, where they place their nests, which


are platforms of sticks, in trees and bushes over
the water. They lay three eggs which are white,
and have a rough surface. Size 2.75 x 1.75.

[189.] JABIRU. Jabiru mycteria.


This large bird, which is the only true Stork
that claims a place in our avifauna, is a native
of South and Central America, wandering north,
casually to Texas. Their nests are large platforms of sticks in very high trees.
BITTERNS and HERONS
Family ARDEIDAE
Herons and Bitterns are long-legged waders,
having straight, pointed bills, and with the head
feathered, except for the lores.
190. BITTERN. Bautaurus lentiginosus.
Range. United States and southern British
provinces, breeding in the northern half of the
United States and wintering in the southern portion.

WADING BIRDS

Bittern

Jabiru

Brownish drab

This species, with its mottled rusty brownish plumage, is one of the best
known of the Heron family. It is known locally by a great many names, nearly
all of which have reference to the "booming" or "pumping" sound made during
the mating season. They build their nests in swampy or marshy places, placing them on the ground, frequently on a tussock, entirely surrounded by water.
The nest proper is only a few grasses twisted about to form a lining to the
hollow. They lay from three to five eggs of brownish drab. Size 1.95 x 1.50.
They do not breed in colonies, generally, but one or two pairs nesting in one
marsh. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 3, 1897. Four eggs laid in a grass lined
hollow in middle of a hummock of earth and grass, in middle of marsh. Collector, James Jackson.

THE BIRD BOOK

191. LEAST BITTERN. Ixobrychus exilis.


Range. Common throughout the United States,
especially in the eastern part, and in the southern
British provinces.
This small variety of Bittern is very common
in the southern portions of the United States, but
less so and locally distributed in the northern
portions of its range. They are very quiet and
sly birds, and their presence is often unsuspected
when they are really quite abundant. When approached, they will remain perfectly quiet, with
the body erect and the
head and neck pointed
skyward, in which position their yellowish
brown plumage strongly
resembles the rushes
among which they are
found. Their nests are
made of strips of rushes
woven about upright
stalks, generally over water. They lay from
three to five eggs of a pale bluish white color.
Size 1.20 x .90. Data. Avery's Island, La., May 1,
1896. Four eggs. Nest of strips of rushes woven
together to form a platform and fastened to saw
grass growing on the bank of a stream. Collector,
E. A. Mcllhenny.
191.1. CORY'S LEAST BITTERN. Ixobrychus
neoxenus.
This rare species, of which about twenty specimens are known is probably resident in Florida,
wandering north in the summer, specimens having been taken in Ontario, Canada, and in several
localities in eastern United States. It is very different from the Least Bittern
,
having a more uniform chestnut coloration, especially on the under parts. It is
twelve inches in length. Mr. C. W. Crandall has a set of five eggs of this
species, taken on the Caloosahatchee River, Fla., April 15, 1891, by S. B. Ladd.
nest was made of grasses and rushes placed in the cane two feet above the
water.

Pale bluish gray

Least Bittern
Cory's Least Bittern

120

192. GREAT WHITE HERON.


Ardea occidentalis.
Range. This species occurs in the- United
States regularly, only in the southern parts of
Florida. It is a resident of the West Indies.
This large white Heron is about the same size
as the Great Blue Heron; it has none of the
slender plumes found on the smaller White Herons. These birds are not uncommon in southern
Florida, especially on the Keyes, where they build
their nests in company with Great Blue Herons.
Their nesting habits and eggs are very similar
to those of the Blue Heron. Size of eggs 2.25 x
1.80. Data. Outside of Torch Key, Florida, June
16, 1899. Nest a platform of sticks about five feet
from the ground, in a mangrove tree. Three eggs.
Collector, O. Tollin.

WADING BIRDS

GREAT BLUE HERON.


herodias.

Ardea herodias

Range. Nearly the whole of North America,


except the extreme north; resident south of the
middle portions of the United States and migratory north of there.
This handsome Heron is about four feet in
length. Its general color is a bluish gray, relieved by a black crest, primaries and patches on the
sides, and a white crown. In the south they breed
in large colonies, often in company with many
other species. In the northern portions of their
range they breed singly or in companies of under

a hundred individuals. They generally place


their rude platforms of sticks well up in trees,
near ponds, swamps or rivers, but in the most
northerly parts of their range, where trees are
scarce, they often build on the ground. Unless
they are disturbed, they return to the same breeding grounds, year after year. They lay from three to five eggs of a greenish
blue color. Size 2.50 x 1.50. Data. Duck Island, Maine, May 20, 1883. Three
eggs. Nest of sticks and twigs, about fifteen feet from the ground. Collector,
R. B. Gray.
194a. NORTHWEST COAST HERON. Ardea herodias fannini.
This darker sub-species of the breeding is found along the Pacific coast,
north to Sitka, Alaska. Its nests and eggs do not differ from the former
species.

Great White Heron


Great Blue Heron

121

THE BIRD BOOK

194b. WARD'S HERON. Ardea herodias rvardi.


This sub-species is a resident in Florida. It is
a lighter variety than the common. It nests together with the Great Blue Heron and its habits
are the same.
[195.] EUROPEAN HERON. Ardea cinerea.
This species is only an accidental straggler in
Greenland. It is very similar to our Blue Heron
and is the one which was formerly used to furnish sport for the royalty when falconry was at
its height.
196. EGRET. Herodias egretta.
Range. Resident in the southern portions of
the United States, straggling northward casually
to the northern parts.
This is one of the beautiful Herons which have

been sought by plume hunters till they are upon


the verge of extermination. They are entirely
white, with a long train of beautiful straight
"aigrettes" flowing from the middle of the back.
In remote localities, quite large colonies of them
may still be found, but where they numbered
thousands, years ago, they can be counted by
dozens now. They breed in impenetrable swamps,
very often in company with the following species, and also with Louisiana and Little Blue
Herons, and White Ibises. Their nests are but
frail platforms, generally in bushes over the
water. Their usual complement of eggs numbers
from three to five, four as the most common number. They are generally laid during the latter
part of May, but often on account of their being
disturbed, nests with eggs may be found in July.
The eggs are a light bluish green in color. Size
2.25x1.45. Data. Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894. Four eggs on a platform of sticks and grass, in a buttonwood bush over six feet of water. Collector, George Graham.

Snowy Egret
Egret

?
**-!

197- SNOWY EGRET. Egretta candidissima candidissima.


Range. Common now only in restricted localities in the Gulf States and Mexico.
This species, which is smaller than the last,
being but twenty-four inches in length, is also
adorned with "aigrettes," but they are beautifully recurved at the tips. Owinjf to the merciless slaughter to which they have been subjected, their ranks have been woefully decimated, and it is to be hoped that the remaining
ones may be safely protected. Their nesting
habits are the same as the last, although, of
course, the eggs are smaller. Size 1.80 x 1.25.
122

Light greenish blue

WADING BIRDS

198. REDDISH EGRET. Dichromanassa rufescens.


Range. In the United States, this species is
confined chiefly to the Gulf States.
It is somewhat larger than the last species, the
head and neck are rufous, the body is bluish gray,
and the back is adorned with slender gray plumes.
It also has a white phase. This Egret is very
abundant along the whole Gulf coast, but especial-

Pale bluish green


ly so in Texas. Their nesting habits are identical with those of the other small Herons and
Egrets. The three or four eggs are rather of a
more greenish blue than the preceding. Size 1.90
x 1.45. Data. Gainesville, Florida, April 14, 1894.
Three eggs. Nest of sticks and straw in a button-wood tree, two feet above the water. Collector, George Graham.

199. LOUISIANA HERON. Hydranassa tricolor


ruficollis.
Range. Subtropical America, north regularly
to the Gulf States and casually farther.
This Heron is of about the size of the Reddish
Egret, but the neck is longer, more slender and
dark, while the chin, throat and underparts
are white. The plumes from the back are
short, reaching barely to the end of the
tail. They nest in large colonies in company with Egrets and Little Blue Herons,
placing their nests in the mangroves, only
a few feet above the water. Their nests are
the same as those of the other species, a
slight platform of sticks, and the three to
five eggs are practically not distinguishable
from those of the Snowy or Little Blue
Herons. Size 1.75 x 1.35.

123

Reddish Egret

Louisiana Heron

Pale bluish green

THE BIRD BOOK

Little Blue H&lt;

Green Heron

200. LITTLE BLUE HERON. Florida ccerulea.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north
casually to New England and Manitoba; west to
Kansas and Nebraska.
A smaller species than the preceding, length
22 inches, plumage a uniform slaty blue changing to purplish red on the head and neck. They
also have a white phase, but always show traces

Pale bluish green


of the slaty blue, especially on the primaries.
Young birds are always white. They breed in
immense rookeries during April and May. Their
nesting habits and eggs are very similar to the
last species, although the eggs average a trifle
smaller. Size 1.75x1.25. Data. Avery's Island,
Louisiana, April 21, 1896. 5 eggs. Nest a flat
and frail platform of twigs in a Mimosa tree
growing in floating turf, over deep water in a
large swamp. Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.

201.

GREEN HERON.
virescens.

Butorides virescens

Range. Temperate and sub-tropical America,


breeding north to the British Provinces.

This is the smallest of our Herons, and is well known all over the country.
Sometimes they breed in numbers in rookeries, in company with the larger
Herons, but in most sections of the country they will be found nesting, one or
two pairs together, along the border- of some
swamp or stream. They have a greater diversity
of building sites, than do any of the other Herons
and frequently nest a long ways from water.
Their nests may be found in alders, birches or
even apple trees. It is the usual Heron type of
platform, upon which the three to six eggs are
laid. They are a pale greenish blue in color, and
measure 1.45 x 1.10. Data. Avery's Island, Louisiana, April 10, 1894. 5 eggs on a platform of
twigs placed in a willow tree growing on the edge
Light bluish green o f a pond. Collected by E. A, Mcllhenny.

124

WADING BIRDS
201a. FRAZAR/S GREEN HERON. Butorides virescens frazari.
A darker variety found in Lower California; nesting the same as the common
species.
201b. ANTHONY'S GREEN HERON. Butorides virescens anihonyi.
A lighter, desert form found in the arid portions of the interior of southwestern United States and Mexico.

NEST AND EGGS OF GREEN HERON

125

202. BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.


Nycticorax nycticorax naevius.
Range. North America from southern British
Provinces, southward; winters along the Gulf
coast and beyond.
A well known bird, often called "quawk" from
the sound of its note frequently heard in the evening. While, in some localities, only a few pairs
of these birds are found nesting together, most
of them gather together into large colonies during the breeding season. In New England they
generally select a remote pine grove as their

Black-crowned Night Heron


Yellow-crowned Heron

Pale bluish green


breeding grounds. If not disturbed
turn to this same place each year.
are built of sticks and lined with
and are placed well up towards the
trees.

they will reTheir nests


small twigs,
tops of the

Frequently several nests will be found in the


same tree, and I have counted as many as fifty
nests in view at the same time. In large swamps
in the south they generally nest at a low elevation, while in the marshes of Wisconsin and Minnesota, large colonies of them
nest on the ground, making their nest of rushes. Like all Heronries, those of
this species have a nauseating odor, from the remains of decayed fish, etc.,
which are strewn around the bases of the trees. Their eggs number from three
to five and are of a pale bluish green color. Size 2.00 x 1.40. Data. Uxbridge,
Mass., May 30, 1898. 4 eggs. Nest of sticks, about thirty feet up in a pine tree
.
Many other nests. Collector, H. A. Smith.
203. YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON. Nyctanassa violacea.
Range. Sub-tropical America, breeding along the Gulf coast and to Lower
California; casually farther north, to Illinois and South Carolina.
A handsome grayish colored species, with long lanceolate plumes on the
back, and two or three fine white plumes from the back of the head, like those
of the Black-crowned species. Its black head, with tawny white crown and ear
coverts, renders it unmistakable. This species nests in colonies or by pairs,
like the preceding, and very often in company with other Herons. They lay
from three to six eggs, very similar in size, shape and color to those of the
Black-crowned Heron.
126

WADING BIRDS
CRANES, RAILS, Etc. Order VIII. PALUDICOL^
CRANES. Family GRUIDAE

Cranes are large, long-legged, long-necked birds, somewhat resembling


Herons. Their structure and mode of living partakes more of the nature of
the Rails, however. They are found upon the prairies, where besides shell
fish from the ponds, they feed largely upon grasshoppers, worms, etc.
204. WHOOPING CRANE. Grus americana.
Range. Interior of North America, breeding
from about the latitude of Iowa northward to the
Arctic regions ; winters in the Gulf states and
southward.
The Whooping Crane is the largest of the family in America, measuring 50 inches or more in
length. The plumage of the adults is pure white,
with black primaries. The bare parts of the head
and face are carmine. It is a very locally distributed species, in some sections being practically unknown, while in a neighboring locality it
may be rated as common. They are very shy
birds and are not easily obtained. They nest
either upon the solid earth or in marshy places
over the water. In either case the nest is a very
bulky mass of grass and weeds from two to three
feet in diameter and raised perhaps a foot above
the ground. They lay two eggs of a brownish
buff color, irregularly blotched with brown, and
with fainter marking of gray. Size 3.75 x 2.50.
Data. Torkton, northern Assiniboia, northwest
Canada. Nest a mass of marsh hay, three feet in
diameter, on the prairie. The birds seen, but very
wary. Collector, Cowbry Brown.
205. LITTLE BROWN CRANE.
Grus canadensis.
Range. North America in the interior, breeding from Hudson Bay and southern Alaska north
to the Arctic coast; south in winter to Mexico.
This uniform gray colored Crane differs from
the next species only in size, being about three
feet in length, while the Sandhill averages three
and one-half feet. The eggs cannot be distin- -.*-. ^~rr
guished with any certainty. P Little Brown Crane

&amp;

THE BIRD BOOK

Brownish buff
EGG OF WHOOPING CRANE

Buff
EGG OF LITTLE BROWN CRANE

128

WADING BIRDS

206. SANDHILL CRANE. Grus mexicana.


Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from the Gulf States, locally north to the southern parts of the British Provinces.
This is the most common and the most southerly distributed member of the family. In some
sections of Florida and Texas it is regarded as
abundant. They nest in marshy places near secluded ponds. The nests are masses of grass,
weeds and roots, generally placed in marshes and
entirely surrounded by water. The two eggs are
similar to those of the Whooping Crane, but the
ground color is lighter. The eggs of the two species cannot always, with certainty, be distinguished. Size 3.75 x 2.40. Data. Carman, Manitoba,
May 31, 1903. 2 eggs. Nest on a knoll in a
marsh, hidden by dead rushes and weeds; a flat
loose structure of broken rushes and reeds. Collector, Chris Forge.
COURLANS. Family ARAMIDJE
207. LIMPKIN. Aramus vociferus.
Range. This bird is a native of the West

Indies and Central America, but occurs regularly


north to the southern portions of Florida.
This strange bird is the only member of its family found in the United States. It may be likened
to a large Rail or a small Crane, being apparently, a connecting link between the two. It is about
two feet in length, and the plumage is mottled
brownish and white. It lives in the marshes,
from whence, until late at night, emanate its
strange cries, which are likened to those of a
child in distress. They nest in the most impen-

Sandhill Crane.
Limpkin.

Buffy white
etrable parts of swamps, building their nests of rushes, grass and weeds, in
tangled masses of vines a few feet above the ground or water. They lay from
three to eight eggs having a ground color of buff or grayish white and blotched with light brown. Their coloration is very similar to those of the Cranes.
Size 2.30 x 1.70. They nest in April and May.
129

WADING BIRDS

RAILS, GALLINULES and COOTS. Family RALLID^E


Members of this family are almost exclusively frequenters of marshes,
where they lead a shy, retiring life and are more often heard than seen.

208. KING RAIL. Rallus elegans.

Range. Fresh water marshes of eastern United States from New England
and the Dakotas, southward. Very abundant on the South Atlantic coast, in
the inland marshes.
This is one of the largest of the Rails, (17
inches in length) and may be known by the
richness of its plumage, the breast and wing
coverts being a rich cinnamon color. It is
almost exclusively a fresh water species and is
very rarely found around a salt water marsh.

Its nest is built on the ground, in a tuft of grass


and weeds woven about the upright stalks.
They lay from five to twelve eggs having a
cream colored ground, sparingly speckled with
brown and lilac. Size 1.60 x 1,20. Data. Clark
County, Missouri, June 6, 1893. 10 eggs. Nest Cream color.
composed of reed stalks; a slightly concave mass 8 inches across, and only
two inches above the water, in a clump of reeds. Collector, Ed. S. Currier.

2()f). BELDING'S RAIL. Rallus beldingi.


Range. Lower California and the islands in the Gulf.
This is a locally confined species, very similar to the preceding but darker
and with the flank bars narrower. Its nesting or eggs will not differ from those
of the King Rail.

CALIFORNIA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus obsoletus.

Range. Salt marshes of the Pacific coast of the United States.


This species is like a dull colored King Rail,
with reference to the markings of the back, or
a bright colored Clapper Rail, as it has a cinnamon colored breast. It is an abundant species
in nearly all the salt marshes along the coast,
They make their nests on the higher parts of
the marsh, where it is comparatively dry, building them of grass and strips of rushes. They
lay from four to nine eggs of a light buff color,
boldly spotted with brown, and with fainter
markings of lilac. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data.
Palo Alto, Gal., May 1, 1899. Nest of marsh
grass under a small bush on bank of slough.
Collector, Ernest Adams.

Light buff.

131

THE BIRD BOOK

coast

; F 211. CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans


crepitans.
Range. Salt marshes of the Atlantic
from southern New England southward.
A grayish colored Rail, about the size of, and
with the markings similar to those of the King
Rail. It is as exclusively a salt water species as
the King Rail is a fresh water one. With the
possible exception of the Carolina or Sora Rail,
this is the most abundant of all the Rails, hun-

Buff.
dreds nesting in a single marsh on the South
Atlantic coast. Their nests are built of rushes
and weeds, and are placed on the ground either in
the tall grass bordering the marshes or attached
to the rushes in the midst of the marsh. The
nesting season commences during April and continues through May. They lay from six to fourteen eggs, of a buff color spotted irregularly with
brown and gray. Size 1.70 x 1.20.
21 la. LOUISIANA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans saturatus.
The habitation of this subspecies is limited to
the coast of Louisiana. It is very similar to the proceeding but is said to be
brighter in plumage.

King Rail.
Clapper Rail.

21 Ib. FLORIDA CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans scotti.


Range. Western coast of Florida.
This bird is also similar to crepitans but is much darker and brighter.
21 Ic. WAYNE'S CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus crepitans waynei.
Range. South Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida.
This subspecies is a little darker than crepitans, being about midway between that species and Rallus scotti. The nests and eggs of any of these sub-

species cannot be distinguished from those of the common Clapper Rail.


211.2. CARIBBEAN CLAPPER RAIL. Rallus longirostris caribaeus.
Range. West Indies and east coast of Mexico, north to southern Texas.
This species is similar to the Clapper, but has a shorter and relatively stouter
bill.
132

WADING BIRDS

212. VIRGINIA RAIL. Rallus virginianus.


Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from the Middle States and California, northward
to British Columbia and Labrador, and wintering
along the Gulf coast; most abundant in the east.
A small Rail, 9 inches
long, very similar in
markings and colora- ^''
tion to the King Rail.
It is found chiefly in
fresh water swamps,
where it builds its nests
in tufts of rushes. The
eggs number from six
to fourteen, and are

creamy white, or white,

Creamy white.

speckled with reddish brown. Size 1.25 x .90 Data.


Fighting Island, Detroit River, Michigan, May
30, 1904. Nest made of marsh grass, in rushes, 6
inches above the water. Collector, E. Leroy King.
[213.] SPOTTED CRAKE. Porzana porzana.
This common European species is casually
found in Greenland. It breeds in large numbers
throughout temperate Europe, nesting as do the

American Rails.
214. SORA. Porzana Carolina.
Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from the southern parts of the British possessions, south to the Gulf coast.
This abundant species of Rail may be readily
known by its small size, about eight inches long,
and the black face and throat of the adult. These
are the "Rail-birds" or "Ortolans" which are annually slaughtered by thousands, for sport and marketing, during their fall migration. It is only because of the large families
that they rear, that they are able to withstand this ^ * . *>
yearly decimanation of their ranks. They nest
either in salt of fresh water marshes, making a jj^y
rude structure of grass, weeds and strips of rushes,
on the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of ghass
in a tangled swamp or marsh. During May, they
lay from six to sixteen eggs of a bright, buffy gray
color, spotted with reddish brown and lavender.
Size 1.25X.90. Bright buff.

Sora
Virginia Rail.

133

Rich buff.

THE BIRD BOOK


215. YELLOW RAIL.
Coturnicops noveboracensis.
Ranrge. Locally distributed in temperate North
America, from New England and Nova Scotia, to
California and British Columbia; south to the
Gulf States in winter.
This is a very handsome species, with plumage
of glossy brown, yellowish buff, black and white;
length seven inches. They are very shy and se-

cretive, and are probably


more common than generally supposed. Their nesting habits are the same
as those of the preceding.
Their eggs are of a rich
buff color, speckled in the
form of a wreath about
the large end, with reddish brown. They are
relatively narrower than
those of other Rails. Size
1.10 x .80. Data. Benson Co., North Dakota, June
4, 1901. Set of ten eggs collected by Rev. P. B.
Peabody. This set is in the collection of Mr.
John Lewis Childs.
216. BLACK RAIL. Creciscus jamaicensis.
Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from northern United States southward.
Smallest of the rails; 5 inches in length. A
dark slaty colored bird with
white specks, and a patch of
dark chestnut on the fore
back. This diminutive spescies is very hard to find because of its retiring habits,
but according to Mr. Brewster it may be located by the
clicking sound of its song.
Their nests are woven of strips of rushes or grasses, and are well "cupped"
to receive the eggs. They are on the ground on the border of, or in, marshy
places. Mr. Childs has a fine set of eight eggs, taken by Arthur T. Wyane, at
Mt. Pleasant, S. C., June 10, 1903. The nest was located in an oat field. The
eggs have a creamy white ground, and are specked all over with reddish brown.
Size 1.03 x. 75.

Yellow Rail.
Black Rail

[216.1.] FARALLON RAIL.


Known only from a single specimen, which is
censis and without the white specks on the back.

Creciscus coturniculus.
slightly smaller than jamai-

134

WADING BIRDS

[217-] CORN CRAKE. Crex crex.


This European Rail is casually found in Greenland and along the Atlantic coast of North America. It is the most abundant of European Rails
and is found breeding in marshes, meadows and
along streams.

218. PURPLE GALLINULE. lonornis martinicus


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States; casually north in eastern United States to Massachusetts and Ohio.

Pale buff.
A very handsome bird with purplish head,
neck and under parts, and a greenish back. Like
all the Gallinules and Coots, this species has a
scaly crown plate. An abundant breeding species
in the southern parts of its range. Its nests are
made of rushes or grasses woven together and
either attached to living rushes or placed in tufts
of grass. They lay from six to ten eggs of a
creamy or pale buff color sparingly blotched with
chestnut. Size 1.60 x 1.15. Data. Avery's Island,
Louisiana, May 7, 1896. Ten eggs. Nest of dry rushes, woven to standing ones
growing around an "alligator hole" in a marsh. Collector, E. A. Mcllhenny.

Purple Gallinule.
Corn Crake.

135

THE BIRD BOOK

21Q. FLORIDA GALLINULE. Gallinula galeata.


Range Temperate North America, from New
England, Manitoba and California, southward.
A grayish colored bird of similar size to the
last (13 inches long), with flanks streaked with
white, and with the bill and crown plate reddish.
They nest in
colonies in
marshes and
swamps, building their nests
like those of
the Purple
Gallinule. The
eggs, too, are
similar, but
larger and
slightly duller.
Size 1.75x1.20.
Data. Montezuma marshes, Florida, June 6, 1894. Eleven
eggs. Nest of dead flaggs, floating in two feet of
water. Collector, Robert Warwick.

Pale buff.

[220.] EUROPEAN COOT. Fulica atra.


A European species very similar to the next,
and only casually found in Greenland. Nesting
the same as our species.

Florida Gallinule.
Coot.

Grayish.

221. COOT. Fulica americana.

Range. Whole of temperate North America,


from the southern parts of the British Provinces,
southward; very common in suitable localities
throughout its range.
The Coot bears some resemblance to the
Florida Gallinule, but is somewhat larger,
its bill is white with a blackish band about
the middle, and each toe has a scalloped
web. They inhabit the same marshes and
sloughs that are used by the Rails and Gallinules as nesting places, and they have the
same retiring habits, skulking through the
grass to avoid observation, rather than flying. Their nests are either floating piles
of decayed vegetation, or are built of dead
rushes in clumps of rushes on the banks.
They generally build in large colonies. The
eggs number from six to sixteen and have

a grayish ground color, finely specked all over the surface with blackish.
1.80x1.30.

136

Size

Greenish buff

SHORE BIRDS. Order IX. LIMICOL^E


PHALAROPES. Family PHALAROPODIDAE
Phalaropes are small Plover-like birds, but with lobate webbed feet, similar
to those of the Grebes and Coots.

222. RED PHALAROPE. Phalaropus fulicarius.


Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the
far north, and migrating to the middle portions
of the United States, chiefly on the coasts.
The Red Phalarope during the breeding season
has the underparts wholly reddish brown; they
are very rarely seen in the United States in this
dress, however for it is early changed for a suit
of plain gray and white.
This species has a much

x 1 -" w*^K stouter bill than the two


following; it is about nine
inches in length. All the
Phalaropes are good swimmers, and this species, especially, is often found in
large flocks off the coast,
floating on the surface of
the water; they feed largely upon small marine
insects. Nests in hollows on the ground, lined
with a few grasses. The eggs are three or four
in number, generally of a greenish buff color,
spotted and blotched with brown and blackish.
Data. Myvates, Iceland, June 19, 1897, Collector,
C. Jefferys.

223. NORTHERN PHALAROPE. Lobipes labatus.


Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the
northern parts of the British Provinces.
This is the smallest of the Phalaropes ^being
about eight inches long; in summer it has a
chestnut band across the breast and on the side
of the neck. Its habits and nesting habits vary
but little from those of the Red Phalarope, although its distribution is a little more southerly,
and it is not as exclusively maritime as the preceding species. It is found on both coasts of the
United States, but more common on the Pacific side,
during the fall and spring, when going to or returning from its winter quarters in the tropics.
Their eggs cannot, with certainty, be distinguished
from the preceding species.

137

Red Fhaiarope.
Northern Phalarope.

Greenish buff.

THE BIRD BOOK


\

Male, female, young.


Wilson's Phalarope

224. WILSON'S PHALAROPE.


Steganopus tricolor.
Range. Interior of temperate North America,
breeding from the latitude of Iowa, northward,
and wintering south of the United States.
This is the most handsome species of the family, being of a very graceful form, of a grayish
and white color, with a broad stripe through the
eye and down the neck, where it fades insensibly
into a rich chestnut
color. It is an exclusively American
species and is rare
ly found near the
coast. It builds its
nest generally in a
tuft of grass, the
nests also being of Brownish buff,
grass. The eggs
are of a brownish or greenish buff color, spotted
and blotched with black and brown. Size 1.30 x
.90. Data. Larimore, N. D., May 30, 1897. Nest
a shallow depression, scratched in the sand, under
a tuft of grass on an island. Collector, T. F.
Eastgate.

138

SHORE BIRDS

AVOCETS and STILTS. Family RECURVIROSTRIDyE

225. AVOCET. Recurvirostra americana.


Range. Western North America, breeding
north to Northwest Territory.
The Avocet can be known from any other bird

by its up-curved bill, light plumage, webbed feet


and large size (length about 17 inches). These
waders are quite numerous in suitable localities

American Avocet
Black-necked Stilt.

Greenish buff.
throughout the west, constructing their nests in
the grass, bordering marshy places. The nest is
simply a lining of grass in a hollow in the ground.
They lay three or four eggs of a dark greenish
or brownish buff color, boldly marked with
brown and black. Size 1.90x1.30. Data. Rush
Lake, Assiniboia. Pour eggs laid in a depression
in the sand, lined with dry weeds. Many birds
nesting in the colony.
226. BLACK-NECKED STILT.
Himantopus mexicanus.
Range. Like the last, this species is rarely
found east of the Mississippi, but is very abundant in the United States west of that river.
A black and white wader, with exeremely long red legs; otherwise a gracefully formed bird. It breeds in large
colonies anywhere in its range, making
its nests of weeds and sometimes a few
twigs, on the ground beside of, or in the
marshes. Their eggs number three or
four and are brownish or greenish buff
with numerous markings of brownish
black, these markings being somewhat
lengthened and mostly running lengthwise of the shell. They nest during
April in the southern parts of their
range and through May and June in the
northern. Size of eggs 1.80x1.25. Data. Freshwater Lake, southern California, June 5, 1891. Four eggs laid on a mud flat near the water's edge; no nest.
Collector, Evan Davis.
139

Greenish buff.

THE BIRD BOOK

SNIPES, SANDPIPERS, Family SCOLOPACID^


Members of this family are long-legged waders, of either large or small size,
and found either about streams or ponds in the interor or along the coasts.
They feed upon small shell fish, or insects which they get usually by probing
in the soft mud.

227. EUROPEAN WOODCOCK.


Scolopax rusticola.

This European bird is similar to the American


Woodcock, but is larger and is barred beneath.
Their habits are the same as those of our species.
228. WOODCOCK. Philohela minor.
Range. Eastern North America, north to the
British Provinces, breeding throughout its range.
This is one of the most eagerly sought game
birds of the east. Their flight is very rapid and
erratic, and accompanied by a peculiar whistling
sound made by the rapid motion of the wings; it
requires a skillful
marksman to
bring them down.
They frequent
boggy places especially "runs"
lined with alders,
where they bore
in the soft ground
for worms and
grubs. Their
eggs are laid up-

Buffy gray.

AmerTTTcrn
Wilson'

on the bare
ground among
the leaves and sticks; they are of about the color
of dead leaves, as is also the bird, making it quite
difficult to discover their nests. They lay three
or four eggs of a buffy color, with yellowish brown
spots. Size 1.50x1.15.

[229.] EUROPEAN SNIPE. Gallinago gallinago.


A common species in Europe; of casual or accidental appearance in Greenland. The bird does not differ essentially from our Snipe and its habits are
the same.

X40

C. A. Reed.

WOODCOCK ON HER NEST.


141

SHORE BIRDS

230. WILSON SNIPE. Gallinago delicata.


Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward;
winters along the Gulf States and to California, and southward.
Another favorite game bird, but one which requires skill to hunt successfully. Of about the
same size as the Woodcock (11 inches long).
This species, to a great extent frequents the same
haunts used by Woodcock, but is especially fond
of open marshy meadows, with winding brooks.
Their nests are depressions in grassy banks, generally unlined; the three or four eggs have an
olive gray color and are strongly marked with
blackish brown. Size 1.50 x 1.10. Data. Lake

Winnipegosis, Manitoba, June 10, 1903. Nest in


a hollow on a tuft of marsh grass, the four eggs
having their points together. Collector, Walter
Raine.

Olive gray.

[230.1.] GREATER SNIPE. Gallinago media.


A European species, only American as having accidentally occurred at Hudson Bay; similar in appearance to the preceding species.

NKST AND EGGS OF WOODCOCK.

143

THE BIRD BOOK

fffr ""

231. DOWITCHER. Macrorhamphus griseus.


Range. North America, most abundant in
the eastern parts; breeds in the extreme north,
and winters from the Gulf States to Northern
South America.
This species is
commonly known
as "Red-breasted
, .^^aoewm - Snipe" in late
^^^^e?k spring and sumX^^^a.^^^/A mer because ofi
^m^SL "^^^^Sfe^ the rich > rusty
1 " red coloration of
the underparts,
and as "Gray-

back in winter
because of its
color at that season. They are very common along the Atlantic coast during the Spring migration; they
can be easily identified by their very long
bills, which are over two inches in length and
nearly one quarter the length of the whole
They nest during June, placing their three or four eggs in a slight hollow, which may or may not be lined with dried grass or leaves. The eggs have
a greenish or brownish buff color and are boldly marked with dark brown.
They do not differ greatly from those of the Snipe. Data. Mackenzie River,
June 27. 1900. Four eggs in a hollow in the grass, lined with dead grass. Collector. Walter Raine.

Grenish buff

Dowitcher.

bird.

LOON.

144

SHORE BIRDS

232. LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.


Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus.
Range. Whole of North America, but not common on the Atlantic coast; breeds in the Arctic
regions and migrates chiefly through the central
and western parts of the United States to Mexico.
This bird is practically the same as the last, but
is a trifle larger and the bill averages about a
half inch longer. They are very numerous in

tifceir breeding
haunts, and, during
their migrations, fly
in large compact
. flocks. They are
u not very timid, and
consequently fall an
easy prey to the gunners. Their nesting
habits and eggs are
the same as the last
species, except that
the eggs may average a trifle larger. Size 1.75 x
1.15. Data. Norton Is., Alaska, June, 1900. Nest
a small hollow in the dry ground. Four eggs.
Collector, Capt. H. H. Bodfish.

' .. -' V *
ut^'f. "? s. &,
jfcjk- - y

Greenish buff.

Micropalama himan-

233. STILT SANDPIPER.


topus.
Range. North America, east of the Rocky
Mountains; breeds in the Arctic regions and winters from the Gulf States southward.
In the summer, these birds may be known by
the reddish coloration of the underparts, which
are numerously barred; they are smaller than
the preceding, length about eight inches. Their
nesting habits are the same as those of the majority of the members of the family. The three
or four eggs are buffy or grayish, and are blotched and spotted with shades of
brown. Size 1.40 x 1.00.

145

10

THE BIRD BOOK

Knot.
Purple Sandpiper.

234. KNOT. Tringa canutus.


Range. Arctic regions in summer; south
through the United States, chiefly on the Atlantic coast, to South America.
Of about the same size as the Dowitchers, length
10.5 inches, but with a much shorter bill. In
summer the entire under parts are a uniform reddish chestnut color. They are known to breed
in Arctic America, from Point Barrow and Hudson Bay, northward, but no authentic eggs are
known, at present, to exist in collections. One
taken from a bird by Lieut. Greely, was a pea
green color, specked with brown; size 1.10x1.00.
As it was not fully developed, it was probably
correct neither as to size nor color.

235. PURPLE SANDPIPER. Arquatella maritima


maritima.
Range. Arctic regions, wintering south to the
Middle States and the Great Lakes, but chiefly
on the coast.
A grayish and blackish colored species, about
nine inches long. It nests in northern Labrador,
about Hudson Bay and
in Iceland. Its eggs are
a grayish buff color
handsomely splashed
with rich shades of
brown and obscure
markings of darker
gray. Data. Northern Iceland, June 7,
1897. Four eggs. Nest
a hollow in the ground
among grass and weeds

Grayish buff.
and lined with a few

grasses. Collector, C. Jefferys.

235a. ALEUTIAN SANDPIPER. Arguatella maritima couesi.


Range. Supposed to be a resident on the coast and islands of Alaska, from
the Aleutians northward.
A very similar species to the preceding; scarcely distinguishable. These
Sandpipers, which are found in Alaska at all seasons of the year, breed during
May and June. Their nesting habits are the same as those of the preceding
bird and the eggs are indistinguishable. Size 1.40 x 1.00. Data. Unalaska,
Bering Sea, June 3, 1898. Nest containing four eggs, a depression in the moss,
lined with grasses and bits of moss. The eggs were laid with their small ends
together.

146

SHORE BIRDS
237- PRIBILOF SANDPIPER.
Arquatella maritina ptilocnemis.
Range. Coast and islands of Bering Sea, south
in winter to southern Alaska.
This bird, which is ten inches in length, has
the feathers of the upper parts edged with
rusty, and the underparts light, with a distinguishing patch of black on the breast. Similar in
appearance to the Red-backed Sandpiper, but not
so reddish above, and the latter has the black
patch on the belly. They breed commonly on
the Pribilof and other islands in Bering Sea,
nesting the same as other Sandppers. Their four
eggs are similar to those of the preceding, but
average darker. Size 1.50 x 1.05.
238. SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER.
Pisobia aurita.
Range. An Asiatic species, quite abundant in
Alaska in the summer; supposed to migrate
south in winter, wholly on the Asiatic side of
the Pacific.

A similar bird, in appearance, to the following,


but slightly smaller and with the breast more
ruddy. Its nesting habits probably do not differ
from those of the following Sandpiper.
239- PECTORAL SANDPIPER. Pisobia maculata.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding in
the Arctic regions, and wintering south of the
United States, most abundant in the eastern parts
of the United States during migrations.
This species is blackish brown above, with
light brown edgings to the feathers, and white
below, except the chest, which is brownish,
streaked with black. A very peculiar species,
having the power, during the mating season, of inflating the throat to a great extent, making a balloonlike appendage, nearly the size of the bird. They
have more the habits of Snipe, than do most of the
Sandpipers, frequenting grassy meadows or marshes,
in preference to the seashore. Their nests are
grass lined depressions, and the eggs are grayish
or greenish buff, blotched with brown. Size 1.45 x
1.00. Data. Cape Smythe, Alaska, June 1900. Four
eggs in a hollow in the ground, lined with grass

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
Pectoral Sandpiper.

147

THE BIRD BOOK

White-rumped Sandpiper
Baird's Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper.

240. WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER.


Pisobia fuscicollis.
Range. North America, breeding from Labrador and southern Greenland, northward and wintering from central to Southern South America;
most common on the Atlantic coast.
This species is 7.5 inches in length, and has
white upper tail coverts; otherwise it is marked
similarly to the preceding Sandpiper. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the majority
of the family, and the three or four eggs that they
lay cannot be distinguished from those of the following species. Size 1.30 x .90. These are one
of the most common of the beach birds along
the Atlantic coast during migrations; they are
very often known as Bonaparte Sandpipers.

241. BAIRD'S SANDPIPER. Pisobia bairdi.


Range. North America, chiefly in the interior,
breeding along the Arctic coast and about Hudson Bay, and wintering south of the United
States.
A very similar species to the preceding, but
without the white rump. Their nests are hollows
in the ground, generally concealed in a tuft of
grass, and lined with grasses and a few leaves.
They lay three or four eggs having a grayish
colored ground, and marked with different shades
of brown, and also with some faint markings of
lilac. Sh;e 1.30 x .90. Data. Peel River, Arctic
America, June 18, 1898. Pour eggs, taken with
the bird by an Indian. Eggs in a slight hollow
on the river bank.

242. LEAST SANDPIPER. Pisobia minutilla.


Range. North America, breeding from the southern parts of the British
Provinces northward; winters from southern United States southward. Common in the interior and on both coasts.
This is the smallest of our Sandpipers, being under six
inches in length. Except for size, they are similar in ^aBBB^k^
appearance to Baird's Sandpiper, only the back is browner.
A very abundant species during migrations, being found
on the seashore or in marshes, nearly always in company
with other species of the family. Their nests are the same
as other Sandpipers, and the eggs are grayish, thickly
specked with brown. Size 1.15 x .80. Data. Peel River,
Arctic America, June 20, 1899. Nest simply a depression
in the river bank, lined with grass.

148

Grayish.

SHORE BIRDS

[242.1.] LONG-TOED STINT.


Pisobia damacensis.
An Asiatic species accidentally found on the
Alaskan shores. It is a very similar bird to the
Least Sandpiper, and about the same size. As
implied by its name, it has unusually long toes.
[24-3.] DUNLIN. Pelidna alpina alpina.
A very common Sandpiper in the British Isles
and in Europe, but only casually occurring as a
straggler along the Atlantic coast. Very similar
to the next species, but a trifle smaller. The nest
and eggs do not differ from the following.
243a. RED-BACKED SANDPIPER. Pelidna alpina
sakhalina.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding
from southern Greenland, Labrador, Hudson Bay
and the Yukon, northward, wintering from the
Gulf States southward. This handsome species is
similar to the Pribilof Sandpiper, but is
smaller (length 8
inches), the upper
parts are more reddish, the breast
more heavily streaked, and it has a black
patch on the belly instead of on the breast as in
ptilocnemis. Their nesting habits are similar to
others of the family; they lay three or four eggs
with a brownish or greenish buff color, heavily
blotched and spotted with shades of brown and

chestnut. Size 1.40x1.00. Data. Peel River, Arctic America, June 30, 1899.
Nest a simple cavity in the ground, lined with a few grasses and three or four
leaves. Collector, J. O. Stringer.

Greenish huff.

Red-backed Sandpiper.
Curlew Sandpiper.

244. CURLEW SANDPIPER. Erolia ferruginea.


Range. A common Old World species, but regarded as rare in eastern North
America and northern Alaska.
A bird of slighter build, but similar coloration to the Knot; smaller (length
eight inches) and with a slightly decurved bill. Until within recent years, eggs
of these birds were rarely seen in collections, and I believe they have not yet
been taken in this country, although a few pairs nest along our Arctic coast.
Their eggs are very similar to those of the Red-backed Sandpiper, but average
somewhat larger. Size 1.50 x 1.05. Data. Kola, northern Lapland, June 15,
1898. Four eggs laid in a grass-lined hollow in the ground. Collector, J.
Ramberg.

149

THE BIRD BOOK

Spoonbill Sandpiper.
Semipalmated Sandpiper

[245.] SPOONBILL SANDPIPER.


EurynorTiynchus pygmeus.
A very rare Asiatic species, which has been
taken in Kotzebue Sound, Alaska. A very peculiar bird having the end of the bill broadened
and flattened into a sort of spatula. Otherwise

very similar to the Least Sandpiper, but with


the breast and sides of neck ruddy in summer.
About 75 specimens of this rare bird are known
to exist.
246. SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
Ereunetes pusillus.
Range. Whole of North America, but chiefly
in the eastern and central parts, breeding about
the ponds and streams of Labrador and Hudson
Bay, and northward. These little Sandpipers are
abundant during the migrations either in marshes
or on beaches. They are most often found in
company with other species, such as the Spotted
and Least Sandpipers. Their appearance is very
similar to that of the Least Sandpipers, but they
are slightly larger and the feet are partially
webbed. Their eggs have a greenish buff or grayish ground color and are
spotted with brownish or
blackish, sometimes, so
heavily as to completely
obscure the shell color.
Size 1.20 x .80. Data.
Small island near Okak,
Labrador, July 3, 1895. 2
eggs. Nest a hollow at the
foot of a tuft of grass,
lined with a few bits of grass and small leaves.
Eggs unmistakable in this dark type.

Grayish.

150

SHORE BIRDS

Grayish buff.

247. WESTERN SANDPIPER. Ereunetes mauri.

Range. Western North America, breeding in


the Arctic regions and migrating through the

United States, chiefly west of the Mississippi to


the Gulf States and southward.
Scarcely to be distinguished from the preceding species, but the upper parts are
said to be brighter and the
bill, to average a trifle longer. The nesting habits and
eggs are precisely the same
as those of the Semipalmated
variety. Data. Cape Prince
of Wales, Alaska, June 28, 1898. Four eggs. Nest
a neatly rounded hollow, sunk into a mossy hummock in marshy ground. Collector, Joseph Grinnell.

248. SANDERLING. Calidris leucophaea.


Range. Found in all parts of the northern hemisphere, breeding within the Arctic Circle and
wintering in North America, from California and
South Carolina southward.
A handsome and abundant species, found during migrations by thousands on beaches and about
large bodies of water in the interior. They are
one of the lightest colored of the Sandpipers,
either in winter or summer plumage. In summer
the upper parts are a light rusty color and black,
and the whole underparts are white. Owing to
their extreme northerly distribution in summer,
but few of their eggs have been taken. Their
nesting habits are like those of the other Sandpipers. The three or four eggs are greenish buff in
color, spotted and blotched with brown. Size 1.45 x
Alaska, June 18, 1897. Three eggs in a depression on

Western Sandpiper.
Sanderling-.
Marbled Godwit.
.95. Data. Peel River,
the ground.

249. MARBLED GODWIT. Limosa fedoa.


Range. North America, breeding, chiefly in the interior, from northern
United States northward.
Godwits are large Plovers with long slightly upcurved bills. This species
is 19 inches in length, is of a nearly uniform ruddy color and is handsomely

marbled above, and barred below with black. Their eggs are laid upon the
ground in the vicinity of ponds or rivers; sometimes there is no lining and
again a few straws or grasses may be twisted around the depression. Their
eggs number three or four and have a ground color of grayish or greenish buff,
sometimes quite dark, and are blotched with dark brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data. Devil's Lake, N. D., June 10, 1895. Four eggs laid on the ground in the
middle of an un-used road. Lined with a few grasses. Collector, W. F. Hill.

v-

161

THE BIRD BOOK

250. PACIFIC GODWIT.


Limosa lapponica baueri.
Range. Coasts and islands of the Pacific Ocean
on the Asiatic side, north in summer to Alaska.
This species is more uniform and brighter ruddy beneath than the preceding, and the back is
not marbled as strongly. Even in Alaska where
it breeds, it is not a common species, and it only
occurs elsewhere on the Pacific coast of America,
casually. The nesting habits are the same, but
the eggs are somewhat darker than those of the
preceding, but not as dark as those of the following species. Size 2.20x1.45.
251. HUDSONIAN GODWIT. Limosa haemastica
Range. North America, east of the Rocky
Mountains, breeding in the Arctic regions and
wintering south of the United States.

Brownish.

Pacific Godwit.
Hudsonian Godwit.

This species is apparently not as common or is


more locally distributed during migrations than

is the Marbled Godwit. They are more abundant in their breeding grounds and
are occasionally seen in large flocks. They are smaller than the Marbled
Godwit (length 18 inches) and are deep reddish brown below. They lay four
eggs on the ground, in marshes or near ponds or streams, lining the hollow
with weeds and dried leaves. The eggs have a dark brownish buff ground
color and are blotched with brownish black. Size 2.20 x 1.40. Data. Mackenzie River, Arctic America. Four eggs laid in a hollow in the ground. Collector,
J. O. Stringer.
[252.] BLACK-TAILED GODWIT. Limosa limosa.
A European and Asiatic species only casually occurring in Greenland. Very
similar in appearance to our Hudsonian Godwit, which is frequently called by
the name of this species. The nesting habits and the eggs are precisely like
those of the American bird.
[253.] GREEN SHANK. Glottis nebularia.
A common bird in Europe and the British Isles, but only American as having
been taken once in Florida. A very similar species to the following.

152

SHORE BIRDS

254. GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.


Totanus melanoleucus.
Range. Whole of North America, nesting in
the British Provinces and rarely in the northern
part of the Mississippi Valley.
This and the next species are much sought by
sportsmen during their migrations; they are
commonly called "Tell-tale," the present species
being the "Greater Tell-tale." They are blackish
above, speckled with white, and below are white
and, in summer, marked with arrowhead spots of
black. The legs, as implied by the name of the

Grayish white.
bird, are yellow and long; length of bird, 14
inches. They nest most abundantly in localities
remote from habitations, in the interior of Canada. The eggs are generally laid on the ground,
near a marsh or on the bank of a stream, with
little or no lining to the nest. They are grayish
white, boldly splashed with several shades of
brown, and with lilac. Size 1.65 x 1.25. Data.
Whale River, Labrador, June 10, 1902, Eggs laid

on the ground in an open marsh.

Greater Yellow-legs.
Yellow-legs.

255. YELLOW-LEGS. Totanus flavipes.


Range. North America, breeding chiefly in the interior and eastern parts of
Canada, and rarely in the upper Mississippi Valley. This species is very similar to the preceding, but is smaller; length
10.5 inches. It is also called the "Lesser
Telltale," a name applied because of their
wariness, and because, when they fly, they
warn all other species within hearing, of
danger. Their eggs are laid on the ground,
and in similar localities to the preceding.
They are three or four in number, grayish
or buffy in color, and are quite heavily
blotched and spotted with rich brown and
grayish or lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.20. Data.
Whale River, Labrador, June 14, 1902. Pour
eggs laid on the ground in a large marsh. Buffy.
153

THE BIRD BOOK

256. SOLITARY SANDPIPER.


Helodromas solitarius solitarius.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding
chiefly north of the United States boundary,
but apt to be found nesting in any part of its
range; winters south of the United States.
A bird with a greenish gray back, barred
with white, and white below; length 8.5 inches.

Solitary Sandpiper.

Clay-colored.

This species is one of the oddities among the


waders. They are most always met with, singly or in pairs, and are very rarely seen, even
in very small flocks. Their preference is for small ponds or streams in wet
woods or open meadows, rather than marshes which are frequented by other
species. They are occasionally seen during the nesting season, even in the
southern parts of their range, and they probably breed there although their
eggs are very rarely found. The eggs are clay-colored, spotted with brownish
black. Data. Simco Island, Kingston, Ontario, June 10, 1898. 5 eggs in a
shallow depression on the ground, lined with a few grasses.

NEST OF SPOTTED SANDPIPER,


154

256a. WESTERN SOLITARY SANDPIPER. Helodromas solitarius cinnamomeus.


Range. North America, west of the Plains;
breeds in British Columbia and probably south
of there, also.
This bird is like the last, except that the spots
on the back are buffy instead of white. Its nest
and eggs will not differ in any respect from those
of the eastern form.
[257-] GREEN SANDPIPER. Helodromas acrophus.
This species, which very closely resembles our
Solitary Sandpiper, is common in the northern
parts of the Old World. It has only accidentally
strayed to our shores.
258. WILLET. Catoptrophorus semipalmatus
semipalmatus.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding north
to the Middle States and occasionally straying to

SHORE BIRDS

Buff.

Western Sandpiper
Willet.

the Canadian border, especially in the Mississippi Valley.


These large waders are among the most abundant of the marsh or beach
birds. They breed in small companies in marshes, frequently in those which
are covered with water at high tide, building a frail nest of grasses and weeds,
where it will be barely out of reach of the highest water. The three or four
eggs have a brownish, or sometimes greenish, buff ground color and are blotched with umber, and have fainter markings of lilac. Size 2.00 x 1.50. Data.
Sandy Bank, South Carolina, May 3, 1901. Nest on the ground, secreted in the
high grass. Made of dead marsh grass, lined with finer grasses.

155

THE BIRD BOOK

258a. WESTERN WILLET.


Catoptrophorus semipalmatus inornatus.
Range. Western North America, breeding
north to Manitoba and British Columbia. Casually found on the South Atlantic coast during migrations.
A larger and paler form of the preceding species; length 15.5 inches. The nesting habits are
the same, and the eggs cannot be distinguished
from those of the common Willet. Data. Refugio, Texas, May 18, 1900. 4 eggs in a grass
lined depression on the bay shore flat. Collector, J. W. Preston.

25Q. WANDERING TATTLER.


canus.

Heteractitis in-

Wandering Tattler.
Ruff.
Upland Plover.

Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia northward.
This is a handsome species, uniform grayish
above and white below, closely barred (in summer) with blackish. During the breeding season it is found on the rugged coasts and islands of
Alaska, and casually south. It breeds in the
marsh grass near the shores and along the banks
of streams.

[260.] RUFF, Machetes pugnax,


A common European species, occasionally found
on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is a
species remarkable for its pugnacity during the
mating season; in size and appearance it is about
like the Upland Plover, with the exception of the
"ruff" which adorns the neck and breast of the
male bird,

261. UPLAND PLOVER. Bartramia longicauda.


Range. North America, chiefly east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding from
middle United States, northward.
A handsome bird, 12 inches in length, '^^' r
generally known as the "Upland Plover,"
from its habit of frequenting dry side hills,
where it feeds upon grasshoppers and
worms. It is a favorite bird with many
sportsmen. It builds a nest of grasses, on
the ground in a tuft of grass in the middle
of fields. The three or four eggs have a buff
ground and are blotched with yellowish
brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25. Data. Stump Lake,
N. D., June 10, 1897. Nest of grass, lined
with wool, under a tuft of grass left by the
mower. Collector, Alf. Eastgate.

Buff.

J56

NEST AND EGGS OF UPLAND PLOVER.

Walter Uaine.

THE BIRD BOOK


262. BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.
Tryngites subruficollis.
Range. Interior of North America, breeding
from the Hudson Bay region to the Arctic coast.
A buffy colored species, with a peculiarly marbled back. Size 8.5 inches long. It is an upland
species like the last. The nests are scantily lined
depressions in the ground. The eggs have a
grayish white ground
and are boldly blotched
with rich brown and
chestnut with fainter
markings of lilac. Size
1.45 x 1.05. Data. Cape
Smythe, Alaska, June,
1900. 4 eggs in a hollow in dry spot on a
marsh. Collector, H. H.
Bodfish. Grayish white.
263. SPOTTED SANDPIPER. Actitis macularia.
Range. Whole of North America from Hudson
Bay southward, breeding throughout its range.
A small wader about 7.5 inches in length, with
brownish gray upper parts, and white underparts
thickly spotted with blackish, especially on the
breast and flanks. This is the most abundant of
all the shore birds, and its "peet-weet" is a familiar sound to every country boy. It has a peculiar
habit of continually moving its tail up and down,
when at rest on a stone or when running along
the shore; from these characteristic actions it
has received the very common names of "Teetertail" and "Tip-up." They build their nests on the
ground near ponds, brooks or marshes, generally
concealing it in a tuft of grass or weeds on the
shore or in the high grass at the edge of the
meadows. The eggs number from three to five and are of a grayish buff color,

spotted and blotched with blackish brown. The young, like those of all the
shore birds, are hatched covered with down, and run about as soon as born.
They are anxiously attended by the parents and at
the least sign of danger, conceal themselves beneath ^ 3^5 ^.
a tuft of grass or behind a small stone, where they ^ r
remain perfectly motionless until called by the old
birds. The adults frequently attempt to lead an enemy away from the young by feigning a broken
wing, or lameness. Size of eggs 1.35 x .90. Data.
Parker County, Ind., May 22, 1901. Nest about six
yards from bank of creek, among weeds on a sand
bar; a hollow in the sand lined with weeds. Collector, Winfield S. Catlin. Buff.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
Spotted Sandpiper.

158

264. LONG-BILLED CURLEW.


Numenius americanus.
Range. Breeds in the South Atlantic states
and northward in the interior to Manitoba and
British Columbia.
This is the largest of the family of shore birds,
having a length of about 24 inches. Its plumage
is of a buffy color, much variegated above with
black and brown ; the bill is strongly curved downward and is from four to eight inches in length.
Their nests are located on the ground in meadows

SHORE BIRDS

Greenish buff.
or on the prairies, and three or four eggs are laid,
of a buff or greenish buff color, covered with
numerous spots of brownish black. Eggs of the
common Curlew of Europe, have been very frequently used as belonging to this species, but the
eggs of our species have a lighter and more
greenish ground, and the spots are smaller and
more numerous. Size, 2.50 x 1.80.

Long-billed Curlew.
Hudsonian, Curlew,

265. HUDSONIAN CURLEW. Numenius hudsonicus.


Range. Whole of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering south of the United States.
This species is smaller (length
17 inches), darker, more grayish
and has a shorter bill than the preceding species. It also has white
median and lateral stripes on the
top of the head. The nesting habits are the same as those of the
Long-billed species; the three or
four eggs have a brownish bulf
ground color and are blotched with
blackish brown. Size 2.25 x 1.60.
Data. McKenzie River, Arctic
America. Nest a pile of grass,
moss and weeds on an island in
the river.

Brownish buff.

159

THE BIRD BOOK

Eskimo Curlew.

266. ESKIMO CURLEW. Numenius borealis.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding in
the Arctic regions and wintering in South
America; migrating through the eastern half
of the United States, more abundantly in the
interior than on the coast.

A still smaller species than the last (length


14 inches) and very similar to it. A few years
ago this was considered the most abundant of
the curlews, but so persistently have they been
hunted that they are now practically exterminated. They were the most unsuspicious of the
shore birds, and would allow the near approach
of the gunner, and the penalty may now be
seen. Only a short while ago they were very
often found, during migration, in company with
ether waders such as the Golden or Blackbellied Plovers. . Their nests are simply hollows
in the plains, lined with a few grasses, dried
leaves, or moss. The three or four eggs are the
same as the last for color but are smaller;
size 2.00 x 1.45.

[267.] WHIMBREL.' Numenius phaeopus.


A European species casually appearing in Greenland; very similar to the
Hudsonian Curlew, but with the rump white,
This species is known as the
Jack Curlew in England and ^^^dBUBH^G*
Scotland, where it is very abundant, and is a favorite game bird.
It breeds in the northern parts
of Europe and Asia, and in the
extreme north of Scotland and
on the Shetland Islands. The
eggs are laid in hollows on the
ground on higher parts of the
marshes. The three or four eggs
have an olive or greenish brown
color and are blotched with dark
brown. Size 2.30 x 1.60. Data.
Native, Iceland, May 29, 1900.
Six eggs. Nest a depression in
the ground, lined with dried
grass. Olive br o W n.

[268.] BRISTLE-THIGHED CURLEW. Numenius tahiliensis.


Range. Islands and coast on the Asiatic side of the Pacific; casually found
in Alaska. A very peculiar species with many of the feathers on the flanks
terminating in long bristles.

160

SHORE BIRDS

PLOVERS. Family CHARADRIID^E

Plovers are stouter built birds than those of


the previous family, have larger head, shorter
necks and but three toes, the bill also is much
harder and shorter.

[269-] LAPWING. Fanellus vanellus.


An abundant European species accidentally
occurring on the Atlantic coast. It may readily be recognized by its long black crest, black
chin and throat, and white under parts. It
breeds throughout temperate Europe, laying
its eggs in hollows on the ground. The eggs
have a dark grayish buff ground and are spotted with black. Size 1.85x1.30.

Grayish.

[269-1-] DOTTEREL. Eudromias morinellus.


A European bird supposed to have been accidentally taken on the Atlantic
coast.

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER. Squatarola squatarola.


Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions and wintering
from the Gulf States to northern South America.
This is a remarkably handsome species when in the summer dress. The upper parts are largely white with black
spots and bars on the back, wings and
tail; the throat, sides of head, breast
and fore under parts, black. In winter,
brownish-black, somewhat mottled, above;
below, dull white. Young similar to winter adults, but the back is spotted with
yellowish-white. While these handsome
plover migrate to some extent, and sometimes in large flocks, through the interior of the United States, they are chiefly
and most abundantly found on the coast.

This species has a very small hind toe.


It is a very familiar bird to sportsmen
and gunners, to whom it is generally known by the names of "Bull-head," or
"Beetle-head Plover." They are very numerous in the fall, during which season the underparts are entirely white. The eggs are either laid upon the bare
ground or upon a slight lining of grass-es of dead leaves. They are three or
four in number, brownish or greenish buff in color and boldly marked with black.
Size 2.00 x 1.40. Data. Point Barrow, Alaska, June, 1900. Nest a small hollow
on side of hillock, lined with dry grass.

Ifil

Grenish buff.

11

SHORE BIRDS

[272.] EUROPEAN GOLDEN PLOVER.


Charadrius apricarius.
A European bird, similar to the next, casually
found in Greenland.
It is a very abundant bird throughout Europe,
breeding in the northern parts. Its habits, nests
and eggs are the same as those of the American
bird.

272. GOLDEN PLOVER.


dominions.

Charadrius dominions

Range. Whole of North America, breeding in


the Arctic regions and wintering south to Patagonia.

Black-bellied Plover.
Golden Plover.

Greenish buff.
This handsome bird is about the same size as
the Black-bellied Plover (10.5 inches long). No
hind toe. Back and tail mottled with black and
yellow; below, more or less entirely black to the
tail. Young and winter adults, more or less spotted with yellow and blackish-brown above, and
grayish-white below, with indistinct streaks on the breast. Often confused with
the last species in this plumage, but is smaller, bill smaller and more slender,
and the axillars, or feathers nearest the body, under the wings, are gray while
those of the Black-bellied Plover are black. This species is now regarded as
rare on the North Atlantic coast during migrations, while in the interior it is
more abundant than the last species. They do not seem to be as suspicious as
the Black-bellies, and a flock will often allow a close approach, even when they
see you. They nest abundantly along the coast and islands of the Arctic Ocean.
The four eggs are very similar to those of the preceding, but smaller. Size 1.90
x 1.30. Data. Peel River, Arctic America, June 1, 1898. Nest of grasses and
leaves on the ground in the moss.
272a. PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER. Charadrius dominions fulvus.
Range. An Asiatic species, breeding in northern Asia and on the islands
and coast of Asia. Very like the preceding, but more golden color on the back
and wings. Nesting and eggs the same.
163

NEST AND EGGS OF KILLDEER.

A. R. Spaid.

SHORE BIRDS

273. KILLDEER. Oxyechus vociferus.


Range. Temperate North America from the

southern parts of Canada southward. Next to the


Spotted Sandpiper, this bird is the most common
of the shore birds in the United States. It is
rarely seen in New England, but is common south
of there and in the interior of the country to Canada.
They are very noisy birds, continually uttering
their "kil-deer, kil-deer" from which they take

Grayish buff.
their name. They nest anywhere on the ground,
generally near water, placing their nests in fields,
cornfields or meadows. The eggs are drab or
greenish buff and profusely spotted with black.
Size 1.50x1.10. Data. Refugio county, Texas,
May 11, 1899. 4 eggs in a depression on the
ground, lined with a few grasses.

SEMIPALMATED.
Mgialitis semipalmata.
Range. North America, breeding in the interior of Canada and wintering south from the Gulf
States.

Kildeer.
Semi-palmated Plover.

Small web between ..the bases of the two outer


toes. Single broad,black band across the breast;
black line from base of bill to eye. They are very
abundant on our seacoast in Fall, both in flocks
composed entirely of their own kind, and also
with Least and Semipalmated Sandpipers. They
usually keep on the inner side of sandbars or
muddy flats bordering marshes, rather than on the
open ocean beach. It is also found in smaller
flocks, about ponds and marshes in the interior of
the country. They are usually unsuspicious and will allow a close approach, or
if you are still, will run by within a very few feet. Nest on the ground; eggs
buffy, sparsely specked with black, 1.30x.90; June.
165

Buff

THE BIRD BOOK

275. RING PLOVER. JEgialitis hiaticula.


Range. A European bird that breeds abundantly in Greenland. It nests in great numbers on
the banks of streams
and in fields, laying
its eggs in hollows on
the ground, generally
without any lining.
Their three or four
eggs are practically
not distinguishable
from those of the Semipalmated Plover, but

BufCy.

larger; siae, 1.40x1.00. The bird, too, is similar,


but the toes are not palmated, and the black
breast band is wider.
[276.] LITTLE RINGED PLOVER.
JEgialitis dubia.
An Old World species, accidentally occurring
on the Pacific coast. Like the last species, but
smaller. The eggs, too, are smaller; size 1.20
x.85.
277. PIPING PLOVER. JEgialitis meloda.
Range. Eastern North America, chiefly along
the Atlantic coast, breeding from the Carolinas
north to Newfoundland.
A handsome little bird, with a black crescent
i on each side of neck, a small black patch on top
of the head, and without any black on the lores
or ear coverts. It is the lightest colored of any
of the eastern Plovers. Length, 7 inches. Young,
similar, but the black replaced by grayish, as is

the case with the last species. This species, apparently, never could be classed
as abundant and of late years, it is becoming rather rare along our Atlantic
coast; this is probably more due to the building of
summer resorts and homes along their former breeding
grounds than to hunters. They are rather more shy
than the last species, but will usually attempt to escape by running along the beach or by hiding, rather
than by flight. Owing to their light colors it is very
difficult to see them at any distance. They lay their
eggs upon the sandy beaches in slight, and generally
unlined, hollows. The eggs have a pale clay colored
ground and are sparsely specked with small black
dots. Size 1.25 X 1.00. Clay Color,

Ring Plover.
Snowy Plover.

166

SHORE BIRDS

278. SNOWY PLOVER. JEgialitis nivosa.


Range. Breeds along the Pacific coast of the United States, and from Texas
to Manitoba in the interior. Winters on the California coast and south to Chili.
Snowy Plovers are very much like the Piping, but
are smaller (length 6.5 inches), have a longer and
more slender bill, and have a small black patch on
the side of head. It is the palest colored of the
Plovers. Large numbers of them nest along the
Pacific coast and in Texas; north of Texas, in the
interior, they are locally distributed. The eggs are
pale clay color, marked with small scratchy dots of
black. Size 1.20 x .90. Data. Newport Beach, California, May 1, 1897. Nest a hollow in the sand, a
short distance above high water; lined with broken

shell. Collector, Evan Davis.

Pale buff.

[279-] MONGOLIAN PLOVER. JEgialitis mongola.


An inhabitant of the Old World, awarded a place in our avifauna because of
its accidental occurrence at Alaska.

SPOTTED SANDPIPER AND NEST.

167

C. A. Reed.

THE BIRD BOOK

Wilson's Plover
Mountain Plover.

280. WILSON'S PLOVER.


Octhodromus rvilsonius.
Range. An abundant breeding species on the
Gulf coast, coast of Lower California, and on the
Atlantic coast north to Virginia, and casually
farther.
A common Plover, which may be distinguished
from others of the genus by its comparatively
large heavy black bill, and the single broad black
band across the
breast, and not extending around the
back of the neck.
They nest on pebbly "shingle" or in

the marsh, back of


the beaches. Their
eggs are an olive
gray color and are
spotted and scratched with blackish Olive gray
brown, with some
fainter markings of gray. Size 1.40x1.05. Data.
Corpus Christi, Texas, May 10, 1899. 4 eggs
laid on the ground among drifted grass on a salt
marsh near town. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.

281. MOUNTAIN PLOVER. Podasocys montanus


Range. Plains and prairies of western North
America, breeding from the central portions
north to Manitoba, and wintering in California
and southward.
A very peculiar species, inhabiting even the
driest portions of the western prairies. It is 9
inches in length, and has a plumage of a pale
buffy tone. It seems to be less aquatic than any
other American Plover and is rarely found in the
vicinity of bpdies of water. It nests on the ground
anywhere on the prairie, laying its eggs in a
slight hollow. The eggs are brownish gray in
color and are spotted and blotched with blackish
brown. Data. Morgan county, Colorado, May 7,
1902. Nest a slight hollow on the ground, near a
large cactus bed and close to a water hole. No
lining to nest. Collector, Glenn S. White.

SURF BIRDS AND TURNSTONES. Family APHRIZHXE


282. SURF BIRD. Aphriza virgata.
This species, which is found on the Pacific
coast from Alaska to Chili, seems to be the
connecting link between the plovers and the
Turnstones, having the habits of the latter
combined with the bill of the former. Its nest
and eggs are not known to have been yet discovered.

Creamy.

Turnstone.

283. TURNSTONE. Arenaria interpres.


Range. The distribution of this species, which is grayer above than the following, is supposed to be confined, in America, to the extreme north from
Greenland to Alaska. Its habits and eggs are precisely like the next.

283a. RUDDY TURNSTONE. Arenaria interpres morinella.


Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions, and migrates through all parts of the
United States, south to the southern parts of South America. This species has
the upperparts variegated with reddish brown, black and white; the underparts
are pure white, except for a black patch on the throat, branching upward to the
eye and back to the sides of the breast. It has a peculiar, slightly up-turned
bill, which is used, as their name implies, for turning over pebbles and stones
in their search for food. They nest commonly in northern Labrador, about
Hudson Bay and in Alaska, laying their eggs in scantily lined hollows on the
ground, near water. The eggs are very peculiar and beautiful, having a light
grayish or cream color ground, peculiarly marbled with many shades of brown
and lilac. Size 1.65 x 1.10. Data. Mackenzie River, Arctic America, June 28,
1900. Four eggs in a grass lined depression in the sand.

169

THE BIRD BOOK

284. BLACK TURNSTONE. Arenaria melanocephala.

Grayish.

Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from British Columbia northward, and wintering south to Lower California.
This species, which has the form and habits of
the preceding, is blackish above and on the breast;
the rump and the base of the tail are white, being
separated from each other by the black tail coverts. Their nesting habits are in no wise different from those of the common turnstone. The
eggs are similar, but the markings are not so
strikingly arranged. Size 1.60 x 1.10. Data.
Kutlik, Alaska, June 21, 1898. Nest simply a de-

pression in the sand on the sea beach.

OYSTER-CATCHERS. Family H^EMATOPODID^


[285.] EUROPEAN OYSTER-CATCHER. Hcematopus frazari.
This European species is very similar to the American one which follows,
casually occurs in Greenland.

It

286. OYSTER-CATCHER.
Haematopus palliatus.
Range. Breeds on the coast of the South
Atlantic States and Lower California and winters south to Patagonia. Oyster-catchers are

American Oyster-catcher.

Buff.
large, heavy-bodied birds, with stocky red legs
and long, stout red bills. The present species
has the whole upper parts and entire head and
neck, blackish ; underparts and ends of secondaries, white; length, 19 inches. T
hey
are abundant breeding birds on the sandy beaches of the South Atlantic States,
and casually wander north to Nova Scotia. They lay their two or three eggs
on the ground in slight hollows scooped out of the sand. The eggs are of a
buffy or brownish buff color, and are irregularly spotted with blackish brown,
with subdued markings of lavender. Size 2.20x1.50. Data. Sandy Point, S.
C., May 12, 1902. Three eggs on the sand just above high water mark; nest a
mere depression on a small "sand dune" lined with pieces of shells,

170

SHORE BIRDS
286.1. FRAZAR'S OYSTER-CATCHER. Hcematopus bachmani.
Range. Lower California.

This species is darker on the back than the preceding,


and the breast is mottled with dusky. Bill very long,
heavy, compressed, and thin and chisel-like at the tip.

Brownish buff.
Bill and eyes red; legs flesh color; under parts white, and
a white wing bar. These are large, awkward looking birds.
It is not an uncommon wader in its somewhat restricted
range. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the
preceding one, but the markings are generally more sharply
defined. The one figured is from a set in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.

287-286.1

287- BLACK OYSTER-CATCHER. Haematopus bachmani.


Range. Pacific coast of North
America from Lower California , ^MM
north to Alaska.
This species is the same size as -W^F&lt;t ^
the Oyster-catcher, but the plumage
is entirely black both above and below. They are found upon the
rocky coasts and islands, more frequently than upon sandy beaches.
Their eggs are laid upon bare rocks
or pebbles with no attempt at lining for the nest. The eggs are an
olive buff in color, spotted and
blotched with brownish black.
Size 2.20 x 1.55. Breeding throughout the Aleutian Islands, British
Columbia and south to Lower California.

to'l*:

*'/

Olive buff.
Three or four eggs are laid.

171

THE BIRD BOOK

JACANAS. Family JACANHXE


288. MEXICAN JACANA. Jacana spinosa.

Range. Tropical America, north in summer


to the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and
casually to Florida.

Mexican Jacana.

Yellowish olive.
a^ j^r
r^P^i^,^ This interesting species has most of its
structural characters similar to the Plovers,
but has more the appearance and habits of the
Rails. They are about eight inches long, the
head and neck are black, the body chestnut,
and the wings largely greenish yellow. They
have long legs, long toes and extremely long toe nails, a scaly leaf on the fore
head, and a sharp spur on the shoulder of the wing. Owing to their long toes
and nails, they are enabled to walk over floating weeds and rubbish that would
sink beneath their weight, otherwise. They build their nests on these little
floating islands in the marsh; they are also sometimes made of weeds and
trash on floating lily pads. They lay from three to five eggs of a yellowish
olive color, curiously scrawled with brown and black. Size 1.22 x .95. Data.
Tampico, Mexico, June 3, 1900. Three eggs. Nest of weeds and drift on lily
leaf floating in fresh water pond near town.

172

NEST AND EGGS OF BOB-WHITE

C. A. Reed.

w s
o
ffl fc

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Order X. GALLING
GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. Family TETRAONIDAE
The members of this family are birds of robust form, subdued (not brightly
colored) plumage, comparatively short legs and necks; the tarsi and toes are
feathered in the Ptarmigan, the tarsi, only, feathered in the Grouse, and the
tarsi and toes bare in the Partridges and Bob-whites. They feed upon berries,
buds, grain and insects.

289. BOB-WHITE.
Colinus virginianus virginianus.
Range. United States east ot North Dakota and
Texas and from the southern British Provinces to
the Gulf coast.
A celebrated "game bird" which has been hunted so assiduously in New England that it is upon
the verge of extermination, and the covers have
to be continually replenished with birds trapped
in the south and west. They frequent open fields,
which have a luxuriant
growth of weeds, or
grain fields in the fall.
Their nests are built
along the roadsides, or
beside stonewalls or
any place affording sat-

isfactory shelter. The


nest is made of dried
grasses and is arched
over with grass or
as to conceal the eggs,
eggs,
when

White.
overhanging leaves
They lay from ten to twenty pure white
which are very frequently nest stained

so

found. Size 1.20 x .95. Often two or three broods


are raised in a season, but frequently one or more
broods are destroyed by rainy weather.
289a. FLORIDA BOB-WHITE.
Colinus virginianus floridanus.
Range. This sub-species, which is found in the
southern half of Florida, is very much darker
than the northern Bob-white, and is numerously
barred below with black. Its nesting habits and
eggs are identical with those of the preceding.
289b. TEXAS BOB- WHITE. Colinus virginianus texanus.
Range. Texas ; casually north to Kansas. A grayer variety of the Bob-white,
The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the Bob-white, except that
the eggs may average a trifle smaller. Size 1.18 x .92.
291. MASKED BOB-WHITE. Colinus ridgwayi.
Range. Sonoran region of Mexico north to southern Arizona.
The female of this species is like that of the Texan Bob-white. Their nesting
habits and eggs are in all respects like those of the other Bob-whites. Size of
eggs, 1.20 x. 95.
175

Bobwhite.
Florida Bobwhite.
Masked Bobwhite.

THE BIRD BOOK

292. MOUNTAIN QUAIL. Oreortyx picta picta.


Range. Pacific coast of North America from
California to Washington.
This is the largest of the Partridges, being 11
inches in length. It is of a general grayish color,
with chestnut throat patch, and chestnut flanks,
barred with white.
Two long plumes extend downward from
the back of the head.
This species nests
abundantly in the
mountainous portions
of northern California
and throughout Oregon,
and is gradually increasing in numbers in
Washington. As a rule
they nest only on the
higher mountain ranges, placing their nest of
leaves under the protection of an overhanging
bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number from
six to fifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color.
Size 1.35 x 1.05.

Reddish buff.

PLUMED QUAIL.
fera.

Oreortyx picta plumi-

Mountain Partridge
Scaled Partridge.

Range. Mountain ranges of California and


Lower California, chiefly in the southern parts of
the former. This species is like the latter except

that it is grayer on the back of the head and


neck. Its nesting habits and eggs are like the
preceding.
292b. SAN PEDRO QUAIL.
Oreortyx picta confinis.
Range. San Pedro Mountains, Lower California
This .species, which is grayer above than the preceding two, breeds only in
the highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs are the
same as the other Plumed Partridges.
293. SCALED QUAIL. Callipepla squamata squamata.
Range. Mexico and southwestern border of the United States.
This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the
feathers on the neck and underparts have narrow
dark borders, thus giving the plumage a scaly appearance, from which the birds take their name.
They have a small tuft of whitish or buffy feathers
on the top of the head. It is especially abundant in
the dry arid portions of its range, being found often &lt;fr
many miles away from water. Their eggs are laid
in a shallow hollow under some small bush or cactus,
and number from eight to sixteen; they are creamy
white, finely specked with buff or pale, brownish.
Size 1.25 X .95. Creamy white.
176

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

293a. CHESTNUT-BELLIED SCALED QUAIL. Callipepla squamata castanogastris.


Range. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and
and southward into Mexico.
This sub-species is like the last with the addition of a chestnut patch on the belly. Their
breeding habits do not vary in any particular way
from those of the Scaled Partridge.
294- CALIFORNIA QUAIL. Lophortyx calif ornica calif ornica.

Range. Coast region of California, Oregon,


Washington and British Columbia.
This is one of the most beautiful of the Partridges, with its crest of feathers rising from the

crown and curving forwards so that the broadened ends hang directly
over the bill. It is
about the size of the preceding species, and is distinguished from the following one by its white
forehead, chestnut patch
on the belly and the scaly
appearance of the feathers
in that region, by its dark
crown and the gray flanks
They lay from eight to
twenty eggs with a creamy white or buffy ground
color, handsomely blotched with shades of brown
and yellowish brown. Size 1.20 x .93

Creamy white
with white streaks.

California Partridge
Gambel's Partridge

294a. VALLEY PARTRIDGE. Lophortyx calif ornica vallicola.


Range. Interior portions of California, Oregon and Washington.
The nesting habits of this grayer sub-species do not differ in any manner
from those of the above species. The eggs are indistinguishable.
t
295. GAMBEL QUAIL. Lophortyx gambeli.
Range. Southwestern United States from Texas to California; north to Utah.
This handsome species differs from the California
in the Chestnut crown and flanks, and the black
patch on the belly. They are very abundant in Arizona, both on the mountains and in the valleys, and
apparently without any regard to the nearness to, or
remoteness from a water supply. They breed during
May, laying their eggs on the ground under any
suitable cover. The eggs cannot be distinguished
from those of the California Partridge, except that
they average a trifle larger. Size 1.25 x.95. Buff
177

12

THE BIRD BOOK'

Mearns Partridge

296. MEARNS QUAIL.


Cyrtonyx montezumce mearnsi.
Range. Mexico, north to southern Arizona
and New Mexico, and to western Texas.
A remarkable species about 9 inches long;
often called 'Tool Quail" because of its eccentric and clownish markings, streaks and spots
of black, white, buff, gray and chestnut. It is
met with in small flocks on the mountains and
less frequently in the valleys. It frequents
scrubby wooded places rather than open hill
sides and is very easy to approach and kill;
this confidence or stupidity together with its
clownish appearance are the reasons for its
commonly used local name. Their nests are
hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and
concealed by overhanging tufts of grass. The
eggs, which are pure white, are not distinguishable with certainty from those of the Bobwhite, but average longer. Size 1.25 x .95.

297. DUSKY GROUSE. Dendragapus obscurus obscurus.

&lt; Rocky Mountain region from central Montana south to New Mexico.
With the exception of the Sage Grouse, this species is the largest of the family, being about 20 inches in length. The general tone of its plumage below is
gray; above, blackish gray and the tail blackish with a broad terminal band of
light gray. They frequent the wooded and especially the coniferous districts,
where they build their nests under fallen trees or at the bases of standing ones
.
They lay from six to ten eggs of a buffy color, sparsely spotted and blotched
with brownish. Size 2.00x1.40.
297a. SOOTY GROUSE. Dendragapus obscurus fuliginosus.
Range. Mountain ranges along the f ,&lt;

Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.


Like the last, this somewhat darker
sub-species is met with in timbered
regions, where its habits are about the
same as those of the Ruffled Grouse,
except, of course, that they are not
nearly as shy as the Grouse in New
England. Their eggs are laid in hollows beside stumps or under logs.
The eggs are buff colored, spotted with
reddish brown. Size 2.00 x 1.40. Rich

178

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

297b. RICHARDSON'S GROUSE.


Dendragapus obscurus richardsoni.
Range. Northern Rocky Mountains from central Montana to British Columbia.
A dark variety with no terminal band of gray
on the tail. Its habits, nesting and eggs are precisely like those of the preceding species.

298. HUDSONIAN SPRUCE PARTRIDGE.


Canachites canadensis canadensis.
Range. Northern United States and southern
British Provinces; west to Minnesota.
A dark species, smaller than the last (15 inches
long), and easily recognized by its black throat
and extensive black patch on the breast. The
habits of this species and the two varieties into which it
has been sub-divided
are ^ e same > as a

species, they are


very tame, will not
fly unless actually
obliged to, and frequently allow themselves to be knocked
down with sticks.
Their nests are hollows in the leaves on the ground, generally under
the sheltering branches of a low spreading fir
tree. The six to fifteen eggs are a bright buff
color, blotched and spotted boldly with various
shades of brown. Size 1.70 x 1.25.

Bright buff

Sooty Grouse

Spruce Grouse

298b. ALASKA SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. Canachites canadensis osgoodi.


Range. Alaska.
This variety is practically the same as the preceding, the birds not always being distinguishable; the nest and eggs are the same as the Canada Grouse.

298c. CANADA SPRUCE PARTRIDGE. Canachites canadensis canace.


Range. Labrador and the Hudson Bay region.
Like the last, this variety is hardly to be distinguished from the Hudsonian.
Its nesting habits and eggs are the same.

179

THE BIRD BOOK

299- FRANKLIN'S GROUSE.


Canachites franklin franklini.
Range. Northwestern United States and British Columbia.
This species is very similar to the Canada
Grouse, the most apparent difference being the
absence of the brownish gray tip to the tail, and
the upper coverts are broadly tipped with white.
This species,
which is very
abundant in the
northwest, has
the same stupid
habits of the eastern bird. During
the mating season, the males of
both this and the
preceding species
have the same

habit . of "drumming" that the


Ruffed Grouse has.

Brownish buff

Ruffed Grouse

Their nests are placed on


the ground under bushes or fir trees and from
eight to fifteen eggs are laid. These are brownish buff in color, spotted and blotched with rich
brown. They are very similar to the eggs of the
Canada Grouse. Data. Moberly Peak, Cascade
Mts., British Columbia, June 9, 1902. 7 eggs in a
slight hollow on the ground. Collector, G. P.
Dippie.
300. RUFFED GROUSE. Bonasa umbellus umbellus.
Range. Eastern United States from Minnesota
to New England; south to Virginia.

The Ruffed Grouse is "King of the Game Birds"


in the east, where it has been hunted so freely,
that it has become very wary and requires a skillful marksman to bring it down. Because of the
cutting off of all heavy timber, and the vigor with
which they are pursued by hunters, they are becoming very scarce in New England, and within
a few years they will probably be practically extinct in that section. Their favorite resorts are
heavily timbered woods or low growth birches.
Their nests are hollows in the leaves under fallen
trees, beside some stump or concealed among the
small shoots at the base of a large tree. The bird
sits very close, but when she does fly, goes with the familiar rumble and roar
which always disconcerts the novice, the wind created by her sudden flight
generally causing the leaves to settle in the nest and conceal the eggs. They
lay from eight to fifteen eggs, of a brownish buff color, sometimes with a few
faint markings of brown, but generally unspotted. Size 1.55 x 1.15. The young
of all the Partridges and Grouse are born covered with down and follow their
parents soon after leaving the shell. The adults are very skillful in leading
enemies away from their young, feigning lameness, broken wings, etc. The
nesting habits and eggs of the three sub-species are precisely the same in every
respect as those of this bird.
180

Brownish buff

THE BIRD BOOK

299 300a

300a. CANADA RUFFED GROUSE.


Bonasa umbellus togata.
Range. Northern t United States and southern British
Provinces from Maine and Nova Scotia west to Washington and British Columbia.
SOOb. GRAY RUFFED GROUSE. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from Colorado to
Alaska.
A grayer species than the common.
300c. OREGON RUFFED GROUSE. Bonasa umbellus
sabini.

Range. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.


A dark species with the prevailing color a reddish tone.

J. B. Pardoe

NEST AND EGGS OF RUFFED GKOUSE,


182

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

301. WILLOW PTARMIGAN.


Lagopus lagopus lagopus.
Range. Arctic regions, in America south nearly
to the United States border, and casually to
Maine.
Ptarmigan are Grouse-like birds, feathered to
the toe nails; they have many changes of plumage, in winter being nearly pure white, and in
summer largely reddish brown or grayish, barred with black.
In the breeding
plumage they
have red comblike wattles over
the eye. In other
seasons, their
plumage varies in
all degrees between winter and
summer. They
nest on the

Brownish buff

ground in hollows
among the leaves,
lined with a few grasses, and sometimes feathers.

They lay from six to sixteen eggs which have a


ground color of buff or brownish buff, heavily
speckled, blotched and marbled with blackish
brown. Size 1.75 x 1.25.

301 a. ALLEN'S PTARMIGAN.


I^agopus lagopus alleni.
Range. Newfoundland. A very similar bird to
the preceding; eggs indistinguishable.

Willow Ptarmigan
Rock Ptarmigan

302. ROCK PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris rupestris.

Buff

Range. Chiefly in the interior of British


America, from the southern portions to Alaska
end the Arctic Ocean.
A species with a smaller bill and in summer
a grayer plumage, more finely barred with
black. Its nesting habits are the same as the
other species, it nesting on the ground in such
localities as would be frequented by the Ruffed
Grouse. Its eggs cannot be positively distinguished from those of the Willow Ptarmigan.
Size 1.70x1.20.

183

THE BIRD BOOK


302a. REINHARDT'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris reinhardi.

Range. Labrador and Greenland; an eastern variety of the preceding species.


Its habits, nesting habits and eggs are just the same as those of Rock Ptarmigan
.
302b. NELSON'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris nelsoni.
Range. Unalaska, of the Aleutian chain. An abundant species in its
restricted range, making its nest on the ground in the valleys. Eggs like the
others.
302c. TURNER'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris atkhensis.
Range. Atka Island, of the Aleutian chain. Nests and eggs not distinctive.
302d. TOWNSEND'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rupestris torvnsendi.
Range. Kyska Island of the Aleutian group.
On account of the constantly changing plumage of these birds, while interesting, they are very unsatisfactory to study, and it is doubtful if anyone can ide
ntify the different sub-species of the Rock Ptarmigan, granting that there is any
difference, which is doubtful.
302.1. EVERMANN'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus evermanni.
Range. Attu Island, of the Aleutian group.
This is, in summer, the darkest of the Ptarmigans, having little or no rufous
and much blackish. The nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the
Rock Ptarmigan.

303. WELCH'S PTARMIGAN. Lagopus rvelchi.


Range. Newfoundland.
This species, in summer, is more grayish
than the Rock Ptarmigan, and is very finely
vermiculated with blackish. It is a perfectly
distinct species from the Allen Ptarmigan,
which is the only other species found on the
island. They inhabit the higher ranges and
hills in the interior of the island, where they
are quite abundant. They build their nests on
the ground under protection of overhanging
bushes. The eggs are laid in a hollow in the
dead leaves, sometimes with a lining of grasses.
The eggs do not differ in size or appearance
from those of the Rock Ptarmigan. Data. Newfoundland, June 3, 1901. Nest
a slight hollow in the moss, besides a fallen stump; lined with a few feathers.
Collector, E. H. Montgomery.
X84

Buff"

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

304. WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. Lagopus leucurus leucurus.


Range. Higher ranges of the Rocky Mountains, from New Mexico north to
Alaska.
Ptarmigan are remarkable birds in that they are in an almost continual state
of molting, nearly every month in the year showing them in different stages of
plumage, ranging from the snow-white winter dress to the summer one in which
reddish-brown prevails on Willow Ptarmigan and a black and gray barred effect
predominates on the other species. Notice that they are feathered to the toes,
in winter the feathers on the toes growing dense and hair-like, not only prqtect
ing the toes from the cold but making excellent snowshoes which enable them
to walk with impunity over the lightest snow.
Ptarmigan form the staple article of diet for northern foxes, and were it not
for the fact that their plumage changes to correspond to the appearance of the
ground at the various seasons they would fare hardly indeed.
In spring the little red combs above the eyes of the males are swollen and
conspicuous. At this season they strut and perform curious antics, such as all
Grouse are noted for.
This species differs from any of the preceding in having at all seasons of the
year, a white tail; it is also somewhat smaller than the Rock Ptarmigan. They
nest abundantantly near the summits of the ranges in Colorado, making their
nests among the rocks, and generally lining them with a few grasses. During
June, they lay from six to twelve eggs having a creamy background, speckled
and blotched with chestnut brown. Size 1.70 x 1.15.
304a. KENAI WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN. Lagopus leucurus peninsularis.
Range. Kena'i Peninsular, Alaska. A similar but paler (in summer) variety
of the preceding. The nesting habits or eggs will not differ.
305. PRAIRIE CHICKEN. Tympanuchus americanus americanus.
Range. The prairies, chiefly west of the Mississippi; north to Manitoba, east
to Ohio, and west to Colorado.
This familiar game bird of the west is about 18 inches in length, brownish
above and grayish below, with bars of brownish black both above and below.
In the place of the ruffs of the Ruffled Grouse, are long tufts of rounded or
square ended feathers, and beneath these a peculiar sac, bright orange in the

Olive buff
185

THE BIRD BOOK

Prairie Chicken
Heath Hen

breeding season, and capable of being inflated to


the size of a small orange; this is done when the
bird makes its familiar "booming" noise. They
are very good "table birds" and although they are
still very abundant in most of their 'range, so
many are being killed for market, that it has
become necessary to make more stringent laws
relating to the killing and sale of Pinnated
Grouse, as they are often called. They nest anywhere on the prairie, in hollows on the ground
under overhanging bushes or tufts of grass. They
lay from eight to fifteen eggs having a buffy or
olive buff ground color, sparingly and finely
sprinkled with brown ; size 1.70 x 1.25.

305a. ATTWATER PRAIRIE CHICKEN. Tympanu*


chus americanus attwateri.
*
Range. Coast region of Louisiana and Texas.
This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of
the Pinnated Grouse. Its eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the more northerly distributed bird.

306. HEATH HEN. Tympanuchus cupido.


Range. Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass.
This species is similar to the preceding, but has the scapulars more broadly
tipped with buff, the axillars barred, and the pinnated feathers on the neck
pointed. It is slightly smaller than the western species. It is found on the
wooded portions of the island, where its breeding habits are the same as those o
f
the Ruffed Grouse. Mr. Brewster probably has the only authentic set of the
eggs of this species. They are of a yellowish green color and are unspotted.
Size 1.70 x 1.25. A number of Prairie Hens liberated on the island several
years ago are apparently thriving well, and nests found there now would be

fully as apt to belong to this species.

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS

Pale buff

307. LESSER PRAIRIE CHICKEN.


Tympanuchus pallidicinctus.
Range. Prairies from southwestern Kansas
through Indian Territory to western Texas.
A smaller and paler species than the Prairie
Chicken. Never as abundant as the common Pinnated Grouse, this species appears to be becoming
scarcer each year. Its nests are concealed under
overhanging brush or placed under a large tuft oi!
prairie grass, and are generally lined with a few
grasses or leaves. They lay from eight to twelve
eggs of a buffy color, much lighter than those of
the Prairie Chicken, and unmarked. Size 1.65 x
1.25.

308. SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.


Pedioecetes phasianellus phasianellus.
Range. Interior of British America, from
the United States boundary northwest to the
Yukon.
Sharp-tailed Grouse are similar in form to

Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse

Buffy drab
the Prairie Chicken, but are somewhat smaller
and very much lighter in color, being nearly
white below, with arrowhead markings on the
breast and flanks. This species is very abundant in Manitoba and especially so

on the plains west of Hudson Bay. Their nests are generally concealed under
a thicket or a large tuft of grass, and are lined with grasses and feathers.
They lay from &lt;Sx to fi fteen eggs of a drab color, very minutely specked all
over
with brown. Size 1.70 x 1.25.
308a. COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianus.
Range. Northwestern United States and British Columbia to central Alaska.
Both the nesting habits and eggs of this variety are the same as the last, with
which species, the birds gradually intergrade as their ranges approach.
308b. PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. Pedioecetes phasianellus campestris.
Range. Plains of the United States from the Mississippi to the Rockies.
This sub-species shades directly into the two preceding where their ranges meet,
and only birds from the extreme parts of the range of each show any marked
differences. The nesting habits and eggs of all three are not to be distinguished.
187

THE BIRD BOOK

309*. SAGE HEN.


Centrocercus urophasianus.
Range. Sage plains of the Rocky Mountain
region from British Columbia to New Mexico,
and from California to Dakota. This hand-

Pale greenish drab


some bird is the largest of the American
Sage Hen Grouse, being about 30 inches long (the hen
bird is about six inches shorter). It may easily be recognized by its large size, its peculiar graduated tail with extremely
sharp pointed feathers, and the black belly and throat. Their nests are hollows
scratched out in the sand, under the sage bushes, generally with no lining.
The nesting season is during April and May, they laying from six to twelve

eggs of a greenish drab color, spotted with brown. Size 2.15 x 1.50.

PHEASANTS. Family PHASIANID^E


* * * RING-NECKED PHEASANT. Phasianus torquatus.
Several species of Pheasants have been introduced into the United States,
among them being the Ring-necked, English, and
Green Pheasants. The Ring-necked species seems
to be the only one that has obtained a really strong
foothold, it being now very abundant in Oregon
and Washington, and adjacent states, and also
found in abundance on many game preserves in
the east. The males of any of the species may at
once be distinguished from any of our birds by
the long tail. Their nests are hollows in the
leaves under tufts of grass or bushes. They lay
from eight to fourteen eggs of a buff or greenish
buff color, unmarked ; size 1.50 x 1.30.
188

Greenish buff

THE BIRD BOOK

TURKEYS. Family MELEAGRID^E

310. WILD TURKEY.


Meleagris gallopavo silvestris.
Range. Eastern United States from southern
Middle States south to central Florida and west
to the Missippi Valley and eastern Texas. These
magnificent birds, which once ranged over the
whole of eastern United States, are being yearly
confined to a smaller range, chiefly because of the
destruction of their natural covers, and from per-

Buffi
secution by hunters. They are generally very

wary birds and either escape by running through


the underbrush or by flying as soon as a human
being appears in sight. Their nests are made
under tangled growths of underbrush or briers.
Their eggs, which are laid during April and May,
range from eight to sixteen in number. They are
Sag-e Hen o f a buff color sprinkled and spotted with brownWild Turkey . gh gize 2 55 x 1 9Q Data . Hammond, La., April
17, 1897. Fifteen eggs. Nest hollow scraped in the ground under a bush on
the edge of a pine woods; lined with grasses and leaves. Collector, E. A. McIlhenny.
'
' -' .. . - !,
310a. MERRIAM'S TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo merriami.
Range. Southwestern United . Slates, .from. Colorado ^outh. .timrngh. western
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to Mexico.
This variety is abundant throughout its range, its nesting habits and eggs
being practically indistiguishable from those of the eastern form.
190

GALLINACEOUS BIRDS
31 Ob. FLORIDA TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo osceola.
Range. Southern Florida.
A small variety of the Wild Turkey, about 42 inches long. They
breed in the tangled thickets in the
higher portions of the southern
half of Florida, laying from ten to
sixteen eggs of a brighter and
deeper buff color than the northern
variety, and smaller; size 2.30 x
1.75. Their nests are generally lined with grasses and occasionally
with feathers. The female sits
very close when incubating and will
not fly until almost trod upon,
trusting to her variegated markings to conceal her from observation. Greenish buff
310c. Rio GRANDE TURKEY. Meleagris gallopavo intermedia.
Range. Lowlands of the southern parts of Texas and northern Mexico. A
sub-species which differs slightly in plumage and not at all in nesting habits o
r
eggs from the common Wild Turkey.
CURASSOWS AND GUANS. Family CRACID^E

311. CHACHALACA. Ortalis vetula mccalli.

Range. Eastern portions of Mexico, north


to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
A very peculiar grayish colored bird with a

Chachalaca

Buffy white ^
greenish gloss to the back, and a long, broad
tail, quite long legs, and with the face and
sides of the throat devoid of feathers. They
are very abundant birds in some localities, and very noisy during the breeding
season, their notes resembling a harsh trumpeting repetition of their name.
They are ground inhabiting birds, but nest in low bushes. Their nests are
made of sticks, twigs, leaves, or moss and are generally frail, flat structures
only a few feet above the ground. During April, they lay from three to five
buffy white eggs, the shell of which is very rough and hard. Size 2.25 x 1.55.
191

THE BIRD BOOK


PIGEONS AND DOVES. Order XL COLUMBA
Family COLUMBIDAE
Pigeons and doves are distributed throughout nearly every temperate and
tropical country on the globe, nearly five hundred species being known, of
which twelve occur within our limits. Their plumage is generally soft and
subdued colors, the head small, the wings strong and the flight rapid.
312. BAND-TAILED PIGEON. Columba fasciata fasciata.
Range. The Rocky Mountains and westward to the Pacific, from British
Columbia south to Mtexico.
This large species may be generally recognized
by the white crescent on the nape; it is about 15
inches in length. They nest abundantly on the
mountain ranges, sometimes in large flocks, and
again, only a few pairs together. Their nests are
rude platforms of sticks and twigs either in bushes
or in large trees in heavily wooded districts. The
two eggs which are laid during May or June are
pure white in color, and like those of all the

pigeons, equally rounded at each end. Size


1.55 x 1.10. White
312a. VIOSCA'S PIGEON. Columba fasciata vioscce.
Range. Southern Lower California. This is a paler variety of the preceding
species and is not noticeably different in its habits, nesting or eggs.
313. RED-BILLED PIGEON. Columba flavirostris.
Range. Mexico and Central America, north to southern Texas, Arizona and
New Mexico.
This species, characterized by its red bill, purplish colored head, neck and
breast and absence of iridescent markings, is abundant in the valley of the
Lower Rio Grande, where they build their frail nests in thickets and low bushes,
and during May and June lay their white eggs. Size of eggs, 1.55 x 1.05.
314. WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON. Columba leucocephala.
Range. Resident of the West Indies; in summer, found oh the Florida Keys.
This species, which can be identified by its white crown, nests in trees or mangroves on certain of the Florida Keys, laying its two white eggs on its rude
platform of sticks and twigs. Size of eggs 1.40 x 1.05. Nests in April and
May.
[314.1.] SCALED PIGEON. Columba squamosa.
A West Indian species, a single specimen of which was taken at Key West,
Florida.
A dark colored species, with purplish head, neck and breast; named from the
scaly appearance of the iridescent feathers on the sides of the neck.
192

PIGEONS

315. PASSENGER PIGEON.


Ectopistes migratorius.
Range. Formerly, North America east of the
Rockies; casually seen in the upper Mississippi Valley, now extinct.
A handsome species (see frontispiece) with
ruddy underparts, grayish upperparts and a
long graduated
tail. This species
years ago found
in flocks of thousands or millions,

is now practically exterminated,


chiefly by being
hunted and trapped. A few pairs
probably now nest
in the interior,
from northern
United States to Hudson Bay. Their nests are
very rude, frail platforms of twigs, on which
two white eggs are laid, they being longer and
narrower, comparatively, than those of other species. Size of eggs, 1.50
Data. Southwest shore of Lake Manitoba, June 1, 1891. Nest of twigs
aspen tree.

White

Passenger Pigeon

xl.02.
in an

316. MOURNING DOVE. Zenaidura macroura carolinensis.


Range. North America from New England, Manitoba and British Columbia,
southward.
Now that the Passenger Pigeon has
disappeared, this
species becomes the
only one found in
the east, with the exception of the little
Ground Dove in the
South Atlantic and
Gulf States. While, White
sometimes, small flocks of them nest in a community, they generally nest in companies of
two or three pairs. Their nests are generally
at a low elevation, in trees, bushes and often
upon the ground. Their nests are made entirely of twigs and rootlets, and eggs may be
found from early in April until the latter part
of September, as they often raise two or three
broods a season. The two eggs are white.
Size 1.15 x .80. Data. Refugio Co., Texas, May

3, 1899. Two eggs laid on the ground in a


slight cradle of twigs. Collector, James J.
Carroll.
1113

Mourning- Dove

13

THE BIRD BOOK

NEST AND EGGS OF MOURNING DOVE

H. B. Stough

317. ZENAIDA DOVE. Zenaida zenaida.


Range. West Indies; in summer, on the Florida Keys, but not in great numbers.
This species is similar in size to the Mourning Dove, but it has a short and
square tail, and the secondaries are tipped with white, and the underparts more
ruddy. They generally nest upon the ground, but occasionally in small bushes,
laying two white eggs a trifle larger than those of the preceding species. Size
1.20 x.90 The nests are made of grasses and twigs, on the ground under bushes.

194

PIGEONS

318. WHITE-FRONTED DOVE.


Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera.
Range. Mexico and Central America north
to southern Texas.

Slightly larger than the last, much paler below, with no black ear mark as in the two preceding species, and with the forehead whitish.
They build their nests of sticks, grasses and
weeds, and place them in tangled vines and
thickets a few feet from the ground. Their
two eggs, which are laid in May and June,
have a creamy white or buffy color. Size 1.15
x .85. They canot be called a common species
within our borders.
319. WHITE-WINGED DOVE.
Melopelia asiatica.
Range. Central America, Mexico and the
W southwestern border of
the United States.
This species is 12 inches in length, has a
black patch on the ear
coverts, white tips to
the greater and lesser
coverts and some of the
secondaries, and broad
white tips to the outer tail feathers, which are black. This species is very
abundant in some localities within our borders. Their nests are very frail platforms of twigs placed in trees or bushes or precariously suspended among
tangled vines. Their two eggs are white or creamy white, and measure
1.15 x .85

White-fronted Dove
White-winged Dove

White

320. GROUND DOVE. Columbigallina pa&serina terrestris.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States to eastern Texas.
The Ground Doves are the smallest of the family, measuring but about 6.5
inches in length. Their nesting habits and eggs are exactly like those of the
next to be described. They are very abundant, especially along the South Atlantic coast.

320a. MEXICAN GROUND DOVE. Chcemepelia passerinus pallescens.

Range. Border of the United States from Texas to southern


California and southward.
This paler sub-species builds a nest of twigs and weeds, 4
placing the flat structure either in low bushes or on the
ground. Their two white eggs are laid during April to July,
they sometimes rearing two broods a season. Size of eggs,
.85 x .65. White

320b. BERMUDA GROUND DOVE. Chcemepelia passerina bermudiana.


Range. Bermuda. Smaller and paler than the last; otherwise the same in
nesting habits and eggs.

195

THE BIRD BOOK


321. INCA DOVE. Scardafella inca.
Range. Mexican border of the United States
south to Central America and Lower California.
This handsome species is about the size of
the last, but its tail is longer and graduated,
consequently its length is
greater, it being about 8
inches long. It is not an
uncommon species along
our Mexican border, but is
not nearly as abundant as
is the Ground Dove. It is
often called "Scaled Dove"
because af the blackish edges of nearly all iU
feathers. They build fairly compact nests of
twigs, rootlets and weeds, these being placed
in bushes at a low elevation. They are two in
number and pure white. Size.85 x .65.
[322.] KEY WEST QUAIL DOVE.
Geotrygon chrysia.
Range. West Indies, rarely found at Key
West, although supposed to have been common
there in Audubon's time. This species is of
about the size of the Mourning Dove, has rusty
colored upper parts, and is whitish below, the
white below the eye being separated from that of the throat by a stripe of dusky
from the base of the bill. They nest in trees, laying two buffy white eggs.
Size 1.15 x. 90.

Inca

Ground Dove

[322.1.] RUDDY QUAIL DOVE. Geotrygon montana.


Range. Central America, north to eastern Mexico and the West Indies; once
taken at Key West. This species is similar to the last but has no white streak
under the eye, and the underparts are buffy. Eggs, creamy white. Size
1.15 x. 90.
[323.] BLUE-HEADED QUAIL DOVE. Starnoenas cyanocephala.
Range. Cuba, accidentally straying to Key West, but not in recent years.
It is a beautiful species, with a bright blue crown, black throat and stripe
through the eye, separated by a white line under the eye. The rest of the
plumage is of a brownish or rusty color. Eggs buffy white. Size 1.30 x 1.05.

196

VULTURES, HAWKS and OWLS. Order XII. RAPTORES


AMERICAN VULTURES. Family CATHARTIDAE
Vultures are peculiarly formed birds of prey, having a bare head and neck, a
lengthened bill strongly hooked at the end for tearing flesh, and long, strong,
broad wings upon which they float in the air for hours at a time without any
visible flapping. They are scavangers and do great service to mankind by devouring dead animal matter, that, if allowed to remain, would soon taint the
atmosphere. Their eyesight and sense of smell is very acute. They do not,
except in very unusual cases, capture their prey, but feed upon that which has
been killed or died of disease.

Ashy gray

CALIFORNIA VULTURE. Gymnogyps calif ornianus.


Range. Apparently now restricted to the coast ranges of Calitornia, casually
inland to Arizona, and formerly to British Columbia.

This large bird, which weighs about


length, and has an expanse of wings
with lengthened lanceolate feathers
coverts broadly tipped with grayish
very rare in their restricted range

20 pounds, measures about 4 feet in


of about 10 feet. Its plumage is blackish
about the neck, and with the greater wing
white (in very old birds). The birds are
and are becoming scarcer each year, owing to

their being shot and their nests robbed. While the eggs are very rarely found
and only secured at a great risk, they are not as unobtainable as many suppose,
as may be seen from the fact that one private collection contains no less than
six perfect specimens of the eggs and as many mounted birds. These birds lay
but a single egg, placing it generally in caves or recesses in the face of cliff
s,
hundreds of feet from the ground, and often in inaccessable locations. The eggs,
are of an ashy gray color and measure about 4.45 x 1.55.
198

BIRDS OF PREY

325. TURKEY VULTURE. Cathartes aura septentrionalis.


Range. America, from New Jersey on the Atlantic coast,
Manitoba and British Columbia, south to southern South

324 32;">

Creamy \vhite
America, wintering in the southern half of the United
States.
The plumage of this small Buzzard (length 30 inches) is blackish brown, the
naked head being red. It is very common in the southern and central portions
of its range, where it frequents the streets and door yards picking up any refus
o
that is edible. It is a very graceful bird while on the wing, and can readily be
identified when at a distance from the fact that, when in flight, the tips of th
e
wings curve upward. The two eggs which constitute a set are laid upon the
ground between large rocks, in hollow stumps, under logs, or between the
branching trunks of large trees, generally in large woods. They frequently
nest in communities and again, only a single pair may be found in the woods.
Its nesting season ranges from March until June in the different localities.
The eggs are creamy or bluish white, spotted and blotched with shades of brown,
and with fainter markings of lavender. Size 2.70 x 1.85.

,326. BLACK VULTURE. Catharista uruba.


Range. More southerly than the preceding; north regularly to North Carolina and southern Illinois, and west to the Rocky Mountains.
This species is about the same size, or slightly smaller than the Turkey
Vulture; its plumage is entirely black as is also the naked head, and bill. In
the South Atlantic and Gulf States, the present species is even more abundant
than the preceding, and might even be said to be partially domesticated. The
nesting habits are the same as those of the Turkey Buzzard but their eggs
average longer and the ground color is pale greenish or bluish white rather than
creamy. They are spotted and blotched the same. Size 3.00 x. 2.00.

199

THE BIRD BOOK

Bluish white
EGG OP BLACK VULTURE

NEST AND EGGS OF TURKEY VULTURE

N. W. Swayne

BIRDS OF PREY

KITES, HAWKS AND EAGLES. Family BUTEONID^


The members of this family are chiefly diurnal; they get their living by
preying upon smaller animals or birds. They have strong sharply hooked
bills, powerful legs and feet armed with strong, curved and sharply pointed
talons.
327. SWALLOW-TAILED KITE.
Elanoides forficatus.
Range. Southern United States; casually
north to New York and Manitoba.

White
This most beautiful Kite can never be mistaken for any other; its whole head, neck and
underparts are snowy white, while the back, wings and tail are glossy blue
black, the wings being very long and the tail long and deeply forked. The extreme length of the bird is 24 inches. As a rule nests of this bird are placed
high up in the tallest trees; they are made of sticks, weeds and moss. Two
eggs, or rarely three, constitute a full set. They are white or bluish white,
spotted with brown. The one figured is an unusually handsome marked specimen in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall. Average size of eggs, 1.80 x 1.50.
Data. Yegna Creek bottoms, Texas, April 27, 1891. Two eggs. Nest of sticks
and green moss, the same moss also being used for lining; in an elm tree 80
feet up.
328. WHITE-TAILED KITE. Elanus leucurus.
Range. Southern United States, north to the Carolinas, Illinois and middle
California.
This species can be recognized by its light
bluish gray mantle, black shoulders and white
tail. It is a very active species, feeding upon
insects and reptiles, and small birds and mammals. The nests of these species are placed
in trees at quite an elevation from the ground,
being made of sticks, weeds and leaves. The
eggs are creamy white, profusely blotched and
spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size
1.65 x 1.25. Data. Los Angeles, Cal., April 9,
1896. Nest in fork of willows about 25 feet up.
Made of willow twigs and weed stalks, lined
with pieces of bark.
201

Creamy white

THE BIRD BOOK


328, BRHI

329. MISSISSIPPI KITE.


Ictinia mississippiensis.
Range. Southeastern United States, north

to South Carolina and Illinois.

White-tailed Kite
Mississippi Kite

Bluish white
A small species ( length 14 inches) with the
head, neck, and undeparts gray, and the back,
wings and tail blackish, the tips of the secondaries being grayish. They live almost exclusively upon insects, such as grasshoppers,
and small reptiles. They build their nests of sticks and weeds well up in tall
trees. The eggs are two or three in number and normally bluish white, unmarked, but occasionally with very faint spots of pale brown. Size 1.65 x 1.25.
Data. Giddings, Texas, May 31, 1887. Nest of sticks and weeds, with green
pecan leaves in the lining; placed in the top of a live oak sapling, 20 feet fro
m
the ground. Collector, J. A. Singley.
330. EVERGLADE KITE. Rostrhamus sociabilis.
Range. South America, north to southern Florida and Mexico.
This peculiar species has a long, slender, curved bill, blackish plumage, with
white rump and bases of outer tail feather. They feed largely upon snails,
both land and water varieties. They nest at a low elevation in bushes or under
brush, often over the water. The nests are
of sticks, weeds and leaves. The three eggs
are light greenish white, spotted and splashed

Pale greenish white


with chestnut brown. Size, 1.70 x 1.30. Nest
in a custard apple tree, 6 feet from the ground,
built of twigs, lined with small vine stems and f
willow leaves.
202

Everglade Kite

NEST AND EGGS OF MARSH HAWK

THE BIRD BOOK

331. MARSH HAWK. Circus hudsonius.


Range. Whole of North America, very
abundant in all sections.

Pale bluish white


The adult of this species is very light colored,
and young birds of the first two years have a
(Adult and young) reddish brown coloration; in both plumages
the species is easily identified by the white
patch on the rump. They are, almost exclusively frequenters of fields and
marshes, where they can most often be seen, towards dusk, swooping in broad
curves near the ground, watching for field mice, which form the larger portion
of their diet. Their nests are made in swampy ground, often in the middle of a
large marsh, being placed on the ground in the centre of a hummock or clump
of grass; it is generally well lined with grasses and often rushes. They lay
from four to seven pale bluish white eggs, generally unmarked; size 1.80x1.40.
332. SHARP-SHINNED HAWK. Accipiter velox.
Range. Whole of North America, wintering in the United States and southward; breeds throughout its range, but most abundantly in northern United
States and northward. This is one of the smallest of the hawks and in the
adult plumage is a beautiful species, being barred below with light brown, and having a bluish
slate back. It is a very spirited and daring
bird and is one of the most destructive to small
birds and young chickens. Its nest is a rude
and sometimes very frail platform of twigs and

Bluish white
leaves placed against the trunk of the tree at
any height, but averaging, perhaps, fifteen feet.
The eggs are bluish white, beautifully blotched
and spotted with shades of brown.
204

Sharp-shinned Hawk

BIRDS OF PREY

333. COOPER'S HAWK. Accipiter cooperi.


Range. Whole of temperate North America,
breeding throughout its range.

Bluish white

oopers Hawk

Although larger (length 17 inches), the plumage of this species is almost exactly the same
as that of the preceding. Like the last, this is also a destructive species.
They construct their nests in the crotches of trees, generally at quite a height
from the ground; the nest is made of sticks and twigs, and often lined with
pieces of bark; occasionally an old Hawk's or Crow's nest is used by the birds.
Their eggs are bluish white, unmarked or faintly spotted with pale brown.
334&lt;. GOSHAWK. Astur atricapillus atricapillus.
Range. Northern North America, south in winter to the northern parts of
the United States.
This species is one of the largest, strongest and most
Hawks, frequently carrying off Grouse and poultry, the
presence of the owner. It is a handsome species in the
bluish gray upper parts, and light under parts, finely

audacious of American
latter often in the
adult plumage, with
vermicuiated with grayish

and black shafts to the feathers. Length 23 inches. Their nests are placed
well up in the tallest trees, usually in dense woods, the nests being of sticks
lined with weeds and bark. The three or
four eggs are bluish white, generally unjum*). marked, but occasionally with faint spots of
***M^ brown. Size 2.30x1.70.

Bluish white

American

205

Geo. L. Fordyce
NEST AND EGGS OF COOPER'S HAWK

BIRDS OF PREY

334a. WESTERN GOSHAWK.


Astur atricapillus striatulus.
Range. Western North America from Alaska to California, breeding chiefly north of
the United States except in some of the higher

Bluish white

Harris's Hawk

ranges of the Pacific coast. This sub-species is darker, both above and below,
than the American Goshawk. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the
same. The eggs are quite variable in size.
335. HARRIS'S HAWK. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi.
Range. Mexico and Central America, north to the Mexican border of the
United States; very abundant in southern Texas.
This is a peculiar blackish species, with white rump, and chestnut shoulders
and thighs. It is commonly met with in company with Caracaras, Turkey Buzzards and Black Vultures, feeding upon carrion. They also feed to an extent
on small mammals and birds. Their nests are made of sticks, twigs and weeds,
and placed in bushes or low trees. The three or four eggs ahe laid in April or
May. They are dull white in color and generally unmarked, although often

showing traces of pale brown spots. They are quite variable in size, averaging
2.10x1.65.

White
207

THE BIRD BOOK

337. RED-TAILED HAWK.


Buteo borealis borealis.
This is one of the handsomest of the larger
hawks, and is the best known in the east,

Red-tailed Hawk

Pale bluish white

where it is commonly, but wrongly, designated as "hen hawk", a name, however, which is indiscriminately applied to any bird that has talons and a hooked
beak. The adult of this species is unmistakable because of its reddish brown
tail; young birds are very frequently confounded with other species. Their
food consists chiefly of small rodents, snakes and lizards, and only occasionall
y
are poultry or birds taken. They nest in the tallest trees in large patches of
woods, the nests being made of sticks, weeds, leaves and trash. The eggs
number from two to four, and are white, sometimes heavily, and sometimes
sparingly, blotched and spotted with various shades of brown. Size 2.35 x 1.80.
337a. KRIDER'S HAWK. Buteo borealis krideri.
Range. Plains of the United States, north to Manitoba.
This sub-species is described as lighter on the underparts, which are almost
immaculate. Its nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the preceding.
337b. WESTERN RED-TAIL. Buteo borealis calurus.
* Range. Western North America,
chiefly west of the Rocky Moun-

tains.
This sub-species varies from the
plumage of the eastern Red-tail, to
a nearly uniform sooty above and
below, with the dark red tail crossed by several bands; it is a generally darker variety than the Redtail. Its nesting habits are the
same and the eggs show the great
variations in markings that are
common to the eastern bird.

White

208

BIRDS OF PREY

337d. HARLAN'S HAWK.


Butea borealis harlani.
Range. Gulf States and southward, north to
Kansas.
This dark sub-species is generally nearly uniform blackish, but sometimes is lighter or even
white below. Its tail is rusty, mottled with
blackish and white. Its nesting habits are the
same and the eggs are not distinguishable
from those of the other Red-tails.

mm
'//S/VJ^P
I'M/ film

33Q. RED-SHOULDERED HAWK.


lineatus lineatus.

Buteo

Red-shouldered Hawk

Range. North America, east of the Plains


and from the southern parts of the British
Provinces southward; abundant and breeding
throughout its range.
This species is smaller than the Red-tailed
and is not as powerfully built; length 19 inches.
The adults are handsomely barred beneath
with reddish brown, giving the entire
underparts a ruddy color. Like the
last species, they rarely feed upon
poultry, confining their diet chiefly to
mice, rats, frogs, reptiles, etc. These
Hawks nest in the larger growths of
timber, usually building their nests
high above the ground. The nest is
of sticks, and lined with leaves, weeds
and pieces of bark. They lay three
or four eggs with a white ground
color, variously blotched and spotted,
either sparingly or heavily, with different shades of brown. Size 2.15 x
1.75. Data. Kalamazoo, Michigan,
April 25, 1898. Nest about 40 feet up
in an oak tree; made of sticks and
twigs and lined with bark. Four eggs.
White Collector, J. C. Holmes.

339a. FLORIDA RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. Buteo lineatus alleni.


Range. Florida and the Gulf coast; north to South Carolina. The nesting
habits of this paler sub-species are precisely like those of the last species.

209

14

Geo. L. Pordyce
NEST AND EGGS OF RED-SHOULDERED HAWK

BIRDS OF PREY

339b. RED-BELLIED HAWK. Buteo Uneatus elegans.


Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia south to
Lower California, chiefly west of the Rockies.
This variety is similar to, but darker than Uneatus, and
the underparts are a uniform reddish brown, without bar-

339b 340

White
ring. Their nests are like those of the Red-shouldered
variety, and almost always placed high up in the largest
trees. The eggs are very similar, but average lighter in markings. Size 2.15
x 1.70. Data. Diego, Cal., April 13, 1897. Nest in a sycamore 20 feet from
ground, made of sticks, leaves and feathers.

3-10. ZONE-TAILED HAWK. Buteo abbreviatus.


Range. Mexico and Central America, north to the Mexican border of the
United States.
This species, which is 19 inches long, is wholly black with the exception of
the tail, which is banded Their nests are built in heavy woods, and preferably
in trees along the bank of a stream. The nest is of the usual Hawk construction and the two to four eggs are white, faintly marked with pale chestnut.
Data. Marathon, Texas. Nest of sticks, lined with weeds and rabbit fur; on a
horizontal branch of a cotton-wood tree, 30 feet up.

White
211

THE BIRD BOOK

341.

SENNETT'S WHITE-TAILED HAWK.


Buteo albicaudatus sennetti.

Range. Mexican border of the United States


and southward.
A large, handsome Hawk which may be identified by its dark upper parts and white underparts and tail, the flanks and tail being lightly
barred with grayish; the shoulders are chestnut. It is especially abundant in the southern
parts of Texas, where it builds its nests of
sticks and weeds, lined with grasses, leaves
and moss. They nest in March and April, laying two, or rarely three, eggs which are a diill
white, and generally immaculate, but occasionally faintly or sparingly spotted with brown.
Size of eggs 2.25 x 1.80.
342. SWAINSON'S HAWK. Buteo srvainsoni.
Range. Central and western North America,
from the Mississippi Valley and Hudson Bay,
to the Pacific coast, breeding throughout its

Sennett's White-tailed Hawk j grea ter part of its range, this is


the most abundant of the Hawk family.
Its plumage is extremely variable, showing all the intergradations from a uniform sooty blackish to the typical adult plumage of a grayish above, and a
white below, with a large breast patch of rich chestnut. Their nesting habits
are as variable as their plumage. In some localities, they nest exclusively in
trees, in others indifferently upon the ground or rocky ledges. The nest is the
usual Hawk structure of sticks; the eggs are white, variously splashed and

White

spotted with reddish brown and umber. Size


2.20x1.70. Data. Stark Co., N. D., May 21,
1897. Nest of sticks, lined with weeds in an
ash tree. Collector, Roy Dodd.

212

Swainson's Hawk

BIRDS OF PREY

343. BROAD-WINGED HAWK.


Buteo platypterus.
Range. North America, east of the Plains,
and from the British Provinces southward.

Grayish white
A medium sized species, about 16 inches in
length, and with a short tail and broad rounded American Rough-legrged Hawk
wings ; adults have the underparts handsomely barred with brown. Their nests
are usually built in large trees, but generally placed against the trunk in the
crotch of some of the lower branches. It is made of sticks and almost invariably lined with bark. The two to four eggs are of a grayish white color, marked with chestnut, brown and stone gray; size 1.90x1.55. Data. Worcester,
Mass., May 16, 1895. Nest about 20 feet up in a large chestnut tree. The birds
continually circled overhead, their weird cries sounding like the creaking of
branches. Collector, A. J. White.
844. SHORT-TAILED HAWK. Buteo brachyurus.
Range. A tropical species, which occurs north to the Mexican border and
regularly to southern Florida, where it breeds in the large cypress swamps. Its
eggs are pale greenish white, sparingly spotted with brown, chiefly at the large
end. Size 2.15x1.60.
345. MEXICAN BLACK HAWK. Urubitinga anthracina.
Range. Mexican border of the United
States and southward.
A coal black species about 22 inches in
length, distinguished by the white tip,
and broad white band across the tail

about midway. This is one of the least


abundant of the Mexican species that
cross the border. They are shy birds and
build their nests in the tallest trees in
remote woods. Their two or three eggs
are grayish white, faintly spotted with
pale brown; size 2.25x1.80. Data. Los
Angeles County, Cal., April 6, 1889.
Nest of sticks, lined with bark and
leaves; 45 feet up in a sycamore tree.
Collector, R. B. Chapman. Grayish white
213

THE BIRD BOOK

346. MEXICAN GOSHAWK. Asturina plagiata


Range. Mexico, north to the border of the
United States.
A beautiful, medium sized Hawk (17 inches
long), slaty gray above, white below, numer-

White

Rough-legged Hawk

ously barred with grayish; tail black, crossed


by several white bars. These are graceful
and active birds, feeding largely upon small rodents, and occasionally small
birds. They nest in the top of tall trees, laying two or three greenish white,
unmarked eggs; size 1.95x1.60. Data. Santa Cruz River, Arizona, June 3,
1902. Nest in the fork of a mesquite tree about forty feet from the ground;
made of large sticks, lined with smaller ones and leaves. Three eggs. Collector, O. W. Howard.
347a. ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis.
Range. Northern North America, breeding chiefly north of our borders and
wintering south to the middle portions of the United States.
The Rough-legs are large, heavily built birds of prey, specially characerized

by the completely feathered legs. The present species is 22 inchse long, and in
the normal plumage has a whitish head, neck, breast and tail, the former being
streaked and the latter barred
with blackish; the remainder of.
the upper and underparts are black-;
ish brown. Their nests are usually
placed in trees, and less often on
the ground than those of the next
species. These Rough-legs are very
irregularly distributed, and are nowhere as common as the next. 7 *
While the greater number nest. ; I
north of the United States, it is N
very probable that a great many | i
nest on the higher ranges within ; ,
our borders. The species is often jj
taken in summer, even in Massa-;!|
chusetts. They lay three eggs of a !j
bluish white color, boldly splashed ;ji
with dark brown; size 2.25x1.75. ;|] Bluish white
214

34>8. FERRUGINOUS ROUGH-LEG.


Archibuteo ferrugineus.

BIRDS OF PREY

White Rough-legged Hawk


Range. North America, west of the Mississippi, breeding from the latitude
of Colorado north to the Saskatchewan region.
This species nests very abundantly along our northern states, particularly in
Dakota. It is a larger bird than the preceding and can easily be told by its
reddish coloration, particularly on the shoulders and tibia. While in some
localities they nest only in trees, the greater number appear to build their nes
ts
on the ground or rocky ledges, making a large heap of sticks, weeds and grass.
Their three or four eggs are white, beautifully spotted and blotched, in endless
variety, with various shades of brown. Size 2.60x2.00. Data. Stark Co., N.
D., April 29, 1900. Nest built of coarse sticks on a clay butte.
349. GOLDEN EAGLE. Aquila chryscetos.
Range. North America, west of the Mississippi; most abundant in the Rockies and along
the Pacific coast ranges.
This magnificent bird, which is even more

powerful than the Bald Eagle, measures about


34 inches long, and spreads about 7 feet. Its
plumage is a rich brownish black, very old
birds being golden brown on the nape. They
can be distinguished in all plumages from the
Bald Eagle by the completely feathered tarsus.
They build their nests in the tops of the tallest
trees in the wild, mountainous country of the
west, and more rarely upon ledges of the cliffs.
The nests are made of large sticks, lined with
smaller ones and leaves and weeds. Their eggs
are the most handsome of the Raptores, being
white in color, and blotched, splashed, spotted
and specked with light brown and clouded with
gray or lilac, of course varying endlessly in
pattern and intensity. Size 2.90x2.50. Data.
Monterey Co., Cal., May 3, 1888. Three eggs.
Nest of sticks, lined with pine needles, in a
pine tree, 50 feet up,
215

Golden Eagle

BALD EAGLE

BIRDS OF PREY
[351.] GRAY SEA EAGLE. Haliceetus albicilla.
A common species on the sea coasts of Europe; straggling to southern Greenland, where it nests upon the rocky cliffs.
352. BALD EAGLE. Haliceetus leucocephalus
leucocephalus.

White

Bald Eagle

Range. Whole of North America; most abundant on the Atlantic


coast; breeds throughout its range. This large white-headed and white-tailed
species is abundant in sufficiently wild localities along the Atlantic
coast. It only attains the white head and tail when three years old,
the first two years, being blackish. It is about 34 inches in length
and expands about seven feet, never over eight feet, and only birds of the secon

d
year (when they are larger than the adults) ever approach this expanse.
Their food consists of fish (which they sometimes capture themselves, but
more often take from the Osprey), carrion, and Ducks, which they catch in
flight. Their nests are massive structures of sticks, in the tops of tall trees.
They very rarely lay more than two eggs, which are white. Size 2.75 x 2.10.
Data. Mt. Pleasant, S. C., nest in top of a pine, 105 feet from the ground;
made of large sticks and lined with Spanish moss.
352a. NORTHERN BALD EAGLE. Haliceetus leucocephalus alascanus.
Range.
Eagle,
habits
y
cliffs

Alaska. This sub-species averages slightly larger than the Bald


but never exceeds the largest dimensions of that species. Its nesting
and eggs are the same, except that it more often builds its nests on rock
than does the Bald Eagle. The eggs are laid in February and March.

217

THE BIRD BOOK


FALCONS AND CARACARAS
Family FALCONDIDAE
tKBa^^M^H^^^^^Ma^^^n 353. WHITE GYRFALCON. Falco island us.
Range. Arctic regions; south in winter casually to northern United States, chiefly on the
coast.
Gyrfalcons are large, strong, active and fear-

Gray Gyrfalcon
White Gyrfalcon

Buff

less birds, about 23 inches in length. Their food consists chiefly of hares,
Ducks and Waders which abound in the far north. The present species is
snowy white, more or less barred with blackish brown on the back and wings
and with a few marks on the breast. They nest upon the ledges of high cliffs,
laying three or four eggs of a buffy color, blotched and finely specked with
reddish brown, this color often concealing the ground color. Size of eggs, 2.30
x

1.80. In America, they nest in Greenland and the Arctic regions.


354. GRAY GYRFALCON. Falco rusticolus rusticolus.
Range. Arctic regions; south in
winter to northern United States.
This species is of the size of the last
but the plumage is largely gray, barred with dusky. They nest more
abundantly in southern Greenland than
do the preceding species. The nesting
habits and eggs do not differ.
854a. GYRFALCON.
Falco rusticolus gyrfalco.
Range. Arctic regions; south casually to Long Island.
This sub-species is hardly to be distinguished from the preceding; its
nesting habits and eggs are identical,
the nests being of sticks, lined with weeds and feathers and placed upon the
most inaccessible ledges of cliffs.
218

Buff

354tb. BLACK GYRFALCON.


Falco rusticolus obsoletus.
Range. Labrador; south casually, in winter,
to Long Island.
A slightly darker variety. Eggs indistinguishable. Data. Ungava coast, Labrador,
May 25, 1900. Nest a heap of seaweed and
feathers on sea cliff, containing three eggs.
355. PRAIRIE FALCON. Falcon mexicanus.
Range. United States west of the Missis
sippi, and from Dakota and Washington southward to Mexico.

BIRDS OF PREY

Falcon
This species abounds in suitable localities, generally placing its nests
upon rocky ledges and cliffs, and sometimes trees, generally upon the banks
Reddish buff of some stream. The nests are masses
of sticks, lined with weeds and grasses. The three or four eggs have a reddish
buff ground color, and are thickly sprinkled and blotched with reddish buff
brown and chestnut; size 2.05x1.60.
356a. DUCK HAWK. Falco peregrinus anatum.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding locally, chiefly in mountainous regions, throughout its range.
This beautiful species, characterized by its black moustache, is the most
graceful, fearless, and swiftest of the Falcons, striking down birds of several
times its own weight, such as some of the larger Ducks. It breeds quite
abundantly on the Pacific coast and in certain localities in the Dakotas, laying
its eggs on the rocky ledges. Their eggs are
similar to those of the Prairie Falcon, but are

Duck Hawk

Buff or reddish buff


darker and brighter, in fact they are the darkest, brightest marked, and most beautiful of
Falcon eggs ; size 2.05 x 1.55.
219

THE BIRD BOOK


356b. PEALE'S FALCON.

Falco peregrinus pealei.


Range. Pacific coast from northern United
States north to Alaska.
A darker form of the preceding, such as occurs in this section with a great many other
birds. The nesting habits and the eggs are

precisely like those of the Duck Hawk.


357. PIGEON HAWK. Falco columbarius
columbarius.

Pigeon Hawk

Brownish buff
Range. North America, breeding chiefly north
of the United States except in some of the higher
ranges along our northern border. A small Fal-

con, about 11 inches long, often confused with the Sharp-shinned Hawk, but
much darker and a more stoutly built bird. It is a daring species, often attacking birds larger than itself; it also feeds on mice, grasshoppers, squirrels, et
c.
They generally build a nest of sticks in trees, deep in the woods; less often in
natural cavities of dead trees; and sometimes on rocky ledges. Their four or
five eggs have a brownish buff ground color, heavily blotched with brown and
chestnut. Size 1.50 x 1.22
357a. BLACK PIGEON HAWK. Falco columbarius suckleyi.
Range. Pacific coast from northern United States north to Alaska.
Very similar in appearance to the preceding, uM^MKftaaKSgraag^^HBIBI
but much darker, both above and below. Its j
nesting habits and eggs will not differ in any i %manner from those of the Pigeon Hawk.
357b. RICHARDSON'S PIGEON HAWK.
Falco columbarius richardsoni.
Range. Interior of North America from the
Mississippi to the Rockies and from Mexico to
the Saskatchewan.
This species is similar to the Pigeon Hawk,
but is paler both above and below, and the tail
bars are more numerous and white. Their
nesting habits are the same as those of the
preceding species, they either building in hollow trees, or making a rude nest of sticks and
twigs in the tops of trees. The eggs have a
creamy ground and are sprinkled with dots
and blotches of various shades of brown. Size
1.60 x 1.23. The egg figured is one of a beautiful set of four in the collection of Mr. C. W.

Crandall.
220

Richardson's Pigeon Hawk

[358.1] MERLIN. Falco assalon.


This common European species was once accidentally taken in southern Greenland. Their eggs
are generally laid on the ground on cliffs or banks.

BIRDS OF PREY

359. APLOMAUO FALCON.


Falco fusco-ccerulescens.
Range. Tropical America north to Mexican
boundary of the United States.
This handsone and strikingly marked Falcon is
found in limited numbers within the United States,
but south is common and widely distributed. They
nest at a low elevation, in bushes or small trees,
making their rude nests of twigs, lined with a
few grasses. They lay three, and sometimes four,
eggs which have a creamy white ground color,
finely dotted with cinnamon, and with heavy
blotches of brown. Size 1.75 x 1.30.

Aplomado Falcon
Desert Sparrow Hawk

Buff

[359.1.] KESTREL. Falco tinnunculus.


Range. Whole of Europe; accidental on the
coast of Massachusetts.
This species is very similar in size and colora-

tion to the American Sparrow Hawk. They are


much more abundant than the Sparrow Hawk is
in this country and frequently nest about houses,
in hollow trees, on rafters of barns, or on ledges
and embankments. Their eggs are of a reddish
buff color, speckled and blotched with reddish
brown, they being much darker than those of the
American Sparrow Hawk.

360a. DESERT SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius phalcena.


Range. Western United States from British Columbia south to Mexico.
This variety is slightly larger and paler than the eastern form. There are no
differences in the identification of the two varieties.

221

THE BIRD BOOK

360. SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius.


Range. North America, east of the Rocky
Mountains and north to Hudson Bay; winters
from the middle portions of the United States,
southward.
This beautiful little Falcon is the
smallest of the American Hawks, being
only 10 inches in
length. They are
very abundant in the
east, nesting anywhere in cavities in
trees, either in
woods or open fields.
The eggs are generally deposited upon
the bottom of the
cavity with no lining; they are creamy or yellowish buff in color, sprinkled, spotted or
blotched in endless variety, with reddish brown.
Size 1.35 x 1.10. These birds are very noisy,
especially when the young are learning to fly, uttering a loud, tinkling, "killy
,
killy, killy." They have a very amiable disposition, and frequently nest harmoniously in the same tree with other birds, such as Flickers and Robins.

360b. ST. LUCAS SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparverius peninsularis.


Range. Lower California.
This variety is smaller than the eastern, and even paler than the western
form. Eggs identical with eastern specimens.
[361.] CUBAN SPARROW HAWK. Falco sparveroides.
A darker colored West Indian form, whose habits and nesting do not vary
from those of the common Sparrow Hawk; casually taken in Florida.

Buffy

Sparrow Hawk

Egg of Golden Eagle


222

SPARROW HAWK

THE BIRD BOOK

Hi
~Audubon T s

362. AUDUBON CARACARA.


Polyborus cherirvay.
Range. Southern border of the United States
south to South America.
Range. Southern border of the United
States south to South America.
A strikingly marked blackish and whitish
species, much barred on the fore back and the
breast, with the head and throat largely white,
except for a black and somewhat crested
crown. They are numerous in southern Texas

and also in the interior of southern Florida,


where they are resident. They build bulky,
but shabby nests of sticks, weeds and grass,
piled into a promiscuous heap, generally located in bushes or low trees. Their two or three
eggs have a ground color varying from buff to
bright cinnamon, and are dotted and blotched
with all shades of brown and umber. On the
whole, these eggs show a greater diversity of
markings and ground color than those of any
other species. Size 2.50 x 1.80.

Cinnamon
363. GUADALUPE CARACARA. Polyborus lutosus.
Range. Gaudalupe Island and others off Lower California.
This species is somewhat like the preceding, but the plumage is duller, and
the coloration more uniform. Their nesting habits and eggs do not vary essentially from those of Audubon Caracara. Mr. John Lewis Childs has a set of two
eggs taken June 8, 1896, on Santa Anita Island, by Coolidge and Miller. The
nest was made of sticks and situated in a giant cactus. The eggs are slightly
brighter and more clearly marked than any of eherlijcay that I have ever seen.

224

364. OSPREY.

BIRDS OF PREY
OSPREY. Family Pandionidae
Pandion halicetus carolinensis.

Range. Whole of temperate


America from the Arctic circle
south to the equator, most abundant along the sea coasts.
Real old birds have the head
whiter, and less white edging
to the back feathers, than do
the young. Feet very strong,
and very hard and rough, perfectly adapted to grasping slippery fish; outer toe can be used

equally as well, either in front


or behind, when perching or
grasping their prey.
Probably this great fisherman
is as well known from one end
of the country to the other as
any of our wild birds. He is
protected by law in a great many
states and by custom in nearly
all localities where they breed.
It is one of the pleasantest
sights along the coast to watch
a number of these great birds
as they soar at an elevation
above the water, watching for
fish to come near the surface, when, with folded wings, the bird speeds downward and plunges into the water, rarely missing his prey. In many localities
they are very tame and nest in the vicinity of houses, sometimes even in the
yard. Their nests are platforms of sticks, which, being used year after year
and constantly added to, become of enormous proportions. They lay two or
three eggs of a bright creamy color, handsomely blotched with bright chestnut
brown. They show a great diversity of sise as well as markings, but average,
2.40x1.80.

American Osprey

15

OSPREY LEAVING NEST

C. A. Reed

BARN OWLS.

BIRDS OF PREY
Family Alucondidae

365. BARN OWL. Aluco pratincola.


Range. Chiefly in the southern parts of the
United States ; north casually to Massachusetts,

Minnesota and Washington.

White
This is one of the lightest colored of the
Owls; it has a long, peculiarly hooded face,
from which it gets the name of "Monkey-faced Barn Owl
Owl." Its plumage is yellowish buff, specked and barred lightly with blackish.
It nests usually in hollow cavities of trees, but appears to have no objections
to barns, holes in banks, or anywhere it can find a concealed crevice in which
to deposit its four to six pure white eggs; size 1.70 x 1.30.
HORNED OWL. Family Strigidae
366. LONG-EARED OWL. Asio rvilsonianus.
Range. North America, breeding from the southern parts of British America,
southward. ;
This species is 15 inches in length; it can easily be separated from any other
species by its long ear tufts, brownish face,
and barred underparts. Their food consists
almost entirely of small rodents, which they
catch at night. Most of their nests are found

"Lone- eared Owl

White
in trees, thay generally using old Crow's Oi
Hawk's nests. They also, in some localities,
nest in hollow trees, or in crevices among
rocks. They lay from four to seven pure white
eggs; size 1.55x1.35.
227

LONG-EARED OWL ON NEST

367. SHORT-EARED OWL. Asio fiammeus.

Range. Whole of North America, breeding


from the middle portions of the United States
northward, and wintering in the United States.

BIRDS OF PREY

Short-cared Owl

White
This species is of the size of. the last, but is
paler, has very short ear tufts, and is streaked
beneath. Its habits are the same except that it
frequently hunts, over the marshes and meadows, on dark days and towards dusk.
Their four to seven pure white eggs are laid upon the ground in marshy
places, sometimes upon a lining of sticks and weeds, and are generally under a
bush, or close to an old log. Size of eggs 1.55 x 1.25.
368. BARRED OWL. Strix varia varia. . ,/* :r *
Range. Eastern North America, from
the British Provinces, southward; west to
the Rockies.
This species is the most common of
the large owls, and can be distinguished
by its mottled and barred gray and white
plumage, and lack of ear tufts; length 20
inches. It is the bird commonly meant
by the term "hoot owl", and being strictly

White
nocturnal, is rarely seen flying in the day time,
unless disturbed from its roosting place in the
deep woods. Its food consists chiefly of rats,
mice and frogs, and sometimes, but not often,
poultry. It nests in the heart of large woods,
generally in hollows of large trees, and less
often in deserted Crow's nests. They lay from
two to four pure white eggs, averaging considerably smaller than those of the Great Horned Owl; size 1.95x1.65.

368a. FLORIDA BARRED OWL.

Strix varia alleni.


Range. Florida and the Gulf States; north
to South Carolina.
229

,.

Barred Owl

BARRED OWL

Chas. W. Long

BIRDS OF PREY

368b. TEXAS BARRED OWL.


Strix varia albogilva.
Range. Southern Texas.
A very similar but slightly paler variety than
the Barred Owl, and with the toes bare, as in
alien i. Eggs indistinguishable.

369. SPOTTED OWL.


dentalis.

Stria,' occidentalis occi-

Range. Western United States, from southern Oregon and Colorado, southward.
Similar to the Barred Owl, but spotted, instead of barred, on the back of head and neck,
and much more extensively barred on the under
parts. The nesting habits do not appear to
differ in any respect from those of the eastern
Barred Owl, and their eggs, which are from two

to four in number, can not be distinguished


from those of the latter species; size 2.05 x 1.80.

Great Gray Owl

369a. NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL. Strix occidentalis caurina.


Range. Northwestern United States and British Columbia.
Similar to the preceding, but darker, both above and below; nesting the same,
in hollow trees or in old Hawk's or Crow's nests. Eggs not distinguishable.

370. GREAT GRAY OWL.


Scotiaptex nebulosa.
Range. Northern North America;
wintering regularly south to the northern border of the United States and
casually farther.
This is the largest of American Owls,
being about 26 inches in length; it
does not weigh nearly as much, however, as the Great Horned or Snowy
Owls, its plumage being very light
and fluffy, and dark gray in color,
mottled with white. The facial disc is
very large, and the eyes are small and
yellow, while those of the Barred Owl
are large and blue black. They nest in
heavily wooded districts, building
their nests of sticks, chiefly in pine
trees. The two to four white eggs are laid during May and June; size 2.15 x 1.70
.

White

*!; *:.^v^^^
_i* _ ,=^-r- / f ,1' LI *l,I> ' ^W&r) '" ' "ZZffZF?***'* '

THE BIRD BOOK

[370a.J LAPP OWL.


Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica.
A paler form of the Great Gray Owl, inhabit
ing the Arctic regions of the Old World; accidental on the coast of Alaska. Their nesting
habits and eggs do not differ from those of the
American bird.

371.

RICHARDSON'S OWL.
erea richardsoni.

Cryptoglaux fun

Richardson's Owl
Saw-whet Owl

White

Range. Northern North America, breeding north of the United States ; winters south to our border and casually farther.
This is a dark grayish and white bird, 10 inches in length, and without ear
tufts. Breeds commonly in the extensively wooded districts of British America,
chiefly in the northern parts. Their three or four white eggs are usually at
the bottom of a cavity in a tree, but occasionally the birds build a rude nest o
f
sticks and twigs, lined with leaves and placed in trees at a moderate height
from the ground. Size of eggs, 1.25 x 1.05.

372. SAW-WHET OWL; ACADIAN OWL. Cryptoglaux acadica acadica.


Range. North America, breeding in the northern parts of the United States
and in British America, and south in the Rockies to Mexico; winters south to
the middle portions of the United States.
This small species (length 8 inches) is marked very similarly to the preceding,
but the plumage is brown instead of gray. They normally nest in hollow trees.
generally in deserted Woodpecker holes, in extensively wooded sections, and

usually in mountainous country, especially in the United States. They have


also been known to nest in bird boxes near faa?m houses and in old Crow's nests.
During April or May, they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.20x1.00.
They are quiet and chiefly nocturnal birds, not often seen, and may be found
nesting in any of the northern states.
372a. NORTHWESTERN SAW-WHET OWL. Cryptoglaux acadica scoticea.
Range. A dark variety found on the coast of British Columbia.

232

BIRDS OF PREY

373. SCREECH OWL. Otus asio asio.


Range. North America, east of the plains
and from the southern British Provinces to
Florida.
This well known
species, which is often called "Little
Horned Owl" because of its ear tufts f j
is found either in the I
type form of some of 1|V
its varieties in all
parts of the United
States. They have
two color phases, the
plumage being either Whitp
a yellowish brown or
gray, and black and white; these color phases
are not dependent upon sex or locality, as often
young or both phases are found in the same
riest; the gray phase is the most abundant.
They nest anywhere in hollow trees, being
found very frequently in decayed stubs of apple trees. They also often nest in
barns or other old buildings which are not frequented too freely. Their food
consists chiefly of mice and meadow moles, with occasionally small birds.
During April or May they lay their white eggs, the full complement of which
is from five to eight. Size 1.35 x 1.20. The nesting habits of all the sub-speci
es,
as far as we can learn, are exactly like those of the eastern Screech Owl; the
eggs cannot be distinguished, and in most cases, even the birds cannot be distinguished.

Screech Owl

373a. FLORIDA SCREECH OWL. Otus asio ftoridanus.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Slightly smaller and darker than asin. The eggs average slightly smaller.
Size 1.30x1.15.
373b. TEXAS SCREECH OWL. Otus asio mccalli.
Range. Texas, and southward into Mexico. Very similar to floridanus.
373c. CALIFORNIA SCREECH OWL. Otus asio bendirei.
Range. Coast of California and Oregon. Size of, but darker than asio.
373d. KENNICOTT'S SCREECH OWL. Otus asio kennicotti.
Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska. This is the darkest of the
Screech Owls and averages a trifle larger than the eastern form.

373e. ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCREECH OWL. Otus asio maxwellia.


Range. Foothills of the Rockies, from Colorado to Montana. This is the
palest form of the Screech Owl, Of the same size as the last.
233

THE BIRD BOOK

374_375a

373f. MEXICAN SCREECH OWL. Otus asio cineraceus.


Range. Western Mexico and southwestern border of
the United States. A gray form with little or no buff, and
more numerously barred below.
373g. AIKEN'S SCREECH OWL. Otus asio aikeni.
Range. El Paso County, Colorado. A gray form, with
the dark markings coarser and more numerous than in any
other.
373h. MACFARLANE'S SCREECH OWL.
Otus asio macfarlanei.
Range. Northern border of the United States from

Washington to Montana.
373.1. SPOTTED SCREECH OWL. Otus trichopsis.
Range. Mountains of southern Arizona, south into
Mexico.
A grayish species, similar to asio, but paler and more
finely barred beneath, and with whitish spots on the
feathers of the foreback. The nesting habits and eggs are
probably the same as those of the Screech Owl.

373.2. XANTUS'S SCREECH OWL. Otus xantusi.


Range. Southern Lower California.
A grayish species with the back and underparts finely vermiculated with reddish brown, and with streaks of darker. It is not likely that the habits or eggs
of this species will be found to differ from those of the Screech Owl.
374. FLAMMULATED SCREECH OWL. Otus flammeolus flammeolus.
Range. Mountain ranges of Mexico, north to Colorado and west to California.
This species is smaller than a trio, has shorter ear tufts, the plumage is much
streaked and edged with rusty, and the toes are unfeathered to their base. They
nest in hollow trees, generally using deserted Woodpecker holes. Their three
or four eggs are white. Size 1.15 x .95. This species is uncommon in all parts
of its range.

374a. DWARF SCREECH OWL. Otus flammeolus idahaensis.


Range. Local in Idaho, eastern Washington and California.
This rare variety is smaller than the preceding and is considerably paler,
eggs have not been described, but should be a trifle smaller than the last.

Its

334

BIRDS OF PREY

37!>- GREAT HORNED OWL,

Bubo virginianus virginianus.


Range. North America, east of the Plains
and north to Labrador.

White

Great Horned Owl

This species and its varieties are the only large Owls having conspicuous ear
tufts. They are about 22 inches in length, and have a mottled brown, black and
white plumage, barred below. This is also one of the "Hoot Owls," but is not
nearly as abundant as the Barred Owl. It is one of the strongest of the family,
and captures rabbits, grouse and poultry, and is very often found to have been
feeding upon, or to have been in the immediate vicinity of a skunk. They nest
very early, January, February and March. Deserted Hawk's or Crow's nests
are very frequently used by this bird, if they are located in dense woods. They
also sometimes nest in hollow cavities in large trees. They lay from two to
four pure white eggs. Size 2.25 x 1.85.

WESTERN HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus pallescens.


Range. Western North America, except the Pacific coast.
A smaller and lighter colored form of the preceding, having the same habits
and the eggs being indistinguishable from those of the eastern bird.

in

ARCTIC HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus subarcticus.


Range. Interior of Arctic America from Hudson Bay to Alaska; south
winter to the northwestern tier of states.
A very pale colored Horned Owl with little or no buff or brownish in the
plumage, some specimens (very rare) being pure white with only a few black
bars on the back. Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs do not vary
appreciably from those of the eastern Horned Owl.
375C. DUSKY HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus saturatus.
Range. Pacific coast from California to Alaska.
This is the darkest of the Horned Owls, the extreme case being nearly black
on the back and very dark below. Nesting the same as the Great Horned Owl.

375d. PACIFIC HORNED OWL. Bubo virginianus pacificus.


Range. California, southward and east to Arizona.
Smaller and darker than the eastern form but not as dark as the last,
the same as those of the others.

Eggs

375e. DWARF HORNED OWL.


Bubo virginianus elachistus.
Range. Lower California.
This is a similar but darker form of the
Horned Owl and is very much smaller than
virginianus. The nesting habits will be the
same, but the eggs may average smaller.

BIRDS OF PREY

White

Snowy Owl

376. SNOWY OWL. Nyctea nyctea.


Range. Arctic regions, breeding within the Arctic Circle and wintering to
the northern border of the United States and casually farther.
This very beautiful species varies in plumage from pure white, unmarked, to
specimens heavily and broadly barred with blackish brown. It is, next to the
Great Gray Owl, the largest species found in America, being 2 feet in length.
Like the Great Horned Owls, they are very strong, fearless, and rapacious birds,
feeding upon hares, squirrels and smaller mammals, as well as Grouse, Ptarmigan, etc. They nest upon the ground, on banks or mossy hummocks on the
dry portions of marshes, laying from two to eight eggs, white in color and with
a, smoother shell than those of the Great Horned Owl. Size 2.25 x 1.75. Data.
Point Barrow, Alaska, June 16, 1898. Three eggs laid in a hollow in the moss.

[377-] EUROPEAN HAWK OWL. Surnia ulula ulula.


Range. Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Alaska.
Similar to the American species, but lighter and more brownish.

THE BIRD BOOK

377a. HAWK OWL. Surnia ulula caparoch.


Range. Northern North America, breeding
from the central portions of British America
northward; probably also breeds in the Rocky
Mountains in the northern tier of states and
casually farther.

White

1
| . This handsome mottled and barred, gray and
Am i TTawk Owl black Owl mi ht readily be mistaken for a
Hawk, because of his Hawk-like appearance
and long rounded tail. They are very active birds, especially in the day time,
for they are more diurnal than nocturnal; their food is mostly of small rodents,
and also small birds. They nest either in the tops of large fir trees, in hollow
s
of stumps, or, in some cases, upon the ground. When in trees their nests are
made of twigs, leaves and weeds, and sometimes lined with moss and feathers;
they lay from three to eight white eggs, size 1.50 x 1.20. Data. Labrador, May
3, 1899. Five eggs. Nest in the top of a dead tree, 15 feet from the ground.

378. BURROWING OWL. Speotyto cunicularia hypogcea.


Range. Western North America from the Mississippi
Valley west to California; north to the southern parts
of British America and south to Central America.
These peculiar birds are wholly different in plumage,

form and habits from any other American Owls. They


can readily be recognized by their long, slender and
scantily feathered legs. Their plumage is brownish,
spotted with white above, and white, barred with brown
below; length 10 inches. They nest, generally in large
communities in burrows in the ground, usually deserted
Prairie Dog holes. While generally but a single pair
occupy one burrow, as many as twenty have been found nesting together.
Sometimes the burrows are unlined, and again may have a carpet of grasses
and feathers. Their white eggs generally number from six to ten; size 1.25 x
1.00. Data. Sterling, Kans., May 7, 1899. Nest of bits of dry dung at the end of
a deserted Prairie Dog burrow.

White

BIRDS OF PREY

37 8a. FLORIDA BURROWING


OWL. Speotyto cunicularia
floridana.
Range. Local in the interior
of Florida.
Like the last, but slightly
smaller and paler, and with the
tarsus less feathered. Their
habits or eggs do not differ from
the preceding.
379- PYGMY OWL. Glaucidium
gnoma gnoma.
Range. Rocky Mountain region and westward; from British Columbia southward. These
interesting little Owls, which are
but seven inches in length, feed
in the day time upon insects,
mice and, occasionally, small
birds. They frequent extensively wooded districts, chiefly in
the mountain ranges. They nest
in tall trees, generally in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, laying
three or four white eggs during
May; size about 1.00 x .90.

Burrowing Owl

379a. CALIFORNIA PYGMY OWL. Glaucidium gnoma calif ornicum.


Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia, south through California. This
sub-species is darker and more brownish than the last. It is not an uncommon
bird in California. They nest in the tallest trees along the ranges, often being
found 75 or more feet from the ground. The eggs do not differ from those of
the Pygmy Owl, ranging in size from 1.00 x .85 to 1.20 x .95.
379-1. HOSKIN'S PYGMY OWL. Glaucidium hoskinsi.
Range. Southern Lower California.
This species is smaller and more gray than the preceding. It is not probable
that its manners of nesting or eggs differ in any respect from those of the othe
rs
of this genus.

239

THE BIRD BOOK

380. FERRUGINOUS PYGMY OWL.


Glaucidium phalcenoides.
Range. Mexico and Central America; north to the Mexican border of the United States.
This species is of the same size as the last, but is much
tinged with rufous on the upper parts, and the tail is of a
bright chestnut brown color, crossed by about eight bars
of black. They nest in hollow cavities in trees, from ten
to forty feet from the ground, laying three or four glossy
white eggs; size 1.10 x .90.

381. ELF, OWL. Micropallas whitneyi.

Range. Mexico, north to the bordering states.


This odd little bird is the smallest

member of the family found in America, attaining a length of only six inches. In plumage it may be described
as similar to a very small, earless
Screech Owl, only with the pattern of
the markings a great deal finer. They
are said to be quite abundant in the
table lands of central Mexico and in
southern Arizona, where they build
their nests in deserted Woodpeckers' holes, perhaps most frequently in the
giant cactus. It is said to be more nocturnal than the Pygmy Owls and to feed
almost exclusively upon insects. They lay from three to five eggs having a
slight gloss. Size 1.02 x .90. Data. Southern Arizona, May 22, 1902. Nest in a
deserted Woodpecker hole. Two eggs.

380 381

White

240

PAROQUETS AND PARROTS. Order XIII. PSITTACI.


Family PSITTACIDAE

382. CAROLINA PAROQUET.


Conuropsis carolinensis.
Range. Now rare in Florida and along the
Gulf coast to Indian Territory. As late as 1885,
the Carolina Paroquets were abundant in the
South Atlantic and Gulf States, but owing to
their wanton destruction by man, they have
been exterminated in the greater portion of
their range, and now are rarely seen in any
locality, and then only in the most unhabitable
swamps and thickets. A reliable account of
their nesting habits is lacking, as are also specimens of their eggs
taken from wild birds.
They are said to build
rude nests of sticks
upon horizontal branches of cypress trees,
and to nest in colonies; it is also claimed that they nest in

hollow trees, laying


from three to five pure
white eggs. The one
figured is one of three
laid in confinement at Washington, D. C., by a
pair of birds owned by Mr. Robert Ridgeway.

White

Ca,rolina Paroquet

It is 1.31x1.06 and was laid

July 12, 1892. This set is in the collection of Mr. John Lewis Childs.

382.1. THICK-BILLED PARROT. Rhynchopsitta


pachyrhyncha.
Range. Mexico, north casually to the Mexican border of the United States.
This large Parrot (16 inches long) has a heavy black bill, and the plumage is
entirely green except for the deep red forehead, strips over the eye, shoulder,
and thighs, and the yellowish under wing coverts. Their eggs are white and
are laid in natural cavities in large trees in forests.

CUCKOOS, TROGANS, KINGFISHERS, ETC. Order XIV.


CUCKOOS, ANIS, ETC. Family CUCULIDAE
[383.] ANI. Crotophaga ani.
Range. Northeastern South America and the West Indies; casual in Florida,
and along the Gulf coast; accidental in Pennsylvania.
This species is similar to the next, but the bill is smoother and without
grooves.. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the more common American species.
241

16

ROADRUNNER

CUCKOOS, ETC.

384. GROOVE-BILLED ANI.


Crotophaga sulcirostris.
Range. Mexico and the border of the United
States; common in southern Texas. This odd
species has a Cuckoo-like form, but is wholly
blue black in color, and has a high thin bill
with three conspicuous longitudinal grooves on
each side. They build
large bulky nests of
twigs, lined with
leaves and grasses,
and located in low
trees and bushes. They
build in small colonies but do not, as is
claimed of the common Ani, build a large
nest for several to occupy. They lay from
three to five eggs of a greenish blue color, covered with a chalky white deposit. Size 1.25
x 1.00. They are laid in May or June.

38+.

385.

Road Runner
Groove-billed Ani

385. ROAD-RUNNER. Geococcyx calif ornianus.


Range. Western United States from Oregon, Colorado and Kansas, southward; most abundant on the Mexican border, and wintering in central Mexico.
This curious species is known as the "Chaparral
Cock," "Ground Cuckoo," "Snake-killer," etc. Its
upper parts are a glossy greenish brown, each
feather being edged or fringed with whitish; the

tail is very long, broad and graduated, the feathers


v A being broadly tipped with white. They are noted
fo~ their swiftness on foot, paddling over the
; y ground at an astonishing rate, aided by their out^ |>' stretched wings and spread tail, which act as
aeroplanes; their legs are long and have two toes
front and two back. Their food consists of lizards
QHJ and small snakes, they being particularly savage
White in their attacks upon the latter. They build rude
nests of sticks and twigs, in low trees or bushes,
and during April or May, lay from four to ten eggs, depositing them at intervals of several days. They are pure white and measure 1.55 x 1.20.

243

THE BIRD BOOK

386.

Mangrove Cuckoo
Yellow-billed Cuckoo

386. MANGROVE CUCKOO.


Coccyzus minor minor.
Range. West Indies, Mexico and South
America, north regularly to southern Florida.
This species is very
similar to our common
Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
but the whole underparts are deep buff. It
is a common species and
nests abundantly in the
West Indies, but occurs
only in limited numbers
in southern Florida.
Their nests are shallow
platforms of twigs and rootlets, placed in
bushes and low trees, and upon which they lay

three or four pale greenish blue eggs, similar


to those of the Yellow-billed species but averaging smaller; size 1.15 x .85.
[386a.] MAYNARD'S CUCKOO.
Coccyzus minor maynardi.

Light greenish blue

Range. Bahamas; accidental on Florida Keys,


and paler form than the preceding.

This is a slightly smaller

387. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus americanus americanus.


Range. United States east of the Plains and from southern Canada southward.
This species is generally abundant in all localities in its range, which afford
suitable nesting places of tangled underbrush or vines. It may be distinguished
from the Black-billed variety by its larger size (12 inches long), blackish tail
with broad white tips, and yellowish lower mandible. They are often regarded
by the superstitious as forecasters of rain, and as
omens, probably because of their gutteral croaking
notes.
Their nests are made of twigs, lined with shreds
of grape vine bark or catkins; the nests are generally very shabbily made and so flat on the top that
the eggs frequently roll off. They are located near
the ground in bushes or low trees. The three or four
eggs are deposited at intervals of several days, and
frequently young birds and eggs are found in
the nest at the same time. Like the Flicker, this
bird will frequently continue laying if one egg is
removed at a time, and as many as twelve have been taken from the same nest,
by this means. The eggs are light greenish blue. Size 1.20 x .90. They are
usually laid during May or June.

244

Pale greenish blue

A. R. Spaid
NEST ANP EGGS OF YELLO \V-BlLJvEp CUCKOO

THE BIRD BOOK

387a. CALIFORNIA CUCKOO.


Coccyzus americanus occidentalis.
Range. Western North America, from
British Columbia, southward.
Slightly larger and with a stouter bill than
the last. Eggs not distinguishable.
388. BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO. Coccyzus
erythrophthalmus.
Range. United States east of the Rocky
Mountains; north to Labrador and Manitoba;
south in winter to Central and South America.
This species is rather
more common in the
northern part of the
United States than the
Yellow - billed variety.
The bird is smaller, has
a blackish bill, and the
tail is the same color as
the back and only slight-

Greenish blue

similar locations and of the same materials as used by the Yellow-bill; the thre
e
or four eggs are smaller and a darker shade of greenish blue. Size 1.15 x .85.
All the Cuckoos are close sitters and will not leave the nest until nearly reach
ed

with the hand, when they will slowly nutter off through the underbrush, and
continue to utter their mournful "Kuk-kuk-kuk," many times repeated.
[388.1.] KAMCHATKA CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus telephonus.
An Asiatic subspecies of the common European Cuckoo, accidentally occurring in Alaska.

TROGONS. Family TROGONID^

389. COPPERY-TAILED TROGON.


Trogon ambiguus.
Range. Southern Mexico, north to
Grande in Texas and in southern Arizona,
localities they probably breed.
This is the only member of this
family of beautiful birds which
reaches our borders. This species
is 12 inches in length, and is a
metallic green color on the upper
parts and breast, and with coppery
reflections of the middle tail feathers, the outer ones being white,
very finely vermiculated with black,
as are the wing coverts. The underparts, except for a white band
across the breast, are rosy red. This
cavities in large trees, generally in large
pecker holes. They are also said to have
ing in holes in banks. Their eggs are
number and are a dull white in color.
246

the Lower Rio


in both of which

species nest in
, deserted Woodbeen found nestthree or four in
Size 1,10 x .85.

387a 389

KINGFISHERS

KINGFISHERS. Family ALCEDINID^E

390. BELTED KINGFISHER. Ceryle alcyon.


Range. Whole of North America, breeding
from southern United States, northward and
wintering from the southern parts of its breeding range, southward.
This well known bird is abundant in all localities near water, where its rattling notes are
among the most familiar of sounds. Their food
is almost entirely of small fish, which they
catch by plunging upon from their perch on an
old dead limb overhanging the water,
or by hovering in
the air like an Os- /
prey. Their nests /
are located at the [ :
end of burrows in > 1
sand banks or the
banks of creeks and
rivers. These tunnels, which are dug
by the birds, generally commence two or three feet from the top
of the bank and extend back from six to eight
feet, either in a straight line or curved; the end is enlarged to form a suitabl
e
nesting place, in which from five to eight eggs are laid. They are glossy and
pure white in color. Size 1.35 x 1.05. Data. Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, June 6, 1900. 7 eggs at the end of a 6 foot tunnel in a sand bank. Bir
d
removed by hand from the nest. Collector, C. E. Howe.

White

Belted Kingfisher

[390.1.] RINGED KINGFISHER. Ceryle torquata.

Range. Mexico, north casually to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

This handsome species is much larger than the Belted Kingfisher and the
underparts are nearly all bright chestnut, except the white throat. They nest in
river banks the same as the common American species, and the eggs are white,
but larger. Size 1.45 x 1.10.

247

WOODPECKERS

391. TEXAS KINGFISHER.


Ceryle americana septentrionalis
Range. Southern Texas, south through Mexcio.
This variety is much smaller than the Belted,
length 8 inches, and is a lustrous greenish
above, variously speckled with white, and is
white below, spotted with greenish. It is a
common and resident species in southern
Texas, where it lays its eggs in holes in the
banks along streams. The eggs are white and
glossy, and measure .95 x .70.

WOODPECKERS. Order XV. PICI.


Family PICIDAE
Woodpeckers are well known birds having
sharp chisel-like bills, sharply pointed and
stiffened tail feathers, and strongly clawed feet
with two toes forward and two back, except in
one genus. Their food is insects and grubs,
which they get by boring in trees, and from under the bark, clinging to the
sides of trunks or the under side of branches with their strong curved nails,
aided by the tail, for a prop. They are largely resident where found.

Texas King-fisher

392. IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.


Campephilus principalis.

Range. Locally distributed, and rare, in


Florida, along the Gulf coast and north casually to South Carolina and Arkansas.
This is the largest of the Woodpeckers found
within our borders, being 20 inches in length.
But one other American species exceeds it in
size, the Imperial Woodpecker of Mexico, which
reaches a length of nearly two feet; as this
species is found within a few miles of our
Mexican border, it may yet be classed as a
North American bird. The present species has
a large, heavy, ivory-white bill. They can
readily be identified, at a great distance, from
the Pileated Woodpecker by the large amount
of white on the secondaries. They used to be
not uncommonly seen in many sections of the
southeast but are now found very locally and
only in the largest and remote woods. They
nest in holes in large trees in the most impenetrable swamps; laying three, and probably as
six pure white glossy eggs measuring 1.45 x 1.00.
249

Woodpecker

Hairy Woodpecker

THE BIRD BOOK


3Q3. HAIRY WOODPECKER.
Dryobates villosus villosus.
Range. United States east of the Plains and
from North Carolina to Canada.
The Hairy Woodpecker or its sub-species is
found in all parts of North America. The nesting habits and eggs of all the sub-species are
not in any way different from those of the
eastern bird, consequently what is said in reSard to the eastern form will apply equally to
all its varieties.
Except during the winter months, this species
is not as commonly seen
about houses or orchards
as the Downy Wodpecker.

During the summer they


retire to the larger woods
to nest, laying their eggs
in holes in the trunks or White
limbs of trees at any height from the ground,
and generally using the same hole year after
year, and often twice or three times during
one season, if the first sets are taken. They
lay from three to six glossy white eggs ; size .95 x .70. This species can be di
stinguished from the Downy Woodpeckers by their larger size (9 inches long),
and the white outer tail feathers, which are unspotted.
393a. NORTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus leucomelas.
Range. North America, north of the United States.
Slightly larger than the preceding.
3931). SOUTHERN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus auduboni.
Range. Southern United States; north to South Carolina.
Similar to the Hairy Woodpecker, but smaller.
393c. HARRIS'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus harrisi.
Range. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.
Similar to the Hairy but with fewer or no white spots
on the wing coverts, and grayish on the underparts.
393d. CABANIS WOODPECKER.
Dryobates villosus hyloscopus.
Range. Southern California, east to Arizona and south
into Mexico. Like the preceding but whiter below.
393e ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAIRY WOODPECKER. Dryobates villosus monticola.
Range. Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south
to New Mexico.
Similar to liarrisi but slightly larger and pure white below.
393f. QUEEN CHARLOTTE WOODPECKER. Dryobates
villosus picoideus.
Range. Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia.
Like Harris Woodpecker, but with the flanks streaked
and the middle pf the back spotted with blackish. 393c 394a
50

WOODPECKERS

394. SOUTHERN DOWNY WOODPECKER.


Dryobates pubescens pubescens.
Range. Gulf and South Atlantic States;
north to South Carolina.
This species, which is the smallest of the
North American Woodpecker (length 6 inches),
is similar in plumage to the Hairy Woodpecker,
but has the ends of the white, outer tail feathers spotted with black. Like the last species,
it is represented by sub-species in all parts of North X
America, the nesting habits \
of all the varieties being the
same and the eggs not distinguishable from one another. They nest in holes in
trees, very often in orchards
or trees in the neighborhood of houses. They are
not nearly as shy as the Hairy Woodpeckers, and
also associate with other birds very freely. The
three to six eggs are laid upon the bottom of
the cavity, with no lining. The height of the
nesting season is during May or June. The
white glossy eggs are .75 x .60.

white, glossy

Southern Downy

394a. GAIRDNER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates.


pubescens gairdneri.
Range. Pacific coast from northern California to British Columbia.
This sub-species is like the last, but is without spots on the wing coverts and
is a dingy white below, differing the same as Harris Woodpecker from the Hairy.
394b. BATCHELDER'S WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens homorus.
Range. Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Like the last but whiter below.
394c. DOWNY WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens medianus.
Range. North America, east of the Plains and north of South Carolina.
Similar to the southern variety but slightly larger and whiter.
394d. NELSON'S DOWNY WOODPECKER. Dryobates 'pubescens nelsoni.
Range. Alaska.
Similar to the northern variety but still larger.

394e. WILLOW WOODPECKER. Dryobates pubescens turati.


Range. California except the northern parts and the ranges of the south.
Similar to Gairdner Woodpecker, but smaller and whiter.
395. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. Dryobates borealis.
Range. Southeastern United States, from South Carolina and Arkansas,
southward.
This black and white species may be known from any other because of
the uniform black crown and nape, the male having a small dot of red on
either side of the crown, back of the eye. They are quite abundant in ttie
Gulf States and Florida, where they nest during April and May, and in some
localities in March. They build in hollow trees or stumps at an elevation
from the ground, laying from three to six glgssy white eggs; size .95 x .70.
251

THE BIRD BOOK

396,

Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Texas Woodpecker

3Q6. TEXAS WOODPECKER.


Dryobates scalaris bairdi.
Range. Southwestern United States from
southern Colorado south to northern Mexico.
This species is brownish white below, has the
back barred with black and white, and the male
has the whole crown red, shading into mixed
black and whitish on the forehead. Its habits
and nesting are just the same as those of the
Downy, but the three or four white eggs, that
they lay in April, are larger; size .80 x .65.
396a. SAN LUCAS WOODPECKER. Dryobates scalaris lucasanus.
Range. Lower California, north to the Colorado Desert, California.
Very similar to the last; less barring on the
outer tail feathers. Eggs the same.

397. NUTTALI/S WOODPECKER. Dryobates nuttalli.


Range. Pacific coast from Oregon south to Lower California.
Similar to the Texan Woodpecker but whiter below,
with whitish nasal tufts, and the fore part of the crown
black and white striped, the red being confined to the
nape region. They nest in holes in trees, either in dead
stumps or in growing trees, and at any height above
ground. During April or May they deposit their white
glossy eggs upon the bottom of the cavity. The eggs
measure .85 x .65.
398. ARIZONA WOODPECKER. Dryobates arizonce.
Range. Mexican border of the United States, chiefly in
Arizona and New Mexico.
This species is entirely different from any others of
our Woodpeckers, being uniform brownish above, and soiled
whitish below, spotted with black. The male bird has a
red crescent on the nape. They are said to be fairly abundant in some sections of southern Arizona. Their nesting
habits do not vary from those of the other Woodpeckers
found in the same regions, and they show no especial preference for any particular kind of a tree in which to lay
their eggs. The nesting season appears to be at its
height in April. The pure white eggs average in size
about .85x.60.

252

WOODPECKERS

399- WHITE-HEADED WOODPECKER.


Xenopicus albolarvatus.
Range. Western United States from southern California to southern British Columbia.
This odd species is wholly a dull black color,
except for the white head and neck, and basal
half of the primaries. They
are quite abundant in some
localities, particularly in
California on mountain
ranges. They nest at any
height, but the greater
number have been found
under twenty feet from the
ground and in old pine
White stubs. They lay from four

to six glossy white eggs,


measuring .95 x .70. They are said to be more
silent than others of the Woodpecker family,
and rarely make the familiar tapping and never
drum. It is claimed that they get at their
food by scaling bark off the trees, instead of
by boring.

400.

40!.

Three-toed Woodpecker
Arctic Three-toe^ Woodpecker

ARCTIC THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. Picoides arcticus.


As implied by their name, members of this genus have
but three toes, two in front and one behind. The plumage
of this species is entirely black above, and whitish below,
with the flanks barred with blackish. The male has a
yellow patch on the crown. They breed abundantly in
coniferous forests in mountainous regions throughout their
range, laying their eggs in cavities in decayed stumps and
trees, apparently at any height, from five feet up. The
eggs are laid in May or June. Size .95 x .70.

White

401. THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. Picoides americanus americanus.


Range. Northern parts of the United States north to the Arctic regions.
Range. From northern United States northward. ,
The chief difference between this species and the last is in the white on the
back, either as a patch or in the form of broken bars. The nesting habits are
just the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding.
Both forms are found breeding in the same localities in the Adirondacks and in
nearly all other portions of their range.

253

THE BIRD BOOK

401a. ALASKA THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.


Picoides americanus fasciatus.
Range. Alaska, south to British Columbia
and Washington.
Like the last, but with more white on the
back. Eggs like the arcticus.
401b. ALPINE THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
Picoides americanus dorsalis.
Range. Rocky Mountains from British Columbia south to New Mexico.
Slightly larger than the preceding and with
more white on the back, almost entirely losing
the barred effect of the American Three-toed
variety. They nest chiefly in dead pines, laying four or five white eggs that cannot be distinguished from those of many other species.
Size .95 x .70.

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 402. YELLOW-BELLIED SAPSUCKER. Sphyra


picus varius varius.
Range. North America, east of the Plains; breeding from Massachusetts
northward, and wintering from the Carolinas and Illinois southward.
This species is one of the most handsomely marked of the family; they can
easily be recognized by the red crown and throat (white on the female), each
bordered by black, and the yellowish underparts. The members of this genus have been found to be the only ones thai
are really injurious, and these only to a slight extent, to cui- /-"^
tivated trees. This species and the two following are the only / ' ;
real "sapsuckers," a crime that is often attributed to the most fffc
useful of the family. Their nesting season is during May and
June, they then resorting to the interior of the woods, where
they deposit their four to seven glossy eggs on the bottom
of holes in trees, generally at quite an elevation from the
ground. Size of eggs .85 x .60. White

402a. RED-NAPED SAPSUCKER. Sphyrapicus varius nuchalis.


Range. Rocky Mountain region of the United States and southern Canada

south to Mexico and west to California.


This variety differs from the last, chiefly in addition of a band of scarlet
on the nape in place of the white on the Yellow-bellied species. Coming as
it does, midway between the ranges of the preceding species and the following,
this variety, with its extension of red on the head and throat, may be regarded
somewhat as a connecting link between the two species, but it is perfectly distinct and does not intergrade with either. There appears to be no difference in
the nesting habits of the two varieties, except that the present one, according
to
Bendire, shows a preference to nesting in live aspens. The eggs measure
.90 x .65.
254

WOODPECKERS

403. RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKER.


Sphyrapicus ruber ruber.
Range. Pacific Coast from Lower California to Oregon.
Except for a whitish line from the eye to
the bill, the entire head, neck and breast of
this species is red, of varying shades in different individuals, from carmine to nearly a scarlet; the remainder of their plumage is very
similar to that of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
This is an abundant species and in most parts
of the range they are not timid. Like many of
the Woodpeckers, they spend a great deal of
their time in drumming on some dead limb.
They nest commonly in aspens, preferably living ones, and are said to build a new nesting
hole each year rather than use the old. The
eggs are laid during May or June, being glossy
white, five to seven in number, and measuring
.90 x .70.

Pileated Woodpecker

403a. NORTHERN RED-BREASTED SAPSUCKE.


Sphyrapicus ruber notkensis.
Range. Pacific coast from California to Alaska.
404. WILLIAMSON'S SAPSUCKER. Sphyrapicus thyroideus.
This is a deeper and brighter variety, and is more yellowish on the belly. Its
nesting habits and eggs are the same as those of the southern form.

Range. Mountain ranges from the Rockies to the Pacific; north to British
Columbia.
This oddly marked species shows a surprising number of variations in plumage; the normal adult male is largely black on the upper parts and breast,
with only a narrow patch of red on the throat, and with the belly, bright yellow
.
The female is entirely different in plumage and for a long time was supposed to
be a distinct species; she is brownish in place of the black in the male, has no
red in the plumage, and is barred with black and white on the back and wings.
They nest at high altitudes in mountain ranges, either in coniferous forests or
in aspens. There is no peculiarity in their nesting habits; they lay from four
to seven eggs, glossy white. Size .97 x .67.
405. PILEATED WOODPECKER. Phlceotomus pileatus pileatus.
Range. Southern and South Atlantic States.
This heavily built Woodpecker is nearly as large as the Ivory-bill, being 17
inches in length. They are not nearly as beautiful as the Ivory-bills, their
plumage being a sooty black instead of glossy, and the white on the wing,
being confined to a very small patch at the base of the primaries; the whole
crown and crest are vermillion, as is also a moustache mark in the male. They
breed in the most heavily timbered districts, and generally at a high elevation;
excavating a cavity sometimes 25 inches in depth and eight inches in diameter.
In most localities they are very shy and difficult to approach. During April or
May they lay from three to six white eggs. Size 1.30 x 1.00.

255

THE BIRD BOOK


mmm

Williamson Sapsucker
Northern Pileated Woodpecker

405a. NORTHERN PILEATED WOODPECKER.


Phlceotomus pileatus abieticola.
Range. Local throughout North America,
from the northern parts of the United States
northward.

This variety is only very slightly larger


than the preceding, it otherwise being the
same. It is still abundant in many localities,
but its range is rapidly being reduced, on account of cutting away the forests. Its nesting
habits and eggs are the same as those of the
southern variety.
406. RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
Melanerpes ery throe ephalus.
Range. United States, east of the Rockies,
except New England; north to northern Canada; winters in southern United States.
This beautiful species
has a bright red head,
neck and breast, glossy
blue black back, wings
and tail, and white underparts, rump and secondaries. It is the most abundant of the family in the
greater portion of its
range, where it nests in
any kind of trees or in telegraph poles at any
height from the ground; they also sometimes
nest in holes under the eaves of buildings. They
are the most pugnacious of the Woodpeckers,
and are often seen chasing one another or driving away some other bird. They are also known

White

to destroy the nests and eggs of many species,


and also to kill and devour the young, they
being the only Woodpecker, so far as known,
to have acquired this disreputable habit; they
also feed upon, besides ants and larvae, many
kinds of fruit and berries. Their nesting season is during May and June, when they lay
from four to eight white eggs, with less gloss
than those of the Flicker. Size 1.00 x .75.
407. ANT-EATING WOODPECKER.
Melanerpes formicivorus formicivorus.
Range. Mexican border of the United States,
southward.
This species may be identified by the black
region around the base of the bill, the white
forehead, red crown and nape, yellowish throat,
and blackish upper parts, extending in a band

across the breast, this variety having the band


streaked with white posteriorly. The habits of
this variety are the same as the next which is
most abundant in the United States.
256

Red-headed Woodpecker

WOODPECKERS

407a. CALIFORNIA WOODPECKER.


Melanerpes formicivorus bairdi.
Range. California and Oregon.
This bird differs from the last in having fewer white stripes in the black breast band. In
suitable localities, this is the most abundant of
Woodpeckers on the Pacific coast. They have
none of the bad habits of the Red-heads, appear
to be sociable among their kind, and are not
afraid of mankind. It nests indifferently in all
kinds of trees at any height from the ground,
laying from three to seven eggs. Size 1.00 x
.75. This species has the habit of storing food
for future use developed to a greater extent
than any other of the family. They sometimes
completely honeycomb the exterior surface of
decayed trees, with holes designed to hold
acorns.

407b. NARROW-FRONTED WOODPECKER.


Melanerpes formicivorus angustifrons

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Range. Southern Lower California.


This variety differs from the others in being slightly smaller and in having
the white band on the forehead narrower. Its nesting habits are the same, but
the eggs average smaller. Size .95 x .75.

408. LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. Asyndesmus lewisi.


Range. Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific coast; from
British Columbia south to Mexico.
A very oddly colored species, 11 inches in length having a dark red face, streaked red and white under
parts, a gray breast band, and glossy greenish black
upperparts. They are not uncommon in the greater
part of their range, can not be called shy birds, and
nest in all kinds of trees at heights varying from six to
one hundred feet from the ground, the five to nine white
eggs measuring 1.05 x .80, and being laid during May
or June. White

109. RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. Centurus carolinus.


Range. United States east of the Plains, breeding from the Gulf States north
in nearly all parts of their range, frequenting the more heavily timbered region
s,
where they nest in any place that attracts their fancy; in some localities they
also commonly nest in telegraph poles. They are quite tame, and during the
winter months come about yards and houses, the same as, and often in company
with Downy Woodpeckers. Their eggs, which are laid during May, are glossy
white, average in size 1.00 x .75 and number from four to six.

17

THE BIRD BOOK

White

410. GOLDEN-FRONTED WOODPECKER.


Centurus aurifrons.
Range. Mexico and southern Texas, resident.
This is also one of the "zebra" or "ladderbacked" Woodpeckers, having the back and
wings closely barred with black and white, the
same as the preceding; the forehead, nasal
tufts and nape are gol-

den yellow, and the


male has a patch of red
on the crown. This is
a very common resident
species in the Lower
Rio Grande Valley in
Texas, where it nests in
trees or telegraph poles,
sometimes so numerously in the latter situations as to become a
nuisance. Their nesting habits are not in any
manner peculiar, and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the preceding. Size
1.00 x .75. Laid during April and May.

411. GILA WOODPECKER.


Centurus uropygialis.
Range. Mexican border of the United States,
in southern Arizona and New Mexico.
Like the preceding but without any yellow
on the head, the male having a red patch in
the center of the crown. They are locally distributed in New Mexico, but appear to be abundant in all parts of southern Arizona, where they
nest principally in giant cacti, but also in many other trees such as cottonwood
s,
mesquite, sycamores, etc. Besides their decided preference for giant cacti,
there is nothing unusual in their nesting habits, and the eggs are not different
from those of others of the genus. They lay from three to six eggs in April or
May. Size 1.00 x .75.

408 411

412. FLICKER. Colaptes auratus auratus.


Range. Southeastern United States.
Flickers are well known, large Woodpeckers (13
inches long), with a brownish tone to the plumage, barred on the back and spotted on the breast with black.
The present species has a golden yellow lining to the
wings and tail, and the shafts of the feathers are yellow;
it has a red crescent on the nape, and the male has black
moustache marks. This species and its sub-variety are
the most widely known Woodpeckers in eastern North
America, where they are known in different localities,
by something like a hundred local names, of which
258

White

WOODPECKERS

Pigeon Woodpecker and Yellow-hammer seem


to be the most universal. They have the undulating flight common to all Woodpeckers and
show the white rump patch conspicuously when
flying. They are often found on the ground in
pastures or on side hills, feeding upon ants;
they are more terrestrial than any others of
the family. They nest anywhere, where they
can find or make a suitable cavity for the reception of their eggs; in trees in woods or solitary trees in large pastures, in apple trees in
orchards, in fence posts, in holes under the
roofs of buildings, etc. They ordinarily lay
from five to ten very glossy eggs, but it has
been found that they will continue laying, if
one egg is removed from the nest at a time,
until in one case seventy-one eggs were secured. Fresh eggs may be found at any time from
May until August, as they frequently raise two
broods a season. Size of eggs, 1.10 x .90 with
considerable variations.

412a. NORTHERN P'LICKER.


tus luteus.

Colaptes aura-

Northern Flicker

Range. Whole of North America, east of the Rockies, except the southeastern portion.
Averaging larger than the preceding, but individual specimens of the northern variety are frequently found to be even smaller than the southern, and vice
versa, making the distinction one of the study rather than Nature.
413. RED-SHAFTED FLICKER.
Colaptes cafer collaris.

Range. United States west of the Rockies.


This species is marked similarly to the preceding, but the top of the head is brownish instead of gray, and the underparts of the wings
and tail, and their quills are reddish. Neither
sex has the red crescent
on the back of the head,
except in the case of hybrids between the 'two
species, but the male has I
red moustache marks. \* j
There are no differences
in the nidification between this species and
the preceding, but the White
eggs of this average a trifle larger (1.15x.90).
41 3a. NORTHWESTERN FLICKER. Colaptes
cafer saturatior.
Range. Pacific coast, breeding from Oregon to Alaska.
This is a much darker variety of the Red-shafted Flicker, but its nesting habits
or eggs do not differ in any way.
259

Red-shafted Flicker

NORTHERN FLICKER

G. E. Moulthrope
NEST AND EGGS OF NORTHERN FLICKER

f.THE BIRD BOOK


414. GILDED FLICKER. Colaptes chrysoides.
Range. Arizona and southward through Mexico to southern Lower California.
This pale species has the yellowish lining to the wings and tail as in the
Flicker, but has a pale cinnamon brown crown, no crescent on back of head, and
the male has red moustache marks. It is a common species in all localities
where the giant cactus abounds, and shows a preference to nesting in these
strange growths, to any other trees. Their habits are, in all respects, the same

as those of the other Flickers and their eggs cannot be distinguished. Size
1.10 x .90.
414a. SAN FERNANDO FLICKER. Colaptes chrysoides brunnescens.
Range. Northern Lower California.
This is a slightly smaller and darker variety of the Gilded Flicker.
415. GUADALUPE FLICKER. Colaptes rufipileus.
Range. Guadalupe Island.
Similar to the Red-shafted Flicker, but with the crown darker and the rump a
solid pinkish white. They are common in a large cypress grove in the middle
of the island, but rarely found on any other portions. The eggs have been described by Mr. Walter E. Bryant, who found them breeding on the island, to be
indistinguishable from those of the others of the genus.

GOATSUCKERS, SWIFTS, AND HUMMINGBIRDS.


Order XVI. MACROCHIRES.
GOATSUCKERS, Family CAPRIMULGIDAE.

Goatsuckers are long winged birds, with small bills, but with an extraordinarily large mouth, the opening of which extends beneath and beyond the eyes.
They are chiefly dusk or night fliers, their food consisting of insects which
they catch on the wing. Their plumage is mottled black, brownish and white,
resembling the ground upon which they lay their eggs.
262

416.

GOATSUCKERS AND SWIFTS


CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW.
Antrostomus carolinensis.
Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States,
breeding north to Virginia and Indiana, and
west to Arkansas and eastern Texas.
These birds are abundant summer residents
in the southern portions of their range, but as

Chuck -will's- widow

Grayish white
they are silent and hiding in the woods during
the day time, they are not as popularly known
as are most birds. They rarely fly during the
day time unless disturbed from their roosting
place which is on the ground under underbrush
or in hollow logs. Their notes, which are a rapid and repeatedly uttered whistling repetition of their name, are heard until late in the night. They nest dur
ing April, May or June, laying two eggs on the ground amid the leaves in woods
or scrubby underbrush. The eggs are grayish to creamy white in color, handsomely marked with shades of lilac, gray and brownish; size 1.40 x 1.00.
417. WHIP-POOR-WILL. Antrostomus vociferus vociferus.
Range. North America east of the Plains ; north to the southern parts of the
British possessions; winters along the Gulf coast and southward.
This species is well known, by sound, in nearly all parts of its range, but
comparatively few ever observed the bird, and probably the greater number
mistake the Nighthawk for this species. The two species can readily be distinguished at a distance by the absence of any pronounced white marking in
ths wings, and by the white tips to the outer
tail feathers in the present species, while the
Night Hawk has a prominent white band across
the tail, but the top is black, and the tail slightly forked. The Whip-poor-will, rarely leaves
its place of concealment before dark, and is
never, seen flying about cities, as are the Nighthawks. In their pursuit
of insects, they glide
like a shadow over
fields and woods, their
soft plumage giving
forth no sound as their
wings cleave the air.
Until late at night, their
whistling cry "whippoor-will," repeated at
intervals, rings out in all wooded hilly districts. Their two eggs are deposited on the
ground among dead leaves, generally in dense
woods. They are grayish white or cream color
marbled with pale brown and gray, with faint
er markings of lilac. Size 1.50 x .85.
263

Creamy white

Whip-poor-will

THE BIRD BOOK

41 7a. STEPHEN'S WHIP-POOR-WILL.


Antrostomus vociferus macromystax.
Range. Arizona and New Mexico, south
through the tableland of Mexico.
This sub-species is slightly larger and has
longer mouth bristles than the eastern bird.
Their nesting habits are the same and the eggs
differ only in averaging lighter in color, with
fainter markings, some specimens being almost
immaculate.

418. POOR-WILL. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli


nuttalli.
Range. United States west of the Mississippi, breeding from Kansas and northern California northward to Montana and British Columbia.
This handsome species ^,- ^
is the smallest of the family, being under 8 inches
in length. Its plumage is mottled black, white and frosty
gray, harmoniously blended together. They can easily be
distinguished from all other Goatsuckers by their size and
silvery appearance. They nest on the ground, either placing their two eggs upon a bed of leaves or upon a flat rock. White
The breeding season is from the latter part of May through July. The eggs are
pure white and glossy; size 1.00 x .75.

Poor-will

Merrill's Paraque

418a. FROSTED POOR-WILL. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli nitidus.

Range. Texas and Arizona, north to western Kansas.


This variety is like the last but paler, both above and below,
tinguishable from those of others of the genus.

Eggs indis-

41Sb. DUSKY POOR- WILL. Phalcenoptilus nuttalli calif ornicus.


Range. A darker race found on the coast of California, having the same nesting habits as the others.
The egg figured is of this species. Data. Los Angeles, Cal., June 24, 1900.
2 eggs on the ground at the foot of an oak tree on the side of a hill. Collector
,
F. M. Palmer.

. .

264

GOATSUCKERS AND SWIFTS

419- MERRILL'S PARATJQUE. Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli.


Range. Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas.
This species is the same length as the Chuck-will's-widow, but is not as stoutly
built, and has a slightly longer tail. It can be distinguished from any other of the family by its tail,
the outer feather on each side being black (or brownish barred with black in the female), and the next
two having white ends for nearly half their length.
Their eggs are laid on the ground in open localities,
and generally under the protection of an overhanging bush. They are two in number and differ greatly
from those of any other American member of this
family, being a buff or rich salmon buff in color, spotted and splashed with gray, lavender, and reddish brown; size 1.25 x .90.
Data. Brownsville, Texas, April 16, 1900. Eggs laid on the ground in a dense
thicket. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.

Salmon buff

Geo. S. Fiske

NEST AND EGGS OF WHIP-POOR-WILL

THE BIRD BOOK

Nighthawk

420. NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus virginianus.


Range. North America,
east of the Plains and from
Labrador to the Gulf of Mexico; winters through Mexico
to northern South America.
The Nighthawk or some of
its sub-species is found in
nearly all parts of North
America, its habits being the
same in all localities. It is

Grayish white
of the same size as the Whippoor-will, from which species
it can readily be distinguished by its lack of mouth bristles, forked tail with a white
band near the end, and the
white band across the primaries, the latter mark showing
very plainly during flight. Besides in the country, they are
very common in cities, where they will be seen any summer day towards dusk
flying, skimming, sailing, and swooping over the tops of the buildings, upon
the gravel roofs on which they often lay their eggs. They nest generally on
rocky hillsides or in open woods, laying their two eggs upon the top of a flat
rock. The eggs are a grayish white color, marbled, blotched and spotted with

darker shades of gray. Size 1.20 x .85.

420a. WESTERN NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus henryi.


Range. United States west of the Plains.
A similar bird to the preceding, but with plumage
somewhat more rusty. It frequents the more open
portions of the country in its range, its habits and
nesting habits being the same as others of the former
species; the eggs average a trifle lighter in color.

Grayish white

420b. FLORIDA NIGHTHAWK. Chordeiles virginianus chapmani.


Range. A smaller and paler form found in Florida and along the Gulf coast.
No difference can be observed in the nesting habits of this as compared with the
northern form and the eggs are indistinguishable.

J. E. Seebold

NEST AND EGGS OF NIGHTHAWK-

THE BIRD BOOK

420 421

420c. SENNETT'S NIGHTHAWK.


Cordeiles virginianus sennetti.
Range. A very pale species with little or
no tawny; found in the Great Plains from
Texas north to the Saskatchewan; winters
south of the United States.
421. TEXAS NIGHTHAWK.

Chordeiles acutipennu texensis.


Range. Mexico and Central America, breed
ing north to southern Utah and California.
The pattern of the
marking of this species
is finer and more mottled with rusty than
the Nighthawk. Its ^m$t%&lt;*t ,Y
habits do not differ to
any extent from those
of the preceding species; they lay their two Gravish whil
mottled gray eggs upon the bare ground, often on the dry sand and
in arid regions
where they are
exposed, with
no protection,
to the scorching rays of the
sun. The eggs
vary endlessly
in extent of
markings,some
being very pale
and others
very dark gray,
mottled with
various shades

of gray, brown and lilac. Size 1.10 x .75.

SWIFTS. Family MICROPODID^E

422.

BLACK SWIFT.
borealis.

Cypseloides niger

Range. Mountain ranges from Central America north to British Columbia, locally distribut-

ed throughout its range.


The plumage of this Swift is entirely sooty
black, darkest above; the tail is slightly forked
and is without spines; length of bird, 7 inches.
Although the general habits of this species are
well known, little is known of their nesting;
they are seen during the breeding season about
the higher ranges throughout their United
States habitat, and are supposed to nest in
crevices on the face of cliffs at a high altitude.
268

422424

GOATSUCKERS AND SWIFTS

423. CHIMNEY SWIFT. Chcetura pelagica.


Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding from central Canada, south to the Gulf
coast, and wintering south of our borders.
This well known species is sooty brownish
black, 5.5 inches long, and has the tail feathers
terminating in sharp spines. They are very
abundant in all portions of their range, and
may be seen on the wing at all hours of the
day, but especially abundant in the early morning and toward dusk. They formerly dwelt
and bred only in hollow trees, and a great many
still continue to do so, as large hollow stumps
are known where hundreds nest every year.
The majority of the eastern Chimney Swifts
now nest in old chimneys that are unused, at
least during the summer; some small chimneys
contain but a single pair while other large ones
may have from fifty to a hundred or more nests
glued to the sides. The birds are on the wing
during the greater part of the day, generally
not frequenting the vicinity of their nesting
site, but returning toward dusk, when they may

Chimney Swift

E. R. Forrest

NEST AND EGGS OF CHIMNEY SWIFT

269

THE BIRD BOOK

be seen to, one at a time, dive headforemost into


the tops of chimneys. The nest
is made of small twigs firmly
glued to the sides of the chimney, or tree, and to each other,
with the glutinous saliva of the vbird, making a narrow semi-circle
platform for the reception of White
their three to five white eggs which are deposited
in May or June; size .75 x .50.

424. VAUX'S SWIFT. Chcetura vauxi.


Range. Western United States, chiefly west of
the Rockies; breeding north to British Columbia,
and wintering south of the United States.
Similar to the last but smaller
(length 4.5 inches), and paler in
color, fading to white on the
throat. The habits of this species are like those of the eastern Chimney Swift, except that
the majority of these species still
continue to use hollow trees as
nesting places. The eggs are just like those of
the last bird.

WHITE-THROATED SWIFT.
Mronautes melanolcucus.

Range. Western United States south of Can9 _ 9 ada, and chiefly in the Rocky Mountains, and in
California ranges, north to Lat. 38.
A handsome species, 6.5 inches in length, with blackish upper parts and sides,
and white throat, breast and central line of under parts, flank
patches and ends of secondaries ; tail feathers not spined or
stiffened. These birds are fairly common in some localities

within their range, but appear to be found only on high ranges


or in their immediate vicinity. They nest in crevices and
caves in the face of cliffs, making a nest similar in construe
tion to that of the Chimney Swift but of weed stalks instead White
of twigs, and lined with feathers. They lay four or five dull white eggs, during
June or July; size .85 x .50.

White

270

HUMMINGBIRDS

HUMMINGBIRDS. Family TROCHILIDAE

Hummingbirds have been truly called "Winged Gems." They are the smallest of birds, the usual plumage being a metallic green with throat or crown
patches of the brightest of iridescent shining red, orange, blue or violet. Thei
r
nests are marvels of architecture being compactly and intricately made of plant
fibres and downy feathers ornamented in some cases with lichens. Their flight
is accompanied by a peculiar buzzing sound produced by their rapidly vibrating
stiffened wing feathers. Their food is small
insects and honey both of which they get chiefly from flowers.
426. RIVOLI'S HUMMINGBIRD.
Eugenes fulgens.
Range. Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona where they breed at high elevations in the Huachuca Mountains.
This is one of the most gorgeous of the Hummers having the crown a violet purple color,
and the throat brilliant green. This species
saddles its nest upon branches often at heights
of 20 or 30 feet from the ground. They are
made of plant down and generally decorated
with lichens on the outside, similar to nests of
the Ruby-throat. The two white eggs measure
.65 x .40.
427- BLUE-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD.
Cyanolcemus clemencies.

Range. Mexico, north in summer to the


border of Arizona and western New Mexico.
This species is the largest of North American Hummers being 5.25 inches long, this being slightly larger than the preceding. As the
name implies, it has a patch of blue on the
throat, the upper parts being a uniform greenish; the outer tail feathers are broadly tipped
with white. Their nests, which are placed upon the limbs of trees, are made of mosses and
plant fibres covered with cobwebs. The two
eggs are laid during July and August, and
measure .65 x .40. 4 <>7_429

271

428. RUBY-THROATED
HUMMINGBIRD.
Archilochus colubris.
Range North America east
of the Plains and north to
Labrador.
This is the only representative of the family found
east of the Mississippi. It is
a small species, 3.5 inches
long, with greenish upper
parts and a bright ruby throat.
Its nest is as beautiful, if not
more so, than that of any
other species. They build
their nests on horizontal
limbs of trees at any height
from the ground, but usually
more than six feet. Branches
an inch or more in diameter
are usually selected, they not
being particular as to the
kind of tree, but oaks, pines
and maples perhaps being
used the most often. The
nests are made of plant fibres
and down, and the exterior is
completely covered with green
lichens so that it appears like
a small bunch of moss on the
limb. The two white eggs are
laid in May or June; size .50
x.35.

HUMMINGBIRDS

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

429- BLACK-CHINNED HUMMINGBIRD. Archilochus alexandri.


Range. North America west of the Rocky Mountains; north to British Colum
bia; winters south of the United States.
Similar in size and appearance to the Ruby-throat, but with the chin and
upper throat black, the
rest of the throat gorget
being violet or amethyst.
It is an abundant species
in summer in many localities, especially in the south'ern half of its range. They
build their nests a! low elewtions, rarely above ten
feet, on small branches or
the .fork at the end of a
limit* T^he nests are made
of yellowislr plant fibres
and 'are 'not covered with
lichens, so that they have
a peculiar spongy appearance. Eggs indistinguishable from those of the
Ruby-throat. Laid during
April, May or June.

18

RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD

HUMMINGBIRDS

430. COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD.


Calypte costce.

Range. Southwestern United States; north


to southern Utah; winters south of our border.
Smaller than the last and with both the
crown and the throat gorget, violet or amethyst, the feathers on the sides of the latter being lengthened. Their nests are situated in
the forks of branches generally near the ground,
and seldom above six feet from it. They are
made of plant down with shreds of weeds, bark
and lichens worked into the outside portions,
and are often lined with soft feathers. The
two eggs average .48 x .32. Data. Arroyo Seco,
California, June 10, 1900. Nest in an alder bush.
Collector, Charles E. Groesbeck.
431. ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD. Calypte anna
Range. Pacific coast of the United States
from northern California, southward, wintering in Mexico and southern California.
This handsome species has both the crown
and the broadened and lengthened throat gorgets, a purplish pink; it is slightly larger than
the Ruby-throat. They are very abundant In
their restricted range, and nest in February
and March and again in April or May, raising
two broods a season. Their nests are made of
plant down and covered on the outside with
cobwebs and a few lichens, and are generally
located at a low elevation. The white eggs
average .50 x .30. Data. Santa Monica, California, March 4, 1897. Nest in a bunch of seed
pods in a gum tree, ten feet from the ground.
Collector, Tom Bundy.

430431

275

THE BIRD BOOK

432 433 434

432. BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD.


Selasphorus platycercus.
Range. Rocky Mountain regions, north to
Wyoming; winters south of the United States
This species is similar to the Ruby-throat,
but larger and with the back more golden
green color, and the throat shining lilac. They
are very abundant in Colorado and Arizona,
nesting as do the Ruby-throats in the east, and
their nests being similar in construction and
appearance to those of that species. The
eggs cannot be distinguished from those of
other species.

433. RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD.


Selasphorus rufus.
Range. Western North America, breeding
from the Mexican border north to Alaska and
fairly abundant in most of its range.
A handsome little species with the back and
tail reddish brown, and with a throat gorget of
orange red, the feathers being slightly lengthened into a ruff on the side of the gorget. They
nest in a great variety of locations and at a
low elevation, such as vines, bushes and the
low hanging branches of trees. The nest is
made of vegetable fibres covered with cobwebs and often with lichens. The eggs do not
differ from those of the other Hummers.

276

HUMMINGBIRDS

434. ALLEN'S HUMMINGBIRD. Selasphorus alleni.


Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia southward; most abundant in
California. Winters in Mexico.
This species is like the last,
but the back is greenish, only
the tail being reddish brown.
These birds generally locate
their nests at low elevations
near the end of overhanging
branches, on vines, weed
stalks, or bushes, but have

been found as high as 90 feet


above ground. The nests of
this species are made of plant
fibres and cobwebs, generally
decorated with lichens. The
two white eggs measure .50 x
.32. Data. Santa Monica,
Cal., May 29, 1896. Nest two
feet from the ground in a
sage bush. Collector, W. Lee
Chambers.

E. L. Bickford
ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD

277

THE BIRD BOOK

436 437 438

435. MORCOM'S HUMMINGBIRD.


Atthis morcomi.
Range. This species is known only from a
single specimen, taken in the Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, in 1896.
436. CALLIOPE HUMMINGBIRD.
Stellula calliope.
Range. Western United States from British
Columbia southward, and from the Rocky
Mountains west to eastern Oregon and California.
This is the smallest of North American Hummers, being but 3 inches in length. It is greenish
above and has a violet gorget showing the
white bases of the feathers. They build their
nests in all manner of locations from high up
in tall pines to within a foot of the ground in
slender bushes. The nests are made interiorly
with plant down, but the outside is generally
grayish colored shreds and lichens. The eggs

average but a trifle smaller than those of coluftris, .45x.30.


437- LUCIFER'S HUMMINGBIRD.
Calothorax lucifer.
Range. Mexico, north to southwestern Texas
and Arizona.
This species, which is common in parts of
Central Mexico, occurs only casually north to
our borders and has not yet been found nesting
there. They build small compact nests of plant
down attached to the stalks or leaves of plants
or weeds.

438. *REIFFER'S HUMMINGBIRD. Amizilis tzacatl.


Range. Abundant in southern Mexico; casual in southern Texas.
This species is greenish above, with a bronzy lustre ; the tail is reddish brown
,
and the throat and breast are metallic green. They breed abundantly about
houses and nest apparently at all seasons of the year in Central America, where
they are the most common species of Hummers.

278

HUMMINGBIRDS

439. BUFF-BELLIED HUMMINGBIRD.


Amizilis cerviniventris chalconota.
Range. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas
and southward through Mexico.
These birds are like the last but have the
underparts a pale brownish buff color. They
are quite common in ^heir summer range in the
United States, nesting at- a low elevation in
bushes and low trees. The two eggs are white,
.50x.35. Data. Brownsville, Texas, May 5,
1892. Nest of fine bark-like fibre on the outside, lined with lint from thistle plant; located
on limb of small hackberry. Collector, Frank
G. Armstrong.
440. XANTUS'S HUMMINGBIRD.
"Basilinna xantusi.

Range. Southern Lower California.


A handsome species, greenish above, with a
coppery tinge and shading into reddish brown
on the tail; under parts buffy, throat metallic
green, and a broad white streak behind the eye.
They breed on the ranges making a similar
nest to those of other Hummers, placed on
weeds or bushes near the ground. The eggs
cannot be distinguished from those of the majority of other species.
440.1. WHITE-EARED HUMMINGBIRD.
Basilinna leucotis.
Range. A Central American and Mexican
species, casually found on the ranges in Southern Arizona.
The plumage of this species is greenish above and below, being metallic green
on the breast; the forehead, sides of head, and throat are iridescent blue
and a white line extends back from the eye.

439440.1441

441. BROAD-BILLED HUMMINGBIRD. Cynanthus 'latirostris.


Range. Mountains of central Mexico north to southern Arizona and New
Mexico.
The throat of this species is a rich metallic blue; otherwise the plumage is
greenish above and below, being brighter and more irisdescent on the breast.
They are not uncommon on the ranges of southern Arizona, where they have
been found nesting in July and August, their nest not being unlike those of the
Rufous Hummer, but with the exterior largely composed of shreds of grayish
bark and lichens. Their eggs are like many others of the Hummers.

279

THE BIRD BOOK

PERCHING BIRDS. Order XVII. PASSERES

COTINGAS. Family COTINGIDAE

.1-.] XANTUS BE CARD. Platypsaris aglaice albiventris.

Range. i Mexico; north casually to the southern border of Arizona.


This peculiar species is grayish above and lighter gray below, has dark slaty
crown* and a patch of rose color on the lower throat. This
is the only representative of this tropical family that has
been found as yet over the Mexican border, but its near
ally, the Rose-throated Becard has been found within a
very few miles and will doubtless be added to our fauna
as an accidental visitor ere long. Their nests are large
masses of grasses, weeds, strips of bark, etc., partially
suspended from the forks of branches. Their eggs number Buffy gray
four or five and are a pale buffy gray color, dotted and scratched with a pale
reddish brown and dark gray. Size .95 x .70. The one figured is from a set
in the collection of Mr. Crandall, taken June 1, 1897 at Presidio Sinaloa, Mexic
o.
' ..A*
FLYCATCHERS. Family TYRANNIDyE
Flycatchers, which are found only in America and chiefly in the tropics, are
insect-eating birds, generally having a grayish colored plumage, sometimes
adorned with a slight crest or a coronal mark of orange, red, or yellow. Only
two of the species found in North America are gaudy in plumage, the Vermilion, and the Derby Flycatchers. They all have the habit of sitting erect on a
dead twig, and watching for passing insects, which they catch on the wing.

[442.] FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER. Muscivora tryannus.


Range. A Central and South American species accidentally having occurred
in the United States on several occasions.
This is a handsome black, white and gray species of the size and form of the
next.

280

PERCHING BIRDS
443. SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER. MuSClVOTa forficdtd.

Creamy white

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Range. Mexico, north through Texas to


southern Kansas; accidental in other parts of
the country.
The Scissor-tail or "Texan Bird of Paradise"
is the most beautiful member of this interesting family. Including its long tail, often 10
inches in length and forked for about 6 inches,
this Flycatcher reaches a
length of about 15 inches.
It is pale grayish above,
fading into whitish below,
and has scarlet linings to
the wings, and a scarlet
crown patch. They are
one of the most abundant
of the breeding birds in
Texas, placing their iara;e
roughly built nests in all kinds of trees and at
any elevation, but averaging between ten and
fifteen feet above ground. The nests are built
of rootlets, grasses, weeds and trash of all
kinds, such as paper, rags, string, etc. The
interior is generally lined with plant fibres,
hair or wool. They lay from three to five, and rarely six eggs with a creamy
white ground color, more or less spotted and blotched with reddish brown, lilac
and gray, the markings generally being most numerous about the larger end.
They average in size about .90 x .67. Data. Corpus Christi, Texas, May 18,
1899. 6 eggs. Nest of moss, vines, etc., on small trees in open woods near town.
Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.
444. KINGBIRD. Tyrannus tyrannus.
Range. Temperate North America, breeding
from the Gulf of Mexico north to New Brunswick, Manitoba and British Columbia; rare off
the Pacific coast.

This common Tyrant Flycatcher is very


abundant in the eastern parts of its range.
They are one of the most pugnacious and courageous of birds attacking and driving away any
feathered creature to which they take a dislike, regardless of size.
Before and during the
nesting season, their
sharp, nerve-racking clatter is kept up all day long,
and with redoubled vigor
when anyone approaches
their nesting site. They
nest in any kind of a tree,
in fields or open woods, and at any height
from the ground, being found on fence rails
within two feet of the ground or in the tops of
pines 70 or 80 feet above the earth. Nearly
every orchard will be found to contain one or
281

Cream t>olor

Kingbird

THE BIRD BOOK

more pairs of these great insect destroyers ; if more than one pair, there will
be
continual warfare as often as one encroaches on the domains of the other. Their
nests are made of strips of vegetable fibre, weeds, etc., and lined with horseha
ir
or catkins. They are sometimes quite bulky and generally very substantially
made. The three to five eggs are laid the latter part of May, and are of a
creamy ground color splashed with reddish brown and lilac. Size .95 x .70.
Data. Worcester County, Massachusetts, June 3, 1895. 4 eggs. Nest 10 feet
from the ground in an apple tree; made of fibres, string, rootlets and weeds,
lined with horse hair. Collector, F. C. Clark.

G. E. Mpulthrope
NEST AND EGGS OF KINGBIRD

282

PERCHING BIRDS

445. GRAY KINGBIRD.

Tyrannus dominie ensis.

Range. West Indies; north in April to Florida and the South Atlantic States to South
Carolina and casually farther.
This species is slightly larger than our Kingbird, (9 inches long), grayish instead of dark
drab above, white below, and without any
white tip to tail. Like
the common Kingbird, it
has a concealed orange
patch on the crown. Their
habits and nesting habits
are the same as those of
our common bird, but the
nest is not generally as
well built, and nearly always is made largely of
twigs. The three or four eggs have a creamy
or a creamy pink ground color, spotted and
blotched with dark brown and lilac, most numerously about the large end. Size 1.00 x .73.
Tarpon Springs, Florida, May 28, 1802. Nest of twigs and weeds in a low bush.
Collector, J. A. Southley.

Creamy

Gray Kingbird

446. COUCH'S KINGBIRD. Tyrannus melanclwlicus couchi.


Range. Mexico, north in summer to southern Texas.
This species is very similar to the next but the throat
and breast are white, and the underparts a brighter yellow. Like the other members of this genus, these build

their nests in any location in trees or bushes, making them


of twigs, weeds and moss. Their three or four eggs have
a creamy ground with a pinkish cast and are spotted
with brown and lilac. Size .97 x .12.

447. ARKANSAS KINGBIRD.


Tyrannus verticalis.

Buff

Arkansas Kingbird

Range. Western United States and southern


British Provinces from Kansas and Minnesota
west to the Pacific. '
This species has grayish upper parts, shading into darker on the wings and tail, and
lighter on the throat and upper breast; the
underparts are yellow, and there is a concealed
patch of orange on the crown. They are very
abundant throughout the west, where they
have the same familiar habits of the eastern
species, nesting in all sorts of locations such as
would be used by the latter. Their nests are
made of plant fibres, weeds, string, paper or
any trash that may be handy, being sometimes
quite bulky. Their eggs do not differ in any
particular from those of the eastern bird, except that they may average a Uttle smaller.
Size .95x.65.

THE BIRD BOOK

448. CASSIN'S KINGBIRD.


Tyrannus vocifcrans.
Range. Western United
States from the Rocky Mountain region to California, and
from Wyoming southward.
This species is like the last

except that the throat and


breast are darker. Their

Derby Flycatcher

Buff
habits, nesting habits and
eggs are indistinguishable
from those of the other Tyrant Flycatchers, and they
are fully as courageous in the
defense of their homes
against either man or bird,
their notes resembling those
of the common Kingbird of
the east.

. DERBY FLYCATCHER. Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus.


Range. Mexico and Central America, breeding north to southern Texas.
This handsome bird is the largest of the Flycatcher family found in the
United States, being 11 inches in length. It has a black crown enclosing a
yellow crown patch; a broad black stripe from the
,-./ " bill, through the eye and around the back of the
head, is separated from the crown by a white forehead and line over the eye; the throat is white
shading into yellow on the underparts. They are
abundant in the interior of Mexico, but can hardly
be classed as common over our border, where they
nest in limited numbers. Their nests are unlike
those of any of our other Flycatchers being large
masses of moss, weeds and grass, arched over on
top and with the entrance on the side. The three or four eggs are creamy white,
sprinkled chiefly about the large end with small reddish brown or umber spots ;
size 1.15x.85.

Creamy white

284

451. SULPHUR-BELLIED
FLYCATCHER. Myiodynastes luteiventris .
Range. Mexico and Central America, breeding north
to the Mexican border of Arizona.
This peculiar Flycatcher,
which is unlike any other
American species, can only
be regarded as a rare breeding bird in the Huachuca Mts.
It is 8 inches in length, has
a grayish back streaked with

PERCHING BIRDS

Crested Flycatcher

Creamy buff
black, the tail largely rusty
brown and the underparts sulphur yellow, streaked on the
breast and sides with dusky;
a yellow crown patch is bordered on either side by a stripe
of mottled dusky, and is separated from the blackish
patch through the eye, by
white superciliary lines. Their
habits are similar to those of the genus Myiarchus, and, like them, they nest in
cavities in trees, and lay from three to five eggs of a creamy buff color thickl
y
spotted and blotched with brown and purplish, the markings not assuming the
scratchy appearance of the Crested Flycatchers, but looking more like those of
a Cardinal; size of egg 1.05 x .75. Data. Huachuca Mts., Arizona, June 29, 1901.
4 eggs. Nest in the natural cavity of a live sycamore tree about fifty feet from
the ground; composed of twigs. Collector, O. W. Howard.
4-52. CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchns crinitus.
Range. North America, east of the Plains, and from New Brunswick and
Manitoba southward; winters from the Gulf States southward.

This trim and graceful, but quarrelsome, species is grayish on the head, neck, and breast, shading to greenish on
the back and quite abruptly into bright yellow on the
underparts; the head is slightly crested and the inner webs
of all the lateral tail feathers are reddish brown. They
are abundant in most of their range but are generally shy
so they are not as often seen as many other more rare
birds. They nest in cavities of any kind of trees and at
any elevation from the ground, the nest being made of Huff
twigs, weeds and trash, and generally having incorporated
into its make-up a piece of cast off snake skin. They lay from four to six
eggs of a buffy color, blotched and lined with dark brown and lavender.
Size .85 x .65.
285

THE BIRD BOOK


453.

ARIZONA CRESTED FLYCATCHER.


Myiarchus magister magister.

Range. Southern Arizona and New Mexico, south


through Mexico.
This bird is very similar to, but averages slightly larger than the Mexican Flycatcher. Its nesting habits are
the same and the eggs cannot be distinguished from
those of the latter, the nest being most frequently found
in giant cacti.
453a. MEXICAN CRESTED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus
magister nelsoni.
Range. Mexico, north to southern Texas.
This species is similar to the last
but is considerably paler. They are
common in some localities, nesting
in holes in trees or stumps, often
those deserted by Woodpeckers.
Their eggs are like those of the last
but average paler. Data. Corpus
Christi, Texas, May 10, 1899. Nest
in hole in telegraph pole; made of
red cow hair, feathers and leaves. 4 eggs. Collector, Prank B. Armstrong,

Pale buff

454. ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens.

Range. North America,


west of the Plains and
south of Canada.
Similar to the others of
the genus but grayish
brown above and with the
underparts much paler, the
throat and breast being
nearly white. Like the
others they nest in cavities in trees, either natural or ones made by Woodpeckers. Their four to
five eggs are lighter in
color than those of crinitus but cannot be distinguished from those of
the Mexican Crested Flycatcher.

Buff

286

PERCHING BIRDS

454b. LOWER CALIFORNIA


FLYCATCHER. Myiarchus
cinerascens pertinax.
Range. Lower California.
This sub-species is similar
to Nutting Flycatcher but paler below and grayish above.
455a. OLIVACEOUS FLY

CATCHER. Myiarchus
lawrencei olivascens.
Range. Western Mexico,
north to southern Arizona.
This is the smallest of the
genus found in the United
States, being but 7 inches in
length. Except for size it is

. '

Buffy
similar to crinitus but with
very little, if any, rusty brown
on tail, except for a slight
edging on the outer web.
Their nesting sites are the
same as those chosen by the other Crested Flycatcher, but their eggs appear
to have but little of the scratchy appearance of the other members. They are
pale buffy, speckled and spotted with brown and lilac; size .80 x .60. Data. Toluca, Mexico, May 20, 1895. Nest of brown hair and feathers, in hole in tree
in woods. Collector, Fred T. Francis.

Phoebe

4-56. PHCEBE. Sayornis phoebe.


Range. North America, east of the Rockies and north to Nova Scotia.
These very common, grayish colored birds are very often known as "Bridge
Birds" because of the frequency with which they construct their nests under
bridges and arches; they also build in crevices in ledges or
among the hanging roots near the tops of embankments, and on
the rafters or beams of old buildings. The nests are made of
mud, moss and grass, lined with feathers. The four or five eggs
measure .75 x .55. Occasionally, eggs will be found that have
a few minute spots of reddish brown. Freak situations in which
to locate their nests are often chosen by these birds, such as white

the brake beam of a freight car, in the crevices of old wells, hen
houses, etc. The birds are one of the most useful that we have; being very
active and continually on the alert for insects and beetles that constitute thei
r
whole bill of fare.

287

G. E. Moulthrope

PHOEBE ON NEST

PERCHING BIRDS

457. SAY'S PH&lt;EBE. Sayornis sayus.


Range. Western United States, breeding
from southern United States, north to the Arctic regions, and from Kansas and Wisconsin
westward. Winters in Mexico.
This bird is slightly larger than the last
(7.5 inches long), and is rusty brown color on
the belly and lower breast. Like the eastern
Phoebes they are one of the earliest birds to return in the spring and are abundant in the
greater parts of their range.
Like the latter, they often
raise two broods a season,
one in April and another in
V , July. Their nests are generally placed on narrow shelves
White and crevices of ledges, but
they also nest as commonly about houses and
farms as does the eastern bird. The nests are
made of weeds, mosses, fibres and wool, and
are quite flat. They lay four or five white eggs.
Size .78 x .58.
458. BLACK PHCEBE. Sayornis nigricans.
Range. Mexico and north in summer into
the bordering States.
This species is of the size of the last but
is blackish (darkest on the head and breast),

with a white belly and under


tail coverts, the latter streaked with dusky. Their habits
and nesting habits are the
same as those of the eastern
Phoebe, they building their
nests of mud, moss, weeds
and feathers on ledges or
about buildings, and generally close to or in the vicinity of water. They breed
during April or May, laying four or five white eggs which cannot be distinguished from those of the common Phoebe. Size .75 x .55.

White

4J8a. WESTERN BLACK PHCEBE. Sayornis nigricans semiatra.


Range. Pacific Coast of Mexico and the United States, breeding north to
Oregon.
This variety differs from the last in having the under tail coverts pure white.
Its nesting habits are precisely the same and the eggs indistinguishable.

289

111

THE BIRD BOOK


459. OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
Nuttallornis borealis.
Range. Whole of North America, breeding
from the Middle States and California northward, and in the Rockies, south to Mexico;
winters south of the United States.
These Flycatchers are nowhere abundant,
and in some parts of the country, especially

in the middle portion, they are


very rare. They breed very 1^^
locally and generally not /#jiT
more than one pair in any locality. In New England, L
have always found them nesting in company with Parula
Warblers, in dead coniferous swamps in which the
branches are covered with long pendant moss,
Their nests are placed high up in the trees,
^ generally above fifty feet from the ground, and
r "C^SL ^ on small horizontal limbs; they are made of
small twigs and rootlets, lined with finer rootlets and moss, and are very flat and shallow;
as they are generally made to match the surrounding, they are one of the most difficult nests to find. They lay three or
four cream colored eggs which are spotted with reddish brown and lilac, chiefly
about the large end. Size .85 x .65. Data. Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts,
June 12, 1897. Nest of twigs and moss, about 60 feet above the ground, in a
dead pine tree in center of a large wet swamp. Nest could not be seen from
the ground, and was found by watching the birds.

Creamy white

Olive-sided Flycatcher

PERCHING BIRDS

4*60. COUES'S FLYCATCHER. Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris.


Range. Western Mexico, breeding north to central Arizona.
This Flycatcher builds one of the most artistic nests created by feathered
creatures. It bears some resemblance on the exterior to that of the next species
,
but it is much more firmly made, and the walls are usually
higher, making a very deeply cupped interior. The outside
of the nest is made of fibres, cobwebs, catkins, etc., firmly
felted together and ornamented with green lichens to match
the limb upon which it is saddled. The interior is heavily
lined with dried, yellowish grasses, making a very strong contrast to the exterior. They are fairly abundant birds in the
ranges of southern Arizona, where they nest generally during

June. They lay three eggs of a rich creamy color, spotted and blotched, chiefly
about the larger end, with reddish brown and lilac gray. Size .95 x .61. Data.
Huachuca Mts., Arizona, July 8, 1897. 3 eggs. Nest in a yellow pine about 60
feet up and near the extremity of a long slender limb. Elevation 7000 feet.
Collector, O. W. Howard.
461. WOOD PEWEE. Myiochanes virens.
Range. North America, east of the Plains
and north to Ihe southern parts of the British
Provinces. Winters south of the United States.
This is one of the best
known and one of the most
common frequenters of open
woods, where all summer
long its pleasing notes may
be heard, resembling "Pee-awee" or sometimes only two
syllables "pee-wee." They
nest on horizontal limbs at elevations of six
feet or over, making handsome nests of plant
fibres and fine grasses, covered on the exterior
with lichens; they are quite shallow and very
much resembles a small knot on the limb of
the tree. They lay three or four eggs of a
ceram color spotted in a wreath about the
large end, with reddish brown and lavender;
size .80 x .55. Data. Torrington, Conn., June
16, 1890. Nest of fibres covered with lichens,
saddled on the branch of an oak tree near
roadside. Collector, John Gath. Wood Pewee

Cream color

Chickadee Family
291

Guy H. Briggs
NEST AND EGGS OF WOOD PEWEE

PERCHING BIRDS

462. WESTERN WOOD PEWEE.


Myiochanes richardsoni richardsom.
Range. Western United States from the
Plains to the Pacific, and from Manitoba southward, wintering south of the United States.
The nesting habits of this bird are the same
as those of the eastern Pewee, but their nests
are more strongly built and generally deeper,
and without the outside ornamentation of
lichens. They are saddled upon horizontal
branches, like those of the preceding, as a
rule, but are also said to have been found in
upright crotches like those of the Least Flycatcher. Their three or four eggs cannot be
distinguished from those of the eastern Wood
Pewee.
462a. LARGE-BILLED WOOD PEWEE. Mi/iochanes richardsoni peninsulas.
Range. This species which differs from the
last only slightly, as is indicated by the name,
inhabits the peninsula of Lower California; its
nesting habits and eggs will not differ from those of the other Pewees.

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
Acadian Flycatcher

463. YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. Empidonax flaviventris.


Range. North America, east of the Plains and north to Labrador; winters
south of the United States.
This species is slightly larger than the Least Flycatcher and is
more yellowish above and below, the breast being quite bright. ,
While common in some districts it is quite shy and frequents *
thickly wooded regions, where it is not very often seen. They '&lt;*
nest near or on the ground among rocks or roots of fallen trees. \< * ;"
chiefly in swampy places; the nests are made in bunches of * v

moss, hollowed out and lined with very fine grasses. Their four
eggs are creamy or buffy white, spotted and speckled about the larger end with
reddish brown and gray; size .68 x .51.

464. WESTERN FLYCATCHER. Empidonax diffictyis difficilis.


Range. Western North America, from the Rocky Mountain region to the
Pacific, and north to Alaska; winters chiefly south of the United States.
This Flycatcher, which is similar to the last, nests in similar
>' r - locations as well as in many others, such as crevices and fissures
in rocks, holes in banks, cavities in trees, rafters in buildings,
etc. The nests are variously made, but consist chiefly of fine
grasses, weeds and fibres. The eggs are as a rule similar to
Cream v white those of the last species and cannot be distinguished.

THE BIRD BOOK

464a. SAN LUCAS FLYCATCHER.


Empidonax difficilis cineritius.
Range. Lower California.
This species is similar to, but duller in plumage than the Western Flycatcher. Their nesting habits do not probably vary from those of
the latter.
465. ACADIAN FLYCATCHER. Empidonax
virescens.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding
from the Gulf to southern New England, and
in the Mississippi Valley to Manitoba.
This species is very pale below and greenish
yellow on the back. They are among the latest
of the migrants to reach our
borders and arrive in the
Middle States about the latter part of May, when they
are quite common. They

build semi-pensile nests in


the forks of bushes or overhanging branches at heights
of from four to twenty feet, the nests being
made of rootlets, fibres, fine grasses, etc., and
partially suspended from the branch; they are
quite shallow and loosely constructed and often
appear more like a bunch of debris deposited in
the fork by the wind than like the creation of
a bird. Their three or four eggs are buffy, spotted or specked with brown; size .75 x .55.
466. TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER. Empidonax trailli trailli.
Range. Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific;
winters south of the United States.
This species is very similar to the next, but the back is said
to be more brownish. They are common and nest abundantly
in thickets and low scrubby woods, usually placing the nest
at a low elevation, preferably in a clump of willows ; the nests
are made of fine strips of bark, plant fibres, and very fine rootlets being woven about and firmly fastened in upright
Creamy white crotches. Their eggs, which are laid in June, are buffy white,
specked and spotted, chiefly at the large end, with brownish ; sixe .70 x .54.

Buffy

464 '.

Least Flycatcher

White

PERCHING BIRDS
466a. ALDER FLYCATCHER.
Empidonax trailli alnorum.
Range. United States, east of the Mississippi
and north to New Brunswick.
The only difference between this and the preceding variety is in the more greenish upper

parts. They are quite abundant in the breeding season from New England and northern
New York northward, frequenting, to a great
extent, alder thickets bordering streams. Their
nests and eggs do not differ appreciably from
those of the western variety of Traill Flycatcher.
467- LEAST FLYCATCHER.
Empidonax minimus.
Range. North America, east of the Rockies
and north to the interior of Canada, wintering
south of the United States.
These little birds (5.5 inches
long) are common about houses
and orchards on the outskirts of cities, and on the edges of forests or open woods. They are very frequently known by the
name of Chebec from their continually uttered note. In nearly
all instances, the nests are placed in upright forks at elevations
varying from four to twenty-four feet from the ground. The
nests are made chiefly of plant fibres, fine grasses, string, cobwebs, etc., and
the three to five eggs are pale creamy white; size .65 x .50.
468. HAMMOND'S FLYCATCHER. Empidonax hammondi.
Range. North America, west of the Rockies and from British Columbia southward, wintering south of the United States.
This western representative of the Least
Flycatcher is less abundant and more shy,
but has the same nesting habits as the eastern birds, placing its nests either in upright
crotches or, more rarely, upon horizontal
branches at a low elevation. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the last
species.
469. WRIGHT'S FLYCATCHER. Empidona.r wrighti.
Range/ Western United States, breeding from the Mexican border to Oregon and wintering south of the United
States.
A very similar bird to the last but whiter
^"~ below. It is a much more abundant species
/ than the last and is found breeding In open
woods and thickets on all the
nests are built like those of
catcher and nearly always are
the crotch of trees or bushes

ranges. The
the Least Flyfound in
at a low ele-

ation; their nests, like those of the two


preceding species, bear a strong resemblance to those of
the Yellow Warblers which are found in the same localities and locations. The eggs are pale creamy white, four
in number and measure .68 x .52,

White

White

469 4694

295

THE BIRD BOOK

469-1- GRAY FLYCATCHER. Emptdonax


griseus.
Range. Lower California, north to southern
California.
This is a slightly larger species than the preceding and is grayish above and paler below,
with little or no tinge of brownish or yellow.
As far as I can learn its eggs have not yet been
taken.
470a. BUFF-BREASTED FLYCATCHER. Empidonax fulvifrons pygmceus.
Range. Western Mexico, north to southern
New Mexico and Arizona.
This small bird, which is but 4.75 inches in
length, is brownish gray above and brownish
buff below. It is not a common species anywhere, but is known to nest during June or
July, on high mountain ranges, saddling its
nest of fibres, covered with lichens, on horizontal boughs at quite an elevation from the
ground. The eggs are pale buffy white, unspotted, and measure .60 x .50.

Vermillion Flycatcher

471- VERMILLION FLYCATCHER. Pyrocephalus rubinus mexicanus.


Range. Mexico, north regularly to southern Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
This is one of the most gaudy attired of all North American birds, being
brownish gray on the back, wings and tail, and having a bright vermillion crown,
crest and underparts. They are quite common in southern Texas, but far more
abundant in the southern parts of Arizona. Their habits do not
differ from those of other Flycatchers, they living almost exclusively upon insects. The majority of their nests can not be distinguished from those of the Wood Pewee, being covered with
lichens and saddled upon limbs in a similar manner, but some
lack the mossy ornamentation. Their three or four eggs are Buff
buffy, boldly blotched with dark brown and lavender, chiefly in a wreath about
the middle of the egg; size .70 x .50. Data. San Pedro River, Arizona, June 10,
1899. Nest in the fork of a willow about 20 feet above the stream. Collector,
O. W. Howard.

472. BEARDLESS FLYCATCHER. Camptostoma imberbe.


Range. Central America; north casually to the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.
This strange little Flycatcher, several specimens of which have been taken in
the vicinity of Lomita, Texas, is but 4.5 inches in length, grayish in color and
has a short bill, the upper mandible of which is curved. It has all the habits
peculiar to Flycatchers. Their eggs have not as yet been found as far as I can
learn.

PERCHING BIRDS

LARKS. Family ALAUDID^E

Grayish

[473.] SKYLARK. Alauda arvensis.


Range. Old World, straggling casually to
Greenland and Bermuda.

This noted foreigner has been imported and


liberated a number of times in this country, but
apparently is not able to
thrive here, a fact which will
not cause much regret when
we remember the experiment
with the English Sparrow.
They are abundant in Europe
and Great Britain where they
nest on the ground in cultivated fields or meadows, laying from three to
five grayish eggs, marked with brown, drab and
lavender.
474. HORNED LARK.
Otocoris alpestris alpestris.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding in
Labrador and about Hudson Bay; winters in
eastern United States south to Carolina.
This variety of this much sub-divided species is 7.5 inches in length, ha?
brownish gray upper parts and is white below with black patches on the breast
and below the eye, yellowish throat and small black ear tufts. The various subspecies are all marked alike, their distinction being based upon slight differen
ces in size, variations in the shade of the back, or the greater or less intensi
ty
of the yellowish throat and superciliary stripe. The nesting habits of all the
varieties are the same and the eggs differ only in the shade of the ground color
,
this variation among the eggs of the same variety being so great that an egg
cannot be identified without knowing the locality in which it was taken. The
present variety build their nests on the ground generally under tufts of grass
or in hollows in the moss which is found in their breeding range, making them
of dried grasses and generally lining them with feathers. The eggs are grayish
with a slight greenish tinge, and are specked and spotted over the whole surface with drab, brownish and dark lavender. The eggs of this and the next
variety average considerably larger than those of the more southerly distributed
varieties; size .92 x .65.

Horned Lark

474a. PALLID HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris arcticola.

Range. Breeds in Alaska and winters south to Oregon and Montana.


This is the largest of the Horned Larks and has the throat white, with no
trace of yellow. Its nest is built in similar locations and the eggs are like
those of the preceding species.

297

THE BIRD BOOK

.474c 474e 47

474b. PRAIRIE HORNED LARK.


Otocoris alpestris praticola.
Range. Breeds in the Mississippi Valley from Illinois
north to Manitoba and east to the Middle States; winters
south to Carolina and Texas.
This sub-species is considerably smaller than the Horn
ed Lark, and the throat is paler yellow, while the line over
the eye and the forehead is white. They
are the most abundant and have the
most extended range of any of the better
known species. In the Mississippi Valley, where they are of the most common
of the nesting birds, they build on the
ground in meadows or cultivated fields,
and very often in cornfields; the nests
are made of grasses and lined with horse hairs or feathers,
and placed in slight hollows generally under a tuft of grass
or sods. They raise two broods a season and sometimes
three, laying the first set of eggs in March and another in
June or July. The three or four eggs have an olive buff
ground and are thickly sprinkled with drab and lavender;
size .83 x .60.

474c. DESERT HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris leucolcema.


Range. Plains of western United States, east of the Rockies and west of
Kansas and Dakota; breeds north to Alberta, and winters south to Mexico,
Texas and southern California.
This species is like praticola, but paler on the back; nest and eggs the same.

474d. TEXAS HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris giraudi.


Range. Coast of southeastern Texas.
A pale variety like leucnlwma, but smaller; throat bright yellow, and breast
tinged with yellow. Nest and eggs like those of the others.
474e. CALIFORNIA HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris actia.
Range. Lower California and southern California.
This bird is similar to the last but the yellow areas are brighter, and the
nape and back are ruddy.

474f. RUDDY HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris rubea


Range/ Sacramento Valley, California.
This variety has the yellow areas brighter than in any other
and the back and nape are more ruddy. The eggs cannot be
distinguished from those of the others.

Olive buff

PERCHING BIRDS
474g. STREAKED HORNED LARK. Ostocoris alpestris strigata.
Range. Northwestern United States (Washington, Oregon and northern California).
Similar to the last, but with the back broadly streaked with black, the ruddy
less intense and the underparts tinged with yellowish.
474h. SCORCHED HORNED LARK. Otacoris alpestris adusta.
Range. Western Mexico, north in summer to southern Arizona.
This variety has the back and nape nearly a uniform pinkish ruddy with but
little streaking.
4741. DUSKY HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris merrilli.
Range. Northwestern United States and southern British Columbia, wintering south to central California.
Similar to praticola but slightly darker above.

474j. SONORA HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris pallida.


Range. Gulf coast of northern Lower California.
The upperparts of this variety are very pale pinkish brown.
474k. HOYT'S HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris hoyti.
Range. Interior of British America, west of Hudson Bay and east of Alaska,
south in winter in the interior of the United States to Kansas.
Much larger than the last; equal in size and similar to articola but with the
throat yellowish and the upperparts darker and brighter.
4741. MONTEZUMA HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris occidentalis.
Range. Western New Mexico and eastern Arizona, south in winter to northern Mexico.
This variety has the upperparts pale brownish and not streaked; throat and
forehead yellowish.

474m. ISLAND HORNED LARK. Otocoris alpestris insularis.


Range. Santa Barbara Islands, California.
Similar to strigata but darker. With the exception of the three large varieties of Horned Larks found north of our borders, neither the eggs nor, in most
cases, the birds can be identified without the precise location where they were
taken.

299

THE BIRD BOOK


CROWS, JAYS, MAGPIES, ETC. Family CORVID^E.
475. MAGPIE. Pica pica hudsonia.
Range. Western North America from the
Great Plains to the Pacific and from Alaska
to Arizona and New Mexico.
These large handsome birds have the entire
head, neck and breast velvety black, abruptly
defined against the
white underparts.
The back, wings and
tail are greenish or
bluish black, and the
scapulars, white ;
length of bird 20
inches. They are well
known throughout

the west, where their Grayish white


bold and thievish habits always excite comment. They nest in bushes and trees at low
elevations from the ground, making a very
large nest of sticks, with an opening on the
side, and the interior is made of weeds and
mud, lined with fine grasses; these nests often
reach a diameter of three feet and are made of
large sticks. During April or May, they lay from four to eight grayish
eggs, plentifully spotted with brown and drab. Size 1.25 x .90.

Mag-pie

quite
white

4&lt;76. YELLOW-BILLED MAGPIE. Pica nuttalli.


Range. Middle parts of California, west of the
Sierra Nevadas.
This species is slightly smaller than the last and
has a yellowish bill and lores, otherwise being precisely like the more common species. Their habits
do not differ from those of the other, the nests are
the same and the eggs are indistinguishable. Size
1.25 x. 88.

Grayish white

A /

300

R. B. Rockwell

NEST OF AMERICAN MAGPIE

PERCHING BIRD:

477.

BLUE JAY.
cristata.

Cyanocitta cristata

Greenish buff

P.] UP Jay

Range. North America, east of the Plains


and north to Hudson Bay; resident and very
abundant in its United States range.
These beautiful and
bold maurauders are too
well known to need description, suffice it to
say that they are the
most beautiful of North
American Jays; but beneath their handsome
plumage beats a heart
as cruel and cunning as
that in any bird of prey. In the fall, winter
and spring, their food consists largely of
acorns, chestnuts, berries, seeds, grain, insects,
lizards, etc., but during the summer months
they destroy and devour a great many eggs and
young of the smaller birds, their taste for
which, being so great that they are known to
watch a nest until the full complement of eggs
is laid before making their theft. They nest
in open woods or clumps of trees, indifferently, in pines or young trees, building most often below twenty feet from the ground; the nests are made of twigs
and rootlets, lined with fine rootlets. During May they lay from four to six
eggs of a greenish buff color spotted with olive brown. Size 1.10 x .80

477a. FLORIDA BLUE JAY. Cyanocitta cristata florincola.


Range. Florida and the Gulf coast.
The nesting habits and eggs of this smaller sub-species are the same as those
of the northern Blue Jay. Like our birds, they frequently nest near habitations.
478. STELLER'S JAY. Cyanocitta stelleri stelleri.
Range. Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska; resident and breeding throughout its range.
All the members of this sub-species are similar in
plumage, having a sooty black head, crest and neck,
shading insensibly into dark bluish on the back and
underparts, and brighter blue on the wings and tail.
They usually have a few streaks or spots of pale blue on
the forehead. They are just as noisy, bold and thievish
as the eastern Jay and are also excellent mimmics like
the latter. They nest in fir 'trees at any height from the
ground and in April or May deposit their three to six
greenish blue eggs which are spotted with various
shades of brown. Size 1.25 x .90. Their nests are more
bulky than those of the eastern Jay and are usually made of larger sticks and
held together with some mud.
478a. BLUE-FRONTED JAY. Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis.
Range. Coast ranges of California and Oregon.
The nesting habits and eggs of this variety are indistinguishable from those
of the preceding. The bird has more blue on the forehead.
478b. LONG-CRESTED JAY. Cyanocitta stelleri diademata.
Range. Southern Rocky Mountains from Arizona to Wyoming.
No general difference can be found between the eggs of this species and the
Steller Jay, and the nests of each are constructed similarly and in like situations. 303

Greenish blue

YOUNG BLUE JAYS

Dr. J. B. Pardoe

BLUE JAY

20

THE BIRD BOOK

fcf

478c. BLACK-HEADED JAY. Cyanocitta


stelleri annectens.
Range. Northern Rocky Mountains from
northern Colorado to British Columbia.
The eggs of this sub-species cannot be identified from those of the other varieties. Like
the others, their nests are made of sticks plastered together with mud and lined with weeds
and rootlets.
178d. QUEEN CHARLOTTE JAY. Cyanocitta
stelleri carlottce.

Range. Queen Charlotte Islands, British


Columbia.
-.., :
479. FLORIDA JAY. Aphelocoma cyanea.
Range. Locally distributed in Florida.
All the birds of this genus have no crests or
londa jay decided markings, are white or grayish below,
and more or less intense blue above, with the back grayish mmm
or brownish blue. This species is 11.5 inches long, has a
pale blue crown and a nearly white forehead. It has a very
limited distribution, being confined chiefly to the coast districts of middle Florida, and very abundant in some localities and rare in adjoining ones. They build shallow structures of small sticks and weeds lined with fine rootlets and
placed at low elevations in bushes or scrubby trees. The
three or four eggs, which are laid in April or May are dull

greenish blue, marked with olive brown. Size 1.00 x .80.

Greenish blue
Data. Titusville,

,
Fla., April 17, 1899. Nest of sticks in a scrub oak, five feet fromj:he ground.
480. WOODHOUSE'S JAY. Aphelocoma woodhousei.
Range. United States west of the Rockies and from
Oregon and Wyoming to Mexico.
This species has the crown and forehead bluish, and
the underparts gray, streaked with bluish gray on the
breast. It is also larger than the last, being 12 inches
long. They are very abundant in
the Great Basin between the Rock^: "**- ies and the Sierra Nevadas, breeding during April or May in scrub
by trees or bushes at low elevations
and generally near streams. They
lay from three to five eggs of a
dull bluish green color, spotted
with umber and lilac gray. Size
1.08 x .80. Data. Iron County, Utah,
Nest of sticks and weeds in a small

Bluish green

May 3, 1897.
pinq tree.

4 eggs.

}S7

306

PERCHING BIRDS

480.1. BLUE-EARED JAY. Aphelocoma cyanotis.


Range. Interior of Mexico north to the southern boundary of Texas.
The nesting habits of this species are the same as those
of the others of the genus and the eggs are similar but
the markings are generally more prominent and larger.
Size 1.10 x .80.
480.2. TEXAS JAY. Aphelocoma texana.
Range. Southeastern Texas.
It is not likely that the eggs of this species differ essentially from those of many of the others.

Aphelocoma californica

482 4S4a 485

481. CALIFORNIA JAY.


californica.
Range. Pacific coast of California and Washington.
This is a very abundant species
both about habitations and in low
woodlands. They are very bold
and familiar, stealing everything
they may take a fancy to, and frequently robbing smaller birds of
their eggs and young. They are said to be more tame
and familiar than the eastern Blue Jay, thereby bringing their bad habits much more frequently to the attenBright bluish green tion of the masses . They nest most often in bushes or
low trees, but not as a rule, far above the ground. Their eggs are a bright
bluish green color, speckled and spotted with brownish and lavender. Size
1.10 x. 80.
48 la. XANTUS'S JAY. Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca.
Range. Lower California.
The habits and nests and eggs of this lighter colored variety do not differ
from those of the California Jay.

481b. BELDING'S JAY. Aphelocoma calif omit a cbscura.


Range. San Pedro Martir Mts. Lower California.
A darker variety of the California Jay, whose nesting habits will not differ in
any essential particular.
481.1. SANTA CRUZ JAY. Aphelocoma insularis.
Range. Santa Cruz Island, California.
This species is the largest and darkest colored bird
of the genus ApJielwoma. It is said to be a very abundant species on the island from which it takes its name,
and to have the habits and traits common to all the
members of the Jay family. The nesting habits are
the same as those of the others, but the eggs are slightly
larger, averaging 1.15 x .85.
set of three in the collection of John Lewis Childs, taken
by R. H. Beck on May 10, 1897.
482. ARIZONA JAY. Aphelocoma sieberi arizonas.
Range. Arizona and southwestern New Mexico south into Mexico.
307

Greenish blue

Green Jay

Grayish buff

THE BIRD BOOK


482a. COUCH'S JAY. Aphelocoma sieberi
couchi.
Range. Eastern Mexico, north to western
Texas.
483. GREEN JAY. Xanthoura luxuosa
glaucescens.
Range. Northeastern Mexico and the Lower

Rio Grande Valley in Texas. This handsome species has a bright blue
crown and patches under
the eyes, the rest of the ^ ;-.?**' r"\
upper parts being greenish; throat and sides of
head black, underparts
greenish white. This gaudy
and noisy bird has all the
habits common to other
Jays including that of robbing birds' nests. They
build generally in tangled
thickets or low bushes, placing their nests at a low elevation and making them
of twigs, weeds, moss, etc., lined with fine rootlets. Their four or five eggs,
which are laid during April or May, are grayish buff in color, spotted with
various shades of brown and lavender gray. Size 1.20 x .85.
484. CANADA JAY. Perisoreus canadensis canadensis.
Range. Southeastern British Provinces and the adjacent portions of the
United States ; west to the Rockies.
This is the bird that is well known to hunters of "big game" by various
names such as "Whiskey Jack," "Moose Bird," "Camp Robber," etc. During the winter months, owing to the scarcity of food, their thieving
propensities are greatly enhanced and they
remove everything from the camps, which looks
as though it might be edible. Birds of this
genus are smoky gray
on the back and lighter
below, shading to white
on the throat; the forehead and part of the
crown is white and the
nape blackish. Their
nests are placed at low
elevations in bushes or
fir trees, and are usually very different from any of the preceding Jays'
nests. They are nearly as high as wide, and
are made of small twigs, moss, catkins, weeds
and feathers making a soft spongy mass which
is placed in an upright crotch. The eggs are
a yellowish gray color spotted and blotched with
brown and grayish. Size 1.15 x .80. Data. Innisfail, Alberta, March 12, 1903. Nest a beautiful structure of twigs, moss and feathers in a
willow bush, 6 feet from the ground. The thermometer registered 32 below zero the day the

eggs were taken. Collector, W. Blackwood.


308

Grayish

Canada Jay

PERCHING BIRDS
484a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN JAY. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis.
Range. Rocky Mountains from Montana to Arizona.
This variety has the whole crown white and only a small amount of blackish
on the nape. Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the last.
_ . . -

NEST AND

S OK CANADA JAY SHOWING CONSTRUCTION

484b. ALASKA JAY. Perisoreus canadensis fumifrons.


Range. Alaska.
A very similar bird to the Canada Jay but with the forehead yellowish or
duller; the nests and eggs are like those of the others of the genus.
484c. LABRADOR JAY. Perisoreus canadensis nigricapillus.
Range. Labrador.
This is a darker variety of the Canada Jay. Its eggs cannot be distinguished
from those of any of the others of the genus.

485. OREGON JAY. Perisoreus obscurus obscurus.


Range. Mountain ranges from northern California to British Columbia.
These birds are very similar to wtnntlrnxix but have the whole underparts
white. Like the Canada Jays they appear to be wholly fearless and pay little

or no attention to the presence of mankind. Their nesting habits and eggs


are the same as the preceding except that they have generally been found nesting near the tops of tall fir trees. Size of eggs, 1.05 x .80.
309

PERCHING BIRDS

-18 5a. GRAY JAY. Perisoreus obscurus griseus.

Range. British Columbia to northern California, east of the coast ranges.


This bird is said to be larger and grayer than the preceding.

486. RAVEN. Corvus corax sinuatus.


Range. North America west of the Rockies and from British Columbia
southward.
The Raven is like a very large Crow,
length 24 inches, but has the feathers
on the neck lengthened and stiffened.
Their habits are similar to those of the
Crow, but more dignified, and they
remain mated for life. Besides grasshoppers and worms, they feed largely
upon animal matter such as lizards,
shell fish, frogs, eggs and young of
birds, and carrion. They nest on
ledges of high inaccessible cliffs or
the tops of tall trees, making largo
nests of sticks lined with smaller ones
and hair or wool; the eggs are laid in
April or May, number from four to
seven, and are light greenish in color,

Pale greenish white

blotched with umber and drab. Size 1.95 x 1.25.

486a. NORTHERN RAVEN. Corvus corax principalis.


Range. Eastern North America chiefly north of the United States and northwest to Alaska; south on some of the higher ranges to Georgia.
This variety is like the last but is larger. They are not nearly as abundant

as the western form and are very rare within the United States. A few pairs
still breed on some of the rocky islands off the coast of Maine; more off New
Brunswick and Newfoundland, and they are quite common on the cliffs of
Labrador and Alaska. Their nesting habits and eggs are like those of the last.

487. WHITE-NECKED RAVEN. Corvus cryptoleucus.


Range. Mexico and the border of the United States; north to eastern Kansas.
This small Raven is of about the size of
the Crow, and has the bases of the neck
feathers white. They are very abundant in
some localities, especially in southern Arizona. Their food consists chiefly of animal
matter, the same as the large Ravens, and
they are not nearly as shy, frequently feeding in camps upon refuse which is thrown
out to them. They build at low elevations
in any tree, but preferably in mesquites,
making their nests of sticks and lining them
with hair, leaves, bark, wool or anything
soft. During June they lay from four to six
pale bluish green eggs, generally sparingly spotted or scratched with dark
brown and drab. Size 1.75 x 1.20.
311

Pale bluish green

THE BIRD BOOK

488. CROW. Corvus


brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos.
Range. Whole of North ATnerica south of
the Arctic Circle; most abundant in eastern
United States; rare in many localities in the
west.

American Crow
American Raven

Greenish white
These birds, against which the hand of every
farmer is uplifted, are very shy and cunning;
as is well known, they nearly always post a
sentinel in some tree top to keep watch while
the rest of the flock is feeding in the field below. In the fall and winter, large numbers of them flock, and at night all roost
in one piece of woods; some of the "crow roosts" are of vast extent and
contain thousands of individuals. Crows nest
near the tops of large trees, preferably pines,
either in woods or single trees in fields. Their
nests are made of sticks and lined with rootlets,
and the eggs, which are laid in April or May,
range from four to seven in number, are a bluish
or greenish white, sparingly or very densely
speckled, spotted and blotched with various shades
of brown and lilac. Size 1.60 x 1.15.

Bluish white

4&lt;88a. FLORIDA CROW. Corvus


brachyrhynchos pascuus.
Range. Florida.
This variety has a slightly shorter tail and wings than the last.
490. FISH CROW. Corvus ossifragus.
Range. Northwest coast from Oregon to Alaska.
This small Crow which is but 16 inches in length, is found only on the coast,
where they feed upon shell fish and offal. They nest, as do the Ravens, either
on ledges or in tree tops. The eggs resemble those of the common Crow, but
are smaller. Size 1.55 x 1.05.
489- NORTHWESTERN CROW. Corvus caurinus.
Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, north
in summer to Connecticut.
From Virginia southward, this small Crow
(length 16 inches) is more abundant on the coast
than the common Crow which is often in company
with this species. Their food consists of grain,
berries, and animal matter. Their nesting habits
are like those of the common Crow and the eggs
are similar and have as great variations, but are
smaller. Size 1.45 x 1.05.

312

Bluish white

PERCHING BIRDS

491. CLARKE'S NUTCRACKER. Nucifraga


columbiana.
Range. Mountains of western North America from Mexico to Alaska.
The Clarke Crow, as this bird is often known,
is a common resident in most of its range. The
adults are grayish with black wings and central tail feathers, the tips of the primaries and
outer tail feathers being
-~i c. white. Their tail is short
,-'-> ;- ' * \V. and their flight slow and
^;'" ; . ~ -. ;.* V ; somewhat undulating like
'''.. . : .' - . , ' ' that of some of the Wood\7l-. * - . ^ * . ;'.^ >: peckers. Their food consists of anything edible
from seeds and larvae in
the winter to insects, berries, eggs and young birds
at other seasons. In the spring they retire to
the tops of ranges, nearly to the limit of trees,
where they build their large, nests of sticks,
twigs, weeds, strips of bark, and fibres matted
together so as to form a soft round ball with a
deeply cupped interior; the nest is located at
from ten to forty feet from the ground in pine trees and the eggs are laid early
before the snow begins to leave. They are three in number, grayish in color
with a greenish tinge and finely spotted over the whole surface with dark
brown and lavender. Size 1.30 x .90. Data. Salt Lake Co., Utah, April 25,
1900. Nest placed in pine 40 feet up on a horizontal branch, and not visible
from below. The tree was at the upper edge of a pine forest at an altitude of
about 3000 feet above Salt Lake City. The nest was discovered by seeing the
parent fly into the tree; the next day a nest was found with three young nearly
ready to fly. Collector, W. H. Parker. This set of three eggs is in the oologica
l
collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.

Grayish blue

Clarke's Nutcracker

492. PINON JAY. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus.

Bluish white

Range. Western United States between the Rockies


and Sierra Nevadas, and from southern British Columbia to Arizona.
This Crow-like Jay has a nearly uniform bluish plumage, and is found abundantly in the pine belts of its
range. Their habits are similar to those of the Clarke
Crow and the nests are similarly built at lower elevations in pines or junipers. During April or May they lay
from three to five eggs of a bluish white color specked
and spotted with brown. Size 1.20 x .85.

313

THE BIRD BOOK

Starling

STARLINGS. Family STURNID^


[493.] STARLING. Sturnus vulgaris.
Range. A European species which has casually been taken in Greenland. It was liberated a number of years ago in Central Park,
New York City, and has
now become abundant
there and is spreading
slowly in all directions.
They build their nests
in all sorts of locations
such as are used by the
English Sparrow, wher-

ever they can find a


sufficiently large crevice or opening; less often they build their nests
in trees, making them of straw, twigs and
trash. They lay from four to six pale bluish
green eggs; size 1.15 x .85. Two broods are
reared in a season.

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. Family ICTERID^E

494. BOBOLINK. Dolichonyx oryzivorus.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding from New Jersey north to Nova
Scotia and Manitoba, and west to Utah and Nevada; winters in South America.
This black and white bird is well known in the east, where his sweet, wild
music, often uttered on the wing, is much admired. He sings all day long during May and
June to his Sparrow-like mate, who is sitting
on her nest concealed in the
meadow grass. They are
quite sociable birds and several pairs often nest in the
same field, generally a damp
meadow; the nests are hoiGrayish white lows in the ground, lined with
grass and frequently with the top slightly arched to conceal the eggs, which are grayish white,
clouded, spotted and blotched with brownish,
gray and lilac; size .84 x .62. They number from
four to six and are laid in June.
495. COWBIRD. Molothrus ater ater.
Range. North America from the Atlantic
to eastern California, and from New Brunswick
and Manitoba southward; winters from the
southern half of the United States southward.
These uncivilized members of the bird world
build no nests for themselves, but slyly deposit Bobolink
3X4

PERCHING BIRDS

their egg in the nest of some other bird from


the size of a Robin down, probably the greater

number being in Warblers


.*#?'""**"?"' an( l Sparrows nests; the
/&+.' ^ - eggs are hatched and the
young cared for by the unfortunate birds upon which
they are thrust. The eggs
are white, spotted and
speckled all over, more or
less strongly with brown and yellowish brown;
size .85 x .64.

White

495a. DWARF COWBIRD.


obscurus.

Molothrus atcr

and

Cowbird

Light blue-green

Range. Southwestern United States


Mexico, wintering south of our borders.
This variety is like the last, but slightly
smaller. The nesting habits of the two are
identical and the eggs are indistinguishable,
It is believed that Cowbirds do more damage to
the smaller birds than all other dangers combined, as their young being larger and stronger
either crowd or smother the other young or else starve them by getting most
of the food brought to the nest.
1-96. RED-EYED COWBIRD. Tangariux ceneus involucratus.
Range. Mexico; north in summer to the Lower Rio

Grande in Texas.
This parasite is larger than the Cowbird, being 9 inches
long, and is glossy black with brassy reflections on the
upper and under parts. They are abundant in southern
Texas where they deposit their eggs in the nests of other
birds, apparently preferring those of Orioles; their eggs
are pale bluish green, unmarked; size .90 x .70.
HI 497. YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD.
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus.
Range. North America west of the Mississippi to eastern California, breeding from the
southern parts of the United States north to
British Columbia and Hudson Bay and wintering from southern United States downward.
This large handsome
Blackbird with bright yellow head and breast is
very abundant in some
parts of the west, where
they nest, in large colonies
in sloughs and marshes,
being especially abundant
in the Dakotas and Manitoba. The nests are made of strips of rushes,
skillfully woven together and attached to upright cane near the surface of the water. They
lay from four to six eggs having a grayish
white ground color, finely specked and spotted
with shades of brown and gray; sixe 1.00 x .70,
315

Yellow-beaded Blackbird

THE BIRD BOOK

498. RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. Agelaius


phceniceus phceniceus.

jtiiuish white

Red-winged Blackbird

-**|>*^^^"\ / Range. North America east of the Rockies


* . ' i. an( j from the southern British Provinces southward to the Gulf; winter in southern United
States.
These birds are familiar ..
to every frequenter of the
country, in their range;
too familiar to many, for
the enormous flocks do
considerable damage to
grain fields in the fall.
They also do a great
amount of good at other
seasons in the destruction of injurious insects
and weed seed. They breed from April in the
southern parts of their range to May and June
in the northern, making their nests of grasses,
woven and twisted together and placing them
in bushes in swamps or over water, and sometimes on the ground in clumps of grass. Their
eggs are from three to five in number, bluish
white boldy spotted, clouded or lined with blackish brown and purplish. Size
1.00 x .70. The nests and eggs of the numerous sub-species are all precisely the
same as those of this bird, so we will but enumerate the varieties and their
range. To identify these varieties other than by their ranges will require
micrometer calipers and the services of the men who separated them.
498a. SONORA RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus sonoriensis.
Range. A slightly larger variety found in southern United States.
498b. BAHAMA RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus bryanti.
Range.-- Bahamas and southern Florida.
This species has a slightly longer bill.
498c. FLORIDA RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus floridanus.
Range. Florida and Gulf coast.
A smaller species with a longer bill.
498d. THICK-BILLED RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus fortis.
Range. Breeds in the interior of British America; in winter south through
the Plains to southwestern United States.
498e. SAN DIEGO RED-WING. Agelaius Phceniceus neutralis.
Range. Great Basin between the Rockies and Sierra Nevadas, from British
Columbia to Mexico, wintering in the southern parts of its range.

498f. NORTHWESTERN RED-WING. Agelaius phceniceus caurinus.


Range. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia.
316

PERCHING BIRDS

499- BICOLORED RED-WING. Agelaius


gubernator calif ornlcus.
Range. Pacific coast, west of the Sierra
Nevadas, from Washington south to Lower
California.
The males of this species are distinguished from
those of the Red-wings by
the absence of light margins to the orange red
shoulders. They are fairly
abundant in their restricted localities, building their
Dull bluish white nest / in swamps about
ponds and streams. The
nests are like those of the Red-wings, and the
eggs are similar and with the same great variations in markings, but average a trifle smaller;
size .05 x .67.

Meadowlark

500. TRICOLORED RED-WING. Agelaius tricolor.


Range. Pacific coast of California and Oregon ; rare east
of the Sierra Nevadas.
This species differs from the Red-wing in having the
shoulders a much darker red and the median coverts white
instead of buffy. Like the last species they have a limited
range and are nowhere as common as are the Red-wings in
the east. Their nests are like those of the Red-wings and
the eggs are not distinguishable in their many variations,
but they appear to be more often lined than those of the
former.

Dull bluish white

501. MEADOWLARK. Sturnella magna magna.


Range. North America east of the Plains and north to
Nova Scotia and Manitoba; winters from New England
southward.
This handsome dweller among our fields and meadows is
frequently heard giving his high, pleasing, fiute-like whistle
with its variations; his beautiful
yellow breast with its black
crescent is not so frequently
seen in life, for they are usually
quite shy birds. They artfully
conceal their nests on the ground
among the tall grass of meadows,
arching them over with dead
grass. During May or June they
lay from four to six white eggs.

White

speckled over the whole surface with reddish brown and


purplish; size 1.10 x .80.
501 a. Rio GRANDE MEADOWLARK. Sturnella magna
hoopesi.
Range. A brighter and slightly smaller variety found
along the Mexican border.
317

PERCHING BIRDS

501.1. WESTERN MEADOWLARK.


neglecta.

Sturnella

Range. North America west of the Mississippi and from Manitoba and British Columbia
southward, its range overlapping that of the

eastern Meadowlark in the Mississippi Valley,


but the two varieties appear not to intermingle.
This variety is paler than the eastern, but the
greatest point of difference is in the songs,
they being wholly unlike, and that of the western bird much louder, sweeter and more varied
than the simple whistle of the eastern form.
The nesting habits of both varieties are the
same and the eggs indistinguishable.

501c. SOUTHERN MEADOWLARK.


magna argutula.

Sturnella

Range. Florida and the Gulf coast.


A very similar bird to the northern form
but slightly smaller and darker. There is no
difference between the eggs of the two varieties,

Audubon Oriole

503. AUDUBON'S ORIOLE. Icterus melanocephalus auduboni.


Range. Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
This large Oriole has a wholly black head, neck, fore breast, tail and wings;
it is 9.5 inches in length. They are quite abundant and
resident in southern Texas where they build at low elevations in trees, preferably mesquites, making the nests of
woven grasses and hanging them from the small twigs of
the trees; the nests are more like those of the Orchard
Oriole and not long and pensile like those of the Baltimore.
The three to five eggs are grayish white, blotched, clouded,
spotted or streaked with brownish and purple. Size 1.00
x .70. Data. Brownsville, Texas, April 6, 1897. 5 eggs.
Nest of threads from palmetto leaves, hanging from limb of mesquite, 10 feet
above ground in the open woods. Collector, Frank B. Armstrong.

White

319

THE BIRD BOOK

Hooded Oriole

504. SCOTT'S ORIOLE. Icterus parisorum.


Range. Western Mexico north to the adjoining states; north to Nevada.
This handsome black
and yellow species does
not appear to be abundant
in any part of its range.
Their nests are swung
from the under side of
leaves of the yucca palm
or from small branches of
low trees, and are made of grass and fibres.
The eggs are bluish white, specked and blotched chiefly about the large end with blackish
brown and lilac gray. Size .95 x .65. Data.
Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, June 5, 1900. Nest
placed on the under side of a yucca palm leaf,
being hung from the spines, about 4 feet from
the ground. Altitude 7000 feet. Collector, O.
W. Howard.

Bluish white

505. SENNETT'S ORIOLE. Icterus cucullatus sennetti.


Range. Mexico, north in summer to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
This species is orange yellow except for the face, throat,
fore back, wings and tail, which are black; the wings are
crossed by two white bars. These handsome birds are the
most abundant of the Orioles on the Lower Rio Grange,
where their pure mellow whistle is heard at frequent intervals throughout the day. They generally build their nests
in hanging moss from mesquite trees, turning up at the
ends and lining the pocket with moss, or else make a
shallow hanging nest of fibres and suspend it from yuccas.
During May or June they lay from three to five eggs of a white color, spotted
(rarely lined) with purplish brown and gray. Size .85 x .60.

White

505a. ARIZONA HOODED ORIOLE. Icterus cucullatus nelsoni.


Range. Western Mexico; in summer north to southern Arizona, New Mexico
and California.
This variety is like the last but more yellowish. Their nests are made of a
wiry grass compactly woven together and partially suspended to mistletoe twigs
growing from cottonwood trees; nests of this type are perfectly distinct from
those of the preceding, but when they are made of fibre and attached to yuccas,
they cannot be distinguished from nests of the former variety. Their eggs are
similar to those of the Hooded Oriole, but generally more strongly marked and
usually with some zigzag lines. Size .85 x .60.

PERCHING BIRDS

506. ORCHARD ORIOLE. Icterus spurius.


Range. United States, east of the Plains,
breeding from the Gulf to southern New England, and Canada in the interior. Winters beyond our borders.
The adult male of this species is a rich chocolate brown
and black, it requiring three
years to attain this plumage.
They nest commonly about
habitations in their range,
usually preferring orchard
trees for sites. Their nests
are skillfully woven baskets
of fresh grasses, about as high as wide; they
are generally placed in upright forks and well
concealed by drooping leaves. They lay from
four to six bluish white eggs, spotted and
blotched with brown and lavender. Size .80 x
.55. Data. Avery's Island, La., May 10, 1896.
Nest of grass, lined with thistledown; semipensile in drooping twigs of a willow. Collector, F. A. Mcllhenny.

Bluish white

Arizona Hooded Oriole


Orchard Oriole

507. BALTIMORE ORIOLE. Icterus galbula.

Range.- -North America, east of the Rockies, breeding from southern United
States north to New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.
\ This beautiful and well known eastern Oriole
can readily be identified by its orange., flame
color and entirely black head. Even better
known than the birds, are the pensile nests
which retain their positions on the swaying
drooping branches all
through the winter. Although they build in
many other trees, elms
seem to be their favorites. Their nests are
made of plant fibres and
frequently string, and
often reach a length of
about 10 inches and
about half that in diameter; they are usually
attached to drooping branches by the rim so
that they rock to and fro, but are sometimes
held more firmly in position by having their
side bound to a branch. Their eggs, which are
laid in May and June, are white, streaked and
lined with blackish brown and grayish. Size
.90 x .60.
321

White

Baltimore Oriole

21

THE BIRD BOOK

Rasty Blackbird
Brewster';

Blackbird

508. BULLOCK'S ORIOLE. Icterus bullocki.


Range. North America, west of the Plains
and from British Columbia southward, wintering in Mexico.
This handsome species
is as abundant in the west
^fT as the Baltimore Oriole is
^ga in the east, and breeds
) throughout its United
1^?' States range. Their nests
are similarly made and in
similar locations, and the
Bluish white eggs are hardly distinguishable from those of the preceding, but the
ground color is generally of a pale bluish white
tint and the markings are usually finer, the
lines running around the eggs and often making a very handsome wreath about the large
end. Size of eggs, .94 x .62.

509. RUSTY BLACKBIRD. Euphagus carolinus.


Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding from northern New England and the Adirondacks northward; winters in southern United States.
But few of these birds breed within our borders, the majority of them passing on to the interior of Canada. They
generally nest in pairs, or at the most three or four pairs
in a locality, building their large substantial nests of moss,
twigs and grass, lined with fine green grass; this structure
is situated in bushes or low trees in swampy places and at
from 3 to 20 feet from the ground. The eggs are laid in
May or June; they vary from three to five in number, of a
pale bluish green color, spotted, blotched and clouded with
shades of brown and gray. Size .96 x .71.
Range. North America west of the Plains, and from British Columbia and

Saskatchewan southward.

Bluish green

510. BREWER'S BLACKBIRD. Euphagus cyanocephalus.

Dull white

This western representative of the preceding is of about


the same size (10 inches Ipng), but differs in having a
purplish head and greenish black body. They nest abund
antly throughout their range either in bushes or trees at
low elevations or upon the ground; the nests are made of
sticks, rootlets and grasses, lined with finer grass and
moss, and the eggs, which are very variable, are dull
whitish, clouded and blotched with brownish and streaked with blackish. Size 1.00 x .75.

322

511.

Quiscalus quiscula

PERCHING BIRDS

PURPLE GRACKLE.
quiscula.
Range. Eastern United States from the Gulf
to Massachusetts; winters along the Gulf.
This species, which is
I i commonly known as Crow
Blackbird, nests in trees
or bushes anywhere in its

range, and on the coast


frequently constructs its
nests among the large
sticks of Ospery nests.
Large pines appear to be
favorite sites for them to
locate their large nests of twigs, weeds, grass
and trash. They are placed at any elevation
from nearly on the ground to 50 feet above it.
The eggs range from three to five and are
greenish white, splashed, spotted and scrawled with various shades of brown and gray, and
with streaks of black. Size 1.10 x .80. The
nesting habits and eggs of the sub-species of
this Grackle do not differ in any particular. Like those of this variety the egg
s
show an endless number of patterns of markings.

Dull greenish
White

Purple Grackle
Bronzed Grackle

51 la. FLORIDA GRACKLE. Quiscalus quiscula aglceus.

Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States.


A smaller variety of the preceding; length about
inches. Eggs indistinguishable.

1 1

Quiscalus quiscula

51 Ib. BRONZED GRACKLE.


ceneus.

Range. North America east of the Rockies, breeding


from the Gulf to Hudson Bay and Labrador. Winters
in the southern parts of the United States. This is the most common and
widely distributed of the Crow Blackbirds and is distinguished by the brassy
color of the upper parts.

513. BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE. Megaquiscalus major major.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States ; north to Virginia.
This handsome bird measures about 16 inches in
length, is irridescent with purplish and greenish, and
has a very long, graduated and hollowed tail. These
Grackles are very abundant residents along the Gulf,
breeding in large colonies in swamps, placing their
nests of weeds, moss, grasses, etc., in bushes, trees,
cans or rushes, but a few inches above the water, while
those in trees are sometimes 50 feet above the ground.
The eggs are laid in March, April or May, are from
three to five in number, and are a dull bluish or grayish
white, streaked, lined, clouded and blotched with brown, black and gray; size
1.25 x. 95.
323

Grayish ^vhite

THE BIRD BOOK

513a. GREAT-TAILED GRACKLE.


Megaquiscalus major macrourus.
Range. Mexico to southern and eastern
Texas.
This variety is larger than the last (length
18 inches) and the tail is very broad and flat.

Evening Grosbeak

Grayish white

Like the former, they nest in bushes, rushes or


trees at any elevation from the ground. The
nests are built of the same materials and the
eggs are similar to those of the Boat-tailed
Grackle, but larger; size 1.28 x .88.

Greenish white

FINCHES, SPARROWS, ETC. Family FRINGILLD^E


514 EVENING GROSBEAK. Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina.
Range. Western United States in the Rocky Mountain region; north to Saskatchewan; south in winter to Mississippi Valley and casually east to New England and the intermediate states.
These are dull and yellowish birds, shading to brownish
on the head; with a bright yellow forehead and susperciliary line, black wings and tail, and white inner secondaries
and greater coverts. They breed in the mountainous portions of their range, placing their flat nests of sticks and
rootlets in low trees or
bushes. The eggs are laid in May or June and
are greenish white spotted and blotched with
brown; size .90 x .65.
514a. WESTERN EVENING GROSBEAK.
Hesperiphona vespertina montana.
Range. Western United States, breeding in
the mountains from New Mexico to British
Columbia.
The nesting habits and eggs of this variety
are the same as those of the preceding, and the
birds can rarely be separated.

515. PINE GROSBEAK.


leucura.

Pinicola enucleator

Range/ Eastern North America, breeding


from northern New England northward, and
wintering to southern New England and Ohio

and casually farther. They build in conifers


324

Pine Grosbeak

making their nests of small twigs and rootlets,


lined with fine grasses and lichens. During the
latter part of May or June they lay three or
four eggs, which have a
ground color of light
greenish blue, spotted and
splashed with dark brown,
and with fainter markings
of lilac. Size 1.00 x .70.
Pine Grosbeaks have been
separated into the following sub-species, the chief
distinction between them being in their
ranges. The nesting habits and eggs of all
are alike.
515a. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PINE GROSBEAK.
Pinicola enucleator montana.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from New
Mexico to Montana.

PERCHING BIRDS

Greenish blue

51 5b. CALIFORNIA PINE GROSBEAK.


cola enucleator calif ornica.

Pini

Purple Finch
Range. Higher parts of the Sierra Nevadas in California.
515c. ALASKA PINE GROSBEAK. Pinicola enucleator alascensis.
Range. Interior of Northwest America from Alaska south to British Col-

umbia.
515d. KADIAK PINE GROSBEAK. Pinicola enucleator flammula.
Range. Kadiak Island and the southern coast of Alaska.
[516.] CASSIN'S BULLFINCH. Pyrrhula cassini.
Range. Northern Asia; accidental in Alaska.
517- PURPLE FINCH. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus.
Range. North America east of the plains, breeding
from the Middle States onrth to Labrador and Hudson Bay ;
winters in the United States.
These sweet songsters are quite abundant in New England in the summer, but
more so north of our borders. While
they breed sometimes in trees, in orchards, I have nearly always found their
nests in evergreens, usually about threefourths of the way up. The nests are
made of fine weeds and grasses and lined Greenish blue
with horse hair. The eggs, which are usually laid in June,
are greenish blue, spotted with dark brownish; size
.85 x .65.
517a. CALIFORNIA PURPLE
FINCH. Carpodacus purpureus californicus.
Range. Pacific coast, breeding from central California
to British Columbia and wintering throughout California.
The nesting habits and eggs of this darker colored
variety are just like those of the last,
325

515b 517a

THE BIRD BOOK

518. CASSIN'S PURPLE FINCH. Carpodacus cassini.


Range. North America west of the Rockies, breeding
from British Columbia south to New Mexico;
This species is similar to the last but
the back, wings and tail are darker and
the purplish color of the preceding spe-

cies is replaced by a more pinkish shade.


The nesting habits and eggs are the
same as those of the eastern Purple
Finch; size of eggs .85 x .60. Data. Greenish blue
Willis, New Mexico, June 23, 1901. Nest made of twigs
and rootlets and lined with horse hair. Collector, F. J.
Birtwell.
519- HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis.
Range. United States west of the Plains and from
Oregon and Wyoming to Mexico.
This is one of the best known of western
birds, and nests commonly in all situations ,/'
from trees and bushes to vines growing on j-' j
porches. Their nests are made of rootlets iL_
and grasses and are lined with horse hair. IBi
Their nesting season includes all the summer months, they raising two and sometimes Gre
three broods a season. The three to five eggs are pale greenish blue with a few
sharp blackish brown specks about the large end. Size .80 x .55.

51S 519

olQb. SAN LUCAS HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mexicanus ruberrimus.


Range. Southern Lower California. A slightly smaller variety of the preceding.
51Qc. SAN CLEMENTE HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mexicanus clematis.
Range. San Clemente and Santa Barbara Islands. Somewhat darker than
the last.
520. GUADALUPE FINCH. Carpodacus amplus.
Range. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.
Similar to the House Finch, but deeper red and slightly larger. Their nesting habits and eggs are precisely like those of the House Finch but the eggs
average larger; size .85 x .60.

520.1. MCGREGOR'S HOUSE FINCH. Carpodacus mcgregori.


Range. San Benito Island, Lower California.
A newly made species, hardly to be distinguished from the last,
bably the same.

326

Eggs pro-

521. CROSSBILL. Loxia curvirostra minor.


Range. Northern North America, breeding
in the Alleghanies and from northern New
England northward; winters south to the mid
die portions of the United States and casually
farther.
The birds are very cur
- *. ious both in appearance and
fflT'i * actions, being very "flighty"
o and restless, and apt to remain to breed on any of the
mountains. They build dur
ing March or April, making
Greenish white their nestg Qf twigg> roo tlets,
moss, feathers, etc., and placing them in forks
or on branches of trees (usually conifers) at
any height from the ground. The eggs are
greenish white, spotted with brown and with
lavender shell markings; size .75 x .55.

PERCHING BIRDS

52 la. MEXICAN CROSSBILL.


tra stricklandi.

ILoxi

'ia curviros-

Crossbill

Range. Mountain ranges from central Mexico north to Wyoming.


A larger variety of the preceding. The eggs will not differ except perhaps
a trifle in size.

522. WHITE-WINGED CROSSBILL. Loxia leucoptera.


Range. Northern North America, breeding in the Alleghanies and from northern Maine northward; winters to
middle portions of the United States.
This species is rosy red with two white wing bars. Like
the last, they are of a roving disposition and are apt to
be found in any unexpected locality. Their nesting habits
are the same as those of the American Crossbill, but the
eggs average larger and the Greenish while
markings are more blotchy; size .80 x .55.
.97 x .67.
523. ALEUTIAN ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte
griseonucha.
Range. Aleutian and Pribilof Islands; south
to Kadiak.
This is the largest of the genus, and can
be distinguished from the others by its very
dark chestnut coloration and the gray hindneck
and cheeks. Like the other
Leucostictes, they are
found in flocks and frequent rocky or mountain
ous country, where they
are nearly always found
on the ground. They build
in crevices among the
rocks or under ledges or
embankments, making the
nest of weeds and grasses.
pure white eggs are laid during June. Size
.97 x .67. Data. St. George Islands of the
327

White

Their four or five

White-winged Crosbill

THE BIRD BOOK

524. . GRAY-CROWNED ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte


tephrocotis tephrocotis.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from Saskatchewan
south to northern United States and also
breeding in the Sierra Nevadas; winters
on the lowlands of northwestern United
States and east to Manitoba.
The habits and breeding habits of this
species are like those of the last. The
bird is paler colored and the gray is restricted to the hind part of the head.
They nest on the ground in June, laying
four or five white eggs.

White

523524

524&lt;a. HEPBURN ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte tephrocotis


littoralis.
Range. Higher ranges from Washington and British
Columbia to Alaska.
This variety is like the Aleutian Leucosticte but the
brown is a great deal paler. The nesting habits and eggs
are, in all probability, like those of the last.
525. BLACK ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte atrata.
Range. Rocky Mountain region of northern United States; known to breed
in Idaho.
This species is black in place of the brown of the others ; the gray is restrict
ed to the hind part of the head and the rosy is rather more extensive on the

wings. Their eggs probably cannot be distinguished from those of the Graycrowned variety.
526. BROWN-CAPPED ROSY FINCH. Leucosticte australis
Range. Breeds at high altitudes in the Rockies in Colorado; south to New Mexico in winter.
A similar bird to the Gray-crowned Leucosticte but with
no gray on the head. They nest on the ground above
timber line on the higher ranges of the Rockies.
527- GREENLAND REDPOLL. Acanihis hornemanni
hornemanni.
Range. Greenland and northern Europe; south in winter
to Labrador.
This large Redpoll nests at low elevations in trees and
bushes, its habits and eggs being similar to the more common American species.
527a. HOARY REDPOLL. Acanihis hornemanni exilipes.
Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions and winters south
to the northern parts of the United States.
This variety is smaller than the last and is considerably
darker but still retains the white rump of the Greenland
Redpoll. Its nesting habits are the same as those of the
next.

525526

PERCHING BIRDS

528. REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria Unarm.


Range. Breeds within the Arctic Circle;
winters south to New York, Kansas and northern California and casually farther.
This species is similar to the last but mucn
darker, and the rump is also streaked with
blackish. These handsome birds are often met
with in winter, feeding on seeds
of the weed stems that project
above the snow. Their flight
and song is similar to that of the
Goldfinch or Pine Siskin. They
nest at low elevations, either in
Bluish green trees or bushes. The eggs number from three to six and are pale bluish, spar-

ingly specked with reddish brown. Size .65 x


.50. Data. Mouth of Great Whale River, Hudson Bay, May 16, 1899. Nest in a willow 4 feet
from the ground ; made of fine rootlets and
grass, lined with feathers. Collector, A. P.
Lowe.

*>

Redpoll

528a. HOLBOLL'S REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria holbcelli.


Range. Arctic regions; south casually to the border of the United States.
A slightly larger variety of the common Redpoll. Eggs probably not distinguished.
528b. GREATER REDPOLL. Acanthis linaria rostrata.
Range. Breeds in southern Greenland; in winter south through Labrador to
the northern border of the United States.
This variety is larger and darker than the common Redpoll. It has been
found breeding abundantly in southern Greenland, where its nesting habits are
^ the same as those of the Redpoll and the eggs
~" ~n similar but averaging a trifle larger.

52Q. GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus tristis tristis


Range. North America east of the Rockies,
and from Labrador and Manitoba southward.
These beautiful birds are
among our sweetest songsters from May until September. They are resident
throughout their United States
range, where they breed in
August or early in Septem- Bluish white
ber, being one of the latest nesting birds that
we have. Their nests are located in bushes, at
a height of generally below fifteen feet above

the ground, being placed in upright forks, and


made of plant fibres and thistle down, firmly
woven together. They lay from three to six
plain bluish white eggs. Size .65 x .50. The majority of nests that I have found have been in
alders over small streams.
329

Gojdflnch

B ' H

AMERICAN GOLDFINCH

PERCHING BIRDS

529a. PALE GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus tristis pallidus.


Range/ Rocky Mountains from Mexico to British Colum
bia.
This variety is slightly larger and (in winter) paler than
the last.
529b. WILLOW GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus tristis
salicamans.
Range. Pacific coast from Washington to Lower California.
Similar to the eastern Goldfinch but back said to be
slightly greenish yellow.
530. ARKANSAS GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus psaltria
psaltria.
Range. United States, west of the Plains and from Oregon to Mexico.
This species has greenish upper parts and
yellow below; the crown, wings and tail are
black, the bases of the lateral tail feathers
llBfe^ and primaries being whitish. They are common in portions of their range, nesting in similar locations to

Bluish white those chosen by the common Goldfinch and laying from three to
five eggs which are similar but slightly smaller. Size .60 x .45. Data. Riverside, California, May 20, 1891. 5 eggs. Nest made of fine grasses lined with
cotton ; 5 feet from the ground in a small tree.

529a 529b 530

530a. GREEN-BACKED GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus hesperophilus.


Range. Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande in southern Texas.
A similar bird to the last but with the entire upper parts and cheeks, black.
The habits, nests and eggs are identical with those of the Arkansas Goldfinch.
531. LAWRENCE'S GOLDFINCH. Astragalinus lawrencei.
Range. Pacific coast of California, wintering along the Mexican border.
This grayish colored Goldfinch has a black face and yellow breast, rump,
wing coverts and edges of the primaries. They are quite common in their
restricted range, nesting either in upright crotches or in the forks of horizont
al
limbs. The four or five eggs which they lay are pure white; size .60 x .45.
;Data. Santa Conica Canyon, Cal., April 26, 1903. Nest in a cypress tree 12
'feet up; composed of grasses, feathers, etc. Collector, W. Lee Chambers.
[532.] BLACK-HEADED GOLDFINCH. Spinus notatus.
Range. Mountainous regions of Central America and southern Mexico;
accidental in the United States.
331

THE BIRD BOOK

533. PINE SISKIN. Spinus pinus.


Range. Breeds from northern United States
northward, in the Alleghanies and in the Rockies south to New Mexico. Winters throughout
the United States.
Siskins are of the size of the Goldfinch (5
inches long), and their calls, songs and habits
are similar to those of this bird. Their plumage is grayish brown, streaked with dusky and
the bases of the wings and tail feathers are
yellow. Like the Crossbills,
they frequently feed along our /^ r ' .

northern borders, but very sporadically. Their nests are built


on horizontal branches of pines
or cedars at any elevation from
the ground, being made o f Greenish white
grasses and rootlets lined with hair or pine
needles, and of rather frail and flat construction. Their eggs are laid during May or June
and are greenish white, specked with reddish
brown; size .68 x .48. Data. Hamilton Inlet,
Labrador, June 17, 1898. Nest on branch of a spruce, 10 feet from the ground;
made of grass, lined with moss and feathers. Collector, L. Dicks.

Pine Siskin

534. SNOW BUNTING. Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis.

Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions, and winters irregularly in large flocks
through the United States to Oregon, Kansas
and Georgia.
These birds are only seen in the United
States in large roving flocks,
- x , during the winter when they
*V* ** ' . feed on weed seeds on side
hills. Their nests are built
on tne ground, being sunk
into the s P a S num nioss, and
made of grasses lined with
feathers. Their four or five
eggs are a light greenish white, spotted and
splashed with yellowish brown and lilac. Size
.90x.65.

.-

Greenish white

534a. PRIBILOF SNOW BUNTING.


phenax nivalis towns endi.

Plectro-

Range. Pribilof and Aleutian Islands, Alaska.


A slightly larger variety which is resident
on the islands in its range. Eggs like those
of the preceding; laid from May to July.

Snowflake

PERCHING BIRDS
535. McKay's SNOW BUNTING. Pletrophenax hyperboreus.
Range. Western Alaska; known to breed on Hall's Island.
This beautiful species is, in summer, entirely white except for the tips of the
primaries and a black spot on end of central tail feathers, thus being very distinct from the preceding, which has the back and the wings to a greater extent
black, at this season. Their eggs probably very closely resemble those of the
last species.

536. LAPLAND LONGSPUR. Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus.


Range. Breeds in northern North America ; winters south
casually to New York, Ohio and Oregon and occasionally farther.
These sparrow-like birds are 6.5 inches long and have a black
crown, cheeks and throat, and chestnut band on nape. Like the
Snowflakes they nest on the ground in moss, but the four to six
eggs that they lay are grayish, heavily mottled and blotched witii
chocolate brown; size .80 x .60.

Grayish

536a. ALASKA LONGSPUR. Calcarius lapponicus alascensis.


Range. Northwest North America, breeding in Alaska; winter south to Oregon. This sub-species is like the last but slightly paler. Eggs indistinguishable.

Norman W. Swayns

NEST AND EGGS OF GOLDFLNCH


333

THE BIRD BOOK

Smith's Longspur

537- SMITH'S LONGSPUR. Calcarius pictus.


Range. Breeds in Hudson Bay and Mackenzie River districts and winters south to
Texas chiefly o nthe Plains.
This species is of the size
of the last but is a rich buff
color below, and the other
markings are very different.
These birds together with
the next species are very
common on the prairies in
central United States in win- Grayish
ter. They nest on the ground like the preceding species but the nests are scantily made of
grasses and not warmly lined like those of the
last. The eggs are similar but paler; size .80
x .60. Data. Herschell Island, Arctic Ocean,
June 10, 1901. Nest built in a tuft of grass;
made of fine roots and grass, lined with feathers.

Dull white

538. CHESTNUT-COLLARED LONGSPUR. Calcarius ornatus.


Range. Plains in the interior of North America, breeding from Kansas north
to Saskatchewan; very abundant in the Dakotas and Montana.
This handsome species in the breeding plumage has the
throat white, breast and belly black, and a chestnut collar on
the nape. They are one of the most abundant breeding birds
on the prairies, nesting in hollows on the ground either in the
open or protected by a tuft of grass. The nests are made of
grasses and sometimes moss; three or four eggs laid in June

or July; white, blotched, lined


and obscurely marked with
brown and purplish; size .75 x .55.
539. McCowN's LONGSPUR. Rhynchophanes
mccowni.
Range. Great Plains, breeding from Kansas
to the Saskatchewan.
This Longspur which breeds in company with
the preceding, throughout its range, can be distinguished from it by the
small black patch on the
breast, the black crown, and
chestnut wing coverts. Their
nesting habits are the same,
and at this season all the
Longspurs have a sweet song
often uttered during flight, Grayish white
like that of the Bobolink. Their eggs are of the
same size and similarly marked as the last, but
the ground color is more gray or olive.
334

Chestnut-collared Longspur

PERCHING BIRDS

540. VESPER SPARROW. Pocecetes


gramineus gramineus.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from
Virginia and Missouri north to Manitoba and
New Brunswick; winters in the southern half
of the United States.
A streaked grayish, buffy
and white bird distinguished
by its chestnut shoulders and
white outer tail feathers.
They are abundant birds in
eastern fields where their
loud piping whistle is known
to many frequenters of weedy
pastures. They build on the ground, either
in grassy or cultivated fields, lining the hollow
scantily with grasses. Their four or five eggs
are usually laid in May or June; they are dull
whitish, blotched and splashed with light

brown and lavender tints; size .80 x .60.

Whitish

McCown's Long-spur

540a. WESTERN VESPER SPARROW. Pocecetes gramineus confinis.


Range. This paler variety is found in North America west of the Plains and
south of Saskatchewan.
Its nesting habits are like those of the preceding and the eggs are indistinguishable.
5 4 Ob. OREGON VESPER SPARROW. Pooecetes gramineus affinis.
A browner variety found on the coast of Oregon and northern California.
Its nesting habits are like those of the eastern bird and the eggs similar but
averaging a trifle smaller.
SPARROW. I asser

Vesper Sparrow

domesticus.
These birds, which were imported from
Europe, have increased so rapidly that they
have overrun the cities and villages of the country and are doing inestimable damage both by
driving out native insect
eating birds and by their
own destructiveness. -They
nest in all sorts of places
but preferably behind
blinds, where their unsightly masses of strawprotrude from between the
slats, and their droppings besmirch the buildings below; they breed at all seasons of the
year, eggs having often been found in January,

with several feet of snow on the ground and


the mercury below zero. The eggs number from
four to eight in a set and from four to eight
sets a season; the eggs are whitish, spotted
and blotched with shades of gray and black.
Size .88 x .60.
335

White

A. R. Spaid

NEST AND EC.GS OF VESPER SPARROW

PERCHING BIRDS

541. IPSWICH SPARROW. Passerculus


princeps.
Range. Breeds on Sable Island, off Nova
Scotia; winters on coast of South Atlantic
States. This a large and pale colored form of
the common Savannah Sparrow. Its nesting
habits are similar to those of the latter and the
eggs are marked the same but average larger.
Size .80 x .60.
542. ALEUTIAN SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis sandwichensis.
Range. Breeds on the Alaskan coast; winters south to northern California.
A streaked Sparrow like the
next but with the yellow superciliary line brighter and more
extended. Its nesting habits
are precisely like those of the
next variety which is common
and well known; the eggs are

Grayish white

indistinguishable.

Savannah Sparrow

542a. SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna.


Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding from the
Middle States north to Labrador and the Hudson Bay region.
Similar to the last but with the superciliary line paler and
the yellow reduced to a spot on the lores. Their nests are
hollows in the ground, lined with grasses and generally concealed by tufts of grass or weeds. Their three to five eggs
vary greatly in markings from finely and evenly dotted all
over to very heavily blotched, the ground color being grayish
white. Size .75 x .55

Grayish white

42b.

SAVANNAH SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis alau-

WE STERN
dinus.
Range. Western North America from Alaska to Mexico.
A slightly paler form whose nesting habits and eggs do
not differ from those of the last.
542c. BRYANT'S SPARROW. Passerculus sandwichensis.
bryanti.
Range. Salt marshes of California from San Francisco
Bay south to Mexico.
Slightly darker and brighter than the eastern Savannah
Sparrow and with a more slender bill. The eggs are riot
different from many specimens of savanna', they are light
greenish white heavily blotched with various shades of
brown and lavender. Size .75 x .55.
543. BELDING'S SPARROW. Passerculus beldingi.
Range. Pacific coast marshes of southern California
and southward.

This species is similar to the last but


darker .and more heavily streaked below.
They breed abundantly in salt marshes,
building their nests in the grass or
patches of seaweed barely above the
water, and making them of grass and Gravish wh j t e
weeds, lined with hair; the eggs are dull
grayish white, boldly splashed, spotted and clouded with
brown and lavender. Size .78 x .55.
337
22

THE BIRD BOOK

544. LARGE-BILLED SPARROW. Passerculus restrains


restrains.
Range. Coast of southern and Lower California.
Similar to the Savannah Sparrow but paler and grayer,
without yellow lores and a larger and stouter bill. They
are common in salt marshes, often in company with the
last species and their nesting habits are similar to and
the eggs not distinguished with certainty from those of
the latter.
544a. SAN LUCAS SPARROW. Passerculus rostratus
guttatus.
Range. Southern Lower California.
A slightly darker form of the preceding, having identical
habits, and probably, eggs.
544c. SAN BENITO SPARROW. Passerculus rostratus
sanctorum.
Range. Breeds on San Benito Islands; winters in southern Lower California.
The nesting habits and eggs of these very similar subspecies are identical.

544 544c

545.

545. BAIRD'S SPARROW. Ammodramus bairdi


Range. Plains, breeding from northern United States to
the Saskatchewan; south in winter to the Mexican border.
These Sparrows breed abundantly on the plains of Dakota
and northward, placing their nest in hollows on the ground in
fields and along road sides. During June or July, they lay
three to five dull whitish eggs, blotched, splashed and spotted
with light shades of brown and gray. Size .80 x .60. White
546. GRASSHOPPER SPARROW
Ammodramus savannarum australis.
Range. United States east of the Plains,
breeding from the Gulf to Canada.
A stoutly built Sparrow marked on the upper
parts peculiarly, like a quail; nape grayish
and chestnut. These birds
are common in dry fields and
pastures, where their scarcely audible, grasshopper-like
song is heard during the heat
of the day. Their nests are
sunken in the ground and
arched over so that they are very difficult to
find, especially as the bird will not flush until
nearly trod upon. The four or five eggs, laid in
June, are white, specked with reddish brown.
Size .72 x .55.
Ammodramus savannarum bimaculatns
546a. WESTERN GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.
Range. West of the Plains from British
Columbia to Mexico.
Slightly paler than the last; has the same
nesting habits; eggs indistinguishable.
338

White

Baird's Sparrow
Grasshopper Sparrow

GRASSHOPPER SPARROW ON NEST

C. A. "Ree'd

THE BIRD BOOK

Hpnslow's Sparrow
Lieconte's Sparrow

546b. FLORIDA GRASSHOPPER SPARROW.


Ammodramus savannarum ftoridanus.
Range. Central Florida.
A local form, darker above and paler below
than the common species. Eggs not different
in any particular.
547. HENSLOW'S SPARROW. Passerherbulus
henslowi henslowi.
Range. United States east of the Plains,
breeding locally from Maryland and Missouri
north to Massachusetts and Minnesota.
This species is similar in form and marking
to the last, but is olive green on the nape, and
the breast and sides , are
streaked with blackish. Their
nesting habits are very similar to those of the Grasshopper Sparrow, the nests being
difficult to find. The eggs
are greenish white, spotted White
with reddish brown. Size .75x.55.

547a. WESTERN HENSLOW'S SPARROW. Passerherbulus henslowi accident alia.


Range. A paler and very local form found in the Plains in South Dakota and
probably, adjoining states. Eggs not apt to differ from those of the preceding.
548. LECONTE'S SPARROW. Passerherbulus lecontei.
Range. Great Plains, breeding from northern United States to Assiniboia;
winters south to Texas and the Gulf States.
A bird of more slender form than the preceding, and with
a long, graduated tail, the feathers of which are very narrow
and pointed. They nest on the ground in damp meadows, but
the eggs are difficult to find
because the bird is flushed
from the nest with great diffiWhite culty. The eggs are white
and are freely specked with brown. Size .70 x .52.
549. SHARP-TAILED SPARROW. Passerherbulus caudacutus.
Range. Breeds in marshes along the Atlantic coast from Maine to South Carolina and
winters farther south.
These birds are very common in nearly all
the salt marshes of the coast, nesting in the
marsh grass. I have nearly always found their
nests attached to the coarse
marsh grass a few inches above
water at high tide, and generally
under apiece of drifted seaweed.
The nests are made of grasses,
and the four or five eggs are
whitish, thickly specked with White
reddish brown. Size .75 x .55. The birds are
hard to flush and then fly but a few feet and
quickly drop into the grass again.
340

Sharp-tailed Sparrow

PERCHING BIRDS

54-9.1. NELSON'S SPARROW.


nelsoni nelsoni.

Passerherbulus

Range. Breeds in the fresh water marshes


of the Mississippi valley from Illinois to Manitoba.
This species is similar to the Sharp-tailed
Finch but more buffy on the breast and generally without streaks. The nesting habits are
the same and the eggs indistinguishable.

. ACADIAN SHARP-TAILED SPARROW.


Passerherbulus nelsoni subvirgatus.
Range. Breeds in the marshes on the coast
of New England and New Brunswick; winters
south to the South Atlantic States.
This paler variety of Nelson's Sparrow nests
like the Sharp-tailed species and the eggs are
the same as those of that bird.

Seaside Sparrow
Dusky Seaside Sparrow

550. SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus maritimus.


Range. Atlantic coast, breeding from southern New England to Carolina and
wintering farther south.
This sharp-tailed Finch is uniform grayish above and light
streaked with dusky, below. They are very abundant in the
breeding range, where they nest in marshes in company with
caudacutus. Their nests are the same as those of that species
and the eggs similar but slightly larger. Size .80 x .60.
Data. Smith Island, Va., May 20, 1900. Nest situated in tall
grass near shore; made of dried grass and seaweed. Collector,
H. W. Bailey. White
All the members of this genus have a habit of fluttering out over the water,
and then gliding back to their perch on the grass, on set wings, meanwhile
uttering a strange rasping song. The nesting habits and eggs of all the subspecies are precisely like those of this variety, and they all occasionally arch

their nests over, leaving an entrance on the side.

550a. SCOTT'S SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus peninsulce.


Range. Coasts of Florida and north to South Carolina. Above blackish
streaked with brownish gray; below heavily streaked with black.
550b. TEXAS SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus sennetti.
Range. Coast of Texas. Similar to maritimus, but streaked above.
550c. LOUISIANA SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus maritimus fisheri.
Range. Gulf coast. This form is similar to peninsulce, but darker and more
brownish.
341

THE BIRD BOOK

550d. MACGILLIVRAY'S SEASIDE SPARROW.


Passerherbulus maritimus macgillivrai.
Range. Coast of South Carolina. Like
fisheri but grayer.
5.11. DUSKY SEASIDE SPARROW. Passerherbulus nigrescens.
Range. Marshes of Indian River near Titusville, Florida.
This species is the darkest of the genus, both
above and below, being nearly black on the
upperparts. Their habits are like those of the
others and the eggs are not likely to differ.

552. LARK SPARROW. Chondestes grammacus grammacus.


Range. Mississippi Valley from the Plains
to Illinois and casually farther east, and from
Manitoba to Texas; winters in Mexico.
This handsome Sparrow has the sides of the crown and ear ^^^^^
patches chestnut, and the sides of the throat and a spot on the
breast, black. They are sweet singers and very welcome birds
in their range, where they are quite abundant. Their nests

are generally placed on the ground in the midst of or under a


clump of weeds or tuft of grass, but sometimes in bushes or
even trees; they are made of grasses and weeds and the eggs,
which are usually laid in May, are white marked chiefly
about the large end with blackish zigzag lines and spots.

White

Size .80 x .60.

552a. WESTERN LARK SPARROW.

Range. United States west of the Plains;


breeds from British Columbia to Mexico.
This paler and duller colored variety is common on the Pacific coast; its habits and nests
and eggs are like those of the last.
553. HARRIS'S SPARROW.
Zonotrichia querula.
Range. Mississippi Valley, chiefly west,
breeding in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the
exact range being unknown.
Although the birds are
abundant during migrations,
they seem to suddenly and
strangely disappear during
the breeding season. Supposed nests have been found
a few inches above the ground
in clumps of grass, the eggs
Whitish being wh iti s h, thickly spotted
with shades of brown. Size .85 x .65.
342

Chondestes grammacus strigatut

Harris's Sparrow

PERCHING BIRDS

554. WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW. Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys.


Range. North America breeding abundantly
in Labrador and about Hudson Bay, and casually in northern New England and in western
United States in the Rockies and Sierras.
Winters along our Mexican
border and southward. A
handsome species with a
broad white crown bordered
on either side by black, and
with a white superciliary line
and black lores; the underparts are uniform grayish
white. These birds appear to
be nowhere as common as the White-throated
Sparrows with which they associate during migrations and in the breeding grounds. They
build on the ground, generally near the edges
of woods or in clearings, and lay from four to
six eggs similar but larger, and with as much White-crowned Sparrow
variation in markings as those of the Song Sparrow ; pale greenish blue, spotted
and splashed with reddish brown and grayish. Size .90 x .65. Data. Nachook,
Labrador, June 10, 1897. Nest of fine grasses on the ground in a clump of grass.

Pale greenish
blue

554a. GAMBEI/S SPARROW. Zonotrichia leucophrys gambeli.


Range. Rocky Mountains and westward from Mexico to Alaska, breeding
chiefly north of the United States.
This bird is like the last but the lores are white. Its nesting habits and eggs
cannot be distinguished from those of the former.

Zonotrichia leucophrys

554b. NUTTALL'S SPARROW.


nut t alii.
Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia to Lower
California.
Similar to the last but smaller and browner above; nests
on the ground or in bushes, the eggs not being distinguishable from those of the other White-crowns.
557. GOLDEN-CROWNED SPARROW. Zonotrichia coronata
Range. Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska, breeding
chiefly north of our borders.
This species has the crown yellow, bordered by black on
the sides. Their habits are like those of
the White-crowned Sparrows, they feeding upon the ground among the dead
leaves, and usually being found in flocks
and often accompanied by many of the
last species. They nest upon the groundor in low bushes, and in May or June lay
three or four eggs very similar to the
last. Size .90 x .65.
343

Pale greenish
blue

CHIPPING SPARROW

PERCHING BIRDS

558. WHITE-THROATED SPARROW.


chia albicollis.

Zonotri-

White

White-throated Sparrow

Range. North America east of the Plains'


and breeding from the northern tier of states!
northward; winters from the Middle States;
southward.
To my mind this is the
most beautiful of Sparrows,
with its bright and softly
blended plumage and the pure
white throat boldly contrasting with its grayish breast
and sides of the head; the
lores are adorned with a
bright yellow spot. They are one of the most
abundant of Sparrows in the east during migrations and their musical piping whistle is
heard from hedge and wood. They nest most
abundantly north of our borders, laying their
three or four eggs in grass lined hollows in
the ground, or more rarely in nests in bushes.
The eggs are white or bluish white, thickly spotted with several shades of
brown. Size .85 x .62. They nest most often in thickets or on the edge of
swamps, in just such places as they are met with on their migrations.
559. TREE SPARROW. Spizella monticola monticola.
Range. North America east of the Plains, breeding north of the United States
to the Arctic coast, east of the Rockies ; winters within the United States.
A larger bird but somewhat resembling the common Chipping Sparrow, but
browner above, with a black spot on the breast and no black on the head.
They are quite hardy birds and winter in many of the northern
states where they may be found in flocks upon the snow, feeding
on seeds of protruding weeds. They breed very abundantly in
Laborador and about Hudson Bay, placing their green nests in
hollows on the ground or moss;
their three or four eggs are
greenish white, abundantly
speckled all over the surface
with reddish brown. Size .80 x .55. Data.
Foothills of Black Mountains, McKenzie River,
Arctic America, June 13, 1899. Nest on the
ground under a tuft of grass on level plain;
made of grasses and moss and lined with feathers.
559a. WESTERN TREE SPARROW. Spizella
monticola ochracea.
Range. North America west of the Plains,
breeding in Alaska and wintering to Mexico.
A paler form of the last, the nesting habits

and eggs of which are the same.


560. CHIPPING SPARROW. Spizella passerina passerina.
Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding from the Gulf to the interior of Canada and Newfoundland.
345

THE BlftD BOOK

As indicated by their name socialis, Chipping Sparrows


are sociable birds not only with others of the bird tribe, but
with man. In all localities that are not overrun with English Sparrows, you will find these confiding birds nesting in
trees and shrubs in the yard and in vines from porches,
#hile in orchards, nearly every tree has its
tenant. They are smaller birds than the
last (5.5 in. long) and have the brown
crown bordered by blackish and a black
line through the eye. Their nests, which
may be found at any height from the
ground and in any kind of a tree or shrub,
are made of fine grass and weed stems, lined with hair; their three to five eggs are a handsome
greenish blue, sparingly specked chiefly about the large
end with blackish brown and purplish. Size .70 x .52.

f>60a. WESTERN CHIPPING SPARROW. Spizella


passerina arizonce.
Range. Western North America, chiefly west of the
^sSSeoa Rockies, from Mexico to Alaska; winters in Mexico.
This variety is much duller colored than the last and
has but little brown on the back; its nesting habits are the same and the eggs
do not appear to differ in any respect from those of the eastern bird.

Bluish white

56l. CLAY-COLORED SPARROW. Spizella pallida.


Range. Interior of United States and Canada, from the Mississippi Valley to
the Rockies, breeding from Iowa and Colorado northward; wipaTefs in Mexico.
These birds can best be described as like
the Chipping Sparrow with the brown largely replaced with blackish. They breed quite
abundantly in Manitoba and Minnesota, placing their nests on or near the ground, and
making them of fine grasses. The eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty from
those of the preceding but average a trifle
smaller. Size .65 x .50. Data. Barnsley, Manitoba, May
24, 1900. Nest of grass stalks lined with fine grass, one
foot above ground in tuft of grass.

562. BREWER'S SPARROW. Spizella breweri.


Range. Western United States from Mexico to British Columbia rarely and chiefly
between the Rockies and the Sierras; most
abundant in New Mexico and Arizona.
This bird is similar to the last but is paler
and more finely streaked. Their nesting
Bluish white nabits are like those of pallida and the eggs
are indistinguishable.
346

561562564

Bluish white

THE BIRD BOOK


563. FIELD SPARROW.
Spizella pusilla pusilla.
Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding from the Gulf to southern Manitoba
and Quebec; winters in the Gulf States.

These are abundant birds


along roadsides, in thickets, or
on dry sidehills, where they nest
indifferently on the ground or in
bushes, making their nests of
grass and weed stems. They are
the birds, whose high piping
song is most frequently heard
on hot sultry days in summer. Their eggs. are
laid in May or June; they are pale bluish
white, speckled and blotched with yellowish
brown and grayish purple. Size .65 x .50.
563a. WESTERN FIELD SPARROW. Spizella
Field Sparrow pusilla arenacea.
Range. Great Plains from Mexico to Montana, breeding in the northern half
of its range and wintering in the southern.
A paler form of the last, whose general habits and eggs are the same as those
of the eastern bird.
564. WORTHEN'S SPARROW. Spizella wortheni.
Range. Southern New Mexico southward through central Mexico.
This pale colored species is the size of the Field Sparrow but has no decided
markings anywhere. It is a rare bird within our borders and uncommon anywhere. I am not able to find any material in regard to their eggs.
565. BLACK-CHINNED SPARROW. Spizella atrogularis.
Range. Mexican border of the United States and southward.
This slim-bodied, long-tailed species is grayish with a dusky
streaked, reddish brown patch on the back and a black face, chin
and throat. Their habits are similar to those of the Field
Sparrow and their nests are made near the ground in bushes,
but the eggs are plain bluish green, about like unmarked
Chipping Sparrows' eggs. Size

Greenish
white
.65 x .50.

566. WHITE-WINGED JUNCO. Junco aiJceni.


Range. Breeds in the Black Hills of Dakota and Wyoming; winters in Colorado and
casually to Kansas.
This species is like the next
but larger and with the wings

crossed by two white bars. Its


habits are like those of the common Juncos, the nests are placed
on the ground, concealed under
overhanging rocks or tufts of
grass, and the eggs are like
those often seen of the Slate-colored Junco;
3 or 4 in number, pinkish white specked and
spotted with light reddish brown. Size .75 x .55.
348

White-winged Junco

PERCHING BIRDS
567. SLATE-COLORED JUNCO. Junco hyemaUs hyemalis.
Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding in the northern tier of states and
northward; winters in southern United States.
This species is slaty gray
on the head, neck, breast,
flanks, back, wings and central tail feathers; the rest of
the underparts are white,
sharply defined against the
gray. They migrate through
the United States in large
flocks, usually accompanied by White-throated
or Fox Sparrows. They breed very abundantly
in the northern parts of their range, frequently
in the immediate vicinity of houses but generally on the edges of clearings, etc., placing
their nests on the ground and generally partially concealed by rocks, stumps, sods or logs;
the nests are made of grasses, lined with hair,
and the four or five eggs are white or greenish
white, variously speckled with reddish brown
either over the entire surface or in a wreath about the large end. Size .80 x .5
5.

White

Junco hyemalis oreganus.


from California to Alaska,

breeding north of the

f>67a. OREGON JUNCO.


Range. Pacific coast
United States.
This sub-species is entirely unlike the preceding, having a black head, neck,
throat, breast, wings and tail, and brown back; the remainder of the underparts
are white, washed with pinkish brown on the sides. The habits and nesting
habits of this western Junco are the same as those of the eastern, the birds
building in similar localities and making the nests of the same material. There
appears to be little, if any, difference between the eggs of the two varieties.

/>67b. SHUFELDT'S JUNCO. Junco hyemalis counectens.


Range. Pacific coast breeding from Oregon to British
Columbia and wintering south to the Mexican boundary.
Said to be slightly larger and duller colored than the
Oregon Junco; eggs the same.
567c. THURBER'S JUNCO. Junco hyemalis thurberi.
Range. The Sierra Nevadas from Oregon to southern
California.
Similar to oreganus but paler and back more pinkish;
eggs will not differ.
567d. POINT PINOS JUNCO. Junco hyemalis pinosus.
Range. A very locally confined variety breeding in pine
woods of southwestern California, about Monterey and
Santa Cruz.
Similar to tnurberi with the head and neck slaty instead
of black.
349

THE BIRD BOOK

567e. CAROLINA JUNCO. Junco hyemalis carolinensis. '


Range. Alleghanies in Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia.
A slightly larger bird than the Slate-colored Junco and
with the bill horn color instead of pinkish white. They
have been found to breed very abundantly in the higher
ranges of the Carolinas, nesting under banks, in tufts of
grass, or occasionally in small bushes, in fact in such locations as are used by liyemalis. Their eggs which are laid
during May, June or July (probably two broods being raised) are similar to those of the Slate-colored species but
slightly larger.
56?f. MONTANA JUNCO. Junco hyemalis montanus.
Range. Prom northern Idaho and Montana north to
Alberta; winters south to Mexico.
This variety is like mearnsi but darker on the head and
throat and with less pink on the sides. Its nesting habits
and eggs do not differ from those of the Pink-sided Junco.
567g- PINK-SIDED JUNCO. Junco hyemalis mearnsi.
Range. Breeds in mountains of Idaho, Wyoming and
Montana and winters south to Mexico.
This species has the head and breast gray, the back brownish and the sides pinkish brown. They breed at high altitudes in the ranges, placing their nests of grasses under sods
or overhanging rocks; their eggs are pinkish white before
being blown and are spotted over the whole surface but more
heavily at the large end with pale reddish brown and gray.
Size .80x.60. White
570. ARIZONA JUNCO. Junco phceonotus palliatus.
Range. Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona.
Similar to the preceding species but upper mandible blackish and the gray
on throat shading insensibly into the grayish white underparts. They are quite
abundant in the higher ranges of southern Arizona, where they breed, placing
their nests on the ground in similar locations to those chosen by other Juncos ;
the three or four eggs are greenish white, finely speckled chiefly about the lar
ge
end with reddish brown. Sixe .76 x .60.
,5708. RED-BACKED JUNCO. Junco phceonotus dorsalis.
Rang. Breeds in the mountains of New Mexico and Arizona and southward.
This variety is like the last but the reddish brown on the back does not extend

to the coverts or wings. The nesting habits are like those of the last but the
eggs are only minutely specked about the large end.
570b. GRAY-HEADED JUNCO. Junco pJiceouotus caniceps.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from Wyoming south to Mexico.
This species is similar to the Slate-colored Junco but has a
reddish brown patch on the back. They nest on the ground in
mountainous regions, concealing the nests in tufts of grass or
under logs, stones, etc. The eggs are creamy or bluish white,
specked over the whole surface, but most numerously about the
larger end with reddish brown. Size .75 x .60. Data. Custer
Co., Colo., June 4, 1897. Slight nest of small rootlets and fine
grass placed under a tuft of grass. Altitude over 8,000 feet.
350

White

PERCHING BIRDS

571. BAIRD'S JUNCO. Junco bairdi.


Range. Southern Lower California.
This gray headed species with rusty back
and sides is locally confined to the southern
parts of the California peninsula where it is
resident. Its eggs are not likely to differ from
those of the Pink-sided Junco which it most
nearly resembles.

56?i. TOWNSEND'S JUNCO.


townsendi.

Junco hy emails

Range. Mountains of northern Lower California; resident and breeding. Similar to the
Pink-sided Junco but duller colored; eggs probably the same.
572. QUADALUPE JUNCO. Junco insularis.

Black-throated Sparrow
Resembles the Pink-sided Junco but is smaller, darker and
They are common on the island where they nest in the pine
first sets in February or March. The nests are like those
eggs are greenish white, finely dotted with reddish brown
Size .77 x .60.

duller colored.
groves, laying their
of the genus and the
at the large end.

573. BLACK-THROATED SPARROW, ^mphupisa bilineata bilineata.


Range. Breeds from central Texas to Kansas; winters in southern Texas
and Mexico.
This species is grayish brown above, with black throat, white
superciliary and line on side of throat. This is a common
species that nests on the ground or at low elevations in bushes,
making their nests of weed stems and grasses. The three to five
eggs are bluish white, unmarked and similar to those of the
Bluebird but smaller. Size .72 x .55. Bluish white
573a. DESERT SPARROW. Amphispiza
bilineata deserticola.
Range. Southwestern United States from western Texas
to southern California, and north, to Colorado and Nevada;
winters in Mexico.
Like the last but paler above. An abundant bird among
the foothills and on plains throughout its range. Found
generally in sage brush and thickets where it nests in
bushes or on the ground laying three or four bluish white
eggs like those of the last.
57k BELL'S SPARROW. Amphispiza belli.
Range. Southern half of California and southward.
These grayish, black and white birds are abundant in
sage brush and thickets, nesting on the ground or at low
elevations in bushes, and during May or June, laying from
three to four eggs of a pale greenish white color, spotted
and blotched with reddish brown and purplish. Size .75
x .60.
351

Amphispiza nevadensis neva-

THE BIRD BOOK


574.1. SAGE SPARROW.

densis.
Range. Sage deserts of the Great Basin from Oregon
and Montana, south to Mexico.
This sub-species is abundant throughout its range where
it nests near or on the ground, in or under bushes and generally concealed from view. The nests are made of grass
and sage bark lined with fine grass ; the eggs are like those
of the last species, greenish white, spotted and blotched
with shades of brown and purplish.
574. la. GRAY SAGE SPARROW. Amphispiza nevadensis cinerea.
Range. A smaller and paler variety found in Lower
California.
The nests and eggs of this pale variety probably do not
differ in any respect from those of the better known varie.ties.
575. PINE-WOODS SPARROW. Peuccea cestivalis cestivalis.
Range. Florida and southern Georgia.
These birds are common in restricted localities in their range, nesting on the
ground under bushes or shrubs; the nests are made of grasses and the four or
five eggs are pure white with a slight gloss. Size .75 x .60. The birds are said
to be fine singers and to frequent, almost exclusively, pine barrens.

575a. BACHMAN'S SPARROW. Peuccea cestivalis bachmani.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States; north to Indiana
and Illinois.
This variety is common in most localities in its range, frequenting pine woods and barrens chiefly, and nesting on the
ground in May or June. Their nests are made of grasses and
lined with very fine grass, and have the tops completely
arched over leaving a small entrance on the side. The eggs
are pure white with a slight gloss and measure .75 x .60.

White

576. BOTTERI'S SPARROW. Peuccea botterii.


Range. Mexican plateau north to southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
They nest in abundance in tall grass in the lowlands of their range, the nests
being difficult to find because the bird flushes with great difficulty. The nest
s

are on the ground, made of grass, and the three to five eggs are pure white,
measuring .75 x .60.

352

PERCHING BIRDS

578. CASSIN'S SPARROWS Peuccea cassini.


Range. Plains and valleys from Texas and Arizona
north to Kansas and Nevada.
These birds breed in numbers on the
arid plains, placing their grass nests on
the ground at the foot of small bushes
or concealed in tufts of grass, and during
'ajjtt May lay four pure white eggs which are
of the same size and indistinguishable
from those of others of the genus.
White
579- RUFOUS-WINGED SPARROW. Aimophila carpalis.
Range. Plains of western Mexico and north to southern
Arizona.
This pale colored bird bears a remote
resemblance to the Tree Sparrow. They
nest commonly in dry arid regions, plac- /
ing their nests at low elevations in /
bushes or cacti, preferably young mesquites, and making them of coarse grass
lined with finer. Two broods are raised
a season and from May to August sets
of four or five plain bluish white eggs may be found. Size
580. RUFOUS-CROWNED SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps ruficeps.
Range. Local in southern half of California and in Lower California.
A brownish colored species both above and below, which is found on mountains and hillsides in restricted localities. They nest on the ground placing the
ir
grass structures in hollows, usually at the foot of a small bush or shrub and
well concealed. They lay from three to five pale bluish white eggs. Size
.SOx.60.
580a. SCOTT'S SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps scotti.
Range. Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona south in Mexico.

A paler species, above, than the last, and whitish below. It is quite a common species on the mountain ranges where it nests on the ground, in clumps of
grass or beneath shrubs or overhanging rocks; the nests are made of grasses
and weeds scantily put together. The eggs are white, untinted. Size .80 x .60.
580b. ROCK SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps eremceca.
Range. Middle and southern Texas and south in Mexico.
This variety frequents rocky mountain sides where it nests
abundantly under rocks or at the foot of shrubs, the nests
being made of coarse grasses loosely twisted together and
lined with finer grass. The birds are shy and skulk off
through the underbrush upon the approach of anyone so that
the nests are quite difficult to find. The three to five eggs are
pure white and of the same size as those of the last.
580c. LAGUNA SPARROW. Aimophila ruficeps sororia.
Range. Mountains of southern Lower California.
The nests and eggs of this very similar variety to nt//re/>.v proper are not
likely to differ in any particular from those of that species.
353

23

THE BIRD BOOK

581.

SONG SPARROW.
melodia.

Melospiza melodia

Range. North America, east of the Plains,


breeding from Virginia to Manitoba and New
Brunswick, and wintering chiefly in the southern half of the United States.
A favorite and one of the
most abundant in all sections
of the east. They are sweet
and persistent songsters and

frequent side hills, pastures,


roadsides, gardens and dooryards if English Sparrows be
not present. They nest indifferently upon the ground or in bushes, generally artfully concealing the nest by drooping
leaves; it is made of grass and weed stems,
lined with fine grass or, occasionally, horse
hair. As is usual in the case of birds that
abound about habitations they frequently
choose odd nesting sites. They lay two and

White

Song- Sparrow
sometimes three sets of eggs a season, from May to August, the eggs being
three to five in number and white or greenish white, marked, spotted, blotched
or splashed in endless variety of pattern and intensity, with many shades of
brown; some eggs are very heavily blotched so as to wholly obscure the ground
color while others are specked very sparingly. They measure .80 x .60 with
great variations.
581a. DESERT SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia fallax.
Range. Desert regions of southern Nevada, Arizona and southeastern California. The eggs of this very pale form are the same as those of the last.
58 Ib. MOUNTAIN SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia montana.
Range. Rockies and the Great Basin from Oregon and Montana southward.
This variety is paler than the Song Sparrow but darker than fall ax. Eggs
the same.
58 Ic. HEERMAN'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia heermanni.
Range. California, west of the Sierra Nevadas.
Similar to melodia but with less brown and the markings
blacker and more distinct. The nesting habits are the same
and the eggs similar to large dark specimens of the eastern
Song Sparrow. Size .85 x .62.
58 Id. SAMUELS SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia
samuelis.
Range. Coast regions of California, chiefly in the
marshes.
Similar to the last but smaller. They nest on the ground
in marsh grass, usually in sandy districts along the shore.
The eggs average smaller than those of melodia. Size
.78 x .58.

58 le. RUSTY SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia


morphna.
Range. Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia.
A dark species with the upper parts dark reddish brown
and heavily streaked with the same below. The nesting
habits and eggs are like those of melodia.
354

PERCHING BIRDS
581 f. SOOTY SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia rufina.
Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia to Alaska.
A darker bird, both above and below, even than the last. Eggs like the last
but averaging a trifle larger. Size .82 x .62.
58 Ig. BROWN'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia rivularis.
Range. Southern Lower California.
A light colored form like the Desert Song Sparrow; said to build in cat tails
above water as well as on the ground; eggs not different from others of the
genus.
58 Ih. SANTA BARBARA SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia graminea.
Range. Breeds on Santa Barbara Islands; winters on adjacent coast of California.
A variety of the same size but paler than samuelis. Nesting or eggs not
peculiar.
58 li. SAN CLEMENTE SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia clementce.
Range. San Clemente and Santa Rosa Island of the Santa Barbara group.
Slightly larger than the last; habits and eggs the same.
581 j. DAKOTA SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia juddi.
Range. North Dakota, breeding in the Turtle Mountains.
Practically indistinguishable from the common Song Sparrow; the eggs will
not differ.
581k. MERRILL'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia merrillL
Range. Northwestern United States; eastern Oregon and Washington to
Idaho.
Very similar to, but lighter than the Rusty Song Sparrow.
5811. ALAMEDA SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia pusillula
Range. Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay, California.

Similar to, but still smaller than Samuel Song Sparrow. Eggs will not differ.
581m. SAN DIEGO SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia cooperi.
Range. Southern coast of California; north to Monterey Bay.
Similar to, but smaller and lighter than heermanni.
581 n. YAKUTAT SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia caurina.
Range. Coast of Alaska from Cross Sound to Prince Williams Sound.
Similar to the Sooty Song Sparrow but larger and grayer. Eggs probably
average larger.
58 lo. KENAI SONG SPARROW. Melospiza Melodia kenaiensis.
Range. Kenai Jeninsula on the coasts.
Like the last but still larger; length about 7 inches.
58 Iq. BISCHOFF'S SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia insignis.
Range. Kadiak Island, Alaska.
Similar to and nearly^s large as the next species, but browner.
58 Ir. ALEUTIAN SONG SPARROW. Melospiza melodia sanaka.
Range. Found on nearly all the islands of the Aleutian group, excluding
Kadiak.
This is the largest of the Song Sparrows being nearly 8
inches in length; it is similar in appearance to the Sooty
Song Sparrow but grayer. It nests either on the ground or
at low elevations in bushes, the nest usually being concealed in a tuft of grass or often placed under rocks or,
sometimes, driftwood along the shores. The nests are
made of grasses and weed stems, and the eggs are similar
to those of the Song Sparrow but much larger and more
elongate. Size .90 x .65. Greenish white
355

THE BIRD BOOK

Lincoln's Sparrow

583. LINCOLN'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolni


lincolni.
Range. North America, breeding from
northern United States north to the Arctic regions; most abundant in the interior and the
west; rare in New England.
This bird is shy and retiring and skulks off through

the underbrush of thickets


and swamps that it frequents
upon the approach of anyone;
consequently it is often little
known in localities where it
is quite abundant. They nest
on the ground like Song Sparrows, and rarely
in bushes. Their eggs are very similar to
those of the Song Sparrow, three or four in
number, greenish white in color, heavily spotted and blotched with chestnut and gray. Size
.SO x .58.

Greenish white

alto ,

583a. FORBUSH'S SPARROW. Melospiza lincolni striata.


Range. Pacific coast of Oregon and British Columbia.
Similar to the preceding but darker and browner. Eggs probably like those
of the last.
584. SWAMP SPARROW. Melospiza georgiana.
Range. North America, east of the Plains, breeding from
middle United States north to Labrador and Hudson Bay.
This common and dark colored Sparrow frequents swampy
places where it breeds; owing to its sly habits it is not
commonly seen during the breeding season. Its nests are
made of grasses and located on the ground usually in places
where the walking is extremely treacherous. The eggs are
similar to those of the Song Sparrow but are generally Greenish
darker and more clouded and average smaller. Size .75 x .55.
585. Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca iliaca.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding r~from southern Canada northward, and northwest to Alaska; winters in southern United
States.
This large handsome species, with its mottled grayish and reddish brown plumage and
bright rufous tail, is very common in eastern
United States during migrations, being found
in open woods and hedges in
company with Juncos and
White-throated Sparrows,

with which species their song


vies in sweetness. They nest
usually on the ground, but
sometimes in low bushes ; the
nests are made of grasses and Greenish
are concealed beneath the
overhanging branches of bushes or evergreens.
The three or four eggs are greenish-white,
spotted and blotched with brown. Size .94 x .68.
356

Swamp Sparrow

PERCHING BIRDS

Passerella - .

585a. SHUMAGIN Fox SPARROW.


iliaca unalaschensis.
Range. Shumagin Islands and the Alaska
coast to Cook Inlet.
Similar to the last but paler, being one of the
several recent unsatisfactory subdivisions of
this genus. The nesting habits and eggs of all
the varieties are like those of the common eastern form.
585b. THICK-BILLED SPARROW. Passerella
iliaca megarhyncha.
Range. Mountains of eastern California and
western Nevada; locally confined.
Entire upper parts and breast spots gray;
wings and tail brown. It nests in the heaviest
underbrush of the mountain sides, building on
or close to the ground.
585c. SLATE-COLORED SPARROW. Passerella
iliaca schistacea.

Fox Sparrow

Range. Rocky Mountain region, breeding from Colorado to British Columbia.


This variety which is similar to, but smaller than the last, nests in thickets
along the mountain streams. The eggs are like those of iliaca, but average
smaller.
585d. STEPHEN'S SPARROW. Passerella iliaca stephensi.
Range. Breeds in the San Bernadino and San Jacinto Mts. in southern Call
fornia.
Like the Thick-billed Sparrow, but bill still larger and bird slightly so.
585e. SOOTY Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca fuliginosa.
Range. Coast of Washington and British Columbia; south to California in
winter.
585f. KADIAK Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca insularis.
Range. Breeding on Kadiak Island; winters south to California.
Like the last but browner above and below.
585g. TOWNSEND'S Fox SPARROW. Passerella iliaca townsendi.
Range. Southern coast of Alaska; winters south to California. Like the last
but more rufous above.
Upperparts and tail uniform brownish umber, below heavily spotted.
586. TEXAS SPARROW. Arremonops rufivirgatus.
Range. Eastern Mexico and southern Texas.
This odd species has a brownish crown, olive greenish upperparts, wings and
tail, and grayish white underparts. They are common resident birds along the Lower Rio Grande, being found in tangled
thickets, where they nest at low elevations, making their A
quite bulky nests of coarse weeds and grass and sometimes .
twigs, lined with finer grass and hair; they are often partially domed with an entrance on the side. Their eggs are plain
white, without markings; often several broods are raised in a
season and eggs may be found from May until August. White
357

THE BIRD BOOK

587- TOWHEE. Pipilo erythrophthalmus


erythrophthalmus.

Range. North America east of the Plains,


breeding from the Gulf to Manitoba.
The well known Towhee, Ground Robin or
Chewink is a bird commonly met with in eastern United States; it frequents thickets,
swamps and open woods where they nest generally upon the ground and sometimes in
bushes near the ground. The nests are well
made of grasses, lined with
fine grasses and rootlets,
and the eggs, which are laid
in May or June, are pinkish
white, generally finely
sprinkled but sometimes
with bold markings of light
reddish brown, with great
variations. Size .90 x .70.
Towhees are noisy birds and at frequent intervals, while they are scratching among the
leaves for their food they will stop and utter their familiar "tow-hee" or "chewink" and then again will mount to the summit of a tree or bush and sing their
sweet refrain for a long time.

Purplish white

Towhee or Chewink

587a. WHITE-EYED TOWHEE. Pipilo erythrophthalmus alleni.


Range. Florida and the Atlantic coast to South Carolina.
This variety is like the preceding except that the eyes are white instead of
red. There is no difference between their nesting habits and eggs, except that
they much more frequently, and in some localities, almost always, nest in trees.

588. ARCTIC TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus arcticus.


Range. Great Plains, breeding from northern United States to the Saskatchewan.
This species is similar to the eastern Towhee but has the scapulars and
coverts tipped with white. They nest abundantly in suitable localities in Montana and North Dakota and more com- ^Sfifi^fe^
monly north of our borders. Like the eastern Towhee, they
nest on the ground under the protection of overhanging
bushes, the nests being made of strips of bark and grasses
and lined with fine rootlets. Their three or four eggs, which

are laid during May, June or July, are pinkish white, profusely speckled with reddish brown; very similar to those
of the eastern Towhee. Size .92 x .70.

Pinkish white

588a. SPURRED TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus montanus.


Range. Breeds from Mexico to British Columbia, west of the Rockies.
Similar to the last but with less white on the back. The nesting habits and
eggs are like those of the Towhee, but in some localities the nests are most
often found in bushes above the ground.

358

C. A. Reed

NEST AND EGGS OF TOWBEE

588b 591

588b. OREGON TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus oregonus.


Range. Pacific coast from California to British Columbia; winters to Mexico. Similar to the last but with still
fewer white markings on the back and the chestnut flanks
brighter. The nesting habits and eggs of this variety
differ in no essential particular from those of the preceding Towhees.
588c. SAN CLEMENTE TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus clementce.
Range. San Clemente Is. and other of the Santa Barbara group.
Black of male said to be duller. Probably no difference
between the eggs and others.

588d. SAN DIEGO TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus megalonyx.


Range. Coast of southern California and Lower California. Said to be darker than mecjalonyx.

588e. LARGE-BILLED TOWHEE. Pipilo maculatus magnirostris.


Range. Southern Lower California. Similar to arcticus ; bill said to be larger.
589- GUADALUPE TOWHEE. Pipilo consobrinus.
Range. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.
Similar to oregonus but smaller and with a relatively shorter tail. The nesting habits and eggs of this species will not likely be found to differ essential
ly
from those of others of the genus.
591. CANON TOWHEE. Pipilo fuscus mesoleucus.
Range. Mexico and north to Arizona and New Mexico and casually farther
to Colorado.
A common species in the valleys and on the side hills,
nesting in bushes near the ground, and sometimes on
the ground; the nests are made of grasses, weeds and twigs
lined with rootlets, and the three or four eggs are greenish
blue sparingly spotted or scrawled with blackish brown, the
markings being similar to those on many Red-winged
Blackbirds' eggs. Size 1.00 x .70. Greenish blue
59 la. SAN LUCAS TOWHEE. Pipilo fuscus albigula.
Range. Southern Lower California.
This variety is like the last but is usually paler below. It is abundant in the
region about the cape where they nest in thickets, either in the bushes or on
the ground. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Canon Towhee.
59 lb. CALIFORNIA TOWHEE. Pipilo crissalis crissalis.
Range. Pacific coast of California.
This variety is similar to the Canon Towhee but is browner, both above and
below. They are one of the most common of California birds, frequenting
scrubby thickets, both on mountain sides and in valleys and canons, from
which their harsh scolding voice always greets intruders. They place their
nests in bushes at low elevations from the ground and sometimes on the ground ;
360

PERCH

they are made of twigs, strips of bark, weeds and coarse


grasses, lined with fine rootlets. Their three or four eggs
are laid in April or May; they are light bluish green marked like the others with purplish or brownish black. Size
.95x.72.
5.9 1.1 a. ANTHONY'S TOWHEE. Pipilo crissalis senicula.
Range. Southern California and south through Lower
California.
A very similar bird to the last but
sightly smaller and lighter below.
The habits and nesting habits of
these birds are in every way identical with those of the California Towhee and the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of that variety.
They are fully as abundant in the
southern parts of California as the
others are in the northern.

BIRDS

Greenish blue

591.3 592 5!J2.1

592. ABERT'S TOWHEE. Pipilo aberti.


Range. Arizona and New Mexico north to Colorado
and Nevada and east to southeastern California.
This bird is wholly brownish gray both above and below
PP** shading into reddish brown on the under tail coverts; the
face is black. They are abundant in the valleys of Arizona
and New Mexico, but unlike the preceding species, they
are generally wild and shy. They nest in chaparral thickets along streams, the nests being constructed similarly to
those of the California Towhee, and the eggs are not easily
distinguishable from those of that species, but they are
usually more sparsely specked and the markings more disGreenish blue tinct. Size 1.00 x .75.
592.1. GREEN-TAILED TOWHEE. Oreospiza Morura.

Range. Western United States, chiefly west


of the Rockies from Montana and Washington
south to Mexico; wintering in southwestern
United States.
This handsome and entirely different plumaged species from any of the preceding would,
from appearance, be better placed in the group
with the White-throated Sparrow than its present position. It has a reddish brown crown,
the remainder of the upper
parts, wings and tail being
greenish yellow; the throat
is white, bordered abruptly
with gray on the breast and
sides of head. These birds
place their nests on the
ground. The nests are built
similarly to those of the eastern Towhee, and the eggs, too, are similar, being whitish, finely dotted and specked with
reddish brown, the markings being most numerous around the larger end. Size .85 x .65.

mj^jjfr.

Whitish

Green -tailed Towhee

361

CARDINAL

PERCHING BIRDS

593. CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis.


Range. Eastern United States, north to New York and Illinois, west to the
Plains and Texas. Resident in most of its range.
These beautiful fiery red and crested songsters are one of the most attractive
of our birds, and in their range, nest about habitations as

freely as among the thickets and scrubby brush of wood


or hillside. Their nests are rarely placed higher than ten
feet from the ground in bushes, branches, vines, brush
piles or trees; they are loosely made of twigs, coarse
grasses and weeds, shreds of bark, leaves, etc., and lined
with fine grass or hair. They frequently lay two or three
sets of eggs a season, the first being completed usually
early in May; three or four, and sometimes five, white or
pale bluish white eggs are laid; they are very varied in markings but usually
profusely spotted, more heavily at the large end, with reddish brown and
lavender. Size 1.00 x .70.

Bluish white

ARIZONA CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis superbus.


Range. Northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona.
A larger and more rosy form of the Cardinal. Its eggs
tinguished from those of the eastern Redbird.

cannot be dis-

593b. SAN LUCAS CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis igneus.


Range. Southern Lower California.
Like the last but smaller and with less black on the forehead; eggs the same.

OF CA11DINAJ
363

THE BIRD BOOK


mm

5p3c. GRAY-TAILED CARDINAL.


cardinalis canicaudus.

Cardinalis

Cardinal

Range. Northeastern Mexico and southern


Texas.
The male of this species is like the eastern
Cardinal but the female is said to be grayer.
The nesting habits are the same and the eggs
identical with those of the latter.
593d. FLORIDA CARDINAL. Cardinalis cardinalis floridanus.
Range. Southern Florida.
Supposed to be a deeper and richer shade oi
red. Eggs like those of cardinalis.
594. ARIZONA PYRRHULOXIA. Pyrrhuloxia
sinuata sinuata.
. Range. Northwestern Mexico and the southern border of New Mexico, Arizona and western
Texas.
This species is of similar form and crested like a Cardinal,
but the bill is very short and hooked like that of a Parrot ; the
plumage is grayish, with wings and tail dull reddish; face
and throat, and middle of belly rosy red. Their habits are
the same as those of the Cardinal, but their nests are said to
be slighter; they are placed in similar locations to those of
the latter, the two species often nesting together in the same
thicket. Their eggs are like those of the Cardinal but average
smaller, although the ranges overlap so that the eggs cannot
be distinguished. Size .90 x .70. Data. San
Antonio, Texas, May 16, 1889. Nest of fine
grasses, lined with rootlets ; 4 feet from ground
in a mesquite tree.
5Q4a. TEXAS PYRRHULOXIA. Pyrrhuloxia
sinuata texana.
Range. Northeastern Mexico and southern
Texas.
Said to be grayer and the bill to average
larger than that of the last. There are no differences in the nesting habits or eggs between
the two varieties.
594b. SAN LUCAS PYRRHULOXIA. Pyrrhuloxia sinuata peninsula.
Range. Southern Lower California.
Smaller than the Arizona Cardinal but with
a larger bill. The eggs are like those of the

others but may average a trifle smaller. Texas Pyrrhuloxia


364

Bluish white

PERCHING BIRDS

595. ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.


ludoviciana.

Zamelodia

Greenish blue

Range. United States,


east of the Plains, breeding from the Middle States
and Ohio north to Manitoba and Nova Scotia.
This beautiful black and
white bird with rosy red
breast and under wing coverts, is one of the most
pleasing of our songsters. They nest either in
bushes or trees, generally between six and
twenty feet from the ground and usually in
thick clumps of trees or scrubby apple trees.
The three or four eggs, which are laid in June,
are greenish blue, spotted, most heavily about
the larger end, with reddish brown. Size 1.00
x .75. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 5, 1899.
Nest of twigs and rootlets in small apple tree
in woods ; nest very frail, eggs showing through
the bottom.

5.96'.. .BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK.


Zamelodia melanocephala.
Range. United
States, west of
the Plains, breed-

ing from Mexico


north to British
Columbia ; w i riters south of the
Pale greenish white United states&lt;
This species is of the size of the last
(8 inches long), and is a bright cinnamon brown color with black head, and
black and white wings and tail. The
habits of this bird are the same as
those of the Rosebreasted Grosbeak
and its song is very similar but more
lengthy. Their nests, like those of the
last, are very flimsy structures placed
in bushes or trees, usually below twenty feet from the ground; they are open
frameworks of twigs, rootlets and
weed stalks, through which the eggs
can be plainly seen. The eggs are
similar to those of the preceding but
are usually of a paler color, the markings, therefore showing with greater
distinctness. Size 1.00 x .70.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

J. B. Pardoe.
NEST OP ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK.

365

THE BIRD BOOK

Bluish white

597. BLUE GROSBEAK. Guiraca ccerulea.


Range. Southeastern United States, breeding from the
Gulf north to Pennsylvania

and Illinois, and casually to


New England.
Smaller than the last two
species and deep blue, with
wings and tail blackish, and
the lesser coverts and tips of
greater, chestnut. It is a fairly common species in the southerly parts of its range, nesting most frequently in low bushes or vines
in thickets; the nest is made of rootlets, weed
stalks and grasses and sometimes leaves. The
three or four eggs are bluish white, unmarked.
Size .85 x .65. Data. Chatham Co., Ga., June
10, 1898. 3 eggs. Nest of roots, leaves and
snake skin, lined with fine rootlets, 3 feet from
the ground in a small oak bush.

Blue Grosbeak

If
^

597a. WESTERN BLUE GROSBEAK. Guiraca ccerulea lazula.


Range. Western United States north to Kansas, Colorado and northern California.
Slightly larger than the last and lighter blue; nests the same and egg not distinctive.
598. INDIGO BUNTING. Passerina cyanea.
Range. United States, east of the Plains, breeding north to Manitoba and
Nova Scotia; winters south of the United States.
This handsome species is rich indigo on the
head and neck, shading into blue or greenish
blue on the upper and under parts. They are
very abundant in some localities along roadsides, in thickets and open woods, where their
song is frequently head, it being a very sweet refrain resembling, somewhat, certatin
passages from that of the
Goldfinch. They nest at low
elevations in thickets or
vines, building their home of
grass and weeds, lined with
fine grass or hair, it being quite a substantial

structure. The eggs, which are laid in June


or July, are pale bluish white. Size .75 x .52.
599. LAZULI BUNTING. Passerina amcena.
Range. Western United States, breeding
from Mexico to northern United States and the
interior of British Columbia; east to Kansas.
This handsome bird is of the size of cyaneu,
but is azure blue above and on the throat, the indigo Bunting:
366

Pale bluish white

PERCHING BIRDS

breast being browish and the rest of the underparts, white. It is the western representative
of the Indigo Bunting, and its
habits and nesting habits are
in all respects the same as
I those of that species, the
nests being made of twigs,
grasses, strips of bark, weeds,
leaves, etc. The eggs are like
those of the last, pale bluish
white. Size .75 x .55.

Pale bluish
vhite

..

Pale bluish
white

600. VARIED BUNTING. Passerina


versicolor
Range. Mexico and north to southern Texas.
The general color of this odd bird is purplish, changing to bright blue on the crown and
^^__^^ rump, and with a reddish
nape. They are quite abundant in some localities along
the Lower Rio Grande, where
they nest in bushes and tangled under bru&h, the nests being like those of the last
species, and rarely above five feet from the ground. The eggs
are pale bluish white, three or four in number, and laid during May or June. Size .75 x .55.
600a. BEAUTIFUL BUNTING. Passerina versicolor pulchra.
Range. Southern Lower California.
Slightly smaller but very similar to the last; eggs will not differ.
601. PAINTED BUNTING. Passerina ciris.

Lazuli Bunting

Range. South Atlantic and

Varied Bunting

ciris.
Gulf States; north to Illinois in the interior.
Without exception, this is the most gaudily attired of North American birds, the
whole underparts being red, the head and
neck deep blue, the back yellowish green, and
the rump purple, the line of demarcation between the colors being sharp. They are frequently kept as cage birds but more for their
bright colors than any musical ability, their
song being of the character of the Indigo Bunting, but weaker and less musical. They are
very abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf
States, where they nest usually in bushes or hedges at low
elevations, but occasionally
on branches of tall trees.
Their nests are made of
weeds, shreds of bark,

grasses, etc., lined with fine


grass, very much resembling white
that of the Indigo. Their
eggs are laid in May, June or July, they frequently raising two broods; they are white or
pale bluish white, speckled with reddish
brown. Size .75 x .55.
367

THE BIRD BOOK

Painted Bunting

602. SHARPE'S SEED-EATER. Sporophila


morelleti morelleti
Range. Eastern Mexico, breeding north to
the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
This peculiar, diminutive Finch is but 4.5
inches in length, and in plumage is black, white
and gray. In restricted localities in southern
Texas, they are not uncommon during the summer months. They build in bushes or young
trees at low elevations making their nests of
fine grasses or fibres, firmly woven together
and usually placed in an upright
crotch. The eggs are pale
greenish blue, plentifully speckled with reddish and umber
brown, and some markings of
lilac. Size .65 x .45. Data.
Brownsville, Texas, May 7, 1892. Greenish blue
Nest of fine fibre-like material lined with horse
hairs, on limb of small tree in open woods near
a lake of fresh water; 6 feet above ground.
Collector, Frank B. Armstrong. This set is in
the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.

[603.] GRASSQUIT. Tiaris bicolor.


Range. This small Finch is a Cuban species which casually strays to southern Florida.

They are abundant on the island, building large arched nests of grass, with a
small entrance on the side. They lay from three to six white eggs, specked with
brown. Size .65 x .50.
[603.1] MELODIOUS GRASSQUIT. Tiaris canora.
Another Cuban Finch which has been taken in the Florida Keys. Eggs like
the last.

604&lt;. DICKCISSEL. Spiza americana.


Range. Interior of the United States, breeding from the Gulf to northern United States,
west to the Rockies, east to the Alleghanies.
A sparrow-like Bunting with a yellow breast
patch, line over eye and on side of throat;
throat black, chin white and wing coverts chestnut. These sleek-coated, harmoniously colored
birds are very common in dry bush-grown pastures and on the prairies.
^rtf^-r- They are very persistent
/? ^^ singers, and their song, while
Ji -;*;, very simple, is welcome on
\>y fill*' hot days when other birds
pr are quiet. They nest anywhere, as suits their fancy,
Bluish white on the ground, in clumps of
grass, in clover fields, bushes,
low trees, or in thistles. The nests are made
of weeds, grasses, leaves and rootlets, lined
with fine grass, and the three to five eggs are
bluish white. Size .80 x .60.
368

Sharpe's Seed-eater

PERCHING BIRDS

605. LARK BUNTING. Calamospiza melanocorys..


Range. A bird of the Plains, abundant from
western Kansas to eastern Colorado and north
to the Canadian border; winters in Mexico.

These black and white birds have a sweet


song which they often utter while on the wing
after the manner of the Bobolink, all their habits being
similar to those of this bird,
except that this species likes
the broad dry prairies where
it nests on the ground under
the protection of a tuft of
grass or a low bush. Their
four or five eggs are like
those of the last but slightly larger. Size .85
x .65. Data. Franklin Co., Kansas. 4 eggs.
Nest in cornfield in a hollow on the ground at
the base of a stalk; made of straw and weeds.

Bluish white

Dickcisf

TANAGERS. Family TANAGRID^E


WESTERN TANAGER. Piranga ludoviciana.
Range. United States, west of the Plains and north to British Columbia.
This handsome species is black and yellow, with an orange or reddish head.
They are common and breed in suitable localities through their range, nesting
as do the eastern Tanagers in trees usually at a low elevation, the nests being
saddled on the forks of horizontal branches; they are made of rootlets, strips
of bark, and weed stalks,
- __ and are usually frail like
those of the Grosbeaks.
Their eggs, which are laid
in May or June, are bluish
green, specked with brown
of varying shades. Size
.95 x .65.

I.ai-k Hunting

()()8. SCARLET TANAGER.


romelas.

Piranha en/th-

These beautiful scarlet


and black birds frequent,
chiefly, woodlands, although they are very often found breeding in orchards and small pine
groves. They are quiet
birds, in actions, but their
loud warbling song is
heard at a great distance, and is readily recognized by its peculiarity. They nest upon hori-

Greenish blue

24

THE BIRD BOOK

zontal limbs or forks at elevations of four to


twenty feet, making frail nests of twigs, rootlets and weeds; they are often found in pine
trees, but apparently just as frequently in
other kinds. Their eggs are greenish blue,
specked and spotted with various shades of
brown. Size .95 x .65. Data. Holden, Mass.,
May 31, 1898. Nest on low limb of an oak, 4
feet above ground; of weeds and rootlets and
very frail.
6'09. HEPATIC TANAGER. Piranga hepatica.
Range. Western Mexico,
north to New Mexico and Ari-

zona in summer.
This species is similar to
the next but is darker red on
the upper parts and bright
vermilion below. They nest
on the lower horizontal Bluish green
branches of trees, usually live oaks, making
the nests of rootlets and weeds; the eggs are bluish green, like those of the
next, but the markings appear to average more blotchy and brighter. Size
.92 x .64.

Scarlet Tanager

6'10. SUMMER TANAGER. Piranga rubra rubra. Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to New York and Kansas, and casually farther; west to Texas; winters south of our borders.
This bird is of the size of the Scarlet Tanager, but is of a uniform rosy red
color, darker on the back. They are very common in the South Atlantic and
Gulf States. Their nests are located at low elevations on horizontal branches
of trees in open woods, edges of clearings, or
along the roadside; the nests are made of
strips of bark, weed stems, leaves, etc., and are
frail like those of the other Tanagers. Their
eggs are light bluish green,
speckled and spotted with
reddish brown, and not
distinguishable with certainty from those of the
^^^ Scarlet Tanager. Size .92
Light bluish green X .64.
6lOa. COOPER'S TANAGER.
Piranga rubra cooperi.
Range. Western United States, breeding
from the Mexican border and Texas north to
central California and Nevada.
Similar to but slightly larger than the last.
There are no differences between the nesting
of this form and the last and the eggs are not
in any way different.
370

Summer Tanager

SCARLET TAN AGE K

THE BIRD BOOK

SWALLOWS. Family HIRUNDINID^


611. PURPLE MARTIN. Progne subis subis.
Range. Breeds throughout the United States
and temperate British America; winters in
South America.
These large, lustrous, steely-blue Swallows
readily adapt themselves to civilization and,
throughout the east, may be found nesting in
bird houses, provided by appreciative land
owners or tenants; some of these houses are
beautiful structures modelled
after modern residences and : x
tenanted by twenty or thirty ,,.,
pairs of Martins; others are
plain, unpainted soap boxes
or the like, but the birds
seem to take to one as kindly
as the other, making nests in
their compartments of weeds,
feathers, etc. They also, and most commonly
in the west, nest in cavities of trees making
nests of any available material. During June
*WLz, "^t ^ or July, they lay from four to six white eggs;
size .95 x .65. Data. Leicester, Mass., June
16, 1903. 5 eggs in Martin house; nest of
Purple Martin grasses.

White
grass, mud,

61 la. WESTERN MARTIN. Progne subis hesperia.


Range. Pacific coast from Washington south.
The nesting habits, eggs, and birds of this form are identical with those found
In the east.
611.1. CUBAN MARTIN. Progne cryptoleuca
Range. Cuba and southern Florida (in summer).
Slightly smaller than the Purple Martin and
the eggs average a trifle smaller.
6*12. CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons.
Range. -Whole of North America, breeding
north from the south Atlantic and Gulf States.
These birds can easily be recognized by their brownish throat
and breast, whitish forehead and
buffy rump. They build one of
the most peculiar of nests, the
highest type being a flask
shaped structure of mud securely cemented to the face of a cliff or under the
eaves of a building, the entrance being drawn
out and small, while the outside of the nest
proper is large and rounded; they vary from
372

White

Cliff Swall

this typical nest down to plain mud platforms,


but are all warmly lined with grass and
feathers. In some localities, cliffs resemble
bee hives, they having thousands of these nests
side by side and in tiers. Their eggs are
creamy white spotted with reddish brown;
size .80 x .55 with great variations. Data.
Rockford, Minn., June 12, 1890. Nest made
of mud, lined with feathers; placed under the
eaves of a freight house.

[612.1.] CUBAN CLIFF SWALLOW. Petrochelidon fulva.


Range. West Indies and Central America;
accidental on Florida Keys.

PERCHING BIRDS

Hirundo erythro-

Barn Swallow

613. BARN SWALLOW.


gastra.
Range. Whole of North America; winters
south to South America.
This Swallow is the most beautiful and graceful of the family, and is a familiar sight to everyone, skimming over the meadows and ponds in long graceful sweeps, curves and turns, its lengthened outer
tail feathers streaming behind. Throughout their range, they nest in barns,
sheds or any building where they will not be often disturbed, making their nests
of mud and attaching them to the rafters; they are warmly lined with feathers
and the outside is rough, caused by the pellets which they place on the exterior
.
Before the advent of civilized man, they attached their
nests to the sides of caves,
in crevices among rocks and
in hollow trees, as they do
now in some localities. Their
eggs cannot be distinguished
from those of the Cliff Swallow. Data. Penikese Is., Mass., July 2, 1900.
Nest on beam in sheep shed; made of pellets of
mud, lined with feathers.

614. TREE SWALLOW; WHITE-BELLIED SWAL


LOW. Iridoprocne bicolor.
Range. Whole of temperate North America,
breeding from middle United States northward;
winters in the Gulf States and along the Mexican border and southward.

This vivacious and active species is as well


known as the last, and nests about habitations
on the outskirts of cities and in the country.

Ti-ee Swallow

THE BIRD BOOK


They naturally nest in holes in trees or stumps, preferable
in the vicinity of water, but large numbers now take up
their abode in houses provided for them
by man, providing that English Sparrows
are kept away. They make their nests of
straws and grasses, lined with feathers,
and lay four to six plain white eggs;
size .75 x .50. Data. Portage, Mich.,
May 26, 1897. Nest in a gate post; hole
about 6 inches deep, lined with feathers.
6 15. NORTHERN VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOW. Tachycineta thalassina lepida.
Range. United States in the Rocky Mountains and west
to the Pacific coast, breeding from Mexico to British Columbia; winters south of our borders.
This very beautiful species is smaller than the last, but,
like it, is white below, but the upper parts
are blue, green and purple without gloss. ^7*^- ~.^
They are common in their range and /%.
nest, usually in holes in trees, less often
in banks and under eaves; the nests are
made of grass and feathers, and the eggs
are pure white, four or five in number;
615 616 size .72 x .50.

White

6'1 5a. SAN LUCAS SWALLOW. Tachycineta thalassina brachyptera.


Range. Southern Lower California. Practically the same bird as the last
but with the wing very slightly shorter. Nesting habits or eggs will not differ.
[615.1.] BAHAMAN SWALLOW. Callichelidon cyaneoviridis.
Range. Bahamas; casual at Dry Tortugas, Florida.
This very beautiful species is similar to the western Violet-green Swallow, as
are also its eggs.
6l6. BANK SWALLOW. Riparia riparia.
Range. Whole of North America, north to the limit of trees, breeding from
the middle portions of the United States northward; winters south of our
borders.
This dull-colored Swallow is grayish above and white below,
with a gray band across the breast, they breed in holes in embankments, digging small tunnels from one to three feet in
^4'* length, enlarged and lined at the end with grass and feathers.
During May, June or July, according to latitude, they lay from
White four to six pure white eggs; size .70 x .50.

ROUGH-WINGED SWALLOW. Stelgidopteryx serripennis.

61
Range. United States, breeding from Mexico north to southern New England,
Manitoba and British Columbia; winters south of our borders.
This species is slightly larger than the last and similar but
with the throat and breast grayish and with the outer web of
the outer primary provided with recurved hooks. They nest in
holes in embankments, in crevices in cliffs or among stones
of bridges or buildings. Their eggs are like those of the

Bank Swallow but average a trifle larger; size .75 x .52.


374

White

PERCHING BIRDS

WAXWINGS. Eamily AMPELID^E

0'18. BOHEMIAN WAXWING. Bombyeilla


gar ruins
Range. Breeds in the Arctic regions except
in the Rockies where it nearly reaches the
United States ; winters south to the northern
tier of states.
This handsome crested, grayish brown Waxwing resembles the common Cedar Waxwing
but is larger (length 8
inches), has a black throat,
much white and yellow on the
wing and a yellow tip to tail.
Their nests are made of rootlets, grass and moss, and situated in trees usually at a
low elevation. The eggs resemble those of the Cedar-bird, but are larger
and the marking more blotchy with indistinct
edges ; dull bluish blotched with blackish
brown; size .95 x .70. Data. Great Slave Lake,
June 23, 1884. Nest in a willow 8 feet from
the ground. Collected for Josiah Hooper.
(Crandall collection).

Dull bluish

Bohemian Waxwing

(J19- CEDAR WAXWING. Bombyeilla cedrorum.


Range. Whole of temperate North America, breeding in the northern half
of the United States and northward.
These birds are very gregarious and go in large flocks during the greater
part of the year, splitting up into smaller
companies during the breeding season and
nesting in orchards or groves and in any kind
of tree either in an upright crotch or on a horizontal bough; the nests are made of grasses,
strips of bark, moss, string, etc., and are
often quite bulky. Their eggs are of a dull
grayish blue color sharply speckled with blackish brown; size .85 x .60. Data. Old Say-

brook, Conn., June 22, 1900. Nest composed of


cinquefoil vines, grasses, wool and cottony substances ; situated on an apple tree branch about 10 feet
from the ground. Collector,
John N. Clark. This species
has a special fondness for
cherries, both wild and cultivated, and they are often
known as Cherry-birds. They
also feed upon various berries, and frequently
catch insects in the air after the manner of
Flycatchers. Their only notes are a strange
Cedar Waxwing lisping sound often barely audible.

m-

375

THE BIRD BOOK


620. PHAINOPEPLA. Phainopepla nitens
Range. Southwestern United States and Mexico; north
to southern Utah and Colorado.
This peculiar crested species is wholly
shining blue black except for a patch of
white on the inner webs of the primaries.
Their habits are somewhat like those of
the Cedar-bird, they being restless, and
feeding upon berries or insects, catching
the latter in the air. They make loosely
constructed nests of twigs, mosses, plant Light gray
fibres, etc., placed on branches of trees, usually below 20
feet from the ground, in thickets or open woods near water,
the eggs are two or three in number, light gray, spotted
sharply with black; size .88 x .65. Data. Pasadena, Cal.,
July 15, 1894. Nest in an oak 10 feet up; composed of
weeds and string. Collector, Horace Gaylord.
SHRIKES. Family LANIID^
621. NORTHERN SHRIKE. Lanius borealis.
Range. North America, breeding north of our borders;
winters in northern half of the United States and casually
farther south.

All Shrikes are similar in nature and plumage, being


grayish above and white below, with black wings, tail and ear patches, and
with white outer tail feathers and bases of primaries; the present species may
be known by its larger size (length over 10 inches) and wavy dusky lines on the
breast. They are bold and cruel birds, feeding upon insects, small rodents and small birds, in the capture of
which they display great cunning and courage; as they
have weak feet, in order to tear their prey to pieces with
their hooked bill, they impale it upon thorns. They nest
in thickets and tangled underbrush, making their nests of
vines, grasses, catkins, etc., matted together into a rude
Grayish white structure. During April or May they lay from four to
six grayish white eggs, spotted and blotched
with yellowish brown and umber; size 1.05
x .75.
622. LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. Lanius ludovicianus ludovicianus .
Range. United States, east of the Plains,
breeding north to New England and Illinois;
winters in Southern States.
Like the last but smaller
(length 9 inches), not marked
below and with the ear
patches sharply defined. They
nest in hedges or thickly tangled brush, showing a predilection for dense thorn
bushes, where they place Grayish white
their piles of weeds, grasses, feathers and rubbish; the four or five eggs are laid in April
or May; they are like those of the last, but
smaller, averaging .96 x .72.
376

Northern Shrike

I. E. Hess

LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE AND NEST

THE BIRD BOOK

6'22a. WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE.


ovicianus excubitorides.

Lanius iud-

Loggerhead Shrik

Range. North America, west of the Plains,


breeding north to Manitoba and the Saskatchewan; winters south to Mexico.
Like the last but paler and the rump white.
Their nesting habits and eggs are in every respect like those of the Loggerhead Shrike.

()22b. CALIFORNIA SHRIKE.


Lanius ludovicianus gambeli.
Range. Pacific coast north to British Columbia.
Similar to the eastern form but with the
breast washed with brownish and with indistinct wavy bars. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the others.

622c. ISLAND SHRIKE. Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi.


Range. Santa Barbara Islands, California. Like the last but smaller and
darker. Eggs not distinguishable.
VIREOS. Family VIREONDID/E
623. BLACK-WHISKERED VIREO. Vireosylva calidris
barbatula.
Range. A Central American species, breeding in Cuba, I
Bahamas and southern Florida.
Like the Red-eyed Vireo but with a J \, -r'fr &lt;*&lt;BM
;5V BHk dusky streak on either side of the chin. ff/
They build pensile nests of strips of bark
afrd fibres, swung from the forks of
branches. The eggs cannot be distin-

guished from those of the next species,


White being white, more or less specked about
the large end with reddish brown and umber. Size .78 x .55. A

622a 622b

378

THE BIRD BOOK


624. RED-EYED VIREO. Vireosylva olivacea
Range. United States, east of the Rockies,
breeding north to Labrador, Manitoba and British Columbia.
This is the most common of the Vireos in
the greater part of its range and is a most perpistent songster, frequenting groves, open
woods or roadsides. Their eyes are brown,
scarcely if any more red than those of any
other species and I have yet
to see one with red eyes out- \
side of mounted museum specimens. They swing their
nests from the forks of trees
at any . elevation from the
ground but usually below ten
feet, and I have found them White
where the bottom rested on the ground; they
are made of strips of bark, fibre, etc., and often
have pieces of string or paper woven into the
sides; they are one of the most beautiful of
bird homes and are woven so strongly that old
nests hang to the branches for several seasons.
Red-eyed Vireo Their three or four eggs, often accompanied by
one of the Cowbirds, are laid in May or June; they are white, sparingly specked
with blackish brown. Size .85 x .55.
625. YELLOW-GREEN VIREO. Vireosylva flavoviridis.

Range. Southern Texas and southward to South America.


Similar, to the Red-eye but greener above and more yellowish on the sides.
The nesting habits are the same and the eggs indistinguishable from those of
that species.
626. PHILADELPHIA VIREO. Vireosylva philadelphica
Range. Eastern United States breeding from northern New England and
Manitoba northward.
This species is much smaller than the Red-eye (length 5 in.)
and is yellowish below, and without black edges to the gray
; crown. Their eggs do not dif'^^^^^ fer from those of the Redeyed Vireo except in size,
averaging .70 x .50.
White
627- WARBLING VIREO. Vireosylva gilva
gilva.
Range. North America east to the Plains,
breeding north to Labrador.
This Vireo is nearly as abundant as the Redeye but is not generally as well known, probably because it is usually higher in the trees
and more concealed from view. Their nests
are like those of the Red-eye, but smaller and
usually placed higher in the trees. The birds
are even more persistent singers, than are the
latter but the song is more musical and delivered in a more even manner, as they creep about
among the foliage, peering
t - * under every leaf for lurking
insects. The eggs are pure
write, spotted with brown or
White reddish brown. Size .72 x .52.
380

RED- EYED VIREO ON NEST

C. A. Reed

THE BIRD BOOK

627a. WESTERN WARBLING VIREO. Vireosylva gilva srvainsoni.


Range. Western United States, breeding
from Mexico to British Columbia.
This species is like the last but said to be
a trifle smaller and paler color. Its nesting
habits and eggs are precisely like those of
the eastern form.

628.

Lanivireo

Creamy white

Yellow- throated Vireo

YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
fiavifrons.
Range. United States east
of the Plains, breeding from
the Gulf to Manitoba and
New Brunswick.
This handsome bird is
wholly unlike any others of
the Vireos, having a bright
yellow throat and breast; the
upper parts are greenish and the wings and
tail gray, the latter with two white bars. They
are fairly common breeding birds in northern
United States, placing their handsome basketlike structures in forks of branches and at any
elevation from the ground; the nests are like those of the preceding Vireos but
are frequently adorned on the outside with lichens, thereby adding materially
to their natural beauty. The four or five eggs are pinkish or creamy white,
speckled about the large end with reddish brown. Size .80 x .60.
629. BLUE-HEADED VIREO. Lanivireo solitarius solitarius.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from southern
New England and the northern states north to Hudson Bay;
winters in the Gulf States and southward.

A beautiful Vireo with a slaty blue crown and nape, greenish


back, white wing bars and underparts, the flanks being washed
with greenish yellow; a conspicuous mark is the white eye
ring and loral spot. They build firm, pensile, basket-like
White nests of strips of birch and grapevine bark, lined with fine
grasses and hair, suspended from forks, usually
at low elevation and often in pine or fir treeo
(of some twenty nests that I have found in
New England all have been in low branches of
conifers). Their three or four white eggs are
specked with reddish brown. Size .80 x .60.

()29a- CASSIN'S VIREO.


cassini.

Lanivireo solitarius

Range. United States west of the Rockies;


north to British Columbia.
Similar to the last but with the back grayish.
62Qb. PLUMBEOUS VIREO. Lanivireo soliRange. Rocky Mountain region, breeding
from Mexico to Dakota and Wyoming.
Like the Blue-headed Vireo but with the
yellowish wholly replaced by leaden gray.
282

Blue-headed Vireo

629c. MOUNTAIN VIREO. Lanivireo solitarius alticola.


Range. Mountains of Carolina and Georgia;
winters in Florida.

Said to be larger and darker than solitariuv


proper. From all accounts, the habits, nests
or eggs of this species differ in no wise from
many of those of the northern Solitary Vireo,
whose nests show great variations in size and
material.
62Qd. SAN LUCAS VIREO. Lanivireo solitarius lucasanus.
Range. Southern Lower California.
Similar to cassini but with the flanks more
yellow. Their nesting habits or eggs will not
differ from the others.

PERCHING BIRDS

630. BLACK-CAPPED VIREO.


lus.

Vireo atricapil-

to Kansas ;

Range. Central Texas north


winters in Mexico. Black-capped Vireo
This peculiar Vireo has a black crown and sides of head,
broken by a white eye ring and loral stripe; upper parts greenish,
below white. They appear to be fairly common in certain
localities of their restricted range, and nest at low elevations in
mesquites or oaks, placing the nests in forks the same as other
Vireos; they are of the ordinary Vireo architecture, lined with
grasses. The three or four eggs are pure white, unmarked. Size
.70 x .50. Data. Comal Co., Texas, May 21, 1888, 4 eggs. Nest
located in a scrub Spanish oak, 5 feet from the ground.
fi.Sl. WHITE-EYED VIREO. Vireo griseus griseus.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to northern United
States.
This Vireo has white eyes, as implied by its
name, is yellowish green on the sides and with

two prominent bars. They have no song, like


the other Vireos, but a strange medley of notes
resembling those of the Chat or Shrike. They
nest near the ground in tangled thickets, making large ^
nests for the size of the birds
and not always suspended;
they are made of weeds,
leaves, grass, bark or any
trash. Their three or four
eggs are laid late in May or White
early in June; they are white, sparingly speckled with brown; size .75 x .55.
63 la. KEY WEST VIREO. Vireo griseus
maynardi.
Range. Southern Florida.
This grayer and paler variety nests in the
same manner and the eggs are not distinct
White-eyed Vireo from those of the last form.
383

THE BIRD BOOK


63 lb. BERMUDA VIREO. Vireo griseus bermudianus.
Range. Bermudas.
This variety is said to be slightly smaller and to have
no yellow on the sides. Its eggs are probably the same as
those of the others.
63 Ic. SMALL WHITE-EYED VIREO. Vireo griseus
micrus.
Range. Eastern Mexico north to southern Texas.
Said to be slightly smaller and grayer than the common
White-eyed Vireo. Its eggs will not differ.
632. HUTTON'S VIREO. Vireo huttoni huttoni.
Range. Resident on the California coast; chiefly in
the southern parts.
A similar species to noveboracensis but r
with the under parts tinged with yellow.
These birds are quite common but shy, nesting at any height from the ground in open

woods or groves; the nests are made of


grasses and moss and swung from forked
limbs ; the three or four eggs are pure white,

White

finely specked with reddish brown. Size .70 x .50.

632a. STEPHEN'S VIREO. Vireo huttoni stephensi.


Range. Northwestern Mexico and the boundary of the United States.
This variety, which is more yellowish than the last, appears to be rather uncommon but as far as I can learn its habits and nesting do not differ from those
of the other Vireos; the eggs are white, specked with brown. Size .70 x .50.

632c. ANTHONY'S VIREO. Vireo huttoni obscurus.


Range. Pacific coast from Oregon (and Cal. in winter)
to British Columbia.
The nesting habits and eggs of this darker and smaller
variety are the same in all respects as those of the Hutton's
Vireo.

633. BELL'S VIREO.

Vireo belli belli.


States, breeding from

Range. Interior of the United


Texas to Minnesota and Dakota.
The nesting habits of this smaller species
are just the same as those of the larger varieties, they suspending their small grasswoven baskets in the forks of bushes or
trees and usually at a low elevation. Their
nests are handsome and compact little structures, being often made almost wholly of
strips of bark lined with very fine grasses. The eggs are

white, specked with reddish brown. Size .70 x .50. Data.


Austin, Texas, June 16, 1898. Nest of strips of bark,
fibres and grasses, neatly woven and swung from the fork
of a low bush, 2 feet from the ground.
384

White

PERCHING BIRDS
633a. LEAST VIREO. Vireo belli pusillus.
Range. Western Mexico, Arizona and southern California.
This Vireo is slightly smaller and grayer than the last; they are quite common in southern Arizona, nesting the same as Bell's at low elevations in bushes
or small trees. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of IcUi.
634. GRAY VIREO. Vireo vicinior.
Range. Southwestern United States from western Texas, southern California
and Nevada southward.
This species is grayish above and grayish white below, with
white eye ring, lores and wing bar. They are not uncommon
birds in the Huachuca Mts. of southern Arizona, where they
nest in bushes at low elevations, making the semi-pensile struc- X
tures of woven strips of bark and grasses, lined with fine round ] ...
grasses attached by the rim to a fork and sometimes stayed on
the side by convenient twigs. Eggs white, specked with brown.
Size .72 x .53.

White

HONEY CREEPERS. Family COEREBIDvE


f)35. BAHAMA HONEY CREEPER Ccereba bahamensis
Range. Bahamas, casually to southern Florida and the Keys.
This peculiar curved-billed species is dark brown above, with the underparts,
superciliary line and spot at base of primaries, whitish; the rump and a breast
patch .are yellow. They nest at low elevations in bushes or trees usually in
tangled thickets, making a large dome-shaped nest of grasses, leaves and fibres
and, during May or June, lay from three to five pale creamy white eggs, speckled
sparingly all,, over the surface and more abundantly at the large end with reddi

sh
;>rown. Size .65 x .50.
WARBLERS. Family MNIOTILTID^E
Warblers, as si %niily may be classed as the most beautiful, interesting and
useful birds that- we nave. With few exceptions, they only return from their
winter quarters a^tlje trees shoot forth their leaves or flowers, they feed larg
ely
among the foliage upon small, and mostly injurious, insects. They are very
active and always flitting from branch to branch, showing their handsome
plumage to the beat advantage. Their songs are simple but effectively delivered
and the nests are 6f a high order of architecture.
*- < -T^rammm
()3(). *' BLACK AND WHITE WARBLER. Mniotilta varia.
Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding, from the Gulf States north to the
Hudson Bay region; winters from our southern
borders to South America.
This striped black and white
Warbler is usually seen creeping
about tree trunks and branches
after the manner of a Nuthatch.
They are very active gleaners
and of inestimable value to man.
They, nest on the ground in
woods or swamps, making their nest of strips
of bark and grass, placed among the leaves
usually beside stones,, stumps or fallen trees.
Their three to five eggs are white, finely
specked and wreathed with reddish brown.
Size .65 x. 50. Data. Worcester, Mass., June
3, 1889. Nest of strips of bark on the ground
in an old decayed stump.
385

White

Black and White Warbler

25

THE BIRD BOOK

637- PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.. Prothonotaria citrea.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States,
north in the interior to Iowa and Illinois.
This species is often known
as the Golden Swamp Warbler because of the rich golden
yellow of the head and underparts. They frequent and
nest in the vicinity of swamps
or ponds, nesting in the cavities of trees or stubs at low Creamy white
elevations, filling the cavity with leaves, moss
and grasses, neatly cupped to receive the four
to seven eggs, which are creamy or pinkish
white, profusely spotted with reddish brown
and chestnut. Size .72 x .55. Data. Quincy,
Mo., June 1, 1897. 5 eggs. Nest in hole of
a dead stub 6 feet up, in timber some distance
from water; made of moss and grasses, lined
with hair.

notary Warbler

638. SWAINSON'S WARBLER. Helinaia


swainsoni.
Range. South Atlantic and Gull
States, north to Virginia and Indiana, and west to eastern Texas;
winters in Mexico and the West
Indies.
This species is brownish above
t and white below, with a whitish
superciliary stripe. It has been
found breeding most numerously in thickets and
tangled underbush about swamps and pools in

any locality. Their nests are either in bushes or


attached to upright rushes over water after the
manner of the Long-billed Marsh Wren, being
made of leaves, moss, rootlets, etc., lined with fine
grasses or hair, and deeply cupped for the reception of the three or four unmarked white or bluioh
white eggs which are laid during May or June.
Size .75 x .58. Data. Near Charlestown, S. C.,
May 12, 1888, 3 eggs. Nest in canes 4 feet from
ground, made of strips of rushes, sweet gum and
water oak leaves, lined with pine needles.
63Q, WORM-EATING WARBLER.
Helmitheros vermivorus.
Range. United States east of the
Plains, breeding north to southern
New England and Illinois; winters
south of our borders.
This bird can be identified in all
plumages by the three light buff
and two black stripes on the crown White
and narrower black stripes through the eye. Their
habits are similar to those of the Oven-bird, they
386

Warbler
Worm-eating Warbler

PERCHING BIRDS

feeding largely upon the ground amid dead leaves.


They are quite abundant in most localities in their
range, nesting in hollows on the ground in open
woods or shrubbery on hill sides ; the nest is made
of leaves, grasses and rootlets, lined with hair or
finer grasses, and is usually placed under the
shelter of some small bush. They lay (in May,
June or July) three to six eggs, white, marked or
blotched either sparingly or heavily with chestnut
or lavender. Size .70 x .52.

640. BACHMAN'S WARBLER.

bachmani.

Vermivora

Range. Southeastern United States, along tne


Gulf coast to Louisiana and north to Virginia and
Missouri.
This species is one of the rarest of the Warblers, but is now much more abundant than twenty
years ago, when it had apparently disappeared.
They are greenish above, and yellow below, and
on the forehead and shoulder, and with black
patches on the crown and breast. They have
been found breeding in Missouri, nesting on the
ground like others of this genus; the eggs are
white wreathed about the large end and sparingly
specked over the whole surface with reddish
brown and chestnut. Size .65 x .50.
(iH. BLUE-WINGED WARBLER. Vermivora vinus.

Bachman's Warbler
Lawrence's Warbler
Rrewster's Warblei

Range. Eastern United States, breeding north to southern New England and
in the Mississippi Valley to Minnesota; winters south of our borders.
This common species has the crown and underparts yellow, line through the
eye black, and white wing bars and spots on outer tail feathers. They breed
most abundantly in the northern half of their United States
range, placing their nests on the ground in thickets or on the * f $. - ,
edge of woods ; the nests are made of strips of bark, usually
grapevine, and leases, and are usually high and deeply cupped, 1
they are almost always placed among the upright shoots of
young bushes. The eggs are white, finely specked with reddish
brown with great variations as to markings. Size .65 x .50.
Data. Old Saybrook, Conn., June 1, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest composed chiefly of
dry beech leaves and strips of cedar bark, lined with shreds of bark and fine
grass; situated on the ground among a bunch of weeds in the woods.
387

THE BIRD BOOK

642. GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.


Vermivora chrysoptera.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding
north to the southern parts of the British Provinces, winters south of the United States.
This is a very handsome species with black
throat and ear patches, and yellow crown and
wing bars, the upper parts being
gray and the lower white. They ^tfHfe^.
frequent low fields or hillsides
where they nest among weeds
or vines, making the nest of
strips of bark, grasses and fibres,
and locating it close to the
ground in clumps of weeds, low bushes or
briers. The three to five eggs are white with
a very great diversity of markings, either
heavily or minutely spotted or wreathed with
chestnut and gray. Size .62 x .50.

White

Golden-winged Warbler
fM-3. LUCY'S WARBLER. Vermivora lucice.
Range. Western Mexico, north
commonly to Arizona and casually
to southern Utah.
This small gray and white Warbler is especially distinguished by a
chestnut rump and patch in center
of the crown. Besides nesting in
forks of low bushes, this species is said to place
the domiciles in almost any crevice or nook that
suits their fancy, such as loose bark on tree
trunks, holes in trees, or other birds' nests. The
eggs which are usually laid during May are white,
sparingly specked and wreathed with reddish
brown. Size .60 x .50.
6l'k VIRGINIA'S WARBLER.
I-'ermivora Virginia.
Range. Western Mexico, north to Arizona and
New Mexico, and also less commonly to Colorado.

This species is similar to the last but has the


rump and a patch on the breast, yellow. They
are found quite abundantly in some localities,
usually on mountain ranges, nesting in hollows
on the ground beside rocks, stumps or in crevices
among the rocks; the nests are
made of fine strips of bark and ^ffiH^.
grasses, skillfully woven together,
and the three to five eggs are pure
white, specked arid wreathed with
reddish brown. Size .62 x .50.
388

L.uy's Warbler
Virginia Warbler

PERCHING BIRDS

615. NASHVILLE WARBLER. Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla.


Range. North America east of the Plains,
breeding from New York and Illinois north to
Hudson Bay and Labrador; winters south of our
borders.
This small species is yellow below and greenish above, with an
ashy gray head and neck, enclosing a chestnut crown patch. Tiiey
breed abundantly in New England,
usually on side hills covered with
White clumps of young pines, the nests
being placed flush with the surface of the ground
and usually covered with overhanging grass; they
are made of grasses and pine needles, the eggs
are white, finely specked with bright reddish
brown. Size .60 x .45. Data. Worcester, Mass.,
June 23, 1895. Nest of pine needles and grasses
in hollow in the moss on a scrubby pine hillside.
()km. CALAVERAS WARBLER. Vermivora rubricapilla gutturalis.
Range. Western United States, breeding on
ranges from California and Idaho north to British
Columbia; winters in Mexico.

A slightly brighter colored form of the last


species. Their habits are the same and the eggs
cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern
bird.

ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.
Vermiiora celata celata.

Nashville Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler

United

rhite
brown.

Range. North America, chiefly in the interior, breeding north of the


States except in the Rockies south to Arizona and New Mexico;
winters in the Gulf States and southward.
This plainly clad, greenish colored species has a concealed
patch of orange brown on the crown. They have been found
breeding about Hudson Bay and in the Mackenzie River district,
placing their nests in hollows on the ground, usually on the
side of banks or hills and concealed by small tufts of grass or
bushes. The three or four eggs are white, speckled with reddish
Size .64 x .45.
GiCa. LUTESCENT WARBLER. Vermivora celata lutescens.
Range. Pacific coast, breeding from California to Alaska; winters in Mexico.
Similar to the last but more yellowish below. They make their nests of
leaves, rootlets, moss, etc., lined with hair, and placed on the ground, conceal
ed
by tufts of grass or by bushes. The eggs are like those of the last. Data.
Danville, Gal., April 21, 1898. Nest on the ground on a side hill; among weeds
in the shade of a large oak.
389

THE BIRD BOOK

646b. DUSKY WARBLER.


dida.

Vermivora celata sor-

Tennesee Warblers
Olive Warblers

Range. Santa Barbara Islands, off California.


Said to be duller colored and darker than the
others. The eggs cannot be distinguished.
647. TENNESSEE WARBLER.
Vermivora peregrina.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding from
the northern tier of states, northward; winters to
northern South America.
This species has greenish upper
parts, white lower parts and super- $ V '..-.
ciliary line, and gray crown and ^/ N
nape. They nest either on the '**".
ground or at low elevations in
bushes, making the structure of
grasses and fibres, lined with hair;
they are found on wild, tangled

White
hillsides and

White

mountain ranges. The eggs are pure white, sparingly specked with reddish brown. Size .62 x .45.
648. PARULA WARBLER. Compsothli/pis
americana americana.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding in the
southern half.
The upper parts of this handsome species are

bluish gray with a greenish patch in the middle


of the back; the throat and breast are yellow
with a patch of black and chestnut. They are
abundant birds in suitable localities, breeding in
swamps, especially those with old or dead trees
covered with hanging moss (usnea). The nests may be found
at any height from the ground, and are usually made by turning and gathering up the ends of the hanging moss to form a
pocket, which is lined with fine grass or hair. The four to six
eggs are white or creamy white, wreathed with specks of reddish
brown and chestnut. Size .64 x .44.

648a. NORTHERN PARULA WARBLER. Compsothlypis americana usnece.

Range. Northern half of eastern United States and southern Canada ; winters
from the Gulf States southward.
The nesting habits of the northern form of the Blue-yellow-backed Warbler
are in all respects like those of the last, and like them, where moss grown
swamps are not to be found, they have been known to construct nests of moss
suspended from branches of trees, or to nest in bunches of dead leaves. Data.
Oxford, Mass., June 7, 1895. Nest in a dead pine swamp; made in end of hanging
moss about 6 feet from the ground. Large colony breeding.
390

PERCHING BIRDS

SENNETT'S WARBLER.
piti ayumi nigrilora.

Compsothlypis

White

Range. Eastern Mexico, north to the Lower


Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
This species is similar to the Parula but is more
extensively yellow below, and has black lores and
ear coverts. Their habits are the same as those
of the last and their nests are generally placed in
hanging moss, and are also said to have been
found hollowed out in the mistletoe which grows

on many trees in southern Texas, New Mexico and


Arizona. The eggs cannot be distinguished from
those of the last.

650. CAPE MAY WARBLER. Dendroica tigrina.


> , Range. Eastern North America,
breeding from northern New England and Manitoba northward; winters south of the United States.
This beautiful Warbler is yellow
below and on the rump, streaked on
the breast and sides with black;
the ear coverts and sometimes the throat are
chestnut. They are very local in their distribution both during migrations and in their breeding grounds. They nest in the outer branches of
trees, preferably conifers, making the nest of
slender twigs, rootlets, grasses, etc., lined with
hair; the four or five eggs are white, variously
specked with reddish brown and lilac; size .65
x .48.
6*51. OLIVE WARBLER. Peucedramus olivaceus.
Range. Mountains of New Mexico and Arizona southward.
This peculiar species may readily be recognized by its saffron or orangebrown colored head and neck, with broad black bar through the eye. They
nest at high elevations in coniferous trees on the mountain sides, placing their
nests either on the horizontal boughs or forks at the end of them.
The nests are very beautiful structures made of moss, lichens,
fine rootlets and grasses and setting high on the limb like those
of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. The eggs are grayish white with
a bluish tinge, thickly speckled with blackish; size .64 x .48.
Data. Huachuca Mts., Arizona, June 21, 1901. Nest in a sugar (
pine near extremity of branch, 25 feet from the ground and 20
feet out from the trunk of the tree; composed of lichens and fine rootlets, line
d
with plant down.

'arula Warbler
Sonnott's \Varblei

THE BIRD BOOK

652. YELLOW WARBLER.


cestiva.

Dendroica cestiva.

Cape May Warblers


Yellow Warblers

Ragne. Breeds in the whole or North America ;


winters south of our borders.
This well known and very common species is
wholly yellow, being more or less greenish on
the back, wings and tail, and the male is streaked
on the sides with chestnut. They nest anywhere
in trees or bushes, either in woods, pastures,
parks or dooryards, and their sprightly song is
much in evidence throughout the summer. The
nests are usually placed in upright
crotches or forks, and are made of
vegetable fibres and fine grasses
compactly woven together and lined
with plant down and hair; the eggs,
which are laid in May or June, are
greenish white, boldly specked in Greenish
endless patterns with shades of brown and lilac;
size .65 x .50.
()52n. SONORA YELLOW WARBLER. Dendroica
cestiva sonorana.
Range. Arizona, New Mexico and western
Texas, southward.
This form is brighter yellow, especially above,
than the last. The nesting habits are the same
and the eggs indistinguishable from those of the
preceding.
()f>2b. ALASKA YELLOW WARBLEH. Dendroica
cestiva rubiginosa.
Range. Breeds in Alaska and on the coast

south to Vancouver; winters south of the United


States.

Similar to the common Yellow Warbler but slightly darker above; its eggs*
and nesting habits are the same.

392

J. B. Pardoe
NEST OF YELLOW WARBLER

THE BIRD BOOK

653. MANGROVE WARBLER. Dendroica bryanti


castaneiceps.
Range. Southern Lower California and western Mexico and
Central America.
This species is very similar to
the Yellow Warbler but the eutire head and neck of the male
are yellowish chestnut. Their
nesting habits or eggs do not vary in any essential particular from those of the common Yellowbirds of the United States.

Greenish white

654. BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.


droica ccerulescens ccerulescens.

Dew-

Mangrove Warblers
Black-throated Blue
Warblers

Range. Eastern North America, breeding from


northern United States northward; winters in
the Gulf States and southward.
These black-throated bluish-backed Warblers
are abundant in swampy woodland both during
migrations and at their breeding grounds; either
sex can readily be identified in any plumage, by
the presence of a small white spot at the base of
the primaries. They nest in underbrush or low
bushes only a few inches above the ground, making the nests of bark strips, moss rootlets, etc.,
lined with fine grasses or hair;
the eggs are pale buffy white
more or less dotted with pale
brownish; size .65 x .50. Data.
Warren, Pa., June 9, 1891. 3
eggs. Nest one foot from the
Buffy white g rou nd in brush; made of fine
pieces of rotten wood, laurel bark and lined with
fine grasses.

654a. CAIRNS WARBLER. Dendroica ccerulescens cairnsi.


Range. Mountain ranges of North Carolina to Georgia.
A darker form whose habits and eggs are identical with those of the last.

394

PERCHING BIRDS

655. MYRTLE WARBLER. Dendroica coronata.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding from
northern United States northward. Winters in
the southern half of eastern United States.
This beautiful gray, white and
/ black Warbler can readily be identified by its yellow rump, side
patches and crown patch. It is one
of our most common species during
migrations when it is found west
to the Rockies and casually far
ther. They nest on the lower branches of coniferous trees, making their homes of rootlets, plant
fibres and grasses; during June or the latter part
of May, three or four eggs are laid; they are white,

spotted with several shades of brown and lilac;


size .70 x .50. Data. Lancaster, N. H., June 7,
1888. Nest in a small spruce, about 6 feet up;
made of fine twigs, lined with leathers.

White

656. AUDUBON'S WARBLER.


boni auduboni.

Dendroica audu-

United

Range. Mountain ranges of western


States from British Columbia to Mexico.
This bird resembles the last in the location of
^^^^ the yellow patches but has a yellow
instead of a white throat, and is
otherwise differently marked. They
are as abundant in suitable localities as are the Myrtle Warblers in
the east, nesting on the outer
branches of coniferous trees at any
height from the ground. The nests are made of
bark strips, rootlets, plant fibre, grasses and pine
needles, the three to five eggs are greenish or bluish white marked with brown
and lilac; size .68 x .52. The one figured is from a beautiful set of four in Mr
.
0. W. Crandall's collection, and the ground color is a delicate shade of blue.
Data. Spanaway, Washington, April 23, 1902. Nest on the limb of a large fir
in a clump of three in prairie country.

Hluish white

Myrtle Warblers

Audubon's Warblers

656a. BLACK-FRONTED W T ARBLER. Dendroica auduboni nigrifrons.


Range. Mountains of southern Arizona and Mexico.
Similar to the preceding, but with the forehead and ear coverts black. Their
nests and eggs are in no way different from those of Audubon's Warbler.

395

THE BIRD BOOK

657- MAGNOLIA WARBLER.


nolia.

Dendroica mag-

Range. North America east of the Rockies,


breeding from northern United States to Hudson
Bay region and in the Alleghanies, south to Pennsylvania. Winters south of our borders. This
species, which is one of the most beautiful of the
Warblers, is entirely yellow below and on the
rump, the breast and sides being heavily streaked
with black; a large patch on the
back and the ear coverts are black.
They build in coniferous trees at
any elevation from the ground,
making their nests of rootlets and
grass stems, usually lined with
hair; the eggs are dull white, White
specked with pale reddish brown; size .65 x .48.
Data. Worcester, Mass., May 30, 1895. 4 eggs.
Nest of fine rootlets and grasses about 30 feet
up on the end of a limb of a pine overhanging a
brook.
658. CERULEAN WARBLER. Dendroica coerulea
Range. United States east of the Plains, breeding chiefly in the northern half of the Mississippi
Valley, rare east of the Alleghanies and casual in

New England. These beautiful


Warblers are light blue gray above,
streaked with black on back, white
below, with a grayish blue band on
breast and streaks on the sides;
they have two wide white wing bars
and spots on the outer tail feathers.
They are found chiefly in the higher trees where
they glean on the foliage; they build also usually
above twenty feet from the ground in any kind of
tree, placing the nests well out on the horizontal
limbs, generally in a fork. The nests are made of
rine strips of bark, fibres, rootlets, etc., lined with hair; the eggs are white
oder
pale bluish white, specked with reddish brown; size .62 x .48. Data. Fargo,
Ontario, June 2, 1901. Nest in a burr oak, 18 feet from the ground on a horizontal limb.

White

Magnolia Warblers
Cerulean Warblers

396

THE BIRD BOOK

White

Chestnut-sided Warblers
Bay-breasted Warblers

659- CHESTNUT-SIDED WARBLER. Dendroica


pensylvanica.
Range. United States, east of the Plains, breeding in the Middle States and Illinois, north to Manitoba and New Brunswick. Winters south of our
border.

The adults of this handsome species may readily be known by the


white underparts and the broad
chestnut stripe on the flanks; the
crown is yellow. They frequent low
brush in open woods or on hillsides
and pastures, nesting at low elevations, usually below three feet from the ground,
and often concealing their nests beneath the
leaves in the tops of low small bushes. The nests
are made of grasses, weed stems and some fibres,
but they do not have as wooly an appearance as
those of the Yellow Warblers which nest in the
same localities and similar locations. Their eggs
are white or creamy white (never greenish white),
specked with brown and gray. Size .65 x .50.
Data. Worcester, Mass., June 6, 1890. Nest in
the top of a huckleberry bush, 2 feet from the
ground; made of grasses and plant fibres. Bird
did not leave nest until touched with the hand.

BAY-BREASTED WARBLER. Dendroica castanea.

Range. North America, east of the Plains,


breeding from northern United States north to
the Hudson Bay; winters in Central and South
America.
This species has the crown, throat and sides a
rich chestnut; forehead and face black; underparts white. They
nest in coniferous trees in swampy places, making their nests
of bark shreds and rootlets and placing them in horizontal
forks at elevations of from five to thirty feet from the ground.
The three or four eggs are laid late in May or during June;
they are white, usually quite heavily spotted and blotched with
reddish brown, umber and grayish. Size .70 x .50.

398

PERCHING BIRDS

White

661. BLACK-POLL WARBLER. Dendroicu


striata.
Range. North America, east of the Rockies,
breeding from northern United States north to
Labrador and Alaska; winters in South America.
This black and white Warbler has
a solid black cap, and the underparts are white, streaked witii
black on the sides. In the woods
they bear some resemblance to the
Black and White Warbler, but do
not have the creeping habits of that
species. During migrations they are found in
equal abundance in swamps or orchards. In their
breeding range, they nest at low elevations in
stunted pines or spruces, making their nests of
rootlets and lichens, lined with feathers. The
eggs are dull whitish, spotted or blotched with
brown and neutral tints. Size .72 x .50. Data.
Grand Manan, N. B., June 12, 1883. Nest and
four eggs on branch of a stunted spruce 2 feet
from the ground.
662. BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. Dendroica
fusca.
Range. North America, east of the Plains,
breeding from Massachusetts and Minnesota north
to Hudson Bay; south in the Alleghanies to the
Carolinas. Winters in Central and South America.
This species is, without exception, the most exquisite of the family; the male can always be
known by the bright orange throat, breast and
superciliary stripe, the upper parts being largely
black. They arrive with us when the apple trees
are in bloom and after a week's delay pass on to
more northerly districts. Their nests are constructed of rootlets,
fine weed stalks and grasses, lined with hair, and are placed on
horizontal limbs of coniferous trees. The three or four eggs are
greenish white, speckled, spotted and blotched with reddish
brown and neutral tints. Size .70 x .48. Data. Lancaster, Mass.,
June 21, 1901. Nest in a white pine, 38 feet from the ground on Greenish whit
a limb 4 feet from the trunk; composed of fine rootlets and hair,
resembling the nest of a Chipping Sparrow.

Black-poll Warblers

Blarkburnian Warblers

BLACKBURN! AN WARBLERS

PERCHING BIRDS

663. YELLOW-THRAOTED WARBLER. Dendroica dominica dominica.


Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, north
to Virginia and casually farther; winters in Florida and the West Indies.
This species has gray upper parts with two
white wing bars, the throat, breast and superciliary
line are yellow, and the lores,
cheeks and streaks on the sides
are black. These birds nest abundantly in the South Atlantic States, \
usually in pines, and either on horizontal limbs or in bunches of Span- ^ reen j sh white
ish moss. The nests are made of
slender pieces of twigs, rootlets and strips of
bark, and lined with either hair or feathers, the
eggs are three to five in number, pale greenish
white, specked about the large end with reddish brown and gray. Size .70 x .50. Data.
Raleigh, N. C., May 3, 1890. Nest 43 feet up on
limb of pine; made of grasses and hair.

663a. SYCAMORE WARBLER.


inica albilora.

Dendroica dom-

Range. Mississippi Valley, breeding north to


Ohio and Illinois, and west to Kansas and Texas;
winters south of the United States.
This bird is precisely like the last except that
the superciliary stripe is usually white. Their
nesting habits are precisely like those of the
last, and the nests are usually on horizontal

branches of sycamores; the eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the Yellow-throated
Warbler.

Yellow-throated Warblers
Grace's Warblers

664. GRACE'S WARBLER. Dendroica gracice.


Range. Southwestern United States, abundant in Arizona and New Mexico.
This Warbler is similar in markings and colors to the Yellowthroated variety except that the cheeks are gray instead of black.
The nesting habits of the two species are the same, these birds
building high in coniferous trees; the nests are made of rootlets
and bark shreds, lined with hair or feathers; the eggs are white,
dotted with reddish brown and lilac. Size .68 x .48. White

401

26

THE BIRD BOOK

Black-throated Warblers
Golden-cheeked Warblers

665. BLACK-THROATED GRAY WARBLER. Dendroica nigrescens.


Range. United States from the Rockies to the
Pacific coast and north to British Columbia; winters south of our borders.
The general color of this species
is grayish above and white below as
is a superciliary line and stripe

down the side of the throat; the


crown, cheeks and throat are black
and there is a yellow spot in front
Greenish white of the eye. They inhabit woodland
and thickets and are common in
such localities from Arizona to Oregon, nesting
usually at low elevations in bushes or shrubs;
the the nests are made of grasses and fibres,
woven together, and lined with hair or fine
grasses, resembling, slightly, nests of the Yellow
Warbler. The eggs are white or greenish white,
specked with reddish brown and umber. Size
.65 x .52. Data. Waldo, Oregon, June 1, 1901.
Nest 3 feet from the ground in a small oak in
valley. Collector, C. W. Bowles. (Crandall collection.)
666. GOLDEN-CHEEKED WARBLER. Dendroica
chrysoparia.
Range. Central and southern Texas south to
Central America.
This beautiful and rare species
is entirely black above and on the
throat, enclosing a large bright yellow patch about the eye and a
small one on the crown. In their
very restricted United States range,

White
the birds are met with in cedar timber where they
nest at low elevations in the upright forks of young trees of this variety. Thei
r
nests are made of strips of cedar bark, interwoven with plant fibres and spider
webs making compact nests, which they line with hair and feathers. Their
three or four eggs are white, dotted and specked with reddish brown and umber.
Si2e .75 x .55.

402

PERCHING BIRDS

667- BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.


Dendroica virens.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from
southern New England, South Carolina in the Al-

leghanies, and Illinois north to Hudson Bay; winters south of the United States.
These common eastern birds are
similar to the last but the entire
upper parts are olive greenish.
They are nearly always found, and
always nest, in pines, either groves
or hillsides covered with young
pines. The nest are usually placed
out among the pine needles where they are very
difficult to locate, and resemble nests of the Chipping Sparrow. I have found them at heights ranging from six to forty or fifty feet from the ground.
The three or four eggs, which they lay in June,
are white, wreathed and speckled with brownish
and lilac. Size .60 x .50.

White

TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.
townsendi.

Dendroica

Range. Western United States,


from the Rockies to the Pacific and
from Alaska southward; winters in
Mexico.
This is the common western representative of the last species, and
is similar but has black ear patches
and the crown is black. They nest
in coniferous woods throughout their United
States and Canadian range, the nests being placed
at any height from the ground and being constructed like those of the Black-throated Green.
Their eggs are not distinguishable from those of
the latter. Size .60 x .50.

White

Black-throated Green

Warbler
Townsend's Warblers

403

THE BIRD BOOK

669- HERMIT WARBLER. Dendroica occidentalis.


Range. Western United States and British Columbia chiefly on the higher ranges. Winters
south to Central America.
This peculiar species has the entire head
bright yellow and the throat black; upperparts
grayish, underparts white. They are found nesting in wild rugged country, high up in pine trees,
the nests being located among bunches of needles
so that they are very difficult to find. The nests
are made of rootlets, shreds of bark, pine needles,
etc., lined with fine grasses or hair. The three or
four eggs are laid during June or the latter part
of May; they are white or creamy white, and
sometimes with a faint greenish tinge, specked
and wreathed with brown and lilac gray. Size
.68 x .52.

670. KIRTLAND'S WARBLER.


landi.

Dendroica kirt-

Range. Eastern United States; apt to be found


in any of the South Atlanic, Middle or Central
States, and in Ontario, Canada. Winters in the
Bahamas where by far the greater number of
specimens have been found.
This very rare Warbler is bluish gray above,
streaked with black, and yellow below with the
throat and sides streaked. Until the summer of

1903, the locality where they bred was a mystery.


The capture of a specimen, in June, in Oscodo Cc.,
Michigan, led to the search for the nests by N.
A. Wood, taxidermist for the Michigan Museum
at Ann Arbor. He was successful in his quest
and found two nests with young and one egg. The
nest in which the egg was found contained two
young birds also. It was in a depression in the
ground at the foot of a Jack pine tree and only a few feet from a cart road.
The nest was made of strips of bark and vegetable fibres, lined with grass and
pine needles. The egg is white, sprinkled with brown in a wreath about the
large end. Size .72 x .56. It is estimated that there were thirteen pairs of the
birds in this colony.

Hermit Warblers
Kirtland's Warblers

404

671. PINE WARBLER. Dendroica

PERCHING BIRDS

vigorsi.

Range. Eastern United States, breeding from


the Gulf to southern British Provinces; winters
in the Gulf States and southward.
This common eastern species
is greenish above and dull yellowish below, streaked with
dusky on the sides. They are
almost exclusively found in pine
woods, either light or heavy
growth, where they can always
be located by their peculiar, musical lisping trill. They nest high in these trees,
placing their nests in thick bunches of needles,
so that they are very difficult to locate. They

nest from March in the south to May in the northern states, laying three or four dull whitish eggs,
specked or blotched with shades of brown and
lilac; size .68 x .52. Data. Worcester, Mass.,
May 28, 1891. Nest 30 feet up in a pine; made of
pine needles and rootlets.

Dull white

Dendroica palmarum

672. PALM WARBLER.


palmarum.
Range. Interior of North America, breeding
about Hudson Bay and northward and wintering
in the lower Mississippi Valley and the West
Indies.
This species is brownish yellow
above and yellow on the throat and
breast, the crown and streaks on
the sides are chestnut. They are
found during migrations on or near
the ground on the edges of woods
or thickets and along roadsides;
have a peculiar habit of "teetering" their tail
which will readily identify them. They nest on the ground in, or on the edges
of swampy places, lining the hollow with grasses and rootlets. In May or June
they lay three or four eggs which are creamy white, variously specked with
brown and lilac; size .68 x 52.

Creamy white

Warblers
Palm Warblers

672a YELLOW PALM WARBLER. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea.

Range. Eastern North America, breeding from Nova Scotia, northward.


This is the common Yellow Red-poll Warbler of the eastern states, and is
very abundant during migrations. Their habits are the same, if not identical
with the interior species. Their nests are also like those of the last, placed
on the ground and the eggs are indistinguishable.

405

C. A. Reed

PRAIRIE WARBLER NEST

PERCHING BIRDS

Whitish

6'73- PRAIRIE WARBLER. Dendroica discolor.


Range. Eastern United States, breeding from
the Gulf to Massachusetts and Ontario; winters
in southern Florida and the West Indies.
A species readily recognized by
its bright yellow underparts and
the black stripes on the face and
sides; several bright chestnut
spots are in the middle of the
greenish back. These birds will
be found on dry scrubby hillsides
and valleys, where they nest in low bushes, and
the male will be found in the tops of the tallest
lookout trees delivering his quaint and very peculiar lisping song. Their nests are handsomely
made of vegetable fibres and grasses, closely
woven together and lined with hair; this structure
is placed in the top of low bushes so that it is
well concealed by the upper foliage. Their three
to five eggs are whitish, specked and spotted
with shades of brown and neutral tints; size .64
x .48. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 23, 1891.
Nest in the top of a young walnut, two feet from
ground; made of plant fibres and grasses. Four
eggs

674. OVEN-BIRD. Seiurus aurocapillus.


Range. North America east of the Rockies,
breeding from the middle portions of the United
States, north to Labrador and Alaska. Winters
from the Gulf States southward.
This species is fully as often known as the
Golden-crowned Thrush, because of its brownish
orange crown bordered with black. They are
woodland birds exclusively and nest on the
ground, arching the top over with rootlets or leaves, the nest
proper being made of grasses and leaf skeletons. As they
are concealed so effectually, the nests are usually found
by flushing the bird. The four to six eggs are white, slightly
glossy and spotted, blotched or wreathed with reddish brown
and lilac; size .80 x .60. Data. Old Saybrook, Conn., June
19, 1899. Domed nest with a side entrance on the ground in
woods.

Prairie Warblers
Oven-bird

White

407

C. A. Reed

ARCHED NEST OF OVEN-BIRD

J. B. Canfleld
NEST AND EGGS OF LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH

PERCHING BIRDS

White

675. WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus novebora


censis noveboracensis.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding from
northern United States north to Hudson Bay and
Newfoundland. Winters from the Gulf to South
America.
This species is uniform brownish
olive above and white below,
streaked heavily with blackish; it
has a whitish superciliary line. It
is known in most of the United
States only as a migrant, being
found in moist woods or swampy
places. They nest in such localities in their
breeding range, placing their nests among the
cavities of rootlets and stumps, the nest being
made of moss, leaves and rootlets. Their eggs
are white, profusely specked and blotched with
reddish brown and lavender gray. Size .80 x .60.
Data. Listowell, Ontario, May 28, 1895. Nest in
a turned-up root over water; made of moss, grass
and hair. Collector, Wm. L. Kells. This set of
five is in the collection of Mr. C. W. Crandall.

6?5a. GRINNELL'S WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus


noveboracensis notabilis.
Range. Western North America, migrating between the Mississippi Valley and the Rockies;
breeds from northern United States north to
Alaska; winters in the south.
This sub-species is said to be very slightly
larger, darker on the back, and paler below. Their
nesting habits and eggs are identical with those
of the last.

Louisiana Water Thrush


Water-Thrush

676. LOUISIANA WATER-THRUSH. Seiurus motacilla.

Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf, north to southern
New England, Ontario and Minnesota; winters south of our borders.
This species is similar to the last but is larger, grayer and
less distinctly streaked on the underparts. They nest in
swampy places, concealing their home in nooks among roots
of trees or under overhanging banks, the nest being made
of leaves, moss, mud, grasses, etc., making a bulky structure.
The eggs, which are laid in May and number from four to
six, are white, spotted and blotched with chestnut and neutral tints. Size .76 x .62.

White

409

THE BIRD BOOK

677- KENTUCKY WARBLER. Oporornis formosus.


Range. Eastern United States, breeding from
the Gulf to New York and Michigan; winters
south of the United States to South America.
Crown and ear coverts black, underparts and line over eye yellow; x^-*&lt;~ -&lt;
no white in the plumage. Thesbirds are found in about such local- Bggy^-iflV
ities as are frequented by Ovenbirds, but with a preference for
woods which are low and damp. White
They are locally common in some of the southern
and central states. They are active gleaners of
the underbrush, keeping well within the depths
of tangled thickets. Like the Maryland Yellowthroat, which has similar habits to those of this
bird, they are quite inquisitive and frequently
come close to you to investigate or to scold. They
nest on the ground in open woods or on shrubby
hillsides, making large structures, of leaves and
strips of bark, lined with grasses. The eggs are
white, sprinkled with dots or spots of reddish
brown and gray. Size .70 x .55. Data. Greene
Co., Pa., May 26, 1894. 4 eggs. Nest a mass of
leaves, lined with rootlets, placed on the ground
at the base of a small elm sprout in underbrush
on a hillside.

678. CONNECTICUT WARBLER. Oporonis

Range. Eastern United States; known to breed


only in Manitoba and Ontario.
These birds have greenish upperparts and
sides, yellowish underparts, and an ashy gray
head, neck and breast; they have a complete whitish ring about the eye, this distinguishing them
in any plumage from the two following species.
As they do most of their feeding upon the ground
and remain in the depths of the thickets, they are rarely seen unless attention
is drawn to them. They are quite abundant in New England in fall migrations,
being found in swampy thickets. They have been found breeding in Ontario
by Wm. L. Kells, the nest being on the ground in the woods among raspberry
vines. It was made of leaves, bark fibres, grass, rootlets and hair. The eggs
are white, specked with brown and neutral tints. Size .75 x .55.

Kentucky Warbler
Connecticut Warblers

410

PERCHING BIRDS
679- MOURNING WARBLER. Oporornis phila.
delphia.
Range. Eastern United States, breeding from
northern New England, Pennsylvania, (Philadelphia) and Nebraska northward.
Very similar to the last but with
no eye ring and a black patch on
the breast. The habits and nesting
habits of this species are very similar to those of agilis, the nest being on or very close to the ground.
White With the exception of on mountain
ranges it breeds chiefly north of our borders.
The eggs are white, specked with reddish brown.
Size .72 x .55. They cannot be distinguished from
those of the last. Data. Listowell, Ontario, June

5, 1898. Nest in a tuft of swamp grass in low


ground; not very neatly made of dry leaves,
grasses and hair. Collector, Wm. L. Kells. (Crandall collection.)
680. MACGILLIVRAY WARBLER. Oporornis
tolmiei.
Range. Western United States from the Rockies to the Pacific, breeding north to British Columbia; winters in Mexico and Central America.
__ Similar to the last but with white
spots on the upper and lower eyelids, black lores, and the black
patch on the breast mixed with
gray. These ground inhabiting
birds are found in tangled thickets
and shrubbery where they nest at
low elevations, from one to five feet from the
ground. Their nests are made of grasses and
shreds of bark, lined with hair and finer grasses,
and the eggs are white, specked, spotted and blotched with shades of brown
and neutral tints; size .72 x .52. Data. Sonoma, Cal., May 17, 1897. A small
nest, loosely made of grasses (wild oats) lined with finer grasses; placed in
blackberry vines 14 inches from the ground in a slough in the valley.

White

Mourning Warblers
Macg-illivray Warblers

THE BIRD BOOK

White

Maryland Yellow-throats
Belding's Yellow-throat

681. MARYLAND YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis


trichas trichas.
Range. Eastern United States; this species has
recently been still further sub-divided so that this
form is supposed to be restricted to the south
Atlantic coast of the United States.
The Maryland Yellow-throat is represented in
all parts of the United States by one of its forms.
They are ground loving birds, frequenting swamps
and thickets where they can be
located by their loud, unmistakable
song of "Witchery, witchery,
witch." They nest on or very near
the ground, making their nests of
grass, lined with hair; these are
either in hollows in the ground at
the foot of clumps of grass or
weeds, or attached to the weed stalks within a
few inches of the ground. They lay from three
to five eggs in May or June; these are white,
specked about the larger end with reddish brown
and umber, and with shell markings of stone gray.
Size .70 x .50. All the sub-species of this bird
have the same general habits of this one and their
eggs cannot be distinguished from examples of
the eastern form; the birds, too, owing to the
great differences in plumage between individuals
from the same place, cannot be distinguished with
any degree of satisfaction except by the ones who
"discovered" them.
68 la. WESTERN YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis
trichas occidentalis.
Range. This variety, which is said to be brighter yellow below, is ascribed to the arid regions of
western United States; not on the Pacific coast.

68 Ib. FLORIDA YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis


trichas ignota.
Range. South Atlantic and Gulf coast to Texas.
681c. PACIFIC YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis
trichas arizela.
Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia southward.
68 le. SALT MARSH YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis trichas sinuosa.
Range. Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay.

4X2

PERCHING BIRDS

682. BELDING'S YELLOW-THROAT. Geothlypis

Range. Lower California.


This peculiar species is like the common Yellow-throat but has the black mask bordered by
yellow instead of white, and the black on the
forehead extends diagonally across the head from
in front of one eye to the rear of the other. Theii
habits are like those of the other Yellow-throats
and the nests are similar to those of the latter,
which are frequently placed in cane over the
water. Nests found by Mr. Walter E. Bryant
were situated in clumps of "cat-tails" between
two and three feet above the water; the nests
were made of dry strips of these leaves, lined
with fibres; the eggs were like those of the common Yellow-throats but larger; size .75 x .56.
682.1. Rio GRANDE YELLOW-THROAT. Chamcethlypis poliocephala.
Range. Mexico north to the Lower Rio Grande
Valley in Texas.
This Yellow-throat has the crown and ear
coverts gray, only the lores and forehead being
black. The nests and eggs of these birds, which
are fairly common about Brownsville, Texas, do
not differ from those of the other Yellow-throats.
683. YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT. Icteria virens
virens.
Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf
coast north to southern New England and Minnesota.
This strange but handsome species is very common in underbrush and thickets in the south; they are
usually shy and endeavor, with success, to keep out of
sight, but their strange song and calls, consisting of
various whistles and squawks mingled together, are often
heard. Their nests are built in bushes or briars at low
elevations, being made of grass, strips of bark and leaves,
lined with finer grass; their eggs are white, sharply
speckled and spotted with various shades of brown and
lavender; size .90 x .70.

Rio Grande Yellow-throat


Yellow-breasted Chat

White

LONG-TAILED CHAT. Icteria virens longicauda.


Range. United States west of the Plains, breeding from Mexico to British
Columbia.
This bird is said to be grayer and to have a slightly longer tail than the last.
Its nesting habits and eggs are precisely the same.
413

THE BIRD BOOK

White

684. HOODED WARBLER. Wilsonia citrina.


Range. Eastern United States, ^ fc
breeding north to southern New
England and Michigan; winters
south of our borders.
This yellow and greenish species
can be identified by its black head,
neck and throat, with the large
yellow patch about the eye and the forehead. The
members of this genus are active fly-catchers,
darting into the air after passing insects in the
manner of the Flycatchers. They frequent tangled thickets where they build their nests within
a few inches of the ground, making them of leaves,
bark and grass, lined with hair; the four or five
eggs are white, specked with reddish brown and
neutral tints; size .70 x .50. Data. Doddridge Co.,
Mo., May 29, 1897. Nest one foot from the ground
in a small bush; made of leaves, strips of bark
and fine grasses.
685. WILSON'S WARBLER. Wilsonia pusilla
pusilla

Range. Eastern North America, breeding from


northern United States northward; south to Central America in winter.
These handsome little black-capped flycatching Warblers are abundant during migrations, especially
in the spring, being found on the
edges of woods and in orchards.
They nest on the ground, usually
on the edges of swamps, embedding
their nests in the ground under the shelter of low
branches or on the edges of banks; the nest is oi!
bark strips, fibres and leaves, and the eggs are white, specked with reddish
brown; size .60 x .50.

White

Hooded Warblers
Wilson's Warblers

685a. PILEOLATED WARBLER. Wilsonia pusilla pileolata.


Range. Western United States, breeding in the Rocky Mountain region from
Mexico to Alaska; winters south of the United States.
Similar to the eastern form but the yellow underparts and greenish back are
brighter. Like the last species, this form nests on the ground or very close to
it,
in weeds or rank undergrowth, in swamps. Their eggs which are laid in May
or June are not distinguishable from those of the last.

414

White

PERCHING BIRDS
685b. GOLDEN PILEOL/ATED WARBLER. Wilsonia pusilla chryseola.
Range. Pacific coast of North America, breeding from southern California in mountain ranges

north to British Columbia.


686. CANADIAN WARBLER. Wilsonia canadensis.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding from
Mass., New York, and Michigan north to Labrador
and Hudson Bay; winters in Central America.
This handsome Warbler is plain
, , v gray above and yellow below, with
a black stripe down the sides of
the neck and across the breast in
a broken band. They frequent
swamps or open woods with a
heavy growth of underbrush, where
they build their nests on or very close to the
ground. I have always found them in Massachusetts nesting about the roots of laurels, the nests
being made of strips of bark, leaves and grass;
in June or the latter part of May they lay from
three to five white eggs, specked and wreathed
with reddish brown and neutral tints; size .68
x .50. Data. Worcester, Mass., June 10, 1891.
Nest on the ground under laurel roots in swampy
woods; made entirely of strips of laurel bark
lined with fine grass.
687. AMERICAN REDSTART. Setophaga
ruticilla.
Range. North America, chiefly east of the
Rockies, breeding in the northern half of the
United States and north to Labrador and Alaska;
winters south of our borders.
The male of this handsome, active and well known species is black with a
white belly, and orange patches on the sides, wings and bases of outer tail
feathers. They breed abundantly in swamps, open woods or
thickets by the roadside, placing their nests in trees or bushe?
at elevations of from three to thirty feet above ground and
usually in an upright fork. The nests are very compactly
made of fibres and grasses, felted together, and lined with
hair. Their eggs are white, variously blotched and spotted
with brown and gray; size .65 x .50. Data. Chili, N. Y., June White
1, 1894. Nest, a cup-shaped structure of plant fibres lined with fine grasses
and hair; 4 feet from the ground in the crotch of a small chestnut.

Canadian Warblers

American Redstart

416

C. A. REED

MALE REDSTART FEEDING YOUNG

PERCHING BIRDS

688. PAINTED REDSTART. Setophaga picta.


Range. Southern New Mexico
and Arizona, southward.
This beautiful Redstart is black
with a large white patch on the
wing coverts, white outer tail
w , . feathers, and with the belly and
middle of the breast bright red.
These active birds, which have all the habits and
mannerisms of the common species, nest on the
ground in thickets or shrubbery usually near
water, and generally conceal their homes under
overhanging stones or stumps; the nests are
made of fine shreds of bark and grasses, lined
with hair; the eggs are white, dotted with reddish brown; size .65 x .48. Data. Chiricahua
Mts., Arizona, May 31, 1900. Nest of fine bark
and grass under a small bush on the ground.

689. RED-BELLIED REDSTART. Setophaga


mini at a.
Range. Mexico; admitted to our avifauna on
the authority of Giraud as having occurred in
Texas.
This species is similar to the last, but has a
chestnut crown patch, more red on the underparts, and less white on the tail; it is not probable that their nesting habits or eggs differ from

the last.

690. RED-FACED WARBLER.


rubrifrons.

Cardellina

Range. Southern Arizona and New Mexico,


southward.
This attractive little Warbler is quite common in mountain
ranges of the southern Arizona. They nest on the ground on the
side hills, concealing the slight structure of grasses and rootlets under overhanging shrubs or stones. Their eggs are specked and blotched with light reddish brown and lavender. Size
.64 x .48. Data. Chiricahua Mts., Arizona, May 31, 1902. Nest
in a depression under a tuft of grass growing about 8 feet up on
the side of a bank.

Painted Redstart
lled-faeed Warblers

White

417

27

THE BIRD BOOK

WAGTAILS. Family MOTACILLID^


[694.] WHITE WAGTAIL. Motacilla alba.

Prague's Pipit

Range. An Old World species; accidental in


Greenland.
These birds are abundant ^ -?
throughout Europe, nesting ^0
on the ground, in stone walls, ;;
or in the crevices of old
buildings, etc., the nests being made of grass, rootlets,
leaves, etc.; the eggs are White
grayish white, finely specked with blackish
gray. Size .75 x .55.

[695.] SWINHOE'S WAGTAIL.


ocularis.

Motacilla

Range. Eastern Asia; accidental in Lower


California and probably Alaska.

ALASKA YELLOW WAGTAIL. Budyt&lt;


flavus alascensis.

the

Range. Eastern Asia; abundant on the Bering Sea coast of Alaska in


summer.
These handsome Wagtails are common in summer on the coasts
and islands of Bering Sea, nesting on the ground under tufts of
grass or beside stones, usually in marshy ground. Their eggs
number from 'four to six and are white, profusely spotted with
various shades of brown and gray. Size .75 x .55. Data. Kamchatka, June 20, 1896. Nest on the ground; made of fine rootWhite lets, grass and moss, lined neatly with animal fur.

697. PIPIT. Anthus rubescens.

Range. North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, and in the Rocky
Mountains south to Colorado, winters in southern United States and southward.
The Titlarks are abundant birds in the United States during ..,,_.migrations, being found in flocks in fields and cultivated ^
ground. Their nests, which are placed on the ground in '^
meadows or marshes under tufts of grass, are made of moss
and grasses; the four to six eggs are dark grayish, heavily
spotted and blotched with brown and blackish. Size .75 x .55. Gray
[698.] MEADOW PIPIT. Anthus pratensis.
Range. Whole of Europe; accidental in Greenland.
This species is similar to the American Pipit and like that species nests on
the ground; they are very abundant and are found in meadows, woods or thickets in the vicinity of houses. Their nests are made chiefly of grasses, lined
with hair; the eggs are from four to six in number and are grayish, very heavily spotted and blotched with grayish brown. Size .78 x .58.
418

[699-] RED-THROATED PIPIT. Anthus

PERCHING BIRDS
'

cermnus.
Range. An Old World species; accidental in
the Aleutians and Lower California.
The nesting habits of this bird are like those
of the others of the genus.
700. SPRAGUE'S PIPIT. Anthus spraguei.
Range. Interior of North America, breeding from Wyoming north to Saskatchewan.
Winters in the plains of Mexico.
These birds are common on
the prairies and breed abundantly on the plains of the interior of northern United
States and Manitoba. They
have a flight song which is
Grayish white said to be fully equal to tnat
of the famous European Skylark. They nest on
the ground under tufts of grass or up-turned

sods, lining the hollow with fine grasses; their


three or four eggs are grayish white, finely specked with grayish black or purplish. Size .85 x .60. Data. Crescent Lake, Canada. Nest of fine dried
[Trasses, built in the ground at the side of a sod.

Sage Thrasher

DIPPERS. Family CINCLID^E


701. DIPPER. Cinclus mexicanus unicolor.
Range Mountains of western North America from Alaska to Central America.
These short-tailed, grayish colored birds are among the strangest of feathered
creatures; they frequent the sides of mountain streams where they feed upon
aquatic insects and small fish. Although they do not have webbed feet, they
swim on or under water with the greatest of ease and rapidity, using their
wings as paddles. They have a thrush-like bill and the teetering habits of the
Sandpiper, and they are said to be one of the sweetest of songsters. They nest
among the rocks along the banks of swiftly flowing streams, and sometimes
beneath falls; the nests are large round structures of green moss, lined with
fine grass and with the entrance on the side. The eggs are pure white, four or
five in number, and laid during May or June. Size 1.00 x .70.
WRENS, THRASHERS, ETC. Family TROGLODYTID^
702. SAGE THRASHER. Oreoscoptes montanus.
Range. Plains and valleys of western United States, east of the Sierra Nevadas, from Montana to Mexico.
This species is abundant in the sage regions of the west,
nesting on the ground or at low elevations in sage or other
bushes. Their nests are made of twigs, rootlets and bark
strips, lined with fine rootlets; the three or four eggs are a
handsome greenish blue, brightly spotted with reddish brown
and gray. Size .95 x .70. Data. Salt Lake Co., Utah, May
11, 1900. Nest placed in a sage bush; made of twigs of the
same and lined with bark strips. Collector, W. H. Parker,
(Crandall collection.)
419

Urreenish

THE BIRD BOOK

703.

MOCKINGBIRD.
polyglottos

Mimus polyglottos

Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States,


north to New Jersey and Illinois.
These noted birds are
very common in the south
where they are found, and
nest about houses in open
woods, fields, and along
roadways; their nests are
rude, bulky structures of
twigs, grasses, leaves, etc.,
placed in trees or bushes Dull greenish blue
at low elevations; the three to five eggs are
usually dull greenish blue, boldly spotted with
brownish. Size .95 x .72.
703a. WESTERN MOCKINGBIRD. Mimus
polyglottos leucopterus.
Range. Southwestern United States from
Texas to California, and southward.
This subspecies is as common in its range,
and its habits are the same as those of the eastern bird. The nests and eggs
are identical with those of the last, and like that variety they frequently nest
in odd places as do all common birds when they become familiar with civilization.

Mockingbird

704*. CATBIRD. Dumetella carolinensis.


Range. North America, breeding from the
Gulf States to the Saskatchewan; rare on the
Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and
southward.
This well known mimic is abundant in the

temperate portions of its range, frequenting


open woods, swamps, hillsides and hedges. Their
nests are usually low
down in bushes or trees,
and are constructed similarly to those of the Mockingbird, of twigs and rootlets; a tangled mass of
vines and briers is a fa Bluish green
vorite place for them to locate their home.
Their eggs are laid in the latter part of May
or during June, and are from three to five in
number and a bright bluish green in color,
unmarked. Size .95 x .70.

420

PERCHING BIRDS

Greenish white

705. BROWN THRASHER. Toxostoma rufum


Range. Eastern North America, breeding
from the Gulf States north to Canada. Win
ters in the Gulf States and southward.
This large, handsome songster is found
breeding in just such localities as are preferred by
the Catbird and the two
are often found nesting in
the same hedge or thicket.
The nests, too, are similar
but that of the Thrasher is
usually more bulky; besides building in bushes
they frequently nest on
the ground, lining the hollow under some bush
with fine rootlets. Their three to five eggs
are laid during May or June; they are whitish
or pale greenish white, profusely dotted with
reddish brown. Size 1.05 x .80. Brown Thrusiu-r
706. SENNETT'S THRASHER. Toxostoma longirostre sennetti.
Range. Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Very similar to the last but darker above and with the spots on the breast
blacker and more distinct. This species which is very abundant in the Lower
Rio Grande Valley nests the same as the last species
in thick hedges and the eggs are very similar to those
of the Brown Thrasher, but in a large series, average
more sparingly marked over the whole surface and with
a more definite wreath about the large end. Data. Corpus
Christi, Texas, May 12, 1899. Nest
of twigs and vines in a bush in
thicket. Six feet from the ground.

indant in the Lower


m

i07a 708 710

Greenish white
CURVE-BILLED THRASHER. Toxostoma
currirostre curvirostre.
Range. Mexico, north to southern Texas and eastern
New Mexico.
This species is a uniform ashy gray above and soiled
white below; the bill is stout and decurved. These
birds are as numerous in the Lower Rio Grande Valley
as are the Sennett's Thrasher, frequenting thickets
where they breed in scrubby bushes and cacti. Their
nests are rather larger and more
deeply cupped than are those ol:
the last species and the eggs can
easily be distinguished. They
have a ground color of light bluish green, minutely dotted evenly all over the surface with reddish brown. Size 1.10 x .80.
Data. Brownsville, Texas, April
6, 1900. 5 eggs. Nest of sticks and thorns on a cactus
in a thicket; 6 feet from the ground,
421

ties and cacti, men

THE BIRD BOOK


707a. PALMER'S THRASHER. Toxostoma curvirostre palmeri.
Range. Very abundant in southern Arizona and southward into Mexico.
The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are exactly like those of the last;
they show a preference for placing their nests of sticks and thorny twigs upon
cacti at elevations below five feet from the ground. Like the last, they general
ly
raise two broods a season.

708. BENPIRE'S THRASHER. Toxostoma bendirei.


Range. Southern Arizona and Mexico; north locally to southern Colorado.
This species is not as abundant in the deserts of southern
Arizona as are the last species with which they associate. /'""
They nest at low elevations in mesquites or cacti, laying
their first sets in March and early April and usually raising two brooks a season; their three or four eggs are dull
whitish, spotted and blotched with brownish drab and lilac
gray. Size 1.00 x .72. Data. Tucson, Arizona, April 15,
1896. Nest 3 feet up in a cholla cactus; made of large
sticks lined with fine grasses. Grayish white

709. SAN LUCAS THRASHER. Toxostoma cinereum cihereum.


Range. Southern Lower California.
This species is similar to curvirostre but the under
parts are spotted with dusky. Their habits and nests
are similar to those of the other Thrashers and the three
'-iff '+*& r four eggs are P ale greenish white, spotted with reddish brown. Size 1.08 x .75. Data. Santa Anita, June
I ,*5^r''' 3, 1896. 3 eggs. Nest in a cactus.
Pale greenish white
70Qa. MEARNS'S THRASHER. Toxostoma cinereum mearnsi.
Range. Northern Lower California.
This species is described as darker than the last and with larger, blacker spots
on the breast and underparts.

710. CALIFORNIA THRASHER. Toxostoma redivivum.


Range. Southern half of California, west of the Sierra Nevadas.

This species is more brownish than the other curvebilled species and has a much longer and more curved ^ ,. y -^ .
bill. They are common in the under brush of hillsides
and ravines, where they locate their nests at low elevations. Their nests are made of sticks and grass, lined
with rootlets, and the three or four eggs are bluish
green with spots of russet brown. Size 1.12 x .82. Data.
San Diego, Cal., Feb. 7, 1897. Nest of sticks and rootlets in a grease-wood bush 4 feet from the ground.
Collector, Chas. W. Brown. Bluish green

422

Pale er

11712

PERCHING BIRDS
711. LECONTE'S THRASHER. Toxostoma lecontei
lecontei.
Range. Desert regions of southwestern United States,
chiefly in the valleys of the Gila and Colorado Rivers.
This species is much paler
than the last and has a shorter
: f ~ bill. It is fairly common but
locally distributed in its range
and nests at low elevations in
bushes or cacti. The three or
four eggs are pale greenish blue,
sparingly dotted with reddish
brown. Size 1.10 x .75. Data.
Phoenix, Arizona, April 2, 1897. 3 eggs. Large nest
of dry twigs, rootlets, etc., lined with bits of rabbit hair
and feathers; 4 feet from the ground in a small shrub.
71 la. DESERT THRASHER. Toxostoma lecontei
arenicola.
Range. Northern Lower California.
This form of the last is said to differ in being darker
above. It is a very locally confined race, chiefly about
Rosalia Bay, Lower California. Its eggs will not be distinctive.
712. CRISSAL THRASHER. Toxostoma crissale.

Range. Southwestern United States from western Texas


to eastern California; north to southern Utah and Nevada.
This species may be known from any other of the curvebilled Thrashers by its grayish underparts and bright
chestnut under tail coverts. These sweet songsters are
abundant in suitable localities, nesting at low elevations in
chaparral. Their nests are large, and bulkily made of
sticks and rootlets ; the eggs range from two to four in number and are pale greenish blue, unmarked. Size 1.10 x .75.
713. CACTUS WREN. Ileleodytes brunneicapillus couesi.
Range. Southwestern United States from
Texas to eastern California; north to southern
Nevada and Utah.
This species is the largest of the Wrens, be
ing 8.5 inches in length. They are very common in cactus and chaparrel districts, where
they nest at low elevations in bushes or cacti,
making large purse-shaped structures of
grasses and thorny twigs, lined with feathers
and with a small entrance at
one end. They raise two or
three broods a year, the first
set of eggs being laid early in
April; the eggs are creamy
white, dotted, so thickly as to
obscure the ground color, with
pale reddish brown. Size .95
x .65. Data. Placentia, Cal., April
Nest in cactus about 6 feet from the ground;
made of grasses and lined with feathers and rab
bit fur ; nest 8 inches in diameter, 18 inches long.
423

Pale greenish blui

1901.

Cactus Wren

THE BIRD BOOK

71 3a. BRYANT'S CACTUS WREN. Heleodytes


brunneicapillus bryanti.
Range. Northern Lower California and
coast of southern California.
The nesting habits of this variety differ in
no respect from those of the last.
713b. SAN LUCAS CACTUS WREN. Heleodytes brunneicapillus affinis.
Range. Southern Lower California.
Eggs indistinguishable from those of the last.
715. ROCK WREN. Salpinctes obsoletus
obsoletus.
Range. United States, west of the plains,
breeding north to British Columbia, and south
,___ ll ^^^____. to Mexico; winters in southt^glBBT^BBBIM^, western United States and southward.
mrti$z This species appears to be ^KA.>-.->I
quite abundant on rocky hillsides throughout its range; like
most of the Wrens they draw White
attention to themselves by their loud and varied song. They nest in crevices or beneath overhanging rocks, making the
nest out of any trash that may be handy, such as weeds, grass, wool, bark, rootlets, etc.; their eggs range from four to eight in number and are pure white,
linely specked with reddish brown. Size .72 x .50.

Rock Wren

716. GUADALUPE ROCK W T REN. Sdlpmctes guadeloupensis.


Range. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.
A similar but darker and browner species than the Rock Wren. It breeds in
abundance throughout the island from which it takes its name, placing its
nests in crevices among the boulders or cavities of fallen tree trunks and, as i
s
often done by the last species, lining the pathway to the nest with small
pebbles. The eggs, which are laid from January to April, resemble, in all
respects, those of the common Rock Wren.

717. WHITE-THROATED WREN. Catherpes mexicanus albifrons.


Range. Northeastern Mexico and the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas.
The habits of the White-throated Wren are the same as those of the Canon
Wren, which variety is more common and better known; the eggs of this
species are not distinguishable from those of the next.

424

7l7a. CANON WREN. Catherpes mexicanus


conspersus.
Range. Rocky Mountain region and west to
the Sierra Nevadas; north to Wyoming and
Idaho and south to New Mexico and Arizona.
The Canon Wrens are uniform rusty brown
all over except the large sharply denned white
throat patch; the underparts, wings and tail
are barred with black, and the back is specked
with white. Their name is well chosen for
they are found abundantly in rocky canyons,
ravines, and side hills. They nest in crevices
or caves among the rocks, placing their nests
in small niches; they are made of twigs, leaves,
grasses and feathers, and the three to six eggs,
which are laid from April to June according to
locality, are white, sprinkled and blotched with
reddish brown and lilac. Size .72 x .52.
71 7b. DOTTED CANON WREN. Catherpes
mexicanus punctulatus.

PERCHING BIRDS

Carolina Wren

White

Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Lower California.


The habits and eggs of this coast form of the White-throated Wren do not
vary in any particular from those of the preceding variety.

718. CAROLINA WREN. Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovicianus.


Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to
southern New England and Illinois; resident in the greater
part of its range.
These loud-voiced songsters are well known in the south
where they are very abundant, being found along banks of
streams, in thickets, along walls, or about brush heaps. They
^ nest in almost any suitable nook or corner, in hollow trees
& or stumps, bird boxes, about buildings, and in brush or
^ bushes. When in exposed positions, the nest, which is
1|| made of all sorts of trash, is arched over; the eggs, which
^gk are laid from March to June, and frequently later, as sev1% eral broods are sometimes reared in a season, are white,
profusely specked with light reddish brown and purplish.
Size .74 x .60.
71 8a. FLORIDA WREN. Thryothorus ludovicianus
miamensis.
Range. Southern Florida.
A similar bird to the last but darker above and brighter
below. Its eggs are not distinguishable from those of
the last.

718b.

LOMITA WREN.
lomitensis.

Thryothorus ludovicianus

717a 719a

Range. Southern Texas.


This sub-species is abundant along the Lower Rio
Grande in southern Texas, where its habits are the same as
those of the others and the eggs are not distinctive,

425

THE BIRD BOOK


719. BEWICK'S WREN. Thryomanes bewicki
bewicki.
Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States, and
the Mississippi Valley north to Minnesota and
locally to the Middle States in the east.
This species is not common on the Atlantic
coast but in the interior it is
the most abundant of the Wrens, ^~ .
nesting in holes in trees, stumps,
fences, bird boxes, tin cans, etc.,
filling the cavities with grass
and rootlets. Their eggs are
laid in the latter part of April
or May; they are white, specked and usually
wreathed about the large end with reddish
brown and purplish. Size .65 x .50.
719a. VIGORS 's WREN. Thryomanes bewicki
spilurus.
Range. Pacific coast of California.
This similar bird to the last has the same
general habits and the eggs are not in any way different from those of Bewick's
Wren.

White

Bewick's Wren

719b. BAIRD'S WREN. Thryomanes bewicki bairdi.


Range. Southwestern United States, from western Texas to eastern California and north to Colorado and Nevada.
Like the two preceding Wrens, this one nests in natural or artificial cavities,
and the four to seven eggs that they lay are precisely alike, in every respect,
to those of the others.
719c. TEXAS WREN. Thryomanes bewicki cryptus.
Range. Texas, north in summer to western Kansas.
A very abundant bird in Texas. Nesting habits not unusual nor eggs dis-

tinctive.
719d. SAN DIEGO WREN. Thryomanes bewicki charienturus.
Range. Coast of southern California.
719e. SEATTLE WREN. Thryomanes bewicki calophonus.
Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to British Columbia.
These last two sub-species have recently been separated from Vigors's Wren,
but their habits and eggs remain the same as those of .that variety.

719-1. SAN CLEMENTE WREN. Thryomanes leucophrys.


Range. San Clemente Island, California.
This species is similar to Vigors's Wren but is grayer and paler above,
not peculiar in its nesting habits and the eggs are like those of bcwickii.

It is

720. GUADALUPE WREN. Thryomanes brevicauda.


Range. Guadalupe Island.
A very similar species to the Vigors's Wren; nesting habits and the eggs are
not apt to differ in any respect.
426

PERCHING BIRDS

721. HOUSE WREN.


aedon.

Troglodytes aedon.

Range. North America east of the Mississippi, breeding from the Gulf north to Manitoba and Ontario; winters in the southern half
of the United States.
This familiar and noisy little Wren is the

most abundant and widely distributed of the


Wrens; they are met with on
the edges of woods, swamps,
fields, pastures, orchards and
very frequently build about
houses, in bird houses or any
nook that may suit them; they
fill the cavity of the place they
may select with twigs, grass, feathers, plant
down, etc., and lay from five to nine eggs in a
set and frequently three sets a year. The eggs
are pinkish white, very profusely and minutely
dotted with pale reddish brown so as to make
the egg appear to be a nearly uniform salmon
color and with a wreath of darker spots about
the large end. Size .65 x .52. Data. Gretna,
N. Y., May 29? 1896. Nest three feet from the ground in cavity of an apple tree;
made of twigs and grass, and lined with hair and feathers.

Pinkish white

House Wren

72 la. WESTERN HOUSE WREN. Troglodytes aedon parkmani.


Range. United States, from the Mississippi Valley to eastern California.
This variety is grayer above and below than the eastern form, but its habits
and eggs do not differ in any respect.

722. WINTER WREN. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis.


Range. Eastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward, and south in the Alleghanies to North Carolina; winters in the United
States.
These are the smallest of the Wrens, being but four inches in
length; they have a very short tail which, like those of the
others, is carried erect over the back during excitement or
anger. They are very sly birds and creep about through stone

walls and under brush like so many mice; they have a sweet
song but not as loud as that of the House Wren. Their nests
are placed in crevices of stumps, walls, old buildings or in brush
heaps, oeing made of twigs and leaves, lined with feathers. Their eggs, which
are laid during May or June, are pure white, finely and sparingly dotted with
reddish brown; size .60 x .48.

427

THE BIRD BOOK

722a. WESTERN WINTER WREN.


hiemalis pacificus.

Nannus

the

Range. Western North America from


Rockies to the coast, north to Alaska.
This species is much browner both above and
below and is more heavily barred than the
last; its habits and eggs are like those of
hiemalis.

722b. KADIAK WINTER WREN.


hiemalis helleri.

Nannus

Range. Kadiak Island, Alaska.


Said to be slightly larger and paler than

pacificus.

723. ALASKA WREN. Nannus alascensis.


Range. Aleutian and Pribilof Islands, AlWinter Wren aska.
Larger and paler than the Western Winter
Wren. The habits of this species are similar to those of
the eastern Winter Wren; they nest between boulders and in crevices of rocks or
stumps, making their nesfs of moss and
rootlets, lined with feathers. The eggs are
like those of the Winter Wren but slightly
larger; size .65 x .51. White

723.1. ALEUTIAN WREN. Nannus meliger.


Range. Western Aleutian Islands to Alaska. Very similar to the above, both in song and general habits. They
nest in the crevices of rocks or between boulders, making
their nests of rootlets and grass, lining it with hair and
feathers. Usually six eggs are laid, white with a few specks
of brown (.58x.46).

724. SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN. Cistothorus stellaris


Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf
to Manitoba and Maine.
This species does not appear to be as common anywhere
as is the Long-billed variety, whose habits and nests are
similar. They nest in or on the borders of
marshes, and nests being globular structures of grasses, lined with hair, and with
j the entrance on the side; they are attached above the ground or
water in marsh grass or reeds. Their eggs, which number from
six to eight, are pure white; size .64 x .48.
428

623 723.1 725a

PERCHING BIBDS

725. LONG-BILLED MARSH WREN. Telma-

todytes palustris palustris.


Range. United States east of the Rockies,
breeding from the Gulf north to Manitoba and
New England; winters in southern United
States.
These birds are very abundant in suitable
localities throughout their range, breeding in
colonies in large marshes and in smaller num
bers in small marshy places.
Their nests are similar to those
of the last, being globular and
attached to cat-tails or reeds;
the entrance is a small round
hole in the side of the rushwoven structures and the interior is neatly finished with fine grass and hair.
They lay from five to eight eggs of a pale chocolate color, dotted and spotted with darker
shades of the same; size .64 x .45. Data.
Delray, Mich., May 27, 1900. Six eggs. Nest
a ball of woven flags and grasses, lined with
cat-tail down, and attached to rushes in salt marsh over two feet of water.
Collector, Geo. W. Morse.

Pale brown

Short-billed Marsh Wren


Long-billed Marsh Wren

TULE WREN. Telmatodytes palustris paludicola.


Range. Western United States on the Pacific coast; north to British
Columbia.
The nesting habits and eggs of these birds are in all respects like those of
the last.

725b. WORTHINGTON'S MARSH WREN. Telmatodytes palustris griseus,


Range. Coast of South Carolina and Georgia.
The habits and eggs of this paler form are identical with those of palustri*.

72oc. WESTERN MARSH WREN. Telmatodytes palustris plesius.

Range. United States west of the Rockies, except the Pacific coast; north to
British Columbia. This variety is like the Tule Wren but slightly paler; its
nesting habits and eggs are the same.

725.1. MARIAN'S MARSH WREN. Telmatodytes palustris mariance.


Range. West coast of Florida.
This species is similar to the Long-billed variety but is darker and more barred above and below. Its nests and eggs will not be found to differ materially
from those of. the others of this genus.
429

THE BIRD BOOK

CREEPERS. Family CERTHIID^E

726. BROWN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris


americana.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding
firon^. the northern tier of states northward ;
the United States.

Brown Creeper

Thiese peculiar, weak-voiced Creepers are


common in northern United States during the
winter, when they may be seen slowly toiling
up the tree trunks, searching the
crannies of the bark for larvae.
They make their nests behind
loose hanking bark on old tree
stubs, usually at low elevations,
building them of twigs, bark,
moss, etc., held together with
cobwebs. The eggs, which are laid in May
or June, are pure white, specked and spotted
with reddish brown; they average in size .58
x .48. The nests are most often found under
the loosened bark on coniferous trees.

White

726a. MEXICAN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris albescens.


Range. Western Mexico north to southern Arizona.
The nesting habits of this brighter colored form are the same as those of
the others.
726b. ROCKY MOUNTAIN CREEPER. Certhia familiaris montana.
Range. Rocky Mountains, breeding from New Mexico to Alaska.
The eggs of this grayer variety cannot be distinguished from those of the
eastern birds and the nests are in similar situations.
726c. CALIFORNIA CREEPER. Certhia familiaris occidentalis.
Range. Pacific coast from southern California north to Alaska.
An abundant species, especially on mountatin ranges, breeding behind the
bark chiefly on pine trees. The eggs are not different from those of the others.

726d. SIERRA CREEPER. Certhia familiaris zelotes.


Range. Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Cascade Range in
Oregon.
Very similar to the last and with the same habits; eggs indistinguishable.
430

PERCHING BIRDS

NUTHATCHES AND TITS. Family SITTID^E

727- WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.


carolinensis carolinensis.

Sitta

Range. United States east of the Rockies,


breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada;
resident throughout its range.
These birds are creepers, but unlike the last
species, these run about on the trunks, either

up or down; their tails are not pointed and


stiffened like those of the Brown
Creepers, and their plumage is
gray and black above with a
black crown, and white below.
They nest in holes in trees,
usually deep in the woods and
at any elevation from the
ground; they nearly always use deserted Woodpeckers' holes but are said at times to excavate their own, with great labor as their bills
are little adapted for that work. They, line the
cavities with bark strips and hair or feathers,
and during April or May, lay from four to nine
white eggs, profusely specked with reddish
brown and lilac. Size .80 x .60. Data. Lancaster, Mass., May 16, 1902. Nest in
hole in an oak tree, 45 feet above ground; made of fine strips of bark fibre and
hair.

White

White-breasted Nuthatch

SLENDER-BILLED NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis aculeata.


Range. North America, west of the Rockies and from Mexico to British Columbia.
This species is as abundant in the west as the last is in the east, and nests in
like situations. The eggs cannot be distinguished from those of the eastern
birds.
727b. FLORIDA WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis atkinsi.
Range. Florida and the South Atlantic coast to South CarolinaThe habits and eggs of these birds are like those of the northern ones.
727c. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis nelsoni.
Range. Rocky Mountains from Mexico north to British Columbia.
Their nesting habits or eggs are not distinctive in any respect.

727d. SAN LUCAS NUTHATCH. Sitta carolinensis lagunce.


Range. Mountain ranges of Lower California.
Said to be like aculeata but with the wings and tail slightly shorter.
431

THE BIRD BOOK

728. RED-BREASTED NUTHATCH.


densis.

Sitta cana-

ited-breasted Nuthatch

Range. North America, breeding from the


northern tier of states northward, and farther
south in mountain ranges; winters south to
southern United States.
This species is smaller than
the last and has reddish brown
underparts and a black stripe
through the eye. The breeding habits are the same as those
of the White-bellied variety, but
these birds almost invariably
coat the tree below the opening with pitch,
for what purpose is unknown. They lay from
four to six white eggs, numerously spotted
with reddish brown; size, .60 x .50. Data.
Upton, Maine, June 21, 1898. Nest in hole of
dead birch stub, 20 feet from the ground; made
of strips of bark and a few feathers. 5 eggs.

White

729. BROWN-HEADED NUTHATCH. Sitta pusilla.

Range. South Atlantic and Gulf States.


This species has a yellowish brown crown and whitish underparts. Their
habits are like those of the other Nuthatches, they nesting in
cavities at varying heights, from two to fifty feet from the ground.
That they sometimes depart from the usual custom is evidenced
by the data accompanying this egg. They lay from four to
seven eggs, white with profuse markings of reddish brown; size
.60 x .48. Data. St. Mary's Ga. Nest situated under the bark
of an old dead pine stump, 4 feet from the ground; made of fine

White

strips of bark.

730. PYGMY NUTHATCH. Sitta pygmcea


pygmaia.
Range. North America west of the Rockies,
breeding from Mexico north to British Columbia. Resident throughout its range.
This species has an olive gray crown bordered by dusky, the back is ashy blue and the
underparts soiled white or rusty. They are
common in mountains of western United States,
nesting in holes in trees the
same as the other species of ^ : * ,,
Nuthatches. They lay from five
to nine eggs which are white, '.
speckled thickly with reddish
brown; size .60 x .50. Data.
Huachucha Mts., Arizona, May White
25, 1901. Nest in cavity (10 inches deep) in
dead pine stump about 15 feet from the ground ;
composed of a mass of vegetable down; altitude 9000 feet.
432

Brown-headed Nuthatch

PERCHING BIRDS

730a. WHITE-NAPED NUTHATCH. Sitta


pygmcea leuconucha.
Range. Lower California.
Like the last but grayer above and white
below. Its habits and eggs are the same as
those of the Pyginy Nuthatch.
731. TUFTED TITMOUSE. Bceolophus bicolor
Range. Eastern United States, resident and
breeding from the Gulf north to New York and
Illinois.
This species has a grayish
crest and upper parts, and is
white beneath with brownish
sides and black forehead.
These common and noisy
birds nest in natural cavities
in trees or in holes deserted
by Woodpeckers; they may
be found at any elevation, from two to thirty
feet from the ground. They line the bottom
of the cavity with leaves, bark, fibres and hair, and during April or
five to eight white eggs, plentifully specked with reddish brown. Size

White

Tufted Titmouse
Black-crested Titmouse

May lay
.74 x .54.

BLACK-CRESTED TITMOUSE. Bceolophus atricristatus atricristatus.


Range. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and southward.
This Titmouse has a black crest and the forehead is white; otherwise similar
to the preceding. Like the last, these birds nest in deserted

Woodpeckers' holes and natural cavities in trees, either in opeu


woods or in the vicinity of habitations. Their eggs are sparsely
spotted with reddish brown, and not usually distinguishable from
those of the Tufted Titmouse. Size .70 x .54. Data. Brownsville, Texas, May 11, 1892. Nest of moss, hair, down and wool in
cavity in tree in open woods near town; 4 feet from the ground.

White

433

28

THE BIRD BOOK

733. PLAIN TITMOUSE. Bceolophus inornatus inornatus


Range. California and Oregon west of the Sierra Nevadas.
This common, slightly crested Titmouse is grayish brown
above and grayish white below. They nest anywhere in
cavities that meet with their approval, about
old buildings, in fence posts, etc., as well
as holes in trees. Their eggs range from
five to eight in number and are white, usually spotted with pale brownish. Size .72 x
.52. Data. Tulare Co., California, April 3,
1895. Nest in an oak tree, 32 feet from the
ground, in a natural cavity of a horizontal limb; composed
of grasses, feathers and fur.

White

733a. GRAY TITMOUSE. Bceolophus inornatus griseus.


Range. Southeastern United States, from Colorado and
Nevada southward.
The nesting habits of this gray Titmouse are just the

733 734 same as those of the other.


733b. ASHY TITMOUSE. Bceolophus inornatus cineraceus.
Range. Southern Lower California.
The habits of this variety are the same as those of the Plain Titmouse and
doubtless the eggs are also.
734. BRIDLED TITMOUSE. Bceolophus wollweberi.
Range. Mexico north to southern Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas.
This handsome species is quite abundant in the mountains
of southern Arizona, and nests in woods or about ranches,
ft \ lining the cavities of trees with moss, down, leaves, etc. The
three to seven eggs that they lay are pure white, unmarked.
Size .65 x .52. Data. Huachuca Mountains, Arizona, April
5, 1901. Nest in the natural cavity of a live oak, 12 feet
from the ground; cavity lined
with bark and feathers.

White

735. CHICKADEE. Penthestes atricapillus


atricapillus.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding
itom the Middle and Central States northward
to Labrador; only migratory to a slight extent.
The Chickadee is too well known
to need any description; suffice it
to say that they are the favorites,
with everybody, among all the
North American birds. They breed
in holes in trees in orchards or
woods, and also in bird boxes. 1
have found by far the greater number in decayed birch stubs. They line the cavities
with fine grasses and feathers, and during
May or June lay from five to eight white
eggs, dotted with reddish brown; size .55 x .45.

434

White

Chickadee
Carolina Chickadee

PERCHING BIRDS

735a. LONG-TAILED CHICKADEE. Penthestes


ataricapillus septentrionalis.
Range. Rocky Mountain region, north to British Co
lumbia.
This variety is very similar to the last but has a slightly
longer tail and the colors are purer. Its nesting habits
are the same and the eggs are indistinguishable from those
of the eastern Chickadee.

735b. OREGON CHICKADEE.


occidentals.

Penthestes atricapillus

Range. Pacific coast from California to Alaska.


The habits and eggs of this slightly darker variety are
just the same as those of the common Chickadee of
the east.

786. CAROLINA CHICKADEE.


carolinensis.

Penthestes carolinensis

537538

White

Range. Southern United States from the

Gulf to New Jersey and Illinois.


The southern Chickadee is smaller than
the northern and the wing coverts and feathers have little or
no white edgings, Their nesting habits are in every particular
the same as those of atricapillus and the eggs cannot be distinguished with certainty, but average smaller; size .53 x .43.

736a. PLUMBEOUS CHICKADEE. Penthestes carolinensis agilis.


Range. Eastern and central Texas.
This variety is said to be more plumbeous above and much whiter below
than the preceding. No differences can be found in the eggs of the two varieties
and the nesting habits are the same.
737. MEXICAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes sclateri.
Range. Mountains of western Mexico north to southern Arizona.
This species has the black more extended on the throat and the under parts
are grayish of a lighter shade than the upper, the cheeks, however, remaining
white. Their nests are in hollow stubs and the eggs are indistinguishable from
those of the foregoing Chickadees.

738. MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE. Penthestes gambeli gambeli.


Range. Rocky Mountain region and west to the Pacific; north to British
Columbia chiefly in higher ranges.
This handsome little Titmouse has a white superciliary
line, leaving a black stripe through the eye. Their habits
are like those of the other Chickadees and they are equally
confiding and inquisitive. Their eggs range from five to eight ^v: : , ;
in number and are either pure white or faintly marked with
reddish brown; size .60 x .45. Data. Estes Park, Colorado,
June 8, 1803. Nest in an old Sapsucker's hole in a live as- \viiite
pen tree, 28 feet from the ground; cavity lined with hair and fur.
435

THE BIRD BOOK

739- ALASKA CHICKADEE.


ctus alascensis.

Penthestes cin-

Range. Northern Alaska and eastern Siberia.


This bird, which is most like the Hudsonian
Chickadee, nests in the usual manner and its
eggs are like those of the common Chickadee
of the east.
74-0. HUDSONIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes
hudsonicus hudsonicus.
Range. Western half of British America.
These brown capped Chickadees
m. are very abundant throughout the
Jy \^V northwest and are even tamer than
our United States varieties. They
usually make their nests at low elevations in dead and decayed stumps
and line the bottom of the cavity,
which varies from three to eight inches in
depth, with moss and fur. Their eggs, which
they lay in May, June or July, are white, specked with reddish brown and
cannot with any certainty be distinguished from those of the Black-capped
Chickadees, the eggs of all the species showing considerable variations; size
.60 x .45.

White

Hudsonian Chickadee

740a. ACADIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis.


Range. Kowak River, northwest Alaska.
A larger and grayer form of the last species; nesting habits and eggs not
differing.
740b. COLUMBIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes hudsonicus columbianus.
Range. Rocky Mountains from northern United States to Alaska.
Like nudsonicus but with the crown slaty instead of brownish. No difference
can be distinguished either in their habits or eggs.
740c. CANADIAN CHICKADEE. Penthestes hudsonicus littoralis.
Range. Eastern half of Canada and northern New England and New York.
These birds were formerly hudsonicus in company with the western ones, but

they are now supposed to be a trifle smaller and with the crown duller; this
division does not affect the similarity of their habits and eggs.

PERCHING BIRDS
741. CHESTNUT-BACKED CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens rufescens.
Range. Pacific coast from Oregon to Alaska.
This species is similar to the Hudsonian in having a
brown crown and black throat, but has in addition, a chestnut colored back and sides. They breed locally in Oregon,
more commonly in Washington and are abundant in British
Columbia, making the nests of animal fur in holes in dead
stubs. Their eggs vary in number from five to eight and are
creamy white, dotted with reddish; size .60 x .45. Data. Dayton, Oregon,
May 28, 1806. Nest of hair and fur in willow stub, 10 feet up.
74 la. CALIFORNIA CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens neglectus.
Range. Coast regions of California.
This variety is not as rufous on the sides as the more northern one. Its habits
and eggs are the same.
741b. BARLOW'S CHICKADEE. Penthestes rufescens barlowi
Range. About Monterey Bay, California.
This variety is said to have no rusty on the flanks. Its habits and eggs are
like those of the others.
742a. PALLID WREN-TIT. Chamcea fasciata henshawi
Range. Interior of California from Lower California to the Sacramento
Valley.
This duller colored variety has the same nesting habits and similar eggs to
those of the Coast Wren-tit.
742b. COAST WREN-TIT. Chamcea fasciata fasciata.
Range. Pacific coast from southern California north to Oregon.
These peculiar brownish gray colored birds frequent the tangled underbrush of ravines and mountain sides where they lead
the life of a recluse. They nest at low elevations in the densest
thickets, making them of twigs, strips of bark, grasses and
feathers, compactly woven together and located in bushes from
one to four feet from the ground. They lay from three to five
plain, unmarked, pure white eggs; size .75 x .54. Data.
Wrights, Cal. Nest in a tangle of vines in a deep ravine; composed of strips of bark, moss and grasses, lined with cattle hair; a bulky nest.

743. BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus minimus.


Range. Pacific coast of northern California, Oregon and Washington.
These diminutive little birds build nests that are marvels of
architecture, making long purse-like structures, suspended from
twigs usually at low elevations from the ground. The nests are
made of moss, lichens, fibres, ferns and grasses and lined with
feathers or wool; the opening is on one side near the top, and a
typical nest averages 12 inches in length, by 4.5 inches in diameter
at the bottom and 3 at the top. Their eggs number from four to
nine and are pure white; size .54 x .40. The birds are very active and have the
same habits as the Chickadees, being seen often suspended, head downward,
from the ends of twigs, in their search for insects.
437

THE BIRD BOOK


743a. CALIFORNIA BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus calif ornicus.
Range. California with the exception of the northern part.
This sub-species, which is like the last but with a lighter brown head, has
the same habits, nests in the same manner and its eggs are not distinguishable
from those of the others.
743b. GRINDA'S BusH-TiT. Psaltriparus minimus grindce.
Range. Southern Lower California.
The nesting habits of this variety,
which is very similar to the last, do
not vary in any respect; eggs indistinguishable.

744. LEAD-COLORED BUSH-TIT.


Psaltriparus plumbeus.
Range. Rocky Mountain region
from Wyoming south to Arizona.
This species suspends its semi-pensile nests in bushes or trees, and some
times from the mistletoe, which grows
on numerous trees in southern Arizona. The nests are composed like
those of the Cal. Bush-Tit and range
from 6 to 10 inches in length. The
eggs are white, five or six in number
and measure .55 x .42.
745. LLOYD'S BUSH-TIT. Psaltri-

parus melanotis lloydi.


Range. Northern Mexico north into
western Texas and New Mexico.
This species is similar to the leadcolored Bush-Tit but has the ear coverts glossy black. Like the others, it
builds a long pensile nest of similar
material and suspended from .the
extremities of limbs near the ground
The five to seven eggs are pure white.
Size .58 x .42.

E. L. Bickford
BUSH-TIT AND NEST

438

PERCHING BIRDS

746. VERDIN. Auriparus ftaviceps ftaviceps

Range. Mexican border of the United States,


north to Colorado and Nevada.
This Bush-Tit has a bright yellow head and
throat, the upper parts being gray and the
belly, white. They are abundant in chaparral
brush, locally throughout their
range. Their large globular
nests are situated in bushes at
low elevations from the ground,
and are made of twigs and
( , weeds, softly lined with fur and
feathers. Their three to six eggs
are pale greenish blue, specked and dotted
with reddish brown. Size .58 x .44. Data.
Brownsville, Texas, May 8, 1894. Large nest
of sticks and thorns, lined with hair and
feathers, and located in a bush in brush thicket,
8 feet from the ground.

Verdin

746'a. CAPE VERDIN. Auriparus ftaviceps lamprocephalus.


Range. Lower California.
This new sub-species is said to have shorter wings and tail, and also to be
brighter yellow on the head. Its habits and eggs will not differ from those of
the common Verdin or Yellow-headed Bush-Tit.

747.

WARBLERS, KINGLETS and GNATCATCHERS.


Family SYLVIID/C
KENNICOTT'S WILLOW WARBLER. Acanthopneuste borealis.

Range. Asia, casually found in Alaska.


This species breeds in the extreme northern parts of Asia, and
I believe its eggs have never been found on this continent. They
build their nests of moss and grasses, on the ground in open
woods, concealing them under tufts of grass or tussocks of earth.
The three to five eggs are white, spotted with pale reddish brown.
Size .70 x .50.
748. GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus satrapa satrapa.
Range. North America, breeding from northern United States northward,
and south in the Rockies to Mexico, and in the Alleghanies to the Carolinas;
winters throughout the United States.
This rugged little fellow appears to be perfectly content in our
northern states even during the most severe winters and leaves
us early in the spring for his breeding grounds farther north.
They are usually found in company with Chickadees and, like
them, may be seen hanging to twigs in all sorts of positions as
Grav thev search for their meagre fare. Their nests are large, round
structures of green moss, bark strips and fine rootlets, very
thickly lined with soft feathers; these are placed in forks or partially suspend
ed
among the branches of spruce trees, usually high above the ground. During
June they lay from five to ten eggs of a dull whitish or grayish color, spotted

heavily with pale brown and lilac. Size .55 x .42,

THE BIRD BOOK

748a. WESTERN GOLDEN-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulas satrapa olivaceus.


Range. Pacific coast from southern California to Alaska.
This variety is said to be brighter colored
than the last; its habits and eggs are the same
in all particulars.
749. RUBY-CROWNED KINGLET. Regulus
calendula calendula.
Range North America, breeding from the northern border of
the United States northward,
and farther south in mountain
ranges; winters in southern
United States.
This little bird is of the size
of the Golden-crowned Kinglet
long) and has a partially concealed patch of
red on the crown, not bordered by black and
yellow as is the last species. Their nests are
similar in construction to those of the last species and are situated in conifer
ous
trees at any altitude from the ground. Their four to nine eggs are creamy
white, finely specked with reddish brown. Size .56 x .44.

White
(4.25 inches

Golden-crowned Kinglets

C. A. Smith
NEST AND EGGS OF BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER
440

PERCHING BIRDS

74&lt;9a. SITKA KINGLET. Regulas calendula


grinnelli.
Range. Pacific coast, breeding in Alaska.
Said to be brighter than the preceding va
riety.
749b. DUSKY KINGLET. Regulus calendula
obscurus.
Range. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.
This species nests during March in the large
cypress and pine groves at high elevations
above the ground. The nests are similar in
construction to those of the common Rubycrown, and the eggs are scarcely different from
some specimens of that species; white, dotted
and wreathed with reddish brown. Size .56
x .43.
751. BLUE-GRAY GNATCATCHER.
Polioptila ccerulea ccerulea.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Range. United States, east of the Rockies, breeding from the Gulf to the
Middle and Central States; casually north to Massachusetts and Minnesota.
These graceful birds are bluish gray above with a black forehead and central
tail feathers, and white underparts. They are common in wooded districts in
the south, where they saddle their beautiful nests upon horizontal branches or
in crotches usually at quite an elevation from the ground; they
resemble large Ruby-throated Hummers' nests but the walls are jfr V-V-.
much higher and thicker; they are made of plant fibres and ^f%T
down, lined with cottony substances and hair, and covered on tt^'-v'-., ',
the outside with lichens to match the limb upon which it is

Bluish white

placed. Their eggs are bluish white, specked with reddish chestnut. Size .58 x .45. Data. Chattanooga, Tenn., April 30, 1900.
Nest of moss, covered with lichens and lined with hair and feathers; 20 feet
from the ground in a small tree.

75 la. WESTERN GNATCATCHER. Polioptila ccerulea obscura.


Range. Western United States and Lower California.
The habits and eggs of this sub-species are the same as those of the eastern
bird, and the nests do not differ except, perhaps, in less ornamentation of the
exterior.

752. PLUMBEOUS GNATCATCHER. Polioptila plumbea.


Range. Mexican boundary from western Texas to southern California.
This species has a bright shining black crown and more black
on the tail than the eastern Gnatcatcher. They saddle their
nests upon the branches of trees or in upright forks, usually at an
elevation of ten feet or more from the ground; the nests are
made of plant fibres and fine bark strips, compactly felted toGreenish blue gether, and with little, if any, ornamental lichens on the exterio
r.
Their eggs are pale greenish blue, spotted with reddish brown, and vary from
three to five in number. Size .54 x .44.

441

THE BIRD BOOK

753. BLACK-TAILED GNATCATCHER.


optila calif ornica.

Poli-

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

Range. Pacific coast of southern California


and northern Lower California.
This bird is very similar to the last but has
still less white on the outer tail feathers. Like
the last, the nests of this species usually lack the exterior
covering of lichens, being made
of vegetable fibres and plant

down, firmly quilted together and


saddled on horizontal limbs or
placed in forks of trees at any Grayish whlte
height from the ground. Their eggs are grayish
white, specked with bright reddish brown.
Size .55 x .44. Data. Escondido, Cal., May 17,
1903. 5 eggs. Nest on a large limb of a sycamore, 30 feet above ground; made of weed
fibres, etc., lined with hair and fine fibres.

THRUSHES, SOLITAIRES, BLUEBIRDS, ETC. Family TURDIDAE


754. TOWNSEND'S SOLITAIRE. Myadestes townsendi.
Range. Western United States, breeding from Arizona, New Mexico and
southern California north to British Columbia.
This unique species is of a uniform brownish gray color, with a white eye
ring, narrow bar on wing, and outer tail feathers, and
with the bases of the primaries rusty colored. It is a
ground inhabiting bird, feeding upon insects and berries
in shrubbery and thickets. Their song is said to be liquid,
melodious and often long continued, equalling that of any
other bird. They nest on the ground in hollows under
banks or crevices about roots of trees or fallen stumps,
making a large, loosely constructed pile of weeds and
trash, hollowed and lined with rootlets. The three or
four eggs, which are laid in June, are grayish white,
spotted with pale brown, chiefly or most abundantly about the large end. Size
.96 x .70.

Grayish white

755. WOOD THRUSH. Hylocichla mustelina.


Range. Eastern United States, breeding from North Carolina and Kansas
north to northern United States; winters south of our borders.
This Thrush with his brightly spotted breast is the most handsome of this
group of musical birds. They are common in damp woods
and thickets, in which places they breed, placing their
nests of straw, leaves and grasses in low trees usually between four and ten feet from the ground; their nests are
often very rustic, being ornamented by pieces of paper
and twigs with dead leaves attached handing from the
sides of the quite bulky structures. During May or June
they lay three or four greenish blue eggs of about the
shade of a Robin's. Size 1.05 x .70.

Greenish blue

442

PERCHING BIRDS

756. VEERY. Hylocichla fuscescens


fuscescens.
Range. Eastern North America, breeding in
the northern half of its United States range
and in the southern British Provinces.
The Veery is very abundantly distributed in
woodland, either moist or dry, and nests on
the ground or within a very few inches of it,
usually placing its structures of woven bark
strips and grasses, in the midst of a clump 01'
sprouts or ferns. The three or four eggs which
they lay in May or June are bluish green, much
darker than those of the Wood Thrush, and
nearly the color of those of the Catbird. Size
.90 x .65.
756a. WILLOW THRUSH. Hylocichla fuscescens salicicola.
Range. Rocky Mountain region, north tQ
British Columbia. V *
The nests and eggs of this similar bird dp
not differ from those of the last.

Wood Thrusl

757. GRAY-CHEEKED THRUSH. Hylocichla alicice alicice. ,,


Range. Breeds from Labrador to Alaska; winters south to Central America.
The nesting habits and eggs of this species are very similar to those of the
following sub-species and the same description will answer for both.

757. BICKNELL'S THRUSH. Hylocichla alicice bicknelli.

Range.--Breeds in the Catskills, White Mountatins and Nova Scotia.


These birds, which are practically identical
with the preceding, build their nests at low
elevations in trees, usually evergreens when
present, making them of twigs, moss and rootlets, lined with fine grasses.
The eggs, which are laid during May or June, are pale
greenish blue, spotted and
blotched with pale brown or
russet. Size .88 x .64. Data.
Seal Island, Nova Scotia,
June 3, 1901. Nest of green Greenish blue
moss and rootlets, in a spruce, 5 feet from the
ground.
758. RUSSET-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla
ustulata ustulata.
Range. Pacific coast, breeding in Oregon
and Alaska; winters in Central America.
This species is very abundant in moist
thickets throughout its range, nesting in bushes
Wilson's Thrush and low trees, and making them of weed
443

WOOD TH

PERCHING BIRDS

stalks, bark strips, grasses and moss, lined


with fine black rootlets. They are found ar
elevations of from two to ten feet above the
ground. Like the Wood Thrush the birds are
tame while sitting on the nest and will allow a
very close approach, without taking alarm;
nests are frequently found which are made almost entirely out of green
moss and are very handsome
structures. Their three to
five eggs are laid in May or
June; they are greenish blue,
spotted with brown of varying shades. Size .92 x .65.
Data. Eureka, California, Greenish blue
July 6, 1899. Nest in a fir tree, 5 feet from the
ground; made of moss and strips of redwood

bark. 4 eggs.

758a. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla


srvainsoni.
Gray -cheeked Thrush
Range.-Eastern North America, breeding Olive-backed Thrush
chiefly north of the United States, but. locally in the northern parts, and abun
dantly in mountain ranges.
The nesting habits and eggs of this eastern representative of the last species
are like those of that bird in all respects and the eggs cannot be distinguished
from those of ustulatus.

758b. OLIVE-BACKED THRUSH. Hylocichla cedica


Range. California and southern Oregon.
Nesting habits and eggs identical with those of ustulatus.

759. ALASKA HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla guttata guttata.


Range. Pacific coast from British Columbia to
The Hermit Thrushes can readily be identified
brown tail which is in marked contract to the
habits and eggs of this species are precisely
Thrush, which is a sub-species of this.

Alaska. Winters in Mexico.


from any other by the reddish
color of the back. The nesting
like those of the eastern Hermit

75Qa. AUDUBON'S HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla guttata auduboni.


Range. Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Winters in Central
America.
The nesting habits of this bird are like those of the next except that it more
frequently nests in bushes above the ground. The eggs are not distinctive.

THE BIRD BOOK

75pb. HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla guttata


pallasi.

Range. Eastern North America, breeding in


northern United States and north to Labrador;
winters in southern United States.
This species, which is noted for its weet and
musical song, frequents damp swamps and
thickets where it builds its nest either on the
ground or near it, like that of the Wilson
Thrush; it is made of shreds
of bark, grasses, leaves and
rootlets, lined with fine rootlets; the three or four eggs,
which are deposited in May
or June, are bluish green and
cannot, with certainty, be
distinguished from those of
the Veery; size .85 x .65.

Bluish green

759c. DWARF HERMIT THRUSH. Hylocichla


Hermit Thrush gut tat a nanus.
Range. Pacific coast of United States, from Washington, southward.
The nesting habits and eggs of this slightly smaller and duller colored variety
are like those of the other Hermit Thrushes.

[760.] RED-WINGED THRUSH. Turdus musicus.


Range. An Old World species, accidentally straying to Greenland.
This common European bird nests at low elevations in bushes or trees, laying
four or five bluish green eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size 1.05 x .75.
761. ROBIN. Planesticus migratorius
migratorius.
Range. North America east of the Rockies,
breeding from the middle portions of the United
States, north to the Arctic Ocean.
These common birds nest in trees about
houses, in orchards, open woods, in corners of
fences, on blinds on houses, and in fact almost every conceivable
^^ ^\ position. Their nests
jf ^k are made of grasses,

m& 2 firmly cemented togethmj er with mud and lined


f with finer grasses;
N^H when placed in trees
they are generally firmGreenish blue ly saddled in crotches
and may be found at any height, from on the
ground to sixty feet above it. Their eggs are
greenish blue; size 1.15 x .80. Eggs may be
found at any time from May until July or
August as they raise several broods a season. American Robin

446

PERCHING BIRDS
76 Ib. SOUTHERN ROBIN. Planesticus migratorius achrusterus.
Range. The Carolinas and Georgia.
The eggs of this bird, which is said to be smaller and duller colored than the
northern variety, show no differences in any respect.
76*2. SAN LUCAS ROBIN. Planesticus confinis.
Range. Southern Lower California.
This is a very much paler form of the American Robin; its eggs probably
will not differ from those of the others.

J. B. Pardoe
NEST AND EGGS OP ROBlN

441

THE BIRD BOOK

Wheatear

763. VARIED THRUSH. Ixoreus ncevius


ncevius.
Range. Pacific coast from northern California to Alaska; south to Mexico in winter.
These handsome birds breed abundantly in
Alaska and locally in mountain ranges south
to northern California. They nest at low elevations in trees, making
them of moss, twigs,
weeds and grasses,
forming a flat shallow
structure. Their eggs
are greenish blue sharply but sparingly spotted
with dark brown; size
1.12 x .80. Data. Delta Greenish blue
of Kowak River, Alaska, June 11, 1899. Four
eggs. Nest 12 feet from the ground, against
the trunk of a slender spruce and supported
by a clump of stiff twigs.

763a. NORTHERN VARIED THRUSH. Ixoreus ncevius meruloides.


Range. Interior of western North America, breeding from British Columbia
to Alaska. Its habits and eggs do not differ from those of the last.
[764]. SIBERIAN RED-SPOTTED BLUETHROAT. Cyanosy I via suecica
robusta.
Range. Northern Asia; casually to Alaska.
This beautiful foreigner nests on the ground and lays four to six greenish blue
eggs, spotted with reddish brown; size .75 x .50.
765. WHEATEAR. Saxicola cenanthe cenanthe.
Range. Asia; casual in Alaska in summer; nesting habits and eggs like the
next.

765a. GREENLAND WHEATEAR. Saxicola


cenanthe leucorhoa.
Range. Europe and Greenland ; casual on the Atlantic coast
of North America.
This very abundant Old World species is a common breeding bird in Greenland and probably also in Labrador. They j
nest in crevices of quarries, holes in the ground, or stone
walls, making a rude nest of weeds, moss or^ grasses, lined

with hair or feathers, and during May lay from four to six . .
pale greenish blue eggs; size .90 x .60.
448

BLUEBIRD

THE BIRD BOOK

766. BLUEBIRD. Sialia sialis sialis.


Range. Eastern United States, breeding from the Gulf to southern Canada.
Winters in the southern half of the United States.
These familiar birds build in cavities in trees,
usually below 20 feet from the ground, crevices among ledges, bird boxes and in any suitable nook they may discover about buildings,
providing that English Sparrows do not molest
them. They raise several
broods a year, commencing in
W April when they lay from
three to six pale bluish white
eggs (rarely pure white) ;
size .80 x .60. The cavities
of their nesting sites are lined
Bluish white with grasses and feathers
usually, although I have found the eggs on
the unlined bottom of cavities in trees.

766a. AZURE BLUEBIRD. Sialia sialis


fulva.
Range. This pale variety is found in southern Arizona and southward.
Its nesting habits are the same and the eggs
are indistinguishable from the last.

Bluebird

767. WESTERN BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexicana occidentalis.


Range. Pacific coast from Lower California to British Columbia.

The Western Bluebird is as common and familiar in its range as the common
Bluebird is in the east. It nests in similar locations and its eggs are scarcely
distinguishable, although averaging a trifle darker in shade; size .80 x .60.
767a. CHESTNUT-BACKED BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexicana bairdi.
Range. Rocky Mountain region from Mexico to Wyoming.
The nesting habits or eggs of this brighter colored bird do not differ from
those of the last species.

767b. SAN PEDRO BLUEBIRD. Sialia mexicana anabelce.


Range. San Pedro Martir Mountains in Lower California.
The eggs of this variety will not in all probability be any different from those
of the preceding Bluebirds.
768. MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD. Sialia currucoides.
Range. Rocky Mountatin region, breeding from New Mexico north to Great
Slave Lake; winters in southwestern United States and Mexico.
This azure blue species is common in the greater part of its range and is found
west to the Sierra Nevadas in California. Like the eastern Bluebird they nest
in holes in trees or anywhere that they can find a suitable cavity or crevice.
Their eggs are slightly larger than those of the other Bluebirds and have a
slight_.greenish tint; size .85 x .64.
450

INDEX

Acanthis hornemanni 328


exilipes 328
linaria 329
" holboeli 329
rostrata 329
Acanthopneuste borealis 430
Accipiter cooperi 205
velox 204
Actitis macularia 158
^Echmophorus occidentalis 11

^egialitis dubia 166


hiaticula 166
meloda 166
mongola 167
nivosa 167
semipalmata 165
Aeronautes melanoleucus 270
^Estrelata fisheri 67
hasitata 67
scalaris 67
Aethia cristatella 25
pygmaea 25
pusilla 26
Agelaius gubernator californicus . . 317
phoeniceus 316
bryanti 316
caurinus 316
" floridanus 316
fortis 316
neutralis 316
sonoriensis 316
tricolor 317
Aimophila carpalis 353
ruficeps 353
eremceca 353
scotti 353
sororia 353
Aix sponsa 95
Ajaja ajaja 115
Alauda arvensis 297

Alaudidae 297
Albatross, Black-footed 59
Laysan 60
Short-tailed 59
Sooty 60
Yellow-nosed 60
Alca torda 31
Alcedinidae 247
Alcidae 21
Alle alle 34
Aluconidae 227
Alucopratincola 227

Amzilis cerviniventris chalconota. 279


tzacatl 278
Ammodramus bairdi 338
savannarum australis 338
bimaculatus 338
floridanus 340
Amphispiza belli 351
nevadensis cinerea 252
nevadensis 352
bilineata bilineata 351
deserticola 351
Anas platyrhynchos 88
fulvigula fulvigula 90
maculosa 91
rubripes 90
Anatidae 87
Anhinga 77

anhinga 77
Anhingidae 77
Ani 241
Grove-billed 243
Anous stolidus 57
Anser albif rons albifrons 108
gambeli 108
fabalis 108
Anseres 87
Anthus cervinus 419
pratensis 418
rubescens 418
spraguei 419
Antrostomus carolinensis 263
vociferus vocif erus 263
" macromystax 264
Aphelocoma californica californica 307
Aphelocoma californica hypoleuca 307
obscura . 307
cyanea 306
cyanotis 307
insularis 307
sieberi arizonae 307
couchi 308
texana 307
woodhousei 306
Aphriza virgata 169
Aphrizidae 169
Aquila chrysaetos 215
Aramidae 129

Aramus vociferus 129


Archibuteo ferrugineus 215
lagopus sancti-johannis 214
Archilochus alexandri 273
colubris 273

451

INDEX

Arctonetta fischeri 102


Ardea cinerea 122
herodias 121
fannini 121
wardi 122
occidentalis 121
Ardeidse 119
Arenaria interpres interpres 169
melanocephala 170
morinella 169
Arquatella maritima couesi 146
ptilocnemis 147
maritima maritima 146
Arremonops rufivirgatus 357
Asio accipitrinus 229
" flammeus 229
" wilsonianus 227
Astragalinus lawrencei 331
psaltria psaltria 331
tristis tristis 329

pallidus 331
" salicamans 331
Astur atricapillus atricapillus 205
striatulus 207
Asturina plagiata 214
Asyndesmus lewisi 257
Atthis morcomi 278
Auk, Great 33-32
Razor-billed 31
Auklet, Cassin's 24
Crested 26
Least 27
Paroquet 26
Rhinoceros 23
Whiskered 26
Auriparus flaviceps flaviceps 439
" lamprocephalus 439
Avocet 139
Baeolophus atricristatus atricristatus 433
bicolor 433
inornatus inornatus 434
" cineraceus 434
" griseus 434
wollweberi 434
Baldpate 92
Bartramia longicauda 156
Basilinna leucotis 279
xantusi 279
Becard, Xantus's 280

Bittern 119
Cory's Least 120
Least 120
Blackbird, Bicolored 317
Brewer's 322
Red-winged 316
Rusty 322

Tricolored 317
Yellow-headed 315
Bluebird 448
Azure 448
Chestnut-backed 450
Mountain 450
San Pedro 450
Western 450
Bluethroat Siberian Red-spotted . . 448
Bobolink 314
Bob-white 175
Florida 175
Masked 175
Texan 175
Bombycilla cedrorum 375
garrula 375
Bombycillidse 375
Bonasa umbellus umbellus 180
sabini 182
togata 182
umbelloides ... 182
Booby 75

Blue-faced 74
Blue-footed 74
Brewster's 75
Red-footed 75
Botaurus lentiginosus t 119
Brachyramphus brevirostris 27
craveri's 28
hypoleucus 27
marmoratus 27
Brant Ill
Black Ill
Branta bernicla glaucogastra Ill
canadensis canadensis 109
hutchinsi 109
minima 109
occidentalis 109
leucopsis 112
Branta nigricans Ill
Bubo virginianus virginianus 235
elachistus 237
pacificus 235
pallescens 235
" saturatus 235
subarticus 235
Budytes flavus alascensis 418
Buffle-head 100
Bullfinch, Cassin's 325
Bulweria bulweri 67
Bunting, Beautiful 367
Indigo 366

Lark 369
Lazuli 366
McKay's Snow 333
Painted 367
Pribilof Snow 332

452

INDEX

Snow 332
Varied 367
Bush-Tit 437
California 438
Grinda's 438
Lead-colored 438
Lloyd's 438
Buteo abbreviatus 211
albicaudatus sennetti 212
borealis borealis 208
calurus 20
harlani 20?
krideri 208
brachyurus 213
lineatus lineatus 209
alleni 209
elegans 211
platypterus 213
swainsoni 212
Buteonidae 201

Butorides virescens virescens. . . . 124


" anthonyi .... 125
frazari 125
Buzzard, Turkey 199
Calamospiza melanocorys 369
Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus.. 333
alascensis . . 333
ornatus 334
pictus 334
Calidris leucophaea 151
Callichelidon cyaneoviridis 374
Callothrus robustus
Callipepla squamata squamata. . . . 176
" castanogastris 177
Calothorax lucifer 278
Calypte anna 275
costae 275
Campephilus principalis 249
labradorius 101
Camptostoma imberbe 296
Canachites canadensis canadensis 179
canace . . . 179
osgoodi . . 179
franklini 180
Canvas-back 97
Caprimulgidse 263
Caracara, Audubon 224
Guadalupe 224
Cardellina rubrifrons 417
Cardinal 363
Arizona 363
Florida 364

Gray-tailed 364
San Lucas 363
Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis . . . 363
canicaudus 364
floridanus , . 364

Cardinalis igneus 363


" superbus 363
Carpodacus amplus 326
cassini 326
mcgregori 326
mexicanus dementis 326
frontalis 326
ruberrimus 326
purpureus purpureus 325
californicus 325
Casarca ferruginea 93
Catbird 420
Catharista urubu 199
Cathartes aura septentrionalis 199
Cathartidae 198
Catherpes mexicanus albif rons . . . 424
conspersus. 425
punctulatus 425
Catoptrophorus semipalmatus semipalmatus 155
semipalmatus inornatus ...... 156
Centrocercus urophasianus 188
Centurus aurifrons 258
carolinus 257
uropygialis 258
Cepphus columba 29

grylle 28
mandti 29
Cerorhinca monocerata 23
Certhia familiaris albescens 430
americana .... 430
montana 430
Certhia familiaris occidentalis . . . 430
zelotes 430
Certhiidse 430
Ceryle alcyon 247
americana septentrionalis.... 249
torquata 247
Chachalaca 191
Chsemepelia passerina terrestris. 195
pallescens. 195
" bermudiana 195
Chaetura pelagica 269
vauxi 270
Chamaea fasciata fasciata 437
henshawi 437
Chamaethlypis poliocephala 413
Charadriidae 161
Charadrius apricarius 163
dominicus dominicus 163
fulvus 163
Charitonetta albeola 100
Chat, Long-tailed 413
Yellow-breasted 413
Chaulelasmus streperus 91
Chen caerulescens 107

hyperboreus hyperboreus 107

453

2!)

INDEX

Chen hyperboreus Nivalis 107


rossi 108
Chewink 358
Chickadee 434
Acadian 436
Alaska 436
Barlow's 437
California 437
Carolina 435
Chestnut-backed 437
Hudsonian 436
Long-tailed 435
Mexican 435
Mountain 435
Oregon 435
Plumbeous '. 435
( hcndestes grammacus grammacus 342
strigatus 342
Chbrdeiles acutipennis texensis . . 268
virginianus virginianus 266
" chapmani 266
henryi 266

sennetti 268
Chuck-will's widow 263
Ciconiidae 118
Cinclidae 419
Cinclus mexicanus unicolor. . . . . . 419
Circus hudsonius 204
Cistothorus stellaris 428
Clangula clangula americana 99
islandica 99
Coccyges 241
Coccyzus americanus americanus 244
occidentalis 246
erythrophthalmus 246
Ccereba bahamensis 385
Ccerebidae 385
minor minor 244
" maynardi 244
Colaptes auratus auratus 258
luteus 259
cafer collaris 259
Colaptes cafer. saturatior 259
chrysoides 262
rufipileus 262
Colinus ridgwayi 175
virginianus 175
floridanus 175
texanus 175
Columba fasciata fasciata 192
vioscae 192
flavirostris 192

leucocephala 192
squamosa 192
Columba 192
Columba- 192
Columbidae 192

Colymbidse 11
Colymbus auritus 13
dominicus brachypterus 15
holbcelli 11
nigricollis californicus 13
Compsothlypis americana americana 390
americana usnese 390
nigrilora 391
Conuropsis carolinensis 241
Coot 136
European 136
Cormorant 79
Baird's 82
Brandt's 82
Double-crested 79
Farallon 81
Florida 81
Mexican 81
Pelagic 82
Red-faced 82
Violet-green 82
White-crested 81
Corvidse 300
Corvus brachyrhynchos brachy-

rhynchos 312
brachyrhynchos pascuus 312
corax principalis 311
" sinuatus 311
cryptoleucus 311
ossifragus 312
Cotingidae 280
Cowbird 314
Dwarf 315
Red-eyed 315
Cracidse 191
Crake, Corn 135
Spotted 133
Crane, Little Brown 127
Sandhill 129
Whooping 127
Creciscus jamaicensis 134
coturniculus 134
Creeper, Brown 430
California 430
Mexican 430
Rocky Mountain 430
Sierra 430
Crex Crex 135
Crossbill 327
Mexican 327
White-winged 327
Crotophaga ani 241
sulcirostris 243
Crow 312

Carrion 199
Fish 312

454

INDEX

Florida 312
Cryptoglaux funerea richardsoni . . 232
acadica acadica 232
scotaea , 232
Cuckoo, Black-billed 246
California 246
Kamchatka 246
Mangrove 244
Maynard's 244
Yellow-billed 244
Cuculidae 241
Cuculus canorus telephonus 246
Curlew, Bristle-thighed 160
Eskimo 160
Hudsonian 159
Long-billed 159
Cyanocephalus cyanocephalus . . . . 313
Cyanolsemus clemencise 271
Cyanocitta cristata cristata 303
florincola 303
stelleri stelleri 303
" annectens 306
carlottae 306

diademata 303
frontalis 303
Cyanosylvia suecica robusta 448
Cyanthus latirostris 279
Cypseloides niger borealis 268
Cyrtonyx montezumse mearnsi... 178
Daflla acuta 94
Daption capense 67
Darters 77
Dendragapus obscurus obscurus.. 178
fuliginosus 178
richardsoni 179
Dendrocygna autumnalis 113
bicolor 113
Dendroica aestiva aestiva 392
rubiginosa 392
sonorana 292
auduboni auduboni 395
nigrifrons 395
bryanti castaneiceps 394
castanea 398
caerulea 396
caerulescens caerulescens 394
cairnsi 394
chrysoparia 402
coronata 395
discolor 407
dominica albilora 401
dominica dominica 401
fusca 399

gracise 401
kirtlandi 404
magnolia 396
nigrescens 402

occidentalis 404
palmarum palmarum 405
hypochrysea 405
pensylvanica 398
striata 399
tigrina 391
townsendi 403
vigorsi 405
virens 403
Dichromanassa rufescens 123
Dickcissel 368
DIomedea albatrus 59
immutabilis 60
nigripes 59
Diomedeidae 59
Dipper 419
Dolichonyx oryzivorus 314
Dotterel 161
Dove, Bermuda Ground 195
Blue-headed Quail 196
Ground 195
Inca 196
Key West Quail 196
Mexican Ground 195
Mourning 193

Ruddy Quail 196


White-fronted 195
White-winged 195
Zenaida 194
Dovekie 34
Dowitcher 144
Long-billed 145
Dryobates arizonse 252
borealis 252
nuttalli 252
pubescens pubescens 251
gairdneri 251
homorus 251
medianus 251
" nelsoni 251
turati 251
scalaris bairdi 252
lucasanus 252
villosus villosus 250
auduboni 250
harrisi 250
hyloscopus 250
leucomelas 250
monticola 250
picoideus 250
Duck, Black 90
Florida 90
Harlequin 101
Labrador 101
Lesser Scaup 98

Masked 106
Mottled 91

455

INDEX

Ring-necked , 98
Ruddy 166
Rufous-crested 95
Scaup 97
Wood 95
Dumetella carolinensis 420
Dunlin 149
Eagle, Bald 217
Golden 215
Gray Sea 217
Northern .Bald 217
Ectopistes migratorius 193
Egret 122
Reddish 123
Snowy 122
Egretta candidissima candidissima 122
Eider 103
King 104
Northern 102
Pacific 103
Spectacled 102
Steller's 102
Elanoides forficatus 201

Elanus leucurus 201


Empidonax difficilis cineritius 294
difficilis difficilis 293
flaviventris 293
fulvifrons pygmaeus 296
griseus 296
hammondi 295
minimus 295
trailli trailli 294
alnorum 295
virescens 294
wrighti 295
Ereunetes mauri 151
pusillus 150
Erismatura jamaicensis 10G
Erolia ferruginea 149
Eudromias morinellus 161
Eugenes fulgens 271
Euphagus carolinus 322
cyanocephalus 322
Eurynorhynchus pygmeus . . 150
Palco aesalon 221
columbarius columbarius .... 220
suckleyi 220
fusco-cserulescens 221
islandus 218
mexicanus 219
peregrinus anatum 220
pealei 220
" peregrinus 219

richardsoni 220
rusticolus rusticolus 218
gyrfalco 218
" obsoletus . . 219

sparverius sparverius 222


peninsularis 222
phalcena 221
sparveroides 222
tinnunculus 221
Falcon Aplomado 221
Peale's 220
Peregrine 219
Prairie 219
Finch, Aleutian Rosy 327
Black Rosy 328
Brown-capped Rosy 328
California Purple 325
Cassin's Purple 326
Gray-crowned Rosy 328
Guadalupe House 326
Hepburn's Rosy 328
House 32o
McGregor's House 326
Purple 325
San Clemente House 326
San Lucas House 326
Flamingo 115
Flicker 258
Gilded 262

Guadalupe 262
Northern 259
Northwestern 259
Red-shafted 259
Florida Ccerulea 124
Flycatcher, Acadian 294
Alder 295
Arizona Crested 286
Ash-throated 286
Beardless 296
Buff -breasted 296
Coues's 291
Crested 285
Derby 284
Fork-tailed 280
Gray 296
Hammond's 295
Least 295
Lower California 287
Flycatcher, Mexican Crested. 286
Olivaceous 287
Olive-sided 290
San Lucas 294
Scissor-tailed 281
Sulphur-bellied 285
Traill's 294
Vermilion 296
Western 293
Wright's 295
Yellow-bellied 293

Fratercula arctica arctica 22


" naumanni 23

456

INDEX

corniculata 23
Fregata aquila 86
Fregatidae 86
Fregetta grallaria 71
Frigate Bird 86
Fringillidae 324
Fulica americana 136
atra 136
Fulmar 62
Giant 62
Pacific 63
Rodgers's 63
Slender-billed 63
Fulmarus glacialis glacialis 62
" glupischa 63
rodgersi 63
Gadwall 91
Gallinae 175
Gallinago delicata 143
gallinago 140
meda 143
Gallinula galeata 136
Gallinule, Florida 136

Purple 135
Gannet 76
Gavia adamsi 18
arctica 18
immer 18
stellata 19
pacifica 19
Gaviidae 17
Gelochelidon nilotica 50
Geococcyx californianus 243
beldingi 413
trichas arizela 412
" trichas 412
" arizela 412
" ignota 412
occidentalis 412
" sinousa 412
Geotrygon chrysia 196
montana 196
Glaucidium gnoma calif ornicum .. 239
" gnoma 239
hoskinsi 239
phalaenoides 240
Glottis nebularia 152
Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed 442
Blue-gray 441
Plumbeous 441
Western 441
Godwit, Black-tailed 152
Hudsonian 152

Marbled 151
Pacific 152
Golden-eye 99
Barrow's 99

Goldfinch 329
Arkansas 331
Black-headed 331
Lawrence's 331
Pale 331
Willow 331
Goose, American White-fronted. . . 108
Barnacle 112
Bean 108
Blue 107
Canada 109
Cackling 109
Emperor 112
Greater Snow 107
Hutchins's 109
Ross's 108
Snow 107
White-cheeked 109
White-fronted 108
Goshawk 205
Mexican 214
Western 207
Grackle, Boat-tailed 323
Bronzed 323
Florida 323

Great-tailed 324
Purple 323
Grassquit 368
Melodious : . 368
Grebe, Eared 13
Holbcell's 14-11
Horned 12-13
Least 15
Pied-billed 16-15
Mexican 15
Western 11
Greenshank 152
Grosbeak, Alaska Pine 325
Black-headed 365
Blue 366
California Pine 325
Evening 324
Kadiak Pine 325
Pine 324
Rocky Mountain Pine 325
Rose-breasted 365
Western Blue 366
Western Evening 324
Grouse
Canada Ruffed 182
Columbian Sharp-tailed 187
Dusky 178
Franklin's 180
Gray Ruffed 182
Oregon Ruffed 182

Prairie Sharp-tailed 187


Richardson's 179

457

INDEX

Ruffed 180
Sharp-tailed 187
Sooty 178
Gruidae 127
Grus americana 127
canadensis 127
mexicana 129
Guara alba 117
rubra 117
Guillemot, Black 28
Mandt 29
Pigeon 29
Guiraca caerulea 366
lazula 366
Gull, Bonaparte's 48
California 45
Franklin's 48
Glaucous 40
Glaucous-winged 42
Great Black-backed 43
Heerman's 46
Herring 44
Iceland 41

Ivory 39
Kittiwake 39
Kumlien 42
Laughing *t
Little 49
Mew 46
Nelson 42
Pacific Kittiwake 40
Point Barrow 41
Red-legged Kittiwake 40
Ring-billed 45
Ross's 49
Sabine's 49
Short-billed 46
Siberian 44
Slaty-backed 43
Vega 45
Western 44
Gymnogyps californianus 198
Gyrfalcon 218
Black 219
Gray 218
White 218
Haematopodidae 170
Haematopus bachmani 171
frazari 171
ostralegus 170
palliatus 170
Haliseetus albicilla 217
leucocephalus leucocephalus . 217

" alascanus . . . 217


Halocyptena, microsoma 68
Harelda hyemalis 100

Hawk, Black Pigeon 220


Broad-winged 213
Cooper's 205
Cuban Sparrow 222
Desert Sparrow 221
Duck 220
Florida Red-shouldered 209
Harlan's 209
Harris's 207
Krider's 208
Marsh 204
Mexican Black 213
Pigeon 220
Red-bellied 211
Red-shouldered 209
Red-tailed 208
Richardson's Pigeon 220
Rough-legged 214
Sennett's White-tailed 212
Sharp-shinned 204
Short-tailed 213
Sparrow 222
San Lucas Sparrow 222
Swainson's 212
Western Red-tail 208
Zone-tailed 211

Heath Hen 186


Heleodytes brunneicapillus affinis 424
couesi. 423
bryanti 424
Helinaia swainsoni 386
Helmitheros vermivorus 386
Helodromas ochropus 155
solitarius solitarius 154
" cinnamomeus 155
Herodias egretta 122
Herodiones 115
Heron, Anthony's Green 125
Black-crowned Night 126
European 122
Frazar's Green 125
Great Blue 121
Great White 121
Green 124
Little Blue 124
Louisiana 123
Northwestern Coast 121
Snowy 122
Ward's 122
Yellow-crowned Night 126
Heteractitis incanus 156
Hesperiphona vespertina vespertina 324
vespertina montana 324
Himantopus mexicanus 139
Hirundinidae 372

Hirundo erythrogastra 373

458

INDEX

Histrionicus histrionicus
Honey Creeper, Bahama
Hummingbird, Allen's
Anna's
Black-chinned
Blue-throated
Broad-billed
Broad-tailed
Buff-bellied
Calliope
Costa's
Lucifer
Morcom's
Reiffer's
Rivoli's
Ruby-throated
Rufous
White-eared
Xantus's
Hydranassa tricolor ruficollis. . .
Hydrochelidon leucoptera
nigra surinamensis
Hylocichla alicise aliciae
" bicknelli
fuscescens fuscescens

salicicola
guttata auduboni
" guttata
mustelina

nanus
" pallasi
ustulata swainsoni
ustulata
Ibididae
Ibis, Glossy
Scarlet
White
White-faced Glossy
Wood
Icteria virens virens
longicauda
Icteridse
Icterus melanocephalus auduboni,
bullocki
cucullatus nelsoni
sennetti
galbula
parisorum ,
spurius ,
Ictinia mississippiensis
lonornis martinicus
Iridoprocne bicolor
Ixobrychus exilis
neoxenus

Ixoreus naevius meruloides


" nsevius
Jabiru .

101 Jabiru mycteria 119


385 Jacana, Mexican 172
277 spinosa 172
275 Jacanidae 172
273 Jaeger, Long-tailed 37
271 Parastic 37
279 Pomarine 36
276 Jay, Alaska 309
279 Arizona 307
278 Belding's 307
275 Black-headed 306
278 Blue 303
2*&lt;8 Blue-eared 307
278 Blue-fronted 303
271 California 307
273 Canada 308
276 Couch's 308
279 Florida 306
279 Florida Blue 303
123 Gray 311
57 Green 308
56 Labrador 309
443 Long-crested 30^
443 Oregon 309
443 Pinon 313
443 Queen Charlotte . , 306

445 Rocky Mountain 309


445 Santa Cruz 307
442 Steller's 303
446 Texas 307
446 Woodhouse's 306
445 Xantus's 307
443 Junco aikeni 348
117 Arizona 350
118 Baird's 351
117 bairdi 351
117 Carolina 350
118 Guadalupe 351
118 hyemalis hyemalis 349
413 hyemalis carolinensis 350
413 mearnsi 350
314 ' connectens 349
319 montanus 350
322 ' oreganus 349
320 ' pinosus 349
320 ' thurberi 349
321 insularis 351
320 mearnsi
321 Montana 350
202 Oregon 349
135 phaeonotus dorsalis 350
373 " palliatus 350
120 Pink-sided 350
120 Point Pinos 349
448 Red-backed 350
448 Shufeldt's 349

119 Slate-colored 349

459

INDEX

Thurber's 349
Townsend's 350
townsendi's 350
White-winged 348
Kestrel 221
Killdeer 165
Kingbird 281
Arkansas 283
Cassin's 284
Couch's 283
Gray 283
Kingfisher, Belted 247
Ringed 247
Texas 249
Kinglet, Dusky 441
Golden-crowned 439
Ruby-crowned 440
Sitka 441
Western Golden crowned .... 440
Kite, Everglade 202
Mississippi 202
'Swallow-tailed 201
White-tailed 201
Kittiwake 39

Kittiwake, Pacific 40
Red-legged 40
Knot 146
Lagopus evermanni 184
lagopus lagopus 183
alleni 183
leucurus leucurus 185
" peninsularis 185
rupestris 183
atkhensis 184
nelsoni 184
" reinhardi 184
" townsendi 184
welchi 184
Laniidae 376
Lanius borealis 376
ludovicianus ludovicianus 376
anthonyi 376
excubitorides 378
" gambeli 378
Lanivireo flavifrons 382
solitarius alticola 383
cassini 382
lucasanus 383
plumbeus 382
solitarius 382
Lapwing 161
Laridse 38
Lark, California Horned 298
Desert Horned 298

Dusky Horned 299


Horned 297
Hoyt's Horned 299

Island Horned 299


Montezuma Horned 299
Pallid Horned 297
Prairie Horned 298
Ruddy Horned 298
Scorched Horned 298
Sonora Horned 299
Streaked Horned 299
Texan Horned 29*
Larus affinis 44
argentatus 44
atricilla 47
brachyrhynchus 46
californicus 45
canus 46
delawarensis 45
franklini 48
glaucescens 42
hyporboreus 40
heermanni 46
kumlieni 42
leucopterus 41
marinus 43
minutus 49
nelsoni 42
occidentals 44

Philadelphia 48
schistisagus 43
vegse 45
Leptotila fulviventris brachyptera 195
Leucosticte, atrata 328
australis 328
griseonucha 327
tephrocotis tephrocotis 328
littoralis 328
Limicolae 137
Limosa fedoa 151^
hsemastica 152
lapponica baueri 152
limosa 152
Limpkin 129
Lobipes Lobatus 137
Longipennes 35
Longspur, Alaska 333
Chestnut-collared 334
Lapland 333
McCown's 334
Smith's 334
Loon 38-17-20-18
Black-throated 18
Pacific 19
Red-throated 19
Yellow-billed 18
Lophodytes cucullatus 88
Lophortyx californica 177
vallicola... 177

gambeli 177

460

INDEX

Loxia curvirostra minor 327


Strickland! 327
leucoptera 327
Lunda cirrhata 22
Machetes Pugnax 156
Macrochires 262
Macronectes giganteus 62
Macrorhamphus griseus griseus.. 144
" scolopaceus 145
Magpie, Yellow-billed 300
Mallard 88
Man-o'-War Bird 86
Mareca americana 92
penelope 91
Marila affinis 98
americana 95
collaris 98
marila 97
valisineria 97
Martin, Cuban 372
Purple 372
Western 372
Meadowlark 317
Rio Grande 317
southern 319

Western 319
Megalestris skua 36
Megaquiscalus major major 323
" macrourus.. 324
Melanerpes erythrocephalus 256
formicivorus f ormicivorus .... 256
" angustifrons . . . 257
bairdi 257
Meleagridse ' 178
Meleagris gallopavo intermedia.. 191
merriami ... 190
" osceola 191
" silvestris . . . 190
Melopelia asiatica 195
Melospiza melodia caurina 355
" cooperi 355
" clementse .... 355
" fallax 354
" graminea 355
heermanni . . . 354
" insignis 355
juddi 355
" kenaiensis .... 355
" melodia 354
merrilli 355
montana 354
" morphna 354
" pusillula 355
rivularis 355
" rufina 355

" samuelis 354


georgiana 356

lincolni lineolni 356


" striata 356
Merganser 87
Hooded 88
Red-breasted 88
Mergus americanus 87
serrator 88
Merlin 221
Micropalama himantopus 145
Micropallas whitneyi 240
Micropodidae 268
Mimus polyglottos 420
polyglottos 420
leucopterus . . . 420
Mniotilta varia 385
Mniotiltidse 385
Mockingbird 420
Western 420
Molothrus ater ater 314
" obscurus 315
Motacilla alba 418
ocularis 418
Motacillidse 418
Murre 29
Brunnich's 31
California 30
Pallas's 31

Murrelet, Ancient 26
Craveri's 28
Kittlitz 27
Marbled 27
Xantus 27
Muscivora forficata 281
tyrannus 280
Myadestes townsendi 442
Mycteria americana 118
Myiarchus cinerascens cinerascens 286
Myiarchus cinerascens pertinax. . 287
crinitus 285
olivascens 287
magister magister 286
nelsoni 286
Myiochanes pertinax pallidiventris 291
richardsoni richardsoni 293
peninsulas 293
virens 291
Myiodynastes luteiventris 285
Nannus alascensis 428
meliger 428
niemalis helleri 428
niemalis 427
pacificus 428
Netta rufina 95
Nettion carolinense 92
crecca 92
Nighthawk 266

46X

INDEX

Florida 266
Sennett's 268
Texas 268
Western 266
Noddy 57
Nomonyx dominicus 106
Nucifraga columbiana 313
Numenius americanus 159
borealis 160
hudsonicus 159
phseopus 160
tahitiensis 160
Nutcracker, Clark's 313
Nuthatch, Brown-headed 432
Florida White-breasted 431
Pygmy 432
Red-breasted 432
Rocky Mountain 431
Slender-billed 431
San Lucas 431
White-breasted 431
White-naped 433
Nuttallornis borealis 290
Nyctanassa violacea 126
Nyctea nyctea 237

Nycticorax nycticorax naevius .... 126


Nyctidromus albicollis merrilli... 265
Oceanites oceanicus 71
Oceanodroma furcata 68
homochroa 70
ksedingi 69
leucorhoa 69
macrodactyla 69
melania 70
socorrcensis 70
Ochthodromus wilsonius 168
Odontoglossse 115
Odontophoridse 175
Oidemia americana 104
deglandi 105
fusca 105
perspicillata 105
Old-cquaw 100
Olor buccinator 114
columbianus 114
cygnus 114
Oporornis agilis 410
formosus 410
Philadelphia 411
tolmei 411
Oreortyx picta picta 176
" confinis 176
" plumifera 176
Oreospiza chlorura 361
Oriole, Arizona Hooded 320

Audubon's 319
Baltimore . . 321

Bullock's 322
Scott's 320
Sennett's 320
Orchard 321
Oreoscoptes montanus 419
Ortalis vetula mccalli 191
Osprey 225
Octocoris alpestris alpestris 297
actia 298
adusta 299
articola 297
giraudi 298
hoyti 299
insularis .... 299
" leucolaema . . . 298
merrilli 299
occidentalis. . . 299
pallida 299
praticola 298
rubea 298
strigata 299
Otus asio aikeni 234
" asio 233
" bendirei 233
" cineraceus 234
" floridanus 233
" kennicotti 233
" macfarlanei

1 " maxwellise 233


" mccalli 233
flammeolus flammeolus 234
idahoensis 234
Trichopsis 234
Xantusi 234
Ouzel, Water 419
Oven-bird 407
Owl, Aiken's Screech 234
Arctic Horned 235
Barn 227
Barred 229
Burrowing 238
California Pygmy 239
California Screech 233
Dusky Horned 235
Dwarf Horned 237
Dwarf Screech 234
Elf 240
European Hawk 237
Ferruginous Pygmy 240
Flammulated Screech 234
Florida Barred 229
Florida Burrowing 239
" Screech 233
Great Gray 231
Great Horned 235
Hawk 238
Hoskin's Pygmy 239

462

INDEX

Kennicott's Screech 233


Lapp 232
Long-eared 227
MacParlane's Screech 234
Mexican Screech 234
Northern Spotted 231
Northwestern Saw- whet 232
Pacific Horned 235
Pygmy 239
Richardson's 232
Rocky Mountain Screech .... 233
Saw-whet 232
Screech 233
Short-eared 229
Snowy 237
Spotted 237
Screech 234
Texas Barred 231
Texas Screech 233
Western Horned 235
Xantus's Screech 234
Oxyechus vociferus 165
Oyster-catcher 170
European 170
Black 171
Prazar's 171

Pagophila alba 39
Paludicolae 127
Pandion haliaetus carolinensis . . . 225
Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi 207
Parauque, Merrill's 265
Paroquet, Carolina 241
Parrot, Thick-billed 141
Partridge, Alaska Spruce 179
Canada Spruce 179
Hudsonian Spruce 179
Passer domesticus 335
Passerculus beldingi 337
princeps 337
rostratus rostratus 338
guttatus 337
santorum 338
sandwichensis sandwichensis 337
alaudinus 337
bryanti 337
savanna 337
Passerella iliaca fuliginosa 357
" iliaca 357
" insularis 357
megarhyncha . . 357
" schistacea 357
" stephensi 357
" townsendi 357
" unalaschensis. . . 357
Passeres 280
Passerherbulus henslowi henslowi 340

" occidentalis 340

caudacutus 340
lecontei 340
maritimus fisheri 341
"
"
"
"

macgillivrai 342
maritimus.. 341
peninsulse . . 341
sennetti ... 341

nelsoni nelsoni 341


subvirgatus 341
nigrescens 342
Passerina amoena 366
ciris 367
cyanea 366
versicolor versicolor 367
pulchra 367
Pedicecetes phasianellus phasianellus 187
phasianellus campestris 187
columbianus 187
Pelagodroma marina 71
Pelecanidse 83
Pelecanus californicus 85
erythrorhynchos 83
occidentalis 85
Pelican, White 83
Brown 85
California Brown 85
Pelidna alpina alpina 149
sakhalina 149
Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus 434

occidentalis.. 435
" septentrionalis 435
carolinensis agilis 435
carolinensis .... 435
cinctus alascensis 436
" gambeli 435
hudsonicus hudsonicus 436
littoralis 436
rufescens barlowi 437
neglectus 437
" rufescens 437
sclateri 435
Perisoreus canadensis canadensis 308
capitalis ... 309
fumifrons. . . 309
nigricapillus 309
obscurus obscurus 309
" griseus 311
Petrel, Ashy 70
Black 70
Black-capped 67
Bulwer's 67
Fisher's 67
Fork-tailed 68
Guadalupe 69
Kaeding's 69
Leach's 68

463

INDEX

Least 68
Pintado 67
Scaled 67
Socorro 70
Storm 68
White-bellied 71
White-faced 71
Wilson's 71
Petrochelidon fulva 372
lunifrons lunifrons 372
melanogastra 373
Peucaea aestivalis sestivalis 352
" bachmani 352
botterii 352
cassini 253
Peucedramus olivaceus 391
Pewee, Western Wood 293
Large-billed Wood 293
Wood 291
Phaethon americanus 72
sethereus 73
rubricaudus 73
Phaethontidse 72
Phainopepla 376
nitens 376
Phalacrocoracidae 78
Phalacrocorax carbo 79
auritus auritus 79
" albociliatus 81

" cincinatus 81
" floridanus 81
vigua mexicanus 81
pelagicus pelagicus 82
resplendens 82
robustus 82
penicillatus 82
urile 82
Phalaenoptilus nuttalli nuttalli 264
" californicus . . 264
" nitidus 264
Phalarope, Northern 137
Red 137
Wilson's 138
Phalaropodidae 137
Phalaropus fulicarius 137
Phaleris psittacula 25
Phasianidae 188
Phasianus torquatus 188
Pheasant, Ring-necked 188
Philacte canagica 112
Philohela minor 140
Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus 255
Phoebe 287
Black 289
Say 289
Phcebetria palpebrata 60
Phcenicopteridse 115

Phcenicopterus ruber 115

Pica pica hudsonia 300


nuttalli 300
Pici 249
Picidae 249
Picoides americanus americanus.. 253
dorsalis . . . 254
fasciatus . . 254
arcticus 253
Pigeon- Band-tailed 192
Passenger 193
Red-billed 192
Scaled 192
Viosca's 192
White-crowned 192
Pinicola enucleator alascensis . . . 325
californica . . . 325
flammula 325
leucura 324
" montana 325
Pintail 94
Pipilo aberti 361
consobrinus 360
erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus 358
erythrophthalmus alleni 358
fuscus albigula 360
crissalis crissalis 360
fuscus mesoleucus 360
crissalis senicula 361
maculatus arcticus 358

" clementae 360


" magnirostris 360
" megalonyx 360
" montanus 35S
" oregonus 360
Pipit 418
Meadow 418
Red-throated 419
Sprague's 419
Piranga erythromelas 369
heuatica 370
ludoviciana 369
rubra rubra 370
" cooperi 370
Pisobia aurita 147
bairdi 148
daniacensis 149
fuscicollis 148
maculata 147
minutella 148
Pitangus sulphuratus derbianus . . 284
Planesticus confinis 447
migratorius achrusterus 447
" migratorius 446
" propinquus . . 446

464

INDEX

Plataleidae 115
Platypsaris aglaise albiventris 280
Plautus impennis 32-33
Plectrophenax hyperboreus 333
nivalis nivalis 332
" townsendi .... 332
Plegadis autumnalis 118
guarauna 118
Plover, Black-bellied 161
European Golden 163
Golden , 163
Little Ringed 166
Mongolian 167
Mountain 168
Pacific Golden 163
Piping 166
Ringed 166
Semipalmated 165
Snowy 167
Upland 156
Wilson's 168
Podasocys montanus 168
Podilymbus podiceps 15
Polioptila caerulea caerulea 441
obscura 441 .
californica 442
plumbea 441
Polyborus cheriway 224
lutosus 224
Polysticta stelleri 102

Pocecetes gramineus gramineus.. 335


affinis 335
confinis .... 335
Poor-will 264
Dusky 264
Frosted 264
Porzana Carolina 133
porzana 133
Prairie Chicken 185
Attwater's , 186
Lesser 187
Priocella glacialoides 63
Priofinus cinereus 66
Procellariidse 61
Progne cryptoleuca 372
subis subis 372
" hesperia 372
Protonotaria citrea 386
Psaltriparus melanotis lloydi 438
minimus minimus 437
" californicus 438
" grindae 438
plumbeus 438
Psittaci 241
Psittacida? 241
Ptarmigan, Allen's 183
Evermann's . . 184

Kenai White-tailed 185


Nelson's 134

Reinhardt's 184
Rock 183
Townsend's 184
Turner's 184
Welch's 184
White-tailed 185
Willow 183
Ptychoramphus aleuticus 24
Puffin 22
Horned 23
Large-billed 23
Tufted 22
Puffinus assimilis 65
auricularis 65
borealis 64
creatopus 65
cuneatus 66
gravis 64
griseus 66
Iherminieri 65
opisthomelas 65
puffinus 64
tenuirostris 66
Pygopodes 10
Pyrocephalus rubineus mexicanus. 296
Pyrrhula cassini 325
Pyrrhuloxia, Arizona 364
sinuata sinuata 364
peninsulas 364
" texana 364

San Lucas 364


Texas 364
California 177
Chestnut Bellied Scaled 177
Gambel's 177
Mearn's 178
Quail, Mountain 176
Plumed 176
San Pedro 176
Scaled 176
Valley 177
Querquedula cyanoptera 93
discors 93
Quiscalus quiscula quiscula 323
" aglaeus 323
asneus 323
Rail, Belding's 131
Black 134
California Clapper 131
Carribean Clapper 132
Clapper 132
Farallon 134
Florida Clapper 132
King 131
Louisiana Clapper 132

465

INDEX

Virginia 133
Wayne's Clapper 132
Yellow 131
Rallidae 131
Rallus beldingi . . 131
crepitans crepitans 132
saturatus 132
scotti 132
waynei 132
elegans 131
longirostris caribaeus 132
obsoletus 131
virginianus 132
Raptores 198
Raven 311
Northern 311
White-necked 311
Recurvirostra americana 139
Recurvirostridae 139
Redhead 95
Redpoll 329
Greater 329
Greenland 328
Hoary 328
Holbcell's 329
Redstart 415
Painted 417
Red-wing, Bahama 316
Bicolored 317
Florida 316

Northwestern 316
San Diego 316
Sonora 316
Thick-billed 316
Tricolored 317
Regulus calendula calendula 440
grinnelli 441
" obscurus . 441
satrapa olivaceus 440
" satrapa 439
Rhodostethia rosea 49
Rhynchophanes mccowni 334
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha .... 241
Riparia riparia 374
Rissa brevirostris 40
tridactyla tridactyla 39
" pollicaris 40
Road-runner 243
Robin 446
Southern 447
San Lucas 447
Western 446
Rostrhamus sociabilis 202
Rough-leg, Ferruginous 215
Ruff 156
Rynchopidae 58
Rynchops nigra 58

Sage Hen 188


Salpinctes obsoletus obsoletus 424

guadeloupensis 424
Sanderling 151
Sandpiper, Aleutian 146
Baird 148
Buff-breasted 158
Curlew 149
Green 155
Least 148
Pectoral 147
Pribilof 147
Purple 146
Red-backed 149
Semipalmated 150
Sharp-tailed 147
Solitary 154
Spoonbill 150
Spotted 158
Stilt 145
Western 151
Western Solitary 155
White-rumped 148
Sapsucker, Northern Red-breasted 255
Red-breasted 255
Red-naped 254
Williamson's 255
Yellow-bellied 254
Saxicola cenanthe cenanthe 448
" leucorhoa 448
Sayornis nigricans 289
phoebe 287

sayus 289
Scardafella inca 196
Scolopacidse 140
Scolopax rusticola 140
Scoter 104
Surf |.. 105
Velvet 105
White-winged 105
Scotiaptex nebulosa lapponica. . . . 232
" nebulosa .... 231
Seed-eater, Sharpe's 368
Seiurus aurocapillus 407
motacilla 409
noveboracensis noveboracensis 409
notabilis 409
Selasphorus alleni 276
platycercus 276
rufus 277
Steophaga picta 417
ruticilla 415
Shearwater, Allied 65
Audubon's 65
Black-tailed 66
Black-vented 65
Cory's 64

466

INDEX

Greater 64
Manx 64
Pink-footed 65
Slender-billed 66
Sooty 66
Townsend's 65
Wedge-tailed 66
Sheldrake, Ruddy 93
Shoveller 94
Shrike, California 378
Island 378
Loggerhead 376
Northern 376
White-rumped 378
Sialia currucoides 450
mexicana anabelae 450
bairdi 450
occidentalis 450
sialis sialis 448
" fulva 448
Siskin, Pine 332
Sitta canadensis 432
carolinensis carolinensis .... 431
" aculeata 431
atkinsi 431
lagunae 431
nelsoni 431
pusilla 432
pygmaea pygmaea 432
leuconucha 433

S'ttidae 431
Skimmer, Black 58
Skua 36
Skylark 297
Snakebird 77
Snipe, European 140
Great 143
Wilson's 143
Solitaire, Townsend's 442
Somateria dresseri 103
mollissima borealis 102
spectabilis 104
v-nigra 103
Sora 133
Sparrow, Acadian Sharp-tailed... 341
Alameda Song 355
Aleutian Song 337
Bachman's 352
Baird's 338
Belding's 337
Bell's 351
Black-chinned 348
Black-throated 351
Botteri's 352
Brewer's 346
Brown's Song 355
Bryant's 337

Cassin's 353
Chipping 345

Clay-colored 355
Dakota Song 355
Desert 351
Desert Song 354
Dusky Seaside 342
English
Field 348
Florida Grasshopper 340
Forbush's 356
Fox 356
Gambel's 343
Golden-crowned 343
Grasshopper 338
Gray Sage 352
Harris's 342
Heermann's Song 354
Henslow's 340
Ipswich 337
Kadiak Fox 357
Kenai Song 355
Laguna 353
Large-billed 338
Lark 342
Leconte's 340
Lincoln's 356
Louisiana Seaside 341
Macgillivray's Seaside 342
Merrill's Song 355
Mountain Song 354
Nelson's 341

Nuttall's 343
Oregon Vesper 335
Pine Woods 352
Rock 353
Rufous-crowned 353
Fufous-winged 353
Rusty Song 354
Sage 352
Samuel's Song 354
San Benito 338
San Clemente Song 355
San Diego Song 355
San Lucas 338
Santa Barbara Song 355
Savannah 337
Scott's 353
Scott's Seaside 341
Seaside 341
Sharp-tailed 340
Shumagin Fox 357
Slate-colored Fox 357
Song 354
Sooty Fox 357
Sooty Song 355
Stephen's Fox 357

467

INDEX

Swamp 356
Texas 357
Texas Seaside 341
Thick-billed Fox 357
Townsend's Fox 357
Tree 345
Vesper 335
Western Chipping 346
Western Field 348
Western Grasshopper 338
Western Henslow's 340
Western Lark 342
Western Savannah 337
Western Tree 345
Western Vesper 335
White-crowned 343
White-throated 345
Worth'en's 348
Yakutat Song 355
Spatula clypeata 94
Speotyto cunicularia floridana 239
hypogaea 238
Sphyrapicus ruber ruber 255
" notkensis 255
thyroideus 255
varius varius 254
nuchalis 254
Spinus notatus 331
pinus 332
Spiza americana 368

Spi/ella atrogularis 348


breweri 346
monticola monticola 345
ochracea 345
passerina arizonae 346
" passerina 345
pallida 346
pusilla pusilla 348
" arenacea 348
" arizonae 346
wortheni 348
Spoonbill, Roseate 115
tsporophila morelleti sharpei 368
Squatarola squatarola 161
Starling 314
Starncenas cyanocephala 196
Steganopodes 72
Stegonopus tricolor 138
Stelgidopteryx serripennis 374
nt.ellula calliope 278
Stercorariidae 35
Stercorarius longicaudus 37
parasiticus 37
pomarinus 36
Sterna aleutica 54
anaetheta 56
antillarum 55

caspia 50
dougalli 54

elegans 51
forsteri 53
fuscata 55
hirundo 53
maxima 51
paradissea 54
sandvicensis acuflavida 52
trudeaui 52
Stilt, Black-necked 139
Stint, Long-toed 149
Strigidae 227
Strix occidentalis caurina 231
occidentalis ... 231
varia allogilva 231
" alleni 229
" varia 229
Sturnella magna magna 317
" argutula 319
hoopesi 317
" neglecta 319
Sturnidae 314
Sturnus vulgaris 314
Sula bassana 76
brewsteri 75
cyanops 74
leucogactra 75
nebouxi 74
piscator 75
Sulidae 74
Surf Bird 169

Surnia ulula ulula 237


" caparoch 238
Swallow, Bahama 374
Bank 374
Barn 373
Cliff 372
Cuban Cliff 373
Mexican Cliff 373
Northern Violet-green 374
Rough-winged 374
San Lucas 374
Tree 373
Swallow-tailed Kite 201
Swan, Trumpeter 114
Whistling 114
Whooping H4
Swift, Black 268
Chimney 269
Vaux's 270
White-throated 270
Slyviidae 433
Sylthliboramphus antiquus 26
Tachycineta thalassina lepida 374
" brachyptera 374

468

Tanager, Cooper's
Hepatic

Western
Scarlet
Summer
Tangaridae
Tangavius aeneus involucratus
Tattler, Wandering
Teal, Blue-winged
Cinnamon
European
Green-winged
Telmatodytes palustris
griseus . . .
" marianse . .
" paludicola .
plesius . . .
palustris...
Tern, Aleutian
Arctic
Black
Bridled
Cabot's
Caspian
Common
Elegant
Forster's
Gull-billed
Least
Roseate
Royal
Sooty

Trudeau's
White-winged Black
Thalassidroma pelagica
Thalassogeron culminatus
Thrasher, Bendire's
Brown
California
Crissal
Curve-billed
Desert
Leconte's
Mearns's
Palmer's
Sage
San Lucas
Sennett's
Thrush, Alaska Hermit
Audubon's Hermit
Bicknell's
Dwarf Hermit
Gray-cheeked
Hermit
Olive-backed
Northern Varied
Red-winged

INDEX
370 Russet-backed 443
370 Varied 443
369 Willow 443

369 Wood 442


370 Thryomanes bewicki bairdi 426
369 bewicki bewicki 426
315 calophonus 426
156 " charienturus 426
93 cryptus 426
93 " spilurus 426
82 brevicauda 426
92 leucophrys 426
429 Thryothorus ludovicianus ludovi429 cianus , 425
429 ludovicianus lomitensis 425
429 miamensis 425
429 Tiaris bicolor 368
429 canora 368
54 Titlark 418
54 Titmouse, Ashy 434
56 Black-crested 433
56 Bridled 434
52 Gray 434
50 Plain 434
53 Tufted 433
51 Totanus flavipes 153
53 melanoleucus 153
50 Towhee 358
55 Abert's 361
54 Anthony's 361
51 Arctic 358
55 California 360
52 Canon 360

57 Green-tailed 361
68 Guadalupe 360
60 Large-billed 360
422 Mountain 360
421 Oregon 360
422 San Clemente 360
423 San Diego 360
421 San Lucas 360
423 Spurred 358
423 White-eyed 358
422 Toxostima bendirei 422
422 cinereum cinereum 422
419 " mearnsi 422
422 crissale 423
421 curvirostre curvirostre 421
445 palmeri 422
445 lecontei lecontei 423
443 lecontei arenicola 423
446 longirostre sennetti 421
443 redivivum 422
446 rufum 421
445 Tree Duck, Black-bellied 113
448 Fulvous 113
446 Tringa canutus . 146

469

- 30

INDEX

Trochilidae 271
Troglodytes aedon aedon 427
" parkmani 427
Troglodytidse 423
Trogon ambiguus 246
Coppery-tailed 246
Trogonidae 246
Tropic Bird, Red-billed 73
Red-tailed 73
Yellow-billed 72
Troupial
Tryngites subruficollis 158
Tubinares 59
Turdidse 442
Turdus musicus 446
Turkey, Florida . . 191
Merriam's 190
Rio Grande 191
Wild 190
Turnstone 169
Black 170
Ruddy 169
Tympanuchus americanus americanus 185
americanus attwateri 186
cupido 186
pallidicinctus 187
Tyrannidae 280
Tyrannus dominicensis 283

melancholicus couchi 283


tyrannus 281
verticalis 283
vociferans 284
Uria lomvia lomvia 30
" arra 31
troille troille 29
" californica 30
Urubitinga anthracina 213
Vanellus vanellus 161
Veery 443
Verdin 439
Cape 439
Vermivora bachmani 387
pinus 387
celata celata 389
" lucescens 389
" sordida 390
chrysoptera 388
luciae 388
peregrina 390
Vermivora rubricapella gutturalis . 389
rubricapella 389
virginiae 388
Vireo, Anthony's 384
atricapillus 383
Bell's 384
belli belli 384

belli pusillus 385

Bermuda 384
Black-capped 383
Black-whiskered 378
Blue-headed 382
Cassin's . . 382griseus bermudianus 384
" maynardi 383
" micrus 384
Gray 385
Button's 384
huttoni huttoni 384
" obscunis 384
Stephens! 384
Key West 383
Least 385
Mountain 383
Philadelphia 380
Plumbeous ...382
Red-eyed 380
San Lucas 383
Small White-eyed 384
Stephens's 383
vicinior 385
Warbling 380
Western Warbling 382
White-eyed 383
Yellow-green 380
Yellow-throated 382
Vireonidaa 378
Vireosylva calidris barbatula 378

flavoviridis 380
gilva gilva 380
" swainsoni 382
olivacea 380
Philadelphia 380
Vulture, Black 199
California 198
Turkey 199
Wagtail Alaska Yellow 418
Swinhoe's 418
White 418
Warbler, Alaska Yellow 392
Audubon's 395
Bachman's 387
Bay-breasted 398
Black and White 385
Blackburnian 399
Black-fronted 395
Black-poll 399
Black-throated Blue 394
Black-throated Gray 402
Black-throated Green 403
Blue-winged 387
Cairns's 394
Calaveras 389
Canada 415

470

INDEX

Cape May 391


Cerulean 396
Chestnut-sided 398
Connecticut 410
Dusky 390
Golden-cheeked 402
Golden Pileolated 415
Golden-winged 388
Grace's 401
Hermit 405
Hooded 414
Kennicott's Willow 439
Kentucky 410
Kirtland's 404
Lucy's 388
Lutescent 389
Macgillivray's 411
Magnolia 396
Mangrove 394
Mourning 411
Myrtle 395
Nashville 389
Northern Parula 390
Olive 391
Orange-crowned 389
Palm 405
Parula 390
Pileolated 414
Pine 405

Prairie 407
Prothonotary 386
Red-faced 417
Sennett's 391
Sonora Yellow 392
Swainson's 386
Sycamore 401
Tennessee 390
Townsend's 403
Virginia's 388
Wilson's 414
Worm-eating 386
Yellow 392
Yellow Palm 405
Yellow-throated 401
Water Thrush 409
Grinnell's 409
Louisiana . . . e 409
Water Turkey 77
Waxwing, Bohemian 375
Cedar 375
Wheatear 448
Greenland 448
Whimbrel 160
Whip-poor-will 263
Stephens's 264
Widgeon, European 91

Willet 155
Western 156

Wilsonia canadensis 415


citrina 414
pusilla pusilla 414
" chryseola 415
" pileolata 414
Woodcock 140
European 140
Woodpecker, Alaska Three-toed.. 254
Alpine Three-toed 254
Ant-eating 256
Arctic Three-toed 253
Arizona 252
Batchelder's 251
Cabanis's 250
California 257
Downy 251
Gairdner's 251
Gila 258
Golden-fronted 258
Hairy 250
Harris's 250
Ivory-billed 249
Lewis's 257
Narrow-fronted 257
, Nelson's Downy 251
Northern Hairy 250
Northern Pileated 256
Nuttall's 252
Pileated 255
Queen Charlotte 250

Red-bellied 257
Red-cockaded 251
Red-headed 256
Rocky Mountain Hairy 250
San Lucas 252
Southern Downy 251
Southern Hairy 250
Texas 252
Three-toed 253
White-headed 253
Willow 251
Wren, Alaska 428
Aleutian 428
Baird's 426
Bewick's 426
Bryant's Cactus 424
Cactus 423
Canon 425
Carolina 425
Dotted Canon 425
Florida 425
Guadalupe 426
Guadalupe Rock 424
House 427
Kadiak Winter 428

471

INDEX

r Lomita 425
Long-billed Marsh .......... 429
Marian's Marsh 429
Seattle 426
Rock ......... . ^| f . 424
San Clemente . 00 426
I Short-billed Mar ; sh 428
, j San Diego ".*' 426
San Lucas Cactus 424
Texas ...... 426
Tule ,.. 429
Vigors's 426
Western House 427
Western Marsh 429
Western ' Winter ........ 428
White-throated .... . . ....... 424
Winter ............. 427
Worthington's Marsh ....... 429
wren-tit I;..::.;......;........ 437
Pallid ..::;. 437
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus . . 315
Xanthpura luxuosa glaucescens . . 30^

Xema sabini 49
Xenopicus albolarvatus 253
Yellowlegs 153
Greater 153
Yellow-throat, Belding's 413
Florida 412
Maryland 412

Pacific 412
Rio Grande 413
Salt Marsh 412
Western 412
Zamelodia ludoviciana 365
melanocephala 365
Zenaida zenaida 194
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis . 193
Zonotrichia albicollis 345
coronata 343
leucophrys leucophrys 343
" gambeli 343
nuttalli 343
querula ....,..,.,, , , . , 342

472

Birds of Eastern North America


By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
THE BIRD BOOK of the year. It is authentic. The author KNOWS birds.
He has studied them for thirty years in the hand, for plumage, and in their
haunts, for habits. He has studied them in their homes and has photographed
hundreds as they were actually feeding their young. Besides being able to
write about these things in an interesting and instructive manner, he is classed
as one of the foremost bird artists in America. This rare combination of ArtistAuthor-Naturalist has produced, in "Birds of Eastern North America," the
ultimate bird book.
The technical descriptions aided by the pictures give perfect ideas of the
plumage of adults and young.
The descriptive text gives the important and characteristic features in the
lives of the various species.
The illustrations well, there are 408 PICTURES IN NATURAL COLORS;
they show practically every species, including male, female, and young when

the plumages differ, and they are perfectly made by the best process.
Bound in cloth, handsomely illuminated in gold; 464 pages (4 1 /^x6 1 /^); 408
colored illustrations; every bird described and pictured.
$3.00 postpaid

Color Key To N. A. Birds


By F. M. CHAPMAN and C. A. REED
This might well be called an illustrated dictionary of North American birds,
the male of each species being shown in COLOR from pen and ink drawings,
Uniform with Egg Book. 350 pages.
$2.50 net

From "Water Birds'

From "Land Birds

LAND BIRDS
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
An illustrated, pocket text book that enables anyone to quickly identify any
song or insectivorous bird found east of the Rocky Mountains. It describes
their habits and peculiarities; tells you where to look for them and describes
their nests, eggs and songs.
EVERY BIRD IS SHOWN IN COLOR, including the females and young
where the plumage differs, from watercolor drawings by the four-color process.
The illustrations are the BEST, the MOST ACCURATE, and the MOST VALUABLE ever printed in a bird book.
"LAND BIRDS" is the most popular and has the LARGEST SALE (over
300,000 copies) of any bird book published in this country. It is used and recom
mended by our leading ornithologists and teachers. 230 pages.
Bound in Cloth, 75c. net; in Leather, $1.00 net; postage 5c.

WATER BIRDS
By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
This book is uniform in size and scope with LAND BIRDS. It includes all
of the Water Birds, Game Birds and Birds of Prey, east of the Rockies. Each

species is ILLUSTRATED IN COLOR from oil paintings; the bird, its habits
and nesting habits are described.
The pictures show more than 230 birds in color, every species found in our
range. They exceed in number those in any other bird book. In quality they
cannot be surpassed exquisite gems, each with an attractive background, typical of the habits of the species.
"LAND BIRDS" and "WATER BIRDS" are the only books, regardless of
price, that describe and show in color every bird. 250 pages, neatly boxed.
Bound in Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage 5c.

THE TREE GUIDE


By JULIA ELLEN ROGERS
Author of "The Tree Book"
THE TREE GUIDE is uniform in style and size with the well known pocket
Bird Guides which have become so universally popular. It contains illustrations (32 of them colored and many in black and white) and descriptions of
every tree east of the Rocky Mountains. The descriptions include the range,
the classification, the distinctive features such as flowers, leaves, fruit, etc
.,
and all other marks that lead to an easy identification of the tree. No detail
that will help the student has been omitted and the small size of the volume,
about the length and width of the hand, makes it convenient to carry. An
ideal volume for expert naturalist or amateur for field work or even more
exhaustive study.
32 illustrations in color; many in black and white.
Cloth, net, $1.00. Leather, net, $1.25

AnimaJ Post Cards


We have been fortunate in securing from the well known artist, Harry F.
Harvey, a number of his best paintings of our North American Wild Animals.
These have been Faithfully reproduced in NATURAL COLORS, postcard size,
and are by far, twenty-five of the best animal cards ever published.
Ask your dealer for the "REED NATURE CARDS."
25 Animals, 25 Birds, 50 Wild Flowers.
ALL IN NATURAL COLORS
If your dealer is out of them we will fill your order (postpaid)
25 Animals for 50c; 25 Birds for 25c; 50 Flowers for 50c.
Special The complete set of 100 accurately colored cards postpaid, $1.00.
Send for list of Nature Books in Colors,
CHAS/ : K.|REED WORCESTER, MASS.

Wild Flowers
East of the Rockies

BY
CHESTER A. REED

The latest flower book. In a class by itself. Original, beautiful, compact,


complete, interesting. Pictures 320 flowers, ALL IN COLOR. 450 pages.
Handsomely bound; boxed. $2.50 net; postage 15c

American Game Birds

By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.

Over ONE HUNDRED SPECIES OF GAME


BIRDS are faithfully depicted by the colored pictures and the text gives considerable idea of their
habits and tells where they are to be found at
different seasons of the year.
This book is prepared especially at the request
of a large number of sportsmen for a concise
guide devoted solely to game birds and figuring
all species.
Remember that it is the ONLY book at any
price that figures all these game birds in their
proper colors. It is the real sportsmen's guide
and companion. Nicely bound and boxed.
Price 60 cents; postage 5 cent

North American Birds' Eggs


By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
This is the only book on the market that gives illustrations of the eggs of
all North American birds. Each egg is shown FULL SIZE, photographed
directly from an authentic and well marked specimen. There are a great many
full-page plates of nests and eggs in their natural situations.
The habitat and habits of each bird are given.

It is finely printed on the best of paper and handsomely bound in cloth.


350 pages 6 x 9 inches,
$2.50 net

Nature Studies In Field and Wood


r By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
This book is destined to be one of the most important that the author ha
written. Absorbingly interesting in itself, yet its greatest value will lie i
the fact that it will lead the reader to realize how blind he has been to th
many woriderful things that are happening on every hand.
The brook, the pond, the field, the woods, the swamps and even the bac
yards yield quantities of very interesting subjects for study. This book treat,
entertainingly of many of these interesting creatures, but its chief aim is to b
t,
an "awakener" to arouse within the reader the desire to go out and verify
some of the facts given, or to do some original investigation himself. Such
studies develop the senses of perception and observation immensely, and the
one who is "alive" to what is going on about him surely is better able to cope
with all situations in life than one who sees nothing until it is forcibly broug
h v
to his attention.
112 pages; size 5V 2 x?Mj in. 40 illustrations in color, and black and white.
60c. net; postage ^Oc.

Camera Studies of Wild Birds in Their Homes


By CHESTER A. REED, B. S.
"CAMERA STUDIES" affords everyone an opportunity for a very intimate
study of bird life. A good photograph of an event together with an interesting
description of it is the next best thing to witnessing the event itself.
"CAMERA STUDIES" has 250 photographs of events right in birds' home.
These pictures are selected from the author's collection of over 2000 bird photo
graphs, this being one of the best collections of pictures of free, living wild
birds in existence.
Many rare and interesting poses are faithfully shown by the camera. For
instance, a pair of adult Chipping Sparrows, standing on a branch by the sides
of their four young, are engaged in pulling apart a large worm that was too
large to be given whole.
The stories accompanying these pictures are as interesting as the photographs and above all they are all actual facts.
300 pages, 5% x 7y 2 in.; 250 photographs of living, wild birds.
Handsomely bound in Cloth, $2.00 net; postage 20c.

Western Bird Gxiide


This new book, a companion and uniform in size to the Bird and Flower
Guides East of the Rockies, is much more complete and shows every species of
oird, BOTH LAND AND WATER to be found IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
and westward to the PACIFIC COAST, and from Mexico north to the Arctic
regions. EVERY BIRD IN NATURAL COLORS.
320 of them are faithfully pictured, and the text gives the more prominent
identifying features, as well as the habits, haunts and all about their nests an
d
sggs. 256 pages, bound and neatly boxed.
In Sock Cloth, $1.00 net; in Leather, $1.25 net; postage 5c.
CHAS. K. REED, WORCESTER, MASS.

FIELD GLASSES

FOR BIRD STUDY

or equally good for the mountains, seashore or theatre, or whatever a large,


clear image of an object is desired.
We carefully examined more than a hundred makes of field glasses, to select
the ones best adapted for bird study.
We found one make that was superior to any other of the same price and
equal optically, and nearly as well made as those costing three times as much.
They magnify about three diameters, and have an unusually large field of
vision or angle of view, making it easy to find a bird or keep him in sight.
Price only $5.00 postpaid.

CHAS. K. REED WORCESTER, MASS.

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