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CaPyrighl iS8<).

PLATB I.

BLUE -GRAY GNATCATCHER AND NEST, [mat ti*t.)
(Polieptila ctrruUa.)

' I

)\i

Page 429.

NESTS AND EGGS

NORTH AMl-RICAN BIRDS

OLIVER DAVIE

THE FOURTH EDITION

INTRODUCriON BY J. PARKKR NORRIS.

ILLUSTRATIONS

THEODORE JASPER, A.M., M.D. axb W. OTTO E.MERSON

COLUMBUS
HANi\ & ADAIR
^ 1889

^^'°15,1\2.

"O! why has worth so short a date,
While villains lipen gray with time."

— BurMs.

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY

LUCIUS S. WILLSON

One of nature's noblemen : My companion in many a woodland stroll,
whose keen eye observed and gloried in the charms of varied pastoral
scenes, whose listening ear heard and delighted in the carroling of
feathered songsters and the cadence of murmuring streams. His
ear caught the music of breezes as they wandered through the boughs
of forest trees, and, while striking the tenderest chords on their
^olian harps of russet-brown leaves, in the Autumn of 1882, they
muttered to him their last farewell, and whispered something like
— Eternity.

The Author.

16799

PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION.

THK scopp of the present work may be explained in a few words.
As in former editions, the text consists of concise descriptions of
nests and eggs of North American Birds. The term 'North Ameri-
can' in this connection implies all the territory north of the present
Southern United States boundary, including Greenland and the penin-
sula of Lower California, with the islands naturally belonging thereto.
All species and subspecies have been excluded from this list, of
which no authentic account of either their nests or eggs has been ob-
tained. Additional information regarding the nesting and eggs of
various species, which has come to hand while the work was in pro-
gress of printing, will be found in the Appendix.

A Supplement to the A. O. U. Code and Check-List* has recently
been issued containing Additions, Klini'nations and Changes of No-
menclature. The species and subspecies that have been interpo-
lated, and indicated by the double asterisk (**), are repeated in the Ap-
pendix with their proper numbers, as given in the A. O U. Supple-
ment, and additional species are here also included, of which a reliable
description of their nests and eggs was obtained.

All stragglers or accidental visitors have their respective numbers
to the left in brackets. For an explanation of the authority of names,
Canon L. (page 56) of the A. O. U. Code may be quoted : " The
authority for a specific or subspecific name is the first describer of the
species or subspecies. When the first describer of the species or sub-
species is aot also the authority, it is to be enclosed in parenthesis ; e.
g., Turdtis migratorius L., or Merula migratoria (L)."

The nomenclature followed in this and former editions, the meas-
urements used, etc., are stated in Note on page I. No attempt
has been made to describe the birds. For an analytical description of
these, the reader is referred to such works as Coues' Key to North
American Birdsf or Ridgway's Manual.J While I am indebted to the

^Supplement to the Code of Nomenclature and Check List of North American Birds adopted by the
American Ornithologists' Union. Prepared by the Committee of the Union. New York: American
Ornithologists' Union. 1889. L. S. Foster, Publisher, 85 Pine street, New York, N. Y.

t Key to North American Ijirds. Containing a concise account of every species of living and fossil
bird at present known from the Continent north of the Mexican and United States boundary, inclusive of
Greenland and Lower California, with which are incorporated General Ornithology: an outline of the struc-
ture and classification of birds; and Field Ornithology: a manual of collecting, preparing and preserving
birds. The third edition, exhibiting the new nomenclature of the American Ornithologists' Union, and
including descriptions of additional species, etc. By Elliott Coues, M. A., M. 1)., Ph. D., etc., etc. Pro-
fusely illustrated. Boston; Estes and Lauriat. 1887.

I A Manual of North American Birds. B^ Robert Ridgway. Ulustrated by 404 outline drawings of
the generic characters. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Company. 1887.

16799

books and periodical literature devoted to the subject for information
gleaned from them, my acknowledgments are especially due a large
number of active field ornithologists and oologists who have kindly
placed at my disposal, their notes containing original observations on
the nesting and eggs of various birds. Others have furnished descrip-
tions of nests and eggs from specimens in their private collections
which, in many cases, were otherwise scarcely obtainable.

The v/ords "Egg Check List and Key" have been dropped from the
title-page of the present edition.

OuvER Davie.
Columbus, Ohio, June 24, 1889.

)

ion

rge
dly
on
rip-
ens

the

INTRODUCTION.

I^HE present edition of this work is greatly enlarged and improved,
and the effort has been made to have it include all that is known
regarding the nesting i all species of North American Birds.

Oology has made rapid strides during the last few years, and eggs
of birds which were almost unknown a few years ago are now com-
paratively common. This is principally due to the greater number of
collectors in the field, and to the intelligent efforts that have been
made to secure the eggs of those that were especially desired.

As a Science, however, it has much to contend with. An animal,
a bird, an insect, or a plant, in almost every instance, will carry its
identification with the specimen. It is not always so, however, with
an egg. Those of many species so closely resemble each other that
they are often worthless unless the parent bird has been either well
seen or shot. It is true that the nest, together with data as to its posi-
tion, will frequently be of the greatest assistance in determining to
what species the eggs belong, but in the case of any rare and little
known species, the only satisfactory identification is by securing the
parent bird.

The mere comparison of eggs will not answer as a means of iden-
tification. There is far more variation in the size, shape, and colora-
tion of eggs of the same species than most persons are aware of, and
to pick out of a large series a really typical set of some kinds is a
matter of considerable difficulty.

An egg is a difficult object to properly describe, especially as it is
only lately that any intelligent effort has been made to set forth the
ground tints or the markings.

Concerning the number of eggs laid by certain species, there have
been more mistakes made by writers than about any other subject con-
nected with Oology. Especially has this been the case with the J^ap-
toreSy and in this work the effort has been made to present reliable in-
formation on that point.

J. P. N.

-^^f^wmm^m^mmm

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PLATE

Blue-Gray Gnatcatcher and Nest, ....... I

PiRD-RiLLBD Grebes and Nest, ........ II

Tufted Puffins and Nesting Burrow, ....... Ill

Wood Ducks and Nesting Place, . . . . . . ■ . . IV

Flamingos and Nests, ......... V

Swallow-tailed Kite and Nest, ........ VI

Burrowing Owl and Nesting Burrow, . . . . . . . VII

Chimney Swifts and Nests, . . . . . . . . ^ , VIII

Traill's Flycatcher and Nest, ........ IX

Baltimore Oriole and Nest, ......... X

Parula Warbler and Nest, ........ XI

American Dippers (Water Ouzels) and Nest, ...... XII

Nest of California Bush-Tit, ........ XIII

r^i

wmmmaBm

NESTS AND EGGS

North American Birds,

Note.— The nomenclature followed in the prftsent edition of this work is that of the American
Ornithologists' Union Code and Check-List.* The numbers to the right in brackets are those of Professor
Ridgway's nomenclature, which were used in former editions. The measurements of the eggs are given in
inches and hundredths, except in such cases where correspondents have furnished the measurements in
millimeters. These will be found reduced to inches and hundredths in fcot notes, as appears in the text of
the Western Grebe.

1. Jlchmophorus occidentalis (Lawr.) [729.]

"Westem Grebe.

Habitat: Western North America.

This is the largest of the Grebes in North America. Its distribu-
tion extends from Mexico and Lower California on the south, to Wash-
ington Territory and the Red River region on the north, breeding
nearly throughout this entire range.

A common summer resident at Utah Lake and also at Lake Mal-
heur, in Eastern Oregon, thence eastward to the extensive marshes of
Shoal Lake, in Manitoba, where it breeds abundantly.

Mr. Edward Stebbins found it breeding in an arm of Devils Lake,
Dakota, in the first part of June, at which time all the eggs were more
or less incubated. He estimates the number of nests observed to be
about two hundred in an area of an acre and a half. They were built
in water three or four feet deep, and were made of reeds and sedges
matted together and fa:itened to the tall, rank grass, so as to float on
the surface.

It is a remarkable fact that the Grebes cover their nests with

''■ The Code of Nomenclature and Check-List of North American Birds adopted by the American Orni-
thologists' Union. Being the report of the Committee of the Union on CUisification and Nomenclature.
New York: American Ornithologists' Union, 1880.

•SI

NESTS AND EGGS OF

weeds and other vegetable matter before leaving them, so that incuba-
tion may continue during their absence.

Only a few of the nests observed by Mr. Stebbins were covered ;
vhe tall grass obstructed the view of the birds, so that when approached
they would hurriedly slip off the nests, and leave the eggs exposed.
The only birds seen were those in the vicinity of the nests, and they
swam away with their heads and necks above water, making a kind of
cackling noise. In their habits they resemble the Loon, diving or swim-
ming under water with the greatest ease ; and, when on the "wing, they
fly with wonderful rapidity for birds of their nature.

The eggs of this species are from two to five in number, elliptical
oval in shape, very pale bluish green in color ; and, like all Grebes'
eggs, the surface is stained a light brown, or very much soiled by con-
tact with the decomposed vegetable matter of the nests.

Mr. Walter E. Bryant, of Oakland, California, has a set of five
eggs in his collection, which were taken at Washoe Lake, Nevada, in
the latter part of May. These measure as follows: 59x39, 63x39,
58.5 X 38, 60 X 38, 59 X 39.5 mm.* Three sets in my collection, two of five
eggs and one of four, taken by Mr. Stebbins, measure: 2.32x1.58,
2.40x1.57, 2.50x1.53, 2.46x1.58, 2.48x1.60; 2.14x1.48, 2.27x1.54,
2.30x1.63, 2.29x1.58, 2.28x1.53; 2.44x1.52, 2.37x1.47, 2.52x1.44,
2.45x1.47.

The bird known as Clark's Grebef is probably the female of ^.
occidentalis.X

2. Colymbus holboBllii (Reinh.) [731.]

HolbfBU's Grebe.

Hab. North America at large, including Greenland. Also Eastern Siberia, and southward to Japan.
Breeds in high latitudes, migrating south in winter.

In the large bodies of water, the little bayous and sloughs, rivers
and grassy pools from Northern Maine to Greenland ; from the swamps
of the Red River Valley of the North, and again, westerly and north-
ward to the margins of the placid lakes that border the great Yukon
River in Alaska, and beyond, this Grebe makes its summer home.§

In the Fur Countries it breeds in lonely and retired places, such
as in the tussocks of wiry grass that border the Waterhen River and
Long Lake in Manitoba. It is said to breed abundantly at these places,
and often where it is quite common during the breeding season, its

('2.32x1.54, 2.48x1.54, 2.30x1.50, 2.36x1.50, 2,32x1.50.
fPlaced in the '• Hypothetical List" of the A. O. U. Check-List.

XCf. Henshaw, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, VI, 1881, pp. 214-218; B. B. and R.. Watei Birds N. Am., II, p.
428; Bryant, Auk., II, pp. 31^-314.

\ The summer home of a bird is generally understood to be its breeding place.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

presence may not be detected after many weeks stay about its haunts.

The nest is built similar to that of the common Dabchick, and like
other Grebes this species covers its eggs before leaving them with grass
and vegetable matter from the bottom of the nest.

A set of three eggs, collected by H. A. Wallace, in the marshes
bordering Long Lake in Manitoba, exhibit the following dimensions :
2.15x1.20, 2.15x1.22, 2.17x1.14. Their color is a dull white, with the
usual soiled surface.

Eggs in a large series vary from a whitish to a greenish white, and
there is also a great variation in size, as they measure from 2.05 to 2.55
long by 1.20 to 1.50 broad. The number of eggs laid by this species
ranges from two to five, and sometimes seven.

[732-]

Hab.

3. Colymbus auritus Linn.

Horned Qrebe.

Northern Hemisphere. Breeds from the Northern United States northward.

The Horned Grebe is a generally diffused and an abundant species
throughout North America. It is not uncommon in all suitable places,
during the summer months, along the margins of the crystal lakes and
rivers of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and it is recorded as
breeding sparingly in Northwestern Illinois. Mr. Frank W. Langdon
makes note of its supposed nesting in Ottawa county, Ohio.* It breeds
commonly in the grass-bordered lakes of the Fur Countries.

Dr. Coues says : " I found it breeding at various points in Northern
Dakota, as along the Red River, in the prairie sloughs, with Coots,
Phalaropes, and various Ducks, and in pools about the base of Turtle
Mountain in company with P. californicus and the Dabchick."t

Mr. Thomas Mcllwraith records it breeding in all suitable places
throughout Ontario, " notably at St. Clair Flats."t

A curious habit of this and other Grebes is that of quietly sinking
beneath the surface of the water, or, as it were, like a snowflake, melt-
ing away with scarcely a ripple.

The nest of the Horned Grebe, like all others of the family, is
simply a floating mass of decayed vegetation fastened to the rushes
and reeds in shallow water. The eggs are from two to seven in num-
ber, four being the usual nest complement ; their shape is more of an
oval form than is generally noticeable in the eggs of the Grebes ; they

* Summer Birds of a Northern Ohio Marsh: Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History.
Vol. Ill, pp. 220-232.

t Birds of the Northwest, p. 732.

X The Birds of Ontario, being a list of Birds observed in the Province of Ontario, with an Account of
their Habits. Distribution, Nests, Eggs, etc. By Thomas Mcllwraith, Superintendent of the Ontario Dis-
trict for the Migration Committee of the American Ornithologists' Union. Published by the Hamilton Asso-
ciation. Hamilton: A. Lawson & Co., Printers. 1880.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

are bluish-white in color, with the usual discolorations on the surface.
They vary from 1.60 to 1.85 in length, and from i.io to 1.20 in
breadth.

4. Colymbus nigricollls californicus (Heerm.) [733a.]

Axnerioan Eared Grebe.

Hab. Northern and Western North America, from the Mississippi Valley westward.

In most of the States and Territories west of the Mississippi
River, this species breeds more or less abundantly in suitable locali-
ties, and its breeding range is almost as extensive as its habitat.

It has been found nesting in the grassy lagoons of Texas, in the
fresh water ponds of California, the pools and sloughs of Eastern
Oregon, the alkali lakes of Colorado, Kansas, and the Territory of
Wyoming, in the little inlets of the larger bodies of water in Dakota
and Minnesota, thence northward to the inland waters of British
America. This Grebe, in common with the others, is justly noted for
its expertness in diving and swimming, and, like all true divers, it is
awkward on land. From the posterior position of the legs these birds
stand fllmost upright, so that they have more the air of a small kan-
garoo than of a bird.

Its general breeding habits are like others of the family, nesting,
however, in more open situations, in flags and rushes, or upon a float-
ing foundation in shallow water. In the absence of the bird the eggs
are covered with debris. The habit of covering the eggs among the
Grebes is either for the purpose of concealing them from enemies,
such as Hawks and Gulls, or that upon the artificial heat, pro-
duced by the decayed vegetation, they are more or less dependent for
the hatching of their eggs. When thus covered, the birds are known
to remain away from their nests during the entire daytime. The eggs
of this species are four to eight in number, and in Minnesota, Dakota
and Wyoming, they are deposited in the first part of June. They are
elongated in shape, bluish white in color, but soon become soiled by
the wet material of the nest. The measurement of eight eggs, collected
in the marshes of Red Lake, Minnesota, on the 7th of June, are as
follows: 1.79x1.21, 1.75x1.20, 1.73x1.25, 1. 70 XI. 15, 1.80 X 1.23, 1.79
X 1.25, 1-73 X 1.20, and 1.73 x 1.18. A set of four eggs from Dakota has
a decidedly bufi" ground color instead of the usual bluish white.

5. Colymbus dominicus Linn [734-]

St. Domingo Grebe.

Hab. Texas and Southern California, southward through Tropical America to Paraguay, including the
West Indies.

Here is the smallest of our Grebes. It has a breeding range ex-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

le surface,
to 1.20 in

Mississippi
>le locali-
:at.

as, in the
Eastern
ritory of
I Dakota
r British
loted for
'ers, it is
ise birds
all kan-

nesting,
a float-
he eggs
)ng the
nemies,
tt, pro-
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known
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Dakota
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are as

5. 1-79
ta has

ding the

e ex-

tending from tt e Valley of the Rio Grande southward into the tropical
regions, nesting in the wild herbage of the lakes and ponds of Mexico
and Central America, in many of the islands of the West Indies, and
the sloughs of th>i immense level, tropical plains and pampas of South
America. Its entire life is spent in the water, and it possesses the same
aquatic habits peculiar to all the Grebes.

Dr. James C. Merrill was the first to establish the claim of this
species as belonging to our North American fauna. He found it a
rather common resident in Southwestern Texas. On May i6, 1877, he
found several nests, undoubtedly belonging to this species, in a salt
marsh a few miles from Fort Brown. *' They were made of water
plants and pieces of reeds slightly fastened to one or two tule stalks,
and forming a wet, floating mass. No eggs were obtained."*

The eggs are described as a " pale, chalky, greenish white," with
the usual discolorations. They vary in size from 1.25 to 1.50 long by
.85 to 1. 00 broad.

6. Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.) [735.]

Pied-bllled Grebe.

Hab. British Provinces southward to Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and Chili, including the West Indies and
the Bermudas, breeding nearly throughout its range.

Thick-billed and Carolina Grebe, Pied-bill Dabchick, Dipper,
Water-witch, "Devil-diver," and *' Hell-diver" are some of the names
applied to this Grebe. Most of these refer to its wonderful powers of
disappearance under water, and by one or more of these names it is
known to every boy who has wandered with a gun along any of our
creeks and rivers. It is a common bird throughout its range.

The nest of the Dabchick is a little floating island of decaying
rushes, reeds or grass, mixed with mud and debris brought up from
the bottom of the slough or reedy pool in which it is built. The
structure is fastened to the flags and aquatic plants ; these are pulled
down and piled upon each other till the nest rises two or three inches
above the water.

Mr. A. M. Shields informs me that in the neighborhood of Los
Angeles, Cal., this species is very abundant — any lake or pond without
the presence of two or three little Grebes seems very barren indeed.
It nests about the middle of May.

The number of eggs laid by this species ranges from six to nine ;
the complement, however, is usually seven, and their average size is

* Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas, being a list of Birds observed in the vicinity of Fort
Brown, Texas, from February, 1876, to June, 1878. By James C. Merrill, Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army.
Proceedings of the United States National Museum. Vol. I, pp. 118-173.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

1.72 X 1. 1 7. In Kansas, in the latter part of May, a number of nests
were found containing from five to ten eggs each.*

This species, like other Grebes, during the process of incubation,
conceals its eggs with a covering of weeds and other vegetable material
during the day, *' and they are uncovered at dusk by the bird, who in-
cubates them until the morning sun relieves her of her task."

7. Urinator imber (Gunn.) [736.]

liOon.

Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere. In North America breeds from the Northern States
northward ; ranges in winter south to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Loons ate large, heavy birds, with flattened bodies and rather
long necks ; the legs are placed far back in the body, giving them great
propelling power in the water. They are the most expert of all divers,
disappearing beneath the water at the flash of a gun.

In North America the present species is found from the Atlantic
to the Pacific, breeding from about latitude 42° northward within the
Arctic circle. Mr. Edson A. McMillan informs me that they are quite
common in the lakes of the Adirondack mountain region during the
breeding season, which is about the first part of June. Here they
breed on the same islands occupied as breeding grounds by the Amer-
ican Herring Gull, Larus argentatus smithsonianus . He says that of
nine difierent Loons' nests which he examined, none of them con-
tained material of any kind ; they were simply hollows in the sand
where the eggs were deposited. In Maine, Michigan and Wisconsin
and other localities the birds are known to build a roughly-formed
hollow of sticks, weeds, sod and water grass.

The Loon's eggs are very dark-looking, of an olivaceous brown,
sometimes olivaceous drab, spotted and blotched with a very dark
brown. In shape they are narrowly oval, occasionally very much
lengthened. The number laid is two, sometimes three ; in size they
vary from 3.40 to 3.90 long by 2.10 to 2.38 broad. Two eggs in my
possession collected by Mr. McMillan measure 3.63 x 2.26, 3.44 x 2.25.

[737-]

I i

Urinator adamsii (Gray).

Tello'w-'billed Loon.

Hab, Arctic America, west of Hudson's Bay. Casual in Northern Europe and Asia.

This species is also known as the White-billed Loon. The bill is
of a light yellowish color, and the general dimensions of the bird are
greater than those of the last species. It breeds in the large lakes and
ponds west of Hudson's Bay, northward to the shores of the Arctic

♦"Ornithologist and Oologist," a monthly magazine devoted to the study of Birds, their Nesti and
Eggs. Volume X, p. 165. Published by Frank B. Webster, Boston, Mass.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 7

Ocean. In the large bodies of waters throughout Alaska it is said to
be common, where its melancholy cry can be heard during the breed-
ing season. In its nesting and general habits it resembles the com-
mon Loon, and the eggs are said to be indistinguishable except in
their size, which, like the bird, average a little larger.

9. Urinator arcticus (Linn). [738.]

Black-throated Loon.

Hab. Northern part of the Northern Hemisphere. In North America migrating south in winter to the
Northern States.

The Black-throated Diver is a bird which is more or less common
in the northern regions of the globe. It breeds commonly throughout
the interior of Norway and Sweden, and far up into Lapland. In most
parts of the British Islands this Loon is considered of rare occurrence.
On the little islands of the fresh water lochs, from the middle portion
of Scotland northward to the islands beyond John O'Groat's House —
the Orkeny and Shetland — this species is known to breed as well as
on the Hebrides on the west coast.

In North America it occurs as far south as the United States. On
the Pacific coast it is replaced by the next species, U. pacificus.

Like all the Loons, its home is on the water ; it is awkward and
almost helpless on land. Its progress under water has been estimated
to be not less than eight miles an hour.

The Black-throated Loon constructs its nest of a small quantity
of herbage, in which is formed a hollow, on the sandy banks of small
islands in lakes. A set of two eggs of this species collected June 5,
1884, in Iceland, is in the collection of J. Parker Norris. These are
" hair brown " in color, marked with small spots of olive. They meas-
ure, respectively, 3.40 x 2.11, 3.37 x 2. 15.

10. Urinator pacificus (Lawr.) [739.]

Paoiflo I<oon.

Hab. Pacific Coast of North America, south in winter to Cape St. Lucas and Guadalupe Island.

As its name implies, the Pacific Diver is confined to the West, and
the above habitat clearly indicates its range.

It breeds abundantly in the Arctic regions — on the islands in the
lakes and bays of Alaska — in the marshes of the Yukon River, and it
has been found breeding in considerable numbers at Fort Anderson.
It breeds commonly in the innumerable lakes and ponds of the Nearer
Islands, Alaska.*

The nest of this Loon is made in a decayed mass of vegetation

* This group forms the westernmost portion of the Aleutian chain ; they are so designated because
they lie nearest the Asiatic Coast.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

similar to a Grebe's nest, and often it is a mere hole in the turf in
which the eggs are deposited. Sometimes the depression is found to
be scantily lined with feathers. One hundred and five nests observed
by Mr. MacFarlane, in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, contained no
more than two eggs each.* The eggs are described as having a
ground color, varying from a deep umber to a pale greenish-gray and
in size measuring from 2.95 to 3.25 long by 1.85 to 2.00 in breadth.

11. Urinator lumme (Gunn.) [740.]

Red-throatod lioon.

Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, migrating southward in winter nearly across the (Jnited
SUtes.

This little lyoon breeds in high latitudes. It is also a bird of the
Old World, where its breeding range is about the same as that of
the Black-throated Diver. It is not an uncommon summer resident of
New Brunswick, and it breeds in company with the common Loon in
the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the islands of the St. Lawrence
River and Gulf. In the large lakes and ponds of Manitoba it is a tol-
erably common summer resident, and particularly in the Red River
valley. From these places northward to Alaska, and in the Arctic
regions it breeds more or less abundantly in all suitable places.

In Labrador it breeds in the first part of June ; in Hudson Strait
eggs may be collected from the middle of June to the middle of July.

Mr. M. Abbott Frazar says that on the islands and along the coast
of Labrador this species nests on the edge of the smaller ponds, these
often being mere pools of surface water. The birds make no nest, but
deposit their eggs in a bare hollow space on the ground, usually not
over one foot from the water's edge.f Two eggs are laid, and the color
varies from deep reddish-brown to grayish-green, sparsely spotted with
brownish-black. In size they vary from 2.65 to 3.00 long by 1.70 to
1.85 broad. A set of two eggs collected by J. N. McFadden, on
Resolution Island, Hudson Strait, June 18, measure 2.74 x 1.78,
2.72 X 1.81.

12. Lunda cirrhata Pall. [745.]

Tufted Puffin.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from California to Alaska, and from Japan to Bering's
Strait. Accidental on the coast of Maine.

A curious bird with a parrot-like bill, hence the name of Sea Par-
rot which is applied to all the Puffins. This species breeds on the isl-
ands along the Pacific coast, from the Farallons northward to the
islands of Bering Sea. Its general color is black, with a conspicuous

'* Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's Water Birds, Vol. II, p. 457.
t Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, p. 2.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

white face mask; long, floating yellow ear-tufts, "bent like the horns
of a ram " ; the legs are red, the beak is red and green, making alto-
gether a grotesque looking creature.

The birds deposit their single egg in crevices of rocks ; a burrow
is often dug in the guano, which has for ages accumulated on these
islands ; sometimes a few pieces of weeds are found in the bottom of
the cavity, but often no material is used as a nest lining.

Mr. W. O. Emerson, who has collected extensively on the Faral-
lone Islands, says that one of the birds may always be seen at the
entrance of their nesting places on guard duty ; they are among the
most noisy of the sea birds, always screaming while out on the rocks,
and constantly "growling" while in their burrows. Fresh eggs may
be collected in the middle of June. Mr. Emerson informs me that he
has taken fresh eggs and young birds in the latter part of July. One
pair will rear two or three birds in a season.

The eggs have a ground color varying from a pure white to a
yellowish buff. Some have a circle of lilac markings about one or
both ends. Eggs will be found in a large series having tan colored
spots over the entire surface ; others have lines and zigzag markings,
while some seem to be immaculate, but upon close examination deep-
lying shell markings are noticeable. Four eggs measure 2.87x1.88,
2.83 X 1.86, 2.84 X 1.86, 2.82 x 1,89.

In a paper entitled ** Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands,"*
based principally upon Mr. Emerson's ** matchless collection of birds
and eggs, and his notes regarding them," the author, Mr. Wa' er E.
Bryant, says : " I have carefully measured fifty puffin's eggs, which
average 70.2 x 48.4 mm. f The individual proportions of eight eggs,
showing the greatest and smallest extremes of both diameter, are
81x50, 77x48,74x50, 71.5x51, 71x46, 65.5x45, 64^50,63.5x50
mm."t

13. Fratercula arctica (Linn.) [743]

Puffin.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. Breeding on the North American coast from the Bay
of Fundy northward, south in winter to Long Island, and casually further.

The Common Puffin is found exclusively in the waters of the
Atlantic, breeding on the eastern coast of North America from Maine
to Greenland. In Europe it breeds from Great Britain to the northern
coast of Norway.

The nest is made in a burrow in the earth, dug by the birds. Far
north thousands breed in the fissures of rocky cliffs and in the sides of

'" Read before the California Academy of Sciences, December 19, 1887.

1 2.78x1.90.

X 3.19x1.97. 3.03x1.89, 2.91x1.97, 2.81x2.01, !i,.79xl.81, 2.58x1.77, 2.66x1.97, 2.60x1.97.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

bluffs ; two birds are often found sitting, each on its egg, in the same
burrow. The eggs are deposited late in June and in July. Mr. Frazar
found these birds abundant on the coast of Labrador. An island of
two or three hundred acres in extent was covered with Puffin burrows ;
about a thousand nests examined contained one egg each, while in a
dozen others there were but two eggs to a nest. The greater part
of these were plain, dull white; others were more or less thickly
spotted, with obscure chocolate and reddish-brown markings ; a num-
ber had distinct brown spots, blotches and tracings, such as are seen in
the Murre eggs.* The sizes range from 2.25 to 2.85 in length by 1.45
to 1.85 in breadth.

Ida.

[743«]

Fratercula arctlca glacialia (Temm.)

LarKe-billed Puffin.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the Arctic Ocean, from Spitzbergen to Baffin's Bay.

This bird is like the last, but greater in size, the bill larger and
differently shaped. It breeds in the far north, on the islands of Baffin's
Bay and along the coasts of Greenland — nesting in the same manner
as arctica. The eggs are not distinguishable. According to Prof.
Ridgway they average larger than F. arctica,^

14. Pratercala corniculata (Naum.) [744.]

Honied Puffin.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Kurite Island* to Sitka.

The Horned Puffin breeds on the bleak rocky islands of
the polar seas. It is found along the coast of Alaska, is common in
the Northern Pacific Ocean and on nearly all the islands of Behring's
Sea. It takes its name from the slender, upright horns of the upper
eye-lids. The term "horns," however, is regarded by some as mis-
leading. In the living bird the horns are said to be only soft, flexible
caruncles or wattles. The nest-holes of this species are in the deep,
narrow interstices of rocks, seldom within the reach of a man's arm,
and, except in the absence of the bird, it is hazardous to attempt to
rob the nest. Like the Tufted Puffin, Limda cirrhata it often inflicts a
severe wound with its powerful bill. The nest cavities are lined with
grass, moss, etc. A single egg is laid, which is oblong-oval in shape,
pure white in color and the shell is rough, measuring 2.74 x 1.84.

15. Cerorhinca monocerata (Pall.) [746.]

Rhinoceros Anklet.

Hab. coasts and islands of the North Pacific, breeding southward to California and Japan; in winter,
south to Lower California.

On the islands of the Pacific coast, from Washington Territory

* Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. XII, pp. 2-3.
t Manual North American Birds, p. 11.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

northward, the Horned-billed Auk is said to breed in abundance. Eggs
of this species have been collected on the Farallones, and the bird was
thought to breed on the islands farther south. It is nocturnal in its
habits, remaining throughout the daytime in crevices among the rocks
and burrows in the ground, where it deposits its single egg. This is
similar to the egg of the Horned Puffin — dull, chalky white, with dis-
colorations and faint shell markings of obscure purplish-gray. Sizes
range from 2.65 to 2.90 lon^ by 1.80 to 1.90 broad.

16. Ptychoramphus aleuticns (Pall.) [751.]

CaHln'a Anklet.

Hab. Pacific coaat of North America, from the Aleutian Islandt to San Diego, breeding Muthward to
the Farallones.

Mr. Emerson found this species abundant on the Farallones. It
is nocturnal in its habits, flying an'l roving about during foggy, stormy
or moonlight nights, but never at dusk. After dusk, however, they
come out of their holes in the rocks all over the island, and can be
heard calling to one another their peculiar notes, chee-rie-kce, cfiee-rie-
kee. This Auk does not burrow in the ground like the Puffins or other
species that inhabit the Farallones. Any convenient crevice or hole in
a pile of rocks which affords a hiding-place suits this species for the
purpose of depositing its single ^%%.

Mr. Bryant, in his paper '* Birds and Eggs from the FArallon Isl-
ands," says that this Auk arrives early in the year, coming in great
numbers in the night of January 14, 1887.

Two and three young are supposed to be reared in a season.
Young birds in the down have been taken in September.

Considering the size of this species, it lays a very large ^^^. The
bird measures eight to nine and a half inches in length, or about the
size of a full-grown Woodcock, while its egg averages 2.25 x 1.47. At
first appearance the egg seems to be white, but upon holding it to the
light it is a delicate shade of emerald green. The shell is finely gran-
ulated, and the general shape of the egg is ovate, some more pointed
than others. Two extreme examples measure as follows: 1.97x1.42,
1.65 X 1.22.

17. Cyclorrhynchus pslttacnlns. (Pall.) [747-1

Paroqnet Anklet.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from the Aleutian and Kurile Islands northward.

A bird of the open sea, only visiting land for the purpose of
breeding; known also by the name of Pug-nosed Auk. It is dis-
tributed irregularly throughout the Northern Pacific Ocean and
Bering Sea, being quite common on the Prybilof and Aleutian

NESTS AND EGGS OP

Islands during the breeding season, which begins about the middle
of May.

For its nesting place this Auk selects a deep crevice in the face of
some inaccessible cliflf; the cavity is often winding, and it is exceed-
ingly difficult to obtain the eggs. Even on islands where hundreds of
these birds are found breeding the cavities can not be opened, except
by the means of dynamite or blasting powder, which, if used, would
destroy the eggs. A single egg is deposited on the bare surface of the
cavities; it is generally an oblong-oval shape with rounded ends,
chalk- white or bluish in color, and the shell rough. The average
size is 2.12 X 1.46.

18. Simorhynolms crlstatellns (Pall.) [748.]

Hab.

Crested Auklet.

Coaitt and islands of the North Pacific, from Kadiak and Japan northward.

The Crested or Snub-nosed Auk, like the last, inhabits the coasts

and islands of the North Pacific. This little bird has a beautiful crest

on the forehead of twelve to twenty feathers ; it is about two inches

long, and curls gracefully forward upon the bill. Its nesting habits are

like those of the C. psittacultis. On the islands of Bering Sea its

breeding season extends from May to August. The egg averages

2.14x1.45.

20. Simorhynohas pusillus (Pall.) [750.]

Least Anklet.

Hab. Coast* and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward to Bering's Strait.

One of the most characteristic of the waterfowl frequenting the
Prybilof Islands, Bering Sea. By the ist to the 6th of June they
arrive in great numbers on these islands, and begin to lay. It is said
to be comically indifferent to the proximity of man, and can be ap-
proached almost within an arm's length before taking flight, sitting
upright and eyeing one with great wisdom and profound astonish-
ment. Dr. Coues says: "This curious little bird, the smallest of
all the Auks, and one of the least of all water birds, inhabits the
coasts and islands of the North Pacific, resorting to favorite breeding
places by millions, with S. psittaculus and S. cristatellus. The nesting
is similar, the single egg being laid in the recesses of rocky shingle
over the water; size 1.55x1.12."! The bird is not known to come
south so far as the United States.

21. Synthliborampliris antiquus (Gmel.) [753, 759.]

Ancient M nrrelet.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, from Sitka and Japan northward. Accidental in Wis-

The Black-throated Guillemot, or Murrelet, is found in the Pacific

COnsin.

t Key to North American Birds, p. 809.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Ocean, breeding on the islands and along the coasts from Sitka north-
ward. Nests that have been found of this species were in holes in
banks, or in burrows in the ground, similar to those of the Petrels.
On some of the islands of Bering Sea, however, the biids are
known to deposit their eggs in the crevices of cliffs. A single egg is
laid, pale buff in color, with small longitudinal markings, somewhat
subdued, of lavender gray and a light brown. Sizes range from 2.15
to 2.50 long by 1.40 to 1.55 broad.

23. Brachyramphns marmoratus (Gmel.) [755.]

Marbled Mnrrelet.

Hab. Coait and itiandi of the North Pacific: on the American coatt from San Diego northward, and
breeding aa far south at Vancouver Island.

This is another of the diminutive Murres confined to the Pacific
Ocean. There seems to be little known concerning its nidification,
but its nesting habits and eggs are said to resemble those of the
Ancient Murrelet, 5. antiquus. They are ovate in shape, ground
color buflfy, marked with various shades of brown. Size, 2.14 x 1.42.

26. Brachyramphus craveri (Salvad.) [758.]

Craverl's Murrelet.

Hab. Island of Natividad, Gulf of California.

Craveri's Murrelet, of plain dark, slaty plumage above, and entirely
pure white beneath, breeds on the islands at the southern portion of
Lower California, in the vicinity of Cape St. Lucas. It nests in bur-
rows in the ground, and its general habits in all respects are said to be
the same as those of S.antiquus. It deposits a single egg,which is ovate
in shape, of a yellowish or bufiF ground color, thickly dotted, sprinkled
and marked with blackish-brown. Average size 2.03 x 1.40.

27. Cepphus grylle (Linn.). [760, /ar/.]

Black OniUemot.

Hab, Coasts of Northern Europe, south to Denmark and British Islands; coast of Maine, south in
winter to Philadelphia; Newfoundland (?)

In Europe this species breeds from the northern coasts of the
British Islands to the Arctic Ocean. It is resident on the north coast
of Ireland. Breeds commonly on the Hebrides, Orkneys and other
islands on the coast of Scotland. A very common species along the
entire coast of Norway. In North America it breeds on the islands
off the coast of Maine ; on Grand Manan and other smaller islands it
is found in countless numbers about the middle of June, depositing its
eggs in the nooks and crevices of rocks, and in all sorts of places
which offer shelter above high water mark. The eggs are laid on the
bare surface of the rock, with no attempt at nest building. So skillful

NESTS AND EGGS OF

t i

is the bird in hiding away its eggs that they are sometimes found hid-
den away in subterranean caves.* Two, and rarely three eggs are
laid, and they are indistinguishable from those of the following
species, but average larger.

28. Cepphus mandtii (Licht.) [760, part.]

Maadt's Guillemot.

Hab. Arctic regions of both continents; south on the Atlantic coast of North America in winter to
New Jersey, breeding to Hudson's Bay and Labrador; Alaskan coast, south in winter to Norton Sound.

The Sea Pigeon, as it is called, breeds abundantly on the coast
and islands of the North Atlantic. It is very abundant from Labrador
and Hudson's Bay northward, nesting in the holes and crevices of
rocks, often in the most inaccessible places. The eggs are laid in June
and July. The usual complement is two, often three. These vary
from white to a pale greenish-white, light drab yellow or buff, marked
irregularly with spots and blotches of different shades of brown and
black, thickest at the great end, where they are usually almost a con-
fluent ring; they are oval or elliptical in form; size about 2.30x1.55,
but, like nearly all eggs in a large series, there is a great variation in
the size, shape, and also in the style of markings, etc.

29. Gepphua columba Pall. [761.]

Pigeon Ouill-3s:.<t.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, southward from Bering's Strait to Northern JrT>an
and Southern California.

On the Pacific coast of North America this species is found breed-
ing from San Nicholas Island northward to the islands of Bering Sea.
Dr. Leonhard Stejneger says that it is a very common bird on Bering
and Copper Islands ; its eggs were collected at the latter place June
i6th.t It is quite common on the Farallones. Mr. Emerson says egg-
laying begins about the first of May, or shortly after, and continues
into July. Two eggs is the number laid, and they are deposited in the
crevices of rocks or in dark nooks under boulders, often near the
water's edge. If the eggs are laken the foolish bird will lay again in
the same place. The favorite resting place of these birds is on the
rocks just above the foaming surf, where they sit in pairs and " con-
verse " with one another in low whistling notes.

, In a large series of eggs the ground color varies from light pearl
gray to greenish-blue; their general shape is like that of the Gulls'
eggs, rounded oval at the large end and pointed at the smaller. The

4* See " Notes on Some of the Birds of Grand Manan," by C. H. Andros, Ornithologist and Oologist.
Vol. XII. pp. I71)-180.

t Bulletin of the United States National Museum. No. 29. Results of Ornithological Explorations in
the Commander Islands and Kamtschatka. By Leonhard Stejneger. Washington, Government Printing
Office, 1885. P. 21.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

markings are of two shades of lilac ; in some they are thickly spread
over the entire surface ; in others they fonn a circle about the larger
end. Mr. Bryant gives the average measurement of twenty-five sets of
two eggs each in Mr. Emerson's collection as, 61.6 by 41.4 mm.* Ex-
tremes in size, 66.5 by 41.5, 58.5 by 41 millimeters.f

30. Uria troile (Linn.) [763.]

Mnrre.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, southward on the coast of Nortn Ame.ica in winter to
Southern New England; breeding from Nova Scotia northward.

Like all of the Auks, Murres and Puffins, this species is eminently
gregarious, particularly in the breeding season. It is found in great
numbers throughout the Arctic Ocean and on nearly all the islands
north of Asia, Europe and America. On this side of the Atlantic it
breeds from Nova Scotia northward.

Tens of thousands of these birds congregate to breed on the rocky
islands, depositing and incubating their single egg close to one another
on the shelves of the cliflFs. The birds sit side by side, and although
crowded together, never make the least attempt to quarrel. Clouds of
birds may be seen circling in the air over some huge, rugged bastion,
forming a picture which would seem to belong to the imagination
rather than the realistic. They utter a syllable which sounds exactly
like mnrre. The eggs are so numerous as to have commercial value,
and they are noted for their great variation in ground color and mark-
ings. They vary from white to bluish or dark emerald-green in ground
color ; occasionally unmarked specimens are found, but they are usually
handsomely spotted, blotched, lined in various patterns of lilac, brown
and black over the surface. In some the marking are confused zigzag
lines that look like hieroglyphics. The eggs are large for the size of
the bird, measuring from 3. to 3.50 long by 1.95 to 2.10 broad; pyri-
form in shape.

30a. Uria troile californica (Bryant.) [763 a.]

California Mnrre.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific, breeding from California north to the Prybilof Islands.

Mr. Emerson says that the California Murre is the most common
sea fowl on the Farallone Islands, and they do not seem to diminish in
number, notwithstanding the wholesale destruction of their eggs for
commercial purposes. The birds begin to lay by the middle or latter
part of May. Fresh eggs can be found as late as August. This is
due, more or less, to the many robberies to which the birds are sub-

* 2.43xl.fl2.
t'2.(!2xl.«3,2.8Uxl.61.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

jected, and they are compelled to lay several times before they are left
undisturbed by the eggers. So telling is the effect due to constant laying
that the eggs deposited in the latter part of the season are perceptibly
smaller.

The Western Gull, Larus occidentalism is another enemy of this
Murre ; it carries off and devours both eggs and young. So it would
seem that the chances for the Murre to rear its young and launch them
into the deep, blue sea, where they can take care of themselves, are
not very favorable, yet these birds are found in countless numbers on
the islands of the Pacific coast. Mr. Bryant, in his excellent paper,* says:
" The gulls pick a murre's ^^g up bodily and carry it away in their
capacious mouth, but do not stick their bill into it to get hold, as is
stated by some writers, whose observations must have referred to the
eggs already broken by the gulls or eggers."

This species lays a single pear-shaped egg on the bare rock, often
on the narrow shelves of cliffs, where the bird has just room enough to
sit, and if unmolested will rear two and three young in a season.
Like the eggs of the last species, they show a wonderful diversity of
color and markings ; the ground color is white, buff, greenish of several
shades, yellowish, and cinnamon. They are either unspotted or
blotched or streaked with zigzag markings of brown and black. They
measure from 3.30 to 3.50 long by 1.90 to 2.05 broad; occasionally as
small as 2.05 in length by 1.45 in breadth.

31. Uria lomvia (Linn.) [764a.]

Brnimioh's Murre.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Ocean, south on the Atlantic coast
of North America to New Jersey. Breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence northward.

This Species has the same general habits and characteristics as the
common Murre, Uria troile. Its distribution in the breeding season is
about the same, and the eggs are indistinguishable. It is an abundant
bird on the islands of the North Atlantic.

31a. Uria lomvia arra (Pall.) [764.]

Pallas's BIarr«.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Pacific and Western Arctic Ocean.

The great *' egg bird " of the North Pacific, swarming at its breed-
ing places on the rocky islands and shores in myriads. Its habits and
nesting are the same as those of the foregoing, the eggs averaging
larger, 3.21x2.01.

* Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands.

•e they are left
:onstant laying
tre perceptibly

nemy of this
So it would

1 launch them
emselves, are

numbers on
paper,* says:
iway in their
-t hold, as is
ferred to the

2 rock, often
n enough to
n a season,
diversity of
h of several
'Spotted or
ack. They
isionally as

e Atlantic coast

itics as the
: season is
abundant

^s breed-
bits and
^eraging

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. ll

32. Alca torda Linn. [742.]

Ramor-bUled Ank.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, south in winter on the North American coast to
Southern New England.

The Razor-billed Auk is abundant on the coasts and islands of the
North Atlantic and some parts of the Polar seas. The Razor-
billed Auk is about eighteen inches long, with a pointed tail and
flatly compressed bill ; the plumage is brownish-black above and
white beneath, the black bill having a white curved line and
the back part of the wing is edged with white. It breeds from the
northeastern coast of Maine northward. Mr. Frazar found it common
everywhere in Labrador, more so even than the Murre, f/rm troile^
owing to its habit of breeding in less frequented places — concealing
its eggs in the cracks and crevices among the rocks, where it was not
apt to be disturbed. It frequents the rocky shores, and deposits its
eggs in June and July, often in deep fissures of the rocks and in
caverns. It very frequently lays its eggs at the entrance of inhabited
puffin's burrows. Generally one egg is laid, but in about twenty in-
stances Mr. Frazar found two. These are white with a creamy or
bluish tint, spotted and blotched with dark brown or black, the spots
often becoming confluent and generally forming a circle toward the
large end; pyriform to oval in shape; size about 3.00x2.00. The
eggs exhibit a great variety in the distribution and style of markings.
In shape they are not distinguishable from some types of the common
Guillemot, but are generally more or less ovate or elongated pear-
shaped. The Razor-billed Auk breeds sparingly on the outlying rocky
islands of Nova Scotia, as on Devil's Limb and Gannet rock.

The bird is about eighteen inches long. In life it is said to have
a particularly trim and elegant form, and its feathers are always kept
perfectly clean, smooth and glossy. This Auk is said to be of quarrel-
some disposition, seldom allowing a puffin or murre to alight near
it without opening its bill at the intruder and disclosing a bright
orange mouth. The Razor-bill rides lightly on the water and dives
well.

33. Plautus impennis (Linn.) [741 ]

Great Ank.

Hab. Formerly the coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, from Massachusetts and Ireland north-
ward nearly to the Arctic Circle. Believed to be now extinct.

Ornithologists generally agree that the Great Auk has disap-
peared from the face of the earth. Within the present generation it is
one of the birds that has doubtless become extinct through the agency
of man. Like the penguin, which it much re.embles in general form,

NESTS ANI> EGGS OK

it did not possess wings suitable for flight, those members being of
very small size and only useful as fins in the water. The specific
name, impennis^ or wingless, is not really a correct term. The bird
was easily captured when on land. A specimen is said to have been
taken at St. Kilda in 1822 ; and it was once a well known bird in the
Orkneys.

The last specimens of the Great Auk, two in number, were taken
by a party of men in an excursion to a rocky island on the coast of
Ireland in 1844. The bird formerly inhabited the coast of Massachu-
setts and northward to Greenland and Iceland, as we are assured by the
earlier observers, and by the quantity of bones in shell-heaps. There
are four preserved specimens in this country, and about seventy skins
and eggs in the various museums of the world. This interesting bird
is said to have once been found on Bird Rocks in the Gulf of St.
Lawrence, but those who visited this place as far back as 1835 do not
mention the " Penguin " as occurring there.

On the American coast the last living example is thought to have
appeared on a small island off the southern coast of Newfoundland.
About twenty years ago the Great Auk, it is said, was still to be found
on the Penguin Islands, 250 miles north of Cape Norman, New Found-
land, but of this there seems to be no satisfactory evidence. Mr. R.
Dean records one ** found dead in the vicinity of St. Augustine, Lab-
rador, in 1870."* This one, though in poor condition, sold for $200,
and was sent to Europe. Concerning the character, date and dis-
position of the specimen, however, there appears to be some question,
and it is not likely that the bird lived down to so recent a date. The
bird is said to have been a remarkable swimmer, moving upon and
under the water with extraordinary rapidity, a specimen in one in-
stance having been pursued by a six-oared boat and crew for hours in
vain. The Great Auk, the largest of the family, measures about
thirty inches in length, the wing six, tail three, bill along the gape
four and a quarter. The general color of its plumage is dark above,
and the under parts white, extending to a point beneath the throat;
the ends of the secondaries are white. There is a white oval spot
between the eyes and bill.

The egg of the Great Auk w:js laid on the bare rock without any
attempt at a nest. The egg is like that of the Razor-billed Auk, but
of course much larger. Prof. Robert Ridgway gives the average size
as 4.67 X 2.91.1

* American Naturalist, Vol. VI, p. 368.
t Manual of North American Birds, p. 19.

.- .« *. n ^ i'.. wa a MW* '^* i » *^ w I' M I'

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

34. Allealle (Linn.) [752.]

Dov«kie.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic and Eastern Arctic Ocean ; in North America, south
in winter to New Jersey; breeds in high northern latitudes.

The little Ice-bird of the fishermen and the Sea Dove of ornithol-
ogists. Its entire life is spent on the open sea, rarely visiting land ex-
cept during the breeding season or when driven thence by severe
storms. It breeds in the Arctic regions of America and Europe, the
islands of the Arctic Ocean, and in the northwestern portion of Asia.
The head and bill of this bird are formed almost exactly like that of a
quail. It is very abundant at its breeding grounds in the far north,
and is one of the most boreal of birds ; nesting chiefly on islands, or
always in places near the sea, depositing its single pale, greenish-blue
egg in the crevices of rocky cliflfs. The eggs measure from 1.80 to
1.90 in length by 1.25 to 1.30 in breadth.

35. Megalestris skua (Brunn.) [696.]

Skna.

Hab. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic. South to Spain and Massachusetts. Rare on the
coast of North America,

The Skua Gull may well be called the feathered pirate of the seas.
It does not congregate in flocks ; two or more pairs are seldom seen
together. It is noted for its courage and daring, attacking and harass-
ing gulls, forcing them to disgorge the fish which they have swal-
lowed. In the Island of Unst, the most northern one of the Shetland
group, it has been found breeding. The bird was given a place in the
fauna of North America on the ground of its occurrence in Greenland,
where its eggs are said to have been taken. The nest is simply a shal-
low cavity in the long grass, lined with grass stems. The eggs are two
or three in number, with an olive-green or drab ground-color, marked
by irregular dark olive-brown and chocolate-colored blotches ; they
measure from 2.75 to 3.00 in length, by 1.50 to 2.00 in breadth.

36. Stercorarius pomarinus (Temm.) [697.]

Pomarine Jaeger.

Hab. Seas and inland waters of northern portions of Northern Hemisphere, south to Africa and
Australia, and probably South America. Not known to occur in winter on the Atlantic coast of North
America north of Long Island.

Another of the falcon-like sea fowls, commonly called the Gull
Hunter by the fishermen. Resident throughout the summer in high
northern regions, chiefly within the Arctic Circle. In winter it is a
great wanderer, and is known to occur on the Great Lakes, and as far
as the above habitat indicates. The bird is said to live chiefly by plun-
dering the Kittiwake Gull; but will attack other species, even the

NESTS AND EGGS OF

1
I r

I I-

largest. Comparatively little is known of its breeding habits; it
breeds in remote places, and is said to form a rude nest of grass and
moss, situated on dry elevated spots in marshes. The eggs of all the
Skuas are very similar in appearance — pale olive-green or yellowish-
gray in ground-color — irregularly blotched and spotted with two shades
of brown ; those of the present species are said to be thinner in form
and more pointed than those of the others. Dr. Brewer describes an
egg procured in Greenland as rounded-ovoid; its ground-color, deep
olive-drab, sparingly spotted with slate-color and two shades of umber,
chiefly at the larger end, where they become confluent. There are also
a very few scattered dots of black. Size, 2.25 by 1.70.

37. Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.) [698.]

Paraaitio Jaeger.

Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, southward in winter to South Africa and South Amer-
ica. Breeds in high northern districts, and winters from the Middle States and California southward to
Brazil and Chili.

The Parasitic Jaegar, like the others of this family, is eminently
rapacious, and it is known as the " Man-of-War," from its habits of
pursuing and robbing the terns and smaller gulls. It breeds in the
interior of Arctic America, and is especially abundant in the Anderson
River region. A common bird in the more northern portion of Asia
and Europe. So far as known, its general habits do not differ from
those of the Pomarine. It is given as the most common of the Skuas
off the coast of Norway, but does not go far inland to breed. The
nest of this species is made on islands or on the margins of lakes ; it is
a mere depression in the ground, lined with a few grasses and withered
leaves. In Greenland it is said to be a resident species, and it breeds
in Iceland on the moors far inland. In the Shetland Islands this bird
breeds in communities, fifty or more pairs congregating at the same
place. The eggs are usually two in number, sometimes three, and are
as variable in ground color and markings as those of the Eskimo
Curlew. They vary from olive drab to green, gray and brown, marked
with several shades of chocolate, brown and an obscure stone gray,
distributed over the entire egg. Size from 2.00 to 2.40 long, and from
1.50 to 1.70 broad.

38. Stercorarins longicaudus Vieill. [699.]

Long-tailed Jaeger.

Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, south in winter to the Gulf of Mexico.

The same plundering habits mark the character of this bird as are
peculiar to any of the Jaegers or Skuas. It is distributed in the breed-
ing season throughout all parts of the region near the Arctic Circle, in

■Cf?MKI-^*ewr '.-r»j«--' ■"*•*"

J^l^

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Siberia, Northern Asia, Europe and America, and on the islands of the
Arctic Ocean. It breeds in Greenland and Iceland, is abundant
throughout the Barren Grounds of the Arctic coast, and is said to be
very numerous in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, also on the shores of
Franklin Bay. It is also found breeding on several of the Orkney and
Shetland Islands. Nests found in the Arctic regions are mere depres-
sions in the soil, scantily lined with dry grass and leaves. Some are
placed far inland near small lakes, and often there is really no nest,
the eggs being laid on the bare ground. The eggs are said to be not
always distinguishable from those of the Parasitic Jaeger, but average
smaller; exceptionally large specimens of 5". longicaudus are some-
times as large as exceptionally small ones of S. parasiticus They
range from 1.95 to 2.18 long, and from 1.45 to 1.55 broad.

39. Gavia aM (Gunn.) [657.]

Ivory Onll.

Hab. Arctic Seas, south in winter on the Atlantic coast of North America to Labrador and New
Foundland, casually to New Brunswick, and on the Pacific side to Bering Sea.

A bird that is resident in the Arctic regions of both hemispheres,
only occasionally visiting the more temperate zones. It is said to
breed the farthest north of all the gulls. Noted for its ravenous appe-
tite, gorging itself with the flesh of the seal and the blubber of the
whale. On the islands and along the coasts of Spitzbergen it breeds
sparingly ; in like places on the coast of Northern Siberia it is abund-
ant. The bird is a resident of Greenland, and the breeding season
there begins about the middle of June. The nest is built on some
inaccessible rock or clift ; it is made of dry grass and lined with moss
and a few feathers, forming quite a hollow. An egg is described as
oblong-oval in shape, with a ground color of light yellowish-olive with
small blotches of dark brown scattered over the surface. These are
intermingled with more obscure brown and cloudings of lilac. Size
2.45 long by 1.70 broad.

40. Rissa tridactyla (Linn.) [658.J

Kittlwake.

Hab. Arctic regions, south in Eastern North America in winter to the Great Lakes and Middle States.

The Kittiwake Gull is a northern species, found in the Atlantic
waters of Europe and America. On the Pacific coast it is represented
by the next form, pollic%ris. It is one of the commonest resident
species of Greenland, and according to observers it inhabits nearly all
parts of the Arctic regions. Breeds on the islands of the Atlantic coast
of North America, from New England northward ; an abundant species,

NESTS AND EGGS OF

nesting not always on the ground like most gulls, but on rocky cliffs
overhanging water. On Gannet Rocks of the St. Lawrence this noisy
Gull is especially numerous, where its nests are found on narrow
ledges ; they are composed of grass and seaweed. Some of the nests
are quite flat, while others are several inches in thickness and deeply
hollowed, new material being added each year, and they are sometimes
so numerous that the breeding places become very filthy and emit an
intolerable odor.

The eggs are two and sometimes three in number, and have a
ground-color of yellowish buff, brownish-gray or pale greenish-gray,
marked with irregular spots of varying shades of brown and lilac. The'
average size is 2.26 x 1.61.

40a. Rissa tridactyla poUlcaris Ridgw. [6580. ]

Paoifio Kittiwake.

Hab. Coasts of North Pacific and Bering Sea.

This form of the Kittiwake is abundant on the islands of the
North Pacific. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger records it as a common breed-
ing bird, both on the islands and along the Kamtschatkan coast, and
in all places suitable for rookeries they are found in astonishing num-
bers. For the purpose of nesting they select the shelves and projec-
tions of cliffs, the tops of walls that rise perpendicularly out of the
deep sea, and especially on the high pinnacles standing lonely amidst
the foaming breakers. The nesting is precisely the same as that of R.
tridactyla^ and the eggs are indistinguishable, except that in a large
series they are said to be more uniform in their markings.

41. Rissa breviroatris (Bruch.) [659.]

Red-legged Klttiiv^ake.

Hab. Coasts and islands of Bering Sea.

The living bird of this species has coral-red legs and feet, which
contrast richly with the snowy white plumage of the head, neck and
under parts. An abundant species on the islands of Bering Sea. On
the Prybilof group it swarms by tens of thousands to breed in the first
part of May. It is especially abundant on St. George's and St. Paul's
Islands.

The nests, like those of the Pacific Kittiwake, are placed on almost
inaccessible shelves and projections, so that seldom is a nest reached
unless a person is lowered down to it on a rope passed over the cli**"
Dry grass and moss cemented with mud are the materials which con-
stitute the nests.

The Red-legged Kittiwake is common on the islands along the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

an rocky cliffs
ace this noisy
^ on narrow
e of the nests
s and deeply
re sometimes
and emit an

ands of the
mon breed-
i coast, and
5hing num-
md projec-
out of the
ely amidst
that of i?.
in a large

et, which
aeck and
3ea. On
^ the first
>t. Paul's

n almost
reached
the cli«"
ich con-
ing the

Kamtschatkan coast, notably on Copper Island, where it breeds in
company with pollicaris.

The eggs have a ground-color of brownish white, varying to light
drab and buff, marked with blotches, sepia-brown and umber ; these
are underlain by subdued shades and cloudings of lilac-gray. The
average size of the egg is 2.28 x 1.66.

42.

[660.]

Lams glaucQS Brunn.

Gli\noiu Onll.

Hab. Arctic regions, south in North America to the Great Lakes and Long Island. North Pacific.

One of the largest of the Gulls, equal in fact, to the Great Black-
backed Gull, L. marinus.

It is a bird of high northern range during the breeding season —
inhabiting the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia and the more north-
ern portions of North America. In Spitzbergen it is said to breed in
immense numbers, placing the nests on the shores or low rocks and
even on masses of ice. They are large structures, made of sea weed
and moss. The Burgomaster Gull, as it is called, feeds on crabs and
fishes ; it attacks smaller birds and also robs them of their eggs and
young. It attends fishing boats for the purpose of devouring the offal
which may be thrown overboard. The bird is recorded as a constant
resident of Greenland. In Hudson's Bay it builds its nests on the
islands in lakes and rivers, and the young are hatched in June. Wal-
rus Island, one of the Prybilof group in Bering Sea, is a favorite
breeding place of this gull ; here the nests are built of sea ferns and
dry grass, placed among the gra'^sy tussocks in the center of the
island. The eggs are two, and sometimes three in number ; their gen-
eral shape is spherically oval, and the ground color dark grayish-
brown, pale ash, pale clay or a pearly white. The markings are small
patches of light brown and brownish black. The sizes range from
2.95 to 3.15 long by 2.18 to 2.25 broad.

* * Larus barrovianus Ridgw.

Point Barrotr Gull.

Hab. Bering Sea and adjacent waters, northeastward to Point Barrow, southwest in winter to Japan.

This new species of Gull,* whose plumage is described as resemb-
ling that of the Glaucous and Iceland Gulls, and whose size is inter-
mediate between these two species, is found on the islands of Be-
ring Sea, and its range extends as indicated in the habitat.

Specimens that served for description were from the Island of St.
Michaels and Point Barrow.f

•Described since the publication of the A. O. U. Check List.

t For details see Auk, III, p. 330, or Ridgway's Manual N. Am. Birds, p. 26.

NBSTS AND BGGS OP

.Its general habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are doubtless similar to
those of other Gulls. Prof. Ridgway gives the average measurement
of its eggs as 3.05 x 2.03.

43. Lams leacopterns Faber. [661.]

Iceland Onll*

Hab. Arctic Regions, toutb in winter in North America to Maiiachutetti, and further.

This Gull is precisely like the last, but smaller, and it is difficult
to distinguish the two at a distance. Another common name for it is
White-winged Gull. It is an Arctic species, and its distribution dur-
ing the breeding season is nearly identical with that of the Burgo-
master, being found in the northerr parts of Europe, Asia and North
America. The two species are often found nesting in the same places,
and the nests are of the same construction. The eggs, however, are
smaller, measuring 2.79 x 1.85.

44. Larus glaucescens Naum. [662.]

Olanooiu-winged Onll.

Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska south to California; on the Asiatic side south to
Japan.

Almost as large a species as the Glaucous Gull or Burgomaster.
It breeds on the islands of the Pacific coast from Washington Terri-
tory northward. The nests are not always built on the shelving rocks
of high clififs. On the Aleutian Islands they are found among the tall
grass on the highest parts of the islands, while others are built on pro-
jections of rocks. Sometimes there is little or no attempt at nest-
making, the eggs being laid in a slight depression of the ground.

On Bering Sea and Copper Islands, on the Kamtschatkan coast,
this species breeds all around the shores. Eggs have been found as
early as the middle of May. These are said to be of a more greenish
tinge and the spots more numerous and better defined than in those
of the glauctis. Size 2.88 x 2.03.

45. Larus knmlienl Brewst.

Knmllen'B Gvll.

Hab. North Atlantic coast of North America; south in winter to the coast of the Middle States.

This new species of Gull, first described by Mr. William Brew-
ster,* is like glaucescens^ but somewhat smaller. It is recorded as
being quite common in the upper Cumberland water, where it breeds,
placing the nests on shelving rocks of high clifiFs. The eggs are said
to be the same as those of glatuescens.

*Bull. Nutt. Club., Vol. VIII., p. 216.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

53 similar to
neasurement

her,

t is difficult
me for it is
ibution dur-
the Burgo-
L and North
ame places,
3wever, are

ic side south to

rgomaster.
ton Terri-
-'ing rocks
ig the tall
It on pro-
t at nest-
und.

^an coast,
found as
greenish
in those

e States.

1 Brew-
rded as
breeds,
tre said

47. Larofl marlniu Linn. [663.]

Or««t Blaok-bAoked Onll.

Hab. Coasts of the North Atlaniic; south in winter to Long Island and Italy.

The large and powerful Black-backed Gull, or Saddle-back, inhab-
its the Atlantic waters of Europe and North America. Breeds in great
numbers on the coast of Norway as far as North Cape. In various
parts of the British Islands it is found throughout the year, especially
on the islands around the coasts of Scotland, where it breeds in abun-
dance. On the American coast it breeds from the Bay of Fundy north-
ward to Greenland. Years ago it was known to breed quite commonly
on the islands ofiF the coast of Nova Scotia.

In Labrador it is common everywhere. Mr. M. Abbott Frazar
found it breeding on the small islands, placing its nests generally on
some elevated spot. He seldom found more than a half dozen pairs
breeding on a single island. The nests were built of dry grasses, were
very bulky and deeply hollowed. He found no nests containing more
than three eggs. During the breeding season the birds feed largely
upon the eggs of other birds, especially upon those of the Murre and
upon young Eider ducks.*

The eggs of this Gull vary from a bluish-white or olive-gray to
a deep yellowish brown, and are irregularly spotted and blotched
with reddish-brown and lilac of different shades. The sizes vary from
2.70 to 3.20 long by 2.05 to 2.25 broad.

49. Larus occidentalis Aud. [664.]

Western Onll.

Hab. Pacific coast of North America, breeds from Southern California northward.

The most abundant species of Gull on the California coast, breed-
ing on all suitable islands. It is the only gull which breeds on the
Farallones. Mr. Emerson states that on these islands the nest is built
either on high ridges or low places near the shore. The material used
is a dry, rank weed ; with this they construct their rather bulky nest
and repair or rebuild it each year. Of their general habits Mr. Bryant
says:

"The gulls are indiscriminate feeders; in addition to their usual
articles of diet, th'^y subsist largely upon eggs during the summer.
They do not eat the eggs of their own species, nor do they trouble the
cormorants after the murres have commenced laying. Sea urchins,
crabs, young murres and rabbits, and fish stolen from the cormorants*
nests are eaten. Not being quick enough to swoop upon the rabbits,

" Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII., p. 17.

'i.i

.1 " t,

■J ;.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

i 1

they catch them by patient watching at their burrows, and will perse-
vere for fifteen minutes to swallow a squealing young rabbit, and finally
fly away with the hind feet protruding. The dead bodies of Murres
are also eaten ; they detach pieces of flesh by backing away and
dragging the body, meanwhile shaking their head, till a piece breaks
off"."

The eggs are deposited as early as the first part of May on the
Farallones, and laying is sometimes continued into July. The usual
complement is three ; but from constant robberies by the eggers, who
collect eggs for the San Francisco market, often only two are laid. The
same variation of ground-color and markings are to be found in these
eggs as is common to all those of the gulls ; light grayish olive, clay
color, bluish-white and deep yellowish-brown, spotted and blotched
with umber-brown, blackish and lilac of varying shades. The average
size of fifty specimens is, 2.76 x 1.94; the largest 2.99 x 2.01 ; the small-
est 2.56 X 1.89.

[50] Larus afflnls Reinh. [665.]

Siberian Ovll.

Hab. Greenland; Alia; Europe, southward in winter to North Africa.

The Siberian Gull is a rare or occasional visitor in Greenland,
whereupon it claims a place in the fauna of North America. It
breeds in the extreme north of Europe, notably on the shores and
in the lagoons of the Petchora River in the northern part of Euro-
pean Russia. The eggs are said not to differ from those of the
Herring Gull.

51. Larus argentatus Brunn [666]

Herring Onll.

Hab. Old World, south to the Azores; Cumberland Sound; occasional on the eastern coast ot the
United States.

The European Herring Gull is known as an occasional visitor to
the coast of Eastern North America. On the Azores, a cluster of nine
islands in the Atlantic, eight hundred miles due west of Portugal, this
Gull is very common, breeding on some of the islands in immense
numbers.

In Great Britain it is a familiar bird everywhere. It breeds in the
islands on the coast of Scotland, especially the Hebrides, Shetland,
Orkney and the Faroe Islands ; thence northward to Iceland. One of
the most common Gulls along the coast of Norway, as far as North
Cape, where they breed by thousands. Its nesting habits and its
eggs are the same as those of the American bird, smithsonianus. Eggs
2.91 X 1.98.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

:oa«t o( the

51a. Lariu argentatns gmithsonianiis Coucs. [d66a.]

AuMriemn Harrlns Onll.

Hab. North America gtnerilly. Breedi on tha Atlantic coail from Maina northward.

In North America this Gull is a common bird throughout its
range, particularly coast-wise. It is also more or less abundant on the
inland lakes and rivers during its periods of migration, and in many
of these places it is found breeding. At Moosehead Lake, Me., where
a few pair breed, the eggs are laid in the latter part of May, or in the
first week of June. In the interior this Gull is found breeding on the
lakes and larger bodies of water, as far north as the Mackenzie and
Anderson River regions. On many of the large prairie lakes of Mani-
toba it breeds in great numbers. Mr. Frazar mentions this species as
the most common of all the gulls inhabiting Labrador, breeding in
colonies and placing their nests on the ground.* In many places
where the Herring Gull has suffered persecution, it has been knc n to
depart from its usual habit of nesting on the open seashore, and \ , e
its nest on trees sixty and seventy-five feet from the ground.

At Grand Manan and in Labrador, in some of the old breed,
grounds, its human foes have brought about this change in its habits-
Some of the nests built on the ground are merely a shallow depression
with a slight lining, others are large and elaborately made of grass and
moss. Those built in trees are said to be strongly interwoven and very
compact.

The complement of eggs is normally three ; they vary from bluish-
white to deep yellowish-brown, irregularly spotted and blotched with
brown of different shades ; in a large series a great diversity of ground-
color and markings exists. Mr. Elwin A. Capen in his superb workf
figures three prevailing types of coloration. The sizes range from 2.73
to 2.91 long by 1.64 to 194 broad.

52. Larus cachinnans Pall. [667.]

Pallas's Onll.

Hab. Asia, from the Red Sea to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans; coast of Alaska, south in winter to
California.

In the Old World this Gull has been found breeding on the shores
and islands of the Red Sea, the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and at
the mouths of the Rivers Volga and Ural ; on the shores and islands
of the Caspian Sea, thence eastwardly and northerly on the inland
lakes and rivers through Asia to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. In

" Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, p. 18.

t Oology of New England: a description of the eggs, nests and breeding habits of the birds known to
braed in New England, with colored illustrations of their eggs. By Elwin A. Capen. Boston, 1886.

11-
li

NHSTS AND EGGS OP

North America it is a common species of the Northern Pacific, from
California to Alaska. It breeds on the islands of the Upper Yukon
River, in the first part of May, depositing its eggs in slight depressions
of the bare ground. The eggs are not distinguishable from those of
the Herring Gull, L. argentatus.

53.

[668.]

Larus californicns Lawr.

Callfomta Onll.

Hab. Weitero North America.

The California Gull is found along the Pacific coast in winter, but
retires to its breeding places in the summer months. Its breeding
grounds seem to be inland, on the lakes and large bodies of water. It
breeds abundantly on Great Salt Lake and Pyramid Lake, Utah, and
on Lake Malheur, in Eastern Oregon. It has been found nesting as
far north as Great Slave Lake, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson and the
Lower Anderson River. The nests of this species are made on the
ground, or built on rocks and, sometimes where the birds are breeding
in vast colonies, the nests are placed on stunted sage or greasewood
bushes. They are built of sticks, grass and a few feathers. The eggs
are usually three or four in number, occasionally five. Prof. Marcus
E. Jones informs me that at Great Salt Lake this Gull generally lays
five eggs. These are deposited in a little bare spot surrounded by a
few twigs, the hollow just deep enough to keep the eggs from rolling
out. The nests are made on the sand or any other bare spot on islands
far out I' the lake. The eggs are laid about the middle of May.
They vary from a bluish-white to a deep brownish-clay color, spotted
and blotched with dark brown, slate and blackish zigzag markings.
Sizes range from 2.50 to 2.70 long by 1.65 to 1.95 broad.

54. Larus delawarensis Ord. [669.]

Ring-biUed OnU.

Hab. North America at large; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico.

This Gull inhabits the entire Continent of North America, and is,
on the whole, the commonest species both coastwise and in the interior,
it breeds in the United States and far nonh, placing its nest on the
ground or on cliflfs. Mr. Stebbins found this species and the Common
Tern occupying an island of about an acre in extent in Devils Lake,
Dakota, in the first week of June. The entire island was covered with
eggs of the gulls and terns. Mr. Stebbins says : "I don't suppose
you could lay down a two-foot rule anywhere without each end of it
striking a nest. It was common to find the terns and gulls breeding
side by side. Most of the gulls' nests were in the grass, while those

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

of the terns were in the sand. I did not find a gull's nest with more
than three eggs, and a very few with two; whereas, several hollows
were found with as many as eighteen terns' eggs in them, which had
rolled together." Mr, Frazar observed a few colonies of this species
breeding in I^abrador, nesting like other gulls, and the nests never
contained mc, than three eggs. These have the usual variations
in color to be xound in eggs of the terns — bluish-white to dark brown,
spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of various shades. Sizes
from 2.75 to 2.80 long by 1.60 to 1.75 broad.

55. Larus brachyrhynchus Rich. [670.]

Short-liilled OnU.

Hab. Arctic America and Pacific coast to Southern California.

In the breeding season the Short-billed Gull occurs in the north-
ern regions of North America. It has been found nesting on the
ground in the small lakes in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, and in the
Mackenzie River Valley. Breeds in great abundance at the mouth of
the Yukon. It also was observed nesting along the streams in the
Barren Grounds of the Arctic regions. Its nest is made of hay or
wiry grass, and is sometimes placed on stumps and in trees. The
eggs are usually three in number ; greenish ot olive brown, with vari-
ous markings, but chiefly small spots of reddish-umber. Sizes vary
from 2.00 to 2.35 long by 1.45 to 1.70 broad.

[56.]

[671.]

Larus canus Linn.

Mew Gnll.

Hab. Europe and Asia; accidental in Labrador.

This is the Sea-mew or Sea-mall of Europe. In Great Britain it
breeds more or less abundantly along the entire coast, and is especially
common on some of the smaller islands in the Hebrides ; on the
north coast of Scotland it is found on the Orkney and Shetland Islands.
It breeds on inland lakes as well as on the sea-coast, building its nest
on the grassy summits of precipitous rocks near the sea or on moorland
locks far inland, and even on high mountain ranges. It is abundant on
the coast and on the fresh-water lakes of Norway. A common species,
and breeds in nearly all parts of Central and Northern Russia. Abund-
ant on the Prussian coast and on the northern coast of France. The
nests are made of grass and vegetable substances. The usual num-
ber of eggs is three; yellowish-brown, olive-brown, and whitish to
greenish-gray, irregularly marked with dark brown and purplish-gray.
The size varies from 3.08 to 2.25 long by 1.40 to 1.58 broad.

,- it

l^:

li'"' '

i i.;

i ill-

il'l!M

30 NESTS AND EGGS OF

57. Larns heermanni Cass. [672.] •

Heerman's Onll*

Hab. Pacific coast ox North America, from British Columbia to Panama.

This is said to be one of the handsomest birds of the family to
which it belongs, and is commonly called the White-headed Gull. It
is a common species along the Californian coast and is most abundant
in winter. At the Farallone Islands it is occasionally seen, but does
not breed there. It probably breeds on the Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa
Islands, as it does on others farther south.

The general habits of this species are the same as those of other
gulls. One particular trait, however, marks this species — that of fol-
lowing flocks of pelicans and robbing them of a portion of the fish
which these birds carry in their pouches, seizing upon the fishes which
fall out or hang outside. The food of this Gull is almost exclusively
fish, which it also procures by diving. It also feeds ou small Crustacea
and mollusca. The eggs of this species are described as having a
yellowish-drab ground-color, over which is scattered spots and mark-
ings of lilac and different shades of brown. The average size is 2.45
by 1.50.

58. Larus atricilla Linn. [673.J

I^anghing Oull.

Hab. Eastern tropical and warm temperate America, chiefly along the sea coast, from Maine to
Brazil; Pacific coast and Middle America.

The Laughing or Black-headed Gull is more of a southern
species, particularly one of the Gulf and South Atlantic States, but
is found breeding as far north as the coasts of New England. It is an
abundant and a resident species on the coasts of Florida, along the
whole extent of the Gulf of Mexico; and also on the Pacific and
Atlantic coasts of Central America. "

Mr. Maynard says : *' The notes of Gulls are loud and startling,
but those of the Laughing are the most singular of them all, for their
cries, especially when the bird is excited, sound like loud peals of
prolonged and derisive laughter."*

Mr. R. C. Stuart, of Tampa, Fla., writes that this species nests in
large communities, on grassy islands along the Gulf coast in May and
June, placing the nest in tussocks of grass ; the cavity is nicely lined
with fine, dry grasses. The eggs are from three to five in number.

In color they vary from bluish-white to greenish-ash, spotted und
blotched with brown, umber and lilac of varying shades ; the usv^al
variations in size, ground color and markings are to be found in ii

<'Birds of Eastern North America.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

the family to
ied Gull. It
3St abundant
en, but does
i Santa Rosa

ose of other
-that of fol-
i of the fish
fishes which
exclusively
ill Crustacea
as having a
5 and mark-
i size is 2.45

t, from Maine to

a southern
States, but
d. It is an
, along the
Pacific and

i startling,
11, for their
d peals of

es nests in
a May and
icely lined
amber.
)otted and
the usual
bund in a

large series of these eggs; sizes from 2.00 to 2.28 long by 1.50 to
1.65 broad.

&9. Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich. [674.]

Franklin's GnU.

Hab. Interior of North America, breeding from the northern border of the United States northward;
south in winter to Central and South America.

In North America this Gull is confined to the interior, chiefly west
of the Mississippi, breeding from the northern border of the United
States northward. Mr. J. W. Preston found it nesting in the marshes
of western Minnesota, about the middle of May.* I am informed by
Mr. H. J. Wallace that it breeds abundantly in the marshes of the Red
River Valley of Western Manitoba. He found this beautiful Gull
breeding in large communities, in marshes and wooded swamps,
making its nest of wet grasses and sedges on the tops of broken down
stalks.

The eggs are described as closely resembling those of the Eskimo
Curlew in size, shape and color, though the dark splashes are more
evenly distributed over the surface. The ground-color varies from
dirty white to olive-drab and light brown, with all the shades ot" the
lighter tints of green and ashy. They are usually marked with numer-
ous and bold splashes and zigzag lines of umber-brown and different
depths of chocolate, particularly at the larger end. The eggs average
about 2.12 X 1.40 ; they are three in number.

Three eggs in my possession, collected at Heron Lake, Minnesota,
on the 9th of May, measure as follows: 2.06x1,41, 1.98x1.45, 2.03 x
1.47. These are olive-drab with bold spots and blotches of light and
dark brown ; there are no zigzag lines.

60. Larus Philadelphia (Ord.) [675.]

Bonaparte's Onll.

Hab. Entire North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States; south in winter to Mexico
and Central America.

This handsome little Gull is a common species throughout North
America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coasts. It is especially abun-
dant along the Atlantic coast during its periods of migration. Breeds
Northward, nearly to the Arctic Ocean. Its flight is described as being
light, airy and very graceful, resembling that of the Terns. Its prin-
cipal food is small fish. On many of the large lakes and marshes in
the prairie regions of Manitoba it breeds in great numbers, from thence
northward and throughout all parts of the Fur Countries it is found
breeding in suitable places. In the marshes of the wooded regions
bordering the Mackenzie River it breeds in the latter part of June.

"Ornithologist and Oologitt, Vol. XI., r;>. 6<l-66.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

;:i:
i:'.^l

The usual number of eggs laid is three, rarely four. The nests are
always placed in elevated situations, in bushes, trees, or on high stumps ;
the materials used are sticks and grasses, with a lining of vegetable
substances. The eggs vary from greenish to brown, spotted and
blotched with brown, umber and lilac of various shades ; these mark-
ings are chiefly clustered around the larger end. Size, 1.95 x 1.34.

62. Xema sabinil (Sab.) [677.]

Sablne'a Onll.

Hab. Arctic regions; in North America south to New York, the Great Lakes and Great Salt Lake.

The Forked-tailed Gull breeds in the extreme northern portion of
North America and Asia, especially on the islands of the Arctic Ocean,
depositing its eggs in a depression of the sand, which is generally
lined with bits of fine, dry grass ; the nest is also often made in beds
of moss, with similar lining. This Gull is recorded as abundant in
the marshes in the neighborhood of St. Michael's, Alaska, where it
breeds. Its food consists of worms and insects, which it obtains in
mud lakes. On the northwestern coast of Greenland, above Alison
Bay, this species has been found breeding, but not in large colonies.
The eggs are two to three in number. They are of a deep greenish-
brown, obscurely spotted and blotched with darker shades of the same ;
they very closely resemble those of the Willet or Curlew. The aver-
age size is 1.75 X 1.25.

63. Gelochelidon nilotica (Hasselq.) [679.]

Oull-billecl Tern.

Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan. In North America chiefly along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United
SUtes.

In North America the Marsh Tern, as it is commonly called,
breeds from New Jersey southward. On Cobb's Island, Va., it nests
sparingly in the latter part of June. Dr. James C. Merrill and George
B. Sennett found a colony of this species in company with Sterna
forsteri^ breeding on a grassy island, among lagoons and marshes, near
Fort Brown, Texas, May 16, 1877. The nests were slight depressions
among the short grass, and the eggs were frequently wet.* This Tern
breeds abundantly on Pelican Island, in the Gulf of Mexico, in the
latter part of May, laying its eggs on the bare sand. Farther south,
on the islands along the coast of Mexico and in the Bahamas, it is
known to nest in great numbers. The eggs are usually three in num-
ber, sometimes four. They vary from yellowish-buflf to greenish,
spotted and blotched with yellowish-brown and lilac, especially about

^Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas.

he nests are
ligh stumps ;
of vegetable
spotted and
these mark-
5x1.34.

i Great Salt Lake.

1 portion of
:ctic Ocean,
s generally
ide in beds
bundant in
a, where it

obtains in
ove Alison
re colonies.
> greenish-
' the same ;

The aver-

ts of the United

ily called,
L., it nests
id George
th Sterna
shes, near
-pressions
["his Tern
:o, in the
ler south,
3ias, it is
- in num-
greenish,
lly about

Mw.

ml !i

PLATE II

PIED-BILLED GREBES AND NEST.

{Pcdilymbut fodicepi.)

Page 6,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

the larger end, but, like the eggs of all terns, are extremely variable.
The average size is 1.75x1.30.

This is the only species of tern having the bill shaped in a noticea-
ble degree like that of a gull — hence its common name.

Marsh Tern is another name by which it is known, but this is not
regarded as exactly correct.

According to the best authorities the Gull-billed Tern is a species
of wide distribution and is characteristic of no particular region, breed-
ing alike in the islands of the Indian Ocean and in those of the Gulf
of Mexico, the islands and the coasts of Jutland in Denmark and
along the coast and the interior in the marshes and lagoons of southern
South America. A few specimens have been taken on the coasts of
France and Germany, and it is recorded as being common in Hun-
gary, Greece, and Asia Minor, where it breeds.

It is known to breed in various other portions of Southern Europe,
and also in the northern parts of Africa. Its flight is spoken of as easy
and graceful, partaking of the elegance which is characteristic of these
birds when on the wing.

64. Sterna tschegrava Lepech. [680.]

Caspian Tern.

Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan; in North America brei ing southward to Virginia, Lake Michigan,
Texas, Nevada and California.

This is the largest of these elegant and graceful birds, the Terns ;
it measures from twenty to twenty-three inches in length! The bill of
this bird in life is of dark vermilion-red, growing lighter towards
the tip ; the pileum and occipital crest is glossy, greenish-black, ex-
tending to the lower line of the eyes. The back and upper parts
of wings are pearl-blue, the whole underparts are white. The legs
and feet are black. The extent of wings in the adult bird is from fifty
to fifty-five inches. It is nearly cosmopolitan in its distribution, being
found in greater or less abundance in various portions of the globe.

At a distance it is often mistaken for the Royal Tern, but may be
distinguished from the latter by its more robust form and less deeply
forked tail.

The bird is also known as the Imperial Tern ; irregularly distributed
throughout North America , but chiefly in the Arctic regions, where it
breeds, and along the entire Atlantic coast. Eggs and young have
been taken on Cobb's Island, Va., in July. Dr. Merrill observed it
breeding on Padre Island, near Fort Brown, Texas, in May. Mr. B.
F. Goss found it nesting on the islands of Lake Michigan. Large
numbers of this species are said to breed on Pelican Island in the

r'n

1 Hi'

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Gulf of Mexico. The nests are mere hollows scooped in the dry sand,
in which the birds deposit two or three eggs. These vary from white to
greenish-buff, spotted and blotched with brown and lilac of different
shades ; broader and more elliptical than those of the next species ;
size 2.66x1.77.

65. Sterna maxima Bodd. [681.]

Royal Tern.

Hab. Tropical America and warmer parti of North America, northward to Massachusetts, the Great
Lakes .■\nd California. West coast of Africa north to Tangiers.

This handsome Tern, next in size to the Caspian, breeds in large
colonies along the Atlantic coast, from New Jersey southward, depositing
from one to three or four eggs on the bare sand. It breeds abund-
antly along the coasts and on the marshes of Florida. On some of
the islands in the Gulf of Mexico it nests in immense numbers. Very
abundant on many of the lagoons and marshes of Southern Texas.

Prof. Robert Ridgway records the Royal Tern breeding on Cobb's
Island, Va., in the first part of July. In an area of about an eighth
of an acre the eggs were so numerous that it was almost impossible to
walk through the nesting site without crushing a greater or less num-
ber ; many of the eggs were covered by the drifting sand.*

The eggs are described as being narrower, and especially more
pointed and rougher, than those of the Caspian Tern. They are
yellowish-drab, irregularly blotched with dark umber and lilac of
various shades; sizes range from 2.67 to 2.75 long by 1.70 1.75 broad.

IHI,,

|l'

Hab.

66. Sterna elegans Gamb. [682.]

Elegant Tern.

Pacific coast of America from California to Chili.

Dr. Coues describes this Tern as a " truly elegant species, resemb-
ling the Royal Tern, but easily distinguished." It is a Mexican and
Central American species, rarely occurring on the Californian coast.
An egg is described as having a ground-color of pinkish-white, with
bold and distinct markings of deep black and burnt sienna and subdued
shell-markings of lavender-gray; size 2.20 by 1.45.

67. Sterna sandvicensis acuflavida (Cabot.) [683. 1

Galiot's Tern.

Hab. Tropical America, northward along the Atlantic coast, irregularly, to Southern New England.

The beautiful Sandwich Tern has an extensive distribution. In
North America it has been observed as far north as Southern New
England, and is known by the name of Ducal Tern. Breeds in large

>»Bull. Nutt. Club, Vol. V, pp. 221-223. In article on the eggs of S/erua taspia.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

usetts, the Great

colonies, like most of the teras, depositing the eggs in the dry sand.
It nests on the small sandy islands off the coast of Cape Sable in the
latter part of June. Breeds commonly on the coasts of Central
America, and on some of the larger West India islands.

The eggs vary from white to buff, irregularly spotted and blotched
with brown, umber, bluish and reddish ; rather pointed; two or three
in number; size about 2.10 by 1.40.

69. Sterna forsteri Nutt. [685.]

Forster'a Tern.

Hab, North America generally, breeding from Manitoba aouthward to Virginia, Illinois, Texas, and
California ; in winter southward to Brazil.

Like all the terns, this one is noted for its graceful flight and, with
them, it shares the name of Sea Swallow — a name which belongs more
particularly to the next species.

Forster's Tern was once thought to breed only in the interior of
North America. The above habitat, however, indicates clearly the
range throughout which this species is found breeding in all suitable
places. It nests on the grassy islands among the lagoons and marshes
of Southern Texas, thence northward irregularly to British America.
In Manitoba, on the islands and marshes of the lakes and rivers, it
nests abundantly. Breeds in colonies, oiten in company with the
Common and Gull-billed Terns, the Laughing and Bonaparte's Gulls.
When its nesting places are disturbed it is said to be very noisy, utter-
ing a grating, monotonous note, and at the same time attacking the
intruder on all sides, often darting close to his head. In some localities
this species constructs its nest in a turf of dry grass, upon the sand, or
among stones. It breeds chiefly in grassy marshes, building its nest of
flags, water-plants, lining them with finer reeds. The eggs are two or
three in number, with an average size of 1.85x1.35. In color they
vary from nearly pure white and pale green to warm brownish-drab,
irregularly spotted and blotched with brown, umber and lilac.

[686.]

In North America chiefly confined to

70. Sterna hlrundo Linn.

Common Tern.

Hab. Greater part of the Northern Hemisphere and Africa,
the Eastern Pruvince, breeding variously throughout its range.

Sea Swallow, Wilson's Tern, Red-shank, "Mackerel Gull" and
"Summer Gull" are the names by which this beautiful species is
known in various localities. It is an abundant bird throughout its
North American range, breeding on many of the inland lakes and
marshes as well as along the coasts. In various places on the Atlantic
coast it breeds in company with other species, such as Forster's, Arctic,

■■'

11
1

jl''

' '

'■':: i
I'll ''

NESTS AND EGGS OF

and Roseate Terns, the Laughing Gull and others. Mr. W. W. Worth-
ington, of Shelter Island, New York, writes me the following :

"Although a few Wilson's Terns breed on nearly every sandy
point near here, Gull Island, situated a mile or so cast of Plum Island,
is their chief breeding ground in this section. Here they breed by
thousands, fairly filling the air when you land and disturb them. Their
nests are always placed on the ground or rocks, and are usually com-
posed of a few pieces of grass and seaweed. They place their nests
all over the Island above high water line, on the beach, on the sides of
the bluflfs, all around, and in the garden cultivated by the light-house
keeper. Fresh eggs can be obtained there from the loth of June to
the middle of July, as egging parties keep them cleaned off about as
fast as they are laid. I collected a set of /our eggs of this species on
Gull Island, last spring (i88i), which is the only set I ever saw con-
taining more than three eggs, which is the usual number laid."

The eggs vary from greenish to deep brown, spotted and blotched
with brown, blackish and lilac; they vary in length from 1.49 to 1.75
by 1. 18 to 1.30 broad.

71. Sterna paradisBBa Brunn. [687. "I

Arctic Tern.

Hab. Northern Hemisphere; in North America breeding from Massachusetts to the Arctic regions
•nd wintering southward to Virginia and California.

In its general appearance and habits, its mode of nesting, flight,
and other characteristics, this species closely resembles the Common
Tern. Its distribution is, however, more northern, breeding in the
most northern latitude, where 6". hirundo is found only in limited num-
bers. The eggs are indistinguishable.

;r:.;iii.

v._

72. Sterna dougalli Montag. [688.]

Roseate Tern.

Hab. Temperate and tropical regions; north on the Atlantic coast of North America to Massachu-
setts, and casually to Maine.

On the Atlantic coast of North America this beautiful species is
found breeding from Maine southward to Florida. It is known also
by the name of Paradise Tern. On some of the islands of the New
England coast this species breeds in abundance, notably on Muskegat,
Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Elizabeth Islands. In many places
it breeds in colonies with the Common and Arctic Terns and the
Laughing Gull. On a small island, called Goose Island, about three-
quarters of an acre in extent, situated in Long Island Sound, and a
short distance from Faulkner's Island, Mr. M. B. Griffing found this
species nesting in abundance. The high land is from two to six feet

NORTH AMKRICAN BIRDS.

e Arctic regions

a to Massachu-

above the beach, and is covered with a thick growth of weeds and
grass ; in this some of the nests were concealed ; others were in plain
sight; they were so numerous as to fairly cover the ground. They
were nothing more than slight hollows lined with dry grass, and con-
tained usually two eggs. Mr. Griffing says he is satisfied that this is
the usual number laid by this species, as there were but two sets con-
taining three eggs in the hundreds of nests observed ; incubation had
begun in nearly every set, and many were almost hatched. Some of
the eggs were laid on the shore just above high water mark.

Mr. Griffing says that the eggs differ from those of the Common
Tern, being less pointed at the small end ; the markings are usually
much finer and more numerous. By placing a tray of the eggs of
each species side by side the difference is very marked. They vary in
size from 1.55 to 1.75 in length by i.io to 1.25 in breadth. Mr. Griffing
states the birds are very noisy when their nests are being disturbed ;
hovering overhead they utter a harsh gutteral cry, peculiar to the
species. They also have a note which sounds like the syllable tip^ tip^
tip.

73. Sterna aleutica Baird. [689.]

Aleutian Tern.

Hab. Coast of Alaska, from the Island of Kadiak to Norton Sound.

This Tern has been found nesting in various parts of Alaska;
on the Island of Kadiak, and on some of the Eastern Aleutian Islands.
So far as known, its habits do not differ essentially from those of other
terns. The eggs measure from 1.65 to 1.85 long by no to 1. 15 broad.
They have a ground color, varying from brownish-white to greenish-
olive, with bold marking of light reddish and chestnut brown.

74. Sterna antillarum (Less). [690.]

Leaat Tern.

Hab. Northern South America, north to California and New England, and casually to Labrador, breed-
ing nearly throughout its range.

This pretty little Sea Swallow breeds on the Island of Cuba, and
other islands of the West Indies, along the coasts of Central America
and Mexico. Mr. Stuart says it breeds abundantly on the white sand
beaches of the Gulf Coast, and on the islands of the Atlantic coast of
Florida. The eggs are laid on the bare sand in May and June.

The *' Little Striker," as it is called, is found nesting on the At-
lantic coast as far north as Massachusetts ; a few, however, breed a
little farther north. The eggs are difficult to observe on the breeding
grounds, their color being very similar to the sand and broken shells
in which they are laid. They are two or three, and seldom four in

1 r.

•M-

i;:-

mil ;!

NESTS AND EGGS OF

number. They vary from pale greenish to drab or buff, spotted and
blotched pretty evenly with brown, umber and lilac of various shades,
with an occasional tinge of yellowish ; in some the markings tend to
form a wreath about the larger half. The average size is 1.25X.95.

75. Sterna fallginosa Gmel.

Sooty Tom.

[691.1

• om Chili to Western Mexico and

Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical consts of the Globe. In Am
the Carolinas; casually to New England.

The Sooty Tern is found both in temperate and tropical regions
almost everywhere throughout the world. It breeds abundantly on
the rocky islets off the coast of the Island of St. Helena, and on Ascen-
sion Island, which is farther north and west ; in favorite spots at the
latter place it is said to breed in countless numbers. The eggs are re-
garded by some as a great delicacy, and are so numerous that they are
an important article of commerce.

This species is said to be semi-nocturnal in its habits, being able
to fly by night as well as by day, going out to sea to feed long before
daylight. It is " the egg-bird " of Jamaica. Breeds on the islands in
the Gulf of Mexico, about the middle of May, nd on the small islands
south of Key West, Fla., early in May.

In some places the eggs are deposited l e bare ground or on
rocks ; in others a nest is made in the long grass under bushes. This
species lays but a single egg. Audubon states that the Sooty Tern
always lays three eggs, but more recent observers say that in thousands
of nests examined there were only two instances of two eggs being
found together. It is a handsome egg, pinkish or creamy white,,
spotted and blotched with a rich reddish -brown, tinged with lilac.
Sizes vary from 1.95 to 2.12 long by 1.45 to 1.50 broad.

Hab.

[76.] Sterna ansethetus Scop.

Bridled Tern.

Tropical regions; casual in Florida.

[692.]

The Bridled Tern is especially abundant in the West India Islands,
where it is the " egg-bird " par excellence^ and is often confounded with
the Sooty Tern. It is noted for its social peculiarities, always nesting
in company with the Roseate, Sooty and Noddy Terns. The single
egg of this species is deposited on ledges of rocks or in the cavities
among loose bowlders along the sea-shore. The egg has a ground-
color of a rich cream, with large blotches and smaller spots of reddish-
brown, with confluent shell-markings of dull lilac. The blotches are
usually confluent at the large end, while others are scattered over the
entire surface. Average size about 2.05 x 1.42.

estern Mexico and

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 89

77. Hydrochelidon nigra surlnamensis (Gmbl.) [693].

Bl«ok Tern.

Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from Alaska and fur countries into South America; bread-
ing from the Middle United State* northward.

The Black or Short-tailed Tern is distributed throughout North
America at large, both along the coast and in the interior ; breeding
anywhere in colonies, in marshes and reedy sloughs, where it deposits
the eggs on dead reeds, which are often floating. It is known to breed
abundantly in various marshes of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Dakota, Oregon and California. It has exceedingly long wings, and in
its pursuit of insects in the air its flight and evolutions resemble those
of a swallow. Mr. Frank W. Langdon observed this species to be a
very common summer resident of a marsh in Northern Ohio.* He
found it '* nesting, or rather laying its eggs, on the little islands of
decaying vegetation and mud formed by sunken muskrat houses.
Three eggs constitute a full set, and they are apparently rolled about
in the mud purposely until well coated, so as to hide the markings,
and thereby make them less conspicuous." Mr. I^angdon says that in
two or three instances an attempt at nest building was noticeable, con-
sisting merely of a few fragments of grasses, so disposed as to prevent
the eggs from rolling. Two broods are reared in a season, as eggs
were taken in ^Tay, and Mr. Langdon cpllected fresh eggs in July.
They vary fron. brown to greenish; thickly spotted and blotched
with brown and lilac of various sizes, but mostly bold, large and of
light and blackish brown, thickest around the larger end. They re-
semble some of the sandpipers' eggs in size, shape and color. Average
size 1.35 X .98.

78. Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Meisn & Schinz.) [694]

'White-winged Black Tern.

Hab, Eastern Hemisphere; accidental in North America.

A single example of this European species was taken on Lake
Koshkonong, Wisconsin, in the first week of July, 1873. The ovaries
of this specimen contained small eggs. It occurs occasionally in Great
Britain, and is accidental in Sweden. On the lakes, rivers and
marshes of the countries of the Alps it is said to be very common,
and also in the bays and inlets of the Mediterranean Sea. Its
nesting and general habits are said to be like those of H. nigra
surinamensis. The eggs, however, as a general rule, have a lighter
ground color, and average slightly larger than those of the American
bird.

<■ Summer Lirds of a Northern Ohio Marsh.

!:*,
I

NESTS AND EGGS OP

■Mil! i

(

ill

79. Anons stolidns (Linn.) [695.]

Noddy.

Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical regions; in America, from Brazil and Chili north to the Gulf and
South Atlantic States.

Dr. Brewer says : ** The common Noddy Tern appears to be an
inter-tropical species, and to be found round the entire surface of the
globe, both north and south of the equator, at a distance from it of
rarely exceeding thirty degrees north or south." On the Island of
St. Helena it is a common species, and it also breeds on Ascension
Island. It breeds in profusion on several of the West Indies. On the
Bahamas the nests are built of sticky, leaves and grai,j, and they are
placed in the branches of trees. In some of the islands of the tropics
this species places its nest on the top branches of cocoanut trees and
the outer branches of mangroves. It lays but a single egg; this will
vary from ashy-yellow to bufiF or cream color. The spots are small
and scattered, dark chestnut, with subdued shell-markings of lavender
gray; average size 2.00 x 1.35.

80. Rynchops nigra Linn. [ 656.]

Black Skimmer.

Hab. Warmer parts of America, north on the Atlantic coast to Nery Jersey, and casually to the Bay
of Fundy.

In summer the Black Skimmer is abundantly distributed from
New Jersey southward, and is strictly maritime. It may be known by
its singularly shaped bill, the under mandible of which is much longer
than the upper, and compressed like a knife blade, the end being ob-
tuse. The bird seems to feed as it skims low over the water, the under
mandible grazing the surface. L^ike the terns, the Skimmers breed in
communities.

This species is known by several names, such as " Razor-bill,"
"Cut-water," " Shear- water," "Sea Crow" and "Sea Dog;" the latter
name it receives from its cries, which resemble somewhat the barking
of a dog.

It breeds on Cobb's Island, Va., in the last of June. Mr. R. C.
Stuart informs me that this species nests along the Gulf coast of Flori-
da in May and June, depositing in hollows of the sand from three to
five eggs. He says he has frequently taken sets containing five eggs.
Mr. C. S. Shick, of Sea Isle City, N. J., writes me that he has taken
eggs as early as May 26, on the New Jersey coast. His experience is
that four eggs are oftener laid than three, which is generally stated to
be the usual number. The eggs are among the most beautiful of all
eggs ; they are white and pale buff, rather coarsely spotted and blotched
with brown, blackish-umber and lilac of varying shades, with neutral-

, ^..

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

I to the Gulf and

tint shell blotclies; sizes range from 1.65 to 1.98 in length by 1.31
to 1.40 in breadth.

**Diomedea exulans Linn.

. 'Wandering Albatron.

Hab, Southern seal, north very irregularly to Florida (Tampa Bay) and coast of Washington Ter-
ritory.

This Albatross wanders over the vast waters of southern seas
ranging as far north on the Atlantic coast of Africa as the Canary
Islands, on that of South America to Trinidad Island and beyond.
The bird has been taken in Europe, and it is admitted to the North
American fauna on the grounds of its occurrence as stated in the hab-
itat. It has been found breeding on various islands of the South At-
lantic and Indian Oceans, on Prince Edwards, Crozete, and Kergue-
len Islands lying southeast of Africa, and on the Island of Tristan d'
Acunda to the southwest. At the latter place it breeds in January,
nesting on the highest ledges of the cliffs. Dr. J. H. Kidder met with
a number of these birds nesting on Kerguelen Island on the 2nd of
January. The nests were upon tall mounds, built up of grass to the
height of two or more feet from the ground, and, being of different
heights, seemed to have been used again and added to year after year.
Dr. Kidder counted twenty-three birds in sight at one time, each
perched upon its nest. Driven from the nests and compelled to walk,
the birds looked not unlike overgrown geese.*

The single egg is white, minutely sprinkled over the large end
with brownish. Various specimens measure from 4.80 to 5.21 long by
3.08 to 3.25 broad; the average size is about 4.79 x 3.15.

81.

Hab.

Diomedea nigripes Aud. [700.]

Blaok-footed Albatroia.

North Pacific, including west coast of North America,

The Black-footed Albatross is an abundant bird of the North
Pacific Ocean. Like others of this family, it is noted for its protracted
powers of flight, following vessels for hundreds of miles and subsisting
on the refuse thrown overboard, which, with crabs, etc., is its main food.

Very little is known concerning the nesting habits of this species.
It is said to breed on the small guano islands south-west of the Sand-
wich group in the North Pacific, depositing a single white egg in a
depression of the soil, surrounded with a little sea-weed.

82. Diomedea albatrus Pall. [701.]

Short-tallad AlbatroM.

Hab. Pacific Ocean, including western coast of America, northward to Bering Sea.

This Albatross inhabits the Pacific Ocean at large. It breeds on

* Bulletin No. 2, United States National Museum, p. 20.

i'^

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the lonely islands west of the Sandwich group. It is also supposed to
breed on some of the islands off the coast of China and Japan and on
some of the Aleutian Islands. This species requires many years before
it attains perfect plumage, but the young are said to be easily distin-
guished from nigripes. It is a constant attendant of whaling vessels,
feeding on the scraps of blubber or refuse thrown from the ships. It is
easily caught with hook and line, and when taken on board is said
to be unable to rise from the deck, as it requires a long range of surface
on which to flap its wings. The single egg which this species deposits
is white, equal-ended, and measures 4.20 x 2.60. It is laid on the bare
ground.

[83.] Thalassogeron culmlnatus (Gould.) [702.]

Yello'^-sosed Albatross.

Hab. Indian and South Pacific Oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon.

Supposed to be a rate visitant on the Pacific coast north of the
equator. A dead specimen answering the description of this species
was washed up on the beach near the Golden Gate, and an e.:-
ample is said to have been taken as far north as the mouth of the
Columbia River, Oregon. It breeds on the islands of the Southern
Indian and South Pacific Oceans. A single egg is laid.

Mr. J. Parker Norris has a specimen of the egg of this species,
which was collected by Captain Thomas B. Lynch, at Diego Ramirey
Islands, near Cape Horn, February 8, 1886. It measures 4.30 x 2.72,
and is dull white, faintly speckled with lavender and purplish. The
specks form an indistinct wreath at the larger end, in the same manner
that the eggs of Leach's Petrel are often marked. In fact, Mr. Norris
says that this specimen looks like an egg of the latter seen through a
powerful magnifying glass. Incubation in this case was slightly
advanced. The nest consisted of mud scraped together in a heap on
the ground. Mr. Emerson has an egg of this Albatross which meas-
ures 4.68x2.68; it was taken by Captain Lynch at Diegos Kavnen's
rocks, S. by E. fifty-two miles from Cape Horn, January 12, 1880. The
egg was fresh. The nest was composed of grass and mud on the out-
side, and lined with fine grass and feathers. The diameter outside at
the top 12 inches, and at the base 18. Inside it wa-i 10 inches broad
by 5 deep. It was built on the top of rocks on a loamy plain.

The data accompanying ^^ r. Emerson's specimen states that the
nests are placed close together, and they are very nicely and solidly
built, lasting two or three seasons even in that hot climate.* Prof.
Ridgway gives the average size of the egg as 4.18 x 2.63.

tOrnithologist and Oologist, Vol. XI, pp. ^1-22.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

84. PhoBbetria faliginosa (Gm.) [703.]

Sooty AlbatroBB.

Hab. Oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, northward to the coast of Oregon.

A great ocean wanderer, more common in the South than in the
North Pacific regions. A rare visitor to the coasts of North America.
This dusky species breeds on the islands off the coast of China and
southward. It nests commonly on the islands that lie southeast of
Africa, namely, Prince Edwards, Crozete, Kerguelen Islands and others.
Here they breed in October and November, placing the nest in the
cavity of some high, perpcdicular rock. The nest is a conical mound,
7 or 8 inches high, hollowed at the top and rudely lined with grass. The
single egg which this species lays is described as white, very long in
proportion to its thickness ; sometimes it is marked with spots about
the larger end ; size 3.95 x 2.63. The cries of this Albatross are said to
be very loud, and not unlike the calls of a cat.

85. Ossifraga gif?antea (Gm.) [704.]

Giant Fulmar.

Hab. Southern oceans; casual off the coast of Oregon.

The largest of the Petrels, known as "Mother Gary's Goose,'*
*' Giant Petrel" and " Bone-breaker." In size it equals many of the
Albatrosses, measuring about three feet in length, with a spread of
wings measuring seven feet. The Albatrosses and Petrels are noted
birds, of gull-like form, variegated with black and white or uniformly
sooty in color. They are birds of the ocean, rarely landing except to
breed. Among the seamen and whalers this large species is known as
"Molly-hawk," "Gong," "Glutton Bird" "Nelly." It breeds on
the islands of the South Seas — Bouvets, Prince Edwards, Crozete
and Kerguelen Islands are some of its breeding places. Said to
breed late in December, making the nest on elevated ground some dis-
tance from the sea. The Giant Fulmer Petrel also nests on the Falk-
land Islands, which lie east of the entrance of the Strait of Magellan
in Southern South America.

Dr.. J. H. Kidder found this species in considerable numbers in
the vicinity of Kerguelen Island, feeding on the carcass of the sea-
elephant. Its voracity and filthy habits reminded him strongly of
the vultures. Like vultures, the birds so crammed themselves that
they were unable to rise from the ground.* The egg is described as
dirty white in color, rough to the touch, and its shape like that of a
common goose ; size 4.25 x 2.66.

■''' Bulletin of the National Museum No. 2, page 24.

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44 NESTS AND EGGS OF

86. Fnlmarus glacialis (Linn.) [705.]

Fulmar.

Hab. North Atlantic, south on the American coast to Massachusetts.

This species is commonly called Fulmar Petrel. It is found in
light and dark phases of dress. Abundant in the North Atlantic and
in the Arctic Oceans of America, Europe and sia. The Fulmars
constantly attend whaling ships out at sea and feed on the blubber of
the whale, which they devour with voracity. This species is exceed-
ingly numerous in the North Atlantic, congregating in thousands at
St. Kilda, the most western of the Hebrides, on the west coast of Scot-
land. Others of its favorite breeding places are the Faroes, which are
farther north ; Iceland, Spitzbergen and Greenland.

On some of the rocky islands ofiF the coast of Spitzbergen thou-
sands of Fulmars breed in company with Brunnich's Guillemot, Black
Guillemot, and the Kittiwake Gull. The abundance of the Fulmar
at some of its breeding places in Greenland is something astonishing,
nesting as they do in myriads on the inaccessible cliffs in mountain-
ous places, depositing the single white egg in the crevices or on the
ledges of rocks f?. jing the sea. The young are at first fed by regurg-
itation, upon oil which is of a clear, amber color. This the birds, old
and young, vomit upon the slightest provocation, imparting to them,
their nests, and even their breeding grounds a disagreeable odor. The
oil is one of the important commercial productions of St. Kilda.
The single egg is pure white; in shape resembling a hen's; shell
brittle. Four eggs from Iceland measure 2.96 by 2.04, 2.74 by 2.91,
2.99 by 2.02, 2.97 by 2.01.

Besides the typical ^. glacialis in the Atlantic, there is also a
smaller race, F. g. minora Lesser Fulmar,* which occurs as far south
on the American side as the coast of New England.

86^. Pulmarus glacialis glupischa Stejn. [7osa.]

Paoiflo Fulmar.

Hab. North Pacific, south on the American coast to Mexico.

This race is also known in light and dark phases of plumage. Dr.
Leonhard Stejneger found it breeding in enormous numbers in suitable
places on the islands in Bering Sea off" the coast of Kamtschatka.
Their rookeries were in high and steep rocky bluffs and promontories,
rising out of the sea 300 to 800 feet. Dr. Stejneger says: "I have
spent hours under their rookeries listening to their whining voice and
watching their high and elegant flight in sailing out and in and around
the cracked rocks, like bees at an immense bee-hive." The egg is

« No. 86a, A. O. U. Check List.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

single and pure white. Five eggs collected on Copper Island, July
I2th and i3tli, exhibit the following dimensions: 75 by 49, 71.5 by
48.5, 71.5 by 51, 68 by 50, 71.5 by 48.5 mm* These eggs all belonged
to the dark phase of birds.

SQc Fnlmarus glaclalls rodgersii (Cass). [705/J.]

Rodger's Fnlmar.

Hab. Berlnt Sea.

Rodger's Fulmar is similar to the preceding, but there is no dark
phase known. Its habitat seems to be restricted to the islands of
Bering Sea and some portions of the North Pacific, nesting especially
in great abundance on the islands of the Prybilof group. Its general
habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are the same as those of the preceding.
Size of egg 2.83X 1.91.

89. Pufflnus major Faber [709.]

Greater Shearwater.

Hab. Atlantic Ocean.

A wanderer over the entire Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes seen in
immense flocks skimming the billows in its light and graceful manner,
similar to the smaller Petrels. Its flight is described as most beautiful,
gliding as it does through the air without visible motion of its wings.
It also swims and dives with ease. Common Atlantic and Wandering
Shearwater are other names by which it is known.

There appears to be very little knowledge in the regard to the
nesting habits of the Greater Shearwater. It is known, however, to
breed in the islands of the North Atlantic and is often confounded with
other species of Shearwaters.

Dr. Brewer describes an egg of this bird, collected on an island of
South Greenland, as being nearly oval in shape, with a ground color,
originally white, but soiled by the peaty black earth from which it was
excavated; size 2.88x2.00. Another from the same locality is of
smaller size, and vellowish-white, which measures 2.75 x 1.85.

[90.] Pufflnus pufflnus (Bkunk). [711.]

Manx Shearwater.

Hab. North Atlantic, chiefly the eastern side; rare or casual off the North American coast {?).

In many places in the regions of the Mediterranean and Adriatic
Seas and the Grecian ii/^hipelago this is a common species. It is said
to wander to Greenland. Breeds on the islands of Pantellaria, Gozo,
Malta, and other smaller islands of the Mediterranean, depositing a
single pure white egg on the bare ground, in crevices, or under frag-
ments of rocks.

This species also breeds on the islands off the i^outhern coast of

*a,95 by 1,92, 2.86 by 1.90, 2.86 by 2.00, 2.67 by 1.96, 2.85 by 1.90.

15 \i

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NESTS AND EGGS OP

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France, where it nests in cavities under rocks, laying upon the ground.
The eggs are described as pure white, sometimes tinted with gray,
measuring 2.36x1.62. The principal food of this bird is fish, mol-
lusks and crustaceans, which it collects from the surface of the water.

92. Pufflnus auduboni Finch. [712.]

Audnbon's Shearwater.

Hab. Atlantic Ocean, from New Jersey southward.

Audubon's Dusky Shearwater is found on the Atlantic coast of

the United States from New Jersey to Florida. It wanders to the

coast of Africa, where it is said to breed on the islands lying on the

west coast. It breeds in the Bermudas and the Bahamas, and nests

especially in abundance on most of the uninhabited Keys of the latter

group ; here they breed in March, depositing the single white egg in

holes in the rocks. A nest is made consisting of a few dry twigs.

Both sexes incubate and when caught on the nest the birds do not offer

any resistance. The egg of this species is of a clear chalky white

color, oval in shape and measures from 1.90 to 2.32 long by 1.30 to

1.45 broad.

93. Pufflnus gavia (Forst.) [713.]

Blaok-vented Shearmrater.

Hab. Pacific Ocean, chiefly southward.

This species is supposed to occur along the whole Pacific coast as
far north at least as Oregan, Little seems to be known regarding its
general habits ; the eggs are said to resemble those of other members
of this family.

94. Pufflnus stricklandi Ridgw. [714.]

Sooty Shear'water.

Hab. North Atlantic, on the American coast south to the CnroHnas.

Here is a Petrel that escaped the observations of the earlier orni-
thologists, Wilson, Nuttall, and Audubon. Recent explorers, however,
have discovered that it is a common bird off our Atlantic coast, and
that far north it breeds in immense colonies on the islands of the sea.
It burrows in the ground to the extent of several feet and deposits a
single white egg. The average size of the egg is 2.58 x 1,78.

95. Pufflnus griseus (Gmel.) [715.]

Dark-bodied Sheamrater.

Hab. South Pacific, north to Lower California.

The Dark-bodied Shearwater is known to breed on Cornwallis and
Chatham Islands, east of New Zealand, in the South Pacific Ocean,
and also on other islands lying farther south.

The bird burrows in the peaty ground a horizontal hole three or
four feet deep and turning slightly to the right or left. At the end of
this burrow a rude nest is formed of twigs and dry leaves, where one

I v

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

white egg is laid; size 2.25x1.45. It is stated that the old birds of
this species roost along the shores of the islands during the night and
the noise they make is said so be " something absolutely frightful."

[101.] Bulweria bulweri (Jard. & Sblby.)

Bnlwer's Petrel.

Hab. Eastern Atlantic, including coasts of Europe and Africa.

[7x8.]

This Petrel is known to breed on the Canary and Madeira Islands
and others on the northwestern coast of Africa. It is said to be an
occasional visitor to the Bermudas and accidental in Greenland. It
nests in burrows in the soft earth under overlying bowlder-rocks and
in deep crevices in cliffs. The bird is stated to be nocturnal in its
habits, never flying about in the daytime. The single egg which this
species lays is oval in shape, equal-ended, and pure white in color;
sizes range from 1.59 to 1.76 long, by 1.17 to 1.23 broad.

104. Procellaria pelagifta Linn. [721.]

stormy Petrel.

Hab. Atlantic Ocean ; on the American side from the Newfoundland Banks northward. West coast
of Africa and coast of Europe.

The " Mother Carey's Chicken " of the sailors. Common in various
portions of the Northern Atlantic ; rarely found near land except when
breeding or during severe storms. It is not known to breed on the
American coast, but it does in various portions of the Atlantic coast of
Europe. In the Mediterranean it breeds in abundance. Nests com-
monly on nearly all the islands on the coast of Scotland — the Hebrides,
Shetland, Orkeys and Faroes ; laying is begun in the latter part of
June.

Dr. Coues says : "This is the rarest of the three little black white-
rumped ' Mother Carey's chickens ' of our Atlantic Coast, easily dis-
tinguished by its short legs and square tail ; Leach's, the most numer-
ous, is also short-legged, but larger and fork -tailed; Wilson's is inter-
mediate, with square tail, but very long, stilt-like legs, flat claws, and
a yellow spot on the webs."

The single egg is deposited in holes in high clifis or in burrows
made by the birds under bowlders lying on the ground. The cavity is
lined with twigs and leaves. The egg is white, obscurely dotted with
reddish brown on the larger end; sizes range from 1.09 to 1.12 long by
. 78 to .83 broad.

105. Oceanodroma furcata (Gmel.) [726.]

Fork'talled Petrel.

Hab. Pacific Ocean, on the American coast south to Oregon,

On all of the less populated islands of the Aleutian group as far

'it If

' f.

■ ft

' 1 ."J
"I'M-

, 31 1 p ti

■

■III

NESTS AND EGGS OF

east as Unalashka this species is found breeding in the month of June.
The nests are made in burrows or holes about a foot deep in steep
banks ; the termination of the cavity being thinly lined with fine roots
and dry grass. This species, like Leach's Petrel, when caught has the
habit of ejecting a reddish oily fluid which has a strong, disagreeable
smell ; the nest, eggs, and even the old dry skins of the bird are forever
infected with it.

A small colony of these graceful petrels were found breeding on
Copper Island, in Bering Sea, by Dr. Stejneger. The eggs were taken
July 1 2th, a single one in each nest, were deposited in deep holes
in the steep basaltic rocks, three feet or more deep, and it was only
with great difficulty that a few could be secured. Some males and
some females were taken on the nests. The eggs were in different
stages of incubation, white without gloss, with minute dark specks
evenly dusted over the blunt end ; in one the specks were a little larger,
purplish-black, forming a circle around the blunt end. Three eggs
measure 34 x 26, 32. 5 x 25, 34 x 26.5 mm*.

106. Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieill.) [723.'I

Ijeaoli'a Petrel.

Hab. North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans.

Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel at various seasons of the year wanders
over a large portion of the watery expanse of the globe. It breeds in
the months of March, April, May, June, July and August, according to
locality, in the northern latitudes of Europe, Eastern and Western
North America. On the Atlantic coast of North America from Maine
northward it nests generally in June and July. Thousands breed
on some of the islands on the northern New England coast,
especially those in the vicinity of Grand Manan and the small
islands of Casco Bay. On the Pacific coast Mr. Walter E. Bry-
ant records Leach's Petrel nesting in March ; on Guadalupe Island,
which is situated two hundred and twenty miles southward and west-
ward of San Diego, California, Mr. Bryant found the birds breeding in
burrows under bowlders and fallen branches ; these places were from
one to three feet in length, at the extremity of which were enlarged
chambers where the single egg was laid upon a few pine needles. The
egg, Mr. Bryant describes as shaped much like that of a pigeon's,
white in color, one end being wreathed with a fine spattering of mi-
nute dots of reddish -brown and pale lavender, f

The average size of fifty eggs taken March 4th and 5th, is 35.7 by

*1.84 X 1.02, 1.28 X 08, 1.84 x 1.01.

f Additions to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island. By Walter E. Bryant. Bulletin 6, California
Academy of Science.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

27 mm.* The offensive reddish, oily fluid which this species ahnost
invariably ejects when handled or irritated probably serves as food for
the young. The male and female assist in the duties of incubation
and often both sexes may be found sitting side by side in their burrow.
Eggs collected on the Atlantic coast are chalky-white, finely dotted
on the larger end, often in a circle, with purplish-red and lilac. Twenty
specimens average in size 1.34 x i.oo. On approaching the breeding
ground of the petrels, not one of them is to be seen. Many of the
birds are far out at sea, and as night comes on those in their bur-
rows come forth and those out at sea return, and the air seems alive
with them flitting about like bats and uttering their peculiar clatter-
ing notes.

108. Oceanodroma homochroa (Coues.) [725]

Ashy Petrel.

Hab. Cosist of California.

This, Mr. Emerson informs me, is the rarest of the birds that
breed on the Farallons ; nesting anywhere in cavities under bowlders,
laying a single egg.

Two eggs collected June 15, 1885, and June 8th, 1886, measure
respectively 30x23, 31x23.5 mm.f

Mr. A. M. Ingersoll first found the egg of this species on South
Farallon in June, 1885. He described the egg as dull creamy-white,
with a circle of reddish spots around the large end, so fine as to be
almost indistinct. The large end is somewhat flattened, like the large
end of an acorn. It measures i.i8x .94.^

109. Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl.) [722.]

Wilson's Petrel.

Hab. Atlantic and Southern Oceans.

Wilson's Stormy Petrel is one of the best known and commonest
of the smaller petrels. It is to be met with nearly everywhere over
the entire watery surface of the world — far north in the icy regions of
the Arctic seas and south to the sunny isles of Southern oceans. Its
general habits are the same as those of Leach's Petrel.

Dr. J. H. Kidder found it on Kerguelen Island, southeast of
Africa. He had previously seen them at the sea coast off" the Cape of
Good Hope, and, on December 14, saw them out by day feeding on
the oily matter floating away from the carcass of a sea-elephant. The

* 1.40 X 1.06— Thi« description of the eggs refer to the new subspecies of this Petrel, since described
by Mr. Bryant in a. paper read before the California Academy of Sciences July 18, 1887. He has named this
local variety, Guadalupe Petrel, Oceanodroma Uucorhoa macrodactfla. It is similar to O. leucorhoa, but
larger and darker. White of upper tail coverts more restricted, and the ends of coverts broadly tipped with
black. Pileum darker than back, lighter anteriorly. Bill broader and deeper at base than that of Uucorhoa.

1 1-18 X. 91, 1.22 X. 03.

X Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. XI, p. 21.

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NESTS AND EGGS OF

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birds, he says, frequent the rocky parts of hillsides, and, flitting about
like swallows, they catch very minute iusects.

Dr. Kidder remarks that he never succeeded in finding the egg,
but learned from Rev. Mr. Eaton, who found one on Thumb Mountain
December 8, that this species nested under large rocks not far from
the beach. The egg found was white.

The species was supposed to nest among and under the rocks,
habitually, at considerable elevation above the sea.

112. Phaethon flavirostris Brandt. [654.]

Tellow-blUed Tropio Bird.

Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical coasts of America north to Florida.

In appearance this bird resembles a large tern ; the principal ex-
ternal peculiarity is its long middle tail-feathers ; the general color of
the plumage is white, tinged with salmon. Its habits are similar to
those of the terns.

It is inter-tropical in its distribution, of a wandering disposition,
breeding on the islands of mid-ocean thousands of miles apart. The
bird is noted for its elegant, airy and long-protracted flight. On St.
Bourdon, Mauritius and other islands east and south of Madagascar,
this species breeds in the crevices of the rocks of unaccessible cliffs,
and in hollow trees. In the Bermuda Islands it nests about the first
of May in holes in high rocky places along the shores. Here its favor-
ite resorts are the small islands of Great Sound, Castle Harbor and
Harrington Sound. The Phaeton, as this bird is called, breeds in the
Bahamas in holes in the perpendicular faces of cliffs and also on the
flat surfaces of rocks. A single egg is laid, which has a ground-color
of purplish brownish white, covered in some specimens almost over
the entire surface with fine reddish chocolate-colored spots ; in some
specimens this coloring approaches blackness. The average size of
the eggs is 2.21 x 1.54.

113. Phaethon SBthereus Linn. [655.]

Red-billed Tropio Bird.

Hab. Coast of tropical America, north on the Pacific coast to Lower California.

The Red-billed Tropic Bird occurs along the Pacific coast of
South America, in the West Indies, and as far north as Cape St.
Lucas. In one instance it is said to have straggled to Newfoundland.
Breeds on the various islands off" the coast of Mexico. Its breeding
habits are said to be like those of the Yellow-billed species.

The eggs are creamy-white, with a purplish tinge, marked with
fine dots of chestnut-brown. The sizes vary from 2.20 to 2.37 in length
by 1.55 to 1.70 in breadth.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

[114.] Sula oyanops Sund. [651.]

Blne-f»o«d Booby.

H«b. South Pacific, Weit Indies and Southern Florida.

The Gannets are birds that resemble very closely the cormorants,
and, again, they may be said to look like geese — a name often applied
to them. They are large, heavy sea-birds, noted for their vigorous
protracted flight. They procure their food by plunging into the water
from a height, completely submerging themselves, often for several
minutes. The Blue-faced Gannet inhabits the Southern Pacific Ocean
as far southwest as Australia. In some of the Islands of the Paumotu
Group this species deposits its eggs on the dry sandy beaches of
lagoons. Both sexes incubate. When a colony of these birds is dis-
turbed none of them leave their nests, but remain gravely at their
stations, and hiss at the intruder like a domestic goose. On the
Bahamas this species nests in the latter part of March, laying always
two eggs. These are white, covered with a calcareous deposite ; sizes
range from 2.45 to 2.60 long by 1.67 to 1.75 broad.

115. Sula sula (Linn.) [652.]

Booby.

Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical coasts and islands of America, north to Georgia.

The Booby Gannet is said to breed on some of the islands about
the extreme southern coast of Florida. In the Bermuda Islands, and
in some of the Bahamas, and many of those along the coasts of Cen-
tral and South America, this Gannet congregates by thousands at
its breeding places, where it deposits its eggs on the sand of the
beaches, or on the bare rock ; no nest whatever is made. The food of
this species consists chiefly of flying-fish and small mullets, which
they disgorge in a half macerated state into the open mouths of their
young. Audubon found mullets weighing more than a half a pound
in the bodies of the gannets he examined.

In various islands of the southern oceans the Booby constructs its
nest of sticks and weeds on bushes and low trees. Here it is said to
lay but one egg.

Observations of those who have collected in the West Indies dis-
close the fact that the complete nest complement is two eggs. These
are of a uniform dull, chalky white in color, with great variations in
sizes, measuring from 2.16 to 2.64 long by 1.50 to 1.57 broad.

[116.] Sula piscator (Linn.) [653.]

Red-footed Booby.

Hab. Coast and islands of tropical and sub-tropical seas, north to Western Mexico and Fkilda.

The Red-footed Booby is characterized by the same general habits

■■); '

! ' ';i !

NESTS AND EGGS OF

as Others of its family. Its nesting is essentially the same as that of
the Blue-faced Gannet. Two eggs are laid, white in color, elongate-
ovate in shape, with a calcareous deposit on the surface ; size, 2.57x1.80.

117. Sula bassana (Linn.) [650.]

Oannet.

Hah, North Atlantic; louth in winter to the Gulf of Mexico and Africa. Ureedi from Nova Scotia
and Britiih islandi northward.

The White Gannet, or Solan Goose, is widely distributed through-
out the Northern Atlantic Ocean, and is more or less a resident wher-
ever found.

Some of the most noted breeding places of this bird are on the
islands about the coasts of Scotland, notably the great Bass Rock at
the mouth of the Firth of Forth. Here it breeds in tens of thousands,
with the Gulls, Cormorants and Puffins that inhabit the rock. Another
of its breeding stations is St. Kilda. The precipitous cliffs at this
place rise to the height of 1,400 feet. Here the Gannet breeds in
countless numbers. This bird also nests in the Faroe Islands and in
islands on the coast of Iceland. Small colonies are to be found breed-
ing in Labrador. One of its well known breeding places on the coast
of North America is *' Bird Rocks," in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The
nests are built on the summits and ledges of the rocks. They are
made of sea-weed, mud and small stones, raised to about ten inches in
height and eighteen in diameter. In some cases the nest is made of
straw and other available material. A single egg is laid. It resembles
very much the average Brown Pelican egg, with, however, these differ-
ences: Its general shape is more elongated, and the calcareous de-
posit on it is thicker; the color is chalky-white; sizes range from
3.25 to 3.50 long by 1.65 to 2.05 broad.

118. Anhinga anhinga (Linn.) [649.]

Auhinga.

Hab. Tropical and subtropical America, north to the Carolinas and Southern Illinoii.

Known as the Water Turkey, Darter anri
swims with the body submerged, its her 1 n
some kind of water serpent — hence
looking bird is very common in sui. i in
Gulf States to North Carolina, frequcating t
swamps. It is a constant resident of Florid
amazing ease, and when alarmed will drop from its perch with st
a ripple on the surface of the water, and will swim beneath the s
to a safe distance before reappearing. It has also the curious '
quietly sinking like a grebe.

The nests of the Anhinga are variously placed — sometimes

^ id. It often

- in sight like

mc This singular-

So. .11 Atlantic and

- almost impenetrable

The bird dives with

:ely

face
it of

low

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

bushes at an elevation of only a few feet, or in the upper branches of
a high tree, but always over water. Sometimes this bird breeds in
large colonies with various species of Herons. The eggs are from
three to five in number, blui.sh or dark greenish-white, with a white
chalky incrustation ; they are narrow and elongated in shape ; the sizes
range from 2.00 to 2.30 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad.

119. Phalacrocorax carbo (Linn.) [642.]

Cormorant.

Hab. Atlantic coasti of Europe «nd America, louth in winter on the coaxt of the United States, caf-
ually, to the Carolinas.

The Common Cormorant is very generally distributed throughout
nearly the entire northern hemisphere. It breeds in the northern parts
of Europe and Asia, and in North America from the Bay of Fundy to
Greenland. The Cormorants are curious birds of strange figure ; the
outer surface of the plumage, in most species normally is of a dark
liistrous greenish-black, but subject to great changes, making their
study very difficult. The eyes as a rule are green, a color rarely seen
in birds. They feed principally upon fish and their voracity is pro-
verbial. This species breeds in vast numbers on the rocky shores of
Labrador and Newfoundland ; making the nest upon the tops of ledges
or on projections and in the crevices of precipitous rocks, which are
covered with the excrement of the birds. It is composed of sticks,
kelp and sea weed. Like all the Cormorants this species is gregarious
and breed in communities. They are all known under the common
name of Shag.

Mr. Frazar met with a colony of this Cormorant in company with
the Double-crested species on the coast of Labrador. Many of the
nests contained large young June 19. Nests of the Double-crested
Cormorant were placed wherever the ledges would hold them, while
those of the Common species were built close to the top. The nests
of the Common Cormorant usually contained four or five eggs, and
several sets were taken of six. The eggs average larger than those of
the Double-crested; the sizes vary from 2.38 to 2.65 long by 1.29 to
1.60 broad. Color, pale greenish; form, elliptical.

120. Phalacrocorax dilophus. (Sw. & Rich.) [643]

Sonble-orested Cormorant.

Hab. Atlantic coast of North America; southward in the interior to the Great Lakes and Wisconsin.

In Eastern North America the Double-crested Cormorant or "Crow
Duck" is a common species, breeding on the coast from the Bay of
Fundy northward and in many of the inland lakes, reservoirs and
marshes. It is said to have nested years ago in Ohio, at the Licking

Mii

,1 .:M

'1^1 1

NESTS AND EGGS OF

county Reservoir, and other similar places in the northern part of the
State.

On some of the rocky islands of the lakes and large, isolated
bodies of water in Iowa and Wisconsin, this Cormorant breeds in great
numbers. Mr. Frazar met with colonies of it breeding on the islands
and cliffs along the coast of Labrador. The nests were placed on
ledges of the rocks ; they were composed of seaweed and kelp, freshly
pulled from the bottom of the ocean. None of the nests contained
more than four eggs. On the islands of inland waters this Cormorant
often constructs its nest on low spreading trees. The eggs in number
range from two to four; bluish-green in color, with the usual chalky
substance over their surface; sizes vary from 2.09 to 2.27 long by 1.35
to 1.50 broad. The eggs are of a more regular oval than those of P.
carbo.

120a. Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus (Aud.) [643a.]

Florida Cormorant.

Hab. Coasts of the South Atlantic and Gulf States, northward in the interior to Southern Illinois.

A smaller and more southern variety of the Double-crested species ;
resident in Florida and along the Gulf coast, where it nests in com-
munities on the mangrove islands. The nests are always placed in
mangrove bushes and are composed of the twigs and very often lined
with the leaves of this plant.

Mr. Stuart has often observed nests made entirely of the branches
of the mangrove, with the green leaves still on them. In the vicinity
of Tampa and Charlotte Harbor the birds nest in May and June, and
below Cape Sable in the months of October and November The
eggs are three or four in number. Six selected specimens measure
2.30x1.43, 2.28x1.38, 2.36x1.45, 2.25x1.40, 2.51 X 1.50, 2.42x1.40.

ii'll

:!J !

120^. Phalacrocorax dilophus cincinatus (Brandt.) \p^^b.\

Whlte-orested Cormorant.

Hab. West coast of North America, south to California.

Captain Charles E. Bendire met with this variety of the Double-
crested Cormorant breeding in large numbers on several low, narrow
islands of Lake Malheur, in the southwestern portion of Oregon. The
birds began to lay aboiit the 20th of April. The islands were also occu-
pied by White Pelicans and Great Blue Herons as a breeding place.

About two-thirds of the Cormorants' nests were made on the
ground, and they were composed of pieces of drift, small sticks, etc.
The balance were placed en low greasewood bushes. They were lined
with pieces of bark and tule and coarse grasses, and placed very close

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

to the water's edge, so that when the lake was rough the water must
have splashed into many of them.

The eggs, four or five in number, are described as being of an
elongated oval, pale green, covered more or less with chalky coatings.
They average 2.42 x 1.48. Captain Bendire states that the largest set in
a number exhibits the following measurements: 2.86x 1.60, 2.7OX 1.65,
2.66x1,64, 2.70x1,60. A single egg was found measuring 1.80x1.20.*

120c. Phalacrocorax dllophus albociliatus Ridow,

Farallone Cormorant.

Hab. Coast of California, south to Cape St. Lucas and islands of the coast of Mexico.

This bird is as common on the Farallones as Baird's Cormorant,
and it nests on the rough ridges or points of rocks overlooking the isl-
ands. About the first of May they may be seen carrying weeds and
dry sea kelp to their nesting sites, where they construct a flat, loose
and bulky platform, which is, on the whole, quite a shallow structure.

Their nesting is similar to that of other Cormorants, and they may
be observed sitting on their empty nests for hours at a time, probably,
as Mr. Emerson suggests, for the purpose of working out the hollow of
their nests with their large feet, for which purpose they are so well
suited.

By L^e middle of the month they have begun to deposit their lime
covered eggs. These compare well with those of Brandt's Cormorant,
and are a little larger than the eggs of Baird's. A set of five in Mr.
Emerson's possession measure as follows : 60 x 50, 61 x 39, 62 x 39,
60 X 40, 62 X 39 mm.f respectively ; these were taken May 20, 1886 ;
their general form is rather ovate oval, and quite round at the greater
end. Their color and general characteristics are the same as those
peculiar to other Cormorants' eggs — light greenish in color and coated
with a chalky substance. '

Four eggs seem to be the number commonly laid ; both male and
female assist in the process of incubation, one remaining on the nest
or beside it while the other is off on a short fishing excursion,!

121. Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt,) [644.]

Mexican Cormoranti

Hab, Southern United States, north to the interior of Kansas and Southern Illinois.

The Mexican Cormorant is a tropical species found on the coasts
and inland marshes of Mexico, Yucatan, and Central and South Amer-
ica, where it breeds. It is mentioned by Dr, Merrill as being a common
summer resident in Southwestern Texas, in the vicinity of Fort Brown,

* Ornithologist and Oologist, VJI, p. IJW.
t 2.Sfixl.o7, 2.-»0.'<l,54. 2.44xl.54. 2.36x1.57, 2.44x1. .54.
From my article on the eggs of this Cormorant in Forest and Stream, Vol. XXVIII, p. 168

i :

^^%'>

tl'^i

NESTS AND EGGS OF

,t ■! ■ :n

'iliil

II 1

where it doubtless nests in the dense growth of trees and bushes that
border most of the lagoons.

The breeding habits of this species are similar to those of/*, d.
floridanus — congregating in large communities and nesting in trees or
bushes. In some places along the South American seacoast the bird
nests on rocks as well as on shrubbery.

The eggs are three or four in number, greenish-white in color, with
the usual chalky stibstance on their surface; sizes range from 2.10 to
2.35 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad.

122. Phalacrocorax penicillatus (Brandt.) [645]

H,ib.

Brandt's Cornior<tiit.

Pacific coast of North America, from extremity of Lower California to Washington Territory.

The most common of the Cormorants breeding on the Farallones.
Its habits are the same as those of the other species, but it is of a more
sociable di. position, congregating in large communities to breed on the
shelving rocks and ridges. It does not always choose the most inacces-
sible places for nesting. Like the others, it has great difficulty in con-
structing its nest, for as fast as it gathers the weeds together, the thieving
Western Gulls make away with them. So often are the Cormorants
molested in this manner that they frequently change their place of
nesting. The eggs are three, usually four, sometimes five in number,
light greenish-blue, with a chalky deposit on the surface. They meas-
ure as small as 56 x 38 mm., and as large as 66.5 x 38 mm.*

123. Phalacrocorax pelagicus Pall.

Pelagic Cormorant.

Hab. Aleutian and Kurile Islands, and Kamtschatka, south to Japan,

This beautiful Cormorant is abundant in the Aleutian and Kurile
Islands and those along the coast of Kamtschatka, where it breeds.

Dr. Leonhard Stejneger says it is a very abundant resident of Cop-
per and Bering Islands, breeding on all the most rugged and steep
promontories which rise immediately from the sea, as well as on the
outlying islets and stones. Eggs, three or four in number. Three eggs
collected at Bering Island, June 8, exhibit the following dimentions:
56 by 37.5, 53 by 37, 59 by 35, mm.f Two from Copper Island, taken
July 14, measure 59 by 34.75, 58 by 35, nim.^ The color and general
characteristics of the eggs do not differ from those of other cormorants.

123 Phalacrocorax pelagicus robustus Ridgw. [646.]

, . Violet-green Cormoranti

Hab. Coast of Al.iska.

On the rocky coasts and islands of Alaska the Violet-green Cormo-

* 2.20 xL50, 2.62x1.50.

t 2.20x1.48. 2.09xl.-15, 2.32x1.46.

t 2.38x1.37, 2.28x1.38.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

rant is very abundant. Here it nests on the ledges and projections of
high cliffs, making the nests of sea-weed, grasses and aquatic plants,
which are cemented together with the excrements of the bird. In all
respects its general habits, nesting and eggs, are similar to those of the
Pelagic Cormorant. The average size of the eggs is 2.25 by 1.45.

123l>. Phalacrocorax pelagicus resplendens (Aud.) [646a.]

Baird'a Cormorant.

Hab. Pacific coast of North America, from Cape St. Lucas north to Washington Territory.

On the Farallones this species is less common than Phalacrocorax
dilophus albociliatus or P. penicillatus. The nests are built more fre-
quently on inaccessible places. The same rookeries are used each
season, the birds repairing the nests by adding a few pieces of weed or
sea kelp. Colonies of eight or ten pairs nest on the shelves of perpen-
dicular or overhanging rocks. The birds will occupy the same nest
after being robbed, and setting commences after the first ^%'g is laid, in
order to protect it from the gulls. Mr. Emerson says that by June the
birds have begun to deposit their eggs, which are tjiree or four in num-
ber, pale greenish-blue in color, with the usual chalky coating.

Mr. Bryant states that the eggs of Baird's Cormorant may usually
be known by their small size, the average dimensions of thirty-six
specimens (nine sets of four) are 55.5x36.5 mm.,* the largest 59x36,
and the smallest 52x35 mm.f

124. Phalacrocorax urile (Gmel.) [647.]

Red-faoed Cormorant.

Hab. Islands of Bering Sea and coast of Kamtschatka.

The Red-faced Cormorant is a common species on the islands of
Bering Sea, especially on St. George and St. Paul Islands of the Pry-
bilof Group. Breeds commonly on some of the Aleutian Islands. Dr.
Stejneger mentions it as being less common on Bering and Copper Isl-
ands than P. pelagicus. He states that the eggs of the two species can
not be confounded ; those of the Red-faced being considerably larger
than those of the pelagicus^ and the green color of the eggs when
looked at through the shell is totally different, — much more bluish
in the former, against yellow in the latter. The nests are built on the
projections of the narrow siielves or ledges along the face of a cliff,
the material used being seaweed, ferns, grasses, etc., which are matted
together largely with the excrements of the bird itself. The young are
fed on small fish, crabs and shrimps, and in a short time the nesting
places become very filthy, as a large portion of the food brought by

*2.19xl.44.

t 2.32x1.42, 2.05x1.38. •

■!i-

'■'liili

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the old birds is strewn over and around the nests. The eggs vary in
size from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.50 to 1.55 broad. Three eggs collected
by Dr. Stejneger on Copper Island, July 14, measure 61x40, 63.5x39,
66x37 mm.*

125. Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel. [640.]

American W^hite Pelioan.

Hab. Temperate North America, north in the interior to about latitude 61"', south to Central America ;
rare or accidental in the Northeastern States; abundant in the Middle Province and along the Gulf coast;
common on the coast of California and Western Mexico.

The White Pelican is generally common west of the Mississippi,
breeding from Utah northward. It was formally known to breed in
various parts of Florida. Captain Charles E. Bendire found it nest-
ing in large numbers on several small islands of Lake Malheur, in
southeastern Oregon. It is common on various lakes in the Red River
Valley, in British America.

I am informed by Prof. Marcus E. Jones that several thousand of
White Pelicans are permanent residents of Great Salt I^ake, Utah,
breeding on the islands twenty miles out in the lake. They begin to
lay about the first of May or two weeks earlier, according to the season,
and fresh eggs are frequently found as late as July. The usual number
of eggs, he says, is two, rarely three or four.

The birds make their nests on the ground between the clumps of
white sage {Atriplex confertifalia) that grow on the islands. They
scrape the sandy soil into a heap about six inches high on the outside
of the nests and arrange dry twigs without system ; the nests are
about a foot in diameter with a slight depression at the top. Prof.
Jones says the birds travel sixty miles to catch fish for themselves and
young, and they often vomit up the contents of their stomach on the
ground, which, with the great heat on the islands at the nesting time,
soon decay. The stench of the rookeries and the noise of the birds are
almost intolerable.

Captain Bendire found two to be the usual number of eggs laid,
although three and four to a nest was by no means rare, and occasion-
ally as many as five were found.

The egg: are dull, chalky white in color, with a calcareous
deposit on then, and always more or less blood stained. Captain
Bendire gives the average size to be about 3.45x2.30, and measure-
ments of a few selected specimens out of several thousand are as fol-
lows: 4.08x2.15,4.04x2.20,4.01x2.19, 3.99x2.20,3.72x2.40, 3.86X
2-55) 3-87x2.32, 3.62x2.40, 3.60x2.40, 3-57x2.35, 3.20x2.51,3.17
X2.23, 3.20x2.21; two runt eggs, 2.69x1.88, 2.46x1.73.!

■:' 2.40x1.57, 2.50x1.54, 2.60x1.46.

t Ornithologist and Oologist. Vol. VII., p. 180.

\-4-m

NOR'f'H AMERICAN BIRDS.

126. Pelecanus fuscus Linn. [641.]

Illinois.

Hab.

Brown Pelloaui

Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America, north to North Carolina; accidental in

This Pelican is an abundant bird, and constant resident of Florida
and southward into the tropical regions. It is said, when feeding, to
plunge for its prey like a gannet, and does not scoop them while swim-
ming, like the White Pelican. Like the white species, however, it
selects particular localities lor breeding, and will return to them from
year to year. Pelican Island, in the Indian River, Florida, is a noted
breeding ground, where thousands congregate for this purpose. Here
they breed in March and April. Mr. Stuart says they breed in large
communities on the islands along the Gulf coast, most always placing
the bulky nests in mangrove trees ; often as many as a dozen nests
are built in a single tree. They are made of sticks and weeds, lined
with grasses. Many nests are also placed on the ground. Along the
gulf coast fresh eggs may be found in May and June. From two to
five eggs are laid, three being the most common number. Six selected
specimens measure: 2.85x1.95, 3.02x2.04, 3.03x1.87, 3.08x1.89,
3.00x2.01, 3.12x1.87. They are chalky white, and in every respect,
except size, resemble those of the White Pelican.

127. Pelecanus californicus Ridgw.

California Brown Pelican.

Hab. Pacific coast, from Washington Territory to Mexico and beyond, and probably to Mexico and
Central America.

The general habits, nesting and eggs of the Brown Pelican found
on the Pacific coast are exactly the same as those of P. fuscus. It is
a larger bird and has a red pouch during the pairing season.

It is said to breed on islands on the western coast of Mexico, and
inland marshes. Breeds abundantly in Honduras, along the coasts and
in the interior.

128. Fregata aquila (Linn.) [639.]

Man-o'-'War Bird.

Hab. Tropical and subtropical coasts generally; in America, north to Florida, Texas, and California,

and casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia.

This great bird is known by several names, such as Frigate bird.
Frigate Pelican, Man-of- War's bird, and " Hurricane bird." The latter
name comes from the West Indies, where its appearance is said to be
prognastic of bad weather, always flying low just before a gale. It is
a maritime bird inhabiting tropical and subtropical coasts of the globe,
but often wanders far from its home in the tropics. A specimen, which
is now in the possession of Dr. Renshaw, of Sugar Grove, Ohio, was

M H

' i

k.*.m!l

uax- V

NESTS AND EGGS OF

^! tTl-Miil

taken by Mr. Emmet Adcock in Fairfield county, Ohio, in the Spring
of 1880.

The Frigate bird is occasionally met with on the southern coasts
of Europe and on those of Africa — on Ascension Island and the Island
of St. Helena. In the Atlantic it visits the Bermudas. On the Pacific
coast it wanders as far north as San Francisco, and breeds on islands
off the coast of Western Mexico. It is said not to breed anywhere on
the Gulf coast except at two points at Key West.

This bird is noted for its majestic flight and graceful aerial motions,
often soaring to sublime elevations. It may be known by its immense
wings and deeply forked tail, and colors of brownish-black, glossed
with green.

It is a constant resident of the Bahamas, breeding on some of the
Keys in March. The nests are placed upon the mangroves, and are
composed of sticks loosely thrown together ; sometimes they are made
on the bare rocks. The Frigate bird breeds in large communities on
the islands off the Pacific coast of Central America, nesting on high
trees and low shrubs. A single egg is laid, of a uniform, chalky white
color, and oval in shape; sizes range from 2.50 to 2.75 long, by 1.70 to
1.80 broad.

129. Merganser Americanus (Cass.) [636]

American Merganser.

Hab. North America generally.

The Sheldrake, Goosander or Merganser, as it is variously called,
is a common bird throughout North America, breeding from the North-
ern States northward. It has lately been found breeding in New
Mexico ; Mr. N. S. Goss having seen a female with four little ones
July 2, on the Pecos River.* Is very abundant on fresh as well as salt
waters in spring and fall. The three species of Mergansers or Shel-
drakes with the " saw -bill " are commonly called " Fish Ducks." Their
flesh is rank and unpalatable. The male may be recognized by his
large size, white breast and green gloss on the head and neck, the lat-
ter scarcely crested ; the female, which is much smaller than the male,
has a deep red head and neck, with the crest better developed ; under
parts salmon-tinted. The nest is made in hollow trees, after the man-
ner of the Wood Duck, and is composed of moss, leaves and grasses,
warmly lined with down from the bird. In Northern Maine eggs are
deposited in the latter part of May or the first of June. The eggs are
six or eight and sometimes ten in number ; of yellowish or buff color,
and measure from 2.50 to 2.80 by 1.70 to 1.80.

' »Auk, Vol. IV, p. Mi.

'A.rif^

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

130. Merganser serrator (Linn.) [637.]

Red-breasted Merganser.

Hab. Northern portion of Northern Hemisphere; south, in winter, throughout the United States.

An inhabitant of the more northern portions of the Northern
Hemisphere, being common to Europe, Asia and North America. In
the latter continent it is more abundant than the M. americamis. Very
common in the United States in winter, where it is found breeding in
suitable localities in the months of May and June. The Red-breasted
Merganser breeds abundantly in Newfoundland, Labrador, the fur
countries of British America and Alaska. It is a resident of Green-
land and Iceland.

It nests usually on the ground among brushwood, surrounded with
tall grasses and at a short distance from water ; most generally it is
concealed by a projecting rock or other object. The nest is made of
leaves and mosses, lined with feathers and down, which are plucked
from the breast of the bird.

The number of eggs in a set varies from six to twelve, usually
about nine or ten ; oval or elliptical in shape, and vary in size from
2.48 to 2.65 long by 1.65 to 1.82 broad. The color is a yellowish or
reddish-drab, sometimes a dull buify-green.

131. Lophodytes cucuUatus (Linn.) [638.J , , ,.

Hab.

Hooded Merganser.

North America generally, south to Mexico and Cuba.

This handsome Merganser is an exclusi\'ely Nortli American
species. In suitable places throughout its range, in wooded districts
near water almost wherever it occurs, it may be found breeding. It
nests in hollows of trees or stumps, lining the cavities with fine
grasses, leaves, feathers and down. In some localities the bird is
called "Water Pheasant" and "Hairy-head." Anyone can recognize
the male of this species by its striking black and white colors and its
magnificent, erect, compressed, semi -circular black and white crest.
The general color of the head, neck, sides and upper portions of the fe-
male are grayish - brown ; white beneath, and the crest is not so promi-
nent. As many as eighteen eggs have been found in a single nest ;
ten or twelve, however, appear to be the most common numbers, and
often as few as six are laid. ,, -^/^ ^ ^

They are of a delicate pearly - white, rounded oval and measure
from 2.05 to 2.25 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad.

132. Anas boschas Linn. [601.]

Mallard.

Hab. Northern parts of Northern Hemisphere; in America south to Panama and Cuba, breeding
southward to the Northern United States.

The Green-head, or Mallard, is one of the most highly esteemed

i
1

1
i t

t»; }

i 4-'

^r "'r^i

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ducks, its habitat being nearly cosmopolitan, almost everywhere domes-
ticated. It is the original of our barn-yard duck. A common bird in
North America at large, breeding sparingly throughout the United
States. In the sloughs and meadow marshes of the northern tier of
states this duck breeds more or less abundantly in the month of June.
Rare in New England, scarcely found beyond Massachusetts, and is re-
placed farther northeast by the Black Mallard, or Dusky Duck.

Mr. A. M. Shields writes me that this is, perhaps, the most com-
mon of the ducks in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., breeding from
the first of April to the last of June, selecting for its nesting place the
tall grass in fields not far from a lake or river. The eggs are six to
ten in number, pale, yellowish drab, or olivaceous-green, but most
generally the latter color when fresh ; elliptical ; average size, 2.25 x 1.25.

133. Anas obscura Gmel, [602.]

Blaok Dnok.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to Utah, Texas, north to Labrador, breeding from the Northern
United States northward.

The Dusky Duck, or Black Mallard, is much less common in the
interior than along the Atlantic coast. The characteristic and one of
the commonest ducks of New England, where it breeds at large, and
from thence northeastward, but is most numerous during the migra-
tions. The eggs are from six to twelve in number, usually seven or
eight; are elliptical, or nearly so in shape; measure about 2.30 x 1.70,
and vary from pale buff to pale greenish-buff. Incubation period
is from the last of April to the early part of June. The nest is placed
on the ground, in grass or rushes in the neighborhood of ponds, pools,
and streams, in meadows and sometimes in swamps. It is a large and
neatly arranged structure of weeds and grass, nicely hollowed and lined
with down and feathers from the breast of the bird.* In rare instances
it has been known to nest in the hollow of a tree, or a " stub " project-
ing from the water of a swamp. Mr. Frazar found the nest of this
Duck in Labrador usually placed upon the " outreaching branches of
stunted spruces," which are seldom higher than four feet. The bird
may be known by its resembling the female of the Mallard, A. boschas^
but darker in color.

134. Anas fulvigula. Ridgw. [603.]

Florida Dnok.

Hab. Florida; Kansas.

This is a local, lighter colored species, which is resident in Flor-
ida. They are smaller than the northern birds. The eggs are de-
posited during the first and second weeks in April. They are similar
to those of the Black Mallard, but smaller, averaging 2.15x1.61.

* Oology of New England, p. 96.

:-==5»*i

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

135. Anas strepera Linn. [604.]

Oadirall.

Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, In North America breeding chiefly within the United States.

The Gadwall, or Gray Duck, is a widely diffused species in most
parts of the world. In North America, during the breeding season, it
may be found nesting anywhere, especially south of the British Prov-
inces. Common in meadows, and in grain fields near marshes and
lakes in Minnesota, nesting in the middle of June and depositing from
eight to twelve eggs in a cavity of the ground.

Mr. A. M. Shields states that this Duck is a re.ndent in the vicinity
of Los Angeles, Cal., but is not met with in great numbers. He found
a nest containing eleven eggs on April 16, these were apparently about
two weeks incubated. The nest was a slight hollow, amongst a thick
bunch of weeds, six feet from the water's edge ; it was composed of
fine grass and feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs are clay
color or creamy buff, elliptical in shape, and measure 2.09 by 1.57.

136. Anas penelope Linn. [606.]

Widgeon.

Hab. Northern part of the Old World. In North America breed.s in the Aleution Islands. Occuri
occasionally in the Eastern United States,

The European Widgeon in its size and general character, resembles
the American Widgeon or Baldpate. In the south of Scotland and
throughout England it is an abundant winter visitant ; a few remain to
breed on the islands of the lochs in the northern portions of Scotland.
It breeds in Norway and Sweden, and is the most abundant of the
ducks that breed in Lapland, nesting in the grassy swamps and lakes
midst tall rushes ; the material for the nest being reeds and grasses,
with a warm lining of down and feathers from the bird's body. The
eggs are five to eight in number, and their color is pale buff; their
average size is 2.23 X 1.53. ; '^

137. Anas americana Gmel. [607.] .

Baldpate.

Hab. North America, from the Arctic Ocean south to Guatemala and Cuba,

The American Widgeon or Baldpate inhabits North America at
large, breeding anywhere in suitable localities. This is one of the
neatest of our ducks, and may be known by the spotted neck and
head. The latter is white 011 top ; the speculum green and black ; the
lower neck, scapulars, sides and upper breast chestnut-red, tinged with
ashy, finely banded, all but the breast, with dark brown. The greater
upper wing coverts are white, tipped with black, and the under parts
are pure white ; the bill and feet are grayish-blue. The female is simi-
lar, but lacks the white crown and iridescence on the head. There is

J -ffl

I i.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

iiiii ■
-J'

a great variation in the normal coloration of the plumage, aside from
age or sex, but as Dr. Coues says : " The bird can not be mistaken
under any condition ; the extensive white of the under parts and wings
is recognizable at gun-range." The nest of this species is made on the
ground in marshes, composed of grass and weeds, neatly arranged and
nicely hollowed ; it is usually lined with the down and feathers from
the breast of the bird.

The eggs are pale buff, eight to twelve in number, measuring 2.cx)
by 1.50, with slight variations.

[138.] Anas urecca. Linn. [611.]

European Teal.

Hab. Northern part of the Old World. Casiiul in Eastern North America and the Aleutian Islandi.

This duck, which resembles very closely onr American Green-
winged Teal, is of irregular occurrence in Eastern North America. In
the northern portions of Europe it is very common, especially through-
out Norway and Sweden. Breeds in abundance all over Lapland and
in Northern Russia.

Mr. Matliew Clugston informs me that this duck is quite common
in Scotland, where it nests in the grassy herbage about the edges of
lochs. A few breed in various places in Great Britian — as far south as
Suffolk, England, and also in \ les. It is known to breed on some of
the islands on the west coast of Spain and those on the northwestern
coast of Africa.

The nest is formed of grasses and reeds, warmly lined with

feathers. In some places this duck's favorite breeding resorts are the

bogs and marshes in grassy fields. The eggs are commonly eight to

ten in number; and sometimes as many as fifteen are laid. They are

yellowish-white, oval in shape, and measure 1.75 in length by 1.30 in

breadth.

139. Anas carolinensis Gmelin. [612.]

Oreen-iviiiged Teal.

Hab. North America, migrating south to Honduras and Cuba.

, This handsome little Duck is exceedingly abundant throughout
North America. It breeds from the northern borders of the United
States northward to Greenland and Alaska. During the spring and fall
migrations it is one of the most abundant of water-fowl, frequenting
the small brooks and ponds as well as the larger waters. It may be
recognized by its small size ; the primaries of the wing-covets are of
leaden-gray; speculum velvety purplish-black on the outer half, the
inner half rich green ; bordered in front with chestnut, fawn or whitish
tips of the greater coverts, behind by white tips of the secondaries, in-
teriorly with purplish-black stripes on the outer webs of the length-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ened secondaries. The head and upper neck of the male are rich
chestnut, blackening on the chin with a glossy green patch behind each
eye. There is a white crescent in front of the wing. The female
differs in the head markings, but those of the wing are the same. It
is a well-known and highly esteemed game bird. The nest is placed
on the ground, in a thick growth of grass, and is essentially the same
as that of the Blue-winged Teal.

The eggs are from five to eight in number, greenish-bufF in color,
usually ovoidal in shape, sometimes nearly oval, and vary in size from
1.73 to 1.90 long by 1.22 to 1.32 broad.

140. Anas discors Linn. [609.]

Blnc-winBod Teal.

Hab. North America, but chiefly the Eastern Province; north to Alaskr. and south to the West Indies
and Northern South America.

A beautiful little duck, inhabiting North America in general,
but chiefly the Eastern portions. During the breeding seasons it is
found in the same localities as the Green-wing, but is more abundant
in the northern tier of States at that season than the latter. This Duck
feeds chiefly upon vegetable matter, and its flesh is tender and luscious.
It may be known by its small size, blue wings and narrow bill. The
feet are yellowish. The male has a white, crescent-shaped spot in front
of the eye. The female is brown throughout, with the feathers edged
with whitish which becomes prominent below. The nest is made on the
ground, in a thick patch or tussock of grass, usually in meadows, the
border of ponds or streams and swampy places. It is composed of soft
pieces of grass and weeds, lined with down and feathers from the breast
of the bird.

The eggs are greenish or bufT, lighter in color than those of the
Green-winged Teal ; they vary from ovate to ovoidal, and are sometimes
nearly ov.il in shape ; six to ten and twelve in number, and vary in size
from 1.30 to 1.35 broad by 1.90 to 1.95 long.

141. Anas cyanoptera Vieill. [610.]

Cinnamon Teal.

Hab. Western America, from the Columbia River south to Chili, Patagonia and Falkland Islands; east
in North / ca to the Rocky Mountains; casual in the Mississippi Valley.

Tui. i- ^tty South American Teal is abundant in the United States
west of the Rocky Mountains, and breeds anywhere in this range ; Col-
orado, Utah, Nevada, California, Idaho, Oregon, etc. In the adult male
the head, neck and under parts are rich chestnut, the wing coverts are
sky-blue, as in the Blue-winged Teal. The speculum is green and is
set between the white tips of the greater coverts and the secondaries.

y 4

1. n

nil

NESTS AND EGGS OP

Its habits on the whole do not differ from those of its well-known ally,
the Blue-winjj.

Mr. A. M. Shields regards it as common in the vicinity of Los
Angeles, where it breeds in great numbers ; nesting in the first week
of May. Its favorite breeding places are in fields of tall grass or clover,
in close proximity to water. He says the complement of eggs ranges
from nine to thirteen, and that the nest is so compactly woven of
grass, feathers and down that the entire structure may be picked up
without its coming apart.

The eggs are creamy-white or pale buff; six to twelve; one end
smaller than the other.

Ten eggs collected by Dr. James C. Merrill, near Fort Klamath,
Oregon, June 14, 1887, exhibit the following dimensions: 1.90x1.38,
1.82x1.37, 1.88x1.39, 1.90 X 1.38, 1.92x1.39, 1.88x1.38, 1.85x1.40,
1.94x1.38, 1.89x1.36, 1.83x1.34; the average size is 1.88x1.38.

The nest was built at the edge of a marsh ; it was made of grass
blades and stems, warmly lined with down.

142. Spatula clypeata (Linn.) [608.]

Shoveller.

Hab. Northern Hemisphere. In North America. Breeding from Alaska to Texas. Not abundant
on the Atlantic coast.

The Shoveller, or Spoonbill Duck, is common in the northern
portions of the globe. Said to have the most extended distribution of
any species of the duck tribe, being more or less common in every
portion of Europe and Asia, except in the extreme north ; is foimd in
Northern and Central Africa, and other portions of the tropical world.
It is not common in England, where it breeds sparingly, but is more
abundant in Scotland.

In North America this peculiar-locking duck breeds throughout
its range in all suitable places ; it winters chiefly in the south. It may
easily be recognized by its broad bill, blue wing coverts and green
speculum.

The iris is yellow and the feet bright orange. The Spoonbill
makes his nest on the ground in boggy places which are difficult of
access. It is composed of grass and weeds.

The eggs are greenish-gray, or faintly bluish ; elliptical ; six to ten
in number; averaging in size about 2.10 by 1.50.

143. Dafila acuta (Linn.) [605.]

Pintail.

Hab. Northern hemisphere. In America migrates south to Panama and Cuba.

In North America the Pintail, or Sprig-tail, is a common species
everywhere, being found as far north as Greenland and the Arctic

! 1

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

coast, and south to the Isthmus of Panama and to Cuba, breeding from
the Northern States northward throughout the Fur Countries to Alaska,
and in Greenland. It is abundant in the United States during the
spring and fall migrations. In the vicinity of Los Angeles, California,
Mr. Shields says it is very abundant during the entire winter, and a few
remain to breed. The place usually selected for the nest is in tall
bunches of prairie grass, seldom far from water. The number of eggs
laid is commonly eight or nine ; these are deposited about the middle
of May. If the eggs are taken the bird will immediately deposit a
second set, which is seldom more than five or six in number.

The male bird, inclusive of the long central tail-feathers, is about
twenty-nine inches long; the general color of the upper parts is gray-
ish, delicately penciled with white ; either sex may be known by the
very long and slender neck, but the female is shorter, being about
twenty- two inches long, the central tail feathers making a difference
of seven inches.

In the far north this species deposits as many as twelve eggs in a
single nest. These are of a dull grayish olive ; elongate ellipsoidal in
shape and measure from 2.10 to 2.30 long by about 1.52 broad.

144. Aix sponsa (Linn.) [613.]

"Wood Dnok.

Hab. Temperate North America, breeding throughout its range.

An exquisite bird, the most beautiful of all our ducks ; in fact, no
description can give a sufficient conception of the variety and lustre of
its plumage. It is crested, the head iridescent green and purple, with
parallel curved white superciliary and post-ocular stripes and a broad
white throat patch. The iris and edges of eyelids are red. In the fe-
male the head is mostly gray. A freshly-killed specimen has all the
variegated tints to be seen in the rain-bow. It is well-named Bridal
Duck. It inhabits North America at large and is especially abundant
in the United States, breeding almost wherever found. Frequents
the wooded portions of the country near water. The nest is made in
the hollow of decayed trees, often at the depth of four to six feet. It
is composed of twigs, weeds or grass, warmly lined with the down from
breast of the bird. What is remarkable about the entrance to the nest
is, that it is often so small that it would seem almost impossible for the
bird to pass in and out.

The tree in which the nest is made is frequently situated a consid-
erable distance from water in some retired place. The young are car-
ried to water in the bill of the parent bird. The eggs number from
eight to twelve, and I have seen several sets of fourteen ; they are of

IBHWh llBllll

NESTS AND EGGS OF

a pale buff color, averaging in size about 2.00 by 1.50, but there is a
great variation in this respect when a large series of specimens from
different parts of the country are examined. When robbed of its eggs
the bird will often lay a second set. ' , ■ ■:,,■■■

. " [145.] Netta Ruflna (Pall.)

Rnfona-orested !Onokt

Hab. Eastern Hemisphere: accidental in the United States.

The claim of this species to a place in the North American fauna
rests on a single specimen obtained in Fulton Market, New York City,
February 2d, 1872. It is supposed to have been shot on Long Island
Sound.

The bird is found in Southern and Eastern Europe, and in por-
tions of Africa and Asia. The eggs are described as being of a pale
olive-buff and measure 2.19 x 1.68.

146.

Hab.

Aythya americana (Eyt.) [618.]

Redlieadw

North America, breeding from California and Maine northward.

The Redhead or Poachard, so frequently confounded with th*^ Can-
vas-back, is a common duck throughout North America. It breeds in
all parts of the Fur Countries, and is very abundant in the marshes of
Manitoba throughout the summer months. It nests in suitable locali-
ties of various northern states, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minne-
sota and Dakota.

The Redhead also breeds in the marshes of California. Mr.
Shields mentions it nesting in a swamp near Los Angeles about the
middle of June.* The nest is built on the groitnd in thick grass or
weeds and is composed of aquatic plant stems and grasses, lined with
the down and feathers from the breast of the bird. The nest is often
constructed in a mass of reeds over water after the manner of a Coot's.
Mr. Shields found the nests to contain from seven to fourteen eggs.
Eight or ten are more commonly laid further north. They are creamy-
white, elliptical, and average 2. 40 by 1.70, with slight variation.

147. Aythya vallisneria (Wils.) [617.]

Canvaa-baok.

Hab. Nearly all of Nor.hAmerca.

The celebrated Canvas-back Duck is an exclusively North Ameri-
can species, found in the interior and on both coasts as far north as
the Arctic Ocean and southward to Central America. Breeds on the
intedot mi. ', rivers and lakes from the Northwestern States to

* Young Oolocist, a magazine devoted to the study '>' birds, their nests and eggs, published by Frank
H. Lattin, Albion, N. Y., Vol. I., p. 90.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Alaska. Nests commonly in many of the lakes and ponds of Mani-
toba. On the marshes and lakes in the mountain valleys of Oregon
the Canvas-back constructs ics nest at the edge of the water or near
it in tall rushes or grass. The Canvas-back is the highly esteemed
table duck. When feeding on wild celery the flesh is said to acquire a
peculiarly fine flavor, but under other circumstances not one person in-
ten thousand can tell it from any other duck, on the table. It is often
confounded with the Redhead, but there is no occasion for this, even
when the different sexes come to hand in any state of plumage.
Although both species ere similar in plumage, their heads alone
will differentiate them. The Redhead has a high forehead, while the
Canvas-back's head slopes gradually down to the bill and the bill rises
high on the forehead. In the male Redhead the entire head is clear
chestnut red, with a coppery tint, and the bill pale grayish-blue, with
a dark tip. In the Canvas-back nearly the whole head is blackish-
brown, and the bill blackish. The general color of the females of both
is brownish throughout. The nest of the Canvas-back is generally
made on the ground in marshy places; tall, rank grass is usually
selected. It is composed of grass and weeds, less thickly lined with
feathers than the nests of other ducks are.

The eggs ?re from six to ten in number, pale grayish-drab or
greenish-buff, elliptical, and measure from 2.25 to 2.50 long by 1.70 to

1-75

broad.

148. Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. [614.]

Amerioau Soanp Sack.

Hab. North America, breeding f«r north.

This and the next species are closely allied, and are variously
known as Blue-bills, Raft Duck, Flocking Fowl and Shufflers. This
one is called Big Blackhead or Greater Scaup Duck, on account of its
size. It inhabits the whole of North America, and breeds far north.
It is not so abundant in the United States as the next species. In
many of the river valleys and in the lakes of Manitoba it is a common
summer resident, where it nests on the ground in swampy places. The
nest material is grass and weeds, and the lining is down from the breast
of the bird.

In the male the head, neck and the front part of the body are
black, the former with a green gloss ; the back and sides whitish, finely
waved in zig-zag with black ; underneath and speculum of wing is
white. The bill is blue, with black nail ; iris yellow. In the female
the head and anterior parts brown ; face pure white.

The eggs of the American Scaup Duck are of a pale, buffy
olive-gray, or ashy-green, elliptical, six to ten in number, size 2.54 x 1.71.

f n i

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70 NESTS AND EGGS OF

149. Aythya afflnis (Err.) [615.]

Lesser Scanp Dnok.

Hab. North America in general, migrating south to Guatemala and the West Indies.

As its name indicates, this species is smaller than the last, to
which it is very similar. Breeds chiefly north of the United States.
It is a common summer resident in the lakes, marshes, ponds, and
rivers of Western Manitoba and throughout other portions of the fur
countries northward. Its nesting habits and its eggs are the same as
A. marila nearctica. The average size of the eggs is about 2.25 x 1.58.

150. Aythya collaris (Donov.) [616.]

Ring-neoked Dnok.

Hab. North America, migrates south to Gautemala and the West Indies.

Ring-billed Blackhead, Marsh Blue-bill and Ring-necked Scaup
Duck are names by which this species is commonly known. In the
United States it is a common spring and fall migrant, and breeds from
Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other northern States northward.
In some parts of Manitoba it is very abundant, especially in the Red
River Valley, where it breeds in the marshes of the lakes and ponds,
among the reeds and thick grasses. The nest is made of fine grasses,
and slightly lined with feathers. In its general appearance, the bird
is similar to the foregoing, but the adult male has an orange-brown ring
around the neck ; the female has no co Jar, and the head and neck are
brown. This bird may be known in all stages of plumage by the
broad bill and gray speculum. The Ring-neck lays from six to twelve
eggs, varying from grayish to bufif color ; they are elliptical in shape,
and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 by 1.60 to 1.65.

151. Glaucionetta clangula americana ( Bonap.) [620.]

American Golden-eye.

Hab. North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces northward; migrates south to
Cuba.

The American Golden-eye, Whistler, Garrot, or " Great-Head," is
very similar to the next species. It has a large round white spot
before the ey; not touching the base of the bill throughout. It is
given the name of Whistler from the peculiar noise of the wings while
flying, and Great Head from its large and beautifully created head. It
is an abundant species throughout the fur countries, where it frequents
the rivers and fresh-water lakes in great numbers. Breeds as far north
as Alaska, where, on the Yukon, it nests about the middle of June.
Like the Wood Duck, it constructs its nests in hollow trees and
decayed trunks. It is made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with
down from the bird's breast.

The eggs are from six to ten in number, ashy green in color,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

rounded-oval in shape, and measure from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.70 to
1.78 broad.

152. Glaucionetta islandica (Gmel.) [619.]

Bax>ro'w'8 Golden-eye.

Hab. Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois and Utah. Greenland; Iceland.

The Rocky Mountain Garret, or Golden-eye, is almost exclusively
a North American species, breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence
in the east and the mountains of Colorado in the west to high north-
ern regions. It k a resident of Greenland and Iceland. It may be
known by the large triangular white spot before the eye running up to
a point, applied against the entire base of the bill and the division of
the white area on the wing. The head is moderately puffy, with an
occipital crest, and the color of ^he gloss is chiefly purple and violet.
The W\ is black or greenish-dusis.y and the iris golden-yellow. In the
female the head is snuff-brown and no white patch in front of the eye.
This bird, like the last, makes its nest in hollow trees, of grass, sticks
and weeds, lined with feathers. Mr. Edwin Carter was the first to find
the nest and eggs of this species in the mountains of Colorado in
1876. From six to U _■- eggs are laid, these are usually elliptical in
shape, and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 long by 1.60 to 1.65 broad.

153. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.) [621.]

Buffle-head.

Hab. North America; south to Cuba jnd Mexico. Breeds from Maine northward, through the Fur
Countries and Alaska.

This duck is variously named, as Butter-ball, " Dipper," " Butter-
box," " Spirit Duck " and " Hell-diver." It dives with the greatest
of ease, slipping under the water almost as quickly as a grebe. Its ex-
pertness in diving enables it to obtain food in very deep water. The
Bufile-head is peculiarly an American species, but of accidental occur-
rence in Europe. In Manitoba and throughout all the Fur Countries
it is a common summer resident, breeding as far north as Alaska. The
nests are concealed in hollows of trees or stumps, near the banks of
streams. Th^y are lined with down and feathers. The Butter-ball
breeds occasionally in Northern Maine. In the United States it is an
abundant spring and fall migrant, and in many places a winter resi-
dent. The male is one of the handsomest of our small ducks. The
head is particularly puffy, of varied rich iridescence, with a large
showy white patch on each side behind the eye. The broad black and
white pattern of his upper coat stands out in strong contrast against a
glossy white breast. The female is smaller and a very insignificant
looking duck ; the head is scarcely puffy, dark gray, with traces of the
white auricular patch.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

The eggs of this duck vary from buff to a creamy-white or gray-
ish-olive ; ellipsoidal in form and range from six to fourteen in num-
ber; sizes from 1.95 to 2.05 long by 1.35 to 1.50 broad.

154. Clangula hyemalis (Linn.) [623] •?;

Old-nqna'Wa ,, '

Hab. Northern hemisphere; in North America south to the Potomac and the Ohio. Breeds far
northward.

The Long-tailed Duck, Old Wife or South-southerly, as it is vari-
ously called, is distributed throughout the northern portions of the
globc; making its summer home in Arctic regions. A resident in
Greenland and breeds in various places in Iceland. The nests are
made on the margins of lakes or ponds, among low bushes or tall grass ;
they are constructed of grasses and generally, but not always, warmly
lined with down and feathers. The eggs are from six to twelve in
number. The Long-tailed Duck inhabits the more northern countries
of Europe — a winter visitant to Great Britain, and it is found occa-
sionally in Germany and France. Abundant on the sea-coast of Alas-
ka, is resident on the Prybilof and Aleutian Islands. In the United
States it is found only in winter. The male of the Old-squaw is a
handsome duck, and may be recognized by its long tail and peculiar
reddish-brown and brownish-black and white markings. The female
lacks the lengthened tail-feathers, and is, on the whole, a very inferior
looking bird.

The eggs of this species average 2.05 by 1.49; they are pale, dull
grayish pea-green, varying to dull light olive-buff.

155. Kiatrionicus histrionicus (Linn.) [622.]

u . XT u XT u » Harleqnin Dnok.

Hab Northern North America.

The beautiful and singulary marked Harlequin " is an inhabitant
of the southern part of the circumpolar zone." It is not common
wherever found. In many parts of the Old World it is only a rare
or an occasional visitor; this is the case in Great Britain, France and
Germany. At the commencement of the breeding season it leaves the
sea-coast and retires to the lakes and rivers of the interior regions. A
summary of this bird's breeding range is given by C. Hart IMerriam, as
follows: "In Siberia it is known to breed aboui Lake Baikal and in
the Bureja Mountains (Radde) ; in Mantchuria and at various points in
the great Stanowi R.ange (Von Middendorff ) ; about the Upper Amoor
(Von Schrenck), and in Kamtschatka. On the American Continent it
has been found breeding along the tributaries of the Yukon in Alaska
(Dall) ; in the interior of the Fur Countries and about Hudson's Bay

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

(Richardson) ; on the fresh water ponds of Labrador (Audubon), and in
the Rocky Mountains within the limits of tho United States (in Mon-
tana, Cones). It also nests in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland
(Kruper)."* Dr. Merriam says that all accounts agree that this duck
nests on the ground in close proximity to swiftly running water, and
states that he is also informed that in Newfoundland the nests are
built in hollow trees. In some of its breeding groiinds it is said to
lead a solitary life, being found alone or in pairs in the most retired
places on small streams. The nest is composed of weeds, grass, etc.,
warmly lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird.
When the female leaves the eggs she carefully covers them up with
down.

In some places the Harlequins are called '* Lord and Lady Ducks."
The male is second only to the Wood Duck in beauty, and the female
will bear no comparison to the same sex of that species.

. The eggs are six to eight in number, rounded oval, yellowish-buff
or greenish yellow, and measure 2.30 x 1.62.

157. Eniconetta Stelleri (Pall.) [625]

Steller'i Dnok.

Hab. Arctic and sub-Arctic coasts of Northern Hemispnere.

The summer home of Steller's Duck is in very high Arctic lati-
tudes. It breeds in Northern Russia, in Europe and in Siberia, nesting
in the latter part of June, depositing from seven to nine eggs. It is
said to breed on the inaccessible rocks of Kamtschatka, on the islands
of Bering Sea, and sparingly on some of the Aleutian Islands. In its
habits it resembles the Common Eider. The nest is placed on the
ground and is made of grass, thickly lined with down and feathers
from the breast of the bird. Dr. Coues says the bird is not yet com-
mon in collections, though abounding and sometimes gathering in
enormous flocks on the islands and both shores of Bering Sea and
the Arctic coast of Northeastern Siberia. It winters mainly on the
Aleutian Islands, and is usually found in company with the Pacific,
Spectacled and King Eiders. The eggs vary from pale olive-buff to
pale olive or pale green and measure 2.30 by 1.62.

158. Arctonetta fischeri (Brandt). [626]

Speotaoled Eider.

Hab. Coast of Alaska, north to Point Barrow.

This Eider with a peculiarly dense and puffy patch of velvet feath-
ers about the eye, suggesting spectacles, has nesting habits similar to
the American Eider, ►S. dresseri. The eggs are also similar.

•Bull. Nutt Club, vui, 220.

I 3

.!!-

NESTS AND EGGS OF

i 1 ,!

'ilV

It inhabits the islands and coasts from Norton Sound northward to
Point Barrow. On St. Michael's Island, Alaska, it breeds in company
with the Pacific Eider 5*. v-nigra. The eggs measure from 2.35 to
2.57 long by 1.55 to 1.85 broad.

159. Somateria moUissima (Linn.) [627.] .. >

Elder.'

Hab. Northern Europe and Northeastern North America, including Greenland and Northern Labra-
dor; south in winter on the Atlantic Coast to Maine.

The Eider, so famous for its down, which has become an article
of commerce and luxury, is common along the Northern Atlantic
coasts of Europe and America. The great demand for its down has
caused the inhabitants of Iceland, Norway, and other parts of Europe
to protect it during the breeding season. In these places the Eider be-
comes very tame. It is a resident of Greenland, where it nests in the
latter part of June or the first week of July. On some of the small
islands on the coast of Iceland it has become almost domesticated,
breeding in vast numbers, nesting on the grassy banks, between large
stones, on rocks, and in every available hollow which will nold the
nest. The nest is made of sea-weed, lined with the down plucked from
the breast of the bird. This is augmented as incubation proceeds and
the quantity of down often becomes so great that the eggs are con-
cealed from view. The eggs range from six to ten in number, greenish
drab, and measure 2.97 by 2.01.

160. Somateria dresseri Sharpe. [627a.]

American Eider.

Hab. Atlantic coast of North America, from M>ine to Labrador; south in winter to the Delaware.

The American Eider breeds along the Atlantic coast of North
America from Maine to Northern Labrador. On Grand Manan and
some of the smaller islands in that vicinity this duck formerly nested
in great numbers, but from constant persecution its numbers have
been greatly diminished. It is one of the most characteristic summer
ducks of Labrador and Newfoundland. Mr. Frazar found this Eider
breeding commonly on small islands on the coast of Labrador, making
the nest in the short, soft grass. The favorite nesting place was at
the foot of some large rock, or in the nooks between rocks, where the
birds found shelter from the wind. They were always made of the
slate-colored down from the breasts of the birds. Most of the nests
contained four or five eggs ; a large number six, two seven and one

''According to Prof. Ridgw.iy the American bird proves not to be the true S. moUissima of Northern
Europe, but a fairly ilistinguishable race, called Greenl.ind Eider, 5. moUissima lorcalis Brehm, inhabiting
Northeastern North America, including Greenland, etc., as in the above habitat. For description of this
race see Manual North American Birds, p. lOU.

Bwl'SwMltBliKrfSSifflBRu

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

eight.* The eggs are from four to ten in number, but often fewer ;
they are plain dull greenish-drab: measuring about 3x2.

161. Somateria v-nigra Gray. [628.]

Paoiflo Eider.

Hab. Coasts of the North Pacific; in the interior to the Great Slave L.-\ke, and Eastern Siberia.

The Pac/'fic Eider is common in suitable places on both coasts and
islands of Bering Sea and the polar coasts of Siberia ; replacing the
Common Eider, S. molissima^ Spectacled and Steller's Eiders. Dr.
Stejneger says it is now rather scarce on the Commander Islands.
On Copper Island it breeds only in a few places, and in limited num-
bers. It breeds on the Aleutian Islands, the Island of St. Michael's,
and in great numbers on the Arctic coast, near the mouth of the
Anderson River. Its nesting habits are the same as those of ^. dres-
seri^ and the eggs measure from 2.95 to 3.20 long by 1.95 to 2.10 broad.

162. Somateria spectabllis (Linn.) [629.]

King Eider.

Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions; in North America
south casually in winter to New Jersey and the Great Lakes.

A beautiful Arctic species, very closely resembling the three last.
It is a resident of Greenland, and is found on the Atlantic coasts of
Europe and America, and on the Pacific coasts of America and Asia.
Abundant in various places along the shores of the Arctic Ocean,
thence southward in winter on the Pacific side in great numbers to the
Aleutian Islands and beyond. Rare on the Alaskan coast of Bering
Sea. The nests of this Eider, found in the islands of the Arctic seas,
are placed in depressions of the ground, and composed wholly of
down. In Greenland the King Eider breeds in the latter part of June
or in the first part of July, nesting in the vicinity of ponds and
marshes. Six eggs are the usual number laid, but as many as ten are
said to be deposited. They vary from light-olive gray to grayish-green,
and measure from 3.10 to 3.15 long by 1.75 to 2.10 broad.

163. Oidemia americana Sw. & Rich. [630.]

Amerioan Scoter.

Hab. Coasts and larger lakes cf Northern North America; breeds in Labrador and the northern inter-
ior; south in winter to New Jersey, the Great l.\kcs »nd California.

A few of this species are said to breed in Labrador as they do in
the neighborhood of marshes and ponds in the interior, northward. In
the Hudson's Bay region the American Scoter nests in June and July.
It has been found on islands along the coast of Alaska and at the
mouth of the Yukon in June. The Scoter nests similar to the Eider,

♦See Mr. Fraiar's article: Ornithologist aT>d Oologist, Vol. XII., pp. 19-20.

i. '

r i- \>

Ilr

NESTS AND EGGS OF

li.J;

on the ground, near water ; the material used being coarse grass, feath-
ers and down. The nests are often well secreted in the cliflfs and hol-
lows about steep banks.

This Duck is called Sea Coot, Butter-billed and Hollow-billed
Coot. The plumage of the adult male is entirely black, and the top of
the bill orange ; the color of the female is sooty-brown, becoming paler
below. It is much smaller than the male. This Duck, like many
others in winter, is sometimes found in great numbers along the entire
Atlantic coast. Its food is principally small bivalves, which it secures
by diving.

The eggs are said to range from six to ten in number. They are
of a pale dull buff, jr pale brownish-buff, and measure 2.55 x 1.80.

[164 ] Oidemia fusca (Linn.) [631.]

Velvet Sooter.

Hab. Northern Old World : accidental in Alaska and Greenland.

This fine sea duck belongs to the Old World. It is a winter visit-
ant on the coasts of England ; a few specimens have been obtained at
different times in the London markets. It is recorded as having been
taken as far south as Italy. On the Orkney and Shetland Islands it is
said to be common. Found in Norway, Sweden and Scandinavia.
Said to be abundant everywhere in Lapland, where it nests on hum-
mocks, among the willow swamps, in long grass near water, or by the
edges of large lakes in mountain districts.

The eggs are of a pale cream color, and measure 2.87 x 1.92.

165. Oidemia deglandl Bonap. [632.]

'White-winded Sooteri

Hab. Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the Fur Countries; south to the Middle
States, Southern Illinois, and Southern California.

Like the Velvet Scoter, O. fusca of the Old World, the American
bird is eminently a sea-duck, resorting, however, mainly to inland
waters during the breeding season. Its summer home is in the Arctic
regions. Found along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and as far south
as the Middle States in the spring, fall and winter. It breeds on many
of the lakes, rivers and larger bodies of water in Manitoba.

The "White-winged Coot," "Sea Coot," "Black Surf Duck," or
Velvet Duck, as it is variously called, has been found breeding quite
abundantly on the Lower Anderson river, constructing the nest on the
ground near fresh water. The nests contain a lining of down and
feathers. Audubon found it breeding in Labrador from the ist to the
loth of June. The nests were built by the side of small lakes, two or
three miles distant from the sea, and usually placed under low bushes ;

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

they were formed of twigs, mo,sses aud various plants matted together.
The nests were large and almost flat, several inches thick, lined with
some feathers of the female, but without down.

The eggs are usually six in number, measuring 2.68 x 1.83. They
are of a pale buff, varying to green.

166. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.) [633.] 7

Surf Scoter.

Hab. Coasts and larger inland waters of Northern North America; south to the Carolinas, the Ohio
river and Lower Cnlifr>rnia.

The Surf Duck and the three preceding species are called Coots by
the gunners ; their habits, appearance and general characteristics being
similar. It is peculiarly an American species, and is only an occasion-
al or accidental visitor in Europe. The plumage of the male of this
species is glossy black, no white on the wings, but a triangular white
patch on the forehead pointing forward. The female is a sooty-brown,
below silvery-gray; side of the head much whitish. It breeds in the
far north along the coast and in the interior of the fur countries.
Audubon found this species to be the least numerous of the ducks in-
habiting Labrador. He discovered a nest in a fresh-water marsh
placed among the tall grass and weeds. It was entirely made of
withered, rotten weeds, lined with the down of the bird. The nest
contained five eggs; they were pale yellowish or cream color, and
measured 2.31 by 1.63. The general average is 2.47 x 1.70; pale buff
to creamy-bufiF.

167. Erismatura rublda (VVils.) [634.]

Ruddy Duck.

Hab. North America in general, south to Cuba, Guatemala, and Northern South America.

The Ruddy Duck is an American species, and is found breeding
throughout most of its range, but more especially from the northern
borders of the United States northward. In spring and fall it is an
abundant duck on the large bodies of water, as well as rivers, small
streams, and ponds. It is exceedingly difficult to kill, being very
tenacious of life, and, when wounded, dives with the greatest of ease,
remaining under the water for a long time — in fact, no duck excels
thib one in diving. Mr. Shields writes that the Ruddy Duck breeds
quite commonly in the vicinity of Los Angeles, Cal., depositing from
five to eleven eggs about the last of May, and fresh eggs may be taken
as late as June 25. He says there is positive proof that this duck
prefers the abandoned nests of Coots for nesting purposes to those
constructed by itself, and cites several instances in which he took
eggs of this species from what appeared to be Coots' nests recon-

U X't

nti

NESTS AND EGGS OF

■m

i i!

structed. Seven Ruddy Ducks' eggs were found in a Coot's nest, from
which, a few weeks previous, a set of the Coot's eggs were obtained.
The locality usually selected for a breeding place is some deep, slug-
gish stream, lake or pond, and the nests are always built close to the
water's edge ; they are composed of reeds, dry rushes and grass. The
structure is often made so that it will float, similar to a grebe's nest.
The male is a handsome bird ; its general color is glossy chestnut,
and the lower parts silvery white ; the chin and sides of the head are
dead white, the crown and nape glossy black. The female is brown
above, finely dotted, and waved with dusky; below paler and duller.
From its peculiar stiff" tail feathers, I have often heard hunters call it
the " Sprig-tail," a name, however, applied to the Pin-tail Duck. It
is also called Dipper Duck. The eggs are grayish-white, ovoid or oval
in shape, with a finely granulated surface ; sizes . ange from 2.35 to
2.50 long by 1.70 to 1.80 broad. They appear large for the size of the
bird.

169. Chen hyperborea (Pall.) [sgia.]

Iiesser Snoir Oooae.

Hab. Pacific coast to the Mississippi Valley, breeding in Alaska; south in winter to Soithern Illinois
and Southern California.

There are several forms of the Snow Goose which exist in North
America ; two are designated by their respective sizes, namely, Lesser
and Greater, The Lesser species breeds in Alaska, and occurs through-
out the northwestern portions of the continent, and in winter migrates
over the whole of the country, from the Pacific coast to the Mississippi
Valley. The Greater Snow Goose, Chen hyPerborea nivalis (Forst.),
according to Prof. Ridgway, occurs in Eastern North America; its
breeding grounds are unknown, but they are probably in the Arctic
regions east of the Mackenzie river. In winter it is found in the
United States from the Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic coast.*

Ross's Snow Goose, C. rossii (Baird), is found in summer in the
interior of Arctic America, migrating south in winter to Southern Cali-
fornia and eastward to Montana.

The Blue Snow Goose, C. ccsrulescens (Linn.),t inhabits the interior
of North America, east of the Rocky Mountains, breeding on the east-
ern shores of Hudson's Bay, migrating south in winter through the
Mississippi Valley to the Gulf coast, and is found occasionally on the
Atlantic coast.

There seems to be very little known regarding the nidification of
the Snow Goose. ^

♦Manual of N. A. Birds, p. 115.

fThis bird is placed in the "Hypothetical List" of the A. O. U. Check List. Prof. Ridgway states
that it is beyond question a good species. See Manual of N. A. Birds, p. 115.

ates

NORTH AMHRICAN BIRDS.

So far as I can glean, the breeding habits are the same as those of
the Canada Goose, nesting by the side of rivers, lakes and in marshes.

The eggs of the Lesser Snow Goose are from five to eight in num-
ber; their color is yellowish-white, and measure about 3.13x2.12.

[171.] Ap?er albifrons (Gm.) [593.]

Whlte-^onted Oooa«>

Hab. Northern parts of Eastern Heniispliere .uul UreenUnd.

The White-fronted Goose of the Old World, which very closely
resembles the American species, is distributed in its migrations through-
out various sections of Europe, but is more abundant in the eastern
than in the western portions. Said to extend its migrations into Cen-
tral Africa, almost to the Equator. It breeds near the coast-line of the
Arctic Ocean in Europe and Asia, and also on the lakes, larger rivers,
bays and inlets. There is no difference between the general habits of
this species and those of the American bird. It nests on the ground, in
the immediate vicinity of water, making a large structure of sticks
and hay which is lined with down.

The eggs are from four to six in number, yellowish-white in color,
and measure about 3.10x2.05.

171a. Anser albifrons Rambeli (Hartl.) [593(7.]

American White-fronted Goose.

Hab. North America, breeding far northward ; in winter, south to Mexico and Cuba.

Often called "Laughing Goose." It is of large size and robust
form, may be known by its white forehead and spotted breast. A very
handsome bird and a favorite with sportsmen. Large numbers are
often killed on the lakes and reservoirs in spring and fall.

The White-fronted Goose is common throughout the whole of
North America, but is more abundant on the Pacific coast than in the
interior or along the Atlantic. It flies in V-shaped flocks, frequently
uttering a loud, harsh cry, which may be heard at a considerable dist-
ance. This species breeds in high latitudes and is particularly abund-
ant in Alaska, nesting in large numbers along the Yukon river, laying
its eggs in depressions in the sand. Said to breed also on Stuart's
Island and other islands along the coast. Its favorite resorts are in the
vicinity of fresh-water lakes. Along the Lower Anderson river, on the
Arctic coast and on the islands of the Arctic Sea this species breeds in
abundance in June and July. The nests are made in a depression of
the ground, and made of hay, feathers and down. Dr. Brewer states
that nests found by Mr. MacFarlane were generally found ':-. wooded
districts. . "

The eggs are six or seven in number, and measure from 2.90 to

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NESTS AND EGGS OF

3.30 long by 2.05 to 2.10 broad. They are elliptical in shape, dull
greenish-yellow with obscure darker tints.

172. Branta canidensls (Linn.) [594.]

Canada Gooae.

Hab. Temperate North America, breeding in the Northern (Jnited States and British Provinces;
snuth in winter to Mexico.

The Common Wild Goose of North America, in its various forms
and great extremes of size, is generally distributed throughout the
continent at large, B. canidensis proper, breeding, as indicated in
the above habitat.* It is the most abundant of our geese Large
numbers may be seen during the spring and fall migrations flying
overhead in wedge-shaped flocks, with an old gander always in the lead
at the apex of the triangle, frequently uttering the sonorous konk^
hottky which is often heard at a great height. In many places they
breed in captivity with the common domestic goose, producing a
hybrid bird much esteemed for the table. It has been learned from
birds in confinement that none of them lay until three years old ;
the first season four eggs are laid, five the second season, and when
older six and seven. f

Dr. Coues alludes to the breeding of the Canada Goose in trees in
various parts of the Upper Missouri and Yellowstone regions.! Breed-
ing grounds, inundated along the banks of streams, have at times
caused the birds to resort to trees for the purpose of nesting, some
making use of Herons' and Ravens' ncsts.§ Nests of the Canada
Goose in Dakota are usually situated far away from water on the
prairies.

Dr. Merrill found this species breeding on the Upper Missouri,
Yellowstone, and Big Horn Rivers, where their favorite nesting sites
were on the numerous low sandy islands in these rivers, covered in
the higher parts with a growth of young willows. Their nests were
simply a hollow in the sand, around which was placed a few sticks and
twigs, and the eggs lay on a layer of gray down. Nests were found
on the tops of broken trunks of trees ; one on a rocky ledge three
hundred yards from the river ; another was made on a pile of brush
that had collected in the top of a fallen tree that had floated down and
lodged near the middle of the river ; some nests were placed on the
high banks among high grass, or on piles of drift-wood. By the first
of May the nests contained the full complement of eggs, generally five

■* The form Branta canieUnsit occidentalit ( Baird ) occurs in Pacific coast region, from Sitka south, in
winter to California. I( is larger and the coloration darker,
t Wm. Dutcher, in The Auk. Vol. II., p. 111.
X Birds of the Northwest. Pp. 554-565.
I Capt. Chas. E. Bendire : Bull. Nutt. Club. Vol. I., p. 60.

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(Lttnda cirrhata.)

Page 8.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

in number. Dr. Merrill says : " When these geese nest among the
branches of a tree I do not think they ever construct the nest entirely
themselves, but take possession of a deserted nest of the Fish Hawk,
and repair it with twigs and a lining of down. They have been seen
to carry small sticks to the nest for this purpose." * The color of the
eggs is a pale dull greenish, and their size is about 3.50 x 2.50.

172a. Branta canadensia hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.). [594a.]

Hntohiiu's Ooose.

Hab. North America, breeding in the Arctic regions, migrating south in winter, chiefly through
the Western United States and Mississippi Valley; Eastern Asia.

This bird, which is like canadensis in color, but of smaller size,
breeds in boreal regions. Its general habits are the same as those of
the common Canada Goose. Breeds abundantly along the Yukon
River and on the islands on the coast of Alaska. Nests have been
found on the Islands of the Anderson River and on the Arctic coast.
In these regions eggs of this species have been taken from Hawks'
and Crows' nests built in trees. It nests usually on sand-beaches,
depositing from four to six eggs in hollows in which there are more
or less leaves, grasses, feathers and down.

The eggs are white, and measure 3.18x2.10. In the Arctic re-
gions the eggs are laid in June and July.

172r. Branta canadensis minima Ridgw. [594<^.]

Caokliim Ooose.

Hab. Coast of Alaska, migtating southward into Western United States east to Wisconsin.

A smaller bird than Hutchins's Goose. It is abundant in North-
ern Alaska, where it breeds, chiefly, however, about the shores of Nor-
ton Sound and along the I^ower Yukon, nesting like the foregoing.

Its eggs measure 3.02 x 2.00.

173. Branta bernicla (Linn.) [595.]

Brant.

Hab. Northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere; in North America chiefly on the Atlantic
coast, rare in the interior or away from salt water.

The Brant Goose is almost cosmopolitan in its distribution. It is
found on the sea coasts of Europe and eastern North America, breed-
ing only within the Arctic circle. While being more maritime than
United States geese generally are, it is also found inland occasionally
on lakes and rivers. During the migrations it is abundant, and seems
to prefer the coast to the interior, seldom passing over large tracts of
land, following the windings of the shore, and nearly always keeping

• Bull. Nutt. Club. Vol. VIII pp. 124-125.

• i, ! '!

3J-
it

|l.

NESTS AND EGGS OP

over water. The Brant is a particular favorite with sportsmen, and
many are shot from points of land which project out into the sea.

The common Brant Goose is said to breed in immense numbers in
Spitzbergen and on the islands about the coast. The nest is con-
structed on the sandy beaches, of feathers and down, the birds deposit-
ing from four to six eggs. In Greenland where this species breeds,
some of the birds make their nests on cliflfs.

The eggs are grayish or dirty-white, and measure 2.92x2.02.

174. Branta nigricans (Lawr.) [596.]

Black Brant.

Hab. Arctic and Western North America; rare in the Atlantic Statei.

The Black Brant is very closely allied to the common Brant
Goose; it is found on the Pacific coast, where the latter does not
occur. Its summer home is in high latitudes, and in Alaska, the
mouth of the Yukon, is said probably to form the extreme southern
limit of this bird's occurrence in the breeding season. Breeds in
abundance on islands northeast of the mouth of Anderson River, in
Liverpool Bay on the Arctic coast, on the shores of Franklin Bay, and
on various other parts of the coast, especially in regions west of
Anderson River. In these regions, according to Dr. Brewer, nests were
found by Mr. MacFarlane on small islets in fresh water ponds ; others
on islands in the Anderson neai its mouth ; many were made on the
shore or on islands in Franklin Bay, and in various parts of the Arctic
Sea. Some of the uests were nothing but mere depressions lined with
down, while in others the quantity of down was quite large. The
number of eggs in a nest was generally five ; but in one case as many
as seven were seen, and in six or seven instances six.

The eggs are grayish-white, and range from 2.75 to 2.90 long by
1.80 to 1.85 broad.

[175.] Branta leucopsis (Bechst.) [597.]

Barnacle Goose.

Hab. Northern parts of the OH World; casual in Eastern North America.

The Barnacle Goose inhabits the northern pc tions of Europe and
is occasionally found on the Atlantic coast of North America. But
many of the specimens taken on this side of the Atlantic are birds
that are supposed to have escaped from confinement.

In great Britain it is a winter visitant. During the migrations it
is said to be found in great numbers along the coast of Norway, and at
these seasons it is stated to be abundant in Holland, France and Ger-
many. It is said to occur during the breeding season in Northern

fi'

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

and

But

lirds

Siberia. The shores of the White Sea to the eastward, are supposed
to be the great breeding places of this bird.*

The eggs are grayish-white and measure 3.71 x 2.38.

176. Phllacte canagica (Sevast.) [598.]

Emperor Ooos*.

Hab. Coast and islands of Alaska.

A notable species known also as the Painted Goose from its varie-
gated plumage. It inhabits the coast of Alaska, north of the peninsula,
chiefly about the shores of Norton Sound, and is abundant about the
mouth of the Yukon. The color of the plumage is a bluish-gray,
with lavender shading and positive black crescent-shaped marks. The
head is white, often with a yellowish tinge ; the throat black, speckled
with white, and the tail is also white ; the feet are flesh-color. It breeds
north as far as Bering Strait.

Dr. Coues says the eggs of this species are about five in number ;
size, 3.35x2.00; white, with fine, pale-brown dotting, giving a general
pale, dirty-brown color.

177. Dendrocygna antunmalis (Linn.) [599.]

Hab.

Blaok-bellled Tree-dnok.

Southwestern border of the United States and southward.

The Autumnal Tree-duck is a species of variegated plumage and
long legs. It inhabits the southwestern border of the United States
and southward to Mexico, West Indies, Central and South America.
It is commonly called "Long-legged Tree-duck." Along the Rio
Grande in Mexico and Texas it is abundant from April to October and
later. Dr. Merrill found it common in Southern Texas. He says:
" This large and handsome bird arrives from the South in April, and is
soon found in abundance on the river banks and lagoons. Migrating
at night it continually utters a peculiar chatteriug whistle, which at
once indicates its presence. Called by the Mexicans patos maizal, or
Corn-field Duck, from its habit of frequenting those localities. It is by
no means shy, and large numbers are offered for sale in the Brownsville
market. Easily domesticated, it becomes very tame, roosting at night
in trees with chickens and turkeys. When the females begin to lay,
the males leave them and gather in large flocks on sand-bars in the
river. My knowledge of the breeding habits is derived from Dr. S. M.
Finley, U. S. A., who had ample opportunity of observing these birds
at Hidalgo. The eggs are deposited in hollow trees and branches,
often at a considerable distance from water (two miles), and from eight
to thirty feet or more from the ground. The eggs are placed on the
bare wood, and are from twelve to sixteen in number. Two broods

*Yarrell, HI, p. 74.

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NESTS AND EGGS OK

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are raised, and the parent carries the young to the water in her bill.
Twelve eggs received from Dr. Finley average 2.11x1.53, with but lit-
tle variation in size ; they are of the usual duck shape, and in color are
a rather clear yellowish-white. The birds leave in September, but a
few late broods are seen as late as November. The soft parts in a full
plumaged living male were as follows: iris, brown; bill, coral-red,
orange above; nail of bill, bluish; legs and feet, pinkish-wiiite."*

178. Dendrocygna fulva (Gmel.) [600.]

Fnlvona Tree>dnok.

Hab. Southern border of the United States: Louisiana, Texas, Nevada, CaliTornia, southward.

Resembles the last in its general appearance, habits, etc. Its
geographical range is chiefly within the tropics, extending as far
South as the Argentine Republic. Dr. Merrell states that this species
is about as common as the Corn-field duck in Southern Texas, both
species frequenting the same places. He learned nothing definite in
regard to its breeding habits, but they probably do not differ much from
those of the other bird. The Fulvous Tree-duck is said to lay from
ten to fifteen pure white eggs.

[179.] Olorcygnus (Linn.) [586.]

'Whooping Suran.

Hab. Europe and Asia; Greenland.

In Europe this bird is called " Hooper," " Elk," and "Whistling
Swan." It is a winter visitant to the more southern portions of Great
Britain, and is found throughout the year in the Orkneys and other
islands north of Scotland. Known to visit Holland, France, Spain,
and Italy, and a few are said to penetrate as far south as Barbary an'^
even Egypt. It is of occasional occurrence in Southern Greenland.
Breeds in the secluded swamps and lakes up in Lapland, nesting on
the ground in marshy places. It also breeds in Iceland. The nest is
large and composed of rushes, coarse grass, and almost any material
near at hand.

As many as seven eggs are laid by this species ; they are of a dull
brownish white, or dark ivory color, and measure 4.28x2.88.

Hab.

180. Olor columbianus (Ord.)

WlilatliiiK Swan.

Eutire of North America, breeding far north.

[588.]

The common American Whistling Swan is the smaller of the
North American species, measuring under five feet in length. There
is a small yellow spot on the bill in front of the eyes, and it is some-
times wanting. The tail feathers are normally twenty. This bird is
found in the United States in winter, and during the migrations.

*Notes on the Ornithology of Southern Texas: Proceedings U. S. National Museum, Vol. I., page 169.

ill

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

The Whistling Swan breeds in the Arctic regions on the small
lakes of the coast and islands of the Arctic Sea, nesting in June and
July. A few are said to breed in the interior of the Fur Countries. All
along the Yukon River, and especially near its mouth this species is
said to breed in the large marshes. Here the eggs are usually laid on
a tussock entirely surrounded by water, and so near it that the female
sometimes sits with her feet in the water.

On the islands of Franklin Bay and on those of the Arctic Ocean,
the Whistling Swan constructs a large nest of moss, grass and herbage
of various kinds.

The eggs are from two to five in number, and measure from 2.25
to 2.50 in breadth by 4.00 to 4.50 in length. They are of a dull white
with more or less brownish or reddish discoloration ; the surface of the
shell is rough.

181. Olor buccinator (Rich.) [589.]

Trnmpeter Siraii.

Hab. Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf Coast to the Fur Countries, breeding from
Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the Pacific coast, but rare or casual on the Atlantic.

During the breeding season the Trumpeter Swan is found almost
exclusively in the interior of the northern regions. A few breed in
Central and Northern Iowa and in Dakota; from thence northward.
Dr. Brewer states that the nests found by Mr. MacFarlane on the barrens
of the Arctic coast were usually placed on elevated ground, and they
were composed of hay, down and feathers intermingled. One nest con-
taining six eggs, was found near the beach on rising ground ; others
were observed near the banks of the Lower Anderson River.

On the islands in the fresh water lakes and ponds bordering the
north branch of the Saskatchewan River, in British America, a few
pairs of the Trumpeter Swan are to be seen throughout the summer.
This species is also known to breed in Alaska.

The full grown bird is five feet or more in length, and may be
distinguished from the Whistling Swan by its entirely black bill and
having normally twenty-four tail-feathers.

The eggs range from two to six in nunxber ; chalky -white with a
rough surface ; sizes from 4.03 to 4.50 long by 2.50 to 2.76 broad.

182. PhoBiiicopteriis ruber Linn. [585.]

Amerloan Flamingo.

Hab. Atlantic coasts of subtropical and tropical America; Florida Keys.

This magnificent bird of scarlet plumage is a constant resident of
Cuba, the Bahamas and southward; rare at Cape Sable and on the
Florida Keys. It is a remarkable bird and of striking appearance,

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having long legs and neck, the former of a lake-red color. The bill is
unique in shape, being abruptly bent in the middle, so that when
feeding the upper surface faces the ground. The plumage is scarlet
throughout, except the primaries and secondaries, which are black.
The stature of the bird is nearly five feet, and it weighs in the flesh six
or eight pounds. The nest of the Flamingo is described as a mass of
earth, sticks and other material scooped up from the immediate vicinity
to the height of several feet and hollow at the top. On this the birds
sit with their legs doubled under them. The old story of the Flamingo
bestriding its nest in an ungainly attitude while incubating is an
absurd fiction. The eggs are one or two in number, elongate-ovate in
shape, with a thick shell, roughened, with a white flakey substance,
but bluish when this is scraped off. It requires thirty-two days for the
eggs to hatch. Size 3.57x2.20, with considerable variation.

183. Ajaja ajaja (Linn.) [505.]

Roseate Spoonbill.

Hab. Southern United States and southward into Southern South America.

The Rosy Spoonbill, of so handsome plumage and singular form,
is distributed throughout South and Central America, Mexico, and in
all favorable localities of the Gulf region of the United States. In
Florida it was formerly abundant, but its numbers have greatly dimin-
ished by the constant persecution of the ' plume hunters.' Rare as far
north as the Carolinas. Marshy or muddy borders of estuaries, the
mouths of rivers, shrubby islands of tropic?^ seas, or some dense marsh,
are the favorite breeding resorts.

Mr. R. E. Rachford visited a small colony of these birds in South-
western Louisiana, June 2, 1886. The birds were found nesting in a
clump of cypress trees in a low marshy place fully twenty miles from
habitation. Here also nested the Snowy, Louisiana and Little Blue
Herons, and the Snake Bird.

The nests of the Spoonbills were placed from eight to eighteen
feet from the ground, and the usual number of eggs found in the nests
was three or four ; although from one nest seven eggs were taken, and
five or six from several others. The nests were platforms of sticks,
and for the most part were built close to the trunks of the trees ; they
were usually more massive than the Herons' nests.

The general shape of the eggs is ovate ; and their color is white,
or bufiy-white, blotched, spotted and stained with various shades of
brown ; sometimes a pure white egg is found in a nest with spotted or
marked examples. Mr. Norris has a beautifully marked set of three
eggs collected by Mr. Rachford, which, if it were not for their elon-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

gated shape, could be readily mistaken for handsomely marked speci-
mens of eggs of the Red -shouldered Hawk, Biiteo linecitus. The
average size of the egg is 2.57x1.73.

184. Quara alba (Linn.) [501.]
"Whit* Ibis.

Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States southward to the West Indict and Northern South America;
casually on the Atlantic Coast to Long Island; in the interior to the Lower Ohio Valley and Great Salt Lake.

The White Ibis or Spani.^u Curlew is distributed in summer
throughout the South Atlantic and Gulf States from the Carolinas
southward, throughout Mexico, Central America, and portions of
Northern South America. It breeds in communities by thousands
in the tangled marshes of the southern coast; fastening the nest
to broken down or upright living reeds; it is composed of reeds,
compactly woven together, is deep and much hollowed, which is unlike
the frail platform nests of the herons.

Mr. Stuart says the White Ibis breeds abundantly on the low man-
grove bushes on the islands of the Gulf coast. There is a large rook-
ery in Charlotte Harbor. The nests are usually made of the green
twigs of the mangrove. The eggs are laid in June. At Cape Sable
eggs are deposited after the loth of April ; these are from three to five
in number, ashy-blue, spotted and blotched irregularly with yellowish,
reddish and umber-brown of varying shades ; two or three in number,
and measure about 2.25 by 1.50.

185. Guara rubra (Linn.) [502. J

Scarlet Ibia.

Hab. Eastern coasts of tropical America, north casually to Florida, Louisiana and Texas ; southward
to the West Indies. V

An exquisite bird of the richest scarlet plumage. There is proba-
bly no well authenticated instance of its having been taken within the
United States. Wilson was not correctly informed concerning its
abundance in the Southern States, and Audubon only saw a flock of
three in Louisiana. The bird is said not to be an uncommon visitant
to Jamaica and Cuba, and very common on the Island of Trinidad,
where it formerly nested. Mr. Warren observed the Scarlet Ibis breed-
ing in immense colonies on the banks of the Amazon, in dense, im-
penetrable thickets of bamboo canes, several kinds of thorny cactus
and Spanish bayonets, besides numbers of small mangroves and pal-
mettoes, all interlaced and tangled with huge vines. In one place ev-
ery bush and tree had on it from five to twenty nests ; they were about
a foot and a half in diameter and perfectly flat ; the materials used in
their construction were twigs, fibrous roots and leaves. Mr. Warren

NESTS AND EGGS OF

I' 'I.-'.

states that the ibises, being disturbed, rose in immense numbers, and
a more striking spectacle than a large flock of these splendid birds
floating through the air, like a crimson cloud, cannot possibly be con-
ceived. The rookeries are only tenanted during the dry season.

The eggs are two or three in number, grayish- ite in color,
marked with spots and blotches of brown of varying shades, and dis-
tributed variously over the surface, but generally more profusely at the
larger end. The average size is 2. 15 x 1.46.

186. Plegadis antnmnalis (Hasselq.) [503.]
010M7 rbis.

Hab. Old World, Weit Indiei, and Eaatern United Statei.

This species occurs irregularly in the eastern portions of the
United States, and has been known to breed in Florida. It has also
been found breediug in Nevada. In Europe the course of its migra-
tions for the summer is said to be chiefly in a line from Egypt, to
Turkey, Hungary and Poland, and to the southern parts of Russia. In
its passage from Africa it is occasionally seen in the Grecian Archi-
pelago, in Sicily, Sardinia, Genoa, Switzerland, France, Holland and
Great Britain.

The nesting of the Glossy Ibis is like that of the next species.
The eggs are of a deep greenish-blue and average 2.01 x 1.47.

187. Plegadis guarauna (Linn.) [504.]

\l^ltlte-fkoed Glowy Ibia.

Hab. Weftern United States (Texas, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, California, etc.). southward to Mexico,
West Indies, Central and South America.

This beautiful, lustrous Ibis inhabits southwestern United States
and south into tropical America. It is found as far north as Kansas,
west through New Mexico and Arizona to California. It is especially
abundant in southern Texas, and in some localities along the banks of
the Rio Grande swarms by thousands. At this place Dr. James C.
Merrill, in company with Mr. G. B. Sennett, on the i6th of May, 1877,
visited a large patch of tule reeds, growing in a shallow lagoon about
ten miles from Fort Brown, in which large numbers of this Ibis
and several kinds of Herons were breeding. The reeds covered an
area of perhaps seventy-five acres or less. Besides the Ibises, the
Great and Little White Egrets, Louisiana and Night Herons, and sev-
eral other birds were breeding here. The reeds grew about six feet
above the surface of the water, and were either beaten down to form a
support for the nests, or dead and partly floating stalks of the previous
year were used for that purpose. Dr. Merrill states that it was impos-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

sible to estimate the number of the Ibises and different Herons nest-
ing here. '* Both nests and eggs of the Ibises were quite unlike those
of any of the Herons, and could be distinguished at a glance. The
nests were made of broken bits of dead tules, supported by and at-
tached to broken and upright stalks of living ones. They were rather
well and compactly built, and were usually well cupped, quite unlike
the clumsy platforms of the Herons. The eggs were nearly always
three in number, and at this date were far advanced in incubation ;
many of the nests contained young of all sizes. Fifty eggs now
before me average 1.95 x 1.35, the extremes being 2.20X 1.49 and 1.73 x
1.29 ; they are decidedly pointed at the smaller end, and are of a deep
bluish-green color."

188. Tantalus loculator Linn. [500.]
Wood nu.

Hab. Southern United States, from Ohio Valley, Colorado, Utah, California, etc., lOUth to Bu«noi
Ayrei: casually northward to Pennsylvania and New York.

The American Wood Stork, as it is called, is distributed over a
large portion of South and Central America, Mexico and Southern
North America. It is found in all the Gulf States, and is most abund-
ant in Florida, where, Mr. Stuart informs me, it nests in the interior in
dense cypress swamps, on the tallest trees, which are often more than
one hundred feet in height. In these rookeries are also found nesting
the American Egret, Ardea egretta; Great Blue Heron, A. herodias ; the
Anhinga and others. The nests, like those of the Herons, are plat-
forms of sticks loosely arranged, with a lining of long moss. The
same rookery is occupied each year, and the nests are repaired and
augmented until they often become of immense size.

The eggs are chalky-white, sometimes spotted with pale reddish-
brown ; somewhat elliptical. The shell is rough, with a flaky sub-
stance. Two or three is the number laid, but almost inviriably three.
Size from 2.70 to 2.75 long by 1.70 to 1.75 broad.

189. Mycterla americana Linn. [499.]

Jabim.

Hab. Tropical America, north casually to Southern Texas.

This singular bird is known as the American Stork. It is found
in portions of Central America and throughout most of South Amer-
ica. One specimen is said to have been taken within the limits of the
United States, and that near Galveston, Texas. The bird is said to
have the same general habits peculiar to the White Stork of Europe.
The nest is a large platform of sticks built in the highest trees.

The ^%% is described as rounded-oval in shape, and of an olive-
green color ; size 3.33 x 2.20.

90 NBSTS AND EGGS OF

190. Botaurns lentiginosos (Montag.) [497]

Am«Hoau Bittern.

Hab. Temperate North America, south to Guatemala and the Weit Indies.

This noted bird is known by various names, such as Indian Hen,
Stake Driver, Bog-bull, and Thunder Pump. It inhabits the entire
temperate North America, north to 58° or 60°, and breeds chiefly from
the Middle districts northward, wintering thence southward. The
name last mentioned is occasioned by its hoarse, gurgling cry of alarm.
The bird is often spoken of by the poets as the " booming bittern." In
the breeding season it has a "love note" that resembles the stroke of
a mallet on a stake, chunk-a-lunk-chunk^ quank-chunk-a-lunk-chunk.
The American Bittern never associates with other species of Heron
and is not even fond of the society of its own kind. It does not br'^ed
in colonies and the nest is difficult to discover. It inhabits almost im-
penetrable swampy places : the bog, the reedy marsh, and the tangled
brake, where its nest is placed on the ground. The eggs are brown-
ish-drab or isabella color, unspotted, elliptical in shape, three to five
in number, but generally only three ; size from 1.90 to 2.00 long by
"bout 1.50 broad.

191. Botaurns exilis (Gmel.) [498]

Iieast Bittern.

Hab. Temperate North America, from the British Provinces to the West Indies and South America.

An extremely interesting little bird, of quiet, retiring habits.
Breeds throughout its range. In some places as many as a dozen or
twenty pairs breed alonw the grassy shores of a small lake or pond.
I,ike the last it inhabits reedy swamps and marshes where the quag-
mire abounds with a luxuriant growth of rushes, which is also the
home of the Rails. The nest is placed on the ground or in the midst
of the rankest jrass, or in a bush. It is often placed on floating bog,
and is simply a platform of dead rushes. The bird has many odd
habits. When standing on the edge of a Jtream, with its neck drawn
in, it is often taken for a woodcock, the long bill giving it this appear-
ance. It appears so stupid at times that it may be caught with the
hand. The bird is mostly seen just before or after sunset. In many
of the Southern States this species rears two broods in a season, fresh
eggs having been obtained in May and in August. In Texd.s, Mr.
Rachford says it nests along the edges of the water courses in May
bending down the tops of water grass and platting it into a snug little
nest, about two or three feet above the water. Mr. Perry informs me
that the Least Bittern in Beaufort county. South Carolina, makes its
home in the fresh water ponds and commences to build about the loth
of Ma^', fixing the nest in the thick rushes. The eggs of the Least

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

tlie
any
esh
Mr.
VI ay

Bittern are from three to five, usually four, in number, pale bluish
or greenish-white, elliptical in shape. Six eggs measure as follows :
1. 15 X. 90, 1. 16 X. 93, 1.22 X. 95, 1.23 X. 92, 1.24X.93, 1.23 X. 93. The-
average size is 1.20X.93.

192. Ardea occidentalis Aud. [486.] ^

Great White Heron.

Hab. Florida, Jamaica, accidental in Mis^sissippi Valley.

This beautiful, majestic bird, known as the Florida Heron, is an
abundant resident of Florida, the Keys and southward to Cuba and
Jamaica. In Florida, however, it is said not to be so abundant as in
former years. Whole rookeries have been destroyed by the 'plume
hunters,' who collect feathers for hats and other decorative purposes.
The birds are killed and the plumes are taken from their back, head
and breast, and the carcasses thrown to the buzzards.*

This Heron nests usually in large colonies, and in company with
the Great Blue Heron. Most of the nests are built low down, not
more than five or ten feet from the ground, but where the birds are dis-
turbed the nests are placed in the highest mangroves. They are
simply platforms of sticks.

The eggs are plain bluish-green, of varying shades; sizes from
2.00 to 2.45 long by 1.80 to 1.85 broad.

The bird known as A. wuerdemanni (Baird)t is believed to be either
a coloied phase of A. occidentalism or an abnormal specimen of A.
wardi Ridgw.

183. Ardea wardi Ridgw.

„ ^ r,. , Ward'* Heron.

Hab. Florida.

This large Heron in its white phase is described as indistinguish-
able from the Great White Heron ; in the colored phase like occidentalism
but with the head colored as in the Great Blue Heron. It is restricted
to Florida ; common in the southwestern portion, and may frequently
be found nesting along the coast. It breeds in communities with other
herons, egrets and snake birds, constructing the same kind of nest as
does the Great Blue Heron.

The eggs are four, often only three, in number. Prof. Ridgway
gives the average measurement as about 2.65x1.85. Their color is
bluish-green.

194. Ardea herodias Linn. [487.]

Hab.

Great Blue Heron.

North America, from the Arctic regions southward to the West Indies and South America.

The Great Blue Heron is often erroneously called "Sand-hill

*See W. E. D. Scott's article on the Present Condition of the Bird Rookeries of the Gulf Coast of
Florida in The Auk, Vol. IV, pp. 135-144, 218-222, 278-2!J4.

tPlaced in the Hypothetical List of the A. O, U. Check List.

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NESTS AND EGGS OF

Crane " or " Blue Crane " — in fact it is better known by either of these
names than it is by its proper vernacular name. One of the most
characteristic birds of North America, breeding singly and in colonies
in suitable places throughout its range. In the warmer parts of the
country it breeds in vast heronries in company with other species of
herons, to which places they resort year after year.

In Florida it is very abundant, but its numbers are rapidly decreas-
ing by the constant persecution of the ' plume hunters.' Its rookeries
are so frequently broken up, and the remaining birds compelled to
retire to other resorts, that the breeding season may be said to extend
over a period of five or six months, and no doubt two broods are reared
in a season.

The nest is placed in high trees along rivers, or in the depths of
retired swamps; in localities destitute of trees it is built on rocks.
Sycamore trees seem to be favorite resorts of these birds, the light
color of the limbs and the peculiar tint of the foliage harmonizing so
well with their plumage as to render their presence difficult of detec-
tion. The eggs are plain greenish-blue ; varying from elliptical to oval
in shape ; three to six in number, commonly three or four ; average
size 2.50x1.50.

[195] Ardea clnerea Linn. [488.]

Hab.

European Blue Heroiii

Europe; accidental in Southern Greenland.

iSi

This is a familiar Heron in Europe, and is very abundant in places
where it is protected by law. In England most of its breeding places
are guarded by land owners. In the middle ages when falconry was
a favorite sport the bird was held as royal game, and penal enactments
preserved it for the pleasure of royalty.

This Heron builds its nest according to circumstances, either on
the ground, in trees, or on high rocks. It breeds in colonies, and its
favorite nesting places are on the tops of trees, on the outer branches.
The nest is large and flat, composed of sticks and lined with grass.
Each year the nests are repaired and augmented until they become
very massive.

The eggs are four or five in number, of a pale green color, and
measure 2.42 x 1.72. Four eggs from England in my collection measure
2.48x1.67, 2.49x1.61, 2.52x1.64, 2.40x1.65.

198. Ardea egretta Gmel. [489.]

American Egvet.

Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from New Jersey, Minnesota and Oregon, south to Patagonia;
casually on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia.

This beautiful species, the Great White Egret of America, has an

»!■•

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

aces

was

lents

, and
isure

agonia;

IS an

extended distribution, breeding as far north on the Atlantic coast as
New Jersey, on the Pacific coast to Oregon, and in the interior as far
north as Southern Illinois. It breeds throughout South America to
Patagonia, and is a resident on the Island of Trinidad. In the enor-
mous rookeries of Florida this bird was formerly abundant, but of late
years the 'plume hunters' have wrought great destruction in their
numbers. It is a bird of purest white, and during the breeding season
has a magnificent train of silky plumes flowing from the back over
the wings and drooping far beyond the tail. The nests of the Great
White Egret are built in deep cypress swamps, often on the tops of
the tallest trees ; others are found on low bushes or on mangroves, a
short distance above water.

The eggs are plain bluish-green, varying from elliptical to oval ;
two to four in number and measure from 2.20 to 2.35 long by 1.40 to

1.65 broad.

197. Ardea candidissima Gmel. [490.]

Sno'ory Heron.

Hab. Temperate and tropical America, from Long Island and Oregon, so'Uh to Buenoi Ayres; casual
on the Atlantic coast to Nova Scotia.

The breeding range of this species is almost the same as that of
the last. A few are supposed to be summer residents as far north as
Long Island, from thence southward it is found along the entire Gulf
coast and the shores of both oceans. It occurs in the interior as frr
north as Oregon. Very abundant throughout a large portion of South
America, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America. It is called
Little White Egret, and is doubtless the handsomest bird of this
tribe. Pure white, with crest composed of numerous elongated, hair-
like feathers ; similar plume on the lower neck ; the same on the back
which extends beyond the tail and are recurved when perfect. In
Texas, Mr. Rachford says this species nests in colonies, usually prefer-
ing willow bushes in the marshes for this purpose. The breeding sea-
son is from the latter part of April to the middle of June. Mr. Stuart
mentions it as abundant along the Gulf coast of Florida, where it breeds
on the mangrove islands, and in the interior in the willow ponds and
swamps, generally in company with the Louisiana and Little Blue
Herons. The nest is simply a platform of sticks.

The eggs are from two to five in number, usually four, varying

from elliptical to oval in form; sizes from 1.80 to 1.85 long by 1.20 to

1.25 broad.

198. Ardea rufa Bodd. [491.]

Reddiah Egret.

Hab. Gulf States and Mexico, south to Guatemala, Jamaica and Cuba.

The Reddish Egret is an abundant resident of the Gulf States.

i i

NESTS AND EGGS OP

It is common in Florida and in Mexico, southward to the West Indies
and Central America. The bird called Peak's Egret* is supposed to
be the white phase of A. rufa. The nesting habits of the Reddish
Egret are essentially the «=ame as those of the Louisiana and Snowy
Herons. Mr. Stuart informs me that he has never found them very
plentiful along the Gulf coast of Florida, where they breed on the
islands, placing the nest on the mangrove bushes.

The eggs are light bluish-green, elliptical in form ; two to four in
number, and measure from 1.85 to 2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.50 broad.

199. Ardea tricolor mficoUis (Gosse.) [492.]

Lonlaiana Heron.

Hab. Gulf States, Mexico, Central America and West Indies; casually northward to New Jersey.

In summer the Louisiana Heron is distributed from the Carolinas
southward. It is very abundrit all along the Gulf States, into Mexico
and Central America, and is found in the West Indies. Known as
*' Lady of the Waters." It has an occipital crest of several long feathers
and a splendid train of decomposed, fringe-like feathers extending be-
yond the tail.

Mr. Stuart states that it is very abundant on the mangrove islands
along the gulf coast of Florida, where it breeds in communities, placing
the nests on the mangrove bushes ; in the interior it is found nesting
in the willow swamps, and usually in company with the Little Blue
and Snowy Herons. Four or five eggs are deposited. Fresh eggs
may be found in May and June.

In Texas, Mr. Rachford says, this species nests similarly to the
Snowy Heron, but its breeding season commences a little earlier than
that of the latter — about the first of April.

The eggs are from two to four, sometimes five, in number, bluish-
green, and measure from 1.75 to 1.80 long by 1.30 to 1.40 broad.

200. Ardea coerulea Linn. [493.]

Little Bine Heron.

Hab. New Jersey, Illinois and Kansas, southward through Central America, West Indies, Guiana and
New Grenada; casually north on the Atlantic coast to Massachusetts and Maine.

This beautiful little Heron is abundant in the South Atlantic and
G'llf States. It has been found breeding in all favorable localities
intermediate between Florida and New Jersey, on the coast, and speci-
mens have wandered into the interior. It is found throughout Mexico,
Central America and the northern portion of South America. The
breeding habits are like those of the Snowy and Louisiana Herons,

^Hypothetical List of the A. O. U. Check List.

■■«•*' 'WiiSSl^T

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

nesting with them in trees and bushes, often in large communities in
deep swamps.

The e^fgs are bluish-green, two to four in number, generally more
oval than oiher Herons' eggs are. The sizes vary from 1.60 to 1.82 in
length by 1.25 to 1.35 in breadth.

The young of this Heron are pure whiter and should not be con-
founded with immature specimens of A. candidissima^ Snow> Heron,
which is of the same size and similar form.

201. Ardea virescens Linn [494.]

6re*ii Heron.

Hab. Canada and Oregon, southward to northern South America and the West Indies.

Throughout the United States in all favorable localities this is a
well-known and an abundant bird, breeding in suitable places any-
where in its range. It has a number of common names, among which
" Fly-up-the-Creek " is probably the most refined. It is resident in the
West Indies and in Central America, and is found in the northern
regions of South America. The bird frequents the borders of ponds
and swamps, or it may be found along running streams whose banks
are fringed with trees or thick shrubbery. While on the wing it fre-
quently utters its familiar guttural cry or squawk. Its food consists of
insects and aquatic larvae, Crustacea and small fishes, for which it usually
searches in the twiHght. During the day it is sluggish, and may be
found quietly resting.

The nest of this Heron is made of twigs, very loosely put together ;
it is placed in the branches of trees or bushes on the border of a stream
or swamp ; sometimes in an orchard tree at considerable distance from
water.

The eggs are light greenish-blue, elliptical in shape and are from
three to six in number, four being the usual nest complement. Average
measurement is 1.50 x 1.14.

202. Nycticorax nycticorax nsBvius (Bonn.) [495.]

Blaok-oroiimad NlBht Heron.

Hab. America, from the British Posscfssions southward to the Falkland Islands.

A handsome bird, whose neck and legs are not so long as those of
other Herons. It has a stout body, and its total length is about two
feet. It has two or three very long white, filamentous plumes spring-
ing from the occiput.

The Black-crowned Night Heron, Qua-bird or Squawk, as it is
variously called, is found throughout the entire continent of America,
except the Arctic regions. It breeds in several of the West Indies,

■M-S

H ■:

:»

NESTS AND EGGS OF

%> !

and is resident throughout Central America, breeding in all suitable
localities. It is found throughout the greater portion of South
America, and has been observed breeding on the Falkland Islands.
Throughout the United States, in various sections, large colonies may
be found during the breeding season. Hundreds, and even thousands,
colonize and form extensive heronries. Mr. M. B. Griffing, of Shelter
Island, N. Y., says that in the heronry on Gardiner's Island as many as
four nests were found in a single tree, all containing eggs. Tall trees
are usually selected for the nesting sites, and they are not always easy
of access. The nests are bulky platforms of sticks, considerably hol-
lowed. Mr. Rachford says that in the vicinity of Beaumont, Texas,
this Heron nests in cypress trees along the banks of streams, and that
the breeding season begins about the first of April. The greatest
number of eggs found in any nest is four, which is the usual number.
In all the sets that Mr. Griffing and Mr. Worthington had collected for
three years there were but four sets containing more than four eggs ;
these were three of five and one of six.

The eggs are pale, bluish-green, varying from elliptical to oval ;
sizes from 1.90 to 2.15, by 1.35 to 1.55 broad. In some localities the
nest of this Heron is built on the ground in marshes.

203. Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.) [496."!

ITelloiir-orowned Night Heroiii

Hab. Warm-temperate Eastern North America, from the Carolinas and the Lower Ohio Valley
south to Brazil; casually north to Massachusetts and west to Colorado.

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron is a southern species, known to
breed on the Atlantic coast as far north as the Carolinas, and in the
interior as far north as Southern Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. It is
found along the entire Gulf coast of Mexico, throughout the West
Indies, Central America and in Northern South America. The bird is
very similar to the Black-crowned Night Heron, but is a little smaller.
The back and head are furnished with long, elegant, lanceolate plumes.
The general color is pale, ashy-blue. Its nest is a slight platform of
sticks. In some parts of the Southern States this Heron is said to be
quite abundant, while in others it is rarely met with. In portions of
Florida it breeds in great numbers, generally in company with other
species, forming large heronries, especially in the interior in large
cypress swamps. In the southern portion of South Carolina it nests in
swamps or in tall trees which are surrounded by water. In various
regions of Texas the nest of this Heron is built on the lower branches
of a cypress tree, near some stream. Mr. Rachford says he never
found more than two or three nests in close proximity to one another,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

but frequently found the birds breeding in company with the Snowy
and Louisiana Herons. The nesting season is during April and May.
He has taken as many as six eggs from a nest ; the usual number, how-
ever, is four. They vary in shape from elliptical to oval ; sizes 1.90 to
2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.50 broad.

204. Grus americana (Linn.) [582.]

IVlioopliiK Orane.

Hab. Interior of North America, from the Fur Countries to Florida, Texas and Mexico, and from Ohio
to Colorado.

The Great White or Whooping Crane is confined to the interior of
North America, and breeds from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota
northward, passing the winter in the swamps of Florida and Texas.
Its chief line of migration seems to be the Mississippi Valley at large.
It is said to be common in the Fur Countries. Breeds in various places
throughout Manitoba, building its nest on the ground in the midst of
rank grass near marshes, or in wet meadows. Mr. J. W. Preston men-
tions the finding of a number of nests in Northern Iowa. One found in
the marshes near Eagle Lake, was about eighteen inches in height,
well built of tough, fine marsh grass and placed on firm sod ; it was
neatly cupped and contained two heavily marked, drab-colored eggs.*

The eggs of the Whooping Crane are large and coarse looking;
in color, light brownish-drab, sparsely marked, with large irregular
spots of a pale dull chocolate-brown and obscure shell-markings ; ellip-
tical ; the shell is very rough, covered with numerous elevations like
little warts; Dr. Coues says two (or three?) in number; size about 3.75
by 2.65. Some eggs are blotched irregularly over the surface, while
others are marked at the smaller or greater end. Two eggs in my col-
lection from Northern Iowa measure 3.89x2.52, 4.03x2.55, respectively.

205. Grns canadensis (Linn.) [584.]

laittle Brofra Crane.

Hab. Arctic and subarctic America, breeding from the Fur Countries and Alaska to the Arctic coast,
migrating south in winter into the Western United States.

The Little Brown Crane, which is almost exactly like the next
species, but smaller, is abundant in Arctic America. Specimens of
the bird and its eggs have been taken in various parts of Alaska.
Common on the Island of St. Michael's and at the mouth of the
Yukon. Eggs were obtained by Mr. Dall, on the Yukon river, June
17th. They were laid in a depression of the sandy beach. This
species is common in the marshes of Norton Sound, where their nests
are built on the dry knolls, and the eggs are laid before the end of
May. Throughout most parts of Manitoba, the Little Brown Crane is a

*The Oologist, Vol. IV, p. 43.
8

';•)

NESTS AND EGGS OF

f'.

Ill

common summer resident. Eggs have been obtained on the Lower
Anderson river, in Franklin Bay, and in Liverpool Bay on the Arctic
coast. The nest is said to be a hole scooped in the ground, lined with
grasses.

The eggs are two in number ; their color ashy-yellow, spotted and
blotched with reddish-brown, of the same general character as those of
the precedmg species ; rather elliptical ; size 3.65x2.30.

206. Grus mexicana (Mull.) [583.]

Sandhill Crane.

Hab. Southern half of North America; now rare near the Atlantic coast, except in Georgia and
Florida.

The Southern Sandhill Crane, Common Brown or Sandhill Crane,
as it is variously called, is found in the United States chiefly in the
Mississippi Valley west to the Pacific coast and south into Mexico and
eastward along the Gulf coast to Florida and Georgia. It is irregularly
distributed and apparently breeds in sufficiently mild regions through-
out its range. It has been found nesting in Michigan, is reported
breeding in Northern Ohio, and is known to breed on the table-lands
of Colorado. *"

Mr, Stuart says that in various regions of Florida, this species
nests during the months of February, March and April. The nests
are usually built in shallow grassy ponds, which are common in the
pine woods and prairies of that State. They are flat and composed
of a mass of grass, weeds, roots, etc., slightly elevated above the water,
oftentimes not more than two or three inches. On this structure two
eggs are deposited, Mr. Stuart remarks that the young birds are able
to follow the parents soon after being hatched.

The eggs are ashy-yellow, with a buffy tinge, spotted and blotched
with brown, reddish-brown and various shades of gray. The average
size is 3,98x2,44, Two eggs in my cabinet from Florida measure
3.85x2.35,3.82x2.36.

207. Aramus glganteus (Bonap.) [581.]

Limpkin.

Hab. Florida; coast of Gulf of Mexico; Greater Antilles, south to Costa Rica.

The Courlans are large. Rail-like birds and are in fact very close-
ly allied to the true Rails, with but a slight difference in their external
structure. There is one genus with two species, inhabiting the warmer
parts of America. The Brazilian Courlan, A. scolopaceus (Gmel.),
occurs in Eastern South America, while the Limpkin, which holds a
place in the Nor:h American fauna, is found in the Greater Antilles,
portions of Central America, with only a restricted distribution inFlor-

it i

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ida. It is called Crying Bird from its loud and startling note which is
said to be not unlike the cry of a child in distress. Mr. Thomas H.
Jackson met with this species breeding in the sub-tropical wilds of the
Ocklawaha river in Florida. He states that this bird chooses for a
nesting place a secluded spot on the banks of a river or slough. Sev-
eral pairs often nest close together in the manner of Herons, though
isolated nests are frequently observed.

The nest is made of pieces of dead vines, dry leaves and old veg-
etation of various kinds loosely constructed and generally bedded on a
mass of vines, from five to eight feet from the ground.

The usual complement of eggs laid is five or six ; four and seven
are not uncommon numbers. Fourteen sets in Mr. Jackson's cabinet
consist of eight sets of six, one of five, two of seven, two of four and
one of three eggs. In size, shape and texture of shell they resemble
those of the domestic fowl, while in color and markings they are sim-
ilar to those of the Sandhill Crane — varying from almost pure white to
creamy, buff, and grayish-white. The eggs are variously spotted,
daubed and stained with brown and gray.

A set of six eggs containing the largest specimens in the series,
exhibit the following dimensions: 2.57x1.80, 2.44x1.55, 2.40x1.77,
2.28 X 1.75, 2.39 X 1.80, 2.41 x 1.83 ; the set showing the smallest sizes are
given as follows: 2.21 x 1.72, 2.21 x 1.70, 2.22 x 1.62, 2.23 x 1.63,
2.45x1,63, 2.23x1.65.*

208. Rallus elegans Aud. [569.]

King Rail.

Hab. Fresh-water marshes of Eastern United States from the Middle States, Northern Illinois, Wis-
consin and Kansas southward. Casually north to Massachusetts and Maine, and Ontario.

The King Rail, Fresh-water Marsh Hen, or Red-breasted Rail, is
distributed in summer from New York southward, breeding throughout
the inland marshes. It is a summer resident in Ohio. I collected eggs
of this species in a marsh a few miles from Columbus in May, 1887.
It is frequently confounded with the Clapper Rail ; the latter, however,
is confined to the vicinity of salt water, and is a bird of duller plumage.
The nest of this Rail is placed on the ground in a marsh, often fastened
in a tussock of grass. It is composed of grass and weeds.

The eggs vary from a dull white to cream or pale buff, sparsely
dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and lilac ; six to twelve in num-
ber; size from 1.55 to 1.72 long by 1.15 to 1.25 broad, averaging 1.67
by 1. 12.

• Ornithologist and Oologist XII, pp. 159-160.

100

NBSTS AND EGOS OF

Hab.

210. Rallns obsoletna Ridow. [570.]

California Olappar RalL

Salt marnhei of the Pacific coast from Lower California to Oref on.

Mr. Bryant regards this Rail as abundant, at all seasons of the
year, on the salt marshes of Oakland, San Mateo, and other marshes
that are partially covered by the highest tides, at which times the birds
are remarkably tame. They swim well, and when wounded and closely
pursued they dive and hold on to the marsh grass beneath the water to
keep from rising. They commence breeding in April, selecting a high
piece of marsh ground, usually on the bank of a slough.

The nest is composed wholly of dry marsh grass, loosely laid to-
gether. The bird deposits eight or nine eggs, of a light, creamy buff,
spotted, often blotched, with reddish-brown and lavender markings, the
latter color appearing as if beneath the shell. Of some thirty-six spec-
imens examined, all have markings more numerous at the larger end ;
on some the lavender predominates. A set of eight, taken at San
Mateo, April 24th, contained small embryos. They measure respect-
ively 1,70x1.25, 1.73x1.23, 1.75x1.23, 1.77x1.23, 1.68x1.23, 1.70X
1.22, 1.63 X 1.26, 1.69 X 1.24. The average size of thirteen eggs is 1.71 x

1.24.*

In the marshes of San Francisco Bay Mr. Emerson took eggs of

this Rail in April, May and June, one set containing seven eggs.
211. Rallns longirostris crepitans (Gmel.) [571]

Olappsr Rail.

Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast of the United States, from New Jersey southward; resident

Hab
from the Potomac southward.

Coast of Louisiana.

The Clapper Rail, or Salt-water Marsh Hen, is an abundant bird in
the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward.
Breeds in profusion and is the most abundant aquatic bird in the
marshes from the Carolinas to Florida. It has lately been found breed-
ing on the coast of Louisiana, in the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. A. K. Fisher
having taken an old bird and two young at Grand Isle, in 1886.
Mr. S. C. Shick, of Sea Isle City, states that the Clapper Rail arrives
on the southeastern coast of New Jersey about the last of April ; their
presence is made known by harsh cries at early dawn and at sunset.
Nest building is commenced in the latter part of May, and by the first
of June the full complement of eggs is laid, ranging from six to nine or
ten in number, thirteen being the largest set he ever obtained from any
nest. Further south this bird is known to lay as many as fifteen, this
number, however, being uncommon. On Cobb's Island, Va., the Clapper
Rail breeds in great numbers, carefully concealing the nest in high grass;

*Bun. Nutt. Club, V, p 124.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

101

the full complement of eggs is laid by the first of May. Their color is pale
buffy-yellow, dotted and spotted with reddish-brown and pale lilac, with
an average size of 1.72x1.20, but there is a great variation in this re-
spect in a large series.

212. RalltM ▼irg^nianiu Linn. [57a.]

VlrsimU lUU.

Hab. North America, from the Briliih Provinces louth to Guatemala and Cuba.

The Virginia Rail is an exact miniature of ^. elegans^ the colora-
tion being exactly the same ; the legs, iris and bill brown — the latter
reddish — orange at the base of the lower mandible. In summer it is
distributed from Canada to Florida; frequenting marshes and boggy
swamps. The nest is built in a tuft of reeds or grasses close to the
water ; it is compact and slightly hollowed. The eggs are cream or
buff, sparsely spotted with reddish-brown and obscure lilac ; they are
like those of the King or Clapper R?ll, but of course, like the bird,
much smaller; sizes range from i.ro to 1.28 long by .90 to .93 broad.
The number in a set varies from six to twelve. The Virginia Rail and
the'Sora have habits that are very similar; when on the wing they
will fly in a straight line for a short distance with dangling legs, and
suddenly drop into the grass. The Virginia Rail is almost exclusively
a fresh water bird.

[213.] Porzana porzana (Linn.) [ 573.]

Spotted Crake.

Hab. Europe; oceaiional occurrence in Greenland.

The European Spotted Crake is found in most parts of Europe,
Asia and Africa. Common in Italy, Sicily and in the Southern por-
tions of Russia. Breeds abundantly in Southern France and in
various parts of England. It frequents the banks of streams, ponds
and lakes, and the thick grasses and vegetation of marshy grounds.
The nest is usually built in these places, being loosely woven of
aquatic plants, and lined with finer material of the same ; it is often
placed near the water's edge, and so arranged as to be capable of float-
ing on the water. Spotted Rail, Spotted Water-hen, Spotted Galli-
nule. Water-crake, and Water Rail are names common to it in Eng-
land. The eggs of this bird are from seven to twelve in number;
pale buff" or cream color, or of a yellowish-gray, spotted and
speckled with dark reddish-brown and tints of lavender. Six eggs,
collected in Southern Fiance, in my cabinet measure 1.34 x. 96, 1.36 x
.94, 1.32 X .93, 1.34X .94, 1.33 X .96 and 1.32 x .95.

214. Porzana Carolina (Linn.) [574]

Sora.

Hab. Temperate North America. South to the Weit Indies and Northern South America.

The little slate-colored Carolina Rail breeds from the Middle States

: %

\ \

■\

102

NSSTS AND SGGS OP

northward. In the reedy swamps of the Atlantic States great numbers
of this Rail are killed every year. It is a highly esteemed game bird,
and is usually abundant during the migrations. More common in the
Eastern Province of the United States, breeding chiefly northward.
Mr. Shields states that the Sora Rail is quite common in the swamps
about Los Angeles, Cal., where he obtained six sets of its eggs in the
season of 1886 ; the largest set contained fourteen and smallest seven
eggs. In Ohio the Carolina Crake, Common Rail, Sora or Ortolan, as
it is variously called, is a common summer resident, breeding in the
extensive swamps and wet meadows throughout the State. The Caro-
lina Rails are equally abundant on both salt and fresh water marshes,
but the latter places are preferable to them as breeding grounds. The
nest is a rude affair made of grass and weeds, placed on the ground in
a tussock of grass in a boggy tract of land, where there is a growth of
briers, etc.

The eggs of Sora are ovoidal in shape, tapering gradually to the
smaller end but not sharply pointed. They have a ground color of
dark cream or drab, darker than those of the Virginia Rail ; the spots
are reddish-brown with purple shell spots scattered over the surface,
but more numerous at the large end. Twenty eggs in my collection
have an average size of 1.26X.90.

215. Porzana noveboracensis (Gmel.) [575.]

TaUow RaU.

Hab. Eaitern North America from Nova Scotia and Hudson Bay west to Utah and Nevada.

The small Yellow Crake appears to be quite rare everywhere in
Eastern North America or wherever found. It is known to breed in
Northern Illinois, where its eggs have been taken. Dr. Howard Jones
has frequently taken it in the vicinity of Circleville, Ohio, and considers
it nearly as common as other species, and believes it breeds there, which
is probably the case throughout the State. The Little Yellow Rail has
the same general traits common to others of this family, frequenting
marshy places, skulking and hiding in the wet grass to elude observa-
tion. The eggs are said to be about six in number, rich buffy-brown,
marked at the larger end with a cluster of reddish-brown dots ; sizes
range from .80 to .85 broad by 1.05 to 1. 12 long.

216. Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.) [576.]

Blaok Rail.

Hab. Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, Northern Illinois and Oregon; south to
West Indies and South America.

Smallest of our North American Rails ; not often found in the
United States and one of the rarest of our birds. Its small size and

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

103

secretive habits are doubtless one of the causes of its apparent
scarcity. A nest containing ten eggs was found near Saybrook, Conn.
Ten fresh eggs were taken from a nest in Illinois, June 19, 1875, near
Calumet River. The nest was placed in a deep, cup-shaped depres-
sion ; in shape and situation resembled that of the Meadow Lark, but
the Rail's nest was much deeper in proportion to the diameter. It
was elaborately made of grass-stems and blades. The eggs were clear
white, thinly sprinkled with reddish-brown dots, more numerous about
the large end.*

Dr. Coues says : " Eggs from New Jersey are altogether different
from those of the Sora, or Yellow Crake, being creamy-white, sprinkled
all over with fine dots of rich, bright reddish-brown, and with a
few spots of some little size at the great end ; most like the more
finely speckled examples of the egg of the large Ralli; dimensions,
1. 05 X. 80."

[217.] Orex crex (Linn.) [577.]

Oorn Crake.

Hab. Europe and Northern Asia; casual viiitor in Greenland, Bermudaa and New Jeriey.

The Land Rail, Corn Crake, or Corn Creak, is an abundant species
over the entire continent of Europe. In England and Scotland it is
a familiar bird, where it breeds in abundance. Very common in the
Orkney and Shetland Islands. It frequents the long grass of wet
meadows, near rivers and marshes, and in fields of grain. Its pres-
ence is indicated by the creaking note from which it takes its name.
The nest is placed on the ground, generally in a field of grain, grass or
clover ; it is made of dry plants and grasses. In England this bird
nests about the first or middle part of June, The eggs are from seven
to ten in number ; these, when fresh, are of a pale reddish-white ;
when blown, the ground color is light buff, with a reddish cast; they
are spotted and sprinkled with pale reddish-brown.

218. lonornis martinica (Linn.) [578.]

Pnrple Oallliaiile.

Hab. Nearly whole of tropical and warm temperate America. Apparently absent from the Pacific

coast.

This beautiful Gallinule inhabits the South Atlantic and Gulf
States, and strays occasionally northward as far as Maine, New York,
Ohio, Wisconsin and other Northern States. The bird is resident in
the South. From its bright purplish-blue colors it may quite readily
be distinguished from the Florida Gallinule, even at a long distance.
In Florida it breeds in the latter part of May.

Mr. Rachford writes that in Texas the Purple Gallinule nests in

«E. W. Nelson : Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club. Vol. 1, p. 48.

104

NBSTS AND EGGS OF

the tall grass along the edges of water courses, bending the grass
down and weaving it together. Besides its true nest, the bird makes
several " shams," often as many as five or six. The nesting season is
in May or June. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne informs me that in South
Carolina the nest is invariably built in rushes over water. The usual
number of eggs laid is eight or nine, but frequently more are de-
posited. The eggs are cream color, finely and rather sparsely dotted
with chestnut-brown and umber; rather elliptical, and measure from
1.70 to 1.75 long by 1.15 to 1.20 broad.

219. Gallinnla galeata (Licht.) [579.]

Florida Oallinnle.

Hab. Temperate and tropiciil America; north to British Provinces.

Known as the Common Gallinule and Red-billed Mud Hen. Its
center of abundance is in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and it
breeds as far north as Massachusetts. Not an uncommon summer
resident in Ohio, breeding in the extensive swamps and marshes
throughout the State. The nest is usually fastened in the sedges and
marsh grass above shallow water, or among the flags. The foundation
is often made by breaking down the flags, so as to form a little plat-
form, which will, to a certain degree, rise and fall with the water. On
this the nest proper is built of the last year's flags. In Florida, where
the bird is remarkably abundant, the nest is placed in the drier por-
tions of the marshes, among thick reeds and rushes. A set of eight
eggs, collected by Dr. Jones near Circleville, Ohio, measure 1.70 x 1.20,
1.81XI.18, 1.81XI.17, 1.78x1.23, 1.84x1.25, 1.84x1.22, 1.77x1.24,
and 1.83 X 1. 16. The number of eggs laid ranges from seven to thirteen.
They are creamy or brownish-buff", rather thickly spotted and blotched
with brown and umber ; some of the spots are as small as pin heads ;
sizes vary from 1.75 to 2.00 long by 1.20 to 1.30 broad ; shaped like an
average hen's egg.

[220.] Fnlica atra Linn.

European fSoot.

Hab. Europe, Asia and North Africa.

This bird closely resembles our American Coot, but its average
size is slightly larger. It is a common resident south of middle Eng-
land, and in the summer is found breeding in the numerous lochs
throughout Scotland. Its habits in all respects are like those of the
American bird. The nest is built in close proximity to water, on
islands, borders of lakes, ponds and rivers. It is generally placed
among and attached to flags, reeds or rushes. It is large and roughly
made of plants and vegetable matter. The eggs are from six or seven

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

105

to ten or even fourteen in number, pale, dull buff, or stone-<:olor, spot-
ted with rust-colored, brownish-black and purplish-gray. The average
size of a large series is 2.15 x 1.50.

221. Fnlica amerioana Gmel. [580.]

Aatwpioan Coot

Hab. Whole of North America: south to Mexico, Centril and South America and West lodiei; north
to Alaska, occasionally to Greenland.

Well known as the Mud Hen, and in some sections the Crow Duck.
This is the water fowl that the young sportsman persists in shocking as
a game bird, but at a riper age he does not " hanker " after its flesh.
It is easily known by its slate colored plumage, white or flesh-colored
bill, marked with reddish-black near the end and at the base of frontal
plate, greenish legs and carmine iris. The Coot is a good swim-
mer and diver, having lobate feet like the phalaropes and grebes. It
can also move swiftly through tangled grass and aquatic plants. On
almost any large or small body of water sufiiciently secluded and whose
margins are overgrown with reeds and rushes, or on sluggish streams,
swamps, pools or reedy sloughs, there you will find the Coot during the
breeding season. The nest is made of dead reeds and grasses, placed
on the ground, just out of the water or on floating vegetation ; the flags
on which it rests being broken down, rises and falls with the water.
Sometimes immense numbers of these birds breed together. Mr.
Shields records taking five hundred Coot eggs, together with large
numbers of those of ducks and grebes in Southern California.* The
eggs are clay or creamy-white, uniformly and finely dotted all over with
specks of dark brown and blackish ; six to twelve and fifteen eggs are
often found in a single nest ; in shape and general style of color and
markings resemble those of the Florida Gallinule ; sizes range from
1.77 to 2.00 long by 1.40 to 1.45 broad.

222. Grymophilns falicarius (Linn.) [563.]

Red Phalsrop*.

Hab. Northern portion of Northern Hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions, migrating south in win-
ter; in North America south to Middle United States, Ohio Valley and Lower California.

The Coot-footed Tringa, Red or Gray Phalarope, as it is differently
called, is distributed in summer throughout the Arctic regions, wander-
ing far south in winter. Breeds in various portions of Norway, Sweden,
Finland and up into Lapland ; in Siberia, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Green-
land and the Arctic coast of North America. The Phalaropes are curious
birds, partaking of the nature of a wader and a swimmer. The three
species of this family resemble Sandpipers, but are at once distinguished

*Egging in a California Swamp. Young Oologist, Vol. I., p. W.

106

NESTS AND EGGS OF

by the lobate feet like those of the Coots and Grebes. The body is de-
pressed and the under-plumage thick like that of a duck. They ride
the waves lightly along the coast, and when on the margin of a stream
or pool often surprise their associates, the Sandpipers, by swimming
out into deep water. The Red Phalarope appears to be more exclu-
sively maritime than other species of the family. The nest is a slight
hollow in the ground, sparsely lined with moss and grass. Mr. Capen
quotes a letter from Mr. Boardman in which he says : " Twice I have
found the Red Phalarope breeding in Maine." The eggs, Mr. Capen
says, are laid the first part of June.* They are greenish or yellowish-
ash, blotched and spotted with brown of various shades. The
eggs of this species cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from those
of the following species ; in fact, the range of coloration is so varied
that they are difficult to describe satisfactorily in a brief manner.
They are three or four in number, averaging larger than those of the
Northern Phalarope ; from 1.15 to 1.30 long by .90 to .95 broad.

223. Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.) [564.] '

Hab. North parts

regions.

Northern Phalarope.

of North Hemisphere, breeding in Arctic regions; south in winter '.o tropical

The general habits, movements and distribution of the Northern
Phalarope are nearly identical with those of the Red Phalarope ; com-
mon to both continents, and breeding in the Arctic regions of Asia,
Europe and America. The nesting habits are substantially the same
and the eggs are laid in June. The bird is also known as the Red-
necked Phalarope. The eggs are greenish or yellowish-ash, thickly
blotched with varying shades of brown ; three or four ; sizes range from
I. ID to 1.30 long by .75 to .82 broad, averaging 1.20 by .80; like the last,
there is a great variation in size, shape and color.

224. Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.) [565]

Wilson's Phalarope.

Hab. Chiefly interior of temperate North America; south in winter to Brazil and Patagonia.

Exclusively an American bird, more common in the interior than
along the sea coast. Little information regarding its habits was ob-
tained by the older onithologists. Known now to breed in Northern
Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota, Utah and Oregon. May
be found nesting in suitable places from these regions northward to
the Red River of the North and the Saskatchewan country. It is re-
corded as a summer resident in Northern Indiana and very likely breeds
in Northwestern Ohio. Mr. N. S. Goss states that he is quite confident
the bird occasionally breeds in Western Kansas.f

^Oology of New England.

f A Revised Catalogue of the Birds of Kansas, with descriptive notes of the nests and eggs of the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

107

The nesting habits of Wilson's Phalarope have been carefully
observed by Mr. E. W. Nelson in Northern Illinois, and his observa-
tions form a very complete and interesting biography of the species.t
Mr. Nelson states that it is the most common species in Northern
Illinois, frequenting grassy marshes and low prairies, and is not
exceeded in numbers even by the ever-present Spotted Sandpiper.
" The nesting-site is usually in some thin tuft of grass on a level spot,
but often in an open place concealed by only a few straggling blades
of small carices. The male scratches a shallow depression in the soft
earth, which is usually lined with a thin layer of fragments of old
grass blades, upon which the eggs, numbering from three to four, are
deposited about the last of May or first of June. Owing to the low
situations in which the nests are placed, the first set of eggs is often
destroyed by a heavy fall of rain, causing the water to rise so as to
submerge the nest. In this case, the second set, numbering two or
three, is often deposited in a depression scratched in the ground, as at
first, but with no sign of any lining. Accidents of this kind cause
the second set of eggs to be sometimes deposited as late as the last of
June." The male alone undertakes the duties of incubation. The
eggs are ashy-yellow, usually coarsely spotted and blotched with brown
of varying shades, with numerous specks and scratches ; three or four
in number; sizes vary from 1.20 to 1.35 in length by 1.90 in breadth,
making them elongate pyriform in shape.

225. Recurvirostra americana Gm. [566.]

American Avooet.

Hab. Temperate portii.ns of North America, from the Saskatchewan country and Great Slave Lake
southward; in winter to Guatemala and the West Indies.

A bird of striking appearance, of odd coloration, having extra-
ordinarily long legs ; feet webbed like those of a swimming bird ; body
flattened underneath, and duck-like plumage to resist the water. The
most striking characteristic of the bird, however, is its long, decidedly
upturned bill, and from its blue legs it receives the name of Blue-
stocking.

It is very abundant in the West, on the plains of Dakota, Montana,
Wyoming, Colorado and Utah. In these regions it breeds in June,
nesting in the tall grass in marshy or wet places.

The eggs vary from a dark olive to buff, pretty uniformly and pro-
fusely spotted with chocolate-brown of various shades ; they vary in
size, shape and markings like the birds themselves ; three or four in
number; sizes from 1.80 to 2.10 in length by 1.25 to 1.45 in breadth.

birds known to breed in the State. By N. S. Goss. Published undei the direction of the Executive Council,
May, 1886. Topeka: T. D. Thacher, State Printer. P. 14.
J Bull. Nutt. Club. Vol. II, pp. 38-48.

I 1

108 NESTS AND EGGS OF

226. Himantopiu mexicanng (Mull.) [567.]

BlMk-a*ok«d StUt.

Hab. Temperate North America from Northern United States southward to West Indies, Brasil,
and Peru.

This exceedingly long-legged bird is distributed throughout the
United States, and like the Avocet, is rare in the eastern portions. It
is abundant in the West, but its range is rather more southerly than
that of the Avocet. In Ohio it is a rare summer visitor. Perhaps
breeds. The nest of the Stilt is often only a slight depression in the
ground, lined with dry grasses, situated along some stream or ditch, or
near water ; some collectors have found the nest at the water's edge,
or on a heaped mass of vegetation just above the surface of shallow
water. A. M. Shields says that the Stilt arrives in the vicinity of Los
Angeles, California, about May ist, and the eggs may be found fresh
until the middle of June. He states that the birds usually congregate
in large flocks in some suitable locality, and build their nests close
together, a score or more are often found within a few yards of each
other ; the nests being composed of small sticks and roots, closely laid
together and placed among the grass on the margin of a lake or river.*

This record refers to the abundance of the Stilt in the season of
1883, and those previous; but I am informed by Mr. Shields that
the bird is not so abundant as formerly, only a few pair breeding in the
neighborhood of Los Angeles each year.

The eggs are of a greenish-yellow, thickly spotted, blotched and

lined irregularly with brownish-black of varying shades ; pyriform in

shape ; three or four in number ; sizes from 1.60 to 1.85 long by 1.15 to

1.25 broad.

[227.] Scolopax rnsticola Linn. [524.]

European Woodoook.

Hab. Old World ; occasional in Eastern North America.

The European Woodcock is widely distributed over the northern
parts of the Old World. It is of larger size than the American bird.
Many instances are on record of its breeding in various parts of
Great Britain, but the greater portion of the birds are considered
migratory. Breeds abundantly in Norway, Sweden, Lapland and in
Northern Russia. Nocturnal in its habits, reposing in the daytime in
grassy bottoms in woods, and at twilight it regains activity, resorting
to open glades and marshy bottoms, where it feeds. These tracts are
known as " cock-shoots," or " cock-roads." The food of the birds is
the common earth-worm, which they procure by boring, or thrusting
their bills into the soft mud. The nest consists of a few leaves loosely
laid together, and without lining. The eggs are usually four in num-

* Young Qologist, Vol. I, p. 41.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

109

ber; of a pale yellowish-white, blotched and spotted with various
shades, ashy.gray and reddish or yellowish-brown; most numerous
about the larger end. Four eggs measure 1.75 x 1.27, 1.74 x 1.27, 1.73
X 1.23, 1.77 X 1.28.

228. PJiilohela minor (Gmel.) [525.]

Amerioaa Woodoook.

Hab. Eastern Province of North America, north to British Province, west to Dakota, Nebraska,
Kansas, etc. Breeds throughout its range.

This noted game bird frequents the bogs, swampy fields, and wet
woodlands of Eastern United States and Canada, and breeds through-
out its range. The nests are mere depressions in some dry spot in
swampy land, generally under the cover of a clump of briers or other
wild shrubbery, often in more open places. The eggs of the Wood-
cock are laid early in April, and in some localities not until some time
in May. In Ohio, I have found eggs as early as April 3, and young
have been seen as early as April 9, near Cleveland, Ohio. There are
records of eggs of this species averaging in size 1.80x1.25, but I have
never seen any so large, although they exhibit considerable variations.
These sizes doubtless refer to the eggs of the European species. The
Woodcock is often called *' Bog Sucker," from its habit of boring in the
mud for worms and animalculse, of which its food consists. The eggs
are creamy or buflf, irregularly and thickly spotted with pale, reddish-
brown of varying shades ; pyriform, but more rotund than those of
most of the small waders, and some are quite broad, varying from 1.40
to 1.55 long by 1.15 to 1.20 broad. The usual number of eggs is four.
Four selected specimens measure 1.58x1.21, 1.53x1.14, 1.57x1.17,
and 1.53 X 1.20.

[229.] Gallinago galllnago (Linn.) [526.]

European Snipe.

Hab. Northern portious of the Old World ; frequent occurrence in Greenland. Accidental in the
Bermudas.

A species of general distribution over Europe. In the breeding
season it is found in the more northern portions and in the winter
months it inhabits the southern regions. A common game bird on the
British Islands, breeding in greater or less abundance in all parts of
England and Scotland; especially to the north on the Orkney and
Shetland Islands. In summer it is found on the Faroes, Iceland,
and in Greenland. Breeds in the northern portions of Russia and
Siberia and as far south as France, Germany, Holland and Hungary.
The nests of this Snipe are placed on the ground in tall grass by the
side of some pond or shallow water, or amidst the long heather which
grows upon the hill-side. Nests have been found at an elevation oi
a thousand feet above the plain.

NESTS AND EGGS OF

The full complement of eggs is four ; they have a ground-color
varying from yellowish- white to greenish-yellow. The markings are
of several shades of reddish or chestnut-brown, scattered chiefly about
the larger end. The eggs are pyriform in shape and quite pointed at
the smaller end. Four eggs collected near Lancaster, England, measure
1.54x1.14, 1.53x1.08, 1.59x1.15, 1.51XI.10.

230. Galllnago delicata (Ord.) [526a.]

Wilaon'a Snipe.

Hab. Whole of North and Middle America, breeding from Northern United States northward; south
in winter to West Indies and Northern South America.

The American Snipe is a favorite game bird, well known by the
name of Jack Snipe. Throughout the greater part of the United
States it occurs only during the migrations. Breeds from about lati-
tude 45° northward to Hudson Bay region on the east and as far west
and north as Sitka, Alaska and Fort Anderson.

The birds frequent low open places, such as wet meadows and
marshes, and muddy banks of streams.

They are found in small companies of from three to twelve, tech-
nically called " wisps." Solitary birds are not unfrequently met with.

No other game birds are more erratic and eccentric than these.
They are extremely fickle in the choice of their feeding ground ; one
day they may swarm in a certain locality, and the next none are to be
discovered. Their flight is strong, but, especially at the beginning,
erratic. They almost invariably fly against the wind, and lie closest
on still, clear days. Occasionally they alight on trees or fences. Their
note, uttered as they rise, resembles the word '■'■ escape.^'*

The nest is only a slight depression in the grass or moss of a bog.
The eggs vary from a grayish-olive to greenish-brown and yellowish-
ash, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown, umber, and sometimes
with lines of black ; the markings are bold and numerous, particularly
on the larger end, usually also sharp scratchy lines of blackish and
shell-spots, hardly noticeable. The shape of the eggs is pyriform ;
three or four in number; sizes range from 1.50 to 1.60 long by 1.05 to
1. 10 broad.

231. Macrorhamphus griseus (Gmel.) [527.]

Do'witohez.

Hab. Eastern North America, Breeding far northward.

Known by several names, such as Red-breasted Snipe, Gray
Snipe, Brown-back, and Gray-back ; these are also applied to the
Long-billed Dowitcher. This bird, which greatly resembles the Com-
mon Snipe in structure and general appearance, differs from it in
habits, It is described as migrating in flocks, often of large size, and

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Ill

as being so unsuspicious as to allow a near approach. Breeds in high
Arctic regions, in various places in Alaska, and is spoken of by Dr.
Richardson as having an extensive breeding range throughout the Fur
Country, from the borders of Lake Superior to the Arctic Ocean. In
the Arctic Regions nests have been taken between the middle of June
and the first part of July. They were placed on the marshy borders of
small lakes and ponds, and were made of a few dry leaves and grasses.
The eggs were usually four in number. These cannot, with certainty,
be distinguished from those of Wilson's Snipe. They are generally
long, narrow, and pointed in shape; sizes from 1.62 to 1.75 long by
1. 10 to 1. 15 broad.

232. Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say.) [527a.]

Long-billed Dovrltolier.

Hab. Mississippi Valley and Western Ncrth America from Mexico to Alaska.

This bird, whose size is larger and bill longer than that of the
last, inhabits North America at large, but is supposed to be rare on
the Atlantic coast. It is called Greater Long-beak, Greater Gray-beak
and Red-bellied Snipe. Breeds in the far north ; is said to be common
about the mouth of the Yukon and islands along the coast of Alaska.
In the West the birds gather in dense flocks, and they being of a gentle
and confiding disposition, and so closely huddled together, that great
slaughter may be effected by the gunner if so disposed. Eggs larger
and nesting same as the last.

233. Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.) [528.]

stilt Sandpiper.

Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding north of the United Stittes; migrating south in
winter to tropical regions.

The Long-legged Sandpiper, of slender form and very long legs,
breeds north of the United States, and visits Southern localities in
winter ; Bermudas, West Indies, Oentral and South America.

Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane found this species breeding
at Rendezvous Lake, in the Arctic regions, June 27. The nests were
similar to all others of this family, a mere depression in the ground,
with a lining of a few leaves and grasses. The eggs are three or four
in number, pyriform in shape, with a ground color of light drab or
grayish-white, with bold spots and markings of chestnut-brown and
purplish-gray, more numerous about the larger end ; in some quite
confluent. Sizes vary from 1.43 to 1.46 long by 1.04 to i.io broad.

234. Tringa canutus Linn. [529.]

Knot.

Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan; breeding in high northern latitudes. Migrates far southward.

This handsome species, so remarkable for its seasonable differences

112

NESTS AND EGGS OP

V^«

of plumage, is the largest of the North American Sandpipers. It in-
habits most parts of the globe ; in America chiefly coastwise, and breeds
in high latitudes. It is migratory, and is also found in the interior
about large bodies of water and rivers. Red-breasted and Ash-colored
Sandpiper and Gray-back are other names for it.

An authentic egg of the Knot has for many years been the object
of special and diligent search by eminent naturalists and explorers
traveling in Arctic regions where this bird is known to live during the
season of reproduction.

Lieut. A. W. Greely, U. S. A. , Commander of the late Expedition
to Lady Franklin Sound, succeeded in obtaining the lo ig-sought-for
^SS of the Knot. C. H. Merriam publishes the fir^t account of it,
written by Lieut. Greely, as follows: "The specimen of bird and egg
were obtained in the vicinity of Fort Conger, latitude of 8i° 44^ N.
The egg was i.io inch [28 mm.] in the longer axis, and i inch
[25.40 mm.] in the shorter. Color, light pea green, closely spotted
with brown in small specks about the size of a pin-head." *

235. Tringa maritima Brunn. [530.]

Purple Sandpiper.

Hab. Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere; in North America, chiefly the northeastern por-
tions, migrating south in winter to Eastern and Middle States. Mississippi Valley.

The purple Sandpiper is found in the high Arctic regions of Amer-
ica and Europe. Said to be a resident of the Aleutian Islands. Breeds
in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and in Greenland, where some remain in
the fiords of the southern portion all winter.

Dr. Richardson states that it breeds abundantly on Melville Penin-
sula and on the shores of Hudson Bay. The nest is a mere depres-
sion in the soil with a scant lining of dry grass.

The eggs are clay color, shaded with olivaceous, with large and
distinct markings of rich umber-brown of different depths of intensity
all over the shell, but most numerous as well as largest on the greater
half; pyriform; the eggs are usually four in number, and measure
about 1.40 by i.oo.

238. Tringa cones! (Ridgw.) [531.]

Aleutian Ssndpipert

Hab. Coasts and islands of Bering Sea, north to St. Michael's.

Closely allied to the last species, and the birds are hardly distin-
guishable in their respective winter plumages. It is common in the
Aleutian and other islands, and also along the coasts of Bering Sea as
far west as the Commander Islands. Dr. Stejneger records it as a resi-
dent of the latter group, found there during both summer and winter.

^A^. Vol. II., p. 818.

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F>LAtE IV

WOOD DUCKS AND NESTING PI,ACE.
{Aix tfotua.)

Page 67.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

113

The first eggs are laid about the middle of May. These are described
as pale olive-bufF, varying to light browuish-buflF, spotted and blotched
with vandyke-brown or deep umber; size 1.46 x i.oo.

237. Trin^a ptilocnemis Coues. [532.I

Prybilof Sandpiper.

I!.\Ii. Prybilof IslaniU, Ilcring Sen.

The Black-breasted Sandpiper, as it is called, is confined to the
Prybilof group and several other islands of Bering Sea ; but does not
visit the Commander Islands. It is said to be the only wader that
breeds on the Prybilof Islands. In May it nests on the dry uplands
and mossy hummocks, placing its nest in bunches of moss, in which
four pyriform eggs are laid.

The eggs are described as light brownish-bufF, heavily spotted with
rich chestnut-brown, clouded with purplish-gray. Average size 1.50 .\

1.07.

239. TrinRa maculata Vieill. [534]

P«otoral Sandpiper.

Hub. North, Central and South America; breeding in the Arctic regions, Ot° freciuent occurienca
in Europe.

During the migrations the Pectoral Sandpiper is very abundant,
both on the sea coast and in the intcior. It frequents the borders of
ponds, the shores of lakes and rivers, and is found commonly in the
vicinity of wet cornfields and meadows. It is only of recent date that
we have obtained any positive information regarding this bird's breed-
ing places. Mr. E. W. Nelson found it to be extremely common at
the mouth of the Yukon River, where the low grassy flats afford it a
much frequented breeding ground. Arriving on the shores of Bering
Sea, near St. Michael's, from the 15th to the 25th of May, the birds
linger about a short time ; they then pair and seek nesting places,
which are usually in tufts of grass.

The eggs are of a pale grayish-buff", varying to pale olive-green,
boldly blotched and spotted with rich vandyke-brown and purplish
gray ; a^'erage size, 1.44x1.02.

240. Tringa fuscicollls Vieill. [536.]

'Whlte^rnmped Sandpiper.

Hiib. Eastern North America; breeds far North. In winter migrating through the United States,
the West Indies, Central and South America and Falldand Islands. Occasional in Europe.

Bonaparte's Sandpiper during the breeding season is found in the
Arctic regions. It is a species of wide distribution in the migrations,
wandering into tropical regions.

The bird is said to breed in suitable places on the shores of Cumber-
land Sound. Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane met its nests and
eggs on or near the Arctic coast ; one taken July 3 contained four eggs
9

114

NESTS AND EGGS OF

with large embryos ; another found the day following contained three
eggs. A third, obtained June 29 on the Barren Lands, was a mere de-
pression in the ground, lined with a few decayed leaves and contained
four eggs with very large embryos. A fourth found on the banks of a
small river, of similar construction, held four eggs.

The eggs are pyriform in shape, of light olive or olive-brown, spot-
ted with bold and sometimes rather fine markings of deep chestnut-
brown, almost into blackness, chiefly about the larger end in confluent
groups. Average size, 1.37 X. 94.

241. TriDga balrdii (Coues.) [537.]

Balrd'a Sandpipar.

Hnb. North America, chiefly the interior. Rare on the Atlantic Coast; wintering in Mexico, Cen-
tral and South America.

Baird's Sandpiper is distributed throughout North America gener-
ally, but is said not yet to have been observed west of the Rocky
Mountains. It is found chiefly in the interior. Known to breed in the
Arctic regions ; winters south of United States.

This bird was entirely unknown to ornithologists until within the

last thirty-five years ; when discovered and for sometime after was

confounded with other species. Dr. Coues first gave it rank and name

in 1861. It breeds in the Arctic regions — on the Barren Lands; nests

in the Ir.tter part of June, usually within the vicinity of lakes and

small ponds. The nest is made of a few dry leaves and grasses in

a small depression, shaded by a tuft of grass. The eggs are usually

four in number ; buff or clay-colored, spotted and blotched with varying

shades of chestnut-brown ; in most instances the markings are fine and

innumerable, of indefinite size, irregular in shape and thickness at the

greater end, where they are occasionally massed in blotches ; size about

1.30X.90

242. Tringa minutlUa Vieill. [538.]

Least Sandpiper.

Hab. Whole of North America; breeding north of the United States.

The smallest of the Sandpipers, measuring five and a half or six
inches in length. It has the same habits as characterize its Semi-
palmated cousins, frequenting the same localities, and flocks of birds
are often composed of both species. Wlien this is the case the Semi-
palmated Sandpipers even if largely in the minority, take the lead, as
their somewhat larger size, stronger flight and louder note fit them for
so doing.

When not in company with other species none of our shore birds
are more confiding and unsuspecting than these, large flocks con-
tinuing their search for food almost under the feet of the observer.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

Ubrad„^t:";4rdt';;_^-d^^ Ncwf„„„a,a„d Id

. '875, one was found bii,IH;„ ■/ "«'°>'S, and in Alast= r
Nests in the Aictt „ ".''''"8 "^ ""t in the vicinitv ,f r^ ^"""^ «■

.■i'he eggs are nsra'lwo^j'f""?' « "- vicinity otkL ''";" *f
'a»er part of May l'^ J„"„e Th: V" "'^-^ »' ^-^d "et'JeeTtt

S "'• ■'"« average size is i.ijx 85 ™""' °™»'n spots
124SJ TrlBg. .,pi„. Lm», [53, ,

The pZr'T '" -- —i °°^-

of the Old World Bv°f'"!J' ™"'''^ "^'^'ribntion i„ the norti,

S ."f^ '=^-">' ^i'nh n^^^^^^^ °^ '^^ B'^^'Tn^^!

Sa d .^ re'sZth'"'™^ ^" '"-"ashorerrrr "■' '"''"" "'

2«»- IV'W alpina paclte (Co„.s,
i^ the AmericanD ;:;?'" r""'".-:..— .,..

Hab.

[539a.J

. . ™-=theAm;s'-Dn:r;;r'tr ^"— ■

.t.s larger and brighter colored thafr''"/:""" ^^""P'P". <" O. bird •

out the whole of North Am. ' "'^'""^ Distributed tt,, t'

^rating in „;„,„ .^ Un" "d^St^' ''"'^^ '" '■>' Arct'i ^'g onTS"

Breeds in various place ^„ %fl', '^^ally coastwise. ^ ' ""•

the Yukon and i« fi, , ^^^ Alaskan coast o* «.i-

found breedW on thfr"^''"°''^°«onsrund tt: T? °^

P-iusu,a, the fhoTes «; 0:^^"^ 1 ^"^ A-"' ,0" tetiu!

The nest is built in the™ it "If fj" S^'Oem GrUnln^ ""

^ -.- Hollow With -ei;r d^^-ats-^:r:^,^

116

NESTS AND EGGS OF

into it. The eggs, four in number, of a dull brownish-buff or clay
color, spotted, blotched and stained with chestnut, principally about
• the larger end ; their average size is 1.43 x i.oi.

244. Tringa ferruginea Brunn. [540.]

Cnrlemr Sandpiper.

Hab. Old World in general, occasional in Eastern North America and in Alaska.

A bird with a bill resembling that of the Curlews — long, slender,
compressed and considerably decurved. The length of the bird is
about eight and a half inches. It is said to be one of the rarest of the
Sandpipers which visit North America. A common species in Siberia,
where it breeds. Said to breed in Holland, Denmark and northward
into Norway, Sweden, and in Finland. In England it is nowhere
abundant and does not assemble in large flocks like the Dunlin or
J'urre. A few pairs are believed to breed in Great Britain. Known to
breed in various portions of Greenland — nesting near the margins of
lakes and rivers where the eggs are deposited in a slight hollow of the
ground, lined with bits of grass. The eggs are four in number, pyri-
form in shape, pale grayish or greenish-bufif, spotted and blotched with
chestnut-brown. They are hardly distinguishable from those of the Pec-
toral or Red-backed Sandpiper's eggs; size 1.50x1.04.

246. Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.) [541]

Semipalmated Sandpiper.

Hab Northe n and Eastern North America; west during the migrations to Rocky Mountains.

This little " Peep " is found everywhere in North i^merica. In
the summer it is distributed from Labrador and western shores of Hud -
son Bay northward, this being its breeding grounds. In spring and
fall it is an abundant migrant in United States, thronging the beaches,
the gravelly and sandy shores of streams and muddy banks of ponds,
in company with the Spotted Sandpiper and others, with which it is
usually confounded. It winters from the Carolii.as southward. It has
the same Hweet^ Hweet as the Spotted Sandpiper, and utters it frequent-
ly, both on the shore and when flying. The Semipalmated Sandpiper
arrives in the Saskatchewan River country about the middle of May,
where it deposits its eggs early in June on a fev.' pieces of withered
grass in a slight hollow in the ground. These are three or four in num-
ber, and measure from 1.20 to 1.25 long by .82 to .85 broad. In a large
series the usual variations in color are noticeable ; the ground color
varying from clay to grayish or greenish-drab or positive olive tint ;
usually boldly spotted and splashed with umber or chestnut-brown ;
thickest about the largest end ; and again, in some, very fine dots are
distributed over the entire surface.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

117

247. Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr. [5410.]

'Westem Sandpiper.

Hab. Western North America; occasionally eastward to the Atlantic coast; breeding far north.
Migrating in winter to Central and South America.

Very much like the last species and there is essentially no differ-
ence in its general habits, nesting, eggs and other peculiarities.

Abundant " "• Alaska, breeding along the Yukon and the shores and
islands of N< • ^on Sound. Nests commonly on the Island of St.
Michael's, depositing four eggs in nests which are mere hollows in the
ground with a few blades of grass for lining. In June and July it is
said to breed abundantly on the islands in the bays along the Arctic
co3st and also in the Barren L<ands. The eggs are said to exhibit as
great variation as those of E. piisillus.

248. Calidris arenaria (Linn.) [542.]

Sanderliug.

Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, breeding in high Arctic regions.

The Sanderling, Ruddy " Plover " or " Beach Bird," is a species
of wide distribution. During the breeding season it is distributed
through the northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America.
It inhabits, however, the entire continent of North America, wander-
ing in its migrations through the United States, and in winter to the
West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America. Its nests and eggs
have been taken in Grinnell Land, and it is said to breed on islands
about the coast of Greenland and on the shores and islands of Hud-
son Bay. Dr. Brewer states that Mr. MacFarlane, on June 29, dis-
covered a nest with four eggs on the Barren Lands, near the Arctic
coast. The eggs at this date were quite fresh. The nest is said to
have been made of hay and decayed leaves. The eggs are ashy or
greenish-brown, spotted and blotched with brown of dififerent shades,
pyriform in shape; two to four in number, and measure 1.41 by .91.

249. Limosa fedoa (Linn.) [543]

Marbled Godwit.

Hab. North America in gener.il. IJreeds in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi regions, thence to
the Saskatchewan. Winters in the Southern States and southward.

The Great Marbled Godwit, or Marlin, inhabits the entire temper-
ate North America, and it is a common bird during the migrations
and in winter. It breeds chiefly in the Mississippi and Eastern Mis-
souri regions, in Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota, thence to the Saskatch-
ewan ; known to breed in Northern Ohio, in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minne-
sota, Kansas and Nebraska. This is the largest of the '* Bay birds,"
except the Long-billed Curlew, and can readily be distinguished, its
bill being either straight or bent a little upward, and not decurved,
like the Curlew's. It frequents muddy pools, sandy shores and

118

NESTS AND EGGS OF

marshes, usually in flocks of greater or less extent. The bird is held
in high esteem for the table, and they are eagerly hunted by the gun-
ners when flocks of ten or a dozen birds appear on the marshes. The
sportsmen call them " Dough " or " Doe " birds. The eggs are creamy-
buff" or light oliveaceous-drab spotted and blotched, rather sparsely,
■with yellowish and umber-brown of varying shades, long oval ; size
about 2.27 by 1.60 ; three or four in number, and they are deposited in
a slight depression of the ground, lined with a few bits of grasses.
The nests are placed in the vicinity of a pool or river, but not always
near the water's edge.

250. Limosa lapponlca baueri (Naum.) [544,]

Paoifio Godwlt.

Hab. Coasts of Eastern Asia and across to Alaska, south in winter to New Zealand and Australia;
casual to Lower California.

In the winter months the Pacific Godwit is found in many of the
islands of the Pacific Ocean — the Polynesian Islands and Australia.
At this season it is also found on the Eastern and Southern coasts
of Asia and Japan. On the American coast it is a summer resident in
Alaska, and south of this point it is recorded only from Lower Califor-
nia. An abundant species at the mouth of the Yukon and on the
marshes of Pastolik, which are farther north. The nests are built in
tussocks of grass, lined with the same material. The eggs are said to
be only two in number, of light olive drab, spotted with irregularly
formed spots of umber of varying shades, similar to those of the
Marbled Godwit; size, 2.25x1.45.

251. Limosa hsemastica (Linn.) [545]

Hndsonian Oodwit.

Hab. Northern North America. Not recorded west of Rocky Mountains only in Alaska.

The Hudsonian Godwit, though not common anywhere in the
United States, is distributed throughout North Ameiica generally, but
has not been observed west of \ he Rocky Mountains. It passes the
winter South of the United Stales, and breeds in the most northern
sections of the country. Breeds abundantly on the Barren Lands of
the Arctic Ocean. In the Lower Anderson river region it nests in the
first part of June, depositing its eggs in a slight depression of the
ground lined with a few leaves and grasses. It associates with L.
feeda^ and has the same habits and characteristics. Called by the
gunners the '* Smaller Doe-bird." American Black-tailed Godwit and
Ring-tailed Marlin are its other names.

The eggs of this species are heavily shaded olive-drab or ** hair
brown" almost as dark as a Loon's egg, sometimes lighter; obscurely

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

119

spotted and blotched with dark brown ; usually four in number ; size

2.20x1.42.

[252.] Limosa limosa (Linn.) [546.]

Blaok-tailed Oodwit.

Hab. Northern portion of the Old World; accidental in Greenland.

At different seasons of the year the Black-tailed Godwit has been
observed in nearly every portion of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is
only an occasional visitant of Greenland which gives it a place in the
fauna of North America. Considerd migratory in Great Britain, and
a few are known to breed there in the various marshes. In the sum-
mer months, however, this Godwit is found in various parts of Den-
mark and throughout Scandinavia, especially in Finland and up into
lyapland.

Known to nest in France, and is supposed to breed sparingly in
Switzerland. In Scotland and other portions of the British Islands this
species deposits its eggs early in May. This bird is known as Com-
mon Godwit, Godwyn, Yarwhelp, or Yarwhit, Jadreka Snipe, and
Shrieker. The nesting is like that of all the Waders so far as known
— simply a hollow in wet meadows or in dry parts of swamps, midst
grass or weeds. The eggs are usually four in number ; they are of a
deep grayish-olive or even a deep green, faintly spotted with olive-
brown of different shades. Size 2.17 x 1.50.

1253.] Totanus nebularius (Gunn). [547.]

Qreen-sliank.

Hab. Old World; accidental in Florida.

Audubon took three specimens of the Green-shank on Sand Key,
Florida, near Cape Sable, May 28, 1832. This is the only record of its
appearance in North America. An abundant bird in the British Islands,
many remain to breed, especially in Scotland, and on the islands about
th^^ coast. Breeds in Norway and Sweden, in Finland and in Lap-
land as far north as the Arctic Circle. The nest is often placed some
disf.ance from water, usually in a tuft of grass with a slight lining.
Tre eggs are four in number and vary from yellowish to brownish-buff,
sprinkled and spotted all over, with irregular spots of dark brown, vary-
ing in intensity of shade. The eggs are generally pear-shaped. The
average size of ten specimens is 1.98 x 1.40.

254. Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.) [548.]

Greater Yelloiir-leBs.

Hab. Nearly all of North America; breeding ia the more northern portions.

The Greater Yellow-legs, or Tell-tale, is found in North America
at large. It is said to breed in the large marshes of Wisconsin, in
Iowa, and in Northern Illinois ; doubtless a few breed in suitable places

i'l

120

NESTS AND EGGS OF

in California. The Greater Tell-tale winters from the Carolinas south-
ward ; is abundant during the migrations, and is well known to the
gunners. In the Eastern States it appears to be much more wary
than in Ohio, and is said to give warning to ducks and other game
birds on the approach of the gunner. About four rapidly repeated,
loud and shrill whistling notes are uttered, which is a signal to the
rest of his feathered neighbors, when the whole take wing, often to
the disappointment of the fowler. From this habit it derives the
name of Tell-tale, and it is also known as Stone " Snipe," Greater
Yellow-shanks, and Long-legged Tattler. The stately form of this
bird may be seen moving along the gravelly banks of streams, wading
in pools or the shallow margins of rivers and lagoons, feeding upon
small fishes, crustaceans, etc. It is generally found in pairs, less often
in small flocks, and its association with other Sandpipers is merely
accidental. The eggs are grayish-white, marked with spots of dark
brown, varying in intensity of shade, together with obscure shell-
markings of lilac. The markings are over the entire surface, but
more numerous at the larger end ; three or four in number ; size

1.43x1.20.

255. Totanus flavipes (Gmel.) [549]

« .- xr V . Yellow-legB.

Hab. North America.

The common Yellow-legs, or Lesser Tell-tale, is found throughout
North America. It breeds from Northern United States northward,
extending its migrations to the Arctic regions. It winters in the
Southern States and southward. In some localities during the migra-
tions it is more abundant than the Greater Tattler, and its general
habits and characteristics are the same ; its cries are clearer and not
so loud. It is fond of wading about in pools of water seeking food,
which consists of larvae of insects and small crustaceans.

The Lesser Yellow-shanks is known to breed in Alaska, at the
mouth of the Porcupine River, which empties into the Yukon. It
doubtless breeds in all the region between Fort Selkirk and Fort
Yukon. It has been found nesting in the neighborhood of Great Slave
Lake, and abundantly in the Mac Farlane and Anderson River regions.
At the latter place eggs were found as early as the first part of June,
The nests were mere depressions in the ground, without any lining;
sometimes they were placed at the foot of a bush, with a scanty lining
of withered leaves. The eggs were usually four. The bird is reported
as doubtless breeding in Illinois and other regions farther south than
those just mentioned. There is no doubt that a few of the Lesser
Yellow-legs breed in Central Ohio. In referring to my notes I find

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

121

that a sportsman brought me a male bird on the 28th of June, 1886.
This season (June 14, 1888) Mr. Robert Hedden shot a specimen,
which proved to be a female, the skin of which is now in my cabinet.
From this bird I took a well-formed egg, and the ovaries contained
several others in different stages of development. The breast of
this specimen was quite bare of feathers, indicating that it was
engaged in the duties of incubation. The bird was sitting on the top
rail of a fence when killed, and no others were noticed in the vicinity.
The eggs of the Yellow-legs are of a light drab, or even vary to clay,
buffy or cream color, sometimes light brown ; the markings are bold
and heavy, with great diversity of heavily splashed blotches of choco-
late, umber-brown and blackish, these being chiefly at the larger end,
and sometimes confluent. Paler shell-markings are also numerous
and noticeable ; pointedly pyriform in shape ; three or four in number ;
sizes range from 1.58 to 1.78 long by about 1.16 broad.

256. Tetanus solitarius (Wils.) [550.]

Solitary Sandpiper-

Hab. North America, breeding in Northern United States, northward; migrating southward to
Northern South America.

The Solitary Tattler, or the American Green Sandpiper is found
throughout the entire North America; breeds in Northern United
States and northward, and probably throughout most of its United
States range. Winters chiefly in Mexico, Central and South America
and in the West Indies, It has the same characteristic habits of the
Green Sandpiper of Europe — always seen near water, during the mi-
grations, on the borders o: lakes, ponds and rivers, or seeking its food,
which consists chiefly of worms in the soft loamy soil of marshes.
The Solitary Sandpiper is well named, when its personal habits or the
localities which it frequents are considered. It is found, except dur-
ing and shortly after the breeding season, about small ponds in woods,
remote shaded ditches or small brooks, just such localities as are fre-
quented by the Water Thrush, and its alarm note is very similar to
that species, but is shriller and louder and is sounded while on the wing
in its rapid flight. Although common, the eggs of this species have
been until a comparatively recent date of special desideratum, and
only a few specimens are as yet to be found in the numerous collec-
tions. In the last edition of this work I mentioned an egg supposed to
belong to this species, which I took in an open field bordering the Sci-
oto River, near Columbus, Ohio, in the latter part of May, 1877. This
specimen was first described by the late Dr. J. M. Wheaton.* The egg

<'Iu his Report on the Birds of Ohio. Vol. IV., Ohio Geological Survey, entitled Zoology and Botany,
p. 486.

k. /

122

NESTS AND EGGS OF

was of a pointed oval shape, and not nearly so pyriform as are the eggs
of most of this family, size 1.25 by .88, smaller than the eggs of the
Spotted Sandpiper. The ground was clay-color with a reddish tinge,
thickly marked with reddish and blackish -brown. The nest was on
the ground in as exposed a locality as is ever frequented by this bird.
It contained two eggs, both far advanced in incubation, only one of
which was preserved. In Jones' magnificent work* this egg is ac-
curately figured.

From comparisons made at the time this specimen could not be
referred to any other species than that of the Solitary Sandpiper.

Dr. Brewer describes an egg, taken May 28, 1878, by Mr. Jenness
Richardson, near Lake Bombazine, Vermont. It measures 1.32 x. 90.
The ground color is of a light drab, similar to that of Aigialitis
meloda ; over the surface are scattered small rounded markings of
brown, some of these are quite dark, nowhere confluent, and not large
enough to be called blotches. Its shape was elongated pyriform. Mr.
Capen, in his finely illustrated work,! gives a faithful colored illus-
tration of this specimen. The female parent of this egg was shot as
she left the nest.

[257.] Totanus ochropus (Linn.) [551.]

Green Sandpiper

Hab. Northern portions of the Old World. Accidental in Nova Scotia.

If we may regard the authority of the older ornithologists, Rich-
ardson and Nuttall, this bird obtained from them recognition as a
straggler to North America. Its claim to our fauna, however, has
been restored by the capture of a single specimen, said to have been
taken in Nova Scotia, which was in the possession of J. Edmund Hart-
ing, Esq. The bird is very similar to our Solitary Tattler and aver-
ages slightly larger. It is very generally distributed through Europe
and in some places esteemed a great delicacy for the table. Said to
breed in all the northern portions of Asia. In England it is consid-
ered an abundant bird in spring and fall and a number of pairs remain
to breed. Known also as the Whistling Sandpiper.

It frequents the shores of the sea and inland lakes, the banks of
shallow streams and the borders of ponds and marshes. Breeds in
various parts of Northwestern Germany and is known to nest in South-
eastern France. The Green Sandpiper is said to be very peculiar in its
mode of nesting — depositing its eggs in old nests situated in trees
and is not known ever to nest on the ground. The nests usually oc-

'^'lUustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio. Illustrations by Mrs. N. E. Jones: Text by
Howard Jones, A. M., M. D., Circleville, Ohio, 1886.

tOology of New England: Plate xix. Fig. 6.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

123

cupied are those of pigeons, jays, shrikes and other birds, but most
commonly those of the Thrushes. These are said to be situated from
three to six feet and as high as thirty-five feet from the ground. The
eggs are four in number ; greenish-white or delicate grayish sea-green,
sparsely marked with spots, blotches, and markings of dark-brown,
chiefly' at the larger end ; average size 1.52 x 1.12.

258. Symphemia semipalmata (Gmel.) [552.]

WiUet.

Hab. Temperate North America, louth to Brazil and the West Indies.

The Willet is the largest of the American family Scolopacidse, ex-
cept the genera Limosa and Numenius. One of the most extensively
distributed of all of our North American birds, being found in the
marshy regions of the interior ; along the Atlantic coast from Nova
Scotia to Florida ; throughout Central America and into a large portion
of South America. It is also abundant along the Pacific coast. Breeds
throughout its United States range and wherever found in Southern
districts. Nests commonly on Cobb's Island, Va., effectually conceal-
ing the eggs in the tall grass on the higher parts of the Island. The
marshes at this place are also favorite breeding localities, where the
nests are built up from the grouad, which is wet at high tide. At I^ong
Beach, N. J., it breeds rarely and is said to have been formerly one of
the most abundant breeding species.

Mr. Perry writes that the Willet finds favorite breeding grounds in
the salt marshes of Georgia and South Carolina. He mentions a large
tract of 'salt grass' in Beaufort Co., S. C, where it breeds in great
numbers. A hundred pairs or more are commonly observed breeding
in this locality and at the same time, the eggs are very difiicult to dis-
cover. Crows feed upon them and the empty shells are strewn plenti-
fully over the field. The nest is a mere depression of the ground,
lined with a few pieces of dry grass. Sometimes it is placed in a tus-
sock of grass. Mr. Perry states that the eggs are deposited early in
May. Mr. Stuart reports the Willet as breeding abundantly along the
Gulf coast of Florida in May and June. The eggs are four in
number, and there seems to be two distinct types of coloration in the
ground color — either a greenish-white or a dark brownish-olive,
marked with bold spots of various shades of umber-brown and mark-
ings of subdued purple. The eggs are very large for the size of the
bird, ranging from 1.98 to 2.12 in length by 1.46 to 1.58 broad. Four
eggs measure 1.95x1.50, 1.98.x 1.49, 2.05x1.53, 2.04x1.53.

■iM

124

NESTS AND EGGS OF

[260.] Pavoncella pugnax (Linn.) [554.]

Rnff.

Hab. Northern portions of the Old World; occasionally straying to Eastern North America.

The male of this species is known as the Rnff and the female as
Reeve. It is a bird of wide distribution ; found at various seasons of
the year throughout Europe, the northern parts of Africa, and in
western Asia. Examples of this bird have been taken in Eastern
United States, as well as on Long Island and in various places in New
England. Dr. Jasper took a specimen November 10, 1872, at the Lick-
ing county Reservoir, Ohio. It breeds more or less commonly in
England and Scotland, where the eggs are deposited during the first or
second week in May.

The RuflF is about the size of the Bartramian Sandpiper, and it also
resembles this bird in color. But the most marked peculiarity of
the species is the ruff-like growth of feathers about the neck, from
which it takes its name. There is an endless variety of plumage in
the birds, the males and females differing widely in this respect. As
its specific name, pugnax^ implies the bird is of a pugnacious disposi-
tion, the males engaging in aggressive combats during the breeding
season. Their movements in fighting are said to be something like
a game cock.

Breeds throughout the greater portion of Scandinavia and in
Denmark. In Lapland it arrives in the last week of May where it is
found along the margin of lakes and rivers ; later m the season it may
be found hiding in the tall grass of the marshes.

The nest is usually placed on a slight elevation in swampy places
surroimded by coarse grass of which material it is composed. The
eggs are four in number and average 1.60x1.09. Four eggs in my
cabinet from England measure 1.64x1.17, 1.79x1.20, 1.64x1.18, 1.75
XI. 12. They are of an oblong pyriform shape ; the ground color is of
an olive or grayish -green ; the markings are the same as those of the
American Jack Snipe eggs but are heavier and more profuse — with
spots and blotches of umber and blackish-brown.

261. Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.) [555]

Bartramian Sandpiper.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Nova Scotia and Alaska. Breeds throughout its range.
South in winter as far as Southern South America.

Bartram's Tattler is distributed more or less abundantly through-
out the United States, but is rare west of the Rocky Mountains.
Breeds commonly from the middle districts — Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota northward, into the Fur Country, and in
Alaska. It is very numerous on the prairies of the interior, and is

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

126

also common eastward. It is known as Field " Plover," Upland
" Plover," Grass " Plover," Prairie " Pigeon," and Prairie " Snipe."
In Ohio and Pennsylvania the eggs are hatched by the first or second
week in June. One of the most familiar birds on the dry, open
prairies of Manitoba, where it breeds, and is known as the " Quaily,"
from its soft, mellow note. Mr. L. Jones, of Grinnell, Iowa, informs
me that it nests in that region about the 20th of May. Known to
breed in various portions of Michigan, but its eggs are not often
taken. The bird is less aquatic than most of the other Sandpipers,
and is seldom seen along the banks of streams. Its favorite resorts
are old pastures, upland, stubble fields and meadows, where its nests
may be found in a slight depression of the ground, and they are not
always well concealed. It frequently alights on trees or on fences, like
a Meadow Lark. The eggs of Bartram's Sandpiper are of a pale clay
or buff, thickly spotted with umber and yellowish-brown, especially
about the larger end ; commonly four in number ; sizes range from
1.70 to 1.90 long by about 1.28 broad.

262. Tryngites subruflcollls (Vieill). [556.]

Buff-breasted Sandpiper.

Hab. North America, especially the interior. Breeds in the interior or British America and in
Alaska. Occasional occurrence in Europe.

This interesting little Sandpiper is of general distribution in
North America, but apparently nowhere very common. It is migra-
tory in the United States, and breeds in the Arctic regions. Winters
south of United States. It is often found in company with the
Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers on the gravelly
banks of rivers. This bird is said to resemble Bartram's Sandpiper
in frequenting upland fields and meadows. Breeds in the MacFarlane
and Anderson River regions and in the Barren Lands of the Arctic
coast. The nesting season in these regions is the latter part of
June, extending to the middle of July. The bird also breeds in the
Yukon River district. The nests are slight depressions in the soil,
scantily lined with a few grasses or withered leaves. The eggs are
clay color of various shades, sharply spotted and blotched with rich
umber-brown ; there is a great diversity in the shades of the ground
color in a large series of specimens, and there is also the same varia-
tions in the markings ; the eggs are pointedly pyriform in shape ;
commonly four in number, and measure from 1.40 to 1.50 long by 1.02
to 1. 10 broad.

263. Actitis macularla (Linn.) [557]

Spotted Sandpiper-

Hab. North and South America and West Indies. Winters chiefly south of the United States.

The familiar little Spotted Sandpiper is an extremely abundant

r :

♦■^ 't

126

NESTS AND EGGS OF

bird throughout North America, breeding everywhere. It winters in
the Southern States and beyond. Every lazy fisherman and idle
school boy, who has whiled away many a balmy and hot siimmer day
along the banks of streams, knows this bird well by the bobbing and
tilting movements of its body and tail, and its peculiar xio\.t^ peet-weet^
peet-weet, as it flies up and down and across the streams. It is known
by many a curious nickname : " Teeter-tail," " Tip-up," " Sandlark,"
'* Peet-weet " and others which generally refer to some eccentricity of
the bird.

The eggs are creamy, buff or clay color, blotched, spotted and
dotted with blackish-brown; usually four in number, and measure
about 1.34 by .92. The nest of this Sandpiper is made on the ground,
generally in the shelter of high weeds or grass on a sandy island or
border of a cultivated meadow, near water and often at a considerable
distance from any water. It is simply a depression in the soil, some-
times constructed with hay and moss. The eggs like all those of
the waders lay in the nests with the small ends together.

264. Numenius longlrostris Wils. [558.]

Hab.

Long-billed CarleiT'

Temperate North America, migrates suuth to Guatemala and the West Indies,

The large Sickle-bill is of irregular distribution in temperate
North America, breeding nearly throughout its range. It is migratory
northward and is resident from the Carolinas south to Mexico. It
nests very abundantly on the South Atlantic coast, and on the prairies
of the interior and the Northwest. Unlike others of its genius it is
not a bird of high latitude. The eggs of the Long-billed Curlew are
three or four in number ; and almost exactly resemble those of the
Willet, but are larger, measuring from 2.45 to 2.80 in length by
1.80 to 1.90 in breadth ; they are, however, more of a pyriform
shape than the eggs of the Willet. In common with other waders
the eggs are deposited on the ground in a slight hollow lined with a
few grasses. This Curlew may be known from all others by its large
size and very long, curved bill, measuring from four to six or eight
inches. It may sometimes breed at St. Mary's Reservoir, in Mercer
county, and other localities of Northwestern Ohio, as it is known to
breed in Northern Illinois.

265. Numenius hudsonicus Lath. [559.]

Hndsonlan Cnrlevr.

Hab. North and South America and West Indies. Breeds in the far north; winters chiefly south of
the United States.

The American Whimbrel, Short-billed, or Jack Curlew, as this bird

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

127

is variously called, is noi so abundant as the Long-billed or Eskimo
Curlews. It is generally distributed throughout North America, breed-
ing in the far north — in vicinity of ponds and lakes on the Barren
Lands of the Arctic regions, the regions of the Anderson River and in
various parts of Alaska. Nests like those of the last species. In the
United States it is a spring and fall migrant and is often found in com-
pany with Godwits, Snipe and others of its tribe. The eggs are ashy-
yellow, the markings are large and bold, of different shades of choco-
late and umber-brown. The eggs of this species can only be distin-
guished from those of the following species by their larger size ; from
2.12 to 2.30 in length by about 1.60 broad; generally four in number;
of the usual pear-shape.

266. Numenius borealis (Forst). [560.]

Efkimo Cnrlew^.

Hab. Eastern Province of North America, breeding in the Arctic regions : south in winter to Southern
Ssuth America.

The Dough-bird, or Eskimo Curlew, is found in North America at
large and breeds within the Arctic circle. It migrates through the
United States, where it is rarely known to winter, and never to sum-
mer ; wintering in Central and South America. Abundant in certain
places during the migrations. In Labrador it is said to fairly swarm in
August. Of this bird's nest and eggs Dr. Coues says : '* This species
breeds in great numbers in the Anderson River region, usually making
up its nest complement of four eggs by the third week in June. The
nest is generally in an open plain, and is a mere depression of the
ground, lined with a few dried leaves or grasses. The eggs vary to the
great extent usually witnessed among waders. The ground is olive-
drab, tending either to green, gray or brown in different instances. The
markings, always large, numerous and bold, are of different depths of
dark chocolate, bistre and sepia-brown, with ordinary stone-gray shell
spots. They always tend to aggregate at the larger end, or at least,
are more numerous on the major half of the eggs; though in a few in-
stances the distribution is nearly uniform. Occasionally the butt end
of the egg is almost completely occupied by confluence of very dark
markings. Eggs vary from 1.90x1.40 to 2.12x1.33, averaging about
2.00x1.45."*

[267.] Numenius phaopus (Linn.) [561.]

'Whimbrel.

Hab. Old World; occasional in Greenland.

In England and Scotland this bird is known as Whimbrel Curlew,
"Half-Curlew," or Jack Curlew. It breeds throughout Northern

•Birds of the Northwest, p. 512.

128

NRSTS AND EGGS OF

Europe and Asia. Though pretty generally diffused in Great Britain, it
is only found breeding in the extreme north of Scotland, on the Orkney
and Shetland Islands, where the eggs are hatched by the first part of
June. In these i)laces the nests are made on elevated portions of the
heath. During the breeding season the Whimbrel is found on the
Faroe Islands and in Iceland. It is distributed throughout Denmark,
Scandinavia and Russia ; a few are known to bree ^apland, as far

north as latitude 65°. It is said by the best author .s that this bird
is the most widely diffused of all the waders. Its extra-limital range
includes Siberia, India, China, Australia and Africa.

On the Faroe Islands it is recorded as breeding from the 25tli of
May to the 17th of June. The nest being simply a depression in the
soil on some slight elevation in dry spots in marshes. The eggs are
four in number, pear-shaped, and vary in color from light olive-brown
to dark greenish-brown, clouded with spots and blotches of dark umber ;
average size 2.34 x 1.67.

[269.] Vanellus vanellug (Linn.) [512.]

Hab. Northern portion of Eastern Hemisphere; occasional in Arctic / -rica, Greenland and the
Islands of Norton Sound, Alaska.

The Lapwing or Peewit is one of the mos nliar birds of

Europe. A rare visitant in Greenland and other parts of North Ameri-
ca. Abundant in all suitable localities in Great Britain and in all the
adjacent smaller islands. Found as far North as the Faroes, and in
Iceland. Common in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and throughout
Russia. It is not so abundant in various portions of Continental
Europe, as in France, Spain and Italy.

The Lapwing is a handsome plover ; in the adult in summer dress
the fore-part and top of the head, chin, throat and breast is uniform
blue-black ; side of head and neck white, grayish behind the neck ;
upper parts chiefly metallic bottle green, changing to a coppery pur-
ple. From the occiput springs a long crest of narrow bluish-black
feathers which curve upwards. It is commonly called Te-wit, Crested
Lapwing, Green Lapwing and Green Plover.

The nests of this bird are like those of all the Plovers — slight de-
pressions in the soil with a few grasses for a lining. The eggs are
four in number ; they vary from dull, light, grayish-buff to deep olive
buff, more or less heavily marked with spots and blotches of brown-
ish-black ; they are pyriform in shape. Four eggs in my cabinet, col-
lected in Staffordshire, England, April 18, measure 1.88x1.30, 1.89 x
1.32, 1.84 X 1.36, 1.82 X 1.32. The average size is 1.85 x 1.33.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

129

Iss

The eggs are regarded as a delicacy and are much sought after in
all districts where the bird is common.

270. GharadriQS squatarola (Link.) [513.]

Bluoli-bellled Plover.

Hab. Northern portloni of Northern Hemiiphere, braeding far north; mtsrating louth in winter; in
America to Braiil, New Grenada and the West Indiea.

This handsome bird is known by several different names : Beetle-
head, Ox-eye, Whistling Field Plover, Bull-head Plover and Swiss
Plover. It is a species of wide distribution, being nearly cosmopolitan
during its migrations, wandering through Southern Asia, Northern and
Southern Africa, Australia, the West Indies, Central and South Amer-
ica to Brazil. The eggs have only been taken in the extreme Arctic
regions — on both sides of the Ural Mountains in Northern Russia —
the banks of the Taimyr in the East and the tundras of the Petchora
River in the West. In North America it has been found breeding in
various places in the Arctic regions, as on the islands of Franklin Bay
on the Arctic coast, in the first part of July and on the Barren Lands.
It is also known to breed in Greenland. All the nests found are mere
depressions in the ground with a slight lining of grasses and leaves.

The eggs are described as being very similar to those of the Gold-
en Plover, C. ap'icarius^ or those of the Lapwing; pyriform in shape,
varying from lig, buffy-olive to deep olive-buff, thickly and heavily
marked with brov 'sh-blaci. or deep black; average size, 2.04x1.43.

[271.] Charadrius apricarius Linn. [514.]

Hab.

Golden Plover.

Europe; in winter south into Africa. Greenland.

The European Golden Plover is like the American bird, but the
linings of the wings are white. In Great Britain during the winter
months it is one of the most abundant species ; in summer returning to
the moorlands of Scotland and Ireland, and northward to the Orkney
and Shetland Islands, where it breeds. It is found in Norway, Sweden
and in Lapland. Breeds also in the Faroes, in Iceland and in Eastern
Greenland. The nest is simply a hollow in the ground, lined with a'
few grasses. The full complement of eggs is four and seem exceeding
large for the size of the bird.

The ground color in a large series of these eggs varies consider-
ably — creamy-white, others with a much darker shade of the same,
and again of a dark chocolate-brown. On these different ground-colors
the large, bold spots and confluent blotches of brownish-black present
quite a varied appearance. Eight eggs in my cabinet from Renfrew,
Scotland, measure, 2.02x1.42, 2.08x1.37, 2.10x1.38; 2.11x1.45,
1.96 X 1.40, 2.01 x:. 37, 2.08x1.40, 2.12x1.43. Average, 2.08x1.42.

:d
)f

re
It-

Lil

130

NBSTS AND EGGS OF

272. Gharadrins dominioos Mull. [515.]

Amerloau GoldMi Plover.

Hab. North America at large, breeding in the Arctic regions.

The Golden or Green Plover breeds in Arctic America east of the
coast of Bering Sea and Strait, migrating south in winter nearly
throughout the entire America as far south as Patagonia. In spring
and fall it is an abundant bird in the United States, and is generally
esteemed for the table on account of its large size and the flavor of its
flesh. Breeds abundantly on the coasts and islands of the Arctic Sea,
and on the Barren Lands, depositing four eggs in a depression of the
soil, which is usually slightly lined with bits of dry griiSS. Out of one
hundred and fourteen nests recorded by Mr. MacFarlane in the Arctic
regions, niuety-two contained four eggs each. They vary from pale
bluffy-brown to dark grayish-bufif, spotted and blotched with brownish-
black, chiefly at the larger end. The spots are often confluent. The
average size is 1.98 x 1.37.

A set of three eggs in the collection of Mr. J. Parker Noriis were
taken July 2, 1864, by R. R. MacFarlane, at Franklin's Bay. The nest
was on the sea beach, and the parent bird was seen. They are ovate
pyriform in shape, quite pointed, and are of an ochraceus-buff, heavily
blotched and spotted (chiefly at the larger ends, however,) with seal
brown and black. They measure 1.96x1.28; 1.92x1.32; 1.86x1.33.
The markings form an indistinct circle around the larger ends.

Capt. B. F. Goss has a set of four eggs of the Golden Plover in his
collection, taken by Mr. MacFarlane on the Barren Grounds near the
Anderson River. These are buffy-drab, spotted and splashed with
dark brown, almost black ; they are pyriform in shape, quite pointed
at the small end, and blunt at the larger portion of the egg.

272 a. Gharadrius domlnicus fulvus (Gmel.) [515a.]

Paolfio Golden Plover.

Hab. Asia, and islands of the Pacific. In North America, the islands and coasts of Alaska. In
winter, south through India, China, etc., to Australia and Polynesia.

The Asiatic Golden Plover is similar to C. domtmcus, but is slightly
smaller and of a more golden color. It breeds in Northern Asia, the
Alaskan coasts of Bering Sea and Strait. Nesting and eggs similar to
those of the last. Average size of the eggs, 2.02 x 1.30.

273. iEgialitis vocifera (Linn). [516.]

Killdeer.

Hab. Temptrate North America, south in winter to the West Indies, Central and Northern South
America.

This familiar bird whose notes, ktl-deer, kt'l-deer, are heard in the
daytime, and often in moonlight nights, more frequently during the
breeding season than at any other time, is very abundant in North

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

131

America at large, breeding anywhere in its range. The nest is placed
on the ground, usually in the vicinity of a stream or pond, and often
on an elevated spot in the grass or in a furrowed field. It is merely a
slight depression of the ground. The bird frequents both high and low
grounds, pastures and fallow fields, as well as borders of streams.

The eggs are drab or clay-color, thickly spotted and blotched with
blackish-brown and umber ; small end, quite pointed, as is usually the
case with all eggs of birds of this order ; the eggs are generally four in
number, measuring from 1,50 to 1.60 long by about i.io broad.

274. ^glalitis semipalmata Bonap. [517.]

Semipalinat«d Plover.

Hab. North America in general; breeding in Arctic and sub- Arctic districts; south in winter
throughout tropical America as far as Brazil and Peru.

The Semipalmated Ring Plover is abundant and generally diffused
throughout the whole of North America. In the United States it
occurs only in the migrations, but it probably breeds occasionally in
some of the Northern States. Both eggs and young have been taken
near Chicago, 111., in July. It has been found in the summer months
in the Saskatchewan and Mackenzie River regions, and in those of
Hudson's Bay, in Greenland and throughout various portions of Arctic
America. It has been found breeding in the latter part of June on the
Arctic coast, and in the Anderson River regions. Breeds on the islands
of the Alaskan coast, and at the mouth of the Yukon. Audubon found
it nesting in Labrador. The nest is a mere depression in the ground,
with a lining of dry grasses or leaves. The bird's general habits are
like those of the Killdeer.

The eggs vary from greenish to yellowish-ash, spotted, blotched
and dotted with varying shades of brown ; pyriform ; scarcely distin-
guishable from those of the Killdeer, excepting in size ; length 1.20 to
1.40 by .90 to .95 in breadth ; two to four in number.

275. JEgialltls hiatlcnla (Linn). [518.]

Ring Plover.

Hab. Northern portion of Eastern Hemisphere, and eastern portion of Arctic America.

The well known Ringed Dotterel, or Ringed Plover of Europe,
holds its place as a North American species on the grounds of its
breeding abundantly throughout Greenland and on the shores of Cum-
berland Gulf. It is particularly common in Great Britain, where it
frequents the banks of rivers, inlets and bays, and the shores of the
sea. Common in Norway, and it has been met with in Lapland.

The eggs of this species are deposited in a slight depression in the
sand, in broken shells or shingles above high-water mark. Four eggs
are laid and their ground color is of a pale buff or cream color ; they

$¥■>■ '

132

NESTS AND EGGS OP

are beautifully spotted with, dark reddish-brown, approaching black,
here and there are obscure shell markings. Average size 1.41x1.00.
Four eggs from England, collected May 6, are in my cabinet and meas-
ure 1.36x1,00, 1.40XI.02, 1.43 X. 99, 1.42x1.00.

[276.] iEgialitis dubia (Scop). [519.]

Little Rins Plovar.

Hab. Northern portioni of Eastern Hemisphere. Accidental on the coast of California and in
Alaska.

The Little Ringed Dotterel or Ivittle Ringed Plover breeds in the
northern portions of the Old World.

Its general habits, nesting and eggs are said to resemble those ot
the Semipalmated Plover, but the eggs, like the bird, are much
smaller.

A set of four eggs in the cabinet of Mr. J. Parker Norris were col-
lected April 5, 1885, by H. Muller, at Anclam, Germany. They are
short ovate in form, of a pinkish-bufF ground color, finely speckled all
over with bistre. They measnre 1.16X.87, i.i8x.8S, 1.T9X.90,

i.ai x.88.

277. JEgialltis meloda (Ord). [520.]

Piping Plover.

Hab. Chiefly the Atlantic coast of the United States, north to southern Labrador. In winter. West
Indies.

The Piping Plover is an abundant species in the summer months
along the eastern coast of the United States, breeding from the Caro-
linas northward as far as the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a graceful
and attractive little species, possessing a remarkably musical voice
which can be heard as the bird moves gracefully over the sandy
beaches. Its food is small marine worms, Crustacea, etc. During in-
cubation it is said that the parents rarely sit upon their eggs, except
at night and in damp weather, but always remain in the vicinity and
watch over their treasures with solicitude.

The eggs are four in number, pale buff, speckled with black and
purplish gray. In some the markings are very much more profuse
than in others. The average size of a large series ( fifty in number) is
1.29 x. 95. Four specimens measure, 1.28x1.01, 1.31x1.01, 1.25 x
1.03, 1.28 X i.oo.

277 a. xEglalitis meloda circnmcincta Ridgw. [sr.oa.]

Belted Pipins Plover.

Hab. Missouri River region; occasionally c istward to the Atlantic coast.

This variety of the Piping Plover is found between the Missouri
River and the Rocky Mountains and as far eastward as Lake Kos-
konong, in southern Wisconsin and occasionally along the Atlantic
coast. Its habits are the same as those of meloda. The eggs measure
1.27 X .93.

,„ i^i.tw^W«*l*1«W^'.***»'

)uri

los-

itic

lure

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 133

278. iEgialitis nivosa Cass. [521.]

Snoirr Plover.

Hab. Western North America, south to Mexico in winter, both coasts of Central America and in
Western South America to Chili.

The Snowy Ring Plover inhabits the United States chiefly west
of the Rocky Mountains. It is a constant resident along the Califor-
nia coast, and a specimen has been taken on the coast of Texas in the
latter part of June. Mr. Emerson, of Haywards, California, informs
me that it nests along the sandy beeches of the ocean coast, and says
he has no doubt that it bf.cis along the bay beach, as he shot the
young there in June. Mr. Shields states that it is abundant along the
sandy beaches in the vicinity of Los Angeles, nesting in the first week
of April ; fresh eggs often being found as late as May 15. Mr. N. S.
Goss found the Snowy Plover breeding on the salt plains along the
Cimarrion River, in the Indian Territory, the northern limits of which
extend into south-western Comanche County, Kansas ; he also took two
specimens within the State limits. The birds are described as being
very much lighter in color that the California specimens.* The eggs
are three in number, in ground color, pale buff or clay color, and the
markings very much resemble Wilson's Plover, but are more numerous
and scratchy ; about the size of the eggs of the Piping Plover, meloda^

1. 20 X. 90

[279.] JEgialitis mongola (Pall).

Mongolian Plover.

Hab. Northern Asia, south in winter to Malay Archipeligo and Australia, Choris Peninsula, Alaska,
accidental.

A bird of wide distribution. Found throughout Northern Asia in
general, west to St. Petersburg, Palestine and Northeastern Africa. In
winter it is found throughout Southern Asia and as far south as the
Philippines, Malay Archipeligo, etc., to Australia. Breeds commonly
in Northern portions of Asia, nesting on the ground like others of its tribe*
The eggs are four in number ; pale dull olive or buff sparsely marked
with brownish-black ; size, 1.43 x 1.05.

280. JEgialitis wilsonia (Ord.) [522.]

'Wilson's Plover.

Hab. Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America, north to Long Island. Casually to Nova Scotia.
South in winter to Brazil and Peru and West Indies.

Wilson's Plover, named in honor of the immortal Wilson, is com-
mon along the sea-coast of the South Atlantic aud Gulf States. It is
found along the Eastern coast, but rarely north beyond New Jersey.
One of the "beach birds " and may be found in company with others
of the genus ^gialitis. On some of the islands on the coast of Georgia
Mr. Perry found them breeding in great numbers in company with the

*Auk. III. p. 409.

134

NESTS AND EGGS OE

li'

Least Tern, nesting very much in the same manner. The eggs are de-
posited in a cavity of the loose pebbles or shells of the beach ; they are
usually three in number. The ground color is a pale olive-drab or
clay-colored, some having a greenish tint, marked all over with black-
ish-brown, well defined spots, small splashes and fine dots. Sizes from
1.30 to 1.45 long by i.oo to 1.05 broad. A set in R Perry's cabinet
measures as follows : 1.37 x .99, 1.82 x .98, 1.40x1.00.

281.

[523-]

Hab.

^gialltis montana (Towns.)

Monntaln Plover.

Western North America, east to the Great Plains; accidental in Florida,

More properly called Prairie Plover, but it seems to have been
badly named, for it certainly is a prairie bird, inhabiting the most
barren prairies, as well as the watered regions of the United States,
from the plains to the Pacific. It can readily be recognized by its large
size, the lack of rings on the breast, with the uniform pale, yellowish-
brown above. It is quite independent of water, and is said to be not
the least aquatic, even on the Pacific coast; it frequents the plain,
never the marsh or beach. Nests anywhere on the open prairie in
June and July.

The eggs are usually three in number, olive-drab, with a brown
shade, finely and thickly dotted with very dark brown and black, the
markings not larger than a pin's head; sizes from 1.40 to 1.50 long by
1. 10 to 1. 12 broad.

283. Arenaria interpres (Linn.) [509.]

Turnatone.

Hub. Entirely cosmopolitan, chiefly along the sea-coasts. Breeds in high northern latitudes.

The common Turnstone is widely distributed in the breeding sea-
son throughout the northern portions of both continents, and wanders
southward along the sea-coasts of all countries. In America it breeds
commonly in the Barren Lands of the Arctic coasts and the Anderson
River districts, on the islands of Franklin and Liverpool Bays, nesting
in July. In the Hudson's Bay country the eggs are laid in June ; the
nest is nothing but a hollow scratched in the earth, lined with bits of
grass. It is known by various names, " Brant Bird," " Bead Bird,"
" Horse-foot Snipe," and from its varigated colors, " Calico-back."

The eggs are greenish-ash, spotted, blotched and dotted irregularly
and thickly with yellowish and umber brown ; two to four ; abruptly
pyriform in shape, and average 1.58 x 1.15.

A set of four eggs of this species is in the cabinet of Captain B. F.
Goss. These were taken on the Yukon River, in Alaska. The nest
was a slight depression on the ground. The eggs are greenish-drab,

. •

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

spotted all over with brown; sizes, 1.68 x 1.13, 1.60 x 1.17, 1.60 x 1.17,
1.68 X 1. 13.

284. Arenaria melanocephala (Vie.) [510,]

Blaok Tnmatone.

Hab. Pacific coait of North America, from Alaska to Santa Cruz and San Minguel Island.

The Black-headed Turnstone is common along the Pacific coast
of North America. It has been found nesting in Alaska at the mouth
of the Yukon. In all respects its habits, nesting, eggs, etc., are said to
be similar to those of ^. interpres. The eggs average 1.62 x 1. 12.

[285.] HsBmatopus ostralegns Linn. [506.]

Oyater-oatoheri

Hab. Sea-ccasts of Europe, portions of Asia and Africa; occasional in Greenland,

The 0)'ster-catcher of Europe claims a place in the North Amer-
ican fauna from its occasional occurrence in Greenland. It appears to
be common in all suitable places on the coasts and islands of Europe,
extending northward to the northern shores of Russia and Siberia,
where it breeds on the great Arctic flats. Common throughout the
summer months in Denmark, Sweden and on the west shores of Nor-
way. In Great Britain the Oyster-catcher is a well known species,
nesting on the shores and islands as far north as Orkney and Shetland.
The bird breeds generally in pairs, but in some instances a large num-
ber are found nesting in one place. Four eggs are usually laid in some
cavity in the sand or shingle. Nests have been found on the top of
rocks, ten to fifteen feet above the ground. The eggs are of a dull
creamy buff, spotted aud blotched with brownish-black, generally over
the entire egg. Six eggs in my cabinet from England measure
2.15x1.57, 2.35x1.53, 2.16x1.56, 2.17x1.54, 2.32x1.50, 2.19x1.56.

286. Hsematopus palliatus Temm. [507.]

American Oyster-oatoher.

Hab. Sea-coasts of America from Nova Scotia and Southern California, south to Patagonia.

The Brown-bacLed Oyster-catcher breeds along the Atlantic coast
from New Jersey southward, where it becomes more common. It
breeds abundantly, but irregularly, in different localities. There are
extensive breeding resorts along the coast of Virginia. On Cobb 3
Island it was tormerly quite common during the breeding season,
where now only a few pair a^e said to be found nesting. It is common
along the coast of Florida, nesting on the oeaches and depositing three,
sometimes only two, eggs. The American Oyster-catcher is an abund-
ant resident throughout the Bahamas, nesting wherever there are sandy
beaches. It has been found breeding in Galveston Bay, Texas, in June,
and on islands at the mouth of the Rio Grande. The eggs are creamy
or white, spotted aud blotched irrregularly with varying shades of

136

NESTS AND EGGS OF

iiy^

brown; rather oval in shape; sizes range from 2.12 to 2.30 in lenguh by
1.50 to 1.62 in breadth. Six eggs from the coast of Virginia measure
2.22x1.57, 2.23x1.58, 2.19x1.52, 2.15x1.52, 2.25x1.60, 2.21 X 1.57.

287. HsBmatopns bachmani Aud. [508.]

Blaok Oyster-oatoher.

Hab. Pacific coait of North America from lower California north to the Aleutian Islands and across
to the Kurilas.

Bachman's Oyster-catcher is a characteristic bird of the Pacific
coast, being more common to the north than to the south. It is said
to be partial to rocky coasts and islands and not always met with on
sand beaches.

I am informed that it is common on Santa Cruz Island and that it
breeds on the outlying rocks. At these places it is by no means shy
as is the case in other localities. Breeds on all suitable islands along
the Pacific coast from Santa Barbara northward. Mr. Bryant in his Fa-
rallon paper,* remarks : " Flocks of five to ten were seen in May and
June, 1887. They were very tame, feeding slowly and quietly along
the water's edge in compact flocks. Upon higher ground they moved
more rapidly and spread out more. Individuals were seen as late as
August, but they do not, Mr. Emerson states, breed on the island. A
female was taken July 26th, 1886." A few are known to breed on the
Aleutian Islands. When disturbed the birds utter a peculiar low
whistle, calling to one another for hours at a time. The eggs are two
or three in number, light olive-buff", speckled or spotted with brown-
ish black and purplish-gray. Average size 2.18x1.52. They are
deposited in a slight cavity in the gravel or on the bare rock.

[288.] Jacana gymnostoma (Wagl.) [568.]

Hab.

Mexican Jacana.

Valley of the Lower Rio Grande, Texas, south into Central America, Panama, Cuba, Hayti.

A bird which combines the characters of the Plover and the Rail
but outwardly distingiiished from either by the excessive development
of the toes and particularly the claws. These are slender, compressed,
nearly or quite straight, that of the hallux much longer than its digit.
The spread of feet thus acquired enables the bird to run quite easily
over floating vegetation in the marshes. Dr. James C. Merrill met
with the present species near Fort Brown, in Southwestern Texas, in
the early part of August, 1876. The bird is common throughout the
whole of Middle America, Mexico and Central America to Panama, in-
habiting the dense marshes of these regions, nesting like the Rails.

The eggs are of a rounded-oval shape, ground color, bright drab
or tawny olive, marked over the surface with a confused net-work of

^■Birds and Eggs from the Farallon Islands.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

black, or dark brown wavy stripes, blotches and lines. Average size,
1.22 X .94.

289. Golinns virginianns (Linn.) [480.]

Bob-w^lilt*.

Hab. Eastern United States; west to Dakota, Kansas, Indian Territory and Eastern Texas. North
to Southern Maine and Southern Canada; south to the Atlantic and Gulf States.

The celebrated game bird of Eastern United States. In the two
southern extremes of its habitat it is found in two light and dark cli-
matic varieties, as below. Found throughout the .greater portion of the
year in coveys ; in the early spring paring, each pair selecting a particu-
lar locality where they remain during the summer months. Where
mating has taken place the male's well-known mellow notes, — Bob-
white^ Bob-white, may be heard at short intervals echoing throughout
the woodland. The favorite nesting places of this bird are on the
ground in corners of rail fences, at the foot of stumps surrounded by a
thick growth of vegetation, in gardens or cultivated fields where there
are bunches of tall grass or weeds. Two and sometimes three broods
are reared in a season and nesting begins as early as May ist. The
nest is often made in close proximity to the farm house. It is rarely
built in thick woods. Dr. Jones mentions a nest which he found
alongside a railroad track.* It is usually constructed of dry grasses,
straws, leaves or weeds. The complement of eggs is from fifteen to
twenty-five, often only twelve, but usually about eighteen. They are
pure white unless stained by the bed of grass upon which they lay.
At one end they are quite pointed, at the other obtusely rounded ; size
1. 20 x. 95.

289a. Colinus vlrglnlanus floridantis (Coues.) [480a.]

„ , „. . . Florida Bob--arIilte.

Hab. Florida.

A darker colored bird than C. virginianus. General habits, nest-
ing and eggs the same. Eggs, 1.19X .92.

289*. Colinus virginianus texanus (Lawr.) [480^.]

Texan Bob-w^hite.

Hab. Texas and Northern Mexico, north to Western Kansas.

A bird of paler color than the C. v.floridanus. Eggs smaller than
C. virginianus ^ 1.17X.91.

292. Oreortyx plctus (Dougl.) [481.]

Mountain Partridge.

Hab. Pacific coast from San Francisco north to Washington Territory.

The beautiful Mountain or Plumed Partridge is a much larger and
handsomer bird than the Bob-white. The head is adorned with two
arrow-like plumes three or four inches in length ; these are noticeable in

'Illustrations of the Nests and Egg of Birds of Ohio.

■r.

e
r-

138

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the chick just from the egg, in the form of a little tuft of down. The
general slate and olive color of the adult is beautifully marked with
white along the sides, inner secondaries of the wings, sides of the neck,
etc. The bird is found breeding along the Pacific coast region from
California north into Washington Territory. Mr. Emerson informs me
that it breeds in the higher mountain ranges, not below 4,000 feet. In
some portions of Oregon it is very abundant. The eggs are deposited
on the ground, on a bed of dead leaves, under a bush or tuft of grass
oi weeds. Six to twelve are usually laid, of a cream color with a red-
dish tint. Dr. Coues describes the eggs as miniatures of the Ruffed
Grouse's, only distinguishable by their smaller size, 1.36x1.02.

292a. Oreortjrx pictns plumiferus (Gould.) [481a.]

Plumed Partridgei

Sierra Nevada ranges from Oregon southward; coast ranges of California to Cape St. Lucas.

This sub-species, which very much resembles O. pictus^ inhabits
both sides of the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Eastern Oregon
southward, through the coast ranges of California. Its general habits,
nesting, eggs, etc., are the same as those of the Mountain Partridge.
The eggs are creamy-buff, of varying shades, and their average size is
1.40 X 1.02.

293. Callipepla squamata (Vig.) [484]

Scaled Partridge.

Hab. Northwestern Mexico and border of the United States, from Western Texas to New Mexico
and Southern Arizona.

This handsome Partridge, called Blue Quail, is distributed
throughout Northwestern Mexico, Western Texas, New Mexico and
Arizona, but is said to be less numerous than the crested Partridges or
Quails. In Arizona they are found in flocks of from six to ten, some-
times more in the most barren places, miles away from any water.
Mr. W. E. D. Scott found this Quail as abundant on the dry mesas of
the San Pedro slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, up to an altitude
of 3,500 feet, as its congener C. gambeli. At this altitude Mr. Scott found
a nest, May 20, containing eleven eggs.* It inhabits a more open
country than gambeli and in other localities large flocks of both
species were often seen together. A slight depression under a bush
serves as a nest, it is generally lined with a few coarse grasses. In
Western Texas complete sets of eggs may be found as early as April
25. The eggs are extremely thick-shelled ; the number laid ranges
from eight to sixteen, twelve being the more common number. Their
color is buffy-white or of a cream color, irregularly dotted with specks
of light brown ; size 1.24X.94.

»Auk. in, pp. 387-388.

Hab.

. NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

293 a. Galllpepla sqnaicata castanogastris Brewst.

Oh«atnnt-1>eUl*d Scaled Partridge.

Eastern Mexico and Lower Rio Grande of Texas.

139

This bird is like the last but the general coloring is deeper and
richer. The bird appears to inhabit the low lands along the lower Rio
Grande Valley, while C. squamata inhabits the table lands of North-
western Mexico, Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Mr. George H. Ragsdale, of Gainesville, Texas, kindly sent me
four eggs of this bird for inspection ; these have a ground color vary-
ing from white to a buflf with the surface marked with minute specks
of reddish-brown. In a specimen having a white ground the mark-
ings have a purplish tint. The shape of the eggs is characteristic of
all eggs of the Partridges. The sizes of the four specimens are, 1.17X
.94, 1. 13 X. 92, 1. 15 x. 94, 1. 16 X. 93.

Capt. B. F. Goss has a set of ten eggs of this Partridge taken
May 14, 1886, in Western Texas. They are dull white speckled all
over with fine dots of diflferent shades of brown. Some of the eggs
have a few small brown spots on them more than a sixteenth of an
inch in diameter ; they resemble the eggs of the Scaled Partridge, but
are more thinly speckled and much lighter in color. Sizes, 1.25 x. 99,
1.17x1.00,1.24x1.06,1.26x1.05, 1.26X.99, 1.24x1.05, 1. 25 X. 99, 1.27
xi.oo, 1. 27 X. 99, 1.28x1.00. The nest from which these eggs were
taken was on the ground and made of leaves and dry grass.
294. Galllpepla callfornica (Shaw.) [482.]

California Partridge.

Hab, Coast valleys from California to Washington Territory.

The Californian Partridge or Valley Quail inhabits the lower por-
tions of California and Oregon, where it is very abundant, and also
Eastward nearly to the Colorado River. The nest is made on the
ground, and is often found in curious places. Mr. Emerson says it is
sometimes placed in the garden, within twenty feet of the doorway ;
he saw eggs of this Quail laid in the nest of chickens that had hidden
their nests in the barn-yard, and it is commonly found under hedges,
bushes, brush-heaps ; even in the grass by the wayside. Mr. Bryant
mentions several cases of this bird's nesting in trees upon the end of a
broken or decayed limb, or at the intersection of two large branches.
One case he cites of a brood being hatched in a vine-covered trellis at
the front door of a popular seminary.'^

Mr. H. R. Taylor, of Alameda, California, records a nest of the
Spurred Towhee on the ground in which were four eggs of the Towhee
and two of the California Quail.f

■"Unusual Nesting Sites, I. Bull. Cal. Acad. Sci. II, 451.
t Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. X, p. 142.

140

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ii;;i:i.

The eggs of this species are most beautifully marked on a creamy-
white ground with scattered spots and blotches of old gold, and some-
times light drab and chestnut-red. In a large series of specimens sent
me by Mr. Arnold Boyle, collected in the vicinity of Banning, Cali-
fornia, there is a striking variation in this respect. In some speci-
mens the gold coloring is so pronounced that it strongly suggests to
the imagination that this Quail feeds upon the grains of the precious
metal which characterizes its home, and that the pigment thereof is
imparted to the eggs. The number laid ranges from eight to twenty-
four. In shape they are like those of the Bob-white. Ten selected
eggs measure 1.13 x .90, 1.18 x .93, 1.19 x .93, 1.19 x .94, 1.23 x .90, 1.27
X.96, 1.30 X. 95, 1.32 X. 95, 133 X. 97, 1.35 X. 94. The average size is

1.23 X .94.

294a. Gallipepla californica vallicola Ridgw.

Valley Partridge.

Hab. Interior regions of California and Oregon, south to Cape St. Lucas.

This variety, which is very similar to the last species, is common
to the interior valleys and foot-hills of the Pacific Province. There is
essentially no difference between the eggs of this bird and those of

C. californica.

295. Gallipepla gambell (Nutt.) [483.]

Gambera Partridge.

Hab. Northwestern Mexico, Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Utah and Western Texas.

A characteristic game bird of Arizona and New Mexico ; abundant
on mountains and in valleys. It is found as far east as Western Texas,
west to the Colorado River, north to Southern Utah. In Texas it is
replaced by the Massena Quail. Mr. W. E. D. Scott found it distrib-
uted throughout the entire Catalina region in Arizona below an altitude
of 5,000 feet. By the middle of April, on the San Pedro slope of the
Catalina mountains most of the birds are paired, and breeding has fairly
begun. About Tucson the breeding season begins from three weeks
to one month earlier.* This bird is also known as the Arizona Quail.

The nest is like that of any other partridge, placed on the ground,
sometimes without any lining. The eggs are from eight to sixteen in
number and they do not differ from those of the C. califortiica. The
average size of thirty specimens is 1.27 x .98.

296. Cyrtonyx montezumse (Vig.) [485-]

Massena Partridge.

Hab. Western and Central Mexico, from Mazatlan and Valley of Mexico north to Western Texas,
New Mexico and Arizona.

In Arizona this bird is known as " Fool Quail " or " Fool Hen."
Mr. Scott mentions finding it common in the evergreen oak region of

"Auk. Vol. Ill, p. 388-889.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

lil.

in
the

the Pinal Mountains, near the head of Mineral Creek in Arizona and
about as abundant in the same localities on the San Pedro slope of the
Catalina Mountains, ranging up as high as 5,700 feet and as low as
4,000 feet throughout the year. It was generally met with in coveys
of six to a dozen birds. Prof. Ridgway describes an egg as plain
white, size, 1.2 1 x .90, and states that identification is very doubtful.*

297. Dendragapus obscurus (Say.) [471.I

Diuky Grouse.

Hab. Rocky Mountaint, west to Wahsatch, north to Central Montana, south to New Mexico and
Ariiona.

The Dusky Grouse in its several geographical garbs is distributed
chiefly throughout the wooded and especially the evergreen regions of
the United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and north-
ward into British America. In the mountains of Colorado this species
is found on the border of timber line throughout the year, going above
in the fall for their principal food — grasshoppers. In summer its flesh
is said to be excellent, but when frost has cut short their diet of insects
and berries they feed on spruce needles and their flesh acquires a strong
flavor. In its habits it resembles the Ruffed Grouse. It nests on the
the ground, often under shelter of a hollow log or projecting rock, with
merely a few pine needles scratched together on which the eggs are
laid. The eggs are buff or cream color, marked all over with small
round spots of umber-brown, but generally more numerous toward the
greater end ; eight to fifteen are laid ; average size 1.98 x 1.42.

297a. Dendragapus obscurus fuUglnosus Ridgw. [471a.]

Sooty Oronse.

Hab. Mountains near the Pacific coait from Sitka, south to California.

A darker colored bird than D. obscurus.

Mr. A. W. Anthony records this Grouse as abundant in Wash-
ington county, in the northern part of Oregon.f He states that in the
winter the bird remains high up in the firs and is very seldom seen.
At the first indication of spring the males begin to " hoot." This is
not dissimilar to the ** boomiiig " of the Prairie Hen, and when uttering
these love notes the bird may usually be seen about fifty or seventy-five
feet from the ground in a thick fir. The note is repeated from five to
seven times. Mr. Anthony says : " This Grouse is an accomplished
ventriloquist ; I have often looked for an hour for one supposed to be
fifty yards in front of me to fiind it as far in the rear. Nests found in
May contained from five to seven eggs. A set of seven eggs of this
bird in the collection of Capt. B. F. Goss, was taken June ist, 1837, at

<■ Manual of North American Birds, p. 194.

t Auk., Vol. Ill, p. 164. Field notes on the Birds of Washington County, Oregon.

i.'ir

142

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Oakland, Oregon. The nest was placed on the ground. The eggs are
creamy buflf, spotted and speckled with reddish brown ; the spots are
small and scattered, most of them sharply defined ; the measurements
of the seven eggs are as follows: 1.87x1.38, 1.81x1.33, 1.78x1.33,
1.86x1.37, 1.88x1.36, 1.80 X 1.34, 1.83x1.35.

2973. Dendragapns obBcurns richardsonli (Sab.) [471 3.]

Rlohardaon'a Oroiu*.

Hab. Northern Rocky Mountains of the United States — Central Montana northward into British
America.

This race is more or less common in the various mountain ranges
of Montana. Its general habits do not appear to be different from those
of D. obscurus. The birds prefer rough and rocky ledges with only a
moderate growth of fir to the denser forests. Occasionally they are
found away from the mountains in scattered clumps of fir growing
on the high bluffs or growing on some of the streams. Their
" tooting " is a low, muffled sort of cooing, uttered without vigor or
any apparent effort on the bird's part, which may be squatting on
some rock at the time.

The eggs are cream color, marked with small dots of reddish-
brown ; average size 1.84x1.30. They are not distinguishable from
those of D. obscurus, and the nesting habits are the same.

298. Dendragapns canadensis (Linn.) [473.]

Canada Oronae.

Hab. Northern North America, east of Rocky Mountains, from the Northern portions of New
England, New York, Michigan and Minnesota to Alaska.

Known as the Spruce or Wood Partridge, Canada, Black or Spot-
ted Grouse, and found in all favorable localities, especially the spruce
forests and swamp regions from Northern United States northward, as
far as the woods extend in the Arctic regions, and it has been found
breeding in Northern Alaska. Audubon found it breeding in the
vicinity of Eastport, Maine, in the interior recesses of almost impene-
trable woods of hackmatack or larches. He ^d that the
birds breed in the neighborhood about the n , which is a
month earlier than they do in Labra les - season the
males produce the same well-known ai. ^»ecuii Jruiuming as does
the Ruffed Grouse. The female constructs ? uest of a bed of dry
twigs, leaves and mosses, and is usually carefully hidden, on the
ground, under low horizontal branches of fir trees ; it is gene Uy
placed in quiet and swampy localities.

The eggs are of a buffy or reddish brown color, irrc irly
splashed, dotted and spotted with different tints of brown ; eig to

.^^j-iMaBiTjaagaitwiiaUaM'j

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

143

sh
!S

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a
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g
ir

b-
rn

fourteen in number ; average size of ten eggs is 1.70X 1.20. The shape
is characteristic, being like those of the Ptarmigan in form.

Mr. J. Parker Norris has sent me the following interesting account
of the breeding of the Canada Grouse in captivity. It forms the basis
of an article which is shortly to appear in The Ornithologist and
Oohgist :

" Mr. Watson Bishop, of Kentville, N. S.,wrote me that it is almost
impossible to find the nest of this species in its wild state, and being
desirous of obtaining some of their eggs, he built an enclosure about
thirty feet square, and high enough to walk about in, out of strips of
board three inches wide, leaving spaces of about two inches between
them to let in light and air. He then caught six hens and one cock.
They became very tame in the course of time, and seemed perfectly
satisfied with their new home. They did not appear frightened when
Mr. Bishop went in to feed them, and came around him just like
domestic fowls.

" The male bird strutted before the hens after the manner of birds
of this family, and in course of time the hens began to lay. Separate
compartments were furnished them, and the clutches were one of six-
teen, one of fifteen, two of thirteen, one of eleven and one of eight
eggs.

" Mr. Bishop very kindly presented me the set of eight eggs, and
they are now in my cabinet. They closely resemble the eggs figured
by Mr. Capen in his Oology of New England^ but the ground color is
of a more reddish tint. R ;garding the other sets Mr. Bishop says:

" The set of sixteen are more rounded. The largest egg measures
1. 71 X 1.26, the next largest, 1.67 x 1.26, and the smallest, 1.60 x 1.24.
The ground color is of a deep cream tint, thickly spotted. The
set of fifteen have a much deeper ground color, inclining to bufFy red,
and are also thickly spotted with deep red. The largest is 1.75 x 1.24,
the smallest, 1.73 x 1.24, and they are more pointed at the smaller end
than the preceding set. One set of thirteen was laid by a young hen,
and measure: Largest, 1.71x1.23; smallest, 1.60x1.28. They are very
even in size, and ground color, which is of a deep cream ; but the
spotting varies in intensity. The other set of thirteen measure:
Largest, 1.85 x 1.22 ; smallest, 1.78X 1.21, and are quite pointed. Ground
color not as dark as the set of eight, and they are finely dotted all
over. When first laid the colors are easily rubbed off.

** They are very handsome eggs, and Mr. Bishop is certainly to be
congratulated on the success of his experiment."

f
e
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|||!-

144

NESTS AND EGGS OF

299. Dendragapns fraukllnii ( Dougl.) [472a.]

FranUin't Oroue.

Hab. Northern Rocky Mountains, west to the Pacific coast; chiefly north to the United States,

This bird is held by some authorities as a mere variety of D.
canadensis. It is confined to the territory between the Rocky Moun-
tains and the Pacific coast, chiefly in British America. Its habits in
all respects are identical with those of canadetisis. The nest is made
on the ground, of dry leaves and grass, often at the foot of decayed
stumps, or by the side of fallen timber in dense mountain woods. The
eggs average iu size 1.68 x 1.24.

300, Bonasa umbellus (Linn.) [473.]

Rnffed Oronae.

Hab. Eastern United States, south to North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas.

The Ruffed Grouse, " Pheasant " or *' Partridge," is a noted game
bird distributed in wooded districts throughout Eastern United States.
At the limits of its habitat it is found in several geographical races as
given below.

Its habits in many respects differ from those of the Prairie Hen ;
the latter is found on open plains, while the Grouse is rarely met with
there. The food of the two species is very similar, making the differ-
ence in their respective abodes quite striking. The well-known
drumming of the male birds is made during the love season, which
commences in March. The sound is produced by the bird while
standing on a fallen log or elevated rock in the most retired portion
of the woods ; the wings are lowered, tail expanded, the neck con-
tracted, and the entire body seems inflated. The tufts of neck feath-
ers are elevated, the bird all the while strutting about iu the most
pompous manner possible to imagine, striking the sides of his body
with rapid strokes of his wings. These become so rapid that the
sound thus produced resembles the rumblings of remote thunder, and
the sounds always seem nearer than they really are.

Under favorable circumstances this Grouse not infrequently rears
two broods between the first of April and the middle of October. The
nest is usually situated at the border of a large woods in the midst of
dense undergrowth, often in a thicket, not far from the road-side,
and very frequently the birds venture to construct it in a small
woods adjoining a farm house. The position of the nest is on the
ground beside a log or stump, or in a brush-heap, or under the
branches of a fallen tree. It is constructed of decayed leaves, a few
feathers, roots, etc. From six to fifteen eggs are deposited, usually
ten or twelve ; they are of a cream color of various shades, sometimes

';MW>ltf»i''n«iir->iT>iwniUi

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

145

Its

111

so dark as to be nearly brownish, and in others the surface is almost
milk-white. They are often stained in wet weather by the leaves upon
which they lie, and are sometimes faintly blotched or speckled with
shades of brown.

Mr. L. Jones, of Grinnell, Iowa, writes that the eggs in that
vicinity are deposited about May first.

Ten eggs measure 1.64x1.10, 1.51x1.13, 1.54x1.13, 1.54x1.14,
1.51 X 1. 12, 1.56 X 1. 13, 1.53 X 1. 13, 1.55 x 1. 14, 1.53 X 1. 12, 1.57 X 1.14.

300a. Bonasa umbellus togata (Linn.)

Canadian Rnfifed Grouse.

Hab. Eastern Oregon and Washington Territory, east to Moose Factory, Nova Scotia, Maine, etc.

Eggs supposed to belong to this darker colored varie'y of Rufl'ed
Grouse in my collection from Northern Maine do not differ from those
of ^. umbellus.

300/'. Bonasa umbellus umbelloides (Dougl.) [473<'=]

Gray Ruffed Grouse.

Hnb. Rocky Mountain Region north to Aiaska, east to Manitoba.

The upper parts of this bird are mostly or entirely grayish, and
the tail is always of a gray color. It is found in the wooded districts
of the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, and as far north
as the Vukon Valley in Alaska, in British America, east to Manitoba.

Captain Goss has a set of five eggs of this bird taken at Estes Park,
Colorado, j\Iay 28, 1884. They are creamy buff; some of the speci-
mens are almost or quite immaculate, others are faintly and sparingly
spotted with lilac brown. The eggs in this set are smaller in size and
less spotted than the usual spotted examples of B. umbellus^ and unless
closely examined the markings would scarcely be noticed. These
eggs were taken from a nest on the ground ; the sizes are as follows :
1.47X I. II, 1.45 X 1. 12, 1.44X 1. 12, 1.42 X 1. 15.

300<:. Bonasa umbeJlus sabini (Dougl.) [473-J.l

Oregon Ruffed Grouse.

Hab Northwest coast, from Northern California to }?ritish Columbia.

This sub-species resembles B. umbellus^ but the upper parts are
darker rusty-brown ; the tail is also usually deep rusty color, rarely
grayish. It is known as the Red Ruffed Grouse.

Mr. Norris has a set of eggs of this bird which are spotted. Six
eggs collected in Coos county, Oregon, April 28, 1880, are in my col-
lection. Their color is a rich creamy-white, unspotted. The nest was
a hollow of the ground, made by the bird, and lined with leaves ; it
was situated partly under a fallen tree, and quite hidden by a growth
of bushes. The inside diameter of the nest was about six inches, and

\m'-

It
If

146

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the depth about four. The eggs exhibit the following dimensions:
1.55x1.16, 1.55x1.16, 1.55x1.15, 1.56x1.16, 1.57x1.17.

301. Lagopus lagopus (Linn.) [474.I

"Willoiir Ptarmigan.

Hab. Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere; in North America south in winter to Sitka,
northern New York, etc.

This Ptarmigan is distributed in summer throughout Arctic
America. It breeds abundantly in the valleys of the Rocky Mount-
ains on the Barren Grounds and along the Arctic coasts. The winter
dress of the bird is snow white, with the central tail feathers black,
tipped with white. In summer, the head and neck are yellowish-red,
back black, barred rather finely with yellowish-brown and chestnut ;
most of the wings and under parts remain white as in winter. Large
numbers of the Willow Ptarmigan are said in the winter to shelter in
willow thickets and dwarf birches on the banks of lakes and rivers,
where they feed on the buds of the smaller shrubs which form their
principal food at that season. Their favorite resorts in daytime are
barren, sandy tracts of land, but they pass the nights in holes in the
snow. When pursued by sportsmen or birds of prey they are said
to often dive into the loose snow and work, their way beneath its
surface.

Mr. MacFarlane found nests of this species in the Anderson River
region early in June, and as late as June 24th. Others were found on
the banks of the Swan River as late as June 27th, containing large
embryos. A nest observed July loth contained ten perfectly fresh
eggs, and another set of eggs was examined July 22, the contents of
which were slightly developed. The nests made on the ground were
mere depressions, generally lined with leaves, hay, and a few feathers
from the birds themselves. The same nest is often occupied in suc-
cessive seasons. The largest number of eggs taken by Mr. MacFar-
lane was ten, but the female is said to lay as many as sixteen. A few
of this species breed in various parts of Alaska. Mr. Dall took eggs
near the mouth of the Yukon in the latter part of June. The eggs
have a ground color varying from pale yellowish-buff to deep chest-
nut-brown, more or less sprinkled, speckled, spotted or marbled with
rich brown or black. Average size 1.78 x 1.25.

302. Lagopus rupestris (Gmel.) [47S0

Rook Ptarmigan.

Hab. Arctic America in general, except northern extremity of Peninsula of Labrador and region
thence northward, Greenland and the Aleutian Islands; southeastward to Gulf of St. Lawrenee, Island
of Anticosti.

The Rock Ptarmigan is somewhat smaller than the foregoing and

••^sMliaMMMCH

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

147

the summer and winter dress is similar. The general mode of living
is said to be the same, but it does not retire very far into wooded dis-
tricts in winter, frequenting the more open woodland on the border of
lakes, especially on the skirts of the Barren Lands. Mr. MacFarlane
found this species breeding in the vicinity of Fort Anderson, incubat-
ing in June, and young birds of goodly size were observed June 30.
The nests were placed on the ground and were of the same composi-
tion as those of L. lagopus. The eggs with certainty cannot be dis-
tinguished from those of the Willow Ptarmigan, but are described as
usually less heavily spotted or less densely marked — averaging lighter
in color and less in size, 1.70 x 1.18.

302a. Lagopus rupestris reinhardti (Brehm.)

Reliiliardt'8 Ptarmigan.

Hab. GreenlaQd and western shores of Cumberland Gulf, and northern extremity of Labrador.

The general appearance, summer dress, etc., of the Greenland
Ptarmigan is similar to that of the foregoing. It is found in Green-
land and the islands on the western side of Cumberland Gulf and
Northern Labrador. The eggs are described as being similar to those
of L. rupestris^ averaging 1.65 x 1. 17.

304. Lagopus leucurus Swains. [476.]

White-tailed Ptarmigan.

Hab. Alpine summits of the Rocky Mountains, south to New Mexico, north into Britiih Provinces;
west to the higher ranges of Oregon, Washington Territory, and British Columbia.

The Rocky Mountain Snow Grouse inhabits the Alpine regions of
Western North America from British America south to New Mexico.
In summer it is found on the mountain ranges from the timber line to
the highest peaks; at this season, the upper parts of the plumage of
this species are minutely marked with black, white, grayish-brown
and tawny, with the tail, wing and lower parts white. In winter the
plumage is entirely white. Mr. Dille informs me that it breeds com-
monly in Lamar county, Colorado, making the nest in some cavity
among rocks above high timber line. The nest is scantily made of a
few grasses. The eggs are from eight to fifteen in number, generally
eight or nine, creamy-ground color, marked very finely over the entire
surface with umber-brown. The surface is often almost entirely hid-
den by the heavy markino-s. Average size 1.68x1.15. Mr. Dille
states that the eggs are deposited early in June.

305. Tympanuchus americanus (Reich.) [477-]

Prairie Men. #

Hab. Prairies of the Mississippi Valley, south to Louisiana and Texas, west to Middle Kansas,
Nebraska and Dakot.^: north to Wisconsin, easi to Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.

The Prairie Hen or Pinnated Grouse is a well known game bird,

\i
m

t't'i

<vn

* The Lesser Prairie Hen, Tympanuchus pallidicinctus { Ridgw.) inhabits the warmer and drytr
regions of the Southwestern Prairies — border of the Great Plains, from Texas northward.

mmmmmmmmmm

I .!

Ill;

ill I

148

NSSTS AND EGGS OF

once dispersed throughout the United States ; at present it is found
especially common in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas,
Texas and Louisiana, Middle and Eastern Kansas and Nebraska. It
is a rare resident in Northwestern Ohio, and probably breeds. In
Kansas the birds begin laying the last of April. The nest is placed
on the ground in the thick prairie grass, and at the ibot of bushes on
the barren ground ; a hollow is scratched in the soil and sparingly
lined with grasses and a few feathers. The eggs are usually eight to
twelve in number, but frequently more are laid. Mr. L. Jones states
that in Iowa high or low lands are resorted to for breeding grounds,
and little or no attempt is made at concealing the nest.

The eggs are deposited by May ist. In Nebraska the eggs are
laid in the latter part of April. These are light drab or dull buflFy,
sometimes with an olive hue, and occasionally sprinkled with brown ;
their form is rather oval ; average size 1.68 x 1.25.

306. Tympanuchus cupido (Linn.) [477, par/.]

Heath Hen.

Hab. Island of Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

The light colored Prairie Hen of the Western prairies formerly
had a smaller, darker, and redder eastern representative, which was
originally distributed throughout Long Island, New Jersey, Eastern
Pennsylvania and Virginia. Perhaps the last of this race still lin-
ger at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, and a wide range of terri-
tory now separates it from its Western cousins.

Mr. Brewster states that it is common on Martha's Vineyard,
where it is confined to the woods, haunting oak scrub by preference,
feeding largely on acorns. Being strictly protected by law, there is,
according to the best evidence at hand, no present danger of the
colony being exterminated.*

The eggs are described by Mr. Capen from a manuscript by Mr.
Maynard : ** They are regularly oval in form, all the specimens being
quite uniform in this respect. The color is a yellowish-green of a
peculiar shade, quite different from the more decided greenish-brown
seen in the /estern species, from which the eggs now at hand also
differ in being unspotted. There is little variation in the dimensions
of all six, the average measurements being 1.72 by 1.27 inches." Mr.
Capen, in his beautiful work, also figures an egg from this set.f

*See William Brewster's article on The Heath Hen in Massachusetts: Auk, 11,80-84.
t Oology of New England: Page 82, Plate XXIV, Fig. 4.

■I <

II i

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 149

308. Ped JCSBtes phasianellus (Linn.) [478.]

Sharp-tailed Oronse.

Hab, British America, north to Fort Simpson, Fort Resolution and the regions about Great Slave
Lake, south to Moose Factory, Lake Winnipeg and northern shore of Lake Superior.

The Sharp-tailed Grouse, in its various forms, inhabits the western
and northwestern plains of the United States and the northern por-
tions of North America, frequenting the grassy prairies and the
wooded districts. It is commonly called Pin-tail Grouse.

The present species is said to be especially abundant in the terri-
tory between Great Bear Lake, Fort Simpson, and the country border-
ing Great Slave Lake.

It is found in the open glades or low thickets on the borders of
streams and large bodies of water, this being the case where the forests
are partially cleared. At all seasons it is found in small flocks, in the
winter perching on trees, but keeping to the ground in the summer.

In winter it often hides in the deep su'^w, and works its way under
the surface with ease, feeding as it progresses on the buds of the wil-
lows, larches, aspens,, etc. Its food in the summer and autumn is
principally berries. The eggs are deposited in the first part of June
in a nest on the ground, made of coarse grasses and lined with feathers.
The eggs are of a dark, tawny brown, minutely dotted or speckled
with darker spots of brown.

The number laid ranges from six to fourteen, usually twelve. The
average size is 1.75 x 1.25.

308a. PediocsBtes phasianellus columbianus (Ord.) [478a.]

Columbiau Sharp-tailed Grouae.

Hab. Plains of Northwestern United St;iles.

Dr. Cones says : The Pin-tail Chicken inhabits the western por-
tions of Minnesota, a small part of Iowa, all of Dakota, thence diag-
onally across Nebraska and Kansas to Colorado in the Laramine and
Upper Platte regions ; from thence westward in suitable localities to
the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges ; northern limit to be conven-
tionally established along the northern border of the United States,
beyond which it shades into the tnic p/iasm/ie/his. In fine, this is the
prairie chicken of the whole Northwest ; usually occurring where C.
ciipido does not, the two overlap to some extent.'''

In some portions of Manitoba it is said to be very abundant, living
exclusively on the open prairie in summer, and exclusively in the
wooded districts in winter. The nest is placed on the ground, com-
posed of a few dry grasses arranged in a circular ibrm. The bird is
esteemed as highly for the table as the Prairie Hen.

* Key to North American Birds, pp. 582-583.

'■■!

:rll

;:;ti

ill

150

NESTS AND EGGS OF

The eggs are light clay to a dark rusty-brown, uniformly speckled
with fine dottings of darker brown ; from six to twelve in number ;
average size 1.70 x 1.25.

308^. Pediocsetes phasianellns campestris Ridgw.

Hab.
Mexico.

Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Plains and prairies of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, south to eastern Nef

Another variety of the Sharp-tailed Grouse, inhabiting the great
plains of the United States east to Wisconsin and northern Illinois,
west to eastern Colorado and south to eastern New Mexico. The
ground color of the plumage in this bird is more rusty, or ochraceous,
than in P. p. columbianus^ that of the latter species being buffy-grayish
or pale grayish-clay color above, with little or no rusty tinge. Profes-
sor Ridgway gives the average measurements of the eggs as 1.66 x

1.23.

309. Oentrocercus urophasianus (Bonap.) [479]

Sage Grouse.

Hab. Sage-bush plains of the Rocky Mountain plateau, north into British America, south to New
Mexico, Nevada, Eastern California and Washington Territory.

The Sage Cock, Sage Grouse, Sage Hen, or Cock of the Plains, as
it is variously called in the west, is principally found in what are
known as the sage-bush regions of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado,
Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, eastern California and other
western States and Territories, where the march of civilization has
not exterminated their favorite food, the leaves of the wild sage-bush,
which cover large tracts of western country. This is the natural
home of the bird. It is the largest of American grouse. The color
of the bird is so nearly like that of the ground and sage-bush that it is
difficult to detect its presence. In summer their food is sage leaves,
berries and insects, but their sole food in winter seems to be sage
leaves. The male is a little larger than the female ; their weight is
about ten pounds, and that of the female seven, live weight. They
roam everywhere in winter in large flocks, the snow quenching their
thirst instead of the water of the streams which supply them in the
summer, and along which they scatter in small bands at this season.
The males flock together during the season of incubation; the
females always remaining by themselves to rear their young.

Mr. G. G. Mead states that the eggs in Wyoming are deposited
about the 15th of May. W. S. Rougis reports them in the same Ter-
ritory as being laid as early as the latter part of April or in May, and
that the nests are mere hollows scratched in the ground under sage-
bushes. Mr. Rougis found the nest complement to vary from ten to

lij

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

161

fourteen eggs, and varying in shape from oval to that of the usual
shape of hen's eggs, and some specimens taper to a smaller point at
the smaller end than do those of the domestic fowl. They are of a
light greenish-drab or pale olive-bufF or a drab shaded with buft, thickly
freckled with small rounded spots of reddish-brown and dark chestnut,
occasionally with large blotches and spots. Mr. Rougis gives the
measurements of six specimens as follows: 1.75x1.33,1.63x1.17,
1.69 X 1. 18, 1.63 X 1. 17, 2.25 X 1. 51, 2.23 X 1.48.*

A set of eggs in the cabinet of J. Parker Norris were taken May
26, 1881, near Fort Steele, Wyoming Territory. The nest was on the
ground, under a sage bush. The eggs are of a greenish-brown,
speckled and spotted with Vandyke brown. They are of an elongate-
ovate shape, and measure 2.28x1.58, 2.25x1.48, 2.18x1.52, 2.14x1.51,
2.23 X 1.50, 2.16 X 1.54, 2.29 X 1.53, 2.18 X 1.52, 2.13 X 1.50, 2.12 X 1.48.

310. Meieagrls gallopavo Linn. [47ort!].

Wild Turkey.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to southern Canada, south to Florida and eastern Texas, west to
the Great Plains.

This is the bird which so very much resembles the domestic tur-
key, but is more brilliant in color. It is a constant resident in suitable
localities throughout Eastern United States. It occurs as far north as
Canada; is probably extinct in New England, and is found as far
northwest as the Missouri river, and southwest as Texas. But this
grand bird is rapidly becoming exterminated, not only as it is in New
England, but in other sections of the country. In Ohio it was formerly
an abundant resident, breeding throughout the State ; now quite un-
known in the more thickly settled portions, but still common in some
of the northwestern counties. Dr. Kirtland (1850) mentions the time
when Wild Turkeys were more common than tame ones are now.

Mr. Thomas Mcllwraith, in his admirable work on the Birds of
Ontario, says that within the recollection of people still living, Wild
Turkeys were comparatively common along the southwestern border of
Ontario, and that the day is not far distant when this bird will be sought
for in vain in the province.! ^ ' .

Mr. Edwin C. Davis reports the Wild Turkey to be very common in
the vicinity of Gainesville, Texas, hundreds being brought to market
and sold during the winter months. The nests of this bird, he says,
are very difficult to discover, as they are made on the ground, midst
tall, thick weeds or tangled briers. The female will not leave the nest

* Young Oologisf., Vol. I, pp. 7&-77.
fThe Birds of Ontario: pp. 130-130.

it ','■■

162

NESTS AND EGGS OP

until almost trodden upon. Mr. Davis states that when the eggs are
once touched the female will abandon her nest.

The eggs are rich, dark cream color, thickly sprinkled with rounded
spots of rusty-brown or umber. The number laid varies from nine to
eighteen, commonly nine to twelve. Some writers say ten to twenty
and twenty-four, but I have never seen this number in a set. Four typ-
ical specimens collected in Morrow county, Ohio, May lo, 1884, measure
2.54x2, 2.56x1.95, 2.56x1.97, 2.69x1.94. The average size of a
large series, 2.55 x 1.80.

Mr. J. Parker Norris has two sets of eggs of this bird in his cabi-
net. One set was taken May 22, 1888, in Manatee county, Florida.
The nest was under a pile of brush, near a swamp. It was made of
grass and leaves, and there were also a few feathers. The eggs were
twelve in number, and the incubation very slight. They are of a deep
cream color, thickly speckled with russet. They measure 2.45x1.79,
2.55x1.86, 2.55x1.86, 2.38x1.80, 2.57x1.86, 2.54x1.80, 2.53x1.90,
2.55x1.83, 2.50x1.91, 2.36x1.81, 2.34x1.75, 2.52x1.78.

The other set were collected in Ripcmokee Swamp, Georgia, on
April 25, 1886. The nest was in a brush heap, and was constructed of
grass, leaves and twigs. The eggs were twelve, and were fresh. They
are of a deep cream color, faintly speckled and spotted with clay color.
The whole effect is much lighter than in the other set. They measure
2.58x1.85, 2.61 X 1.86, 2.64x1.87, 2.50x1.87, 2.61 X 1.93, 2.55x1.91,
2.64x1.90, 2.55x1.90, 2.66x1.90, 2.63x1.90, 2.78x1.92, 2.62x1.91.

Both sets are quite pointed.

310a. Meleagris gallopavo mexitana (Gould.) [470.]

Mexican Turkey.

Hab. Table-land of Mexico, north to the southern border of tlie United States; western Texas toArizona.

This Turkey is found in western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona,
and southward ; in suitable localities it is abundant. In various moun-
tain ranges throughout New Mexico it is very common. On the ap-
proach of winter they leave their summer haunts and travel down the
foot hills and the mesas, where they remain until the snow disap-
pears, when, like the deer, they return. Mr. Scott states that in the
pine woods of the Catalina mountains of Arizona this Turkey was very
common late in November, 1885, though snow covered the ground.
The bird, however, from what he could learn, has already decreased
in number in most localities, and to have become exterminated in
others where it was formerly abundant.*

Mr. George B. Sennett found this Turkey common on the Lower

* Auk, Vol. Ill, p. 389.

Ril

eg|

pel

Tli

lesJ

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

163

Rio Grande of Texas, nesting in the dense woods. The first set of
eggs, twelve in number, were taken April 24, contained young chicks
peeping in the shell. A set of fifteen obtained April 26 were fresh.*
The nesting habits are the same as the common wild turkey.
The eggs are described as resembling those of the domestic turkey
in groimd color and markings ; dark buff or creamy-white, more or
less thickly sprinkled with spots of light and dark umber-brown;
they measure 2.40x1.80. The average size of twenty-eight eggs,
as given by Mr. Sennett, is 2.43x1.86; the largest, 2.50x1.90; the
smallest 2-33x1.72.

311. Ortalls vetula maccalli Baikd. [469]

Chaohalaoa.

Hab. Valley of the Rio Grande, southward into Mexico.

The Texas Guan, or Chachalaca, is a remarkable bird, inhabiting
til e warm tropical regions of America. It measures from twenty-two
to twenty-four inches in length, of which the tail measures from nine
to eleven. Dr. Merrill states that this is one of the most characteristic
birds of the Lower Rio Grande region. " Rarely seen at any distance
from woods or dense chaparral, they are abundant in those places,
and their hoarse cries are the first thing heard by the traveler on
awaking in the morning. During the day, unless rainy or cloudy,
the birds are rarely seen or heard; but shortly before sunrise and
sunset, they mount the topmost branch of a dead tree, and make the
woods ring with their discordant notes. Contrary to almost every
description of their cry I have seen, it consists "of three syllables,
though occasionally a fourth is added. When one bird begins to cry,
the nearest bird joins in at the second note, and in this way the fourth
syllable is made ; but they keep such good time that it is often very
difficult to satisfy one's self that this is the fact."t The Mexican name,
Chachalac, means a noisy person or bird, is derived from the discord-
ant cries of this species. The quality of these notes may be imitated
by putting the most stress upon the last two syllables. The compass and
harshness of the cries are said to be almost equal to that of the guinea
fowl. The birds are said to be easily tamed, and to cross with the
domestic fowl. Dr. INIerrill remarks that they are much hunted for the
Brownsville market, but the flesh is not particularly good, and when
domesticated the birds become troublesomely familiar, and are decided
nuisances when kept about the house.

* Further notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Rio Grande of Texas, from observations made during
the spring of 1878. By George B. Sennett. Edited, with annotations, by Dr. Elliott Coues, U. S. A,; pp.
247-248. Extracted from the Bulletin of the Geographical Survey, Vol V, No. 3; Washington, November
30,1879. Author's edition.

t Notes on the Ornithology of southern Texas.

■M I

» m

. .in

154

NKSTS AND EGGS OF

. 'h

Mr. Sennett states that this bird does not breed in communi-
ties, but in isolated pairs, and from all accounts, raises but one brood
in a season, unless the nest is despoiled, when the female will lay
another clutch, which almost invariably consists of three, rarely less.
Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs, and reports that Mr. Thos. H. Jack-
son has received several sets of the same number from southern Texas.
Mr. Sennett obtained fresh eggs on the Rio Grande, April loth, and on
the 2otli sets were generally full and fresh, after which time they con-
tained embryos. The nests are shallow structures, often made entirely of
Spanish moss, and are placed on horizontal limbs, a few feet from
the ground. The eggs are of a bufify- white, thick-shelled and roughly
granulated; they are large for the bird; sizes range from 2.18 to 2.35
long by 1.55 to 1.60 broad. The set of four eggs in Mr. Norris' collec-
tion was taken June 2, 1886, in Camargo county, Mexico. They are
of a dull, yellowish-white, and measure 2.30x1.61, 2.30x1.61,
2.21 x 1.56, 2.33 X 1.57. The small ends of these specimens are quite
pointed.

312. Columba fasciata Say. [456.]

Band-tailed Pigeon.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, from Washington Terri-
tory and New Mexico south, through Mexico to the highlands of Guatemala.

The Band-tailed, or Wh ""^e-collared Pigeon, is found from the Rocky
Mountains westward to thv Pacific. It is common, but irregular
in distribution. In Washington county, Oregon, Mr. Anthony
records this Pigeo^ as a common summer resident, and that south
of Beaverton is a large spring, whose waters contain some mineral
which has a great attraction for these birds, and here they are always
to be found in large numbers. Mr. Scott states that this species is
common in the Santa Catalina mountains in Arizona, breeding in
July. He met with it commonly in May and June, as low down as
3,500 feet, feeding on wild mulberries. It was not uncommon in
the pine region about the middle of April.*

This is an attractive bird, about the size and possessing many
habits of the domestic pigeon. It sometimes congregates together
in flocks, even while breeding, and nests in trees and bushes along
the banks of streams, or in the thick forests near water. The nest
is a mere platform of sticks, and the eggs are also placed on the ground
without any nest, which is sometimes the case with the Mourning
Dove (Z. macrourd).

The eggs are two in number, equal-ended, glistening-white, with
an average size of 1.50 x 1.20.

•Auk, Vol. Ill, p. 421.

MHMM

165

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

313. Oolumba flavirostrls Wagl. [457']

R«d-blll«u Pigeon.

Hab. Southern border of the UDited Statei from the Rio Grande Valley, Arizona, Mexico and Lower
California south to Costa Rica.

This large and handsome Pigeon is common in the valley of the
Rio Grande and southward. In some localities on the Rio Grande in
Texas it is abundant during the summer months. Dr. Merrill found
it not uncommon about Fort Brown, but more plentiful higher up the
river. It loves the deep, dense woods, where it can dwell in quiet and
retirement. The nests are frail platforms of twigs and grasses, such
as are usually built by other pigeons, placed in trees and bushes.

Mr. George B. Sennett describes a nest which he fdund April 9th,
near Hidalgo, on the Rio Grande. It was placed in a thicket, about
eight feet from the ground, made of twigs, was frail and saucer-shaped
and contained a single young, nearly fledged. He states that this bird
lays several times in a season. Nests were found containing eggs and
young in all stages of development, but in no case did a nest contain
more than one egg or young. Mr. Sennett gives the average size,
taken from a large series, as 1.55 x 1. 10, the length varying from 1.60 to
1.45, and the breadth from 1.18 to 1.03*. The eggs are pearly white.

314. Columba leucocephala Linn. [458.]

White-orowned Pigeon.

Hab. Greater Antilles, Bahamas and Florida Keys.

The White-crowned Pigeon occurs in summer on the Florida
Keys, and it breeds abundantly on some of the smaller islands ; it is
an abundant resident species in the Bahamas and West Indies. This
Pigeon, according to Audubon, arrives on the southern Florida Keys
about April 20th, or not until May first. The birds were shy and wary
on account of the war waged against them, their flesh being esteemed
for its fine flavor. Their shyness only partially abated during the
breeding season and they would silently slide from their nest when sit-
ting, and retreat to the dark shades of the mangroves. The nest is
built in low trees and bushes, composed of twigs carefully arranged,
with little or no lining of grasses. It is, on the whole, a bulky structure
for a pigeon. These birds often breed in numbers, nesting in trees,
so'ne at high elevations, others in low mangrove bushes and the nests
rf ^^e that of the Passenger Pigeon, but are said to be more com-
pact and better lined. The eggs are two in number, oval in form,
and opaque-white with a very smooth surface; the average size is
1. 41 X 1.02.

« Further notes on the Ornithology of the Rio Grande of Texas.

''I

\ ■

t ^:'

166 NESTS AND EGGS OF

315. Ectopistes mlgratorius (Linn.). [459]

PMuenser PlgeoB.

Hab. Oeciduout foreit-region of Eastern North America, weit caiually to Waihington Territory and
Nevada.

The Wild Pigeon wanders in search of food throughout all parts
of North America, but chiefly temperate North America east of the
Rocky Mountains. At times it is abundant in particular districts. The
greatest roosts and flights are now said to be seen in the Upper Missis-
sippi Valley. Of late years it has become rather scarce in localities
where it was once formerly abundant; and, in fact, in many places it is
now seen only occasionally in small flocks of a dozen or fifteen. Wil-
son's and Audubon's graphic accounts of the "congregated millions"
which they saw in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky seem hardly credible
to those who have not seen them. The extensive forests which once
served as breeding and feeding grounds have been partially or vholly
destroyed, and we are no longer favored with the sublime sights of
immense, unbroken, and apparently limitless flocks. Until about 1855,
these Pigeons were extremely abundant in Central Ohio, having at that
time a roost and breeding place near Kirkersville, Licking county, and
large numbers were to be seen from sunrise till nine o'clock and after,
flying westward from the roost, and in the afternoon about four o'clock
till sundown returning. At these hours they were never out of sight,
and often dozens of flocks were in sight at once. Dr. Kirtland states
that near Circleville, in 1850, one thousand two hundred and eighty-
five were caught in a single net in one day, and the average price for
the birds in Columbus was five or six cents per dozen. The Wild Pigeon
congregates in vast communities for the purpose of breeding, nesting
in trees and bushes, frequently at a considerable height from the ground,
and often as many as fifty and a hundred nests have been observed in
a single tree. The nest is a mere platform of sticks. The eggs are
usually one, never more than two in number, pure white, and broadly
elliptical in shape; average size, 1.50x1.03.

A set of two eggs of this bird, taken in 1874, in Iowa, are in the
collection of J. Parker Norris. They are dull white, and measure
1.50XI.01, 1.40 X. 98.

316. Zenaidura macroura (Linn.). [460].

Mourning Dove.

Hab. Whole of temperate North America from Southern Maine, Canada and Oregon, south to Panama
and the West Indies.

The Carolina Dove, also called Turtle Dove, is one of our best
known and familiar birds. Its gentle disposition, its sweet but mourn-
ful cooing, have made it the typical sad-toned singer in poetry and song.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

167

lie
Ire

The Turtle Dove is distributed throughout temperate North Amer-
ica ; it is to be met with everywhere, both in woodland and in open
places. It is particularly fond of feeding in country roadways. During
the breeding season they are found in pairs, but at other times are highly
gregarious, though flocks of them never attain the size of those of the
Wild Pigeon. The nest is placed on the horizontal branches of trees,
on stumps, on the top rail of old snake fences, on rocks, in bushes, and
in treeless regions the nest is placed on the ground. It varies in con-
struction with its location. When found in small branches of trees it
is made of a few sticks, somewhat after the style of the Cuckoo's nest,
but if on a large limb or stump, it is often but a rim of twigs sufficient
to retain the eggs; when on the ground, a few straws and twigs are
used to indicate the nest. The Carolina Dove rears two, sometimes
three broods in a season. It begins to nest early. I have taken eggs
April loth ; the late Dr. Wheaton found the nest with young as early
as the middle of April. Breeding usually continues until September.
Dr. Jones states that he had seen Doves sitting on fresh eggs in every
month except December and January, and he has no doubt that they
occasionally build nests and lay eggs in these months in mild winters.*
Two white eggs are laid ; there are exceptional cases, however,
where more are deposited. Mr. Norris has a set of three ; Mr. h. Jones,
of Grinnell, Iowa, writes that he has in his collection a set of four.
Mr. P. W. Smith, of Greenville, 111., records several sets of three and
four ; two sets taken from old robins' nests. He also found a Brown
Thrasher's nest containing one egg of the Thrasher and two of the
Doves. t The eggs are elliptical in shape and average 1.12X.82.

317. Zenalda zenaida (BoNAP.) [462.]

Zenalda Dove.

Hab. Florida Keys, Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Porto Rico, Santa Crui, Sombrero and coast of
Yucatan.

According to Audubon's observations, this species makes its
appearance on the islands around Indian Key, Fla., about April 15, in-
creasing in numbers until October, when they all departed for the West
Indies, where they are the most numerous. Egg laying is begun about
the first of May. In Jamaica this species is known as the Pea Dove
and in Santa Cruz as Mountain Dove. Its general habits are similar to
those of the Mourning or the Ground Dove, and like the latter species
it is more terrestial in its habits. It nests indiscriminately on the
ground, in trees or in low bushes. In trees or bushes the nest is a
slight platform of twigs. Audubon states that this species breeds in

■^Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of Birds of Ohio, p. 97.
tOnrithologist and Oologist, XI, p28.

i B

158

NEvSTS AND EGGS OF

various keys east of Florida, which are covered with grass and low
shrrbs, placing the nest between tufts of grass or on the ground with
little concealment. It is built of dry leaves and grass imbedded in a
hollow scooped in the sand. It is said to be more compact than the nest
of any other pigeon. The eggs are one or two in number, white, with a
very smooth surface; size, 1.19X.94.

318. Engyptila albifrons (Bonap.) [463.]

"Wliitc-fronted Dove.

Hab. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, southward through Mexico to Guatemala.

Mr. George B. Sennett added this Dove as a new species to the
fauna of the United States in 1877 ; the first specimens being taken in
the vicinity of Hidalgo, on the Rio Grande in Texas. Dr. Merrill
notes it as not tare in the vicinity of Fort Brown, being shy and not
very often seen. Mr. Sennett states that in its general habits this bird
is qaiet and not easily alarmed ; it frequents the high branches of tall
trees, associating with the white-winged dove and is less numerous
than the red-billed pigeon. By itr^ peculiar note — a low, short cooing
— it is easily distinguished from all other species. A nest was found
situated in the forks of bushes, about five feet from the ground, was
flat and quite large for a pigeon's nest, and composed of the dead
branches, twigs and bark of pithy weeds.

Dr. Merrill found a nest on June 8, 1878, wli'oh was about seven
feet from the ground, supported by the dense interlacing tendrils of a
hanging vine, growing on the edge of a thicket. This nest contained
two eggs which were quite Iresh; sizes i.i6x.86 and i,i9x.89, re-
spectively. These are described as a strong olive-bufF color. Mr.
Sennett describes them as of a light drab, or light olive drab, and gives
the measurements of four specimens as follows: 1.14X.89, i.i2x.88,
1.16X.83, 1.15X.85; averaging 1.14X.86.

319. Melopelia leucoptera (Linn). [464.J ;

White-winged Dova.

Hab. Southern border of the United States (Texas to Arizona) and Lower California, southward
to Costa Rica and the West Indies.

Dr. James C. Merrill mentions this as a very common species dur-
ing the summer mouths in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas. The
nests, he states, are, " as a rule, smaller and more frail than those of the
Carolina dove, and the eggs have a decided creamy tinge, which is
rarely lost after blowing, at least not for months. Thirty-four eggs
average i.i7x.8y; extremes 1.30X.95 and 1.05 x. 80. The note is a
de^^ so: ^"S coo^ frequently repeated and heaid at a great distance."

At Lomita Ranch on the Pvio Grande, in Texas, Mr. Sennett found

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

159

this species to be more abundant than all the other pigeons combined,
and vhen they have begun breeding, all day long the air is filled with
the music of their cooing, drowning out the notes of most other birds.
They are the last of the doves to come in the spring and leave about
November, By the first of May eggs were found. Their color, Mr.
Sennett describes, as varying from white to cream, the latter prevailing,
and two is the number laid. From a large series the size averages
1. 14 X. 88; the largest, 1.22 x. 93, the smallest, 1.05 x. 88.

Two sets of the eggs of this Dove are in the cabinet of J. Parker
Norris. One of two sets of eggs taken May i, 1884, in Neuces county,
Texas, measure i.iox.82, i.iox.81. The second set collected near
Catulla, Texas, May 11, 1887, measure 1.05 x .78, 1.08 x .79, respectively.

320. Columbigallina passerina (Linn.) [465]

Ground Dove.

Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States; Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, south to the West
Indies and the northern portion of South America.

A diminutive Dove, measuring only six or seven inches in length.
Abundant in Mexico, Yucatan, Central America and the West Indies.
In the South Atlantic and Gulf States it is a common and familiar
species, nesting indiscriminately on the ground, on stumps, on vines,
bushes and young saplings. The nest is elevated sometimes as high as
twenty feet; but iisually from two to six feet above the ground, and is
simply a fiail structure of twigs, often containing pine needles. The
breeding season in Georgia begins early in April, and fresh eggs may be
found in May, June, and sometimes in July. Mr. Pe-ry informs me
that in the vicinity of Savannah he has taken fresh eggs as late as July
9th. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne took a set of two eggs near Charleston, S. C,
October 19th, 1886; these contained small embryos and the parent bird
was incubating.* This date, however, is exceptional. Mr. Walter
Hoxie, of Frogmore, S. C, states that this species is called Mourning
Dove by the natives, who used to have a superstition that any one who
molested their nest would be " mourned to death " by the grief-stricken
owners. The eggs are two in number, white or creamy in color ; a
large series averages .85 X .65.

'^ 321. Scardafella inca (Less.) [466.]

Inoa Dove.

Hab. Southern border of the United States (Texas to Southern Arizona) south to Mexico and Guate-
mala.

This species is known as the Scaled Dove ; nearly all the plumage
is marked with black cresentic-edged feathei's, producing a scaly ap-
pearance. In various places in Soutnern Arizona, New Mexico, and

<:' Ornithologist and Uologist: Vol. XII, p. 7.

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NESTS AND EGGS OF

along the Rio Grande valley in Texas, this species is quite common
during the summer months. Throughout Mexico and Yucatan it is
very abundant, and is known as the Long-tailed Ground Dove. It is
very tame and familiar, frequenting cultivated gardens aboiit houses^
and is said to live more on the ground than the so-called Ground Dove.
Its cooing is coarse and tolerably loud. The nest of this species is built
in bushes, vines and small trees similar to that of Columbigallina pas-
serina; it is a mere platform of twigs. The eggs are invariably two in
number, white, oval in shape, both ends being nearly equal ; average
size, .82X.65.

[322.] Geotrygon martinloa (Gmel). [467].

Key 'West Qnail-dove.

Hab. Key West, Florida, Hayti, Cuba, Bahamas.

A constant resident of the Bahamas, Cuba and Hayti. Audubon
met with a few of this species on the island of Key West, Florida, but
it is said not to have been observed there lately. According to Audu-
bon, the movements and general habits of this species are similar to
those of the Carolina Dove. The nest is described as formed of light,
dry twigs ; it is built in the branches of trees or in bushes, occasionally
it is placed on the ground.

According to Mr. Audubon the eggs are two in number, pure
white, and about the size of those of the White-crowned Pigeon.

[323.] Starnoenas cyanocephala (Lr n.) [468]

Blue-headed Qnail-dove.

Hab. Cuba and Florida Keys.

It appears that the Blue-headed Quail-dove has been found only
by Audubon on the Florida Keys ; it is resident in the Island of Cuba.
It is a singular Dove, withthe crown rich blue, bounded by black ; a
white stripe under the eye, extending under the chin ; the throat is
black, bordered with white. Length of bird about eleven inches.

The nest is described as being placed on trees and bushes, and
composed of sticks carelessly arranged. The eggs are one or two \ 1
number, p ire white; size about 1.40 x 1.05.

324. Pseudogryphus californianus (Shaw.) [453.]

California Vultuice.

Hab. Pacific coast region of the United States, from Oregon southward, to the mouth of the Colorado
River.

Concerning the California Condor or Vulture, Dr. Brewer remarks
as follows : " The single species composing this very distinct genus
belongs to Western North America, and so far as known, has the most
restricted distribution of any large raptorial bird in the world. It is

3ttl

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

161

remarkable for its very large size, all its dimensions nearly, if not quite,
equaling those of the famed Condor of the Andes {Sarcorhamphus
gryphus^^). This great bird has already become very much reduced
in numbers and extinct in localitiei- where it was formerly abundant ;
this is doubtless due to the indiscriminate use of poison which is
placed on carcasses for the purpose of killing wolves and other obnox-
ious animals. Upon these poisoned remains the birds feed and perish.
It is at present restricted to the area of the Pacific coast region as
far north as the Columbia River in Oregon. South of this it is more
common, and especially in the warm valleys of California. Here it is
associated with the Turkey Buzzard, and the habits of both species
are alike, often feeding together on the same carcass. Like the Turkey
Vulture its flight is easy and graceful, sailing majestically with almost
motionless wings, in wide circles at great heights, over a large space
of territory, in search of food. The eggs are laid on the ground
between old logs, in hollow stumps, in recesses or crevices among
rocks, with little or no attempt at nest building. One or two eggs are
laid, elongate-ovate in shape, and their color is described as plain, pale
greenish-blae or grayish-white ; average size 4.50x2.50.

325. Cathartes aura (Linn.) [454-]

Turkey Vulture.

Hab. Nearly all of temperate and tropical America from New Jersey, Ohio Valley, Washington
Territory, Saskatchewan region, southward to '\Uagonia,

The common Turkey Buzzard inhabits the United States and
adjoining British Provinces from the Atlantic to the Pacific, south
through Central and most of South America, and is resident north to
about 40°. Every farmer knows it to be an industrious scavenger,
devouring at all times the putrid or decomposing flesh of carcasses. It
is essentially gregarious, not only flying and feeding in company, but
resorting to the same spot to roost ; breeding also in communities and
sometimes by single pairs ; depositing its eggs on the ground, on
rocks, or in hollow logs and stumps, usually in thick woods or in a
sycamore grove, in the bend or fork of a stream. The nest is fre-
quently built in a tree or in the cavity of a sycamore stump.

In the vicinity of Tampa, Florida, Mr. Stuart says the eggs of this
bird are laid in February and March ; in Indian Territory they are
deposited in March, April and May. In Arizona and Colorado it nests
in the latter part of April and in May. Mr. Shields states that in the
region of Los Angeles, Cal., this bird begins laying about April 15.
He observes that although the usual nesting sites are chosen, the
favorite place for depositing the eggs is a little depression u^der a

!'; , U

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162

NESTS AND EGGS OF

small bush or overhanging rock on a steep hillside. In Ohio and other
eastern States fresh eggs may be found in April and May.

Notwithstanding the arguments set forth by renowned naturalists
that this bird is not possessed of an extraordinary power of smell, it
has been proven recently by the most satisfactory experiments that the
Turkey Buzzard does possess a keen sense of smell by which it can
distinguish the odor of flesh at an immense distance. The flight of this
Vulture is truly beautiful, and no landscape with its patches of green
woods and grassy fields, is perfect without its dignified figure, high in
air, moving in round circles ; so steady, graceful and easy, and appa-
rently without any effort. It is a very silent bird, only uttering a hiss
of d' fiance or warning to its neighbors when feeding, or a low gutteral
croak of alarm when flying low overhead.

The eggs are creamy or yellowish-white, variously blotched and
splashed with different shades of brown and iisually showing other
spots of lavender and purplish-drab ; two in number, sometimes only
one; average size about 2.73x1.87. Six specimens measure 2.80X
1.89, 2.73x1.89, 2.79x1.97, 2.80XI.91, 2.84x1.88, 2.87x1.90. Mr.
H. R. Taylor, of Alameda, Cal., records finding early in April a set of
immaculate eggs of this species.*

Mr. J. Parker Norris has a series of thirteen sets in his cabinet, and
they show great variation in size and coloring. They all contain two
eggs each. The ground color on nearly all of them is creamy or
yellowish-white, and, as a rule, they can readily be distinguished from
eggs of C. atrata^ as the ground color of the latter is usually of a bluish-
white. The spots on the eggs of aura are more in number, but as a
rule not as large as those on atrata,

326. Catharista atrata (Bartr.) [455-]

Black Vulture.

Hab. Whole of tropical and warm-temperate America, south to Argentine Republic and Chili, north
regularly to the Carolinas and Lower Mississippi Valley, irregularly or casually to Maine, New York, Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, etc.

This Vulture, called Carrion Crow, is very common along our
South Atlantic and Gulf States, and is resident from South Carolina
southward ; in many places it is more numerous than the Turkey
Buzzard, and its general traits, nesting habits, etc., are the same, breed-
ing in hollow logs, decayed trunks of trees, stumps, and on the ground.
In the Southern Atlantic cities the Black Vulture is said to be a semi-
domestic bird, and even protected by law. Their services as scaven-
gers in removing offal render them valuable and almost a necessity in
Southern cities.

oOrnithol. gist and Oclogist, Vol. XIII, p. 102.

tiiifk^iitltttt;

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

163

On an island near Beaufort, South Carolina, Mr. Walter Hoxie
found the Black Vulture nesting under a dense growth of yucca. No
attempt was made at forming a nest, or even excavating a hollow.
The eggs are laid far in under the intertwining stems of the yucca and
in the semi-shadows were quite hard to be seen. Mr. Hoxie states that
the parent birds have the habit of always following the same path in
leaving and approaching the nesting place. By these paths, which
were often winding, he was able to discover the eggs.* Both sexes
assist in incubation and two eggs constitute the nest complement. Mr.
Hoxie never observed a bird sitting on a single egg, and so far as he
was able to determine the period of incubation is nearly thirty days ;
eggs were taken from May 2 to May 26. He states that Mr. Alfred
Cuthbert took a set of three eggs in 1884.

The eggs are generally broadly elliptical-ovate in shape and simi-
lar in color to those of the Turkey Vulture — bluish-white, blotched
and spotted with very dark brown and umber — not so densely marked
as those of Cathartes atira ; average size 3.10x2.04.

Mr. Norris has a series of fourteen sets in his cabinet which show
very great variations in size and coloring. The ground color of the
eggs of this species is, however, generally of a bluish-white, and
this enables one to separate their eggs from those of C. aura. The
spots are also, as a rule, larger and bolder, though fewer in number
than on the eg^gs of C. aura.

327. Elanoides forficatus (Linn.) [426.]

Swallow-tailed Kite.

Hab. Tropical and warm-tem lerate parts of continental America, north r egularly up the Mississippi
Valley to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, e .c. Casually east to Pennsylvania and southern New England.

This beautiful species, noted for its graceful and elegant flight, is
an abundant summer resident of the Southern United States as far
north as Virginia, occasionally straying to the Middle States, and regu-
larly far up the Mississippi Valley. Skins of this Kite are in my
collection which were taken in Ohio, August 22, 1878, and July 10,
1883. Previous to these records it has not been heard of in the State
since 1858.

The favorite resorts of this bird are bottom woodlands near prairies
or fields. Its food consists of small reptiles and insects ; it is particu-
larly fond of small snakes and lizards, grasshoppers, crickets, and
various beetles. The nest of this Kite is built at the extremity of
small branches near the tops of the tallest trees. The one represented
in our illustration is taken from a sketch made on the spot by Mr. J.

* Breeding Habits of the Black Vulture. By Walter Hoxie. Auk, III, pp. 246-2-17.

V '

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164

NESTS AND EGGS OF

A. Siiigley, of Giddings, Lee county, Texas. This nest, as represented,
is placed in the top branches of a pecan tree ; it is composed of sticks
and pieces of green moss, some of the moss hanging over the sides,
giving it a beautiful appearance when seen from the ground. Out-
wardly it measures eighteen inches in diameter ; depth twelve inches.
Two eggs from this nest measure 1.77x1.43, 1.81x1.45. In other
localities the materials for the nest differ, no moss being used. Mr.
Singley states that the birds are very vicious while nesting ; he has
seen them attack and drive off Owls, Turkey Buzzards, Florida Red-
shouldered Hawk, Bittco lincatiis allenj\ Black Vultures and Crows.
On April 25, 1885, while his collector, Mr. Theodore Thassler, was
climbing to the nest represented in the engraving, he was almost
knocked out of the tree by the birds ; and before he could secure the
eggs w?.3 compelled to kill the most pugnacious one, which proved to
be the male. Unlike the White-tailed Kite, when the nest is disturbed
the birds will desert it.

Mr. J. Parker Norris was the first to notice the error in the
statement made by Aiidubon and siibsequent ornithologists that
this species lays from four to six eggs. All early ornithological
writers have followed Audubon with this statement. Some of our best
field-workers have received reports, seemingly from good sources, to
the effect that as many as four and six eggs have been taken from a
single nest, but as far as I am aware none of these large sets have
made their appearance in any of the well-known, reliable collections.
Judging from the large amount of material at hand on the subject we
shall accept the facts in the results of observations made by recent
ornithologists, that the Swallow-tailed Kite deposits two and rarely
three eggs. Mr. Singley took seven sets in the season of 1887, and
was fortunate enough to find one containing three eggs, and a nest
with three young. The color of the eggs is white, greenish or yellow-
ish-white, spotted and blotched with brown and umber of varying
shades ; some are sparingly marked with specks of dark brown, in
others the spots are clustered about the large end. The markings are
often large and of a rich chestnut and mahogany color. A set of two
eggs in the collection of Mr. Norris measure 1.80x1.50, 1.88x1.48.
These were taken in Lavaca county, Texas, April 20, 1885.

During a trip to Texas, in 1888, Mr. G. B. Benners and Mr. Thos.
Gillin collected six sets of eggs of this bird in that State. One set
contained three eggs, another only one, while the other four nests had
two eggs each. . , „ ^ .

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 166

328. Elanus leucurus (Vieill.) [427.]

"Whlte-taUed Kite.

Hab. Southern portion of the United States, from South Carolina, Southern Illinoii, and California,
southward into South America.

The Black-shouldered or White-tailed Kite is distributed through-
out Southern United States from the Atlantic to Pacific, and southward
into tropical America. In the East it is found as far north as Southern
Illinois; in the West as far north as Indian Territory and Middle Cali-
fornia. The flight of this bird is said to be easy and graceful, but not
rapid. Sometimes it stops for a few moments, descends with great
velocity to the ground to capture a lizard or snake. The nest of this
species, like that of the Swallow-tailed Kite, is always placed just as
high in the tree as possible. Prof. B. W. Evermann informs me that
of all the nests he examined he did not notice an exception in this
respect. It is not a very substantial structure, composed of sticks,
forming scarcely more than a mere platform, the cavity being quite
shallow ; it is very sparingly lined with the inner bark of the cotton-
wood, sometimes with straw. When robbed of a first set of eggs
another is likely to be laid. Prof. Evermann states that the usual time
of nesting in the Santa Clara Valley is from April i to May i. Nests
of this Kite have been found in Southern Texas which were placed in
bushes only seven or eight feet from the ground.

Mr. Samuel C. Evans took six sets of the eggs of this species in
San Jose Valley between May i and 22, 1886 ; one of two eggs on
the ist was far advanced in incubation ; one of four on the 8th was
fresh ; another of two on the 19th was fresh ; two sets of two each, taken
on the 20th, in which incubation had begun, and on the 22d a set of five
fresh eggs was taken. The nests were placed in sycamores, oaks and
maple trees; one was situated forty feet from the ground, and the
heights of the others ranged about fifteen feet. Mr. Evans, in several
cases, placed small painted hen eggs in the Kites' nests, and the birds
did not detect the difference, but continued laying. The eggs are of a
dull, creamy-white, thickly blotched, dotted and tinged with deep
chestnut, in some almost completely covering the whole ground ; nearly
spherical ; four to six ; this is the number usually stated, but four is
almost invariably the number of eggs laid. A set of four eggs collected
by Prof. Evermann in the Santa Clara Valley, California, measiire 1.64
X 1.27, 1.62x1,27, 1.69x1.27, J.62X 1.27.

Mr. J. Parker Norris has two sets of eggs of this species in his
cabinet, both collected in California. One set, containing three eggs,
have the markings much lighter than the other set, whiclr consists of

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166

NESTS AND EGGS OF

four eggs. These latter are of the dark type, which appears to be the
commoner form of markings.

329. Ictinia mississipplensis (Wils.) [428.]

MiMlaalppl Kite.

Hab. Southern United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, southward from South Carolina on tht
coast, and casually or irregularly to Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin on the interior; south to Mexico.

The Mississippi Kite is a summer resident in the southern portion
of the United States. It is irregular in its distribution, and its occur-
rence in particular localities is uncertain, often being found common in
regions where it was formerly rare. It is generally found in the same
localities with the Swallow-tailed Kite, and, like the latter species, its
extremely beautiful flight is one of the bird's characteristics. It often
soars so high in the air as to be almost invisible. Like the Swallow-
tail species, its food consists of insects, small snakes and lizards.

The nests of the Mississippi Kite are built in the tops of gigantic
pines, pin oaks, sycamores, cottonwood, elm, and lofty cypress trees.

Mr. J. A. Singley has a nest which he took in Lee county, Texas,
which was placed in the forks of a live oak twenty-two feet from the
ground. The foundation and sides of the nest is built entirely of small
sticks, the interior portion of small, green oak twigs in leaf, and leaves
of the mesquite tree ; the lining is of green moss, on top of which are
placed green leaves of the pecan tree. The outer diameter from the
ends of the longest twigs is seventeen inches, the most compact portion
eleven inches ; interior diameter five inches ; outer depth seven inches,
inside one and a half inches. Mr. Singley states that the measure-
ments of two eggs taken May 22, 1886, now in the cabinet of Mr. J.
Parker Norris, is 1.65x1.40, 1.63x1.34; they are bluish-white un-
marked, one of them having light brown stains on it. They were
taken from a nest placed in the slender forks of a small post oak
about thirty feet from the ground ; it was made of sticks and weed
stems, lined with willow twigs in leaf.

Mr. Singley has given me the sizes of the eggs of four sets which
he collected in the season of 1887. Three of these sets were of two
eggs each and one of three ; their color was invariably bluish-white,
unmarked, and their sizes are as follows: 1.53x1.34, 1.64x1.36,
1.71XI.32, 1.63x1.34, 1.60x1.35, 1.67x1.32, 1.65x1.34, 1.59x1.35,
1.62x1.33. Considerable variation will be noticed in the length of
these specimens, while their diameter is very uniform.

Col. N. S. Goss found this species breeding in company with the
Swallow-tailed Kite in the vicinity of Neosho Falls, Kansas. An egg
was taken July 5, from an old crow's nest, fitted up with a few extra

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

167

sticks and green twigs in leaf for lining. It was placed in a medium-
sized oak about forty feet from the ground. The egg, which was ad-
vanced in incubation, he describes a pure white, size 1.70x1.35.*

Col. Goss also observed the Mississippi Kite nesting in the timber
lands bordering Medicine River, near Sun City, Barber county, Kansas,
and found seven r sts on the 22d of May ; on the 31st he collected four
sets of eggs containing two each, and one nest contained a single egg.
June loth, two more sets of two eggs each were taken. Col. Goss de-
scribes the eggs as "white or bluish-white;" the last two sets were
stained by the wet leaves in the nests. The eggs measure by sets as
follows: First, 1.55x1.33, 1.52x1.36; second, 1.76x1.48,1.65x1.35;
third, 1. 70x1. 39, 1.56x1.35; fourth, 1.70x1.37, 1.68x1.30; fifth, 1.75
XI.30; sixth, 1.54x1.31, 1.45x1.24; seventh, 1.70x1.38, 1.68x1.43.
The nests were all built either in the forks from the main body, or in
tne forks of the larger limbs of the cottonwood and elm trees, and when
old would be taken for the nests of the common Crow. Their height
from the ground ranged from twenty-five to fifty feet, f

Mr. R. E. Rachford informs me that he took two sets of the eggs
of this species in Texas from nests situated about thirty feet from the
ground in oak trees. The color of the eggs he describes as white, with
a slight greenish tinge.

330. Rostrhamus sociabilis (Vieill). [429.]

Everglad* Kits.

Hab. Florida, Atlantic coast of Mexico, part of West Indies, Central America, E^astern portion of
South America to the Argentine Republic.

This slate-colored Kite is a resident of the Everglades of Florida,
and also occurs in the fresh water marshes and lakes of the middle
and southern portions of the State.

Mr. W. E. D. Scott found it abundant at Panasofkee Lake, about
February first, where it was feeding on a kind of fresh-water snail,
which was very abundant, and the local name given the bird is
" Snail Hawk." The birds fish over shallow water, after the manner
of gulls ; securing a snail by diving, they carry it to the most available
perch, when the animal is dexterously taken from the shell without
injury to the latter. At many places where a particularly convenient
tree or stiib rises out of the saw-grass, the ground is literally heaped
with the empty shells of the snails. J

The nesting season of this species in the Everglades of Florida is
in March, some pairs breeding later than others, and t^ o or three eggs

*Auk, Vol. II, p. 21. , :

t Auk, Vol. IV, pp. 341-^45. .-..,' '

tBuU. Nutt. Club, Vol. VI, p. W. ^^■•T i":, . >

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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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168

NESTS AND EGGS OF

are deposited. The nests are built in tall, rank grass and bushes ; es-
pecially in the saw-grasses, about a foot below the tops, just so as to be
out of sight, and the nests are usually composed of the same material ;
they measure about a foot in diameter, with a cavity three inches deep.
Mr. H. B. Bailey describes a set of three eggs, taken in the Ever-
glades, March i6, by E. W. Montreuil; their sizes are 1.91 x 1.50, 1.80 x
1. 51, 1.80 X 1.45; the color of one is light brown, nearly obscured by
large blotches of dark and reddish-brown; anotl^er has a dirty-white
ground color, with spots and blotches of various shades of brown,
which become smaller and fewer at the smaller end. It resembles the
common varieties of eggs of the European Sparrow Hawk, Accipiter
nisus. The third is of a greenish- white, over the smaller end are
scrawls, lines and a few spots of light and dark brown.*

331. Circus hudsonius (Linn). [430.]

Marsh Haivfc.

Hab. Whole of North America, south in winter to Panama, the Bahamas and Cuha.

The Marsh Hav;k, Blue Hawk, or Harrier, is distributed through-
out the whole of North America, It is one of the most abundant
and widely-diffased of our birds, and breeds from the fur country of
Hudson's Bay to Texas, and from Nova Scotia to Oregon and Cali-
fornia. It is found especially in regions covered by bushes, small
trees, rank grass, swamp prairies or marshy places. Here the nest
may be found, placed on the ground, which is only a collection of
twigs and hay, but from three to seven inches in height and a foot
01 more in diameter. Sometimes the nests are of large proportions,
which is the result of nesting in the same spot for a number of years.
The eggs are frequently laid on a bed of green moss, with the material
arranged in a circular form. The bird may often be seen during the
spring and summer months sweeping slowly over meadows and bot-
tom lands in pursuit of gophers, mice, birds, grasshoppers and
large insects. It can readily be recognized by the entirely pure white
upper tail-coverts ; the male above bluish-ash, whitening below ; the
female above dark umber-brown.

Mr. S. F. Rathbun records a set of seven eggs taken June 14, at
Dunnville, Ontario, and Mr. Norris has a finely marked set of seven
in his cabinet.

Marsh Hawks frequently begin to incubate with the first egg and
the young are hatched at intervals, after the manner of the cuckoos.
Fresh eggs may be found from the first of May to the 15th or 20th of
June, according to locality.

*Auk, I, p. 9j.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

The eggs are greenish-white, either immaculate or faintly spotted
with pale brown or lilac, rather oval in shape ; three to six in number,
often four or five, and measure from 1.80 to 1.90 in length by 1.38 to
145 in breadth. Mr. Norris has sets of Marsh Hawk eggs that are
as heavily marked as many eggs of Buteo lineatus. They were taken
by the famous collector, " J. M. W." (C. L. Rawson), and fully identified.

Hab.

332. Accipiter velox (Was).

Sharp-shiiined Hsixrk.

Whole of North America, south to Panama.

[433.]

This spirited little Hawk is distributed at large throughout North
America and it is considered an abundant species, although in some
localities it is quite rare. Known as Pigeon Hawk, but it should not
be confounded with Falco coltimbarius.

The Sharp-shinned Hawk is swift, irregular and nervous in its
flight; is one of the most daring of the family, often successfully at-
tacking birds of its own weight ; failing sometimes to do so either from
oyer-confidence in its own abilities, or under-estimation of the powers
of its victim. The smaller birds and quadrupeds, young chickens,
pigeons, small reptiles and various insects constitute this bird's food.
The nests of this species are built in trees in dense woods, preferably
pine groves ; frequently a scrubby oak or a birch offers a favorite site,
and the height from the ground may range from ten to sixty feet ; the
nests generally rest against the trunk of the tree at the base of a limb.
The composition of the nests are small sticks forming a platform with
a slight hollow, usually without lining. Occasionally nests are placed
in cavities similar to those of the Sparrow Hawk, or upon a ledge of
rock overhanging a lake or river.

Mr. O. C. Poling informs me that in Western Illinois this Hawk
selects for the site of its nest the top branches of an almost limbless
tree, uiually an oak, which is situated in dense woods ; it is generally
composed of oak twigs and leaves. Mr. Poling states that nesting be-
gins by the middle of April ; all the nests he has observed contained
five eggs, although others were found in that region containing three
and four.

Mr. Charles F. Morrison, of Fort Lewis, Colorado, took a set of three
eggs June 22 from a dilapidated Magpie's nest, the arched roof of which
had fallen in, and formed a hollow, which was lined with a few feathers
upon some dead leaves. The Marsh Hawk and the present species
deposit their eggs when other Hawks are nearly through breeding.
The Sharp-shinned Hawk's eggs may be found in the first week of

llii

flu

"» ' £j'< If

* \ t. F

170

NESTS AND EGGS OF

April and as late as the last week of June ; the birds seldom occupy a
nest the second time.

Mr. J. Parker Norris has a large series of these eggs in his collec-
tion, consisting of seventeen sets, ranging in number from three to
five, and one containing the unusual number of seven eggs ; the dates
on which they were taken is from April 1 1 to June 26. Most of these
eggs were collected by the experienced oologist, " J. M. W.," Mr. C.
L. Rawson, of Norwich, Conn. Mr. Norris also describes seventeen
eggs which were laid in succession by a single bird between May 23
and June 25.*

The eggs of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Mr. Norris states, are sub-
ject to great variation in markings, and yet, as a rule, they can be iden-
tified at a glance. With the exception of the Sparrow Hawk, Tinnun-
culus sparverius., they are the smallest laid by any of the hawks found
in North America, and among the most beautiful eggs of any of the
Raptores. Their ground color varies from bluish-white to grayish-
white, spotted, blotched, speckled, streaked and clouded with light
fawn color, burnt umber, chestnut, lavender-gray, chocolate, russet-
brown and cinnamon, exhibiting an endless variety of bold and indis-
tinct patterns of coloration and design. The usual form of the egg is
spherical, of nearly equal size at both ends. The average size is

1. 50x1. 16.

333. Accipiter cooperi (Bonap.) [431.]

Cooper'* Hairk.

Hab. North America at large; greater portion of Mexico.

Distributed throughout temperate North America at large as a
summer resident, and well known to the farmers by the name of
Chicken Hawk. Its flight is easy and usually slow, but the bird is
quick in its movements ; its long tail serving the purpose of a rudder
as it suddenly pounces upon the object of its pursuit or quickly ascends
into the air. This and the last species are perhaps the boldest depre-
dators of the family. They are shy and difficult of approach, yet their
imprudence often proves fatal to them. They do not hesitate to attack
chickens in the presence of their owners ; they also feed largely upon
small quadrupeds, weasles, squirrels and young rabbits ; snakes and
reptiles are among their victims.

A specimen of this bird is in my collection which was killed by a
weasel in mid air ; the weasel sucking the blood of the hawk, while
the bird was struggling with its intended victim, which escaped
unharmed.

The nests of Cooper's Hawk are usually placed in tall trees, from

* For 8 complete d'sscription of this series of e?rgs see Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XIII, pp. 84-37.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

ten to fifty feet from the ground ; frequently an old Crow's or some other
Hawk's nest is fitted up for the purpose, which is occupied for a suc-
cession of years, and the nests are often so augmented by the continu-
ous adding of brush and rubbish that they become huge structures.
May 15, 1880, a collector brought me a set of four eggs taken from an
old squirrel's nest. Mr. L. Jones, of Grinnell, Iowa, writes that this
Hawk deposits its eggs in that region about the first of May. The
number of eggs laid ranges from four to six, rarely the latter number,
and they may be found in various sections between April i and May 20.

The eggs are of a pale-bluish or greenish-white, usually spotted
with pale reddish-brown. Mr. Norris has sets of these eggs that are
heavily marked. They measure from 1.80 to 2.10 long by 1.40 to 1.62
broad.

A set of four eggs from Southern Arizona, taken May 15, measure
1.9OXI.40, 1.95x1.42, 1.92x1.40, 1.90XI.42; another set of four col-
lected in Central Ohio, April 9, measure 1.89x1.40, 1,92x1.45, 1.93 x
1.40, 1.90x1.42.

334. Accipiter atricapillus (Wils.) [433.]

American Oosha-wrki

Hab. Northern and Eastern North America; the northern half of United States, a winter resident
in some parts.

A large and handsome hawk — one of the most symmetrical in out-
line of the family ; known to breed mostly north of the United States.
Its breeding places are usually in thick evergreen woods, the nest be-
ing placed in tall hemlock trees ; it is bulky and composed of sticks,
twigs and weeds, lined with bark strips and grass. The eggs are two
or three in number, bluish-white, sometimes faintly spotted with yel-
lowish-brown. Mr. Norris has two sets of these eggs in his collection ;
one of three taken at Kentville, Nova Scotia, April 26, 1888 ; they are
bluish-white, unmarked, but nest stained; sizes: 2.25x1.81, 2.36 x
1. 71, 2.24 X 1.76; the other of two eggs taken in the same locality. May
5, 1888, are dull bluish-white and measure 2.14 x 1,79, 2. 13 x 1.83. Aver-
age size 2.31 XI.75.

334fl. Accipiter atricapillus striatulus. Ridgw. [433«]

Western Ooihaw^k.

Hab. Western North America.

A darker colored race than the foregoing, inhabiting the Pacific
coast region, north to Sitka, breeding in the Sierra Nevadas probably
as far south as 30°. General habits, nesting, eggs, etc., the same as
those of atricapillus. Average size of eggs 2.36 x 1.75.

•IH

172

NESTS AND EGGS OP

335. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi (Aud.) [434.]

Harris's Hawk.

Hab. Southern border of the United States; Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, southward to Panama.

This bird is an inhabitant of the warmer parts of America, extending
its range over our Mexican border. In Texas it is common, especially
about the mouth of the Rio Grande. Its habits resemble those of the
Caracara Eagle, but it is not so active, and the nests are hardly distin-
guishable in situation and construction. It is said, by some observers,
to subsist entirely on carrion, and may be seen in company with the
Turkey Buzzard, Black Vulture and Caracara Eagle.

Mr. Sennett found this species to be the most abundant of any
other of the family on the Lower Rio Grande in Texas. In their
crops he found mice, lizards, birds and often the Mexican striped
gopher, indicating that they were active hunters instead of sluggish
birds.

The eggs are white, with a yellowish tinge, sometimes marked
with light dashes of yellowish- brown and dottings of purplish drab ;
commonly two or three in number, rarely four.

Four sets of these eggs are in the cabinet of Mr. J. Parker Norris,
and show considerable variation in size and shape. One set of three
taken near Corpus Christi, Texas, May 10, 1886, are entirely dull white ;
sizes, 2.19X 1.61, 2.13x1.63, 2.14X 1.58; another of two eggs taken in
Cameron county, Texas, May 25, 1886, measure 2.083: 1.65, 2.19 x 1.71 ;
a set of three eggs from the same place, collected April 25, measure
2.00X 1.65, 2.06 X 1.65, 2.13 X 1.69 ; one of the eggs of this set has a few
faint cinnamon spots ; the fourth set taken in Cameron county, Texas,
May 3, 1886 ; two of these are faintly marked with laVender, but the
third is distinctly spotted at the large end with cinnamon ; sizes, 2.14
XI.65, 1.94x1.61, 1.99x1.57.

[336.1 Buteo buteo (Linn.) [435.]

European Buzzard.

Hab. Northern portions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Accidental in Michigan?

The older ornithologists were doubtless mistaken in the identifica-
tion of the specimens obtained in this country, which they describee
and figured as Btiteo vulgaris of Europe.

This Hawk has been entirely excluded from our fauna by more
recent authorities, and it is admitted only on the grounds of a
single specimen taken near Paw Paw, Michigan, by J. D. Allen, and
received in the skin by Mr. C. J. Maynard in the autumn of 1873. The
bird is quite common in England, frequenting the more cultivated por-
tions, as well as the very wildest parts of Scotland and tracts of Alpine

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

forests, where its favorite breeding place is on the edges of ravines.
The nest is placed in some large tree or on a ledge of rock, and is built
of sticks with a scanty lining of wool and hair. The eggs are three
or four in number, of an oval form, bluish-white, with pale brown
blotches and spots of yellowish-brown, chiefly at the larger end. A
set of three eggs in my cabinet, from England, measure 2.30 x 1.75,
2.28x1.72, 2.30x1.68.

337. Buteo borealis (Gmel.) [436.]

Red-tailed Hawk.

Hab. Eastern portions of North America, west to the Great Plains.

The Red-tailed Buzzard, in its light and dark geographical races,
is distributed throughout the whole of North America. This species is
abundant in the eastern portion. A large Hawk and a notorious visitor
to barn-yards, though lacking much of the pluck and dash of the mem-
bers of some of the preceding genera it has the equally successful
quality cf perseverance. The food ot this species is chiefly small
quadrupeds, red squirrels, gophers and ground moles, and the remains
of these rodents may always be found in this bird's nest containing
young. The Hawk will always be found common where these small
animals are most abundant.

The nest is placed in high trees in deep woods ; it is large and
bulky, though comparatively shallow ; made of sticks and twigs, mixed
together with corn-husks, grass, moss, and on the inside may be found
a few feathers. Sometimes the deserted nest of a crow or that of another
hawk is fitted up and used. Mr. J. Parker Norris records a nest occu-
pied first by the Great Horned Owl and afterwards by the Red-tailed
Hawk, each year ; the young owls leave the nest before the hawk is
ready to occupy it.

The number of eggs laid by this species is two or three, rarely
four. Mr. Norris has a series of twenty-seven sets collected in Connecti-
cut, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Mississippi, and Texas ; nineteen of these sets
are of two eggs, six of three, and two of four.* The time of deposit-
ing the eggs in the United States varies according to locality and cir-
cumstances, but they are generally laid in March or April. Eggs are
found in different stages of incubation as late as the middle or latter
part of May. A large series of eggs present amazing differences in size
and markings ; their ground color is white or bluish-white ; some are
entirely unmarked, while others are veiy heavily blotched and splashed

*For a detailed description of this series see Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XI, pp. 67-69. Sinc6
the above was written Mr. Norris has increased his series to thirty-six sets.

? II IK

174

NESTS AND EGGS OE

with many shades of red and brown ; some are faintly marked here
and there with a light purplish tint, and again the colorings may form
an almost confluent wreath at either end. The largest eggs in Mr. Nor-
ris' collection measure 2.41 x 1.84, 2.37 x 2.cx) ; the smallest, 2.17 x 1.80,
2.20 X 1.78. The average size is 2.36 x 1.80.

337a. Buteo borealls kriderii Hoopes. [436a.]

Hab.

Krider'a Hawk.

Great Plains of the United States, from Minnesota to Texas.

This lighter colored variety of the Red-tailed Hawk occurs in the
Great Plains, from Minnesota to Texas ; east irregularly or casually
to Iowa and Northern Illinois.

Mr. F. M. Dille writes that this bird nests in remote places on the
plains and among the large cliffs of Colorado. He was unable to de-
tect any difference between the nest and eggs of this bird and those of
the Western Red-tail. He took a set of the eggs, three in number, in
Weld county, May 24, 1886, from a nest in a cottonwood tree. They are
now in the collection of J. Parker Norris. Two of these specimens
are slightly spotted with Vandyke brown, but the third is quite heavily
splashed and blotched at the smaller end with chestnut and cinnamon ;
their sizes are 2.34x1.82, 2.30 x 1.84, 2.28 x 1.83.

Mr. Dille states that the nest contained cotton balls, from the tree

in which it was placed ; these had burst and made excellent soft lining

for the nest.

337/^. Buteo borealls calurus (Cass.) [436A]

'Western P.ed-tall.

Hab. Western North America, especially in the United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the
Pacific, south into Mexico.

A blackish or sometimes an almost entirely sooty variety inhabit-
ing Western North America. In all respects its breeding habits are
the same as those of the Eastern representative, nesting in the branches
of lofty oaks, pines, sycamores, etc. In mountainous regions the nests
are often placed on the narrow ledges of cliffs. The eggs can not be
distinguished from those of B. borealis.

339. Buteo lineatus (Gmel.) [439]

Red-shonldered Hanrk.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Nova Scotia; west to the edge of the Great Plains.

This large species is one of the commonest hawks in the United
States, and it is especially abundant in winter, from which it receives
the name of Winter Falcon, but it is not more hardy than the Red-tail.
It also shares the name of Chicken Hawk, commonly applied to all the
larger hawks. Only occasionally it visits the barnyard, its diet is of a
more humble kind, such as frogs, rats, mice and small snakes.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

The nesting of the Red-shouldered Hawk is very much the same
as that of the Red-tail, but in many sections it seems to have a prefer-
ence for lower woods, in bottom lands. The nest is said nov to be so
long re-occupied by the birds. The eggs are usually deposited in April
or May. The number of eggs is three or four, sometimes only two.
The ground color is bluish, yellowish-white, or brownish, spotted,
blotched and dotted irregularly with many shades of reddish-brown ;
they are usually more highly colored than the eggs of the Red-tail.
Some of them are exceedingly handsome.

A series of sixty-one sets are in Mr. Norris' cabinet, nearly all of
which were collected by the celebrated oologist, " J. M. W.," (C. L.
Rawson) ; they show a wonderful variation in size and markings, rang-
ing from almost unmarked to very heavily spotted and blotched speci-
mens. To describe all the shades of reds and browns, which comprise
the variation, would be an almost endless task, and a large series like
this must be seen in order to appreciate how much the eggs of th^'s
species vary. The sizes range from 2.00 to 2.30 long by 1.65 to 1.75

broad.

339a. Buteo lineatus alleni Ridgw.

Florida Red-ahonldered Hatrk.

Hab. Florida, Texas.

In Texas Mr. Singley found this bird breeding in the densely
wooded bottom lands, in tall pin oaks that border the streams. He
states that the nest is placed on the large limbs of the trees, and is
constructed of large and small sticks, weeds and moss; sometimes it is
beautifully decorated with Spanish moss. A few of the birds prefer
the uplands for a breeding place, and select pin oaks and hickory trees
in the neighborhood of streams. Mr. Singley says this Hawk has
the peculiar habit of placing green leaves in the nest. Sometimes the
leaves are bruised and often stain the eggs, and by the time incubation
is well advanced the nest is half full of the leaves.

Nest building commences about the middle of March, and fresh
sets of eggs may be found until the middle of April. Two or three
eggs are laid. Mr. Norris has seven sets collected by Mr. Singley in
Lee county, Texas. Their ground-color is dull white or bluish-white
and they vary from almost entirely unmarked to heavily blotched,
spotted and speckled with red, lilac and rich reddish-brown. They
vary in size from 1.96 to 2.19 long by 1.67 to 1.73 broad.

339(^. Buteo lineatus elegans (Cass.) [439a.]

Red-bellied Hawk.

Hab. Pacific coast of the United States, south into Mexico,

This western race, whose whole under plumage is of a rich dark

176

NESTS AND EGGS OP

reddish color, is distributed from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific.
Nesting and eggs similar to those of B. I. alleni. Average size of the
eggs is 2.19x1.71. A set of two eggs in Mr. Norris' collection,
taken May 2, 1887, in Los Angeles county, California, measure 2.t2x
1.75, 2.04 X 1.77. They are grayish-white spotted with russet.

340. Buteo abbreviatus Cahan. [440.]

ZonO'tailed Hanvk.

Hab. Texa^, Arizona and Southern Califurnia, louth into the northern portion of South America.

The Zone-tailed Hawk is a peculiar species, unlike any other of
the United States. It is slenderly built with long wings and tail and
in its various plumages is not yet well known. The bird is a Mexican
and Guatamalian species and is of quite general distribution in Texas
and Arizona where it frequents the wooded districts in the vicinity of
streams. Its iood is small birds, quadrupeds, beetles, locusts and
grasshoppers. In Texas and Arizona this Hawk has been found
nesting in May, fresh eggs being taken by the middle of the month.
The nests are built on tall trees, such as cottonwood, ash, box-elders,
sycamore and cypress that fringe the streams. It is placed from fifteen
to forty feet from the ground, in the horizontal branches; is large and
bulky, made of coarse sticks, lined with cottonwood leaves or Spanish
moss. When disturbed while incubating the bird is said to fly off,
uttering a loud whistling cry. The eggs are two to four in number ;
dull white, usually spotted, splashed or speckled, with rich chestnut or
umber-brown, chiefly at the larger end ; their average size is 2.15 x 1.70.

341. Buteo albicaudatus Vieill [441.]

'White-tailed Hawk.

Hab. Rio Grande Valley of Texas, southward through Mexico, Central and most of South America.

This fine Hawk is a rather common resident on the Rio Grande
of Southern Texas and southward. Dr. Merrill mentions two nests
which he found May 2, 1878, placed in the top of a yucca growing in
Palo Alto prairie, about seven miles from Fort Brown. The nests were
not more than eight feet from the ground, and were good-sized plat-
forms of twigs, with scarcely any lining. While examining these
nests, the parents sailed in circles overhead, constantly uttering a cry
resembling the bleating of a goat. Each nest contained one egg. The
first was' fresh; size 2.35x1.91; dirty-white, with a few reddish
blotches at the smaller end. The second, partly incubated, was like
the first, but the blotches were rather sparsely distributed over the
entire egg; size, 2.35 x 1.85.

Mr. Edwin C. Davis found a nest of this Hawk seven miles south
of Fort Griffin, Texas, containing two slightly incubated eggs, on the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

177

the

2d of June, iSS'^ ; it was in a mesquite bush, eight feet from the
ground. This is doubtless late nesting, as all other nests found were
empty.

Three sets of two eggs each are in Mr. Norris' collection ; one
taken May 2, 1884, near Corpus Christi, measures 2.20 x 1.80, 2.19X 1.80;
their color is light grayish, faintly and sparingly spotted with light
drab; another collected in the same locality March 24, 1886, one egg of
which is unmarked, and the other faintly spotted wi'^i fawn color at
the large end; sizes, 2.17 x 1.77, 2.25 x 1.78 ; the third set was taken on
the Arkansas river, Texas, April 2, 1888; they are dull grayish-white,
faintly and sparingly marked with light fawn color ; sizes, 2.33 x 1.65,
2.30x1.73.

342. Buteo swainsoni Bonap [442.]

Swalnson's Ha'wk.

Hab. Western North America from the Mississippi Valley to the Pacific ; north to the Arctic regions
and south to Buenos Ayres. Casual in New England.

One of the commonest and most characteristic of the large Hawks
in various places of the West. Many are killed, as they commit great
depredations in the poultry yards ; their food, however, consists largely
of birds and the smaller quadrupeds — squirrels, gophers, rats, mice, etc.
The flight of vSwaiuson's Hawk is usually slow, but in pursuit of its
prey its swiftness is said to remind one of the dash of Accipiter velox^
Sharp-shinned Hawk. The sites which are chosen for nesting places
by this Hawk are extremely variable ; in some localities the nest is
built on the ground, on bushes, small saplings and on the ledges of
rocky cliffs. Old nests of hawks and crows are fitted up for the occa-
sion ; but usually it is built in the tallest trees and in an almost inac-
cessible position in the outer branches.

Mr. L. Jones states that in Iowa this bird, while breeding, is found
principally in moderately timbered tracts, selecting less inaccessible
places" for its nests than Buico borealis^ but of the same position and
composition. The eggs are deposited as late as May 15, usually May i.

Mr. A. M. Shields took a set of two eggs of this Hawk, May 21,
1886, in the vicinity of Los Angeles, California, from a nest situated
in the extremity of the branches of an oak tree, fully fifty feet from
the ground; these are in my cabinet and measure 2.00x1.61, 2.20X
1.67. The eggs of this Hawk are two to four in number, greenish-
white, buSy-white or colorless, sometimes unmarked, but usually
spotted, stained or blotched with reddish or rusty-brown. Their aver-
age size is 2.21 X 1.70.

178 NESTS AND EGGS OF

343. Buteo latisslmus (Wilb.) [443.]

Broad-irlnged Haivk.

Hab. Eattern North America, from New llriinswick and the Saikatchewan country (outh to Texts,
Mexico, Central America, northern portion of South America and West Indlo.

The Broad-winged Hawk is of general distribution in eastern
North America. It makes its summer home in the solitudes of den.se
woodlands, usually in the vicinity of a marsh, lake or river. The bird is
of an unsuspicious and spiritless character, frequently permitting the
intruder to approach within a few yards of it without exhibiting the
least alarm. When the nest is approached this Hawk is said to utter a
piercing cry of alarm. Its food consists of squirrels, weasels, frogs, mice
and small birds. Not always are the highest trees selected as nesting
sites ; in some sections the crotches and branches of trees, ten to forty feet
from the ground, are usually chosen, while in other regions the tallest
oak and hickory trees, sixty to eighty feet from the ground, are pre-
ferred. Abandoned crows' nests are likewise made use of by this
species.* The nests are coarsely constructed of sticks, lined with
fibrous roots, bark strips, moss or feathers.

The eggs of the Broad-winged Hawk are usually deposited in
May. In the forests of the Red River of the North in Minnesota, Mr.
J. W. Preston found the eggs in the latter half of May; they have been
taken near St. John, New Brunswick, as late as June 23 ; in Monroe
county, Pennsylvania, June 6 ; and Northhampton county, Pennsyl-
vania, May 17 and 18; near Framingham, Massachusetts, May 25; in
Lafayette county, Mississippi, April 9, May 17 and 18. Mr. O. C. Pol-
ing took sets of this Hawk's eggs near Quincy, Illinois, in May. A
set of two eggs were brorght to me which were taken in Knox county,
Ohio, May 26, 1886.

The eggs are of a grayish, lavender-gray or yellowish-white ground
color, variously marked with spots and blotches of fawn color and um-
ber-brown and chestnut. Two or three are the usual number laid, and
four are exceptional. The average size is 1.90 x 1.54.!

*Many nests of the Raptores described by writers as resembling those of the Crow may safely be
attributed to the latter as their architects, and wherever Crows breed abundantly it is almost an assurance
that some species of Hawk or Owl may be found nesting in the immediate vicinity.

fThis is the average size given by Mr. Norris, taken from a series of seventeen sets in his
cabinet, nine of which came from Minnesota, three from Mississippi, one from Massachusetts, and four
from Pennsylvania; forty-two eggs in all. Mr. Norris states that there are two types of coloration in the
series; twenty-four of the eggs have markings of very subdued tints of pearl-gray, lavendar-gray, lilac-gray
and ecru-drab, on a faint yellowish or bluish-white ground ; the tints in many instances have the appearance
of being under the shell, and are present in specks, spots and blotches. The remaining eighteen eggs are
marked with spots and blotches of fawn color, russet, walnut-brown, burnt umber and chestnut. Some of
the sizes from this series are as follows: 1.74x152, 1.76x1.50, 1.85x1.46, 1.87x1.53, 1.90 x 1.43, 1.00x1.54,
1.99x1.63,2.01x1.62,2.06x1.52. See Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. XII, pp. O-ll, and Vol. XIII, p. 21.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

179

ground

345. Urnbltlnga anthracina (Licht.) [444.]

Mezloan Blsok Hawk.

Hab, Arizona, southward to northern portion! of South America.

A beautiful Hawk, known as the Mexican or Anthracite Buzzard,
and found throughout tropical America, and north to Southern Arizona.
The general color of the adult bird is coal-black ; tail-coverts narrowly
tipped with white ; tail black, the tip and base white, and crossed at
about the middle by a broad band of white.

Dr. Edgar A. Mearns met with this Hawk in the valley of the Rio
Verde River, Arizona, in 1884-5. The birds were present throughout
the summer months, but departed in autumn ; they were extremely
shy and were usually found hidden in the dense foliage of cottonwoods
near water, in some low situation. Their flight he describes as swift
and powerful. Occasionally one was seen eating a fish upon the sandy
margin of the river. Their loudly whistled cry was rendered with
great power, and different from that of any bird of prey with which he
was acquainted.

A nest was found built in a cottonwood tree June 19. This had
evidently been the birthplace of many generations of these Hawks,
for it measured four feet in depth by two feet in width. It was lined
with a layer of cottonwood leaves, several inches deep, was very slightly
concave, and composed of large sticks, much decayed below, showing
that they had been in position for a number of years. The nest was
about thirty feet from the ground and contained a half-grown nestling.
Upon approaching the nest the Hawk exhibited much uneasiness and
screamed lustily.* The eggs, two or three in number, are described as
plain white, average size 2.10x1.75.

348. Asturina plagiata Schlegel. [445-]

Mezloan Ooshairk.

Hab. Southern border of the United States, southward to Panama; accidental in Southern Illinois.

Captain Charles E. Bendire states that this, one of the handsomest
of our Raptores^ is not an uncommon summer resident of the southern
portions of Arizona. The bird's peculiar call-notes he describes as re-
sembling the piping of the Long-billed Curlew ; their flight exceed-
ingly graceful and swift, resembling in many respects that of the
American Goshawk. They seem to prefer more open country than
the latter species. In the timber bordering Rillitto creek, near Tucson,
Captain Bendire found this Hawk breeding in 1872 ; on the dates May
17, June 6 and 19, and June 20, nests were found containing two and
three eggs each. The nests were placed in cottonwood trees, fifty and
seventy-fi ve feet from the ground ; one found May 17, located in the

•Auk, III, pp. 69-73.

180

NESTS AND EGGS OF

topmost branches of a cottonwood was not a very substantial structure ;
a shallow platform composed principally of small cottonwood twigs, a
number of them broken off green by the birds themselves. The birds
were seen, while flying, to grasp at a suitable twig with the talons,
usually succeeding in breaking it off at the first trial. The nest was
lined with dry cottonwood leaves and the tops of tne willows, the latter
taken while yet green.

Captain Bendire describes the eggs as white or pale bluish-white,
unspotted, but always more or less stained with yellowish matter hard
to clean off; size 2.00 x 1.60.'"^ A set of two eggs, taken in Arizona,
May 23, 1884, by Mr. F. Stephens, is in the collection of Captain B. F.
Goss. The nest from which these were taken was in a cottonwood
tree, seventy-five feet from the ground ; it was made of cottonwood
and willow twigs, mostly green, lined with small twigs and green
leaves. The eggs are white, with a few indistinct bufFy-brown spots,
sizes 1.90XI.54, 1.96x1.58. - .^

[347.] ArcMbuteo lagopus. (Brunn.). , '

Rough-legged Hawk.

Hab. Northern portions of the old worM; Alaska.

The European Rough-legged Buzzard very much resembles our
American bird, sancti-johannis. In Europe it is said to be sparingly dis-
tributed over the northern parts, appearing occasionally in Northern
Britain, and with regularity in the more southern portions. It is known
to breed in the rugged mountain regions of Switzerland and varioiis
parts of France and Italy, placing the bulky nest of sticks in lofty
trees or on precipitous rocks. The eggs, two to four in number, vary
from dirty-white tc, grayish or cream-color, usually marked with num-
erous spots and b otches of umber cud sepia-brown, and sometimes
entirely unmarked ; average size 2.20x1.80.

347«. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis (Gmel.). [447-]

Amerioan Rough-legged Haw^k.

H-b. Whole of North America, north of Mexican boundary breeding chiefly north of the United
States.

The plumage of the *' Black Hawk," as it is called, is subject to
great variations. In general, the whole plumage is dark brown or
blackish and light brown, gray or whitish. From these van-^gated
sta^^es the bird varies to more or less uniform blackish ; but in either
plumage it is easily recognized by the feathered shank. The Rough-
legged Buzzard frequents swamps, marshes and the vicinity of lakes
and rivers. It appears to be more numerous near the coast than in the
interior east of the Mississippi. It is less active than most Hawks,

♦Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. VI, pp. 87-88.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

181

and approaches the Owls in the habit of hunting by twilight. Its food
consists chiefly of mice and frogs.

The nest of this species is placed on large trees, frequently on
ledges of rocks ; it is a bulky structure, composed of sticks, grasses,
weeds and various other materials which are soft and easily matted
together. The eggs are two or three in number ; they are ";vhite or
buffy, sprinkled, spotted or blotched with brown ; the average size given
is 2.27x1.76. Mr, Norris has a set of two eggs taken June 9, 1864, on
the Anderson River, in Arctic America, by R. R. MacFarlane. These
are of an ivory white, spotted, splashed and blotched with cinnamon ;
they measure, 2.20x1.76, 2.22x1.81.

'•i ■

ect to
iwn or
-^gated

either
lough-
lakes

in the

[awks,

348. Archibuteo ferrugineus. (Light.). [448.]

Ferruginous Rough-leg.

Hab. Western United States, across the great plains, north to the S^'skatchewan region; south to
Mexico. Occasionally to Illinois.

Known as the Ferruginous Rough-legged Buzzard or California
Squirrel Hawk. A common species on the plains of the West, and one
of the largest and handsomest of our American Hawks,

In some localities this species builds its large and bulky nests on
trees, ranging from ten to fifty feet from the ground ; it is composed of
large sticks and lined with leaves, tufts of grass and roots, Mr, F, M.
Dille, of Greeley, Colorado, stat'^s the birds are not shy, and made no
demonstration when he approached the nest. He describes a nest as
measuring three feet in diameter and two in depth. The eggs are two
or three, rarely four, in number,

Capt, B, F, Goss informs me that he found this Hawk in Northern
Dakota nesting on the ground, on rocky, precipitous hillsides ; this, too,
being the case seemingly from choice, for heavy timber was only a few
miles away, and patches of brush and low trees were often in the im-
mediate vicinity of the nest. May 4, 1884, Capt. Goss found a nest at
the foot of a rock, on a steep bluff; it was composed of sticks, buffalo
ribs, weed stalks and small pieces of turf, lined with dry grass. Four
eggs, vaiy greatly in color, from finely spotted to heavily splashed
with different shades of brown; sizes, 2,44 x 1.96, 2.55x1.96, 2.45x2.00,
2.40 X 1,92. Mr, Dille states that the usual date for depositing the eggs
on the plains of Colorado is about May 20, but he has taken fresh
eggs as early as April 20, A set of two in Mr. Norris' collection,
taken in Comal county, Texas, March 30, 1873, ^^^ spotted, splashed
with brown and burnt umber. They measure 2,33x1.88, 2.34x1.86.

182 NESTS AND EGGS OF

349. Aquila chrysaetos. (Linn.). [449.]

Golden Bagle.

Hab, Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, chiefly in mountainous regions.

The Golden Eagle inhabits North America at large, and also the
northern parts of the Old World. It may be recognized by the tarsus
being wholly feathered to the toes ; the general color of its plumage is
dark-brown throughout, and the tone of the color, in certain lights, is of
a golden-brown. It is known to breed in mountainous portions of North-
ern New England and New York. In the Anderson River region Mr.
MacFarlane found the Golden Eagle nesting as early as the last of April,
and eggs containing large embryos were taken May 27. The bird is
quite common in the mountainous regions of California. The nests
are built usually on inaccessible rocks, and sometimes in trees, and two
or three eggs are laid, generally two. Throughout California the
Golden Eagle seems to nest in trees by preference. Mr. Samuel C.
Evans found it breeding in March, in the wild, rugged mountains of,
Santa Clara county, in the vicinity of Mt. Day ; the nests were placed
in sycamores, pines and oaks — one in a large pine tree which overhung
a deep and rocky canon. Mr. Norris has a set of two eggs which was
taken February 26, 1886, near Tres Pinos, California, from a nest
built in a solitary live oak standing in a wheat field, on the side
of a gulch. This nest was very large, nearly four feet in depth
and five feet in diameter ; it was composed of sticks and lined with
straw stubble, green grass and twigs in leaf. TJie eggs are whitish,
heavily blotched with chestnut, and pale lavender under-shell markings ;
sizes, 2.86x2.21, 2.89x2.29. Mr. J. R. Chalker, in the seasons of
1886-7-8, collected ten sets of the eggs of this bird in San Benito
county, California, nearly all of which were taken from nests placed in
trees. The first set was found February 26, and the others at various
dates in the month of March, Two eggs was the usual number laid,
and one set of three was taken. A nest in a lofty red-wood tree, ninety-
four feet from the ground, is described as being made of large sticks,
lined with red-wood twigs and straw-stubble. Nests were also found
placed on almost inaccessible cliffs. The eggs in colors varied from
white, unmarked, to faintly and heavily marked specimens. One set
was found which was densely blotched with reddish-brown all over.
Mr. Norris has another set of two eggs taken in San Benito county,
California, which is dull white, thickly spotted and sprinkled with
chestnut red and under-shell markings of pale lavender; sizes, 3.05 x
2.17, 3.01x2.14.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 183

[351.] Haliseetus albicilla (Linn.) [452.]

Gray Sea Eagle*

Hab. Northern portions of Europe and Asia; Greenland.

A large dusky-brown species known as the White-tailed or Gray
Sea Eagle. Included in our North American fauna upon its occurrence
in Southeastern Greenland. It is common to the sea coasts of Europe
and is rarely found inland. Breeds on the coasts of Great Britain ; its
most favorite haunts being the shores and islands of the northern and
western coasts of Scotland ; the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands,
where it nests on the rocky cliffs projecting over water. The nests are
made of sticks or seaweed. Trees are also resorted to, though much
less frequently. This Eagle also breeds on the coasts of Denmark,
Norway and Sweden, and those of Russia.

The eggs are two or three in number, plain white, but occasion-
ally with small faint spots of light brown. A set of two eggs is in Mr.
Norris' collection, taken in Sweden, May 17, 1885. They are of a dull
white, nest stained, and measure 2.89x2.21, 2.73x2.20. _ ,

352. Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linn.) [-151.]

Bald Eagle.

Hab. Whole of North America, sonih to Mexico.

This great bird is common everywhere in North America. It
passes through three stages of plumage ; the first year the young are
very dark-colored and are erroneously called " Black Eagles," the second
they are " Gray Eagles," and are usually larger than the old birds.
The residence of the White-headed Eagle is greatly influenced by the
abundance of food, especially that of fish. It is found as far north as
the Arctic Circle, and south as far as Florida and Texas. Breeds in
the interior Arctic regions on the borders of lakes and rivers. Not an
uncommon summer resident in Labrador, and breeds from thence
southward along the Atlantic coast to Florida. Common resident of
Oregon and Washington Territory. It is particularly common along
the Columbia River, where the supply of fish is abundant. The
eggs are deposited from December to April, according to locality.
The Bald Eagle is not the sluggish, fish-eating bird that some
writers state it to be, devoid of energy, obtaining its living by
robbing the industrious Osprey. It has been known to swoop
down upon flocks of Geese, Brant, Duck and Coot, select a par-
ticular bird, when the flocks scattered, and successfully carry oflf
its victim to the nearest sand-bar. If it is a goose, and too heavy,
both birds fall into the water, when the Eagle literally tows the prize
along the surface until the shore is reached.* This bird also captures

*Wm. Brewster; Bull. Nutt. Club, Vol. V, pp. 57-58.

if''*
M

III'

iji

184

NESTS AND EGGS OF

wounded ducks and other birds, and feeds on putrid fish and flesh.
Florida seems to be a favorite breeding ground of the Bald Eagle,
where they nest usually in January, but in the extreme southern por-
tions — Cape Sable and the Keys in that region — iney breed in Decem-
ber. The nests are massive structures, made of sticks, lined with roots
or grass ; they are placed in trees, and their distance from the ground
ranges from twenty to ninety feet. On rocky coasts, destitute of suit-
able trees, this Eagle resorts to the cliff for nesting places, and the same
eyrie is occupied for many years. The eggs are two, rarely three in num-
ber, and are white, or ivory-white, unmarked, usually with a granu-
lated surface and nest-stained. Three sets of two eggs each are in Mr.
Norris' collection ; one from Merritt's Island, Florida, taken Decem-
ber 13, 1883, mea'^ure 2.79X 2.21, 2.74 x 2.09 ; another from Stone Island,
Maine, collected April 21, 1887, measure 2.88x2.15, 2.94x2.13; the
third from Tampa, Florida, taken December 3, 1884, give the follow-
ing dimensions: 2.70 x 2.12. 2.70x2.10. Four sets in my cabinet, col-
lected by Mr. R. C. Stuart at Cape Sable, December i, 4 and 16, ex-
hibit the following sizes by sets: First, 2.57x2.12, 2.98x2.22;
second, 2.89x2.15, 2.91x2.17; third, 2.73x2.09, 2.63x2.02; fourth,
2.51 x 1.94, 2.51 x 2.00. These eggs were taken from huge nests, placed
in mangrove trees, twenty to thirty-five feet from the ground.

353. Falco islandus Brunn. [412.] "

White Gyrfaloou.

Hab. Arctic regions, including Arctic America .ind Greenland.

The Gyrfalcons are large handsome birds and are found in various
phases of plumage, being white, more or less barred and spotted with
brownish and black. They are birds of boreal regions, and nest in
trees or cliffs, preying upon the smaller quadrupeds, grouse, ducks,
auks, etc. The adult of the present species averages as white as the
Snowy Owl. It is called Greenland Gyrfalcon and breeds in Green-
land and other portions of Arctic America.

Dr. Stejneger states that this species breeds on Bering Island. A
pair had their nest in a steep and inaccessible rock, a couple of miles
from the main village.

Mr. Norris has a set of three eggs collected in Southern Green-
land, by G. N. Proctor, May 26, 1884; the eggs were taken from
a nest on a ledge of rocks. They measure, respectively, 2.14x1.81,
2.19x1.80, 2.17x1.81. The ground color is creamy-white, with the
markings " •^eddish-brown distributed over the surface ; in one speci-
men th( . _KS and spots form an indistinct circle near the large end.
The eggs are said to be two to four in number.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

185

354. Palco rusticolus Linn [412a.]

Gray Oyrfaloon.

Hab. Extreme northern portions of Euiopc, Asia and North America; Iceland, Southern Green-
land; south in winter to the northern border ol the United States.

The Gray Gyrfalcon is not uncommon in Iceland and Southern
Greenland, and strays in winter into northeastern United States. Mr.
Norris has a set of two eggs of this bird, collected by Mr. Proctor in
Southern Greenland, on the 30th of May, 1884. Incubation was just
begun, and the parent bird was shot. The nest was placed on a shelv-
ing rock. One of the eggs is marked, over a whitish ground, with
small light reddish-brown spots sparingly sprinkled over the surface,
confluent at the small end, where they almost obscure the ground color.
The rest of the egg has a whitish appearance. The other specimen is
heavily marked over the entire surface. Sizes, 2.26x1.82, 2.25x1.86.

354a. Falco rusticolus gyrfalco. (Linn.). [412/J.]

Oyrfaloon.

Hab. Northern Europe; interior of Arctic Americ.-*, from Hudson's Bay to Alaska.

MacFarlane's Gyrfalcon breeds abundantly in the interior regions
of Arctic America, where numerous skins and eggs are annually taken.
It not infrequently visits the Northern United States in winter, and it
is recorded as even reaching the Middle States. A set of two eggs,
taken in the vicinity of Great Slave Lake, is in Mr. Norris' collection.
These were taken with the parent bird, by M. D. Smith, June 4, 1884.
The nest was placed on a shelf of a cliff. The ground-color of the
eggs is of a light brownish-red, very faintly speckled in a few places
with a dark color of umber-brown and red. The surface is much gran-
ulated. They measure 2.18 x 1.70, 2.21 x 1.73.

A single egg in the cabinet of Capt. B. F. Goss, taken at Fort
Yukon, Arctic America, in June, 1865, is finely and evenly speckled
with reddish-brown over the entire shell ; the spots are partly confluent,
giving the egg a reddish appearance; size 2.34x1.75, which is un-
usually large.

354(J. Falco rusticolus obsoletus (Gmel.) [412^]

Black Oyrfaloon.

Hah. Labrador; south in winter to Canada, Maine and New York.

This dusky form of the Gyrfalcon makes its home on the cliffs of
the rugged coasts of L/abrador. Its habits are said to be the same as
those of any of the foregoing belonging to the genus, and the eggs are
similar. All the eggs of the several forms of Gyrfalcons present com-
mon characteristics, and do not differ from each other more than eggs
known to belong to the same species of hawk are found to vary. The
average size of the Black Gyrfalcon's eggs is 2.26x1.77.

• I

ill

186

NESTS AND EGGS OP

355. Falco mexicanus Schleg.

Prairie Falo«n.

[413.]

Hab. Western United States, from the Eastern border Jof the Plaint to the Pacific Ocean. South
into Mexico. Casual to Illinois.

The American Lanner or Prairie Falcon is an abundant species
throughout the open country of Western United States. It is the rep-
resentative of the two Lanners of the Old World. This Falcon is
said to possess great strength and daring ; it attacks and overpowers
the great hares of the prairies, and other animals even larger and
heavier than itself. It is very common in Wyoming and Washington
Territories, Oregon and California.

The Prairie Falcon nests usually on cliffs and ledges of rocks,
sometimes in cavities in trees. The composition of the nests is sticks
with a lining of grasses. In some of the rocky canons of Colorado
nests of this haw': have been found on the tops of those massive
sandstone columns that stand solitary and alone like ''uge chimneys.

The eggs are two to five in number. Three sets of the eggs
of this species are in the cabinet of J. Parker Norris. One
of five eggs, collected by Walter E. Bryant, near Mt. Dia-
blo, California, exhibit the following dimensions : 2.00 x 1.56, 1.99
X1.56, 1.98x1.59, 2.11X1.57, 1.93x1.56. These were laid upon the
sand in a cavity in a large boulder. They are handsome eggs, creamy
ground color, almost wholly obscured with specks, spots and cloudings
of cinnamon and vinaceous-cinnamon. The second set is of two eggs
taken in Sweetwater county, Wyoming, May i, 1887 ; the nest was on a
rocky mound, along the Big Sandy River. The eggs are quite different
from each other in appearance ; in one the ground color is cinnamon,
sprinkled all over with Mars brown; size, 2.13x1.66. The other has
a ground color of russet, sprinkled all over with burnt umber ; size,
2.14 X 1.68. The third set consists of three eggs. They were collected
May 6, 1888, in Sweetwater county, Wyoming, The nest was on a
rock on the bank of the Big Sandy River. The ground color varies
from a deep cream to a hazel, and it is almost wholly obscured with
cinnamon, rufous and light chestnut. They measure 2.28x1.68; 2.10
X 1.64 ; 2.20X 1.67.

356. Falco peregrinus anatum (Bonap.) [414.]

DuoIe Haivk.

Hab. Whole of North America.

The Peregrine Falcon, Great-footed Hawk, or Wandering Falcon,
as this species is variously called, is distributed throughout North
America at large, but it can hardly be considered common anywhere.
The Duck Hawk breeds as far south as latitude 36°, and usually in

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

187

mountainous regions, or in the vicinity where water fov/1 are abundant.
The nests are placed in natural cavities in trees, and on the sides of
rocky cliffs.

Col. N. S. Goss states that this Hawk is not an uncommon resident
of Kansas, and that it begins laying early in March. It is known to
breed in many of the rocky regions and along the coasts of the New
England States ; in Pennsylvania, New York and in Michigan. It has
been found nesting in the Anderson River regions in Arctic America,
in Alaska, and on the coast of Labrador.

This species is often called Bullet Hawk, being the terror of
ducks and other water fowl, pursuing and striking them down while
on the wing, often seizing the bird which the hunter has killed, carry-
ing it off when almost within his reach.

The eggs of the Duck Hawk are three or four in number, and
measure 2.15 X 1.62. They vary from creamy-white to reddish-brown,
spotted, blotched and dotted with reddish-brown and chocolate of vary-
ing shades. Mr. Norris has a set of three eggs, taken April 14, 1876,
at Michigumni, Mich. The nest was placed on a ledge of rock, on the
face of a bluff; it was composed of a few twigs, some grass and a few
feathers. The eggs are dull white, almost wholly obscured by innu-
merable specks and spots of vinaceous-cinuamon ; sizes, 2.09x1.75,
2.06x1.70, 2.05x1.64.

356a. Falco peregrinus pealei Ridgw. [414a.]

Peale'a Falcon.

Hab. Aleutian and Commander Islands, south along the Pacific Coast to Oregon.

Dr. Leonard Stejneger states that the " Black Hawk," as it is
called, is a common resident of Copper and Bering Islanus, breeding
in high and inaccessible cliffs. The eggs are not described, but are
doubtless similar to those of F. peregrinus.

357. Falco columbarius Linn. [417.]

Pigeon Hawk.

Hab. North America in general, south in winter to West Indies and northern South America.

A handsome little Falcon, generally distributed throughout North
America, and known to breed in various sections from latitude 40° north-
ward, but the majority breed north of the United States. It subsists
mostly on smaller birds, together with an occasional mouse or small
squirrel, capturing them on the wing. Wlien in pursuit of its prey
the speed of its flight is something astonishing. Known to breed as
far north as the Anderson and McKenzie River regions in Arctic
America, and it is common in Alaska. During the breeding season it
is found as far south as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, in various

188

NESTS AND EGGS OF

New England States, New York, Delaware, etc. It formerly bred in
Ohi6, but not of recent date. In the West it has been found breeding
in Washington Territory, Oregon, Idaho and Utah.

Mr. Norris' cabinet contains two sets of four eggs each ; one collect-
ed in the Wasatch Mountains, Utah, May 29, 1868. They have a cin-
namon ground color, heavily spotted and blotched with burnt umber ;
sizes, 1.56 X 1.25, 1.59x1.25,1.56x1.21, 1.59x1.23. Another set from
Bingham county, Idaho, taken May 13, 1885, have a creamy-white
ground color, sprinkled, spotted and blotched with chestnut ; sizes,
1.44X 1.22, 1.56X 1.24, 1.52X 1.25, 1.47X 1.22.

The nests of this Hawk are variously situated ; in the cavity of a
cliff, in the hollow of a tree, on the branches of trees, and somtimes
under the roofs or between the rafters of ruined or deserted buildings.

358. Falco rlchardsonii Ridgw. [418.]

Richardson's Merlin.

Hab. Interior of North America, northward to the Arctic regions, south in winter to Texas and Ari-
zona; straggles west to the Pacific coast.

Richardson's Merlin is said to breed in the Rocky Mountains of
Colorado, and from thence northward. Its habits in general are iden-
tical with those of F. colmnbarns. Professor Ridgway describes a
single specimen of the egg of this bird as " buffy- white, handsomely
marbled and irregularly spotted with madder-brown ;" size, 1.52x1.22.*

359. Falco fusco-coerulescens Vieill. [419]

Aplomado Falcon.

Hab. Southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, south to Patagonia.

This beautiful bird, known as the Femoral Falcon, is common,
and has a wide range in South and Central America ; and specimens
of the bird, its nests and eggs have been taken in Southern Texas,
along the banks of the Rio Grande, and in Arizona. Dr. James C.
Merrill found nests of this species on June 16, 1877, ^"^^ ^^M 7) '^^l^i
near Fort Brown, Texas ; they were placed on the tops of the low Span-
ish bayonet, and were simply slight platforms of twigs with depres-
sions, lined with a little grass. Two nests contained three eggs each.

The eggs measure 1.78x1.34,1.84x1.29, 1.73x1.32. Their ground
color is white, but so thickly dotted with reddish as to appear of that
color ; over these are somewhat heavier markings of deeper shades of
brown. The three others measure 1.80 x 1.29, 1.77 x 1.33, 1.88 x 1.33.

360. Falco sparverius Linn. [420, 420a.]

American Sparroiir Hanp^k.

Hab. North America in general. South to Northern South America.

This beautiful little Hawk is abundant evervwhere in North

■^ Manual of North American Birds; p. 251.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

189

North

America, and is familiar to every boy who has been in the fields. Here
it may be seen hovering almost motionless in mid air, then snddenly
swooping down to the ground, arises again with perhaps a field-mouse
in its talons. From this habit it receives the name of Mouse Hawk,
although it also preys upon sparrows and other small birds. It is
found almost everywhere, though most abundant along streams where
the high sycamores whose natural cavities furnish suitable nesting
places, but meadows and fields are its retreats when in search of food.
It builds no nest, but deposits its eggs in the natural cavities of high
trees, often in the deserted holes of woodpeckers, or in crevices in
rocks or nooks about buildings. In the West it frequently occupies a
deserted Magpie's nest. I have eggs of this Hawk taken from a crev-
ice in a stone quarry on the Scioto River, where the birds have nested for
years. Boxes on farm barns, provided for domestic pigeons, are often
appropriated by the Sparrow Hawk, and it always proves to be a peace-
able neighbor. The cavities where the eggs are deposited generally
contain no lining. Dr. Merrill examined a number of nests in Mon-
tana, and the eggs were deposited in many cases on a slight bed
of leaves or grasses or a few chips.

The eggs of the Sparrow Hawk are four or five, rarely six in num-
ber. A series of forty eggs before me exhibit the usual wide diversity
of coloration that is to be found in eggs with spotted shells. Most of
my eggs are from Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, while two sets are
from California. The ground color varies from a yellowish or creamy-
white to reddish or pinkish-buff; the surface is sprinkled, splashed,
blotched, spotted and clouded with shades of chestnut and cinnamon
brown, and the markings may be more numerous and heavier at either
end, and they may be so confluent as to conceal the ground color.
Eight eggs collected near Banning, Cal., April lo, 1884, measure
1.28x1.05, 1. 30x1.09, 1.30XI.07, 1.32x1.09, 1.36x1.07, 1.35x1.07;
1.36x1.11, 1.38x1.15. The largest eggs I have are from Ohio, taken
by Robert Linton, April 20, four in number. Sizes, 1.37x1.15,
1.40x1. 13, 1.38x1.12, 1.44x1,16. The average size of the Sparrow
Hawk's eggs is 1.36x1.12. They are usually deposited in April or
in the first half of May.

362. Polyborus cheriway (Jacq.) [423]

Anduboii's Caraoarat

Hab. Northern South America (Ecuador and Guiana) north to the Southern border of the United
States, Florida, Texas and Arizona.

Common to the Southern border of the United States, and known
as the Mexican Eagle or Buzzard — intermediate between the Eagles

190

NESTS AND EGGS OF

and Buzzards, and resembling both in its habits. It catches some of
its prey living, but feeds readily upon dead animals. Although slug-
gish at times, it is said to fly well, moving in a direct line, resembling
the Black Vulture somewhat, flapping and sailing alternately, but
when high in air, circles like a Hawk or Eagle.

Dr. Merrill records this bird as a common resident, but more
abundant in winter than summer in the vicinity of Fort Brown, Texas,
and Mr. George B. Senuett also mentions it as not uncommon in the
region of Brownsville. It has been found breeding as far north as
Comal, Hays and Lee counties, Texas, in the months of March and
April, and in Jefferson county as late as March 30. Mr. Stuart in-
forms me that he has always met with this bird breeding on the large
prairies of Southern Florida in March and April. Eggs were taken
April 4. The tops of the cabbage palmetto trees are their favorite
nesting places in that region. The nests in Texas and Mexico are
built in trees or bushes, and sometimes in cliffs ; they are bulky plat-
forms of branches, with a slight depression, lined with twigs, roots
and grasses, and frequently altogether without lining. Both sexes in-
cubate. Two or three eggs are laid, and they are noted for the beauty
of their coloration. On a ground color varying from light and dark
cinnamon to reddish and umber-brown, are specks, spots, blotches and
cloudings of yellowish or reddish-brown, bright chestnut, umber or
claret-brown. The markings are variously distributed over the sur-
face; in some specimens they are dispersed over the entire egg, while
in others scattering or more abundant at the smaller or greater half;
occasional specimens are found almost entirely unmarked. The sizes
vary from 2.10 to 2.92 in length by 1.37 to 1.90 in breadth.

Mr. Norris has a series of fifteen sets in his collection — eight sets
of two eggs and seven sets of three.

364. Pandion haliaetus carolinensis (Gmel.). [425.]

American Osprey.

Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan. In America from Alaska and Hudson's Bay south to West Indies and
Northern South America.

This winged fisher inhabits the entire temperate North America,
breeding anywhere in suitable places throughout its range. Found
about ialand waters, and particularly along the sea coast. Mr. W. W.
Worthington, of Shelter Island, N. Y., says they are exceedingly varia-
ble in the choice of a nesting place. On Gardiner's Island they all build
in trees at distances varying from ten to seventy-five feet from the
ground; on Plum Island, where a great many of them breed, a large
number place their nests on the ground^ some being built up to the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

191

height of four or five feet, while others are simply a few sticks ar-
ranged in a circle, and the eggs laid on the bare sand. On Shelter
Island they build on the chimneys of houses, and a pair has a nest on
the cross-bar of a telegraph pole. Another pair has a nest on a large
rock in Gardiner's Bay, near Gardiner's Island. They are made
chiefly of coarse sticks and sea weed and anything that is handy, such
as pieces of dry cow dung, bones, old shoes, straw, etc.

A curious nest of the Fish Hawk was found by Mr. S. C. Shick in
May, 1888, on the coast of New Jersey. A set of three eggs was taken,
and upon descending the tree, Mr. Shick observed a nest of the Purple
Grackle, Qtiiscalus qiiisada^ securely imbedded in the loose material of
the Osprey's nest ; from this he took five eggs. At the bottom of the
Osprey's nest was a thick, rotten limb, in which there was a Tree Swal-
low's nest containing seven eggs.

Mr. Worthington, who has collected hundreds of the eg^s of this
species, and to whom I am indebted for a large series, sayf the largest
set of eggs he has ever taken or seen is four ; the usual number, how-
ever, is three, though sets of two are common. They are .subject to
great variation ; the ground color is of a yellowish or creamy-white,
spotted, streaked and blotched with reddish-brown cind umber, so
thickly at the larger end as to completely obscure the ground, some are
marked chiefly at the smaller end ; in a series of two hundred eggs be-
fore me, there is a wonderful diversity of coloring ; some are almost
entirely unmarked. The shapes and sizes also exhibit great variations ;
Four selected specimens measure 2.Q5XI.65, 2.21x1.76, 2.42x1.76,
2.54x1.87. The average size is 2.40x1.75.

365. Strix pratincola Bonap. [394.] * .

American Barn O'wl.

Hab. United States in general, south into Mexico.

A beautiful ochraceous-yellow or amber-colored owl ; sometimes
called the "Monkey-faced Owl." A constant resident of the southern
portions of the United States. Mr. Stuart says that in Florida the
Barn Owl breeds most generally in March, usually in hollow trees,
sometimes in deserted buildings or in the wrecks of boats left along
the coast. I am informed by Mr. Shields that in the region of Los
Angeles, California, this Owl nests almost anywhere ; in church towers,
hollow trees, holes in banks, in barns, pigeon houses, old crows' nests,
and even in holes in the ground. He took a set of five eggs from a
nest in a burrow far out upon the plains. The breeding season he
states begins about the first of April, and continues until the last of
June. Natural cavities of trees are this bird's usual nesting places.

192

NKSTS AND KGGS OF

Mr. Samuel C. Evans writes that along the Santa Ana River are
high banks, perforated with holes, in which these owls nest. The
eggs are often found in various stages of incubation in the same nest —
some fresh and others nearly hatched. The nests are scantily sup-
plied with a few sticks, straw, bones and other refuse of food. The
number of eggs deposited by the Barn Owl ranges from five to eleven,
rarely the latter number ; some writers say three to ten. I know of
several authentic sets of eleven. Their color is plain, dead white ; their
shape ovate Six specimens measure 1.75x1.35, 1.67x1.30, 1.79X
1.33, 1.67x1.34, 1.72x1.35,1.68x1.29. Twenty-eight specimens have
an average sixe of 1.74 x 1.30. The largest egg of the Owl of which I
have any record is in the collection of Joseph M, Wade, Boston, Massa-
chusetts; it measures 1.97x1.40.

366. Aslo wilsonlanus (Less.) [395.]

Amerloan Long-eared Owl.

Hab, Temper.ite North America, south into Mexico.

The Long-eared Owl is a common resident and generally dis-
tributed throughout North America at large. It is of nocturnal habits,
thus escaping observation, even where it is very common. Its food
consists chiefly of mice and other small rodents. Breeds in suitable
places wherever found. Forests of evergreens are favorite resorts of
this species for breeding purposes. The nest is constructed with very
little art ; composed of a few sticks with a more or less complete lin-
ing of feathers. Various nesting places are selected ; such as a hollow
tree or stump, rift of rock, an old crow's or hawk's nest, which is re-
paired with a few sticks. In some localities the nest is made on the
ground or on low bushes, and the same nest is occupied for several
years. In the West where this Owl is very abundant it frequently de-
posits its eggs in old Magpies' nests. In California it begins nesting
as early as the middle of February ; in Kansas the eggs are deposited
early in April.

The eggs are from three to six, and sometimes seven in number ;
they are white and oval in shape. Three eggs of this Owl are in
my collection, taken from an old hawk's nest in Knox county, Ohio,
April 20, 1884 ; they were so far advanced in incubation that they
could hardly be preserved ; these measure 1.62x1.32, 1.57x1.28, 1.59
x 1.35. Three eggs from a set of five collected in Marion county, Ohio,
April 9, 1884, measure 1.65 x 1.27, 1.59x1.33, 1.75x1.28. A set of six
eggs from an old Magpie's nest, collected in Douglas county, Colorado,
April 20, 1885, measure 1.59x1.32, 1.64x1.33, 1.57x1.38, 1.65x1.44,
1.60x1.35, 1.60XI.40.

umber ;
are in
, Ohio,

at they

8, 1.59
, Ohio,

of six
)lorado,

XI.44,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 193

367. Asio accipitrlnas (Pall.) [396.]

Short-MurtMl OwL

Hab, Entire North Amtrica; nearly coimopolitan.

The Marsh Owl, or Short-eared Owl, is found throughout North
America at large, but is more abundant in the Arctic regions during
the breeding season than it is in the United States. It frequents the
marshes, the thickets of bottom lands, and it seems to be particularly
common in the tall weeds and grass of fields and meadows. In the
West it is found on the vast prairies, along sloughs, hiding in the day-
time among the sage bushes and tall grass. This Owl is the species
commonly shot by sportsmen, as it rises from a field, marsh or thicket.
It is nocturnal, but often hunts its food on dark days ; this consists of
field mice, moles, shrews and other small rodents. The nest is made
on the ground in the matted grass of marsh land ; it may be found in
a depression, at the foot of a bush, beside a log, or in a burrow made
by a rabbit or a muskrat ; a few sticks, soft grasses and a few of its
own feathers usually comprise the nest proper; sometimes the eggs
are laid on the bare ground. The complement of eggs ranges from
four to seven. In Ohio they are deposited in the month of April,
sometimes as early as the latter part of March, or as late as the middle
of May. Within these dates it doubtless may be found breeding
throughout the United States. A set of six eggs in my cabinet, with
the parent bird, collected by A. Corwin, in Morrow county, Ohio, May
8, 1884, measure 1.60x1.20, 1.56x1.19, 1.50x1.21, 1.52 x 1.20, 1.64 x
1. 18, 1.56x1.22. They are white and oval in shape. The nest
was on the ground, between logs, at the edge of a blackberry patch.
The average size of the eggs is 1.55 x 1.25.

368. Syrnium nebulosum (Forst.) [397.]

Barred O^rl.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to southern British Provinces; south to Georgia and Northern
Texas.

Called the American Hoot Owl or Wood Owl, and Round-headed
Owl. A large dark-eyed species, common to wooded lands of Eastern
United States, especially bottom woods ; those of swamps, along
ravines and rivers where there is a heavy growth of tall timber. The
loud, laughing notes of this Owl, heard in the night, are something
terrible, and if heard about the farm-house or camp-fire will not soon
be forgotten. Its flight is soft, as if on wings of down, noiseless,
quick and easy. Nests in hollows of trees, in old nests of hawks and
crows. In Ohio it is said to breed as early as the last of February, but
I have always found it nesting in April and the first half of May.
In New London county, Connecticut, Mr. C. ly. Rawson has taken eggs

I I
f

194

NESTS AND EGGS OF

of this Owl in February, which were deposited on a solid cake of ice
in a cavity or in the open nest ; he states that of late years full clutches
of eggs are deposited by the last of March. The usual time of nest-
ing in Iowa is March and April. The same nesting place is occupied
by the birds for years, even after being robbed many times.

The eggs are two or three in number, very rarely four ; globular,
white. Between the eggs of this species and those of the Great Horned
Owl there is commonly considerable difference in dimensions in favor
of the former, but sometimes they approach each other so closely that
to identify them by size alone is impossible. The Barred Owls' eggs
measure in long diameter from 1.87 to 2.20, and in short diameter from

1.50 to 1.75.

368a. Syrninm nebulosum alleni Ridgw. [3971/.]

Florida Barred Owli

Hab. Florida, Texas, Louisiana and adjoining regions.

A darker colored race found in Florida, Texas, etc. Mr. Singley
states this is the commonest owl in Lee county, Texas, where it fre-
quents almost exclusively the thick wooded bottom lands. He found
seventeen nests in hollows of trees with eggs or young, and the niim-
ber in each was invariably two. The sizes of a set of two eggs taken
March 20, 1885, now in Mr. Norris' collection, are 1.89x1.58, 1.86 x
1.61 ; six other specimens measure 1.97x1.78, 1.90x1.61, 1.88x1.67,
1.89x1.60, 1.81 x 1.54, 1.87x1.63. The eggs are s'abspherical, pure
white, smooth, without grauiilations.*

369. Syrnium occidentale Xantus. [398.]

Spotted Owl.

Hab. Southwestern United States, California, Arizon.-., New Mexico, Lower California and Mexico.

By no means a common bird and comparatively little is known
concerning its life history. The Western Barred Owl was first de-
scribed iu 1859 from a specimen which remained unique in collections
until Captain Bendire rediscovered it in Arizona in the spring of 1872.
A nest was found April 17, which appeared to have been built by the
birds themselves, and was placed about thirty feet from the ground ;
composed of small sticks and twigs, lined with grasses, bark and a few
feathers. It contained one white globular egg. Professor Ridgway
gives the size of an egg as 2.05x1.80. Mr. Norris has a set of two
eggs collected by E. M. Haight, near Riverside, California, May 19,
1885. They measure 2.11x1.67, 2.12x1.68; they were laid on the
bare ground at the base of a large rock.

370. Ulula cinerea (Gmel.) [399.]

Great Gray Ove-l,

Hab. Arctic America, south in winter to the northern border of the United States.

An immense owl — one of the largest in North America, — round-

<' Ornithologist and Oologist, XI, pp. HO-141.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

195

headerl and very much resembling the Barred Owl in appearance. It
breeds far northward. Dr. Richardson met with this species in the
fur regions and found it common on the borders of Great Bear Lake,
keeping constantly in the woods, hunting hares and other smaller
quadrupeds. May 23 a nest was found built on the top of a lofty
balsam-poplar, composed of sticks with a lining of feathers. Mr. Mac-
Farlane found this Owl abundant in the Anderson River region, and
on July 19 discovered a nest built in the top of a pine tree, twenty feet
from the ground ; it was composed of sticks, mosses and thinly lined
with down. The eggs are white, two 01 three in number, and the
average size given is 2.16x1.71.

371. Nyctala tengmaimi richardsoni (Bonap.) [400]

Richardson's Otrl.

Hab. Northern North America, south in winter to northern border of the United States.

The American Sparrow Owl, or Richardson's Owl, so far as known
breeds in northern latitudes and is supposed to nest as far south as
Nova Scotia. In Western Manitoba, in the Red River region, it is
quite common in the wooded districts. Specimens of this Owl have
been taken in various parts of the Arctic regions, as at Fort Simpson,
Fort Resolution, etc., and in Alaska. Dr. Richardson states that it in-
habits all the wooded country from Great Slave Lake to the United
States. The nest is described as built in trees, composed of grass
and leaves; the eggs two to four in number and their average size
1.35 X 1. 14. They are globular in shape and white in color.

372. Nyctala acadica (Gmel.) [401.]

Saw-iirliet OurL

Hab. Whole of North America; breeding from Middle United States northward.

The Acadian Owl is the smallest member of the family found in
Eastern North America, and it inhabits the United States from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, ranging north into British America; southward
in wooded, mountainous regions, into Mexico. Its shrill, harsh notes,
resembling the filing of a saw, have occasioned its name.

The bird has been found breeding in Massachusetts, Maine, New
York, etc., nesting in holes of trees, artificial nests, and in the old
nests of herons. Mr. William Brewster records a set of four eggs
taken April 5, near Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, by Mr. W. Perham ; they
were deposited in artificial nests made from sections of hollow trunks,
nailed to trees in woods. The sizes of four eggs are given, as follows :
1. 21 X. 95, 1. 21 X. 98, 1. 25 X. 96, 1.25 X. 97. Other eggs were taken
from similar nests by Mr. Perham.

Near Utica, New York, Mr. Egbert Bagg, on the dates of April

t'\

196

NESTS AND EGGS OF

7, 21 and 30, 1886, found four sets of the eggs of this species ; two sets
of five and two of seven eggs each. They were taken from deserted
woodpeckers' excavations in tree stubs, ranging from twenty-two to
fifty feet from the ground. The eggs were laid on the rotten chips in
the cavities, and a few feathers of the Owl were present. The eggs
are white, nearly elliptical; the average size is 1.20 x 1.02. The num-
ber ranges from four to seven.

373. Megascops asio (Linn.) |"402.]

Soreeoli Owl.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to British Provincca; west to the Great Plains, south to Georgia.

The Mottled Owl is resident throughout Eastern United States
and Canada ; west to the Rocky Mountains ; on the limits of its range
shades into several varieties. The eggs of the different varieties of
Megascops are not distinguishable. The nest of the Little Horned or
Red Owl, as it is often called, is made in a hollow tree or stump, some-
times in the topmost corner inside of an old barn or shed. I have
found several nests between the broken siding of ice-houses along
streams. The materials used are a few sticks, leaves, feathers, etc., on
which the eggs are laid. In the month of April, 1885, a farmer brought
me nine young, with the parent birds, which he had taken from a hol-
low tree. One of the old birds was gray, the other red, and some of
the young were of the red, and some of the gray type of coloration,
this being a common occurrence.

The eggs of this bird range usually from four to six, frequently

eight, and rarely nine ; they are white, nearly round and average 1.40

X 1.20.

373a. Megascops asio floridanus (Ridgw.) [403a.]

Florida Soreeoh Owl.

Hab. Florida, Southern Georgia, occasional in Louisiana.

A smaller and much darker form in the red and gray phases of
plumage inhabiting Florida and adjoining regions. Its habits are the
same as those of M. asio, and eggs in my collection are not distin-
guishable except, perhaps, by their smaller size, 1.32 x 1. 15.

373^. Megascops asio mccallii (Cass) [402^.]

Texas Sor«eoh Ow^l.

Hab. Rio Grande Valley of Texas, south to Guatemala.

This is a slightly darker bird than asio^ of the same size as flori-
danus, and found in the red and gray plumage. Three eggs in my
cabinet, collected near Corpus Christi, March 20, 1885, measure 1.36 x
1.17,1.33x1.18,1.36x1.15.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

197

373^. Megasoops asio bendirei (Brewst.)

Califontla SorMoh OwL

Hab. California.

No red phase of plumage is known in this bird ; it is grayish-
brown or brownish-gray, and very much like M. asio^ being of the same
size. Eggs in my collection from Petaluma and Riverside, California,
do not differ from those of the Eastern representative. Four speci-
mens measure 1.38x1.18,1.40x1.18,1.47x1.19, 1.47x1.20. The aver-
age of ten eggs is 1.40 x 1.17.

373i. Megasoops aslo kennicottii (Elliot.) [4oa</.]

Kennloott's Soraeoh OvrL

Hab. Region of the Northwest coast, from Sitka to Oregon, east to Montana.

Kennicott's Screech Owl, in the red and gray phase of plumage,
averages considerably larger than asio and mccallii. Length about
eleven inches.

Its general habits are essentially the same as those of M. asio.
Captain Bendire gives the sizes of a set of four eggs taken from a hole
in a Cottonwood in Washington Territory, April 7, as 1.47 x 1.28, 1.43
xi.29, 1.45 X 1.30, 1.46 X 1.30. The cavity from which these eggs were
taken was sixteen inches deep and twenty-five feet from the ground.

373<r Megascops asio maxwelllse (Ridgw.)

Rooky Monntain Soreeoh Owl.

Hab. Rocky Mountain region, from Colorado north to Montana.

[402^.]

This form of the Screech Owl has been named in honor of Mrs.
M. A. Maxwell, of Boulder, Colorado, a noted huntress and taxidermist.
No gray phase is observed in this form, but the whole plumage is very
light colored. Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs, taken near Loveland,
Colorado, April 20, 1888; they measure 1.49x1.19, 1.46x1.20, 1.46 x
1.21, 1.54 X 1.26.

373/ Megascops asio trichopsis (Wagl.) [403.]

Mexioan Soreeoh Oirl.

Hab. Northwestern Mexico into Arizona, New Mexico and northward to Colorado.

The plumage of this form is described as nearly ashy-gray above,
with broad blackish streaks in strong contrast, blackish bars on lower
parts numerous, black border on the face and black spots on the breast.
Its general habits do not differ from those of its Northern and Eastern
relatives. Average size of the eggs, 1.30 x i.io.

374. Megascops flammeolus (Kaup.) [404.]

Flanunnlated Soreeoh 0\r\,

Hab. Northern California and Colorado, southward to Mexico and the highlands of Guatemala.

A small species whose general appearance is that of a young or
rather an ungrown Mottled Owl, M. asio — the toes are entirely naked

% ■
% -

^iv

198

NESTS AND EGGS OF

to the extreme base. A nest of this Owl was found in Fremont county,
Colr-^do, June 15, 1875, by Charles E. Akin; it was in a dead pine
*^^ , and contained one egg, which was taken with the female bird. In
»,, lor and shape the egg resembles those of other species of the genus,
and measures 1.12X.95.

375. Bubo virKinianus (Gmel.) [405.]

Great Horned Owl.

Huh. £' jtern North America, westward as far as the Mississippi Valley, and from Labrador south to
Co: :a Kica.

Literature abounds with the observations of naturalists on the
habits of the Great Horned Owl, and the pages of prose, poetry and
song graphically depict its many characteristics.

It is known as the Hoot or Cat Owl, or " Hooter," and is the largest
of all the owls with ear-tufts. A common bird throughout North
America at large in its several geographical varieties, the present
species being restricted to the region east of the Mississippi Valley.
Barn-yards are its favorite hunting grounds, and its depredations done
there among the poultry are well known. Rabbits, raccoons, weasels,
mink and other quadrupeds, with an occasional quail or grouse, make
up a large portion of this bird's food. The bones, fur and feathers of
these animals, and other refuse of food may be found in their nests in
greater or less abundance, and the nesting places are also fre-
quently impregnated with the odor of the skunk. This bird does not
migrate, but is resident wherever found. It generally breeds earlier
than the Barred Owl. The time of nesting is usually in February and
March, and I know of eggs comparatively fresh taken April 15, but
through extensive research and information furnished by correspond-
ents regarding the nesting, the greater portion of the eggs are deposited
in the latter part of February or the first part of March ; at least more
eggs have been collected at that time than at any other period ; and
these dates will apply to the nesting of all other forms of this Owl.

Deep woods are its favorite haunts while breeding, where its bulky
nests of sticks, bark, leaves, etc., may be found in the branches of trees
ranging from twenty to one hundred feet from the ground, or the eggs
may be deposited in a natural cavity of a tree. The deserted nests of
crows or those of hawks are appropriated — the nests of the Red-tail,
Red-shouldered and Cooper's Hawks being common receptacles. In
Florida and some other sections the nests of the Bald Eagle, O^prey
and Caracara Eagle are frequently taken possession of by this Owl,
and the same pair of birds will occupy a nest for successive years, even
after being annually molested and robbed. A rap on the trunk of the
tree will generally cause the birds to leave the nest. Besides the matet

wmmmm

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

199

already mentioned, the ca\ities will often contain weed-stems, corn-
stalks, corn-silk and feathers from the breast of the mother-bird, and
again the eggs will be found laid upon the bare ground or decayed wood
of the cavity in the presence of a few bones and skulls of animals.

This Owl deposits two or three white, globular eggs.* Five sets of
two eggs each are in my cabinet from Florida, Indiana, Iowa and Ohio ;
the ten specimens measure, 2.18x1.72, 2.20x1.78, 2.24x1.80, 2.26X
1.88, 2.26X 1.79, 2.29 X 1.82, 2.31 X 1.88, 2.30x1.89, 2.28X 1.74, 2.32 X 1.80.

A large series in Mr. Norris' collection show great variation in
size.

375a. Bubo virginianus subarcticus (Hoy.). {405 a, pari.] ^

Wertern Homed Owl.

Hab. Western United States, from the Great Plains westward (except the northwestern coast'i ; east
casually to Illinois, Wisconsin and western portion of Canada, north to Manitoba, south to Mexican table
lands.

A lighter colored form inhabiting Western United States. Its nest-
ing, eggs and other characteristics are the same as those of B. virgin-
ianus. Four eggs in my collection from Riverside, Cal., taken in
March, 1884, measure, 2.16x1.78, 2.20x1,74, 2.25x1.76, 2.16x1.78.

Mr. Norris has three sets of two eggs each ; one from Berkeley, Cal.,
taken April 10, 1880, sizes, 2.05x1.17, 2.02x1.75; another from Los
Angeles county, Cal., collected March 10, 1887, show the following
measurements : 2.07 x 1.75, 2.13 x 1.71. The third set were also taken
in Los Angeles county, California, on March 3, 1887, and measuie
2.10XI.73, 2.14x1.71.

375/5. Bubo virginianus arcticus (Swains.) [4o5<J.];

Arctic Horned Owl.

Hab. Chiefly the interior of Arctic America (Fur Countries), south in winter to the Northern Rocky
Mountains and Great Plains; Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.

This bird's general plumage is whitish through the fading of the
ground color and restriction of the dark markings; beneath pure
white, with dark markings. Prof. Ridgway gives the average size of the
eggs as 2.19 X 1.91.

375<r. Bubo virginianus saturatus. Ridgw. [405(r.]

Dusky Horned Ow^l.

Hab. Northwest coast, from Oregon north to Alaska; Labrador.

An extremely dark colored race, with the face usually sooty-brown-
ish or grayish-white. Mr. Norris has a set of two eggs of this bird taken
near Fort Spokane, Washington Territory, on March 14, 1886. They
measure 2.25 x 1.85, 2.23x1.90.

^ In exceptional cases four eggs have been taken from a single nest, but I am not aware of an authentic
set of five eggs or the extreme number of six of the Eastern Horned Owl as has been reported of B. v. tui-
arcticus in Colorado. I have in several instances received sets of four eggs of B. virgtHtaHus, as stated in tho
last edition of this work.

200

NESTS AND EGGS OF

376. Nyctea nyctea (Linn.) [406.]

Uno-mrf Otrl«

Hab. Northern portioni of the Northern Hemiiphere; in North America, migrating southward in
winter to the Middle States, straggling to Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, and even to the Bermudas.

This large and beautiful bird inhabits the boreal regions of both
continents. It is commonly called White Owl, and is found with the
plumage almost immaculate, or marked with bars and spots of black
and slaty-brown. It is a bird of wide range, extending its mirations
as far south as the sub-tropical regions. During some winters it is very
abundant in the United States, especially in the Northern, Middle and
Eastern States. The food of the Snowy Owl consists of hares, squir-
rels, muskrats, and other small animals, and, as the bird is not exclu-
sively nocturnal, it catches these quadrupeds in daytime as readily as
any hawk. It is said to probably breed in Northern Maine, Canada,
Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, as it does in Newfoundland and
Labrador. Common during the summer months in the region of Hud-
son Bay and other portions of Arctic America, nesting on the ground
in moss on the dry parts of marshes. It is recorded as a rare summer
resident near Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. A nest containing six eggs
of this Owl was found in Manitoba by Mr. Le Grand T. Meyer, on the
26th of February, 1879. The measurements of the eggs are as follows:
2.59x1.93, 2.58x1.93, 2.56x1.91, 2.55x1.91, 2.55x1.90, 2.53x1.90.
The nest from which these eggs were taken was about eighteen inches
above the level of the prairie. It was made of hay, grass and sticks,
warmly lined with feathers from the breast of the bird. The eggs were
deposited at irregular intervals, as shown by the considerable differ-
ence in the size of the embryos which they contained. The eggs were
oval-oblong in shape, with a remarkably smooth, glossy white surface.
As many as ten eggs are said to be laid by this species, and in Arctic
America they are usually deposited in May.

377o. Surnia ulula caparoch (Mull.) [407.]

American Hawk Owl.

Hab. Northern North America; south in winter to Northern border of the United States ; occasional
in British Islands.

A bird hawk-like in appearance, but nevertheless a true owl, and
being the least nocturnal of its tribe, it is called Day Owl. Its food is
chiefly field-mice and other small rodents, hawked for in broad day-
light. The Hawk Owl inhabits the northern portions of North Amer-
ica, and is said to breed from Maine northward.

Dr. Richardson notes this species as common throughout the Fur
Countries from Hudson Bay to the Pacific. It was found in consider-
able numbers by Mr. MacFarlane in the Anderson River region, nest-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

201

ing in top branches of pine trees. Dr. Brewer describes a nest con-
taining six eggs taken by Mr. MacFarlane on the 28th of April, which
was composed of dry sticks and lined with hay and a few feathers.
Another, which contained six eggs, was lined with green mosses and
deer's hair. One nest contained as many as seven eggs, and all but
one had as many as six. Mr. R. B. Ross found this Owl breeding in
the Great Slave Lake district as early as the last of March or first of
April. A common species about Nulato, on the Yukon, Alaska, where
Mr. W. H. Dall, on April 5th, obtained six eggs which were laid in a
hollow, in the top of an old birch stump, fifteen feet from the ground.
The eggs are said to range from two to six in number, dull white in
color, rounded-oval in shape, and average in their long diameter 1.53,
and in their short diameter 1.25.

The Hawk Owl of the northern portions of the Old World, Surnia
ulula, is said to be an accidental visitant to Western Alaska.

378. Speotyto cunicularla hypogsea (Bonap.) [408.]

BnrroiHng Owl.

Hab. Western United States, from the Great Plains to the Pacific, south to Guatemala. Accidental
in New England.

The Burrowing Owl, made famous by popular stories of its living
in burrows and holes of the ground with rattlesnakes, gophers and
prairie dogs, inhabits the treeless regions of Western North America,
from the plains to the Pacific. It is found in all suitable places in
Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Nebraska, Indian Territory, Wyom-
ing, Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Arizona, Washington Territory,
Oregon and California. They are usually abundant, and congregate in
large communities, breeding in deserted burrows of quadrupeds, such
as the prairie dog, badger or gopher, and there is no truth in the state-
ments made by travelers that the owls, gophers and rattlesnakes dwell to-
gether in harmony. The Owls choose abandoned burrows, and if a snake
or quadruped enters, it is only by accident or for the purpose of devouring
the unsuspicious Owls. In Dakota and other regions as many as twenty
of these birds may be found nestling together in one hole, at which time
they are well supplied with food, such as mice, shore larks, etc. In
some localities the nesting place is lined with fine weed-stalks, feathers,
bits of skin, etc., as Mr. Fred. Corey informs me is the case in the
vicinity of Santa Paula, Cal. Captain Charles E. Bendire says he
never found any other material in the cavity occupied by the nest than
broken pieces of horse or cow dung, in Washington Territory. Around
the outside may be found bits of skins of gophers, rats, mice, and ears
of small rabbits. The eggs are pure glossy white, nearly round.

202

NESTvS AND EGGS OF

although in a large series any shape may be found, from globular to
pyriform. The number laid varies from four to ten, usually six or
eight. Professor Evermann has a set of eleven which he collected near
Santa Paula, Cal,, April 14, 1881, and Captain Bendire records an ex-
traordinary set of twelve, taken by Mr. Walter E. Bryant, near Carson,
Nevada. The average size given by Captain Bendire in a series of t\vo
hundred and fifty specimens is 1.24 x 1.03 ; the smallest 1.17 x .97, the
largest 1.35 x 1.09.

378a.

Hab.

Speotyto cunlcularia floridana Ridgw. [408a.]

Florida Barrow^lng Owl-
Florida and adjacent Bahama Islands.

A smaller local race of Florida, having the lower parts of its plum-
age nearly pure white. In some places in Florida colonies of these
birds are quite common, nesting in the same manner as 5". cunicularia
hypogcea. Four eggs from Southern Manatee county, Florida, taken
April 10, 1885, measure, 1.24x1.05, 1.23x1.02, 1.22x1.02, 1.25x1.05. '

Hab,

379. Glaucidium gnoma Wagl.

Pygmy Owli

Mexico; north to Colorado and Oregon.

[409]

The little Pigmy Owl, the true G. gnoma^ belongs to Mexico, and
is found in the United States as far north as Colorado and Oregon.
The California Pigmy Owl, P. g. californica,, is restricted to the Pacific
coast region, from Santa Cruz northward to British Columbia. Consid-
ering the two birds under one heading they may be found quite un-
common in suitable places throughout the mountainous portions of the
West, but from their very small size and unobtrusive habits they are
likely to be overlooked. The Pigmy Owl feeds upon insects and the
smaller rodents, which it hunts by day as well as by night. Its flight
is described as short, quick and jerking, similar to that of the Spsirrow
Hawk. Comparatively little has been written regarding the nesting
and eggs of this bird.

Mr. William A. Cooper describes a nest which was found by Mr.
George H. Ready, near Santa Cruz, Cal., in a deserted woodpecker's
excavation in the trunk of a tree seventy-five feet from the ground.
The burrow was about nine inches deep and two inches across the
mouth. The nest was found June 8, 1876, and contained three eggs,
deposited upon a bed of twigs and a few feathers for a lining, three
inches deep. One egg was accidentally broken. The two remaining
eggs are described as dull white, with a scarcely perceptible yellowish
tinge. The surface is quite smooth, and has the appearance of having
been punctured with a fine point over the entire egg. They are oblong-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

203

oval in shape, more pointed at one end ; sizes 1.17 x .87, i.i8x .90 ; the
larger specimen is more pointed. Incubation was far advanced, and
the embroyos were extracted with difficulty.* These eggs belong to
P. g. californica.

381. Micrathene whitneyi (Cooper.) [411.]

Elf Owl.

Hab. Southern Arizona, Southeastern California, T^ower California, south to Southern Mexico.

One of the smallest of all raptorial birds, first discovered by Dr. J.
V Cooper, the type specimen being an adult male, taken near Fort
Mohave, California, April 26, 1861. Others were afterwards taken by
Col. Grayson on islands off the western coast of Mexico. Capt. Bendire
took several specimens in the dense mesquite thickets, near Rillito
Creek, about seven miles from Tucson, Arizona, in April, 1872. He
also found one of their nests with fully fledged young in a hole of a
mesquite stump.

This Owl was found to be common by Mr. F. Stephens in the
desert region about Tucson and Camp Lowell. Mr. W. E. D. Scott
states that it is decidedly the commonest Owl breeding in Southern
Arizona (Pima, Pinal and Gila counties), and is very abundant during
the breeding time, nesting in the woodpecker holes of the giant cactus.
The eggs range from two to four in number, ordinarily three. Mr.
Scott took a set of five from a nest. On one occasion, near Fuller's
Ranch, about the last of May, 1883, Mr. Stephens and Mr. Scott col-
lected a large number of the birds and their eggs in a few hours. Mr.
Walter E. Bryant has a set of two eggs taken near Tucson, Arizona,
May 28, 1885, by Mr. Herbert Brown. The nest was in an abandoned
woodpecker's hole, in a cactus about twenty feet from the ground ;
the cavity was about eight or nine inches deep. The eggs measure
26.5 X 23.5, 26 X 22.5 mm. t Mr. Emerson has a set of three, taken by
Mr. Stephens near Camp lyowell. May 24, 1884. They were found in
a woodpecker's burrow in a giant cactus, ten feet from the ground.
The sizes are 27 x 23, 26x 23 mm. J Mr. Norris has a set of three eggs
collected near Camp lyOwell. They are pure white and nearly globular,
and measure 1.04X.93, 1.09X.91, i.i2x.9i. These were taken from
a woodpecker's hole in a giant cactus twenty feet from the ground.

*Bull. Nutt Club, Vol. IV, pp. 86-87. An account of these eggs and this nest was also published by
Capt. Charles Bendire in Troc. Host. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XIX, p. 232.
1 1.04 X. 83, 1.02 X. 89.
1 106 X .91, 1.02 X .91, 1.06 X .91.

204

NESTS AND EGGS OF

382. Gonurus carolinensis (Linn.) [393]

OarolluM Paroquet.

Hab. Formerly South Atlantic and Gulf States; up the Missiitippi to Miiiouri; up the Miiiouri
River to the Platte. Colorado; regularly to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Wiiconkin, Nebraska, etc. For-
merly north in the Eastern United States to Pennsylvania and the Lakes.

In the first part of the present century the beautiful Carolina
Parakeet was very abundant in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, and
its migrations extended far northward. It has continued to diminish
in number until it is now nearly exterminated, existing only in remote
localities of the lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf States. It is still
abundant in some regions of Florida. Said to breed in companies in
hollow trees, usually cypress and sycamores. In a collection of eggs
made in Georgia between the years 1853 ^"^ 1865 is a set of two eggs
of this species, taken April 26, 1855. Mr. H. B. Bailey describes them
as creamy-white, and pointed at one end; sizes 1.44X 1.14, 1.45 x i.jo.
These were deposited in a hollow tree on chips at the bottom. * Prof.
Ridgway describes the eggs of this bird as ovate, short ovate, or
rounded-ovate, pure white, and gives the average size as 1.39 x 1.07.

[383.] Crotophaga anl Linn. [389.]

Anl.

Hab. West Indies: eastern South America, rare or casual in Florida and Louisiana; accidental near
Philadelphia.

The Ani, Black Witch or Savanna Blackbird, so grotesque in ap-
pearance is only of rare or accidental occurrence in the United States,
as in Southern Florida, and in other regions as above cited. The bird
is from thirteen to fifteen inches long ; tail eight inches ; the bill is ex-
ceedingly compressed and smooth, or with a few traverse wrinkles on the
upper mandible ; the color of the plumage is black, with steel-blue
reflections. It is common throughout the West Indies and in North-
eastern South America. Observers state that several of these birds
will form sort of a community or colony to build an immense nest,
which is used in common. It is a large mass of interwoven twigs,
lined with leaves, and is built in trees or bushes, sometimes in marshes.
From five to fourteen eggs, or even more, are deposited by the several
birds. These are of a glaucous-blue in color, usually covered with a
light chalky crust. Their average size is 1.38 x i.oo.

384. Crotophaga sulclrostris Swains. [390.]

Orooved«bilIed Ani.

Hab. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas and Lower Cahfornia southward to Peru.

The Grooved-billed Ani was formerly only known from Yucatan,
Central and South America. Between the years 1865 and 1871 it was
discovered in Western Mexico, and finally added to the fauna of the

*Bull. Nutt. Club., VIII, 40-41.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

206

United States by Mr. George B. Sennett, who shot an adult male on
May 19, 1878, at Lomita Ranch, on the Rio Grande, which is seven
miles above Hidalgo.

The eggs of this species are said to range from five to eight, usually
five in number, and of the same color as those of the last species. No
peculiarity seems to be noted in the nesting of this species ; no mention
is made of eggs being laid in one nest by several females, as is the case
with C. ani^ and we would naturally expect the breeding habits of both
species belonging to the same genus to be very much similar. Col.
Grayson states that the nest is usually built in a thorny tree or bush,
at a moderate height, and composed of thorns and dry twigs exteriorly,
and lined with fibrous roots. He describes the eggs on the outside of
the shell as rough and white, the inside green. The birds, he remarks,
associate in small flocks of eight or ten, and are fond of picking ticks
off the cattle.*

385. Geococcyx californianus (Less ) [385.]

Road-runner.

Hal>. Texas, New Mexico, north to West<^rn Indian Territory and Kansas; Southern Colorado, west-
ward to California; Lower California; south into Mexico.

The Ground Cuckoo, Snake Killer or Paisano, as it is differently
called, is a curious long-tailed, chicken-like bird, noted for its swiftness
of foot. It is found in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California
southward. In Southern California, Mr. Shields states that this bird is
abundant in the chapparal and sage bush regions. Its favorite food
consists of small lizards and snakes. It nests in low trees, usually in
the low branches of a cactus or in a thorny bush. A nest before me,
collected in Lee county, Texas, by J. A. Singley, is a coarse structure
made of sticks. It was placed in a haw bush about eight feet from the
ground. The structure is thick and clumsy, with but a slight depres-
sion for the eggs. The latter are deposited at intervals of several days,
and a perfectly fresh egg is often found with one on the point of hatch-
ing ; or young birds of various sizes with partially incubated eggs in
the same nest is of common occurrence. Mr. Shields found eggs as
early as the last of March, and as late as the middle of June. Most of
the eggs obtained by Mr. Sennett in Southern Texas were deposited in
April. From two to twelve are laid, commonly five to nine ; the gen-
eral shape is ovate and the color white or buffy-white. Six selected
specimens measure 1.56x1.20, 1.51x1.23, 1.60x1.18, 1.50x1.17, 1.57X
1. 14, 1.56x1.23, 1.58x1.19, 1.61XI.14.

<■ Lawrence's Birds of Western and Northwestern Mexico: p. 202.

206

NESTS AND EGGS OP

388. Ooccyzus minor (Gmkl.) [386.]

MangrsT* Onokoo.

Hab. Weit Indict («xcept Dahamat); Florida Keyi; coait of Louiilana; Central to Northern and
Eaitern South America.

The Mangrove Cuckoo is very much like the yellow-billed species,
C. americantis^ with the lower parts of the plumage more deeply col-
ored — deep ochraceous, often extending to the throat ; bill similar to
that of C americanus.

This species occurs in nearly all of the West Indian Islands, except
the Bahamas, and it is a rare summer resident of the Florida Keys,
Audubon records it is a regular summer visitor to Key West and the other
Keys. In the Island of Jamaica the Mangrove Cuckoo is said to breed
from March to July, building in the low branches of trees and in bushes.
The nest is described as a loosely made structure, composed of a few
dry sticks. The eggs are three, rarely four, in number, of a glaucous-
green color, oval-oblong in shape, and on the whole they are of the
same size and general appearance as those of C. americanus.

387. Coccyzus americanus (Linn.) [387.]

Yelloi^-bllled Cuokoo.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to British Province, west to the edge of Great Plaint, lOuth In
winter to tropical regions — West Indies, Eastern Mexico and Costa Rica.

This bird is known by several names, such as Rain Crow, Rain Dove
and Chow-chow, which are likewise applied to the Black-billed species.
Wherever woods and undergrowth abound in Eastern United
States the Yellow-billed Cuckoo may be seen in the breeding season.
Its peculiar, resounding notes resembling the syllables kouk-kook-kook
are probably uttered more frequently just before falling weather —
hence the name, Rain Crow. Being somewhat nocturnal in their habits,
the notes of both our Cuckoos are often heard at night. The nest
will usually be found in a low tree or bush, sometimes it is placed in a
brier patch close to the ground. Thickets along streams or upon islands
are favorite nesting places. The usual distance of the nest from the
ground is between five and ten feet. It is a slight structure of slender,
dried sticks, sometimes twelve to fifteen inches long, but generally
much shorter, bark-strips and catkins making up the fabric. Although
near relatives of the notorious Cuckoo of Europe, which, like our
Cowbird, lays its eggs in the nest of other birds, our Cuckoos generally
respect the marriage tie, and are not altogether deserving of the stigma
of the family name of Cuckoos of the Old World, although its eggs are
sometimes laid in the nests of the Mourning Dove, Catbird, Cedar
Waxwing, Cardinal Grosbeak, Robin, and others.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

207

The eggs are deposited at intervals of two to five days, and fre-
quently young are found in the nest with partially incubated eggs.
Two to four are usually laid. Dr. Howard Jones, in " Nests and Eggs
of the Birds of Ohio," says that when incubation does not begin until
the complement is completed, as is commonly the case, four eggs,
rarely six, make up the set. Mr. Norris has a set of six. The average
size of twenty-eight specimens is 1.27X.89. Fresh eggs may be found
as early as the middle of May, in June, July and even August. Not
infrequently are the eggs of the Yellow-billed and lUack-billed Cuckoos
found in the same nest. The color of the eggs is glaucous-green, of
the same tint found in heron's eggs, which fades upon exposure to
light, and when incubated, this color becomes several shades lighter
than that in the fresh specimens.

* * Coccyzus americanus ocddentalis Rmow.

California Cnokoo.

Hab. Weitern United Stato, north to Oregon, east to New Mexico and Colorado, louth over tabU-
lands of Mexico.

Prof. Ridgway describes this western form as larger than C. amer-
uanus, with proportionately larger and stouter bill.* Mr. Norris has
a set of three e^jijs taken with the parent bird June 4, 1888, near Salem,
Oregon. The nest was the usual platform of sticks, which is charac-
teristic of this family; situated in a cottonwood tree, on an island in a
river. The eggs are of a bright pea green, and measure i.iix.83,
1.07 X. 83, 1. 12 X. 84. Incubation had commenced, and the eggs in this
case more nearly approach those of C. crythrophthahnus in color than
those of C americamts.

388. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus (VVils.) [388.]

Blaok-billed Cnokoo.

Hnb. Kastern North America, north to Labrador and Manitoba, westward to the Rocky Mountains,
south in winter to the West Indies and Tropical America,

The same names are given to this bird as are common to the
Yellow-billed Cuckoo, C. americanus^ and their general habits are
similar. The nests of the Yellow and Black-billed Cuckoos resemble
each other closely, and it is not always possible to differentiate
the two. Nests of the former are often found which could not
be mistaken for those of the Black-billed on account of the coarse-
ness of the nest, larger .'ize and paler color of the eggs. How-
ever, as a rule, the nest of the Black-bill is constntcted with more
care, the sticks being somewhat smaller, the catkins less numerous, and
the whole woven together in a firmer manner. The eggs are smaller,
less elliptical, and are of a darker green — deep glaucous-green or verd-

'^For description see Manual of North American Birds: p. 273.

!■

208

NESTS AND EGGS OF

i I

I r

iter-blue. The nest complement varies from two to five, rarely six,
usually four, and they are found in all stages of incubation, as is the
case with the eggs of C. americanus. Ten specimens measure 1.13X
.79, 1.11X.S6, 1. 15 X. 84, 1. 13 X. 80, 1. 17 X. 82, 1. 17 X. 84, 1. 19 X. 80, 1. 12
X.86, 1. 13 X. 82, 1. 18 X. 89, with an average size of 1.T4X.79.

390. Ceryle alcyon (Linn.)

Belted Klngflaher.

Hab. Entire North America, South Panama and West Indies.

[382.]

This is the familiar bird whose loud, coarse, rattling notes are
heard along our streams. It may be seen perched upon the lower
branches of a tree overhanging the water, or on the top of a dead
stump ; these places furnish a favorite outlook, from which it plunges
beneath the water to secure its prey, which is chiefly fish. It is a
curious fact that Mr. W. E. D. Scott frequently met with this bird in
the desert region of Southern Arizona, far from water, feeding on the
large insects and lizards.

The nest of the Kingfisher is an excavation in the face of a per-
pendicular bank of a stream, or in the banks of gravel pits. The
entrance is generally about two or three feet below the surface ; the tun-
ael is usually straight, but sometimes an angle from three to six or
eight feet, and is dug by the bird. The Kingfisher ejects from its
mouth the bones, scales and other indigestible portions of its food, like
a bird of prey. Thus are we able to account for the bones and other
remse of food found in the nesting cavities, in the midst of which the
eggs are deposited. The eggs are of a clear shining white, nearly
spherical in shape, usually six in number ; when the full complement
is laid it generally lumbers seven or eight. Six eggs measure 1.34 x
1-07, 1.35x1.08, 1.37x1.04, 1.47x1.03, 1.37x1.05, 1.40XI.08.

391. Ceryle cabanisi (Tschudi.) [383.]

Tejcan Kingfisher.

Hab. Southern Texas to Arizona, south to Ecuador and Western Peru.

This beautiful little bird, known as Texan Green Kingfisher, is
quite common in suitable places along the streams of Southern Texas —
wherever the water is not too muddy for it to clearly see its prey.
Like the Belted Kingfisher, this species nests in holes of banks*
depositing the eggs on the bare floor of the cavity, or upon fish-bones
and other extraneous matter.

Mr. Brewster describes the eggs of this species, taken in Comal
county, Texas, April 25, as extremely thin- shelled, rounded-oval
and nearly elliptical in shape, cleaj ivory-white, with a rather
high polish ; others creamy-white, with scarcely any polish. The sizes

rarely six,
, as is the
ure 1.13X
X.80, 1,12

notes are
the lower
of a dead
t plunges
1. It is a
is bird in
ig on the

of a per-
ts. The

the tun-
to six or

from its
bod, like
nd other
hich the
;, nearly
piemen t
:e J.34X

isher, is
rexas —
ts prey,
banks,
ti-bones

Comal
ed-oval

rather
le sizes

CopyHght iSSb.

PLATE VI.

SWAULOW-TAII.ED KITE AND NKST.

{ElaHoiiie.t fflrficatus,)

Page ItiS.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

.TE VI.

209

V ^,Y--~,

;e ion.

of five eggs are given as 1. 00X.7 1, .94X.69, .99X.69, i.oox.71, i.oox.75,
respectively.

Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs taken from a hole in the bank of
a river in Comal county, Texas, May 25, 1878. These are dull white,
and measure .92 x .73, .96 x .72, .92 x .71, and .95 x .70.

392. Campephilus principalis (Linn.) [359.]

Ivory-billed Woodpecker.

Hab. Formerly Southern AtUintic and Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley, north to North Car-
olina, Eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois and Indiana. Now restricted and only locally distributed in the
Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley.

The largest of our North American Woodpeckers — in fact it is the
prince of Woodpeckers. Its length ranges from nineteen to twenty-
one inches. * The adult male has a long pointed crest of scarlet, the
entire crown (with its elongated feathers) is black; the bill ivory-
yellow or whitish. This bird is now rare, and is apparently restricted
to the extreme Southern States, especially those bordering the Gulf of
Mexico. It is of a wild and wary disposition, making its home in the
dark, swampy woodlands. The dense cypress swamps of Florida are
at present one of its favorite haunts.

A set of three eggs of this species is in the cabinet of Captain B.
F. Goss. They were taken in Southern Texas in May, 1885, from a
hole in a tree about forty feet from the ground ; the cavity was exca-
vated to the depth of nearly two feet, and was large enough to allow
the collector to insert his arm and take out the eggs. These are pyri-
form in shape, and have the usual gloss of woodpeckers' eggs, and
measure, respectively, 1.44x1.06, 1.45x1.06, 1.44x1.07.

Mr. W. E. D. Scott found a nest of this species in Hillsboro county,
Florida, March 17, 1887, containing a young bird, one-third grown.
The nest cavity was dug in a large cypress tree in the midst of a dense
swamp, and was forty-one feet from the ground ; the depth of the cav-
ity was fourteen inches. Mr. Scott was told by old residents the bird
was once very common in that region, but is now comparatively rare
and shy. The day the nest was found eleven of the birds were counted
in the swamp, somf times four or five were in sight at once.t

393. Dryobates villosus (Linn.) [360.]

Hairy Woodpecker.

Eastern United States, except South Atlantic and Gulf States.

A ragged-looking black and white species, known as the large
" Sapsucker," and one of the most noisy in the woods during the breed-

* The Imperial Woodpecker, C. imperials (Gould,) measures twenty-three or twenty-four inches
jn length. This bird is found in Western Mexico, north along the Sierre Madre, and probably has not
yet been observed or >.aken within our limits, but is likely to occur at any time within the United States
boundary.

fAuk, V, p. 186

210

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ing season, which occurs in latter part of April, through May and the
early part of June. It does not accept the society of other species like
its miniature, the little *' Sapsucker " — Downy Woodpecker, and always
maintains a more dignified manner than this species when hunting
insects in the trunks of trees.

The nest cavity is commonly dug in dead or partially dead tree-
trunks, on the outskirts of woods or those in orchards ; the distance
from the ground usually ranges from ten to twenty feet, and the depth
of the cavity eight to fifteen inches. No material is used for a nest
lining; the eggs simply rest on the fine chips made during the exca-
vating. Four, rarely five, glossy-white eggs are deposited. Five spec-
imens measure .97X.70, .98x70, .94X.69, i.oox.70, i.oox.69. The
northern form, D. v. leucomelas Bodd, is found from about the north-
ern border of the United States northward. D. v. audubonh Swainson
is the race of the Southern United States, east of the Plains.

393<r. Dryobates villosus harrisii (Aud.) [360^.]

Hab.
Mexico.

Harris's IVoodpeoker.

Wtstern United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, south to the Table Lands of

Harris's Woodpecker is exactly like D. villosus^ except that it has
fewer wing spots; the coverts and tertials are plain black, the
lower parts are usually white, frequently pure white, rarely smoky-
gray. In the mountainous regions of the West this bird is quite
common, inhabiting all kinds of forests, especially those of che
pine regions throughout the Sierra Nevada range, from Wash-
ington Territory southward — also in Arizona, New Mexico, Col-
orado, etc. Four eggs taken in Socorro county. New Mexico,
exhibit the following sizes: .95X.67, .98X.69, .96X.70, .97X.70.
They are glossy-white. These were taken May 5, 1887, from a
hole in an oak tree forty feet from the ground. In all respects the
nesting and eggs are similar to those of D. villosus.

Mr. Norris has three sets of the eggs of this bird, two taken at
Fort Klamath, Oregon, May 10 and 19, 1888 ; the third was collected
near Salem, Oregon, May 12 ; all are of four eggs each. The last set
measures i.oix.78, 1.02 x. 79, .95X.76, i.oix.76 respectively.

394. Dryobates pubescens (Linn.) [361.]

Doumy 'Woodpeokert

Hab, Northern and Eastern North America, and sporadically the western portions — Colorado, Utah,
Nevada, California, etc.

Commonly called the Little or the Lesser '* Sapsucker," but this
is a misnomer, and a term which can only be applied with any propri-
ety to woodpeckers of the genus Sphyrapicus.

This is perhaps the most social of all our Woodpeckers, and one

Lmjiaia..i iw m-i*

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

211

zn at

|)llected

St set

ado, Utah,

[ut this
jropri-

id one

of the best known. It seems to enjoy the company of other birds, es-
pecially nuthatches, titmice and wrens, in whose society it is gener-
ally found, searching the branches of low trees or saplings, the hedges,
the brush heaps and fences for insects and their larvae. It is fond of
drumming on the stub of a dead limb whose center is hollow, and
whose shell is hard and resonant. Upon such places it will drum for
an hour at a time, now and then stopping to listen for a response from
its mate or of some rival. At all times it is unsuspicious of man, and
when engaged in excavating the cavity for its nest it continues its
busy chiseling, unheeding his near approach. The nest is construct-
ed in the latter part of April, or early in May, and is excavated in the
trunk of a small dead tree, often in the dead limb of an apple tree,
in a post or rail of a fence, seldom more than twenty feet from the
ground, usually between ten and fifteen feet.

The eggs are four or five, rarely six ; they are pure glossy-
white, and nearly elliptical in shape. There is considerable differ-
ence in the size of the eggs ; a set of four measure, respectively ,
.75X.62, .77X.62, .73x61, .73 x. 62 ; another set, containing four, .84
x .58, .78 X .59, .83 X .58, .82 X .56 ; a set of five, .80 x .57, .85 x .60, .84 x
.60, .83 X .62, .84 X .63.

394<z. Dryobates pubescens gairdnerii (Aud.) [361a.]

Galrdner'a 'Woodpecker.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, north to British Columbia,
outh to Nev; Mexico.

The western representative or counterpart of the Downy Wood-
pecker of the East, resembling it in size, general habits, etc. In many
places of the West it is an abundant bird, but is not generally so com-
mon as the Downy is in the Eastern States. Mr. Norris has a set of
five eggs of this Woodpecker, collected June i, 1876, near vSanta Cruz,
California. They are glossy- white, and measure .81X.69, .80X.58,
.80X.59, .77X.58, .74X.55.

395. Dryobates borealis (Vieill) [362.]

Red-oookaded 'Woodpecker.

Hab. Southeastern States, north regularly to North Carolina, irregularly to New Jersey; west to
Indian Territory and Eastern Texas.

The Red-cockaded Woodpecker has a restricted distribution in the
Southeastern Atlantic States, and is found regularly as far north as the
Carolinas, westward to Indian Territory and Eastern Texas, and only
irregularly to New Jersey. Audubon speaks of it in his day as being
found abundantly from Texas to New Jersey, and as far inland as
Tennessee, and nowhere more numerous than in the pine regions of
Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. He found these birds mated in

212

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Florida as early as January, and engaged in preparing a breeding place
in February. The nest, he states, is not unfrequently bored in a de-
cayed stump. In Georgia and other localities this bird excavates a
nesting cavity in tall pine trees, living or dead.

The eggs are said to range from four to six in number, glossy-
white ; size .91 x .68.

396.

Hab.

Dryobates scalaris (Wagl.) [363]

Texan Woodpecker.

Southern border of the United States, from Texas to Arizona south into Mexico.

This bird is called the Ladder-backed Woodpecker, from the black
and white cross-bars on the back. It averages larger than the Downy,
D. pubescens. Dr. Merrill found it a common resident in Southern
Texas. He tates that in its habits it is so like the Downy Wood-
pecker that there is little to be said about it. He gives the average size
of eighteen eggs as .81 x .64.

Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs taken in Comal county, Texas,
May 30, 1885. The nest was in a cavity of a fence rail. The eggs are
white and very glossy ; sizes .82 x .62, .83 x .60, .84X .62, .8ox .60.

The form D. s. lucasanus (Xantus), belongs to the southern por-
tion of Lower California.

397. Dryobates nuttallii (Gamb.) [364.]

„ ,., . Nuttall's Woodpecker.

Hab. California.

The habitat of Nuttall's Woodpecker is restricted to the limited
area of the State of California, where it seems to be confined chiefly to
the region west of the coast range and southward to the extreme south-
ern portion of the State. It closely resembles the Texan Woodpecker,
and may be easily recognized from the latter by the white or dull buflf
nasal tufts and the markings of the tail feathers. The bird is of the
same size as the Downy Woodpecker of the Eastern States, and has
many of its characteristics, familiarly searching the orchards, stumps
of trees and fence rails for insects and their larvae. Mr. Walter E.
Bryant found a nest of this species on Mt. Diablo, California, May 29,
1880. It was in a cavity picked between the body and the bark of an
oak stump, fifteen feet from the ground. The opening was very difii-
cult to find. The male bird was sitting, and flew from the stump as
Mr. Bryant approached, and he was obliged to wait for its return before
the entrance could be located. The cavity was about twelve inches
deep and four inches inside diameter ; diameter of the entrance was
about one inch and a half. The nest contained four glistening, white

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

213

por-

eggs ; their sizes being as follows : 24x17.5, 23 x 17, 23 x 17.5, 23.5 x
.17 millimeters.*

Mr. B. T. Gault on April 23, 1883, obtained a set of six eggs of
this species from a cavity in the main trunk of an elder bush or tree in
the San Bernardino Valley. Notwithstanding various loud demonstra-
tions — tapping on the tree trunk and chopping into the cavity with a
hatchet the female bird did not leave the nest, and when taken out ap-
peared stupefied. The nest was about five and a half feet from the
ground, was very near a foot deep and about five inches wide ; the
entrance was a little larger than a silver half dollar. The eggs were
pretty well advanced in incubation ; their sizes are .85 x .66, .87 x .65,
<.82x.64, .85X.66, .85X.66, .84X.64. t They are of a pearly white.

398. Dryobates arizonsB (Hargitt) [365.]

ArlBona 'Woodpecker. I

Hab. Southern Arizona and adjacent portion of northwestern Mexico.

Mr. F. Stephens met with this species in the Santa Rita and
Chiricahua Mountains in Southern Arizona. Although the birds were
not uncommon he did not succeed in obtaining the eggs. A nest was
found May 16 in a sycamore tree which contained young.

Mr. W. E. O. Scott found this Woodpecker in the oak region of the
San Pedro slope of the Cataline Mountains where, except in midwinter,
it is not uncommon. Mr. Brown found it common on the Santa Rita
Mountains.

Mr. Scott rarely met with more than two in company ; frequently in
the fall a party was seen composed of Arizona Jays, California Wood-
peckers, various Titmice and Warblers, and a pair of Strickland's
Woodpeckers. They appeared mated late in January or early in Feb-
ruary. A nest containing three young, found May 27, was in an oak
about ten feet from the ground ; it was much like that of the Hairy
Woodpecker, but the opening was a little smaller. I have no descrip-
tion of the eggs of this species, but they probably do not differ from
those of other Woodpeckers.

399. Xenopicus albolarvatus (Cass.) [366.]

IVhite-headed 'Woodpecker.

Hab. Pacific coast region, including eastern and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains,
from Washington Territory to Southern California.

This peculiarly-colored species is common in the pine regions of
Washington Territory, Oregon and California. Dr. James C. Merrill,

*.94x .89, .91 X .67, .91 x .69, .93 x .67.

t Bull. No. 2. Ridgway Ornithological Club, April, 18«7: Chicago, 111., pp. 78-81.

X No. 398, A. O. U. Check List, is Dryobatts stricklandi Malh, but according to Mr. E. Hargitt, in the
"Ibis" for April. 1886, Z). stricklandi from Mexico is specifically distinct from the Arizona Woodpecker,
which he names Picus arizonoe.

T|y ^,'OTHJJW Wi!WW— " "

••

214

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army, states that this bird was first observed
in the vicinity of Fort Klamath, Oregon, November 9 ; by December
it became rather abundant, and so continued until the latter part of Feb-
ruary, but after the middle of March none were seen. Careful search
during the breeding season failed to reveal its presence near the Fort,
nor was it found in the higher mountains in July and August. Dr.
Merrill rarely heard this Woodpecker hammer, and even tapping is
rather unusual with it. The bird uses its bill as a crowbar rather than
a hammer, prying oflf the successive scales and layers of bark in a very
characteristic way, which explains the fact of its being a quiet worker.
As a result of the great abundance of food which these birds obtained,
the specimens killed were loaded with fat — scarcely surpassed in this
respect by some Sandpipers in autumn.*

Capt. B. F. Goss has a set of three eggs of this species, taken
May 17, 1882, near Crockers, California. The nest cavity was in a
small rotten stub, thirteen feet from the ground. The eggs are pure
crystalline white, exhibiting the following sizes : .96X.75, .98X.74,
.98 X. 77. Set No. 253 (oological collection of Walter E. Bryant), con-
sisting of four eggs, was taken at Blue Canon, Cal., by C. A. Allen,
May 27, 1879. The nest was in an excavation of a pine stump, five
feet from the ground. The eggs measure respectively 23x17.5, 23.5 x
18.5, 24x18, 24xi8.5mm.t Set No. 815 in Mr. Bryant's coll'^ction
was taken at Big Trees, Cal., by Chas. W. Knox. This set contains
five eggs ; they were taken from a hole in a dead pine stump, eight
feet from the ground. Their sizes are: 25x19, 23.5x18.5, 25x19,
24 X 19, 24 X 19.5 mm.|

400. Picoides arcticus (Swains.) [367.]

Arotio Three-toed Woodpecker.

Hab. Northern North America, south to northern border of the United States, and farther on high
mountain ranges. In the mountains of the West (Sierra Nevada, etc.,) south to about 39°, whel-e it breeds.

The Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker has an extended dis-
tribution from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and from the northern bor-
der of the United States northward to the Arctic regions. Its favorite
haunts are the pine woods of mountainous country. In some portions
of Northern New England it is a rare summer resident. Audubon
says that it occurs in Northern Massachusetts and in all portions of
Maine covered by tall trees, where it resides. It is found as 'far south
as Northern New York, where Dr. Bachman was of the opinion that it
nested. Dr. Merriam states that this bird is not an uncommon resi-

*Auk, V, p. 253.

t .91 X .69, .98 X .73, .94 x .71, .94 x .73.

t .98 X .75, .93 X .73, .98 x .75, .94 x .75, .94 x .77.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

216

States.

dent in those portions of Lewis county, New York, which pertain to
the Canadian fauna ; for they are found both in the Adirondack region
and in the coniferous forests bordering Big Alder and Fish Creeks, in
the Tug Hill range. Dr. J. G. Cooper found this Woodpecker quite
numerous in September, in the vicinity of Lake Tahoe and the sum-
mits of the Sierra Nevada, above an altitude of 6,000 feet. Dr. Merrill
mentions it as a rather common resident in the vicinity of Fort Kla-
math, Oregon; in summer more common in the mountains. Several
nests were found early in July, but with young, fledged. The excava-
tions were in dead young pines, not more than five or six feet from the
ground, in this respect differing from those of the other Woodpeckers
found there, all of which, so far as he had observed, make their holes
at a greater height. The eggs range from four to six in number, pure
ivory-white ; average size, .95 x .71.

401. Picoides americanus Brehm. [368.]

American Three-toed Woodpecker.

Hab. Northern North America east of the Rocky Mountains, south in winter to tke Northern United

The Banded or Ladder-backed Three-toed Woodpecker is found
in the spruce and fir regions of Northern North America. It is often
found associated with the last species, /-". arcticus^ whose characteristics
are similar, and whose nesting is identical.

Dr. C. Hart Merriam met with a pair of these birds nesting in
Northern New York, June 4, 1878. The cavity, which contained four
nearly fresh eggs, was in a spruce tree about eight feet from the
ground ; the entrance of the hole was an inch and a half in diameter,
and the cavity ten inches deep. The eggs are described as cream-
white, and of a texture like those of other Woodpeckers ; they are
strongly ovate in outline, and measure respectively, 23.8x17.2, 23.6 x
17.8, 23.8 X 17.9, 23 X 17.8 millimeters.'''

Dr. Merriam says that this species is found along the eastern
border of Lewis county, in the Adirondack region, where it is a resi-
dent species, much less common, however, than its congener, the
Black-backed Woodpecker, Picoides arcticus,

Picoides americatnis dorsahs Baird, belongs to the Rocky Moun-
tain region of the United States, and southward into Mexico. P. a. alas-
censis Nelson, is from Alaska and Northern British America.

402. Sphyrapicus varius (Linn.) [369.]

YeUow-liellied Sapaucker.

Hab. Northern and Eastern North America, south in winter to the West Indies, Mexico and Gaute-
mala.

The Yellow-bellied Woodpecker is one of the most singularly

■!>.94x .68, .83 X .70, .94 x .71, MX x .70. Bull. Nutt. Club, III, 200.

i-mipssr

216

NESTS AND EGGS OP

marked and most attractive birds of the family. It breeds from the
northern United States northward. A common bird in most of its
United States range. The Woodpeckers of this genus are the only
ones to which the term " Sapsucker " can with any propriety be ap-
plied. They lack the long extensile tongue which enables the other
species to probe the winding galleries of wood-eating larvae, and they
are known to feed largely upon the green inner bark of trees. In some
localities this species is said to destroy many trees by stripping oflF
bark and girdling them with holes for the sap.

The following details are from Mr. William Brewster's account of
this bird's nesting habits in New England. He states that throughout
the White Mountains of new Hampshire, and in most sections of
Northern Maine, the Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers outnumber all the
other species in the summer season. Their favorite nesting sites are
large, dead birches, and a decided preference is manifested for the
vicinity of water, though some nests occur in the interior woods. The
average height of the excavation from the ground is about forty feet.
In nearly every tree examined by Mr. Brewster, which contained a
nest, there were several newly-finished cavities, and others made in
previous years, but in no case was more than one of the excavations
inhabited. Many of the nests were gourd-like in shape, with the sides
very smoothly and evenly chiseled ; the average depth was about four-
teen inches, by five in diameter at the widest point, while the diameter
of the exterior hole varied from 1.25 to 1.60 inches. The labors of ex-
cavating the nest and those of incubation are shared alternately by both
sexes. Mr. Brewster gives the eggs as numbering from five to seven in a
set, and varying considerably in shape, some being oblong, others de-
cidedly elliptical. They are pure white in color, and there is much less
of that fine polish than in eggs of the other species of Woodpeckers he
had examined. The size is given as .85 x .60. *

402a.

Hab.

Sphyraplcus varius nuchalis Baird. [369a.]

Red-naped Sapsnokcr.

Rocky Mountain region, west to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges; south into Mexico.

Capt. Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A., met with this race of ^. varius
sparingly distributed in various portions of the Blue Mountains of
Oregon, Washington Territory and Idaho, and as far west as the east-
ern slope of the Cascade Range in Southern Oregon, in the Klamath
Lake region, where it was replaced by Sphyrapicus ruber, the two
species overlapping each other, but not intergrading, and remaining
perfectly distinct. He found it breeding in June, nesting in cavities of

• Bull. Nutt. Club. 1, pp. 63-70.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

217

live aspen trees. Dr. James C. Merrill found a nest of this bird in a
cavity of a dead young cottonwood, in Montana, June 12. The height
of the hole from the ground was twenty-five feet, and near the top of
the same tree were three similar holes, probably used by the same birds
in previous years. Mr. Dennis Gale, an enthusiastic naturalist, has
given Capt. Bendire the results of his observations on the nesting of
this Woodpecker in the mountains of Colorado. According to him, its
nesting sites are invariably in living aspen trees, along the gulches
and hillsides, and the birds are seldom found above an altitude of 9000
or much below 8000 feet. In excavating the cavity the female bird
does the work from begirming to end, and completes it in from six to
ten days. The height of the nesting place from the ground varies from
five to thirty feet.

The eggs are four or five, sometimes less in number. Fresh eggs
may be found in Colorado from June i to 15, and should the first set be
taken, a second may generally be found in from ten to .fifteen days
later ; and as a rule, the second nesting-site will not be a great distance
from the first one. Several nests of this species may be found within
a short distance of one another in the same aspen grove. The cavities
are roomy and ::^ourd-shaped. Capt. Bendire gives the measurements
of two sets of four eggs each, taken by Mr. Gale. The first set, col-
lected June, 1884, measure as follows : .91 x .67, . 90 x 68, .89 x 68, .88 x
.64; second set taken June i, 1887, .90X.69, .90X.69, .90X.68, .89X
65. A set of three eggs taken by himself in the Blue Mountains, Grant
county, Oregon, exhibit the following sizes: .90X.65, 90x64, 88x66.
The average measurement is given as .88 x .66. The eggs are pure
white after blowing, moderately glossy or lustrous, and generally ovate
in shape. * The set of five taken by Dr. Merrill in Montana measure
.91x72, .90X.73, .93X.71, .93X.73, .91X.73, respectively.

403. Sphyrapicus ruber (Gmel.) [369^5.]

Red-breaated Sapsnoker.

Hab. Pacific coast region, from California northward into Alaska.

This species is confined to the Pacific coast region, occurring as
far east as the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Cen-
tral and Northern California ; in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and
Washington Territory, thence northward through British Columbia
into Alaska: A handsome bird, with the whole head, neck and breast
carmine-red in both sexes.

Captain Bendire states that this bird is an abundant summer resi-

<■ See Notes on the Habits, Nests, and Eggs of the Genus Spkyrapicut Baird. By Capt. Charles E.
Bendire : In The Auk, V, pp. 225-240.

218

NESTS AND EGGS OF

dent of the aspen groves on the mountains in the southwestern por-
tion of Oregon — the region about Fort Klamath, etc. According to
his observations its nesting is very similar to S. v. nuchalis — breeding
in healthy live aspen trees, making a gourd-shaped nest cavity from
six to ten inches deep, four or five inches wide at the bottom and three
inches near the top. It is situated from fifteen to twenty-five feet from
the ground, and usually excavated below the first limb of the tree. A
sure sign of a nest was the chips scattered about the base of the tree.
Five or six eggs are laid, and fresh eggs may be looked for in the
neighborhood of Fort Klamath from May 20 to June 5. Captain Ben-
dire took the first set of eggs May 23, 1883, and he has taken nearly
fresh eggs as late as June 13. When blown the eggs are of a pure del-
icate white, the shell showing a moderate amount of lustre. There is
considerable variation in their shape, running through all the differ-
ent ovates to an elongate-ovate. The average measurements of sixty
specimens are .94X.68; the largest egg i.oox.70; the smallest .86 x
.78. A set of five eggs is in Mr. Norris' collection, taken with the
female bird, near Salem, Oregon, April 13, 1888, from a cavity in a
Cottonwood, twenty-five feet from the ground. They measure i.oox
.73, .91X.71, .94X.70, .90X.71, .90x71.

404. Sphyraplcus thyroideus (Cass.) [370.]

WlUlamion'a Sapsuoker.

Hab. Western United States, from and inclusive of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific.

This singular representative of the genus Sphyrapicus^ has a dis-
tribution extending from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to
the Pacific coast in Oregon and California. The male and female of
this species are so different in coloration that they were for a long time
considered separate species. Regions of coniferous trees seem to be
the favorite haunts of Williamson's Woodpecker. Dr. Merrill notes it
as not an uncommon resident in the vicinity of Fort Klamath, Oregon,
but shy and very suspicious. Two nests containing young were found
June 20 in large dead pines ; each were at a height of about sixty
feet, and inaccessible. Mr. Dennis Gale, who has given Capt. Bendire
his observations on the habits of this species in the mountains of Col-
orado, says that ;he birds are as often met with in moderately thick
woods as in more open clearings. The nesting sites are excavated in
the trunks of pine trees, at heights ranging from five to sixty feet or
more.

Fresli eggs may be looked for, according to altitude, from May
20 to June 15. At Fort Klamath, Capt. Bendire took the first set of
eggs June 3, 1883. Five or six are laid. They are pure white, a trifle

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

219

less lustrous than those of 5. ruber, a little more elongated and pointed
in shape, some approaching a distinct ovate-pyriform or pear shape, a
characteristic not apparently found in the eggs of other species of the
same genus. Capt. Bendire gives the average size of seventeen speci-
mens as .97 X .67 ; the largest, 1.02 x .68 ; the smallest, .94 x .67.

405. CeophloBus pileatus (Linn.) [371.]

Plleated \i^oodpeoker.

Hab. Entire North America in heavily-wooded districts.

Next in size to the Ivory-billed species is the Pileated Wood-
pecker, commonly called Logcock. It was formerly common to the
whole wooded region of North America, but is now rare or absent in
the thickly settled portions of the Eastern States. In southern dis-
tricts, midst timbered swamps and heavy secluded woods it is still
abundant. The nesting places are excavated usually in the main
trunks of high trees, such as oaks, sycamores, elms, pines, etc. The
height of the burrow from the grouud ranges from twenty to eighty
feet. If inhabited, and the bird is at home, a rap upon the trunk of the
tree will generally bring this species to the entrance of the excavation.
The eggs are from four to six in number. A set of five eggs in the
collection of Mr. Norris, taken April 6, 1887, in Lee co., Texas, exhibit
the following measurements: 1.27X.95, 1.33X.96, 1.29X.97, 1.29 x. 98,
1.29 x .96. They are pure white and very glossy.

406. Melanerpes erythroi ^phalus (Linn.) [375.]

Red-headed \ lodpeoker.

Hab. Eastern United States and British Prov^ s west to le Rocky Mountains, occasionally
farther. Rare or casual east of Hudson River.

One of the most familiar birds in Eastern United States. It is
found almost everywhere — in deep forests and open woods, in groves,
orchards and solitary trees in fields, or along the roadside, and on the
open prairies. A bird of manifold tricks and manners — some are
commendable, and some are not. It is known to rob and demolish the
nests of the Cliff Swallows; oftentimes whole colonies of these nests
are destroyed by this Woodpecker. It seems to have considerable fore-
sight in " looking out for a rainy day ahead" by storing grasshoppers,
acorns and beech nuts in the cracks and crevices of posts, in the cavi-
ties of partially decayed trees, and under patches of raised bark. Ber-
ries and various fruits are likewise a portion of its food. A cavity for
the nest is dug in the decayed trunk of any kind of a tree of sufficient
thickness, and in almost any situation. Telegraph poles are often
resorted to. On the open, treeless prairies it has been known to nest
in the angle formed by the shares of an upturned plow, and necessity
often compels this bird to make its nest under the roofs or in any

220

NESTS AND EGGS OF

dark hole it may find on the prairie farms. The eggs are five or six
in number ; when fresh and before blowing, like those of all Wood-
peckers, show the yolk through the translucent shell, which gives them
a beautiful pinkish appearance. After blowing they are of a clear,
glossy-white. The average size is .99 x .78.

407. Melanerpes formlcivorus bairdi Ridgw. [377.]

Callforniau TVoodpeoker.

Hab. Northern Mexico and Northern Lower California; Western Texas to California, north along the
Pacific coast to British Columbia.

This handsome Woodpecker is common along the Pacific coast
region, as in California, Oregon and in Washington Territory. It is
said that this species in California has the habit of digging small
holes in the trunks of trees, in which it stores acorns for its winter
food. Mr. W. H. Henshaw met with it in the Rocky Mountain region
of New Mexico, near Santa Fe, where it frequented the small oak
groves. Mr. W. E. D. Scoti: states that this bird is a common resident
of the Pinal and the Catalina Mountains of Arizona, both in pine and
oak regions as low as 4,000 feet. July 30, 1884, a nest containing three
half-grown young was found ; it was in a natural cavity of a sycamore
tree fifty feet from the ground. A set of five eggs of this species is in
Mr. Norris' collection; they were taken April 30, 1880, near Shasta,
California. They are white and very glossy ; sizes 1.05 x8o, i.iox .']']y
1.05X.76, 1.06X.82, i.o6x.8i. Mr. Bryant has a set of six eggs col-
lected by Capt. Bendire near Camp Harney, Oregon, May 13, 1878.
Their sizes are 29.5x23, 30.5x21.5, 30x21.5, 27.5x21, 29.5x21.5, 30X
22 m"'^..* A set of four eggs taken by Mr. Bryant near Altaville, Cal-
ifornia, June, 1885, exhibit the following dimensions : 27 x 19, 24 x 18.5,
25.5 X 19, 24 X 18.5 mm.f These were found in a nest on the under side
of a limb of a live oak, ten feet from the ground.

408. Melanerpes torquatus (Wils.) [376.]

Xtetvis's 'Woodpecker.

Hab. Western United States, from the Ulack Hills and the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast.

In most of the wooded, mountainous regions of the West, from the
Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, Lewis's Woodpecker is a common bird.
About Fort Klamath, Oregon, Dr. Merrill notes it as rather uncommon
during the summer, nesting usually near the tops of tall dead pines,
especially isolated ones, from which they can obtain a good view of
passing insects, which they will often follow to a considerable distance.
The general habits of tliis species are similar to those of the Red-headed
Woodpecker. It is found in greater or less abundance in the pine and

■fl.16x.87, 1.20X.85, 1.18x.85, 1.08x .83, l.lOx .85, l.lSx .87.
1 1.06 X .75, 04 X .78, 1 .00 X .75, .94 x .71.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

221

■

oak districts of New Mexico, Arizona, California, Colorado, etc., where
the nests are burrowed, preferredly in dead trees, at all heights from
the ground. The eggs are four to six in number, and, like all those of
the Woodpeckers, are white and glossy. Mr. Norris has a set of five
eggs of this species in his collection taken near Yuma, Arizona, April
27, 1882. They measure, 1. 00 X.8 1, i.oix.81, .95X.81, .99X.84, .99X.82.

409. Melanerpes carolinus (Linn.) [372.]

Hab.

Red-bellied TVoodpeoker.

Eastern United States, west to the Rocky Mountains, south to Florida and Central Texas.

This Woodpecker is regarded by some as the most beautiful of the
smaller species of its tribe, and is known to many as the "Zebra Bird,"
from the back and wings being closely banded with black and white ;
the whole crown and nape are scarlet in the male, partly .so in the
female. Under parts grayish, mixed with yellowish-white, reddening
on the belly. A bird generally of retired habits, seeking the deepest
and most unfrequented forests to breed. When engaged in hammering
for insects it frequently emits a short, singular note, which Wilson likens
to the bark of a small dog. The note is repeated twice, and resembles
the hoarse utterance of the syllables chow, choxv.

Prof. D. E. Lantz states that this species in the vicinity of Man-
hattan, Kansas, exhibits the same familiarity as shown by the Flicker,
the Red-headed and Downy W^oodpeckers. About a dozen nests were
observed, the excavations ranging usually less than twenty feet from
the ground. One nest in a burrow of a large dead limb of an elm tree
was found May 12, and contained five eggs. The earliest date for a full
set was May 10. The birds were very much attached to their nests,
so much so that in several cases it was necessary to remove them with
the hand before the eggs could be secured. The eggs being taken, they
almost immediately begin excavating another nest cavity for the second
set, always in the vicinity of the first nest, often in the same tree.

In Ohio this bird is a common resident. Breeds in May. Four to
six glossy-white eggs are laid, varying in length from .']^ to i.oo by .67
to .79 in breadth. Six eggs taken in Franklin county, Ohio, measure,
i.oox.77, .98X.78, 1.00X.78, .99X.74, i.oox.76, i.oox.74.

410. Melanerpes aurifrons (Wagl.) [373.] .;...p .

Hab.

Golden-foonted \Foodpeoker.

Southern Texas and Northeastern Mexico.

Dr. James C. Merrill records this species as abundant on the Lower
Rio Grande in Texas, and Mr. George B.Sennett found it very common
at Lomita, and as bold and noisy as the Red-headed Woodpecker of the
North. Although breeding abundantly, the eggs were difficult to ob-

222

NESTS AND EGGS OF

tain, as the nesting cavities -were often situated in the heart of lark's
hard-wood trees, and not very accessible. From four to six highly
polished white eggs are laid. Mr. Sennett took the first set of eggs
April 17, and a clutch of five fresh ones was taken May ist. A set of
three eggs is in Mr. Norris' cabinet which was taken in Comal county.
Texas, April 21, 1885; they measure i.oox.y^, 1.04X.75, and 1.03X.75,
A set of five eggs in my collection, taken near the town of Camargo,
Mexico, June 16, 1888, exhibit the following sizes: .94X.75, i.oox.76,
.98X.73, 1.04X.74, 1.02 X. 74. The nest-cavity was in a broken stub of
a mesquite tree, about twelve feet from the ground.

411. Melanerpes uropygialis (Baird). [374.]

Olla Woodpaoker.

Hab. Southern Arizona, Southeastern portion of California, Lower California and Western Mexico.

This species was first discovered by Dr. Kennerly in his route
along the 35th parallel, and described by Professor Baird in 1854. ^r-
Hermann found it abundant along the Gila River among the mesquite
trees and giant cactus. He met with it in California in considerable
numbers on the banks of the Colorado. Mr. G. Frean Morcom, in his
valuable paper on the birds of Southern California and Southwestern
Arizona,* notes this as one of the species found by Mr. F. Stephens at
Yuma, Arizona, where it was not common. A nest was found May 4,
excavated in a growing willow on the edge of a slough. It contained
three eggs, incubation commenced. In the region about Tucson, Ari-
zona, Mr. W. E. D. Scott states that it is a common resident, especially in
the giant cactus regions, occurring in numbers up to an altitude of 4,500
feet. Though breeding in mesquite and cottonwood trees, they show
a great preference for groves of giant cactus, which afford nesting places
for thousands of pairs about Tucson, Florence, and Riverside. Near
Tucson, Mr. Scott took fresh eggs, three to five in number, from May
15 until the last of the month. The birds do not always excavate
new nesting holes in the giant cactus, but more frequently take advant-
age of former excavations. The birds are very fond of the fruit of the
giant and other cacti. The eggs are smooth, glossy white, and measure

.99X.72.

412. Colaptes auratus (Linn.) [378.]

Flicker.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Great Plains, north to Hudson Ba;' and Alaska.

This is the Golden-winged Woodpecker, Yellow-jhafted Flicker,
Pigeon Woodpecker, High-holder, Wake-up and YellDw-hammer of
Eastern North America. Every country boy has a name for it. The

« Bulletin No. 2. The Ridgway Ornithological Club.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

223

bird's ordinary notes are the familiar, oft-repeated chuck-up, chuck-up^
chuck-uPy the scythe-whetting note, quit-tu, quit-tu, quit-tu^ and the
peculiar wake-up call, preluded by rapid monosyllables. The Gol-
den-winged Woodpecker is found everywhere in woodlands, nest-
ing in the same manner as others of the family, most frequently in
a dead trunk of a tree, at considerable height from the ground. The
excavations are generally made by the birds, though not unfrequently
the eggs are laid within a natural cavity. Curious breeding-places are
sometimes selected. It has been found nesting in an old wagon hub
far out on the treeless prairie; in barrels and in the crevices of
deserted barns and out-houses. Ordinarily from six to eight or
ten crystalline white eggs are deposited, but 'u exceptional cases this
bird is known to lay a large number. Prof. Evermann took thirty-seven
eggs from a single nest between May 4 and June 22, 1885. In this
period of time the bird rested fourteen days.

The most remarkable instance of the laying capacity of the Flicker
of which I am aware is that recorded by Charles L. Phillips, of Taunton,
Mass. On May 6, 1883, he found a cavity in a large willow tree con-
taining two eggs; he took one, leaving the other as a "nest egg," and
continued to do so day after day until the female Flicker had laid
seventy-one eggs in seventy-three days.* The average size of the eggs
is 1.10X.90, and in a large series a great variation in size and shape are

noticeable.

413. Colaptes cafer (Gmel.) [378<5.]

Red-shafted Flloker.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific cOMt; north to Sitka; south
to Southern Mexico.

This species replaces the Yellow-shafted Flicker from the Rocky
Mountains to the Pacific. In its habits, nesting and eggs the exact
counterpart of C. auratus. The eggs average a trifle larger; 1.14X.8C
is the average of thirty specimens.

413a. Colaptes cafer saturatior Ridgw.

Northw^eitern Flicker.

Hab. Northwest coast, from northern California north to Sitka.

The general habits, nesting, etc., of this darker colored race are
the same as those of C. auratus or C. cafer. Mr. Norris has a set of
seven eggs of this bird in his cabinet taken near Salem, Oregon, June 5,
1888. The nest-cavity was in an old balm tree thirty feet from the
ground. The eggs measure, i.iix.87, i.iix.86, i.iix.87, i.i6x.85,
1.13X.85, 1.16X.85, 1.11X.85.

* In the last edition of this work Mr. Phillips' record was credited to the Omithclogist and Oologist
(Vol. XI, p. 16). Mention of it first appears in Tk* Young Otlogitt (Vol. I, p. 26), and it has recently been
recorded in Thi Auk, Vol. IV, p. 846.

224 NESTS AND EGGS OF

414. Colaptes chrysoides (Malh.) [379 ]

Glided Flicker.

Hab. Southern California, Lower California ; Southern Arizona.

Mr. F. Stephens regards the distribution of this species in Arizona
as coextensive with that of the giant cactus, for he never met with it
except where this singular plant grows.* Mr. Scott states that it is
common throughout the giant cactus region all about Tucson, and he
occasionally saw single individuals in the mesquite timber. All that
he ever met with breeding have been in giant cactus. The nesting time
is from April 10 until the last of May. According to Mr. Scott, the num-
ber of eggs is small, varying from two to five ; the latter number being
the largest he ever found in a nest.f The eggs are glossy-white, and
average 1.12X.84.

415. Colaptes rufipileus Ridgw [380.]

Onadalupe Flicker.

Hab. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

Mr. Walter E. Bryant gives us the first knowledge we have con-
cerning the nesting and eggs of this bird.| On Guadalupe Island he
found it not rare in the restricted area of a large cypress grove, but
apart from this locality less than a dozen were seen during his stay on
the Island. For a portion of the year the food of this species consists
largely of smooth-skinned caterpillers,witL numerous beetles and ants.
The nesting-cavities are found at heights varying from three to fifteen
feet. The scarcity of decayed trees, with the exception of fallen ones,
necessitates either work upon seasoned wood or the resort to dead palm
stumps. A cavity was found April 7, which was dug to the depth of
twenty inches, and contained six fresh eggs, upon which the female
was sitting. They correspond exactly, both in color and general shape,
with scores of other eggs of this genus, and offer the following meas-
urements in millimeters: 28x22, 28x22,28x22.5, 29x22,29.5x22,
29.5x22.8

[353-]

Hab.
Illinois.

416. Antrostomiis carolinensis (Gmel.)

Chnok-will's-'widoiiir.

South Atlantic and Gulf States and Lower Mississippi Valley, north to the Carolinas and

Perhaps the two best known North American species of this fam-
ily {Caprimulgidcs ^ the Goatsuckers), are the Whip-poor-will, Antros-
tomus vociferus, and the Nighthawk, Chordeiles virginianus. They
are all more or less nocturnal, and fanciful imaginations have detected

* Wm. Brewster on a collection of Arizona birds. Bull. Nutt Club, Vol. VIII, 24.

tThe Auk, III, 429.

\ Addition to the Ornithology of Guadalupe Island; Bulletin 6, California Academy of Sciences, pp.

285-288.

g 1.10x.87,1.10x.87, LlOx .89, l.]4x.87, 1.16x .87, L16x .87.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

225

in many of their cries the syllables from which their common names
are derived — such is the case with Chuck-will's-widow. It is nowhere
a very abundant species, but more common in Florida than in any
other State. It is found in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Missis-
sippi and Texas.

Mr. Stuart informs me that in Florida it nests in the months of
May and June, depositing two eggs on the bare ground, or on leaves
in the shadow of some dense thicket. According to Audubon, deep
ravines, shady swamps, and extensive pine groves are the retreats of
this species during the day, when the birds roost in hollow trees.
When in search of food, the same places are resorted to at night, and
their singular notes are only uttered for a brief period in the early
evening, when on the wing. If either their eggs or young are dis-
turbed, they are carried off in the capacious mouths of the birds to
some distant part of the forest, in the same manner that a cat trans-
ports her kittens.

A set of two eggs in my cabinet, collected by Mr. Stuart near
Tampa, Florida, May 20, 1886, measure 1.40x1.02, 1.42x1.00; an-
other set, from Manatee county, taken May 14, 1887, measure 1.39X
i.oo, 1.41 X 1.02. A set taken in Comal county, Texas, April 22, 1888,
measure 1.41 x 1.02, 1.42 x 1.04. These are beautiful eggs, with a pink-
ish-buff ground, variously marbled with pale buff-brown and lilac-
gray. They are moderately polished. Mr. Norris' cabinet contains a
series of nine sets ; some of these eggs are almost unmarked, except
a few spots of gray, while others are boldly spotted with different
shades of brown. The sizes of a set containing the largest eggs are as
follows: 1. 51 X i.oi, 1.53x1.03; the set containing the smallest, 1.29 x
.94, 1. 30 x. 93, respectively.

417. Antrostomus vociferus (Wils.) [354]

Whip-poor-will.

Hab. £astern United States to the Great Plains, south to Guatemala.

The well-known Whip-poor-will, which inhabits the Eastern
United States, may be easily distinguished from A. carolinensis by its
greatly inferior size ; the colors of both birds are quite similar. In its
habits the Whip-poor-will is very nearly the counterpart of the Chuck-
will's-widow, keeping within the recesses of deep woods and under-
growth during the daytime, remaining perfectly silent. The name of
this species is a pretty accurate rendering of its note, which is uttered
when night comes on, both when the bird is on the wiiig in pursuit of
nocturnal insects, or at rest. Rocky ravines shaded by trees, where
the sun seldom penetrates the thick foliage, or beneath dense under-

tell

I'll

Itrt il

!'!:

226

NESTS AND EGGS OF

brush, midst fallen logs, are the favorite nesting places of the Whip-
poor-will.

The eggs are deposited on the ground, on decayed wood, or
among fallen leaves. Two eggs constitute a set. They are elliptical,
of moderate polish, with a ground color of white or cream color. They
are handsomely marked with large and small spots of yellowish-brown
distributed rather abundantly over the entire surface ; occasionally a
few blotches may be observed. Deep shell marks are about as numer-
ous as the surface marks, and are of a lilac-gray or lavender tint. A
set of tv/o eggs which I took in Franklin county, Ohio, May 28, 1887,
measure 1.18X.90, 1.20X.90; a set from Delaware county, Ohio, col-
lected June 2, 1888, measure 1.14X.87, i.i6x.86. Dr. Jones gives a
common size as i.i2x.88. Like the Chuck-will's-widow this species
removes in its mouth the eggs or young to a place of safety if they
have been molested or handled.

417rt. Antrostomus vociferus arizonsB

Stephens's Whip-poor-wllli

Hab. Table Lands of Central Mexico, north to Southern Arizona.

Brewst.

This is a larger bird than the last. Mr. F. Stephens met with it
in the Chiracahua Mountains in Southern Arizona in 1880, and less
numerous in the Santa Rita range in 1881. In the Chiracahua range
by June ist, they were as common as he ever knew them to be in the
East ; sometimes three or four were heard whistling at once. They
were restless and rather shy. July 4 a female was shot as she flew
from her nest, which, as usual, was only a very slight depression in
the ground, but in this case overhung by a rock. Mr. Brewster de^
scribes the egg which this nest contained as white with a dull gloss,
apparently immaculate, but upon close inspection reveals a few faint
blotches of the palest purple, so faint that they might pass for super-
ficial stains were it not for the fact that they underlie the external pol-
ish. This specimen measures 1.17X.87.*

418. PhalsBnoptilus nuttalli (Aud.) [355]

Poor-'«rill.

Hab. Western United States, from the Great Plains to the Pacific, south to Southern Mexico.

Nuttall's Whip-poor-will, or the Poor-will, as it is called, is found
to be more or less abundant throughout various States and Territories
of the West — in the interior valleys and foot-hills of California, Ore-
gon and Washington Territory, and in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas,
Colorado, etc. Col. N. S. Goss mentions it as a common summer resi-
dent of Kansas, and may be looked for on the high prairies and rocky

* William Brewster's Notes on Some Birds from Arizona and New Mexico. Bull. Nutt. Club, VI,
pp. 69-71; and Collection of Arizona Birds, Vol. VH, 211-212.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

227

grounds along the banks of streams. Begins laying the last of May,
depositing two white, unspotted eggs upon the bare ground, in the
thick growth at the edge of timber ; also at the roots of a bunch of
bushes or briers upon the prairies. Mr. Emerson states that he fre-
quently heard this bird's mournful cries, poor-will^ poor-zvill^ in San
Diego county, California, in the month of April. A set of two eggs in
his collection, taken near Manhattan, Kansas, May 28, 1885, are pure
glossy-white, and measure 30x22, 30x22.5 mm.*

419. Nyctidromus albicoUls (Gmel.) [356.]

Paranqne.

Hab. Valley of the Rin Grande and sonthward.

Dr. James C. Merrill, Assistant Surgeon U. S. Army, first added
this species to our fauna in 1876. In the vicinity of Fort Brown it was
a common summer resident, arriving early in March and remaining as
late as the middle of November. It frequents shady thickets and
copses, and when flushed dodges rapidly and silently among the
bushes, but soon alights. In these places the eggs are deposited
usually at the foot of a bush. Dr. Merrill observes that the habits
and eggs of this species, in addition to its anatomical charac-
ters, show its affinity with the Whip-poor-wills rather than the Night-
hawks. Their notes are among the most characteristic night sounds
of the Lower Rio Grande, and are constantly heard at evening during
the summer months. They consist of a repeated whistle, resembling
the syllables whew^ whew^ whezv^ 7i>heu>, whe-e-e-e-e-w ^ much stress
being laid upon the last, which is prolonged. The whole is soft and
mellow, yet can be heard at a great distance. Mr. George B. Sennett, in
the same region in Southern Texas, obtained a set of two eggs, April
20. He states that the birds breed in the more open places among the
cactus and scattered bushes along with C. texensis — Texas Night-
hawk. The eggs are two in number, of a rich creamy-buff, sparingly
marked with a deeper shade of the same, and with lilac ; average size
1.25 X .92. Their size and creamy-buff color render them easy of
identification.

On the 15th of May, Dr. Merrill found a set of eggs of this species
near camp at Hidalgo, and on returning in about fifteen minutes to
secure the parent, who had disappeared among the thickets, he found
that she had removed the eggs, although they had not been touched.

420. Chordeiles virginlanus (Gmel.) [357-]

Nlghthawk.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Hudson Bay, west to the edge of the Great Plains, loutb
through tropical America,

The Nighthawk, BuUbat, or Goatsucker, as it is variously called,

«1.18x.87, 1.18X.91.

!i' i

228

NESTS AND EGGS OF

breeds throughout its range, depositing two eggs in open situations,
such as fields, etc., on the cold, bare ground, often among stones ;
scarcely a trace of a nest can be found where the eggs lay. They are
frequently deposited on bare rocks, and on the flat roofs of buildings
in large cities. Mr. Norris once found a set on the stump of a tree
about eighteen inches from the ground ; and a set in his cabinet was
taken from the gravel roof of a four-story building in the center of
Philadelphia. The Nighthawk and Whip-poor-will are often con-
founded or consider d ps birds of the same species. A careful compar-
ison with each other or with the descriptions, will at once show a very
decided difference ^'\e large, white patches on the five outer pri-
maries of the wings of the Nighthawk when flying, appear like tat-
tered holes caused by the shot from a gun. In the evenings of sum-
mer months great troops of Nighthawks may be seen high in air over
forest or town in search of insects, performing their wonderful evolu-
tions and uttering their peevish cries, or swooping down with their
strange booming or rumbling sound, they skim over the grassy mead-
ows. Thus they continue till the gloaming merges into darkness,
and their flight is seen no longer.

The eggs of the Nighthawk vary from pale olive-buff" to buffy
and grayish-white, thickly mottled and dashed with varied tints of
darker gray, slate, olive, or even blackish, mixed with a marbling and
clouding of purplish-gray ; the pattern and tints are very variable.
The shape is elliptical, and average size 1.25X.85. Six eggs measure
1. 24 X. 85, 1.27x87, 1. 22 X. 83, 1. 24 X. 86, 1. 21 X. 82, 1.24x84.

420a. Ghordeiles vlrginianus henryi

'Western Nlghtha'wk.

(Cass.) [3570.]

Hab. Western North America from the Great Plains to the Pacific, south to Mexico.

A lighter-colored form of the Nighthawk, found in the unwooded
portions of Western United States. Its general habits, nesting, etc.,
are the same as those of C. virginianus; the eggs average paler ; size
1.20 X. 85.

[420^.] Chordeiles virginianus minor (Cab.) [357*.]

Cuban Nighthaivk.

Hab. Cuba, Jamaica and Southern Florida.

A set of two eggs of this smaller Nighthawk, taken with the
parent bird by C. J. Maynard, on Merritts Island, May 8, 1886, are in
Mr. Singley's collection. The ground-color of these eggs is of a clear
grayish-white, evenly spotted over the surface with brownish and light
slate, so thickly as to nearly obscure the ground. The markings are
bolder and darker than those in a series of twelve eggs of C. virgin-

V/'

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

229

ianus. Their sizes are i.i2x .81, 1.06 x. 80. The average size, accord-
ing to Prof. Ridgway, is 1.13X.80.

421. Ghordeiles texensls Lawr. [358.]

Texan Niglitli«wk.

Hab. Southwestern border of the United States — Texas to Southern California, south to Costa Rica.

The Texan Nighthawk is smaller than the foregoing species, the
general tone of the plumage lighter, and it differs otherwise. It is a
common species in various regions in Southern Texas, New Mexico,
Arizona, etc. Mr. Sennett describes its flight as resembling that of
the Whip-poor-will, but it does not indulge in the perpendicular de-
scents accompanied by the whir of wings so characteristic of C. vir'
ginianus. On the Lower Rio Grande eggs were obtained as early as
April 26, and fresh ones found as late as May 19. They were always
laid on the bare, hot ground. Dr. Merrill states that the notes of this
species are a curious mewing call difficult to describe. He found the
eggs in the vicinity of Brownsville, Texas, usually deposited in ex-
posed situations, among sparse chaparral on ground baked almost as
hard as a brick by the intense heat of the sun. One set was found on
a small piece of tin, near a frequented path. Mr. Rachford informs
me that in Jefferson county, Texas, this species usually deposits its
two eggs on the ground, in a well-beaten cow-path ; the nesting season
begins from about May loth, and eggs may be found in the latter
part of June. Dr. Merrill states that the eggs vary considerably, but
exactly resemble the surface on which they are placed. The ground-
color is usually clay ; some are very sparingly dotted with brown ;
others mottled with light brown and obscure lilac ; some are so thickly
marbled with brown and lilac on a dark ground as to give them a
granite-like appearance. They average 1.07 x. 77.

422. Cypseloides niger (Gmel.) [350.]

Black Swift.

Hab. Western portions of the United States, north to Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington Terri-
tory and British Columbia; south to Southern Central America; Jamaica, Hayti and other West India
Islands.

The Black Swift has been met with sparingly in the various regions
cited in the above habitat. Another common name for this bird is
Northern Black Cloud Swift. Comparatively little has been ascer-
tained concerning its general habits, and its eggs have remained un-
known until the present year (1888), when Mr. M. H. Gormley discovered
its nest and eggs in the town of Seattle, King county, Washington Terri-
tory. June 6 he found a nest in the interior of a cornice of a small
frame building situated on Yesler's Wharf of that city. The entrance
to the nest was at one end of the cornice ; the deck or top being sprung

^;i w

4*.

' if

■ii

230

NESTS AND EGGS OF

SO as to leave an opening. The compartment was about twenty inches
square ; the nest was composed of leaves, yet green, bits of paper,
chips, a few horse hairs and straw, the leaves and paper forming the
lining. This nest contained five fresh white eggs of the following
dimensions: i.oox.yi, i.oox.70, 1.02 x. 70, .96X.68, .96X.68. On
June 28 a set of four eggs was taken from the same nest, and presum-
ably from the same pair of birds. The materials of this nest were the
same as those of the first, except the addition of a piece of tinfoil used
to cover tobacco. Incubation had begun, and the female had to be
pushed off the nest in order to secure the eggs. Their sizes are .96 x
.67, .98x71, .99X.69, 1.00X.71. No glue or adhesive saliva joined the
materials of the nests together, as is the case with other species of the
family whose nidification is known.

Mr. Gormley states that the birds are rather abundant at Seattle,
usually nesting in the cornices of buildings near the water front, in the
business part of the city.*

423. ChsBtura pelagica (Linn.) [351.]

Chimney Swift.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Labrador and in the interior to the Fur Countries; west to
the edge of the Great Plains.

The progress of civilization has brought about conditions and causes
which have given rise to this bird's common and now appropriate name,
Chimney Swift, or, as it is probably better known, Chimney " Swal-
low." When the country was first settled this species was known to breed
only in the hollow trunks of forest trees, but as soon as the chimneys
of dwellings erected by civilized man presented greatei convenience
and better security against enemies this bird forsook its primitive nest-
ing places, and now only in remote regions or wild portions of the
country, where natural facilities are still afforded, it is found breeding
in the hollows of decaying trees.

The nest, as shown in our illustration, is a beautiful semi-circvilar
basket made of small dead twigs of nearly uniform length and thick-
ness, and when attached to the inside of a chimney is placed sufficiently
below the top to be protected from the rays of the sun. The twigs are
broken from trees by the birds while on the wing. They are all strongly
cemented together and fastened to the wall with the saliva of the birds.
This glue-like substance dries and hardens, and becomes so firm that,
when the nest is separated from the sides of chimneys, portions of the
brick to which it is fastened often adhere to the structure. My friend,
Mr. Arnold Boyle, took a nest of this species from the inside of a barn
in Wyandot county, Ohio ; its position was similar to that of the Barn

^Auk, V, pp. 424-^25.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

231

Swallow. From four to six narrowly elliptical pure white eggs are de-
posited, ordinarily four. May and June are the nesting months, and
usually but one brood is reared in a season. A set of four eggs, col-
lected in the Adirondack region, Essex county, New York, June
27, measure .82 x .52, .81 x .52, .84 x .51, .82 x .50 ; a set of five taken in
Franklin county, Ohio, exhibit the following sizes : .79 x .50, .8ox .50,
.80X.52, .77x50, .79X.53. The eggs in a large series range from .74
to .86 in length and from .47 to .55 in breadth.

424. ChsBtura vauxii (Towns.) [352.]

Vanx's Swift.

Hab. Pacific coast, from British Columbia south in winter to Guatemala.

This is a lighter colored and smaller species than the Chimney
Swift. The habits of the two birds, however, are similar, except that
Vaux's Swift is said only to nest in hollow trees. In various regions
of Oregon and in Washington Territory this species is a common sum-
mer resident, where it breeds in May and June, fastening to the inside
walls of hollow tree trunks and stubs the half-saucer-shaped nest of twigs,
which is glued together with the bird's saliva. Four or five narrow-
elliptical white eggs are deposited, which have an average size of

•74X.50-

428. Trochilus colubrls Linn. [335.]

Ruby-throated Hnminingbird.

Hab. Eastern United States to the Great Plains, north to Canada, south in winter to Cuba, Eastern
Mexico and Central America, to Uraguay.

This is the only species of Hummingbird found east of the Missis-
sippi, where it is common and well-known. Its small size, iridescent
plumage, its marvelous swiftness of flight, and the architectural beauty
of its nest are the admiration of all.

The eggs of the whole family of Hummingbirds, as far as known,
are white, unspotted ; rather elliptical than oval, and always two in
number. The only difference noticed are the relative variations in size.
The nests are generally saddled upon a horizontal branch, are cup-like
in shape, and are mostly made up of various kinds of soft vegetable
down; in nearly all cases covered on the outside with a coating of
lichens or mosses. The nest of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is a
miniature of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher's. It is felted with a mass of
exquisitely soft, cottony, silky, or woolly substances, such as the down
from the stem of plants, and is artistically covered on the outside with
lichens. It is usually placed on a horizontal limb of a forest or orchard
tree. Several specimens before me are placed on branches that were
slanting, and the nests rest in small forks. A very fine one measures,
outwardly, one and three-fourth inches broad by one and a half

i\i I

232

NKSTS AND KGGS OF

deep. Nests saddled on thick limbs are usually larger. In Ohio the
Ruby-throat prefers nesting in the branches of the buckeye to all other
trees. The birds are especially abundant about this tree when it is in
full blossom early in May. The nesting time is from about the
middle of May to the latter part of June. The average size of thirty
eggs is .51 X .34.

429. Trocliilus alexandri Bourc. & Muls. [336.]

Blaok-oklnnad Hnmmingblrdi

Hab. Western United Sl^itei, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, south into Mexico.

This Hummingbird nests in more open ground than the Rufous
or Anna's, placing the structure usually on the small branches of oaks
and sycamores. Sometimes it rests lightly in the forks of a slender
twig. It is composed of the web or down found on the under side of
the leaves of the sycamore ; the effect is that the nest looks like a small,
round, yellow sponge. Eggs same as those of the Ruby-throat, with
an average size of .50X.30.

Mr. W. E. D. Scott states that this species is an abundant summer
resident in the Catalina mountains in Southern Arizona, and by the last
of May the birds are mated and begin breeding. He found fresh eggs
as late as July and early in August. Mr. Stephens notes this Hum-
mingbird as not common in the San Benardino Valley. A nest taken
May 22 was built in a willow, eight feet from the ground, and contained
two eggs in which incubation had commenced.

430- TrocMlus costSB (Bourc) [337.]

Costa's Hummingbird.

Hab, Lower California, Western Mexico, Arizona and Southern California.

Costa's Hummingbird is more or less abundant in various
regions of Arizona and Southern California. It is not generally so
abundant as the Black-chinned Hummingbird, in whose company it is
often found breeding. Small streams in the moimtain canons, fringed
with alder, laurel, sycamore and other shrubbery are their favorite
resorts. Mr. Scott did not find this species very common at Riverside,
Pinal county, Arizona, in 1882. On May 5 a nest was found built in a
Cottonwood tree thirty-five feet from the ground, almost at the extrem-
ity of the branches.

Four sets of the eggs, with the nests, of Costa's Hummer, collf^cte'^'
in the neighborhood of Banning, California, May 12 and 13, "H4, p
before me. The nests were built in shrubs, varying from six civc

feet in height. Two of the nests rest in slender forks, while ti other
two are built on small twigs. The materials in these do not diffe:
essentially from those in ten nests of the Anna's Hummingbird, con-
sisting of soft, downy, yellowish or grayish vegetable substances, with

NORTH AMKRICAN BIRDS.

233

here and there bits of flower stems, the whole covered on the outside
with spider webs. Each of these nests contained two eggs, and they
exhibit the following sizes: .49X.31, .49X.29; .45X.30, .47x31 ; .48 x
.30, .49 X .30 ; .45 X .32, .46 X .30.

431. Trochiltts anna (Less.) [338.]

Anna'a Huiniiilngblrd*

Hab. Valleya of Cilifornia, Arizona and Mexico.

Anna's Hummingbird is a common resident of California ; its nest
and eggs can be found almost any time in May and June. In the
vicinity of Haywards, California, Mr. Emerson took a nest of this spe-
cies which contained two eggs, January 20. It was built in slender
forks of a pear tree, about eight feet from the ground. Over the entire
outside of this nest are distributed green lichens. Mr. H. R. Taylor,
of Alameda, California, records a nest containing two eggs far advanced
in incubation, which he found February 13. The nest was placed
about thirty feet from the ground, near the end of slender limb of a cy-
press tree. The birds build in trees, and are not particular what kind or
where they are situated ; on hillside, along creeks, in orchards or in gar-
dens. Ten nests collected by Mr. R. B. Herron, at San Gorgonio Pass,
California, in May, do not exhibit great variation in their general make-
up and style. They are composed of thistle down and willow-cotton, with
occasionally a few small feathers and bits of flower stems ; on the out-
side, moss well covered with spider webs, with here and there pieces of
lichens. Eggs same as those of T. cobibris ; four specimens measure
as follows : .45 x .30, .47 x .30, .49 x .32, .49 x .30. Twenty-four eggs
have an average size of .50X .32.

432. Trochilus platycercua Swains. [339.]

Broad-tallad HnnuniiiKlbird.

Hab. Rocky Mountain plateau region of the United States, from Montana, Idaho and Wyoming Ter-
ritories southward to Guatemala.

This Hummingbird is a common species in the Rocky Mountain
regions of the United States, and is particularly numerous in New
Mexico, Colorado and northward. In its flight it is said to utter almost
constantly a sharp screeching or chattering note. Large numbers of
these birds are often found breeding in thickets of dwarf willows along
streams. The nests are beautiful structures, composed of soft, vege-
table down and covered externally with lichens and bark-fibre, resemb-
ling the twigs to which they are attached, and their height from the
ground ranges from three to ten feet. The nests are similar to those of
the Ruby-throat, but are usually suspended on small, swaying twigs,
sometimes directly over running water. In Colorado this species rears
two broods in a season. Ten eggs before me are not distinguishable

234

NESTS AND EGGS OF

from those of the Rnby-throated Hummingbird in size, color and

shape.

433. Trochilus rufus Gmel [340.]

Rmfoiu Hnmiiiing1>lrd.

Hab. Weit«rn North America, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coait; north to or nearly to
Alaska, south over the Table Lands of Mexico.

The commonest and most extensively distributed Hummingbird
of the West; from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, and from
Mexico northward. Its favorite nesting site is along the borders of
creeks, on the overhanging limbs and branches of trees and bushes.
Mr. A. W. Anthony mentions this species as abundant in Washington
county, Oregon, breeding nearly everywhere. Nests were found in
ferns, in bushes, trees and vines overhanging embankments ; the lat-
ter, he states, seems to be the favorite locality, six nests being found in
an old railroad cut, in May and June. The materials used are willow-
floss and soft plant-down. Frequently nests are found covered with
light-colored lichens, which resemble the small bunches of moss in
the trees where they are built. The eggs are not distinguishable from
those of T. colubris, except that they average slightly smaller.

434. Trochilus alleni (Hensh.) [341.]

Allen's Hummingbird.

Hab. Coast district of California, north to British Columbia, south to Arizona.

Allen's Hummingbird is found throughout the coast region of Cal-
ifornia and northward. This species is said to be very lively and active,
keeping constantly in open places, and always perching upon the most
prominent dead twigs. Compared to the unsuspicious nature of the
Rufous Hummingbird, it is extremely shy. Nests usually in thickets
and trees along creeks and canons. The outside of the nest is com-
posed of fine moss, the lining is the delicate floss of the cottonwood.
Eggs same as those of T. cobibris. All the Hummingbirds that breed
in California are said to rear two broods in a season.

435.

Hab.

Trochilus heloisa (Less & DeLatt.) [342.]

Helolae's Hnmmingblrd.

Eastern Mexico and Southern Texas.

In various districts in Southwestern Texas Heloise's Humming-
bird is not uncommon. It possesses the same general characteristics
as are common to the birds of this family.

Captain B. F. Goss has a set of two eggs with the nest of this
species, taken in El Paso county, Texas, April 14, 1884. The nest was
placed in a bush, and is a beautiful structure made of white-cottony
fibre from seed pods. On the outside it is sparingly covered with small
lichens. The eggs are pure white, and measure 45X.36, .46X.34, re-
spectively.

t >

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

235

436. Trochilus calliope Gould. [343-]

Calliope Hummingbird.

Kjib. Western United States, north to British Columbia, south to Mexico; east to Rocky Mountains.

One of the smallest of Hummingbirds. Common to the mountains
of the Pacific slope, from British Columbia south to the Table Lands of
Mexico. It is abundant in some localities on the eastern slopes of the
Sierra Nevada Mountains, and occurs as far east as the Rocky Moun-
tain region, from New Mexico north to Montana.

In the vicinity of Fort Klamath Oregon, Dr. Merrill found this spe-
cies abundant after May 16 about the blossoms of wild currant and goose-
berry bushes. During the breeding season the birds are generally dis-
tributed in deep pine woods as well as in more open places, the con-
stant, sharp shrill notes of the males indicating their presence. A nest
found about the middle of July which the young had just left was
placed upon a dead, flattened cone of Pimcs contorta. It was composed
of thin strips of gray bark, with a few spiders' webs CiU the outside ; the
lining was similar, but with a few small tufts of a cottony blossom from
some tree ; the nest was just the color of the cone, and was admirably
adapted to escape notice. Another nest containing two nearly fledged
young was found at about the same time, but was quite unlike the one
just described in construction and situation, being of the common
Hummingbird type, and saddled upon a dead willow twig.

Near Carson, Nevada, Mr. Walter E. Bryant found a nest of this
species built upon a prv^'ecting splinter of a wood pile at a height of
five feet. Another was secured to a rope within an outbuilding. The
eggs of this species measure .48 x .32.

439. Amazilia cerviniventris Gould [346.]

Buff-bellied Hummingbird.

Hab. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, south to Eastern Mexico.

Dr. James C. Merrill added this Hummingbird to the avifauna of
the United States in 1876, the first specimen being taken August 17, on
the Lower Rio Grande, in Texas. He found it nowhere so abundant
as dn the military reservation at Fort Brown, where it was perfectly at
home among the dense, tangled thickets, darting rapidly among the
bushes and creeping vines, A rather noisy bird, its shrill cries usually
first attracts one's attention to its presence. A Hummer's nest, un-
doubtedly made by this species, was found in September, 1877, within
the fort. It was placed on the fork of a dead, drooping twig of a
small tree on the edge of a path through a thicket ; it was about seven
feet from the ground, and contained the shriveled body of a young
bird. The nest was made of downy blos.soms of the tree in which it
was placed, bound on the outside with cobwebs, and rather sparingly

i^t^

il'

I ■■'

236

NESTS AND EGGS OF

covered with lichens. The inside depth was somewhat less than i.oo;
the diameter .50; external depth 1.50. No description of the eggs are
at hand, but they are doubtless the same as those belonging to other
birds of this family.

440. Basilinna xantusi (Lawr.) [347]

Xantna's Hammlngblrd.

Hab. Lower California.

This Hummingbird occurs in the southern portion of Lower Cali-
fornia. It was first taken at Cape St. Lucas by Mr. Xantus, and de-
scribed by Mr. George N. Lawrence in i860. I have no information
regarding its specific habits ; they perhaps do not differ essentially
from those which characterize other Hummingbirds.

Prof. Ridgway describes the nest as composed of various soft veg-
etable fibres (especially raw cotton, spiders' webs, etc.), and attached to
small twigs. Size about 1.50 in diameter by about .80 in height, the
cavity about i.oo x .55-.60. Eggs .47 x .31.*

[442.] Milvulus tyrannus (Linn.) [302.]

Fork-tailed Flyoatoher. ' ■'•

Hab. Mexico to South America. Accidental in the United States — Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky,
New Jersey.

This handsome Flycatcher with a very deeply forked tail is found
throughout tropical America. Its tail is about a foot long, and forked
as much as six to eight inches. The bird's occurrence in the United
States is purely accidental, and only a few specimens have thus far
been taken in the regions cited above. Its habits are said not to differ
essentially from those of the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher of our southern
fauna. ' ■'^'".- " '*'■■ ■ '■ " ■"-

Dr. Brewer describes an egg of this species obtained by Dr. Bal-
damus, from Cayenne, as bearing a strong resemblance to the egg of
the common Kingbird. It has a clear white ground, and is spotted
with deep, bold markings of reddish-brown ; size .90 x .68.

443. Milvulus forficatus (Gmel.) [301.]

Solssor-tailod Flyoatoheri

Hab. Eastern Mexico and southwestern prairie districts of the United States, north to Indian T( rri-
tory, Kansas and the southwestern portion of Missouri. Accidental in the Eastern States — Virginia, New
Jersey, New England — even as far north as Hudson Bay Territory and Manitoba.

Known as the Swallow-tailed or Fork-tailed Flycatcher — an ele-
gant, graceful bird, common in the southwestern portion of the United
States, from Kansas and southwestern Missouri southward — especially
abundant in Texas. Mr. Singley states that in Lee county, Texas,
this bird nests in trees varying n six to twenty feet from the
ground. He describes a typical nest as built of weeds, small stems

« Manual N. A. Birds, p. 318.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

237

and thistle-down, and lined with down and sometimes with a few fib-
rous roots. Since the introduction of cotton gins and sheep ranches
most of the nests are built of weeds and cotton or wool, or both felted,
lined with the same, but oftener with no lining. Mr. E. C. Davis in-
forms me that the favorite nesting site of this bird in Cooke county,
Texas, is in the low mesquite bushes on the prairies. He has fre-
quently found double nests ; one now in his collection consists of three
nests built on each other and made entirely of cotton, measuring fif-
teen inches from top to bottom. „ •

Mr. Singley says the usual number of eggs in a set is five,
fully eighty per cent, being of this number; the other twenty
per cent, is about equally distributed between sets of four and
six. They are white, or creamy-white, marked with a few dark
red spots, and occasionally of an obscure purple, chiefly at the
larger end ; the eggs vary in color from pure white, unmarked speci-
mens, which are very rare, to finely speckled with reddish-brown, and
often covered with large spots and blotches of brown and lilac, and
look as if whitewash had been brushed over the colors. A large series
of these eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet demonstrate the fact that they do
not show as great a variation in their markings as those of the com-
mon Kingbird, which they resemble ; they average smaller, and their
sizes are more constant. Their average size is .87 x .67.

444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.) [304.]

^ Kirngbird.

X Hab. Eastern temperate North America, south to Central and western South America to Boliria;

Cuba; Bahamas. Rare west of the Rocky Mountains.

A common bird in Eastern United States, and perhaps betler
known by the name of Bee-bird or Bee-martin. It destroys thousands
of noxious insects, which more than compensates for all the bees it
eats. This bird's pugnacious disposition during the breeding season,
the boldness, persistent tenacity, and reckless courage with which it
attacks other birds, even crows, hawks and owls, are characteristics
familiar to all. The nest is placed in an orchard or garden, or by the
roadside, on a horizontal bough, or in a fork at a moderate height ;
sometimes in the top of the tallest trees along streams. It is bulky,
openly situated, and as easily found as that of the Robin. Exterior-
ly it is ragged and loose, but well cupped and brimmed, consisting
of twigs, weedstalks, grasses, rootlets, bits of vegetable-down and wool
firmly matted together. The lining is of slender grasses, chicken
feathers, horse hair, fibres, rootlets and wool, used singly or combined
in various proportions.

The eggs range from three to five in number. A large series be-

■,' ».■

f :*1

l\4

ill

238

NESTS AND EGGS OF

fore me exhibit a wonderful diversity in their markings ; the ground
color is either white or creamy-white, and the common type is spotted
with rich umber and chestnut-red. The sizes vary from- .80 to 1.05 in
length by .69 to .75 in breadth. The average size of forty specimens
is .97 X .70. Sometimes sets of these eggs are found almost wholly un-
marked.

445. Tyrannus dominicensis (Gmel.) [303.]

Gray Kingbird.

Hab. South Carolina, Georgia and Florida; West Indies, coasts of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of
Mexico. Accidental in Massachusetts.

A larger species than the common Kingbird, but its general ap-
pearance, habits and nesting are the same. It is a common bird in the
West Indies, and is found regularly in Florida and northward to
Georgia, etc. Mr. Stuart states that it breeds in Florida in the months
of May and June, building for its nest a frail structure of dry twigs,
lined with a few roots, dead moss or fibrous plant stems ; it is placed
in low bushes or in trees at a considerable height. The favorite nest-
ing localities are along streams in live oaks.

Usually three, sometimes four eggs are deposited ; they have a
ground color of a creamy, pinkish or rosy tint, spotted, blotched or
dashed with umber-brown and lilac-gray. A set of three eggs in my
cabinet, taken near Tampa, Florida, May 20, 1885, measnre i.oox.75,
1.02 X. 76, 1.04 X. 75; another set of three, taken near Thomasville,
Georgia, June 4, 1888, exhibit the following sizes : .99X .70, i.oo x .72,
1.00X.73. Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs, taken in Matee, Florida,
May 25; these measure .97X.72, .99X.82, .97X.70, .97X.74.

446. Tyrannus melancliolicus couchii (Baird) [305.]

Conch's Kingbird*

Hab. Northern portion of Central America, north through Mexico to southern border of the United
States (Southern Texas to Arizona).

This is a common bird from Guatemala north through Mexico to
the southern border of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. It possesses
the same characteristics common to birds of its family.

A nest and four fresh eggs are described by Mr. Sennett. * These,
together with both parents, were taken at Lomita Ranch, on the Rio
Grande, Texas, in 1881. The nest was situated some twenty feet from
the ground, on a small lateral branch cT a large elm, in a grove not far
from houses. It was composed of smai. elm twigs, with a little Span-
ish moss, a few branchlets and leaves of the growing elm, lined with
fine rootlets and black hair-like heart of the Spanish moss. The out-
side diameter is 6 inches and the depth 2 inches ; inside diameter
3 and depth 1.25 inches.

* Auk. I, p. 93.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

239

■

The eggs, Mr. Sennett says, have a general resemblance to those
of all our Tyrant Flycatchers, but are quit^^ distinct in form, size and
ground-color from any he had seen. The blotches are more numerous
and smaller ; the large ena is very round, and the small end quite
pointed; the ground-color is rich buff; the blotches are similar to those
of the Kingbird's eggs, but more irregularly distributed over the entire
egg; sizes i.oox.76, .99X.76, .98X.76, .97X.72.

447. Tyrannus verticalis Say [306.]

Arkansas Kingbird.

Hab. Western North America from the Plains to the Pacific, south through Western Mexico to
Guatemala. Accidental in Eastern States -Maine, New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

The Western Kingbird possesses the same general traits which are
common to the Kingbird of the Eastern States. Col.Goss mentions it as
a common summer resident in middle and Western Kansas, arriving
about the first of May ; begins laying in the latter part of the month.
Mr. A. M. Shields states that in the region about Los Angeles, California,
this species is found nesting from about the first of May until late in
July, building in any convenient place ; in the frame-work of a windmill,
the cornice of a house, on fence posts, in the forks of trees at heights
ranging from five to fifty feet.* The nest is built of any available
material, rags, grass and twigs, lined with wool or cotton.

The eggs are five, sometimes four, in number. A large series be-
fore me do not differ essentially from those of T. tyrannus^ except that
they average smaller ; .g4x.65.

448.

[307.]

Tyrannus voclferans Swains

Cassin's Kingbird.

Hah. Guatemala north through Mexico and Western United States to Idaho and Southern Wyoming,
«nd coast district of Southern California.

Cassin's Kingbird greatly resembles T, verticalis in color; is less
lively, and not so quarrelsome or pugnacious in its nature. It is a
common bird in Southern California, but is nowhere so abundant as the
Arkansas Flycatcher. In the Rocky Mountain region, according to
Dr. Coues, it mostly replaces verticalis in the breeding season. A com-
mon bird in Arizona, Mr, W, E. D. Scott states that the position of

* Mr. Walter E. Bryant, in his p.ipers entitled " Unusual Nesting Sites," mentions some curious
freaks concerning the nesting of the Arkansas Kingbird : An old and much flattened nest of Bullock's Oriole
was found relined, and containing four Kingbird's eggs. A nest was found by Mr. A. M. Ingersoll built
upon a fenre-post more than half a mile from the nearest tree. It was secured from observation on one side
by a board nailed to the post and projecting above it.

One of the most remarkable instances of persistency in nest building was met with in the case of a
pair of Kingbirds, which had attempted to con.struct a nest upon the outer end of a windmill fan. A hori-
zontal blade had probably been first selected, but an occasional breath of air had slightly turned the mill,
bringing into place another and another, upon each of which had been deposited the first material for a nest
until several nests were in different stages of construction, varying from the time that the windmill had re-
mained quiet, while upon the roof below was strewn a quantity of debris that had fallen ai the wheel
revolved. Of course, nothing but failure could be expected from their repeated attempts.

r;i

I
11

,r.^

■ r
'J

T'l

i i

\i '■

240

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the many nests he examined in the Catalina Mountain region shows a
decided preference for the evergreen oaks over other trees. The nest,
which is commonly from twenty to twenty-five feet from the ground, is
most always placed near the extremity of a branch, and is hidden by the
thick leaves. Six nests and a large series of the eggs of this species
before me do not diSer essentially from those of T. iyrannus or T.
verticalis.

449. Pitangus derbianus (Kaup.) [308]

Derby Flyoatoher.

Hab. Northern South America, Central America, Mexico, north to the Valley of the Rio Grande
in Texas.

A large, spirited-looking Flycatcher of Mexico and southward,
lately found on the Lower Rio Grande in Texas. It is said to build its
nest cniefly in thorny bushes and trees ; the structure is large and
dome-shaped, like a Magpie's nest, with an entrance on one side. It
is composed of twigs, coarse straws, dried mosses, lichens, etc. The
eggs are from three to five, sometimes six in number ; creamy- white,
speckled, spotted and blotched, chiefly at the larger end, with umber-
brown, chestnut and lilac. Average size of ten eggs is 1.20X.80; an
average specimen measures i.i6x .75.

452. Myiarchus crinitus (Lynn.) [312.]

Crested Flycatcher.

Hab. Eastern United States, west to the Plains, north to Southern Canada, south in winter through
Eastern Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica.

The Great-crested Flycatcher is an abundant bird in the wood-
lands of Eastern United States as far north as Massachusetts. Mr.
Thomas Mcllwraith states that it is a regular summer resident along the
southern frontier of Ontario, Canada, arriving early in May. During
the summer months the loud, harsh cries of this species are familiar
sounds in the woods, which, when once known, are easily recognized.
The Great-crested Flycatcher breeds throughout its United States
range. It builds in the hollows of trees, post-holes, and, even Bluebird
and Martin boxes are sometimes occupied. The nest is made of slen-
der twigs, grasses, fine stems and rootlets, and cast-off" snake skins are
invariably found among the materials.

The eggs are remarkable for their coloratior , having a ground of
buff"y-brown, streaked longitudinally by lines sharp and scratchy in
style, and markings of purple and darker brown ; four to six in num-
ber; average size, .82 x.62. The smallest egg selected from one hun-
dred specimens measures .76X .62 ; the largest .93 x .70. The eggs are
so peculiar in their style of markings that they may be easily identi-
fied, and all the eggs of the North American species of the genus
Myiarchus are alike in character.

Cojiyrighl iSS6.

PLATE VII.

mm^^j-jS^'^

■j j P P J.JW I ; WI > ' --/ ' "- »

Hs-f^

ru.i

t ■ 4

...!i.

BURROWING OWLS AND NESTING BURROW.
[Spectyto tunicnla.'ia hy^gtra)

Page 201,

01 t \

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

241

453. Myiarchus mexicanus (Kaup.) [311.]

Mexioan Crested Flyoatoher.

Hab, Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, southward to Guatemala.

The Mexican Crested Flycatcher was found by Dr. Merrill breed-
ing in considerable numbers on the Lower Rio Grande in Texas. In
its notes and habits it appears to closely resemble M. crinitus. With
one exception, no snake skins were used in the construction of any of
the nests. They were composed of felted locks of wool and hairs, and
were placed not far from the ground in old Woodpeckers' holes or in
natural cavities of decayed trees or stumps. Thirty-two eggs have an
average size of .93X.66, the extremes being 1.03 x. 73 and .82X.65.
The eggs are similar to those of M. crinittts^ except that they have a
paler ground color and the markings are not so heavy. Mr. Norris has
a set of five eggs taken May 8, 1887, in Starr county, on the extreme
southern border of Texas ; they measure .86X.65, .88x.66, .86X.64,
.89X.63, .86X.65.

453o. Myiarchus mexicanus magister Ridgw.

Arizona Created Flyoatoher.

Hab. Western Mexico, north to Southern Arizona. '

Mr. W. E. D. Scott found this bird to be common in spring and
summer aboiit Tucson, Florence, Riverside, and in the foot-hills of
the Catalina Mountains up to about 4500 feet, in Southern Ari-
zona. About Tucson it frequents the mesquite and giant cactus
groves. In the Catalinas, at an altitude of 4CXK) feet, a nest was found
built in a deserted Woodpecker's hole in a dead sycamore stub ; it was
entirely similar to that of M. crinitus^ even to the traditional snake
skins, and contained five eggs nearly ready to be hatched, very similar
to those of M. crinitus^ but a little larger. About Tucson the birds
nest commonly in deserted Woodpeckers' holes in the giant cactus.

An egg of this Flycatcher in my cabinet, taken in Pinal county,
Arizona, March 21, 1886, measures 1.03X.70.

454. Myiarchus cinerascens Lawr. [313]

Aah-throated Flycatcher.

Hab. Western United States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, north to Oregon, Nevada,
Utah and Colorado, south over the highlands of Mexico to northern Central America.

The Ash-throated Flycatcher is a common species west of the
Rocky Mountains ; in some places it is abundant. It is described as
being shy, and of retiring habits, preferring the solitude of deep, shady
forests where its insect food abounds. It is usually sole possessor of the
tree in which its nest is built ; all intruders are violently assailed and
compelled to retreat. The nests are placed in natural cavities of trees
of almost any kind, in a deserted squirrel's or Woodpecker's hole.
The clutches of eggs range from four to seven, ordinarily five or six,

.1; '

it;

Iff

242

NESTS AND EGGS OF

and the nesting season is in May and June. Old excavations of Gaird-
ner's Woodpecker are commonly resorted to by this species in
Californi|i.

The eggs are colored and marked like those of M. mexicanus.
Set No. 208 (oological collection of Walter E. Bryant), taken near
Oakland, California, June 22, 1881, contains five eggs, which were
fresh when found; their measurements are 22.5 x 16.5, 22x16, 23.5
X16.5, 22x16.5, 23x16.5 mm.* vSet No. 207, five eggs, taken at
Berkely, California, June 9, 1880, contained small embryos, and show
the following dimensions: 21x16, 21.5x15.5, 21.5x15.5, 21.5x16,
20x15 mm.f

456. Sayornis phoebe (Lath.) [315]

Phoebe.

Hab, Eastern North America; in winter south to Mexico and Cuba.

The Phoebe, Pewit, or Pewee is one of the best known birds in
Eastern United States, where, with the Robin and the Bluebird, it is
always one of the first spring arrivals. Shady ravines, the borders of
rivers and open fields are its resorts. It is commonly found perched
upon a dead branch of a tree at the edge of a woods, where it sits flirt-
ing its tail and occasionally darting out after passing insects, always
returning to the same twig, and frequently uttering its simple, agree-
able and emphatic note, pc-ivce^ pe-ivit^ or as some hear it, phce-bee.
This species is called " Bridge-bird," from its habit of nesting in old
wooden bridges. The original situation of the nt. is the face of an
upright rock, which is sometimes moss-grown and dripping with water.
Wilson states that the Phoebe occasionally nests in an open well, five
or six feet down, among the interstices of the side-walls; and Nuttall
has known it to nest in an empty kitchen. In wild places, far from the
habitation of man, hollow trees are resorted to as breeding places.
Stone culverts, caves, old log houses, barns and sheds are its accus-
tomed nesting places, and nests are often found in woods built in the
roots of overturned trees. Mr. W. W. Coe records the nesting of a
pair of Pewees on a ferry boat running between Portland and Middle-
town, Connecticut, the boat making trips every ten minutes. The birds
seemed to claim Middletown as their home, and appeared to collect the
material for the nest on that side of the river.

My friend, Mr. Mebs, took a nest containing five eggs from the
beams of a freight car, which had recently made a trip of forty-five
miles. The eggs were fresh, and, except one, unbroken. Two nests

•\89 X .65, .87 X .()3, .93 x .65, .87 x .65, .91 x .65.
t .83x .63, .86x .61, .85x .61, .85x .63, .79x .59.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

243

which I found in culverts, over running water, were perfectly green
'vith moss, and had evidently been occupied for several years. The
nejt, attached to a perpendicular surface, is built like that of the Barn
Swallow, being compactly and neatly made of mud and various vege-
table s\ibstances, with a lining of grass and feathers.

This bird's attachment for a chosen locality is sometimes remark-
able ; its nest is known to have been torn down and rebuilt again by
its owner in the same spot. The eggs may be taken, when a second
and even a third set will be deposited.

The eggs are ordinarily four or five in number ; clutches of five
are the most common ; they are pure white, sometimes sparsely spotted
with obscure or well-defined reddish-brown dots at the larger end. In
exceptional instances the Pewee deposits six and seven eggs. Their
average size is .81 x .52.

457. Sayornls saya (Bonap.) [316.]

Say's PhcDbe.

Hab. Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific, north to the Saskatchewaa, south
to Mexico.

A bird of an extended distribution in Western United States, and
possessing the same general traits common to the Eastern Pewee.
Col. Goss records this species as a summer resident in Western Kansas,
and styles it "a bird of the plains." Begins laying the last of May.
Dr. Cones says that it is common in open or rocky country, where it is
seen singly or in pairs ; the principal flycatcher of unwooded regions,
in weedy, brushy places, displaying the usual activity of its tribe, and
uttering a melancholy note of one syllable, or a tremulous twitter.

Like S. phtcbe^ it has been found nesting in hollow trees, in caves
and recesses of rocks, in outbuildings or abandoned dwellings. Some-
times, with the familiarity of the Eastern species, it will build its nest
on a porch of a dwelling whose inmates are almost constantly in sight.
Occasionally two broods are reared in a season. Mr. Bryant men-
tions a nest found by Mr. Walter Bliss at Carson, Nevada, placed within
and close to the entrance of a deserted Bank Swallow's burrow. The
composition of the nest varies more or less according to the locality in
which it is built ; vegetable fibres, soft grasses, spiders' webs, etc., are
the principal materials, and the shallow cavity is lined with feathers
and hair.

The eggs are four or five in number, white, with an average
size of .75 X .57. A set of four eggs, taken near Banning, Cali-
fornia, May 19, \s measure .75X.61, .77X.61, .75X.61, .76X.59.
Mr. Norris has a set of five eggs taken in Larimer county, Colorado,
July I, 1887. The nest was placed on a projecting beam of a wagon

,i't-

li I:

•!»^

244

NESTS AND EGGS OF

shed. The eggs are white, ovate in shape, and measure .71 x .53,
.72 X .55, .72 X .55, .75 X .56, .73 X .54.

458. Sayornls nigricans (Swains.) [317.]

Black PhoBbe.

Hab. Southweitern United Statei and Mexico— Texai, through Southern New Mexico and Ariionato
California, northward along the coaat to Oregon.

This bird's general color is like that of the "Black" Snowbird,
Junco hyemalis^ now called Slate-colored Junco. It is an abundant
species throughout California, Southern Arizona and New Mexico, and
its general habits are much the same as those of the common Phoebe-
bird ; the nests are also constructed in similar situations as those of the
Eastern species — in caves, on ledges of rocks, under bridges, in deserted
dwellings, etc. The bird is found more or less abundantly along
streams, and is said to prefer the vicinity of human habitations. Mr.
Walter E. Bryant records a pair of these birds that built for two consec-
utive years in a well, four feet below the surface. The first year a sec-
ond nest was built after the first had been taken.

Four or five eggs are laid. A set of four eggs is in my cabinet,
taken April 26, from a nest in a barn by Mr. S. C. Evens, at San Jose,
California. Two of them are white, unmarked, and the other two are
sparsely dotted at the larger end with light reddish-brown ; their sizes
are .73X.59, .8ox.5g, .81X.57, .80X.58.

Two other sets in my collection are unmarked. Mr. Norris has two
sets of eggs of the Black Phoebe ; one of four was taken in Los Angeles
county, California, May 10, 1887, from a nest placed in a cleft of rocks.
The eggs are of a light cream color, three of them unmarked, and one
with a few pin points of reddish ; their sizes are .74X.56, .74X .56, .75 x
.56, .72X.56. A set of five, collected April 3, 1885, in Pinal county,
Arizona, was taken from a nest under the shelter of a rock by the side
of a stream. These are also of a light cream color ; three of them
marked with small specks ^f reddish, the others being unmarked.
They exhibit the following sizes : .74 x .58, .76 x .58, .79 x .60, .']'] x .57,

•75X.59-

459. Contopua borealis (Swains.) [318.]

Olive-sided Flyoatoheri

Hab. North America at large, north even to Greenland, south in winter to Central America and
Columbia. •

The Olive-sided Flycatcher, apparently nowhere abundant — at
least it seems to escape the notice of observers — is very rare in the
Middle and Southern States, but less so in the West. It frequents the
coniferous woods of the mountain districts and those of the lowlands,
breeding from Northern United States northward. In some localities
of New England the Olive-sided Flycatcher is rather common, where

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

245

numerous instances of its nesting are recorded. It has been found
breeding in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Northern Minnesota.
Col. Goss says it is a rare summer resident of Kansas. The nest is
usually built in evergreen trees, frequently at a great height from the
ground. It is similar in construction to that of the Wood Pewee's nest,
being saddled on a horizontal limb or fixed in a fork. A nest before
me, taken in Windsor county, Vermont, June lo, 1884, is a shallow
structure made of twigs, grasses, and bark strips, lined with soft
grasses and moss; it is a very frail, clumsy structure, compared to
that of Contopus virens. This nest was placed in a hemlock tree,
thirty feet from the ground, and contained four eggs, which is the
usual number.

From three to five eggs are laid by this species, and May and June
are the breeding months. The eggs are creamy-white, spotted about
the greater end with a distinct confluent ring of chestnut-red and
brown ; there are also spots of purple and lavender, and on the whole
the eggs very much resemble those of the Wood Pewee, but are
larger; sizes, .90X.65, .89X.65, .90X.62, .90X.67. These sizes are
slightly larger than most of those stated by writers. The average size
given is about .82 x .62.

461. Contopus virens (Linn.) [320.]

'Wood Pewee.

Hab. Eastern North America to the edge of the Great Plains, north to Canada, south in winter to
Eastern Mexico and Guatemala.

A common and a well-known bird in Eastern United States. By
those who have a superficial knowledge of birds, it is often con-
founded with the common Pewee, but it is considerably smaller, slen-
derer, and rather darker in color. The notes of both birds are very
similar ; those of the Pewee consist of two syllables, quickly and
sharply uttered, while those of the Wood Pewee are of two, sometimes
three syllables, pe-zvee or pe-a-u>ee^ repeated at all hours of the day,
but especially after sunset. The notes are truly sad but swcot, less
emphatic, much slower and softer than those of the Phcebe and, as Mr.
Thomas Mcllwraith says : " To human ears the notes of the male ap-
pear to be the outpourings of settled sorrow, but to his mate the im-
pressions conveyed may be very different." *

The nest of the Wood Pewee is iisually placed either on the upper
surface of a limb, or in a horizontal fork. It is generally built in
a large tree in the interior or on the border of woods, or by the road-
side. Very frequently the nest is placed on the horizontal branches of
apple trees in orchards, and even in shade trees, in close proximity to

* Birds of Ontario, p. 181.

i!i4

>ii*

)i''

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246

KESTS AND EGGS OF

t"^^

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il-'ii

p.rilH

i m

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ffi^ J

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houses, or on those along river banks. The distance from the ground
ranges from six to fifty feet. The nest is a very pretty, flat, compact
structure, with a thick wall and a thin floor — often the branch forms a
portion of the bottom of the nest, and it is frequently so thin that the
eggs can be seen from beneath. Slender or split grasses, weed-fibres,
naii'^w strips of grapevine bark, and pieces of moss-fibres make up the
nest pnper. Externally it is covered with pieces of lichens, which
are held in position by webs, and the structure thus ornamented is ren-
dered indistinguishable from a natural protuberance of the branch
itself.*

The nesting time is in the latter part of May or in June. The
eggs are usually three, rarely four in number, with a creamy- white
ground of varying intensity ; the markings are formed in a wreath
around the larger end, or around the center ; these are spots of reddish-
brown, t itnt umber and lilac-gray. In their short diameter the eggs
measure from .50 to .59 ; in their long diameter from .65 to .79 ; the
average size is about .74 x .55,

462. Contopus richardsonii (Swains.) [321.]

WesteTii 'Wood Pewoe,

Hab. W'jtcrn North America, from the Great Plains to the Pacific; north to British Columbia and
interior of British America; south in winter through Mexico and Central America.

The Western Wood Pewee is common in various regions of West-
ern United States, as in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, California,
Oregon, etc. Col. Goss records it as a rare summer resident in West-
ern Kansas ; begins laying the first of June. Mr. Bryant informs me
that it is tolerably common near Oakland, Cal., where it nests by pre-
ference on th i horizontal branches of alders, about fifteen feet from the
ground. According to Mr. Emeison it is not at all common about
Hayward, Cal. A nest taken May 22, 1881, was placed on the large
horizontal Innb of a sycamore, thirty feet from the ground ; another,
taken in Santa Cruz county. May 26^ was also built in a similar posi-
tion at a height of fortj' feet. At Fort Klamath, Oregon, Dr. Merrill
found the nests usually built on a horizontal pine branch, often at
a considerable elevation ; sometimes they are placed against upright
twigs, and others merely saddled on the bare limb. Only one was
found in an aspen tree. They averaged rather deeper than the nests of
C. z'irens, and were not coated with lichens. The nests of the Western
Wood Pewee do not differ widel} from those of the typical vtrens, except

•■'' A large aeries of the Wood Pewees' nrits which I have pericnally taken in the pa.it ten years are
before me. The best of them are far inferior in design to even th« poorest nests hiiilt by \\i: Blue-gray Gnat-
catcher and Ruby-throated Hummingbird, whose structures have high walis, gracefully turned brims, deeply
cupped interiors and highly artistic, lichen-covered exteriors. Some of the nests of the Wood Pewee are
scantily ornamented with lichens, are very ^tllow, and at once sugge'^t a one-story, flimsy, poverty-stricken
home. ■',■■ , ./,;

f ' ■:"

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

247

that they are rarely ornamented with lichens. The eggs, too, are similar —
creamy-white, marked with spots of chestnut-browu, umber and lilac-
gray in wreaths about the larger end or center of the eggs ; the nmber de-
posited ranges from t-.vo to four, usually three. A set of three in my cab-
inet collected in Douglass county, Colorado, June lo, 1887, have the fol-
lowing measurements: .67X.57, .69 x .57, .65X.57. Mr. Norris' collec-
tion contains two sets of three eggs each, taken at Fort Klamath, Oregon,
June 19 and 20, 1888. They measure by sets: .67X.54, .66X.53,
.66X.54; .63X.52, .66X.51, .69X.53. The color of the markings in
these eggs are paler than those of C. virens.

463. Empidonax flaviventris Baird. [322.]

'ifellow-bellied Flycatcher.

Hab. Eastern North America to the Great Plains, south in winter through Eastern Mexico and Cen-
tral America. Breeds from Northern United States northward.

A common bird in Eastern United States, where it frequents
thickets, swamps and woodland. It does not seem to Have been met
with or observed during the breeding season so commonly as other
members of the genus Empidonax^ which is doubtless due to the
peculiarity of its nidification, and from its limited breeding area within
the United States. Its note is as much entitled to the name of song
as many of the Warblers and other Oscuics.

A nest containing four eggs was foi\nd by Mr. H. A. Purdy on June
18, in Aroostook county, Maine, at the edge of a wooded swamp, built
in a ball of green moss in the roots of an upturned tree, two feet from
the ground. It was composed of dry moss, and the outside was faced
with the same in its beautiful green state. It was large for the size of
the bird, and was lined mostly with fine black roots, a few pine needles
and grass stems. June 10, 1878, Mr. S. D. Osborne found a nest of
this species, with four eggs, on the island of Grand Manan. It was
built in a good-sized hummock of moss at the edge of some low woods.
The cavity extended in about two inches, and was about four inches
deep, lined with a few grasses, black, hair-like roots, etc. Another
nest, similar in construction, was found by Mr. Osborne in Oxford
county, Maine, in a bunch of moss under the roots of a small tree in
swampy woods, bordering a small stream.

Two nests of this bird were taken at Fort Fairfield, Maine, by Mr.
Charles F. Batchelder. One found June 14 was in wet mixed woods
of spruces, arbor vitcEs and hemlocks ; it was on the edge of a bank of
a small brook, in a decayed tree trunk, and partly sunk in the sur-
rounding moss. This nest contained four eggs. The second nest,
which also contained four eggs, taken June 27, was deeply sunk in the

"t if

248

NESTS AND EGGS OP

soft, green moss on the side of the stump of a fallen tree.* Mr. Fred-
erick B. Spaulding records the finding of a nest similar to those de-
scribed, near Lancaster, New Hampshire, June 14, i886.t Mr. Spauld-
ing's nest contained five fresh eggs. The eggs are usually four in
number, buffy or creamy-white, speckled and spotted, chiefly around
the larger end with rusty-brown or cinnamon. The average size is
.70X.50. The measurements of .Mr. Batchelder's two sets are as fol-
lows : .68 X .52, .68 x .52, .66 x .51, .66 x .51 ; .70 x .54 ; .67 x .54, .67 x . 53,

.67X.51.

464 Empidonax dlfflcilis Baird [323.]

'Western Flyoatoher. t

Hab. Western United States, from the edge of the Great Plains to the Pacific; north to Sitka, south
in winter to Western Mexico.

The Wes^-evn Yellow-bellied Flycatcher is an abundant species
throughout its United States range. Its general habits, nesting and
eggs are similar to those oi flaviventris. Mr. Walter E. Bryant men-
tions a nest of this species found by Mr. A. M. Ingersoll, which was
built at the bottom of a hole five inches deep, made by a Red-shafted
Flicker in a live oak. Mr. Emerson states that in California this bird
nests in hollows in banks and along creeks, in natural cavities of trees
and among the roots of fallen ones, and in some of the most out-of-the-
way places ; in tall Australian gum trees and in corners of rail fences.
Nest composed of shreds of roots, dead leaves, cobwebs, bits of fine
grass, and liued with finer grasses and a few feathers.

A set of four eggs is in my collection, taken by Mr. Ingersoll, May 2,
1886. The nest was placed on rocks four feet from running water.
These specimens measure as follows : .64 x .50, .67 x .53, .63 x .49,
.64 X .50. The eggs are creamy-white, spotted and finely speckled with
cinnamon or reddish-brown, in some quite thickly about the larger end,
often forming a complete ring, again well sprinkled over the entire sur-
face ; three or four, sometimes five in number; average size . 69 x. 51.

465. Empidonax acadicus (Gmel.) [324.]

Aoadian Flyoatgher.

Hab. Eastern United States, south in winter through Eastern Mexico and Central America.

A common bird in the woodlat "s of Eastern United States, where
it is also known as the Small Green-crested Flycatcher. Breeds more
or less abundantly in nearly all the Mississippi Valley region, even as
far south as Eastern Texas, Southern Louisiana and Alabama. Col.
Goss gives it as not uncommon in Eastern Kansas, where it arrives the

<• For a detailed account of these nesis and eggs, see Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. Ill, pp. 166-168-
187-188; Vol. IV, pp. 240-242.

t Ornithologist and Oologist, XII, pp. 133-;34.
X Baird's Flycatcher in the A, O. U Check List.

y i T/>^g p<i — ■ '< ;'''n iwi i' y^.^j ;! ; '» fj>»jji? ' ^ ' ^j !' i^'ijl!^ L ffiy ? !lA-^l!i

III"' !

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

249

first of May and begins laying early in June. Messrs. Keyes and
Williams record it as a summer resident of Iowa, but not common ;
several nests have been taken near Des Moines during the past few
years.* In New England the Acadian Flycatcher is of rare occurrence.
In Ohio and the bordering States it is an abundant species. Regions
timbered with large trees, and overgrown with bushes, low trees, vines
and weeds are its favorite resorts. The birds love to penetrate the
shadowy depths of the forest, and delight to rear their young in the
most quiet and gloomy spots.

Rarely, if ever, is the nest built in isolated trees, but frequently
in those along lonely wagon-roads or at the "border of woods. In
these quiet retreats the observer is often startled by the bird's
loud, quick and emphatic note, what-(V-see^ what cV-ye-see^ coming
from an unseen performer, who is perched in the lower branches.
The distance of the nest from the ground vax^js from three to twenty
feet, and it is usually suspended in a horizontal fork at the extremity
of a low limb. In manner of attachment it resembles the nests of the
Vireos, being fastened by the brim, while the bottom is unsupported.
Sometimes, as when in vines or bushes, it is suspended between two
parallel stems. On the whole, it is a ' ^ose, rustic fabric, made of grasses,
catkins, weed-fibres and shreds of bark, and when just finished consider-
able quantities of grass hangs from the periphery of the nest, giving it
a slovenly appearance.

Two or three eggs are the number deposited by this species. In
only two instances, out of the large number which I have collected,
have I found nests with four eggs, and in both cases one egg was badly
addled. Their color is a light yellowish-bufi" of varying intensity, with
a decided flesh-color tint when fresh. The markings are of a light red-
dish or bay or rusty-brown color, and are found either in specks or spots
grouped chiefly about the larger end. Ten specimens offer the follow-
ing sizes: .70X.53, .70X.56, .70X.53, .72 X. '=4, .75 X. 54, .77X.58, .-J^Tf.
.56, .78X. 57, . 77 X. 56, .78X.57. An aver.ige egg measures .74X.54.
T' e eggs are not distinguishable from those of traillii^ except that the
ground-color and marking in those of acadicus are generally darker.

466. Empidonax pusillus (Swains.) [325.]

liittle Flycatcher.

Hab. Western North America, from the Great Plains to the Pacific, north to Site's and Fort Simpson,

According to Dr. Coues this bird replaces the true trailli from the
plains to the Pacific, and " is the usual ' little flycatcher ' in Western

* A Preliminary Annotated Catalogue of the Birds of Iowa: By Charles R. Keyes and H. S. Wil-
iams, M. D. Extracted from Proceedings of Davenport Academy Natural Sciences, Vol. V. Davenport,
Iowa: 1888, p. 23.

i^iil 'I

250

NESTS AND EGGS OF

woodland, generally distributed, Habits, nests and eggs counterparts
of those of traillii.''''

A nest containing a set of three eggs, collected by S. C. Evans,
near San Jose, California, May 26, is in my cabinet. The nest was
placed in the forks of a small bush, three feet from the ground. Its
composition is chiefly vegetable fibres, loosely put together ; the lining
is of the same material, but of finer shreds, and horse hair. The eggs
have a pale yellowish-buff ground-color, spotted and speckled at the
greater end with light reddish and madder-brown ; sizes, .73 x .53,
.74X.51, .74X.53.

466(2. Empidoaax pusillus tralUii (Aud.) [325a.]

Traiirs Flycatcher.

Hab. Eastern North America, south in winter t'lroiigh Central to Northern South America.

Traill's Flycatcher breeds from the Northern United States north-
ward, and as far south as Southern Illinois and Missouri. The locality
usually selected as a nesting site by this species is in a thick growth
of alders bordering a stream, or in the deep solitude of a lonely wood,
where it is associated with the Acadian Flycatcher during the breeding
season. Wherever found breeding traillii is more abundant than is
generally supposed, but from its retiring habits is little known.

Our illustration represents a typical nest of Traill's Flycatcher,
taken in June, 1885, placed in a clump of alders. They are scarcely
ever placed higher than eight feet from the ground ; in most cases
about four. In nearly all instances they are built in an upright fork,
and have a strong resemblance to the usual structure of the Yellow
Warbler, but lack in compactness and neatness. The external or
greater portion of the nest is composed of hempen fibres, internally
lined in true Flycatcher style with fine grasses. In some, however,
there is a slight lining of horse-hair and of the down from the milk-
weed or thistle. A typical nest measures two and a half inches in
height and three in diameter, with a cavity one inch and a half in
diameter and two inches deep.

Three eggs is the usual complement, although four is not uncom-
mon, and they are often found in varying stages of incubation. The
ground-color of the eggs is extremely variable. In some it is of a
cream, in others approaching buff. In four sets there is a striking
variation in the distribution of the markings. They are usually
marked, chiefly at the larger end, with blotches of red and reddish-
brown, and while in some the markings are simply very small dots spar-
ingly sprinkled over the surface, in others these dottings are scarcely
visible, giving them the appearance of an almost unspotted surface.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

261

Six eggs exhibit the following measurements: .72X.55, .70X.53,
.7OX.52, .64X.53, .69x,52, .70X.53. An average specimen measures
.73X.53. The eggs of trailli ox^ paler in ground-color and markings
than those of acadicus, but the difference is so slight that no one can
diflferentiate them with certainty. ' "

' 467. Empidonax minimus Baird. [326.]

I<«aBt Flyoatoher.

Hab. Sastern North America, south in winter through Central to Northern South America. Breed*
from the Northern States northward.

In all the States between the Atlantic and the Great Plains the
Least Flycatcher is an abundant species, occurring as a migrant and
breeding from about 40° latitude northward. Breeds abundantly in New
England and throughout all the Northern States — New York, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. An abundant summer resident in Mani-
toba. Adult and young specimens have been taken at San Angelo,
Texas, during the breeding season. It is reported as breeding com-
monly at Fannin county, Texas, and sometimes in the State of Nebraska.
The bird frequents the borders of woods and thickets, particularly the
edges of lowland forests and the more open swamps.

The nest, commonly placed in an upright fork of a small tree or
sapling, sometimes on a horizontal limb, is small, compact and felted
of fine, soft materials — bark-fibres, intermingled with vegetable down,
lined with fine grasses and shreds of bark, or, as is frequently the
case, with a few feathers.

The nest bears a strong resemblance to that of the Redstart, and the
eggs cannot be mistaken for those of any of our Flycatchers of the East-
ern States, as they are wholly unlike any of them. They are normally
pure white or buffy-wliite, unmarked^ rarely speckled ; their number is
sometimes only two or three, usually forr, and their average size is
.65X.50. Seven eggs measure .60X.50, .62X.50, .64X.51, .64X.52,
.65X.53, .63X.50, .64X .51. May and June are the nesting months.

468. Empidonax hammondi (Xantus) [327.]

Hannnond's Flyoatoher.

Hab. Western North America, south in winter to Southern Mexico, north to the Lesser Slave Lake.

The Western representative of the Least Flycatcher from the
Plains to the Pacific. The nesting and eggs are said to be substantially
like those of E. minimus. On account of its general plain, soiled color
it is called Dirty Little Flycatcher.

469. Empidonax obscurus. (Swains.) [328.]

Wright's Flyoatoher.

Hab. Western United States, south to South-rn Mexico, east to Rocky Mountains.

The Gray Little Flycatcher is common to the woodland, groves

Hi)!

252

NESTS AND EGGS OF

and thickets of the Western States and Territories. During the breed-
ing season, in the region about Fort Klamath, Oregon, Dr. Merrill
usually found it in groves of aspens in company with the Warbling
Vireo ; also among the pines with Cassin's Vireo and the Western Wood
Pewee.

The nests were most frequently built in young aspens, at an
average height of about six feet. They resemble nests of the Yellow
Warbler, which are found in the same localities ; but all the nests of
the Flycatcher were built against the main trunk, while all of the
Warbler were on branches and generally higher from the ground. The
nests are composed externally of strips of light gray bark of about the
same colors as the bark of the aspens, and partly on this account and
because of their location the nests are liable to escape notice if careful
search is not made. The lining is sometimes a smooth, felted mass of
fur and horse-hairs, in others, feathers are used, and the nests are gen-
erally more deeply cupped than is usual with this group. Pairs that
are found among the pines usually place their nests in an upright form
of a manzanita or buck-brush that grow abundantly in such localities.

The eggs are dull, buffy-white ; seven sets of twenty-seven speci-
mens average .68 x. 53, the extremes of the sets being .65 x .50 and

.72x57.

471. Pyrocephalus rubineus mexicanus (Scl.) [ 330.]

Vermilion Flycatcher.

Hab. Southern border of the United States (Southern Texas to Arirona), south through Mexico to
Guatemala.

Along the Rio Grande of Southern Texas and in Southern Ari-
zona the beautiful Vermilion Flycatcher is a common species. Mr. W.
E. D. Scott notes it as a common species about Riverside, Tucson,
and Florence, Arizona. During the breeding season the male fre-
quently utters a twittering song while poised in the air, in the manner
of the Sparrow Hawk ; during the song it snaps its bill as if catching
insects. Thickets along water-courses are this bird's favorite
resorts.

The nests are usually placed in horizontal forks of ratana trees,
often in mesquites, not more than six feet from the ground ; they are
composed of small twigs and soft materials felted together, and the
rims covered with lichens ; the cavity is shallow. A few horse or cow
hairs comprise the lining. Dr. Merrill states that they bear consider-
able resemblance to nests of the Wood Pewee in appearance and the
manner in which they are saddled to the limb. Mr. Brewster describes
a nest taken by Mr. F. Stephens on the 25th of April, at Tucson,

<-Auk 111,258.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

253

he breed-
r. Merrill
A^arbling
rn Wood

s, at an
e Yellow
nests of
1 of the
ad. The
bout the
>unt and
• careful
mass of
ire gen-
lirs that
ht form
calities.
n speci-
.50 and

Mexico to

rn Ari-
Mr. W.
*ucson,
le fre-
aanner
tching
ivorite

■ trees,
ey are
id the
)r cow
isider-
id the
cribes
icson.

Arizona, which lacks the exterior coating of lichens.* Others were
found by Mr. Stephens of a similar construction.

The usual number of eggs is three ; the ground-color is a rich
creamy-white, with a ring of large brown and lilac blotches at the larger
end. Dr. Merrill gives the average size of fourteen eggs as .73X.54.
A set of three eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken in Cochise county,
Arizona, May 21, 1888. The nest was placed in a sycamore tree near
a running stream. The eggs are pale creamy-biiff, with bold spots and
blotches of seal-brown and lilac-gray, in a circle around the center of
each egg. They measure, respectively, .71X.53, .69X.53, .80X.53.
Six other sets in the same cabinet show great variation.

[473.] Alauda arvensis Linn. [299,]

Skylark.

Hab. Europe and portions of Asia and Africa; accidental in the Bermudas and in Greenland.

The far-famed Skylark of the Old World holds a place in the avi-
fauna of North America from its occasional occurrence in the Bermu-
das, and in Greenland. Several attempts have been made to introduce
these desirable birds in Eastern United States, but so far the experi-
ments have proved unsuccessful. The Skylark is an inhabitant of all
the countries of Europe, and is said to be more plentiful in cultivated
districts. The mating season is in April, and two broods are reared in a
season. The nest is always placed on the ground, in meadows or open
grassy places; it is often sheltered by a tuft of grass, clod of earth, or
other projection. The materials used in its composition are grasses,
plant stems, and a few chance leaves ; the lining is of the same, but
finer.

The eggs are three, four or five in number, and vary considerably
in form and coloration; some are grayish-wliite with a tinge of purple
or greenish-white, thickly sprinkled r.nd mottled with a grayish-brown
or drab ; others are of a deep sombre hr.e, and in some the markings
are chiefly concentrated at the larger end. These are the variations
exhibited in four sets of tour eggs each in my cabinet, taken in Staf-
fordshire, England, in the latter part of April and the first of May.
The smallest set offers the following sizes : .86 x. 57, .87 x .60, .84 x. 58,
.89 X .60 ; the largest, .93 x .64, .95 x .64, .92 x .62, .94 x .64, respectively.

474. Otocoris alpestris (Linn.) [300.]

Horned Larkt

Hab. Northeastern North America — Labrador, regio' about Hudson Bay, Greenland, and northern
parts of the Old World; in winter south in Eastern United States ic, the Carolinas, Illinois, etc.

The Shore Lark, the true aipestris^ breeds in northeastern North
America and Greenland, wintering in the United vStates. Said to

«Bull. Nutt. Ornith, Club. VII, 207.

254

NESTS AND EGGS OF

breed abundantly in Newfoundland and Labrador. It also inhabits
northern portions of the Old World. The common name is derived
from the tufts of black feathers over each ear, which at will the bird
has the power of erecting like the so-called "horns" of some owls.

In the Eastern States, during the winter months, flocks varying
in size from a dozen to those of a hundred or more, may be seen fre-
quenting open plains, old fields, dry shores of bays, and the banks of
rivers. As there are a number of geographical varieties of the Horned
Lark, the greatest uncertainty has always attended their identification,
even by experts, and the breeding and winter ranges of the various
sub-species do not yet seem to be clearly defined.

This was the species found by Audubon breeding on the low,
mossy and sheltered hills along the dreary coast of Labrador. In the
midst of the mosses and lichens th?,t covered the rocks the bird im-
bedded its nest, which is composed of fine grasses, arranged in a circu-
lar form and lined with the feathers of grouse and other birds. The
eggs, deposited early in July, are four or five in number, and are de-
scribed by Audubon as marked with bluish as well as brown spots.
European eggs are grayish-white, spotted with brownish-lavender or

lilac-gray.

474a. Otocoris alpestris leucolsema (Coues) [300a.]

Pallid Horned Lark.

Hab. Northwestern North America; in winter south over the more northerr Great Plains and Great
Basin of the United States to Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, etc.

This paler northwestern form of the Shore Lark breeds from
Alaska southward, east of the Rocky Mountains, nearly to the United
States boundary. The nest is built in a depression of the ground, and
sunk a little below the surface, usually under a tuft of grass ; it is well
cupped and woven in a circular form of old grasses, lined with hairs.
The eggs are three or four, grayish or pale olive, finely aud thickly
sprinkled with olive-brown. Average size .91 x .65.

474^. Otocoris alpestris praticola Hensh.

Prairie Horned Lark.

Hab. Upper Mississippi Valley and region of the Great Lakes; east locally to New York; south, in
winter, to Virginia and Northeastern Texas.

The birds of this race may be distinguished from the typical alpes-
tris by their smaller size and paler colors. In the northern half of the
Mississippi Valley it breeds abundantly, and as far south as Eastern
Kansas, where Col. Goss notes it as common and abundant. It begins
laying the last of March. The Prairie Horned Lark breeds commonly
in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It
doubtless breeds, though sparingly, in Northwestern Ohio, as young
birds have been taken in that section in Mav.

lh>^

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

266

Two broods are reared in a season, the first very early — usually
by the last of April. Mr. L. Jones, of Grinnell, Iowa, states that as
many as three broods are reared in that region ; the first nest is built
late in March or early in April, the second about the first of June, and
the third late in July or early in August. The highlands of meadows
and cornfields are its resorts while breeding, the nest being placed in
a hollow of the earth, compactly made of dry grasses and corn
leaves, lined with a few feathers and horse hairs. Mr. Jones says that
the first nest is most elaborately made, while the second and third are
more slovenly put together.

Three or four eggs are deposited, usually four ; their ground-color
varying from pale olive or light greenish to dull olive-buff, thickly
speckled and sprinkled with drab. A set of four eggs in my collection,
taken in Poweshiek county, Iowa, by Mr. Jones, gives the following
measurements: .82x.6t, .84 x .62, .82x63, .86X.62. Mr. Norris has
five sets taken in Jasper and Black Hawk counties, Iowa, in the latter
part of May and first part of June. The largest eg\x& in this serico are
those in a set taken June 4, 1885, in the latter county. They measure
respectively .92 x .65, .91 x .64, .92 x .66, .93 x .65.

474^:. Otocoris alpestris arenicola Hensh.

Desert Horned Lark.

Hab. Great Plains and Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

This subspecies inhabits the Rocky Mountain regions and the
Great Basin of the United States, coming east to Dakota, where it
breeds at least as far east as Ramsey county. Col. N. S. Goss gives it
as a common resident in Middle and Western Kansas, where it begins
laying early in April. Nesting, habits and eggs similar to O. alpestris
praticola. Average size of the eggs .86 x .60.

Two sets, each containing three eggs, are in Mr. Norris' cabinet.
They were both taken in Larimer county, Colorado, on April 9 and 12,
1887, respectively. The nests were composed of grass and roots,
and were sunken in the ground under cactus plants. The eggs
are ovate in shape, of an olive-buflF and light pea-green ground-color,
thickly speckled with drab. One set measures: .87X.65, .86X.64,
.83 X .65 ; the other, .89 x .60, .87 x .63, .82 x .60, respectively.

474/. Otocoris alpestris giraudi Hensh.

Texan Horned Iiark.

Hab. Eastern and Southeastern Texas.

Mr. Joseph L. Hancock found this form of the Shore Lark very
common on the flats north of Corpus Christi, Texas, and on May 27 a
nest with four eggs was taken. A set of three eggs in Mr. Norris'

■ ;%•

liM

266

NESTS AND EGGS OF

'i> \^-

'mi

collection was taken April 13, 1886, in La Salle county, Texas. The
nest was a hollow in the ground, lined with a few dry weeds. The
eggs are of an olive-buff, densely speckled with drab, and with a
wreath of the same color at the larger end. They measure : .86 x .60,
.89X.60, .86X.59. The eggs are elongate-ovate in form. 1

474<r. Otocoris alpestrls chrysolsema (Wagl.) [300*.]

Mezloan Horned Larki

Hab. Southern portions of Arizona and New Mexico, westward across Southern California; south
into Mexico.

This form of the Horned Lark is a constant resident of Mexico,
and it occurs northward to Southern Arizona and New Mexico, etc.
No information is at hand regarding its nesting and eggs, which prob-
ably differ but little from those of others of the family.

474/. Otocorla alpestris rubea Hensh.

Rnddy Horned Lark.

Hab. California.

A 'sorrel' or rufous-colored race, abundant in California. Mr.
Shields informs me that this bird may always be seen in greater or less
abundance on the broad plains and prairies of Los Angeles county, Cal-
ifornia. He found their nests, containing fresh eggs, as early as April
15 and as late as the middle of June. The eggs were three or four in
number, commonly four, and sometimes five. One nest was found
containing six eggs. The nest is u.sually placed in a depression of the
ground uuder a small bush, tuft of grass, vines, by the side of a clod
of earth, small rock, etc. It is composed of fine straw and grasses lined
with horse hairs. Mr. W. O. Emerson's collection contains a series
of this Lark's eggs, collected in San Diego county, California, and
in comparing them with a large number of those from the East, South
and Middle States there is really no perceptible difference in their gen-
eral shape, color and markings.

My cabinet contains thirty eggs of the Ruddy Horned Lark, taken
in various parts of California. Their color is a pale olive-buflf, finely
and densely sprinkled with a rusty-drab color. Ten specimens meas-
ure: .82X.54, .84X.53, .83X.56, .83X.51, .82X.57, .80X.56, .84X.56,
.80X.59, .83X.56, .80X.56.

474^. Otocoris alpestris strigata Hensh.

streaked Horned Lark.

Hab. Coast region of Oregon, Washington Territory and British Columbia; south in winter to por-
tioas of California and Nevada.

This conspicuously streaked and striped Shore Lark is larger than
the California bird, O. a. rudea, and is found breeding from Oregon
northward. To Dr. James C. Merrill, U. S. A., belongs the honor of
having first collected the eggs of this bird. Near Fort Klamath, Ore-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

257

ixas. The
:eds. The
Qd with a
: .86 X .60,

•]

ilifornia; south

f Mexico,
sxico, etc.
lich prob-

lia. Mr.
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as April
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IS found
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r, finely
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ter to por-

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)regon
aor of
I, Ore-

gon, May 30, 1887, he found a nest which on June 4 contained two
eggs. This was the first set of these eggs known, and remained unique
in collections until a second set was also found near Fort Klamath,
by another collector, on June i, 1888, which is now in Mr. Norris' col-
lection. The nest was sunken in the ground, and was made of grass,
very loosely constructed. It contained four eggs. Two of them have
an olive-buff ground-color, while the other two are of a light pea-
green. All are thickly speckled with lip^ht brown. They are ovate
in shape, and measure: .83X.58, .83x.bo, .85X.58, .85X.60.

475. Pica pica hudsonica (Sab.) [286.]

American Maspl**

Hab. Western North America (except California), east to the Rocky Mountains, north to AlMka,
south to New Mexico and Arizona.

Known as the Black-billed Magpie. A bird of a bad reputation —
a rascal, thief, and a rogue in general, but like the Devil, is not perhaps
"as black as he is painted." The camp tales of many a western trav-
eler are interspersed with incidents illustrating the tricks and thieving
propensities of the Magpie. As pets, their familiarity becomes a de-
cided nuisance. A common species on the plains, mountains and hills
of Colorado, where it breeds in abundance. The height of the nest
from the ground, Mr. Dille says, ranges from six to sixty feet ; they are
often built in the branches of a slender sapling, or in a scrubby willow.
In the mountains the large black pine tree is this bird's favorite nest-
ing site, and often as many as four nests are built in a single tree.

The nests are large and bulky — a rustic lattice-work of sticks,
measuring from two to three feet high, though not more than twelve
to eighteen inches in the greatest diameter. The nest has an arched
roof, with an opening on the side. Sometimes these dome-shaped
roofs and doorways are not very artistically or elaborately made, and
the observer is often compelled to put on the finishing touches with
his imagination. The sticks are cemented together with mud, and the
lining of the nests consist usually of a few grasses or roots. The
long tails of the Magpies may be observed protruding from one of the
entrances of the nest while incubating.

The number of eggs varies from five to nine, commonly seven,
and they are deposited in Colorado as early as the latter part of April,
usually, however, in May. Dr. Merrill took a set of eggs at Modoc
Point, Oregon, on April 8. The eggs are grayish-white, with a yellow-
ish, occasionally with a greenish tinge, spotted, dashed and dotted
with markings of purplish or violet-brown ; most thickly around the
larger end. Ten eggs measure: 1.32 x. 89, 1.37X.90, 1.38X.92, 1.40X
.94, 1.34 X. 90, 1.36 X. 89, 1.42 X. 92, 1.34 X. 89, 1.42 X. 87, 1.40 X. 93. Mr.

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IMAGE EVALUATION
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Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET
"^ WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

:% ij>..

268

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Norris has eggs that measure as large as 1.57 x .94 and as small as 1.21
X .91. An average egg measures 1.32 x .89.

476. Pica cuttalli Aud [287.]

Tellow-billed Magpie.

Hab. California

The Yellow-billed Magpie is confined exclusively to California,
where it breeds abundantly ; and it begins nesting about the first of
April. Its general habits are like those of P. hudsonica, and the nest
is similarly constructed,

. The eggs range from five to nine in number, usually six or seven.
They are of a light drab, so thickly marked with fine cloudings of an
obscure lavender color as nearly to conceal the ground, and to give the
egg the appearance of an almost violet-brown. A set of six eggs, col-
lected in Whejgler Canon, near Santa Paula, California, exhibit the fol-
lowing dimensions : 1.31 X.89, a.28x.89, 1.31X.89, 1. 32 X. 89, 1.30 X. 88,
1.28 X .90. A set of six eggs in my cabinet, taken from a nest situated
twenty feet from the ground in an oak tree, near Santa Barba, Califor-
nia, April 10, 1887, oifeis the following sizes: 1.30 x. 85, 1.29X.34, 1.29
X.90, 1.30X.82, 1. 28 X. 81, 1. 25 X. 36.

477. Cyanocitta cristata (Linn.) [289.]

Bln« Jay.

Hab. Eastern North Amerii- > except Florida, west to the Plains, north to the Fur Countries.

The well-known Blue Jay is abundant in Eastern North America,
where it breeds in the latter part of April, in May and June, according
to locality. He is a conspicuous member of a family of questionable
character and, as in the case of the Magpie, unjust prejudices have
doubtless done much to brand him a profligate. His fine personal dress,
and noisy, boisterous habits, only serve to make him the more promi-
nent as a rowdy full of cunning traits. Yet no observer will dispute
that the sagacity often evinced by this bird — his forethought, intelli-
gence and sensibility, are strongly akin to reason ; and according to the
treatment received from man he is justly either shy or wary, confiding
or familiar.

The nest of the Blue Jay is built in the branches of a lonely forest
tree, in the trees of orchards, in those bordering quiet roadways or
lanes, and, where the bird is not molested it is commonly placed not
far from dwelling-houses, in trees or bushes. The nest is large, and
the materials used are various — twigs, leaves, roots and vegetable fibres
rudely but strongly interwoven ; often paper, rags, wool and yarn enter
into its composition. The eggs are four or five in number, olive-brown
or olive-drab, thickly spotted with dark olive-brown. In some speci-
mens the ground-color is light or dark green, similar to that in the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

259

speci-
in the

eggs of the California Jay, in which the markings stand out in strong
contrast. Ten eggs exhibit the following sizes: 1.02 x. 84, 1.06X.84,
1.10X.87, I. II X. 83, 1. 12 X. 82, 1. 15 X. 83, 1.14X.84, 1. 12 X. 83, 1.18X.86,
i.i8x.86 ; one runt egg measures .76 x.6o.

• 477a. Cyanocitta cristata florincola Coues.

Florida Bine Jay.

Hab Florida.

This is a smaller bird than the last, with less white on the tips of
the secondaries and tail-feathers. A set of four eggs in my cabinet
from Florida do not differ essentially from those of C. cristata^ having
the brown type of coloration for the ground-color.

478. Cyanocitta stelleri (Gmel.) [290.]

Steller'a Jay.

Hab. Pacific coast, north to Sitka, south to Northern California.

Steller's Jay is an abundant species along the Pacific coast from
Northern California northward. In Oregon it is a very common resi-
dent. He is the same bold, noisy fellow as is his eastern cousin, the
Blue Jay.

The nest of this bird is built in firs and other trees, and in bushes,
ranging from eight to twenty-five feet from the ground ; it is very
bulky, and made of large sticks and twigs, generally with a supply of
mud, and a lining of fine, dry grasses and hair. The eggs, three to
five in number, are usually pale green or bluish-green, speckled with
olive-brown, with an average size of 1.28X.85. Mr. Norris has a set
of four eggs collected near Salem, Oregon, May 4, 1888. This set was
taken from a nest in a thorn bush, twelve feet from the ground. The
eggs are light bluish-green, spotted and sprinkled with clove-brown;
the markings are heavier near the larger ends, where they form indis-
tinct circles. They oflfer the following dimensions: 1.25X.93, 1.22 x .94,
1.19X.91, 1.23 X. 92.

478a. Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis (Ridgw.) [290a.]

Blue-front«d Jay.

Hab. Sierra Nevada rafige (both slopes) from Fort Crook to Fort Tejon.

A common bird in the mountains of California, inhabiting the
whole length of the Sierra Nevada and also, it is said, the roast ranges.
Col. N. S. Goss found quite a number of nests of the Blue-fronted Jay
in the vicinity of Julian, California, in the spring of 1884, and " in all
cases but one, in holes and trough-like cavities in trees and stubs,
ranging from four to fifty feet from the ground, generally ten to twenty
feet. The nest found outside was built upon a large horizontal limb
of an oak close beside a gnarl, the sprout-like limbs of which thickly
covered the nest overhead, and almost hid it from view below." They

il '

I "

I
f |l

fl=

_™

^■

■

260

NESTS AND EGGS OF

•were quite bulky, loosely made of sticks, stems of weeds, and lined
■with fibrous rootlets and grasses ; and as they were all built at or near
the opening, the tell-tale sticks projected, and made the finding of the
nest not difl&cult.

Col. Goss gives the color of the eggs as light blue, speckled and
spotted with dark brown, rather thickest at large end, and the meas-
urements of two sets as follows : one taken May 19, 1.20X .87, 1.20 x. 88,
1. 21 X. 88; May 21, 1.21X.88, i,i5x.86, 1.19X.86, 1.16X.85. Mr. W. O.
Emerson informs me that the nests in the vicinity of Haywards, Cali-
fornia, are placed in oaks, redwood and other tall trees.* Mr. Norris has
a set of three eggs, collected by Mr. A. M. Ingersoll, May 19, 1888, at
Julian, California. The nest was inside of an immense oak stub, about
fifteen feet from the ground, and the eggs were far advanced in incu-
bation. They are cf a light grayish-blue, speckled and spotted with
burnt umber. Their sizes are : 1.26X.86, 1.30X.85, 1.21 x.85.

478<J. Cyanocitta stelleri macrolopha (Baird.) [290*5, 290^.]

Iions-orested Jay.

Hab. Rocky Mountain region, especially southerly, from Utah, AriTOna and New Mexico north to
Southern Wyoming.

A common bird in the southern Rocky Mountain region. In some
portions of the pine districts of Arizona the birds are permanent resi-
dents. They are mated by the latter part of April, and nests with eggs
may be found in May. It is a very numerous species in Northern New
Mexico and Colorado, where it is a constant resident. Large, noisy
troops of this species are to be found roving about during the winter
months. Their notes at times are said to resemble those of the Blue
Jay. Mr. Dille states that in Colorado the nest of the Long-crested Jay
is built in trees or bushes, but generally artfully concealed in a bunch
of rubbish at the top of a pine or spruce. It is rather large and coarse,
made of small sticks and weed-stalks, with little or no lining.

Nests with eggs have been found all through June. The eggs,
Mr. Dille says, are invariably five in number, of a light green, with
fine markings of dark olive-brown and lighter cloudings of purplish or

* A strange departure from the usual habits of Jays is noted of the Blue-fronted Jay by Mr. Bryant.
In Placer county, California, the birds had persisted in building within the snow-sheds in spite of the noise
and smoke of passing trains. "The destruction of their nests by the men employed on the water train
which makes two tiips a week through the sheds duri- " the summer, sprinkling the woodwork and tearing
down the nests of Jays and Robins with a hook attached to a pole, seemed not to discourage them. So accus-
tomed do the Jays become to the passing of trains, that they will often remain on their nesti undisturbed. In
one season more than two hundred nests of Jays and Robins were destroyed, so the train men say, between
Cisco and Summit, a dintance of thirteen miles. Some of the nests were but partially built, others contained
eggs, these latter ones having probably been •vcrlooked on previous trips. The nesting of the Jays within
the snow-sheds is, so Mr. Ingersoll supposes, to avoid the persecution of squirrels. None, he thinks, how-
ever, succeed in rearing a brood, for of more than thirty nests which he found, nearly all were uncompleted."
—"Unusual Nesting Sites," No. II.

and lined
at or near
ng of the

kled and
he meas-
r.2ox.88,
^r. W. O.
rds, Cali-
rorris has
, 1888, at
lib, about
1 in incu-
ted with

xico north to

In some

mt resi-

ith eggs

:rn New

e, noisy

winter

he Blue

ted Jay

bunch

coarse,

eggs,
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alish or

r. Bryant.

the noise
ater train
id tearing

So ac^us-
urbed. In
, between
contained
ys within
nks, how-
npleted."

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

261

S?i^

violet-brown, and in shape are more elongated than those of the Blue
Jay. Their size ranges from 1.20 to 1.32 in length by .80 to .89 in
breadth.

479. Apheloooma floridana (Bartr.) [391.I

„ L ^. . J Florida Jay.

Hab. Florida.

The geographical distribution of this beautiful species is confined
to the limited area of Florida. In some districts it is abundant, while
in others it is extremely rare. Mr. Stuart regards it as not very abund-
ant in the region about Tampa, where it nests in March and April,
usually among a thick growth of bushes.

The nest is a flat, compact structure, composed of leaves, small
dry sticks, lined with moss, roots, fibrous plant-stems and often with
wool and feathers. The eggs of the genus Aphelocoma usually have
more of a greenish ground and heavier markings than those of CyanO'
citta. Mr. Stuart says that four or five eggs are generally laid by the
Florida Jay, of a light blue or greenish ground, sparingly sprinkled
with rufous and black, the spots being larger and more numerous
towards the larger end ; average size, i.oox .80.

480. Aphelocoma woodhousei (Baird.) [292.]

'Woodhonse's Jay.

Hab. Middle Province of the United States, from New Mexico and Arizona north to Colorado, Utah,
Nevada, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Eastern Oregon.

Woodhouse's Jay is more or less common throughout the States
and Territories mentioned in the above habitat. It is generally not so
abundant as the Long-crested Jay, and frequents the scrub-oak and
other thickets on the open hillsides. The nest is built in bushes and
thickets, or in low trees of thick foliage, and from three to six eggs
are deposited.

Mr. Norris has a set of five eggs of this species, taken in Weber
county, Utah, April 10, 1888. The nest from which the eggs were
taken was placed in a sage bush two feet from the ground, and was com-
posed of twigs, lined with fine roots and hair. The eggs were fresh,
and are of a pale bluish-green, spotted with burnt umber and laven-
der-gray. They measure 1.03 x. 80, i.oix.80, 1.07 x. 80, 1.02 x. 82,
1.05 x. 80. The average size is 1.06 x .80.

481. Aphelocoma caUfornlca (Vie.) [293 ]

California Jay.

Hab. Pacific coast of the United States, from Southern California to Oregon, east to Western Nevada.

A common species from the southern portion of Caliiornia north-
ward to Oregon, inhabiting the trees and thickets bordering streams in
the valleys. It also frequents the chapparal and sagebrush patches^

fet I;

> ,

!'5

!'l

262

NKSTS AND EGGS OF

I" I

and prefers the realms of solitude to the haunts of man. It is nearly
always found in company with the California Thrasher, Harporhyn-
chus redivivus, whose tastes in regard to the general surroundings are
similar. Mr. Shields says that in Los Angeles county this bird begins
building about the first of May, but fresh eggs can be found as late as
the last of June ; they are usually four, sometimes five in number.

The nest is large and bulky, usually placed in scrub-oak or in the
thick portions of chapparal ; it is composed of twigs, roots and dry
grasses. The color of the eggs is a dark sea-green or blush-green,
thickly dotted, spotted and sometimes blotched with clove-brown,
chestnut, light buff, dark brown and bluish gray. A set of five eggs
measure: 1.06 x. 82, 1.08 x. 72, 1.09 x. 84, i.iox.81, 1.09x80. Ten
specimens average 1.08 x. 80.

482. Aphelocoma sieberii arizonse Ridgw. [295.]

Arizona Jay. ,

Hab. Southern New Mexico, Arizona and Northwestern Mexico.

According to Mr. Scott the Arizona Jay is an abundant species
and resident wherever the live-oaks are found on the San Pedro slope
of Las Sierras de Santa Catalina, in Southern Arizona, between the
altitudes of 3000 and 7000 feet. It is an eminently gregarious and
sociable bird; even during the breeding season a number of pairs
may be found nesting in the same locality.

March 16 a nest was found by Mr. Scott apparently completed but
containing no eggs ; it was built in a sapling about ten feet from the
ground, and was composed of dry rootlets laid very loosely in concen-
tric rings ; there was no lining, and the walls of the structure average
about three-quarters of an inch in thickness; interior diameter, five
inches; greatest interior depth, an inch and three-quarters — a flat,
saucer-like fabric. It was not built in a crotch, but where several
small twigs leave the large branch. All other nests found resembled
this one. On the 25th the nest war. visited again, and the female was
sitting, but no eggs had been laid, and further out on the same branch
another nest was built. Two other nests were found the same day
about one hundred feet away ; in one a female \, :.s sitting on two eggs,
which was thought at the time to be the full set. The eggs were fresh,
and so much like those of the Robin, in color and general appearance,
as to be almost indistinguishable from them. These two eggs meas-
ured 1. 18 x. 88, 1. 13 x. 86. April i the two nests first mentioned were
visited, and although the old bird was sitting on the nest earliest com-
pleted, it contained no eggs, but on April 7 Mr. Scott was rewarded by
finding five fresh eggs in this nest, identical in appearance with those;

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

26S

t is nearly
farporhyn-
idings are
'ird begins

as late as
mber.

or in the
3 and dry
ish-green,
ve-brown,

five eggs
80. Ten

t species
Iro slope
i^eeu the
tons and
of pairs

ted but
rom the
concen-
average
er, five
-a flat,
several
mbled
le was
branch
le day

fresh,
ranee,
meas-
were
com-
idby
:hose

above described, and measure 1.25X.83, i.i3x,85, 1.23X.83, 1.14X.80,
i.i6x .84. The other nest at this time did not nor several weeks after
contain eggs.*

483. Xanthoura luxuosa (Less.) [296.]

Oreen Jay.

Hab. Eastern Mexico, north to the Rio Grande valley in Texas.

Dr. Merrill sf^ites that the Rio Grande Jay is a common resi-
dent about Fort Brown and higher up the river, but does not seem to
pass much into the interior of Texas. Mr. George B. Sennett says:
" Of all the birds on the Lower Rio Grande, this is the most mischiev-
ous, robbing and despoiling other birds' nests without mercy."

Its nest, Mr. Sennett observes, is not easily found, for it is always
concealed in thickets, or in the heavy undergrowth of dense woods.
A large series of eggs was taken. Of those obtained early in April,
few were freshley laid, while all those obtained in May were fresh, in-
dicating that a second brood is reared, though no young of the first
brood were seen, while numbers of adults were observed daily from
April 9 until the last of May. On April 19 the first eggs were taken,
two sets being found ; one of four with large embryos, the other of
five, nearly fresh. The latest set, consisting of four fresh eggs, was
found May 17. The usual number of eggs to a clutch is four, occasion-
ally five. The average size of the specimens collected by Mr. Sennett
in a season is 1,06 x. 81, those taken in another season's collecting,
1.08 X. 81. Dr. Merrill describes the eggs as having a grayish-white
ground-color, thickly spotted with brown and pale lilac, especially at
the larger end. One set, however, was found with the markings more
numerous at the smaller end, and averaging i.oi x.So.

484. Perisoreus canadensis (Linn.) [297.] '

Canada Jay.

Kab. Northern New England and New York, Northern Michigan and Canada, northward to Arctic
America.

The Moose-Bird, Whisky Jack, or Whisky John, as it is variously
called, breeds in Maine and northward. It is a resident species, and
seldom seen south of its breeding range. In Manitoba it is an abund-

" Perhaps no explanation can be offered for the preparation of the nest so long before it is used.
The first nest was evidently complete on March 16, and it contained no eggs it-itil later than April 1; the first
eggs must have been deposited between that date and the 7th. Mr. Scott states that the same facts have
been noted in the breeding of the Gray Vireo {Vireo vicinior). As to the circumstance of the bird sitting so
constantly before laying he suggests that it is not improbable that it was in order to keep possession of their
nest, for as a number of individuals of the species composed the colony a question of ownership might easily
arise. He observes that the Arizona Jay is as great a robber of other birds' nests as its cousin of the East, and
possibly the haba of sitting so constantly even before any eggs are laid, is to be accounted for by a strongly
inherited tendency to prevent intrusion. The building of extra nests finds a parallel in the case of the LoBg-
billed Marsh Wrens, and is possibly to be accounted for by the nervous activity of the birds; or, the extra
nett may afford night resting places for the male during tt.e breeding season. — Auk, III, pp. 81-88.

I'L

rif

jfifsmmsmmum

264

NESTS AND EGGS OP

ant bird. Its general habits and nesting are in nowise peculiar, being
similar to those of others of the family.

The nest is usually a large, bulky structure, placed on the bough
of a spruce or other evergreen. It is made of twigs, pine-needles,
bark-strips and grasses, lined with finer vegetable material and
feathers. The nesting time in Northern Maine au New Brunswick
is March and April. The eggs are light gray, with a , iMowish tinge,
finely marked, more abundantly at the larger end with dots and
blotches of slate color and brown, and faint cloudings of an obscure
lilac, exhibiting the usual variations in color and size found in the
eggs of other Jays ; four or five in number ; average size, 1.17 x .80.

484a. Perisoreus canadensis capitalis Baird [397a.]

Rooky M onntaln Jay.

Hab. Rocky Mountains, south to Arizona and New Mexico.

This bird is called the White-headed Jay or Rocky Mountain
Whisky Jack — a race of the Canada Jay, but very much different. It
is peculiar to the Rocky Mountain region, and is especially common
in Northern New Mexico and Colorado. In the breeding season it is
found high up in the mountains in the spruce timber, from 8000 feet
to timber line. He is said to be "as big a thief as ever wore feathers."
White-headed, he at times appears grave and sedate, but is always
possessed of a whimsical brain. Small articles around camp that
strike his fancy are always found missing after one of his visits.

Nest-building is begun usually in April. The site generally
chosen is the horizontal branch of a pine, varying in height from fifty
to sixty feet from the ground. The materials are twigs, pine-needles,
bark, grasses and hempen fibres, all compactly interwoven into a rude,
bulky but strong structure ; it is warmly lined with the feathers and
down of birds. The external height is about four inches, and the
diameter seven ; the cavity about two inches deep and four across.
The eggs are three to five in number, grayish-white in ground-color,
finely speckled with various shades of brown ; in some specimens the
markings are more numerous about the greater end. Size, i.i6x.86.

Hab.

485. Perisoreus obscurus (Ridgw.)

Oregon Jay.

Northwest coast, from Northern California to British Columbia.

[298.]

Mr. A. W. Anthony mentions this species as a common winter res-
ident of Washington county, Oregon. In March they depart for the
mountains to breed, although a few sometimes remain to breed in the
more secluded parts of the country. He characterizes it as a bird utterly
devoid of fear. While dressing deer in the thick timber he has been

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

266

liar, being

the bough
e-needles,
erial and
Jrunswick
ish tinge,
dots and
,n obscure
nd in the
7 X .80.

Mountain
erent. It
' common
ason it is
8000 feet
feathers."
is always
imp that
ts.

generally
rom fifty
-needles,
o a rude,
:hers and
and the
r across,
nd-color,
mens the
.i6x.86.

nter res-
; for the
d in the
d utterly
las been

almost covered with these Jays ; they would alight on his back, head
and shoulders, and there tug and pull at each loose shred of his coat
as if assisting him in all ways possible.

On March 31, 1884, he took a nest with five eggs, the first, proba-
bly, ever taken. The nest was placed about eighty-five feet from the
ground, in a fir, and well concealed. It was built close against the
trunk, and was composed of sticks, twigs and moss, rather loosely put
together, lined with cow-hair, wool, and one or two grouse feathers.
The eggs were very light blue, with a grayish cast, thickly covered
with spots of brown and lilac, chiefly on the larger ends. In one spec-
imen were a few black, hair-like lines over the larger end. Size,
1.04 X. 79.

486. Corvus corax siimatus (Wagl.) [280.]

Mezloan Raven. ^

Hab. Western United States and south to Guatemala. (Ridgw.)

An inhabitant of the regions west of the Mississippi, where it is
common. A set of this bird's eggs, four in number (oological collec-
tion of J. Parker Norris), was taken April 12, 1888, in San Jacinto
valley, California. The nest was placed in the crevice of a large rock,
and was an old one, it having been in use for many years. It was
composed of sticks, hair, etc. The eggs are pale bluish-green, spotted
and dashed with olive. They measure 1.90x1.24, 1.94x1.25, 1.92 x
1.22, 1.84x1.21.

* * Corvus corax principalis Ridgw.

Northern Raven, t

Hab. Northern North America, from Greenland to Alaska, south to British Columbia, Canada, New
Brunswick, etc. (Ridgw.)

In former years the Raven appears to have been not uncommon
in the northern New England States, but is now considered very rare,
and late records of its occurrence there are very few. It breeds occa-
sionally on the cliffs of the island of Grand Manan, and more fre-
quently iarther east, as in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfound-
land, etc. It is rather a common resident along the whole coast of
Labrador. Forest-clad clififs of great rivers, the crags of lonely islands
in the ocean, wooded lakes and streams in solitary regions are the
haunts of this sable-plumed, ominous bird.

The Rev. J. H. Langille states that in Nova Scotia nesting begins
early in March. The site chosen for the nest is usually the most inac-
cessible tree or rocky clifi"; sometimes, however, it is built in the flat-
topped, low spruces, as is the case on Mud and Seal Islands, on the

* N*. 486 is called American Raven in the A. O. U. Check List.

t A-new sub-species, with larger bill, etc., than Corvtit corax tinuatut — tee Ridgway'i Manual N. A.
Birdi, p. 361.

'4'

i'i'

f.SI

'Ill

266

NESTS AND EGGS OF

southwestern coast of Nova Scotia. The nest Ts made of large sticks,
closely and artistically arranged, with a lining of coarse grasses, sea-
weed and wool. The same nest is repaired from year to year, and in
course of time becomes quite bulky. Tne eggs are four to six in num-
ber. A set of five eggs is in my cabinet, which was collected by Mr.
H. Pope, near South West Point, on the island of Anticosta, off the
mouth of the St. Lawrence, April 21, 1887. The nest was built in
cliffs facing the sea, and the eggs were secured only after a dangerous
scramble over banks of ice and snow. Like the eggs of the crow,
these are subject to great variation in markings. The ground-color is
pale bluish-green or light olive-green. They are spotted, blotched,
streaked or dashed with purple and greenish-brown ; some specimens
are so densely marked as to almost wholly obscure the ground-color,
giving the specimens a dull greenish-gray appearance. Four of the
specimens in the set of five are of this type, while the other is of a
brilliant bluish-green, sparsely marked with blackish-brown and ob-
scure lilac. Their sizes are: 1.85x1.24, 1.90x1.30, 2.04x1.32, 2.07X
1.34. A set of five eggs is in Mr. Norris' collection, taken April 8, 1875,
on the island of Grand Manan, from a nest in a fir tree, twenty-five
feet from the ground. It was made of sticks, moss and bark, lined
with wool. The eggs have a chromium-green ground-color, spotted
and blotched with olive. They measure: 1.86 x 1.33, 1.81 x 1,33, 1.80 x
1.31, 1.83x1.33, 1.80XI.35.

487. Corvus cryptoleucus Couch. [281.]

'Wlilte-neoked Raven.

Hab. Southwestern United States and table-lands of Mexico, north to Indian Territory, Kansas,
Colorado and Southern California, south to Guatemala.

The White-necked Raven is an abundant species throughout most
of its range. The bird's general appearance and its nesting habits are
similar to those of the common crow, with which it is often con-
founded.

From four to seven eggs arc laid by this species, and they have, on
the whole, markings of a lighter color than the eggs of other species
of Corvus ; and in addition they have lines running from one end of
the &gg to the other, somewhat after the manner of those on the genus
Myiarchus^ of the Flycatchers, of which the most familiar example is
the Crested Flycatcher, M. crinitus. This peculiarity is typical of the
species, and is found constant in a large series in the collection of the
National Museum, at Washington. A set of five eggs in Mr. Norris'
cabinet was taken May 16, 1888, in Cochise county, Arizona, from a
nest in an oak tree. The eggs are of a pale bluish-green, spotted with

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

267

large sticks,
passes, sea-
ear, and in
»ix in num-
:ted by Mr.
sta, off the
as built in
dangerous

the crow,
id-color is

blotched,
specimens
und-color,
>nr of the
er is of a
I and ob-
32, 2.07 X
il 8, 1875,
'enty-five
trk, lined
, spotted
3> 1.80 X

"■y, Kansas,

ut most
bits are
-n con-

ave, on
species
2nd of
genus
ople is
of the
of the
I^orris*
rom a
I with

clove-brown, and profusely streaked with longitudinal lines of olive-
gray. They measure: 1.74x1.19, 1.77x1.21, 1.67x1.18, 1.76x1.18,
1.77 X 1. 21.

488. Corvus americanus Aud. [282.]

Amarloan Crow.

Hab. Eastern North America except Southern Florida and Arctic reaioni.

An abundant bird in all the Eastern States, where it is well
known. The nest is built .a woods, preferably in high, thick forest,
and the tree selected is one of thick foliage. In pine regions the cedar
is the favorite tree. The altitude is usually so great that the nest is
practically inaccessible. In quiet, solitary places, however, I have
found it placed not more than ten or fifteen feet from the ground. It
is built of twigs and sticks, sometimes of considerable size, firmly in-
terlaced, while weeds and grass, often with clods of earth attached,
form part of the structure. The lining is of leaves, grapevine bark
and fine grasses.

The nesting season is in April and May, or June, and sometimes
even in March. From four to six, and occasionally seven eggs are
laid. These vary from a pale bluish to an olive-green, and from
almost unmarked specimens to those which appear of a uniform olive-
green, so dense and small are the markings. The typical egg, how-
ever, is of a light sea-green, thickly spotted and blotched with dark
brown, almost black, with purplish reflections ; these are chiefly about
the larger end. Size 1.70 x 1.20.

488a. Corvus americanus floridanus Baird. [2820.]

Florida Crow.

Hab. Southern Florida.

A set of four eggs from Manatee county, Florida, taken April 15,
is in my cabinet, and measure 1.62x1.18, 1.62x1.19, 1.66x1.18,
1.62x1.16. Their color and markings are similar to those of typical
eggs of C. americanus.

* *

Corvus americanus hesperis Ridgw.

California Crow.

Hab. Western United States, north to Washington Territory (Fuget Sound), Idaho, Montana, etd
south to Northern Mexico, east to Rocky Mountains. (Ridgw.)

Prof. Ridgway states that this new sub-species is a very strongly
characterized race, which differs markedly in habits and notes from
the eastern bird.* Mr. Samuel C. Evans, writing from San Jose, Cali-
fornia, says it is very common in that region, nesting in the large trees
of the bottom lands. Eggs in my collection, from California, do not
differ from those of C. americanus.

" For description see Manual of N. A. Birds, p. 302.

!' .1

III'"

■«

'^^\

^'ii )

. 1

ill!

268 NESTS AND EGGS OF

489. Oorvns caarinns Baird [aSa^.J

Northwest Crow.

Htb. Northweit coait from OreKon to Kailiak, Alaska.

The Northwestern Fish Crow is a smaller bird than the common
Crow of the Eastern States. In its habits it is i^^id to be the exact
counterpart of the Fish Crow of the Atlantic coasi Its principal food
is marine crabs or flsh which it gathers along the banks of rivers and
the shores of lakes. Like the Raven and Herring Gull, it carries
clams high into the air and drops them in order to break the shell.

Its nest is said to be substantially like that of Corvus ossifragus^
being built in evergreens and oaks growing along ravines; and the
eggs are indistinguishable. Prof. Ridgway gives their average size as
1.56x1.08.

490. Corvus osslfragus Wils. [283.]

Fiali Crow.

Hab. Atlantic and Gulf Coaits of the United States from Long Island to Louisiana.

A common species along the Atlantic coast of the United States
from New Jersey to Florida, and on the Gulf coast to Louisiana. It
is called the Southeastern Fish Crow.

Mr. Charles S. Schick states that along the coast of Cape May
county, New Jersey, he has found sets of eggs of this species as early
as April 13, and on the 15th of the same month observed nests with
young ; the dates of laying varying with the temperature of the sea-
son. The usual number of eggs deposited is five or six, a set of seven
being uncommon. In a section containing two hundred evergreen
trees, there were at least sixty nests, ranging in height from twenty to
sixty feet above the ground. The composition is nearly the same as
in those of the common Crow, except that the lining consists of a few
dry leaves or fine bark-fibres. The bird, Mr. Shick says, feeds largely
on small crabs, and devours large numbers of the eggs of the Clapper
Rail. The eggs of the Fish Crow are so nearly like those of the Crow
in color and markings that one description will answer for both ; those
of the present species are much smaller. Five specimens measure
1. 50x1.08, 1. 50x1.05, 1.46x1.02, 1. 51x1.06, 1.47x1.02. The average
size of twelve eggs is i.50x 1.09.

491. Picicorvus columblaiius (Wils.) [284.]

Clarke's Nutoraoksr.

Hab. Western North America, north to Alaska, south to Arixona, east to and including the Rocky
Mountains.

Clarke's Crow, or Nutcracker, is found in considerable numbers in
all suitable localities in the coniferous forests of the higher mountain
ranges within the limits of the above habitat. It is the American rep-
resentative of the European Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes. A

wmm

WK\

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

269

e common
the exact
icipal food
rivers and
it carries
shell.
ssi/raguSy
; and the
ge size as

ed States
siana. It

ape May

as early

ests with

the sea-
of seven
vergreen
wenty to
same as
of a few

largely
Clapper
he Crow

; those
measure
average

the Rocky

ibers in
3untain
an rep-
tes. A

remarkable bird, embodying the peculiar habits of certain woodpeck-
ers and those of some of the jays — wild, restless and noisy, inquisitive
and cunning.

Capt. Bendire found it breeding quite commonly in the mountain-
ous regions about Fort Harney, Oregon. April 22, 1876, two nests
were found, one containing a young bird, just hatched, and two eggs
with the shells chipped ; the other contained three young. Between
April 24 and 30 about a dozen nests were observed, all containing three
young, each in different stages of development. In the spring of 1877
not a single bird was observed where they were found breeding the
year before, and their absence was accoimted for by the scarcity of the
seeds of the pine which constitute their principal food. On April 4,
1878, a nest containing three eggs was found, and at this early date in-
cubation was far advanced. A set of two eggs, with good-sized em-
bryos, was taken April 8. All the nests were placed in pine trees,
generally well out on the limbs, and from sixteen to forty feet above
the ground. Trees with plenty of branches seemed to be preferred,
and the edges of pine timber to the interior of the forests. A nest is
described as rather bulky, the base consisting of a platform of small
sticks and twigs, mostly of the white sage ; on this the nest proper is
placed, which is composed of dry grasses, vegetable fibres, hypnum
moss and the fine inner bark of the western juniper, all compactly
woven together, making a warm, comfortable structure. The sizes of
four eggs, as given by Capt. Bendire, are as follows: 1.22X.95,
1:20 X. 90, 1. 26 X. 95, 1. 30 X. 92, respectively. Their color is a light
grayish-green, irregularly spotted and blotched with a deeper shade of
gray, chiefly at the larger end.

In the mountainous region southeast of Fort Garland, Colorado,
Capt. B. F. Goss found nests of this species under the same conditions
as observed by Capt. Bendire. May 21a nest was discovered contain-
ing young. The nests, at first appearance, according to both observers,
looked more like squirrels' nests than anything else, and the birds
were close sitters, even allowing themselves to be captured rather than
leave their nests. During the breeding season they are perfectly silent.

492. Cyanocephalus cyanocephalos (Wied.) [285.]

Plnon Jay.

Hab. Region between the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Nevada Ranges, from Mexico to British America.

The region between and including the Rocky Mountains and the
eastern slope of the Sierra Nevadas, v/herever grows the yellow pine,
the pinon and the juniper, the Blue Crow, Maximilian's or Pinon Jay
makes its home. A bird combining the form of a crow and the color

: U

; 1' ,

ill

i4jhJ

270

NESTS AND EGGS OP

and habits of a jay ; of a restless, roving disposition, but resident
wherever found.

It breeds in colonies, nesting in April, May and June, according
to locality. Nests containing eggs have been found in Nevada by Mr.
H. G. Parker in the first part of May, and fully fledged young were .
observed in the same region by Prof. Ridgway as early as April 31.
Mr. H. B. Bailey took a set of four eggs in New Mexico that were well
incubated Jane 5. Capt. B. F. Goss found this bird breeding in the
region southeast of Fort Garland — the western base of the Sangre de
Christo Mountains, at an elevation of about 9000 feet. The nests
were all in small piuon pines, from five to ten feet up, out some dis-
tance from the body of the tree, and not particularly well-concealed.
They are large, coarse and deeply-hollowed structures, much alike,
being made mostly of grayish shreds of som.^ fibrous plant or bark,
which breaks up into a mass of hair-like fibres, these forming the
lining, while some weeds and grass are worked into the general fabric.
The birds were close sitters, several not leaving till the nest was
shaken, and they could have been caught with the hand. One nest
contained five eggs, six contained four each, and two three each ; both
sets of three were partly incubated. Two nests were taken May 5, five
on the loth and two on the nth, 1879. The eggs are quite pointed at
the small end ; . the ground-color is bluish-white, splashed all over with
small spots of dark brown, thickest at the large end. Thirteen eggs
measure respectively : 1.19X.88, 1.21X.93, 1.22X.92, 1.25 x. 91, 1.17X
.87, 1. 18 X. 84, 1. 17 X. 85, 1. 20 X. 82, 1.17X.80; average 1.19X.87.*

[493.] Sturnus vulgaris

starling.

Linn. [279.]

Hab. '^.urope and Northern Asia; accidental in Greenland.

A specimen of the Starling, taken in Greenland in 1851,
entitles it to a place in the avifuuna of North America. It is
a well-known bird in Europe, and of a very general distribu-
tion. Its handsome plumage, sprightly, social habits, retentive mem-
ory, and pleasing, imitative voice 1 ave made it a great favorite as a
caged bird. It is said to live in flocks the greater part of the year,
selecting for its nest suitable places in holes of trees, eaves of houses,
church-steeples, old towers and ruins, in cliffs or in high rocks over-
hanging the sea, and in wooden boxes put up for its accommodation.
The material used for the nest is twigs, straws and fine grasses.

The eggs are four to six in number, of a pale greenish -blue or bluish-
white. A set of five eggs collected by W. Wells Bladden, May 4, in

•Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VIII, 4«-44.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

271

It resident

, according
ada by Mr.
oung were
3 April 21.
; were well
ing in the
Sangre de
The nests
some dis-
concealed.
uch alike,
t or bark,
ming the
ral fabric,
nest was
One nest
ch ; both
ay 5, five
ointed at
)ver with
een eggs
I, I.I7X

It is
istribu-
mem-
te as a

year,
louses,
5 over-
3atiou.

)luish-
Y 4) in

StaflFordshire, England, is in my cabinet, and exhibits the following
sizes: 1.13X.84, i.iox. 82, i.ii x .83, 1.18X.79, 1.20X.79. Mr. Norris
has a large series, showing great variation in size and shape, and a
typical set of six, taken in Germany, April 18, 1885, measure: i.iix
.84, 1.09 X. 84, 1.09 X. 80, 1. 15 X. 81, I.IOX. 79, 1.09 X. 83.

494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.) [257.]

BttlMlink.

Hab. Eastern North America to the Plains, north to Southern Canada, south in winter to the Wes: *
Indies and South America. Breeds from the Middle States northward.

A familiar bird in Eastern United States, breeding from the 38th
to the 54th parallel. In some parts of the country, in suitable places,
it is very abundant. Of all our natural songsters the Bobolink is the
most noted and popular. Descriptions of his song so frequently
appear in literature that even those who have not heard it must form a
good idea of its enchanting music :

"That rollicking, jubilant whistle.
That rolls like a brooklet along —
Thai sweet flageolet of the meadows,
The bubblitig, bobolink song."

Often have I heard him sing when on the wing, or when at rest,
with the broad, green meadow and pasture lands spread before him,
perched on the top of a wind-beaten reed, with his wings sunward
spread, his head erect, his white and black back glistening in the sun-
light, pouring forth his " bubble-ing " bobolink notes to the azure win-
dows of heaven. In the South he is known as the Rice-bird, in the
Middle States as Reed-bird and Meadow-wink, and in the North as
Skunk Blackbird. The nesting time is in the latter part of May or
in June.

The nest of the Bobolink is very hard to find ; it is built in a nat-
ural cavity of the ground, amongst the tall grass of meadows ;
sometimes it is sunk in the depression made by a cow's or a horse's
hoof. Fields of clover, with here and there a tall weed-stalk or sap-
ling, on which the birds alight, are favorite nesting resorts. In leav-
ing the nest the female will run off through the grass quite a distance
before rising, and she will repeat the same performance upon her re-
turn, so that the nest can only be found by diligent and careful search
in the vicinity from which she arises. The eggs, too, resemble the
color of the ground so closely that they are easily overlooked. The nest
i,«= a very slight affair, made of dry grasses and weed-stems, arranged
in a circular form. The eggs are usually five, sometimes six or seven
in number, and of a dull white or grayish-white, variously tinged with
light drab, olive, reddish and grayish-brown, intermingled with laven-

i'tfa I

\im

lit; L
I

:3'

U 4

m
I
-1

ifli

■w

111 '^

•I

l!"

ill'':
!;i'

M Ih

: |ii:

til'

272

NESTS AND EGGS OP

der ; the general eflfect being that of a dark, heavily-colored egg. Ten
specimens nieasure: .79X.55, .80X.55, .86x.6o, .84X.63, .87X.58, .87
X.61, .88x.66, .86x.6i, .83X.60, .85X.60. An average specimen
measures .85 x .64.

495. Molothrus at«r (Bodd.) [258.]

Cowliird.

Hab. Whole of the United States, north into Southern British Columbia, south in winter to Mexico.

Known as the Cow Bunting or Cow Blackbird from its habit of
alighting on the backs of cows or cattle, where it sits contentedly
while they are grazing. It is a notorious parasite, and does
not build a nest, but like the European Cuckoo, lays its eggs
in the nests of other birds, usually in those of species smaller
than itself. Generally a single egg is deposited, and as many
as^five have been found in a nest. The exact number the female lays
is not known. Eggs of this bird are subject to great variation in
their size and markings, and when found in the nests of such birds
as the Cardinal Redbird, Towhee Bunting, Meadow Lark and Brown
Thrasher,* it is sometimes difficult to readily distinguish "which
is which." Yet it should not be understood that the Cowbird's eggs
look exactly like those of the species just mentioned, for they really
have, on the whole, only a faint resemblance to them, and when a
large series of either species is brought together and compared with
those of the Cowbird the diflference is at once apparent. Dr. Jones
suggests that when the egg of the Cowbird resembles so closely the
eggs in the nest where it has been laid, as to make identification un-
certain, it is a good plan to blow all the eggs and notice if the sus-
pected egg has a yelk of different tint from the balance of the set.
If it has, it is strong evidence that it was laid by an intruder, for
almost invariably eggs of the same set have the same tinted yelks.

The ground-color of the Cowbird's egg is white or gray, sometimes
obscured by the abundance of markings. Spots, specks and blotches are
generally pretty evenly distributed over the entire surface. The mark-
ings vary from a chocolate-brown to those of a reddish and yellowish-
brown. The whole surface of an egg is often quite densely marked
with specks the size of a pin point, while the shell of other specimens

'I' Besides those above named the following are some of the nests in which the Cowbird's eggs have
been found: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black and White Warbler, Blue-yellow-backed Warbler (Parula), Worm-
eating Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Maryland Yellow-throat, Yellow Warbler, House Wren, Warbling,
Vellow-throated and Red-eyed Vireos, Indigo Bunting, Chipping Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Song Spar-
row, Swamp Sparrow, Slate-colored Junco, Oven Bird, Pewee, Wood Pewee, Acadian and Traill's Flycatchers,
Black-throated Bunting, European House Sparrow {Paster {ii>mttticut)„\ eWovz-hTe^sted Chat, Bluebird,
Orchard, Baltimore, Bullock's and Hooded Orioles, Scarlet Tanager, Kingbird, Towhee, Prairie Horned
Lark (Otocoris alftstrii firaticola), Wilson's Thrush, Wood Thrush, Red-headed Woodpecker, Robin and
Mourning Dove.

ii-'rnDni

ill

:d egg. Ten
.87 X .58, .87
e sj-ecimen

winter to Mexico.

its habit of
contentedly

and does
ys its eggs
ies smaller
d as many
female lays
'ariation in
' such birds,
and Brown
sh "which
i^bird's eggs
they really
nd when a
[pared with

Dr. Jones
closely the
Eication un-
if the sus-
of the set.
Ltruder, for
. yelks,
sometimes
lotches are
The mark-
yellowish-
ly marked
specimens

bird's eggs have
(Parula), Worm-
Vren, Warbling,
iich, Song Spar-
ll's Flycatchers,
Chat, Bluebird,
Prairie Horned
ker, Robin and

PLATE VIII.

CHIMNEY SWIFTS AND NESTS.

(Chirtura pelagica.)

*« ♦

Page 230.

• Hf*^^^^

'^M.

ZMLi

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

273

is sparsely spotted. Ten specimens selected at random from a very
large series exhibit the following sizes: .80X.62, .82 x .66, .84X.62,
.88x.66, .89X.63, .87X.65, .82X.60, .83X.64, .89X.64, .80X.62. A
common size is .88 x .64.

495a. Molothrus ater obscnrus (Gmel.) [258a.]

Dirarf Cowbird.

Hab. Mexico, and southern border of the United States from Texas to Arizona and Lower California.

This is a smaller form, inhabiting the southern border of the
United States from Texas to Arizona and southward. Its habits are
identical with the Cowbird of the East, and the eggs are colored the
same, but like the bird, average smaller. Five specimens measure :
.77 X .60, .80 x .59, .75 x .59, .70 X .57, .72 X .58. The average size of ten
specimens from Arizona is .74 X. 59.

496. Callothms robustus (Cab.) [259.]

Red-eyed Cowbird."

Hab. Eastern and Southern Mexico, Yucatan, and south to Panama; north to the lower Rio Grande
Valley in Texas.

A bronze-colored Blackbird with blood-red iris. Common on the
Lower Rio Grande in Texas. Dr. Merrill took specimens at Hidalgo,
but they were not so abundant at this point as lower down the river,
where they are common throughout the year, a small proportion going
south in winter. Those that remain gather in flocks with the Long-
tailed Grackles, common Cowbirds, Brewer's, Red-winged and Yellow-
headed Blackbirds.

He found its eggs in the nests of Bullock's, Hooded and the
Orchard Orioles, once in the nest of the Yellow-breasted Chat, and
Red-winged Blackbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher and Texan Cardinal
{Pyrrhuloxia stnuata). The eggs of the Red-eyed Cowbird are plain
bluish -green, similar to that in the eggs of the Blue Grosbeak. Dr.
Merrill gives the average size of twenty eggs as .90 x .70, the extremes
being .95 x .75 and .82 x .65.

497. Xanthocephalus xanthoceplialus (Bonp.) [260.]

Tellow-headed Blackbird.

Hub. Western North America to the Pacific, east regularly to Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas and
Texas. Accidental in the Atlantic States.

The handsome Yellow-headed Blackbird is found generally dis-
tributed on the prairies in all favorable localities from Texas on the
south to Illinois and Wisconsin, thence to the Pacific. A common bird
in the West, nesting in May and June. It collects in colonies to breed
in marshy places anywhere in its general range, often in company with
the Red-winged Blackbird. The nests are usually placed in the midst

* No. 496 in the A. O. U. Check List is MelotkrHs oeneut (Wagl.j, Bronzed Cowbird. These names are
now applied to the western form of this bird from Western Mexico, etc.

M't \:

sfli

iilf- --^iiii

274

NESTS AND EGGS OF

1 1

1 I

of large marshes, attached to the tall flags and grasses. They are gen-
erally large, light, but thick-brimmed, made of interwoven grasses and
sedges impacted together.

The eggs are stated to range from two to six in number, but the
usual number is four, ^n the hundreds of sets that have come into
my hands only three contained five eggs each. Their ground-color is
dull grayish-whito, in some grayish-green, profusely covered with
small blotches and specks of drab, purplish-brown and umber. Their
average size is 1.12X.75.

498. Agelaius phoeniceus (Linn.) [261.]

Red-winded Blackbird.

J( Hab. Temperate North America in general, north to Great Slave Lake, south to Costa Rica.

The Red-winged Starling or Swamp Blackbird is found from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and as far north as the 57th parallel, breeding
more or less abundantly wherever found, from Florida and Texas to
the Saskatchewan country. In its native marshes during the breeding
season, which is in May and June, a loud chorus of discord and har-
mony may be heard from the Red-wings, and above all the strange,
reverberating kong-qucr-rcc^ kong-quer-ree. The nest is usually built
in reeds or bushes near the ground, often in a tussock of grass, some-
times on the ground, and once in a while at a considerable elevation
in a tree. The materials are usually strips of rushes or sedges, lined
with finer grasses and sometimes with a few horse hairs. It is rather
bulky, and not at all artistic. This bird nests in communities, and one
is quite as likely to find several nests near each other as a single one,
in a piece of swamp. Nests and eggs found in Texas are smaller than
the average of those found in the more northern States.

The eggs are light blue, marbled, lined, blotched and clouded
with markings of light and dark purple and black, almost entirely
about the larger end, but vary considerably in this respect ; they are
usually four, rarely five in number, and average i.oox .75.

499. Agelaius gubernator (Wagl.) [261a.]

Hab.

Bioolored Blackbird.

Valleys of California and Western Oregon, and south into Western Mexico.

The Red-and-black-shouldered Blackbird occurs along the Pacific
coast from British Columbia south throughout California. The female
is not distinguishable from the female Red-wing, and the nesting hab-
its are exactly the same, placing the nests in watercress or rushes,
along running streams, ditches and swamps.

The eggs are light blue or bluish-white, marked around the larger
end with waving lines of dark brown, lighter in shade than the mark-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

275

They are gen-
~n grasses and

mber, but the
ive come into
round-color is
covered with
mber. Their

Costa Rica.

md from the
llel, breeding
nd Texas to
the breeding
:ord and har-
the strange,
usually built
igrass, some-
Die elevation
(edges, lined
It is rather
ies, and one
single one,
mailer than

nd clouded
)st entirely
they are

the Pacific
^he female
sting hab-
or rushes,

the larger
the mark-

ings on the eggs of the common Red-wing ; four or five in number ;
size from .90 to 1.05 in length by .64 to .74 in breadth.

500.

Hab.

Agelaius tricolor (Nutt.) [262.]

Trioolored Blackbird.

Valleys of the Pacific coast, from Southern California to Western Oregon.

This species is known as the Red-and-white-shouldered Blackbird,
and belongs to California and Oregon ; is especially abundant in the
swamps and marshes of the former State. Like the Swamp Blackbird
of the Eastern States, it nests in the vicinity of water, in colonies,
usually placing the nest in alder bushes, willows and flags. It is com-
posed of mud, straw and coarse grass, lined with finer fibrous material.

The eggs are of a light blue, slightly deeper than the ground-
color of the Red-wing's eggs, marked around the larger end with a
circle of ashy-brown, sometimes black, irregular lines and blotches;
four or five in number ; size i.oo x .60.

501. Sturnella magna (Linn.) [263.]

Meadowlark.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Plains, north to Canada.

The Old Field Lark is a well-known bird in the United States
east of the Mississippi, breeding wherever found, from Florida and
Texas northward. West of the Mississippi it is replaced by the West-
ern form, Sturnella magna neglecta (And.). As its name implies, the
meadows and fields are its home. In almost any stretch of pasture-
land may be found a pair or colony of Meadowlarks, and the sweet
sound of their wild, ringing, and rather melancholy notes fill the air at
short intervals from sunrise till the gloaming. The nesting time is in
May, usually beginning in the middle or latter part of the month.
The nest is built on the ground, in a thick tuft of grass ; it is pretty
compactly made of coarse, dry, wiry grasses, and lined with finer
blades of the same. It is usually formed with a covered entrance in
the surrounding withered grass through which a hidden and some-
times winding path is made, and generally so well concealed that the
nest is only to be found when the bird is flushed.

The eggs are crystal-white, more or less thickly spotted or dotted
with reddish-brown and purplish , four to six in number, with great
variation in size, averaging i.iox.80.

The Mexican Meadowlark, 5". m. mexicana (Scl.),* inhabits the
lower Rio Grande Valley and Arizona, southward through Eastern and
Central Mexico to Costa Rica.

iV i

• No. sola, A. O. U. Check List.— Ridg. No. 268a,

276 NESTS AND EGGS OF

501^. Sturnella magna neglecta (Aud.) [264.]

Western Meado'vrlarki

Hth. Western North America, north to British Columbia and Manitoba, east regularly to Dakota,
Nebraska, Kansas and Texas, sparingly to Illinois and Wisconsin, south through Western Mexico.

Both of our Meadowlarks, 5". magna and 5". neglecta^ occur in por-
tions of the Mississippi Valley, overlapping each other in their typical
styles for a distance of several hundred miles, intermediate specimens
being extremely rare. For this reason, and on account of the great
difference of its notes and other peculiarities, 5. m. neglecta should
doubtless be considered a distinct species. Its song, according to those
who have heard it, is remarkably fine, less shrill, more plaintive and
richer than that of the Eastern Meadowlark.*

In Los Angeles county, California, Mr. Shields states that the
nesting season is from April 15 to the last of June. Col. Goss gives it
as a common bird in Western and Middle Kansas, where it begins lay-
ing about the middle of May. Nesting habits and eggs are similar to
those of 5". viagna. The markings on a large series of the eggs of the
Western Meadowlark before me are finer than on the eggs of 5*.
magna. The average size of ten specimens is 1.08X.84.

[502.] Icterus icterus (Linn.) [265.]

Tronplal.

Hab. Northern South America; West Indies (introduced) (t). Accidental nt Charleston, S. C.
(Audubon).

This splendid Oriole is admitted as North American on the
strength of a single specimen, shot in Charleston, S. C, by John W.
Audubon, son of the great ornithologist. Others were seen at the
same place, and Audubon was informed that small groups of four and
five subsequently made their appearance in the same city and among
the islands. Another specimen was shot which fell in the river, and was
lost. These may have been birds that escaped from cages, but, as Dr.
Brewer observes : " If his information was correct, it precludes the
supposition that those which have been procured are caged birds."
The Troupial is a very popular and desirable cage bird, having a loud,
clear, flute-like whistle, and when kept in confinement becomes very
tame. It is common to all the northern countries of South America,
where it is said to associate in large flocks.

The nest is described as a large, massive, pensile fabric ; the eggs
are four or five in number, with a ground-color varying from reddish-
drab to deep purple, blotched and streaked with reddish-brown and
blackish. Size, i.iox.90.

<■ For a description of the songs of the Western Meadowlark, see Charles N. Allen's article: Bull,
Nutt. Ornith. Club. Vol. VI, pp. 145-160.

-p.......,^„.„.

TffTniiifWf w niti

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

277

riy to Dakota,
xico.

ur in por-
iir typical
jpecimens
the great
ta should
? to those
ntive and

that the
s gives it
?gins lay-
iinilar to
:gs of the
gs of 5*.

eston, S. C.

on the
fohu W.

at the
'our and

among
and was

as Dr.
des the

birds."

a loud,
es very
tnerica,

le eggs
iddish-
m and

:le: Bull.

503. Icterus auduboni Giraud [a66.]

Andnbon'a Oriole.

Hab. Central and Northern Mexico, north to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texat.

This large and beautiful Oriole is found in the United States in
the Lower Rio Grande Valley, from thence southward. Dr. Merrill
found it in moderate abundance about Fort Brown, where it is the
only resident species. Its usual song is a prolonged and repeated
whistle of extraordinary mellowness and sweetness, each note varying
in pitch from the preceding. It is shy, and remains in the deep woods
during the breeding season.

At Lomita, on the Rio Grande, Mr. George B. Sennett found two
nests with incomplete sets of eggs early in May. At Hidalgo a set of
four was taken. The three nests were found in heavy timber, some
ten or twelve feet from the ground, are half-pensile, something like
those of the Orchard and Bullock's Orioles, and attached to upright
terminal branches. They are composed of dried grasses woven among
the growing twigs and leaves so as to form a matting light and firm.
They measure on the inside some three inches in depth and rather
more in width. The eggs Mr. Sennett describes as being peculiar, re-
sembling those of no other found in that region. The ground-
color is white, covered with fine flecks of brown, giving the egg the
appearance of being covered with dust. Over these flecks, and prin-
cipally at the larger end, are irregular stains and splashes of deeper
brown, sometimes mixed with lilac, on which are coarse dark brown
or black hieroglyphics. Some have more and larger splashes th; i
others, but none are free from liie dark, grotesque lines peculiar to the
eggs of this family. In shape they are less pointed, and in size smaller
to size of bird, than those of other Orioles. The shells are very ten-
der. Nine specimens average in size .97X.71, the largest being i.oox
.72, and the smallest .96X.67.*

504. Icterus parisorum Bonap. [268.]

Scott's Oriole.

Hab. Central Mexico, north to sovthern border of the United States— Texas to Arizona. Lower
California.

Scott's, Paris or Black-and-yellow Oriole, as it is variously called,
is found more or less abundantly in all suitable localities of Southern
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. On May 4, 1885, Mr. W. E. D. Scott
found a nest of this species containing two fresh eggs, in Pinal county,
Arizona. During the summer of 1884 he found five nests in the same
region, between May 24 and July i. All except one were placed in
yucca plants, about four . feet from the ground, and situated not far

* Further Notes on the Ornithology of the Lower Rio Grande of Texai.

ill

:rr:

mfmm^mmrm

'll'l!'

*il

Ill 11 -
(III , i I I

278

NESTS AND KGGS OF

from water. Several were sewed to the edge of dead leaves, which,
hanging down parallel to the trunks of the plant, entirely concealed
the nest. These were semi-pensile, and composed externally of fibres
of the yucca, fine grasses, cotton-waste, twine and batting, lined with
fine grasses and cotton-waste throughout. A fifth nest, taken July i,
was built in a sycamore tree about eighteen feet from the ground.
Pensile, being attached to the ends of the twigs very much like that of
a Baltimore Oriole.

The nests contained three and four eggs each. The sizes of one
set of four, taken May 27, are given as follows : .96 x .68, .98 x .66,
.92 X .68, .96 X .68 ; another set of four, taken May 30, exhibit the fol-
lowing respective measurements : i.oi x ,72, 1.02 x .70, .97 x .70, 1.02 x
.73. The eggs are usually four in number, of a dull white, with a
bluish tint variously marked with small blotches and fine dottings of
purplish-brown, approaching black; in some are found the zigzag
markings common to the eggs of the Orioles. '

505. Icterus cuculjatus Swains. [269.]

Hooded Oriole.

Hab. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas, south through Eastern and Southern Mexico,

According to Dr. James C. Merrill and Mr. George B. Sennett,
this is the most abundant of all the Orioles on the Lower Rio Grande
in Texas. Its home is in the woods or the edges of forests and groves,
where the trees are hung with pendant tresses of Spanish moss, in
which the nests are built. These, Dr. Merrill says, are perfectly char-
acteristic, being most frequently built in a bunch of the hanging moss,
usually at no great distance from the ground; when so placed, the
nests are formed almost entirely by hollowing out and matting
together the moss with a few filaments of dark, hair-like moss as a
lining. Another situation is in a bush growing to a height of about
six feet, with bare stems, throwing out irregular masses of leaves at
the top which conceal the nest. A few pairs build in the Spanish bay-
onets that grow on sand ridges in the salt prairies ; here the nests are
built chiefly of the dry, tough fibres of the plant, with a little wool or
thistle-down as lining ; they are placed among the dead and depressed
leaves, two or three of which are used as supports.

The eggs are three to five in number, white, with a bluish tinge,
or buff, marked with hieroglyphics and pencilings common to the eggs
of this family, but not so abundant. These markings are usually
brown, but, when profuse, black and lilac shades appear. The larger
end is never free from markings, and is frequently covered with them,
but more commonly displays them in the form of a band. Dr. Merrill

5«3iiw

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

279

aves, which,
ly concealed
lily of fibres
:, lined with
iken July I,
the ground,
like that of

sizes of one
'8, .98X.66,
bit the fol-
c .70, 1.02 X
lite, with a
dottings of
the zigzag

rn Mexico.

3. Sennett,
^io Grande
nd groves,
1 moss, in
ectly char-
ging moss,
laced, the
I matting
moss as a
t of about
leaves at
mish bay-
nests are
e wool or
depressed

ish tinge,
the eggs

usually
he larger
ith them,

Merrill

says some sets are precisely like large Vireo's eggs. Mr. Sennett gives
the average size, taken from a large series, as .86 x .60.

505a. Icterus cucuUatus nelsoni Ridgw.

Arlaona Hooded Oriole.

Hab. Southern Arizona nnd Californin, south into Western Mexico and Lower California.

This variety of the Hooded Oriole is a common breeding bird in
Southern Arizona and California. Prof. B. W. Evermann found it
nesting quite numerously as far north as San Buenventura, California,
and states that it has been found breeding at Santa Barbara, thirty
miles farther up the coast, though not so commonly as in Ventura
county. The first full set of eggs was taken May i ; the average num-
ber to a set in that region is five. The nests were generally suspended
in sycamores, often in live-oaks, ranp;ing from five to fifteen feet from
the ground. They are composed jf grass picked while yet green, so
that the nest is usually of a bright straw-color.

Mr. R. B. Herron found this bird breeding at San Gorgonia Pass,
California, in the months of May and June, 1883 ; the nests were placed
in sycamores, ranging from ten to twenty feet above the ground. In
Southern Arizona it was found breeding abundantly by Mr. W. E.
D. Scott, in May, June and July, rearing two, not infrequently three
broods in a season ; a new home is built for each brood. The nests
were built in cottonwoods, ash and sycamores, from twelve to forty-
five feet above the ground ; they were also built in the mistletoe that
grows plentifully on the mesquite trees in the region about Tucson.
The nests were exceedingly variable in their appearance, composition
and manner of attachment to the trees — some were truly pensile, like
those of the Baltimore Oriole, others were more like those of the
Orchard Oriole, and one rested on a stout twig and could hardly be
regarded as a hanging nest at all. The external materials were coarse
dry or green grasses and yucca fibres ; the linings were the same, but
finer, and in some instances horse-hairs and cotton-waste. In these
nests Mr. Scott found three or four eggs.

The eggs vary somewhat in shape, some being obtuse and more
spherical, others more pointed and oblong. They have a beautiful
white ground, sometimes tinged with bluish, marbled, blotched and
dotted with large dashes and irregular zigzag lines of purple, brown
and black, chiefly at the larger end. A complement of four typical
eggs, collected by Prof. Evermann near Santa Paula, California, April
13, 1881, measure as follows: .94X.66, .94 x. 64,*". 92 x. 63, .89X.63.
Four sets of four eggs each, collected by Mr. Herron, are before me.
A set taken June 10, 1883, exhibit the following dimensions: .79X.63,

1 1

'■ 'I

III!

hf'i

280

NESTS AND EGOS OP

;|il!i' ^

ilii;'

■ i

.78X.63, .80X.62, .84X.62. A common size is .84X.64, and the aver-
age of sixteen specimens is .88 x .62.

506. Icterus spurlus (Linn.) [370.]

Orohard Oriole.

Hab. Eaatern United States, weat to the Oreat Plains, south in winter to Panama.

An abundant species in Eastern United States during the breed-
ing season, which is in May and June. The male is of a chocolate and
black color ; the female is smaller than the male, and of a yellowish-
olive. Orchards and groves are its favorite resorts, and two broods are
frequently reared in a season. The nest is rarely found in a large tree
or in dense woods, and the distance from the ground is from five to
twenty feet, usually about ten. It is a handsome, substantial basket
or purse-like structure, woven of fresh blades of grass and lined
with feathers. The grasses soon become bleached, and long retain
their pea-green color, giving to the nest a beautiful appearance. Its
greenness often makes it difficult to detect in the foliage. Double nests
of the Orchard Oriole are occasionally met with. A specimen is in
my collection, sent me from Texas by Mr, Singley.

The eggs range from four to six, usually five. They have a
bluish ground ; the markings consist of spots, specks, a few large
blotches, irregular and zigzag lines of various shades of brown, chiefly
about the crown ; there are also deep shell-marks of a purplish. In a
large series of eggs the variation in size is considerable, measuring as
they do from .70 to .86 long by .50 to .62 broad.

507. Icterus galbula (Linn.) [271.]

Baltimore Oriole.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to New England, Ontario and the Saskatchewan country, west
nearly to the Rocky Mountains, south through Eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama.

Known as the Golden Robin, Firebird and Hangnest. A common
species in Eastern United States where, on account of its handsome
dress, the peculiarity of its nest and its loud and rather melancholy
whistle, it is well known. Its nest is a masterpiece of workmanship,
which, with its bill, it weaves and suspends like a hammock frnn the
drooping bough of an elm or sycamore, in dense foliage. The nest
is pensile and nearly a cylindrical pouch, suspended from the extrem-
ity of a branch. The distance from the ground varies from four to
seventy feet. Any substance combining the proper length, thickness
and strength is used in the construction of its nest, consequently the
materials depend to a great extent upon the locality — long grasses,
strips of bark, vegetable fibres, yarns, wrapping twine, horse and cow
hairs, rags, paper and other substances that are readily accessible.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

281

and the aver-

g the breed-
hocolate and
a yellowish-
o broods are
a large tree
from five to
ntial basket
and lined
long retain
irance. Its
ouble nests
^imen is in

ey have a
few large
ivn, chiefly
ish. In a
asuring as

country, west
m.

common
landsome
:lancholy
tnanship,
fr'^m the
'he nest
extrem-
four to
lickness
atly the
grasses,
nd cow
essible.

The nest represented in our illustration is taken from a typical speci-
men which I took from the branches of a sycamore in Franklin
county, Ohio, May 23, 1884 ; other specimens in my collection are not
so elaborately made.

The number of eggs laid ranges from four to six. The ground-color
is white, with a slight roseate tinge when fresh, fading into a bluish
tint when blown, marked with blotches, lines, scrawls, and the usual
hieroglyphics common to eggs of this genus, irregularly distributed
over the surface, usually thickest about the larger end, forming a
wreath. Mr. Norris has two sets of this species' eggs that are entirely
unmarked. A set of five measure, respectively, .82 x .62, .80 x .62,
.78X.60, .84X.64, .87X.63; another set, four in number, i.oox.64, 1.04
x.64, .98X.64, 1.08 X. 67. A common size of the Baltimore Oriole's
egg is .92 X .62.

508. Icterus bullocki (Swains.) [272.]

Bnllook'a Oriole.

Hab. Western United States east to and including the Rocky Mountains, south in winter to Mexico.

This is the western counterpart of the Baltimore from the Central
Plains to the Pacific. The nests and eggs of the two species are
hardly distinguishable. Mr. Shields says that Bullock's Oriole is not
a common summer resident of Los Angeles county, California, and
it begins building about May i. Twenty sets, consisting of four and
five eggs respectively, collected by Mr. R. B. Herron, in the latter part
of May and first of June, at San Gorgonia Pass, California, are before
me. In comparing them with a large series of /. galbtda^ the only
difference, apparently, is that the ground-color of those of Imllocki is
of a paler and clearer bluish tint, upon which the markings stand
out in bolder contrast.* The average size of fifteen specimens is
.94X.62. The sizes of an average set of four are .89 x.64, •93X.66,
.93X.66, .89X.65.

509. Scolecophagus carolinus (Mull.) [273.]

Rusty Blackbird.

Hab. Eastern and Northern North America, west to Alaska and the Great Plains. Breeds from
Northern United States northward.

The Rusty Crackle or Thrush Blackbird is only a migratory
species in most of the United States, and is only seen in small flocks
in the spring and fall during its passages north and south. Breeds
from the northern States northward. Mr. Ernest E. Thompson states
that it is an abundant migrant in Western Manitoba, and breeds com-

* A set of five eggs in this series, taken June 8, seems to be unique in their ground-color and markings.
They are yellowish-buff, with a homogeneous mass of regular and irregular concentric rings about the larger
ends, mingled with a few spots, blotches and bold streaks. These are of a rich reddish-brown, varying in in-
tensity, even approaching black. There are also underlying circles and spots of purple. Their sizes are
.87 X .65, .88 X .60, .92 X .66, .93 x .64, .96 x .66.

,11

282

NESTS AND EGGS OF

monly about Big Plain and Winnipeg, building the nest on the ground
of hair and fibres, much like that of a Savanna Sparrow on a large
scale, and not necessarily near water.

A nest was found June 24 near St. John, N. B., by James W.
Banks ; it contained two young and two eggs. The nest was placed
in the upper brahches of a spruce, twenty-eight feet from the ground.
It was bulky and large for the size of the bird, composed chiefly of
honeysijckle vines and mixed with mud, forming a solid mass. The
smaller qf the two eggs measured 1.09 x. 76. The eggs are described
as varying from a grayish to a light green, very thickly covered with
blotches and dotting? of purplish and reddish-brown, without streaks
and lines; usually four in number, varying much in llie character
of their markings. The variations are. as great as are those in the eggs
of the next species. The number laid is said to range from four to
seven with an average size of i.oox.76.

510. Scolecophagus cyanocephalus (Wagl.) [274.]

Breiirer's Blackbird.

Hab. Western North America, from the Great Plains to the Pacific, north to the Saskatchewan, south
to the table-lands of Mexico.

The Blue-headed Grackle is an abundant species throughout the
West, breeding in all suitable localities. In California it breeds in im-
mense colonies. Mr. Shields states that in Los Angeles county it be-
gins nesang about May i. The usual number of eggs laid is five,
sometimes six, and even eight.

The nest is built in any suitable place — in the fork of a large bush
or live-oak tree and in garden evergreens, at a height of twenty or
thirty feet. It is large and bulky, and constructed externally of a
rough frame of twigs, with a layer of mud, lined with fine root-
lets, grasses, horse and cow hairs. As many as a dozen nests have
been found in a single cypress tree. All the nests found by Mr. Bry-
ant near Carson, Nevada, were ".pon the ground, usually on the edge
of a bank formed by an irrigating ditch, with the exception of one,
which was built two feet from the ground upon dry tule and well hiddden
by the growing stems. In a large series of eggs extreme variations will
be found in the shape, color and size. They are of a dull greenish-white
or gray, with numerous streaks and blotches of dark brown ; in some the
markings are very large and of a lighter shade, in others smaller, but
so numerous as to conceal the ground-color. Ten eggs measure :
.96X.71; .93X.77; 1.02 x. 70; i.oix,76; 1.03 x. 68; i.oox.73; 1.05 x
.75; 1.06 x. 78; 1.07 x. 73; 1.09 X. 73.

"'-*^-*.-«i

»£'

lAh

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

283

tchewan, soutk

511. Quiscalus quiscula (Linn) [278.]

Pmrple Oraolde.

Hab. Atlantic coast of the United States (except Southera Florida), north to Massachusetts.

A well-known and an abundant species of the Atlantic coast, and
commonly called Crow Blackbird. Its nest is built in trees of almost
any kind, usually, however, those of thick foliage, and by preference
coniferous trees. It is generally placed on the boughs, but sometimes
in cavities, and quite often in hollow stubs in low trees near water. In
secluded places the nest is not infrequently built in bushes. It is a
loose, bulky affair of twigs, hay and grasses which are often cemented
with mud. The eggs are four to six in number, and they present great
variations in size and color. They are light greenish-white, with large
dashes and irregular streaks of black and brown, in oome chiefly at
the larger end ; in others the ground-color is of a rusty -brown ; these
are marked chiefly about the larger eud with cloudy blotches of the
same color. The average size is 1.18X.84.

511d!, Quiscalus quiscula aglseus (Baird.) [278a].

Florida Graokle.

Hab. Chiefly southern portion of Florida, west along the Gulf coast to Louisiana.

This is a slightly smaller race of the Crow Blackbird than the
preceding. Eggs in my cabinet collected in the vicinity of Charlotte
Harbor, Florida, do not differ in size or coloration from those of quiscula
or ceneus. The nesting season is in April, May, and June.

IWb.

[278^.]

Quiscalus quiscula SBueus (Ridgw.)

Bronsed Graokle.

Hab. liJtstern North America, from the Alleghanies and New England north to Hudson Bay, west to
the Rocky Mountains.

The Bronzed Crow Blackbird is a very common species every
where in its range. It begins nesting in favorable seasons as early as
the middle of March, and by the latter part of April many of the nests
are finished and incubation has begun. Other nest? may not be com-
pleted until sometime in May. It nests anywhere in trees or bushes,
on boughs or in hollow limbs or stumps at any height. A clump of
evergreen trees in a lonely spot is a fav'orite site ; often large colonies
will nest in such places ; and it is also found breeding especially
abundant in sycamore groves along streams and in oak woodland. A
number of pairs will often find suitable nesting places in the trees of
quiet orchards. The nest is a coarse, bulky structure, composed of
grasses, knotty roots mixed with mud ; the lining is fine, dry grass,
horse hair or sheep's wool.

The eggs are light greenish or smoky-blue, with irregular lines,
dots, blotches and scrawls distributed over the surface ; there is just as

■

'■■■ (:
\

■ 1? I

•

I 'Mi

!■•

;r|lt-r|

7"n

'.it

Mi! I

284

NESTS AND EGGS OF

much variation in the eggs of this species as is found in those oi pur-
pureus^ of the Atlantic coast. The number laid ranges from four to
six, although on the 15th of May 1888, I found two nests containing
seven each. The average size of ten specimens is 1.20X.82.

512. Quiscalus macrourus Swains. [275.]

Gh*eat-talled Graokle.

Hab. Southern Texas, south through eastern Mexico to Central America.

Called the Fan-tailed Crow Blackbird or Texas Grackle. It is an
abundant bird in southern Texas. Concerning its nesting Dr. Merrill
says: "Early in April, after several weeks of noisy courtship, they
begin to build in irregular colonies, and by the middle of the month
have eggs. The nests are perhaps most frequently placed near the top
of one of the main upright branches of a young mesquite-tree. They
are strongly built of straws, leaves and grasses, mud being used freely.
Where Spanish moss is plentiful, the nests are sometimes composed
entirely of it ; and I have found them among tule-reeds, where several
species of Herons were breeding. I have also found their nests either
supported by the lower part of the nest of the Caracara Eagle, or in
the same tree."

The eggs are usually three in number, although Mr.lienners found
many sets in Texas of four and five. They vary greatly in appearance ;
the ground color is usually a greenish-white or purplish -brown, more or
less heavily spotted and dashed with several shades of brown. The
markings are apt to be heavier at the smaller end. By this peculiarity
they can usually be distinguished from those of Q. major. The average
size of forty-five eggs is 1.26 x. 85; largest 1.44X.91; smallest 1. 16 x. 82.

513 Quiscalus major Vieill. [277.]

Boat-tailed Graokle. >

Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States, north to Virginia, West to Texas.

Along the coast of the States that border on the Atlantic and the
Gulf of Mexico, from the Carolinas to the Rio Grande, the Boat-tailed
Crow Blackbird is an abundant species. It is known as the Jackdaw.
Breeds in colonies in reeds and rushes in the midst of swamps, or any-
where in trees, often a considerable distance from water, and the nests
are also placed in bushes or upon trees at heights varying from twenty
to forty feet. It iL> large and clumsy, made of coarse materials: sticks,
dry grasses, weeds, strips of bark, lined with finer stems, fibrous roots,
and grasses. The nesting time is in April, May, and in June, according
to locality. Three or four eggs are laid, of a brownish-drab ; some
tinged with olive, others with green ; they are marked with irregular
blotches of brown and black. Ten eggs measure : 1.20X.90; 1.21X.86;

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

286

those oi pur-
from four to
ts containing
82.

^le. It is an
Z Dr. Merrill
iirtship, they
f the month
near the top
tree. They
used freely,
s composed
here several
nests either
3agle, or in

nners found
ppearauce ;
vn, more or
own. The
peculiarity
*he average
1 1.16X.82.

:ic and the
3oat-tailed
Jackdaw.
>s, or any-
! the nests
'Oi twenty
Is: sticks,
ous roots,
according
b ; some
irregular
C.21X.86;

1.23 X. 87; 1. 27 X. 89; 1. 26 X. 89; 1. 27 X. 81; 1.24 X. 84; 1.30 X. 91; 1.29
X.84; 1.28X.90. The average size is 1.24 X .81.

514 Coccothraustes vespertina (Coop.) [165.]

Evening Oroabeak.

Hab. Western North America, north to the Fur Countries ; eastward, irregularly in winter to Michigan,
Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa; casually to Ohio and Ontario, south into Mexico.

This handsome bird is not uncommon in varioiis portions of western
North America, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. It is a
common resident of the forests of Washington Territory, and also of
Oregon. In the latter region Dr. Merrill observed the birds carrying
building material to a huge fir tree, but was unable to locate the nest,
and the tree was practically inaccessible. Mr. Walter E. Bryant
was the first to record an authentic nest and eggs of the Evening
Grosbeak. In a paper read before the California Academy of Sciences,
June 20, 1887, he describes a nest of this species containing four eggs,
found by Mr. E. H. Fiske, in Yolo county, California. The nest was
taken May 10, 1886, but the eggs could not be preserved, as incu-
bation was so far advanced. In general shape, color, and markings,
they were similar to the eggs of the Black-headed Grosbeak, but in
size, Mr. Fiske thinks, they were somewhat larger. The nest was
built in a small live oak, at a height of ten feet, and was a more pre-
tentious structure than is usually built by the Black-headed Grosbeak,
being composed of small twigs supporting a thin layer of fibrous bark
and a lining of horse hair.

June 5, 1884, Mr. John Swinburne found a nest of the Evening
Grosbeak in a thickly wooded canon, about fifteen miles west of
Spriugerville, Apadie county, Arizona. The nest was placed about
fifteen feet from the ground, in the top of a small willow bush, on the
border of a stream. It was a comparatively slight structure, rather
flat, and composed of small sticks and roots, lined with finer portions of
the latter. This nest contained three fresh eggs of a clear greenish-
ground color, blotched with pale brown.

This is all the information we have at present regarding the nests
and eggs of the Evening Grosbeak.

515 Pinicola enucleator canadensis (Cab.) [166.]

American Pine Grosbeak.

Hab. Northern North America in general. Breeds from northern New England, Labrador, etc., to
Alaska, (except the coast south of the peninsula), and south in the higher Rocky Mountain regions to Col-
orado and Utah; in winter south to Northern United States.

This large, handsome Grosbeak is resident in Northern New Eng-
land, elsewhere in the Northern and Eastern States it is a winter
migrant. Mr. Boardman found a nest with two eggs in it at Calais,
Maine, supposed to belong to this species. Dr. Coues found it breeding

n i

I ' fX

i/tr-l

286

NESTS AND EGGS OP

on the coast of Labrador. Mr. Trippe met with the Pine Bulfinch in
Colorado, living up near timber line, and observed young birds fully
fledged in June. Mr. Mcllwraith thinks that it is highly probable
that this species may yet be found breeding in Ontario.

The bird, according to Dr. Cones, inhabits chiefly coniferous woods
in flocks when not breeding, feeding upon the fruit of such trees. "A
fine musician, of amiable disposition and gentle manners, often caged.
Nest composed of a basement of twigs and rootlets, within which is a
more compact fabric of finer materials ; eggs usually four, pale greenish-
blue, spotted and blotched with dark brown surface markings and lilac
shell-spots ; 1.05 x .74."

517 Caryodacus purpureus (Gmel.) [x68.]

Purple Finoh.

Hab. Eastern North America. Breeds from northern United States northward.

Called Purple Grosbeak, Crimson Finch or Linnet. It is found
breeding regularly in the northern tier of States — Dakota, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Michigan, etc., northward, and is said to have been found
nesting in northern Illinois. An abundant bird in New England,
where its sweet song, bright colors and sociable disposition have made
it a favorite bird. It nests in May and June. The Rev. J. H. Langille
states that he has found it nowhere so abundant as in Nova Scotia.

The nest is usually placed in evergreens or orchard trees, at a
moderate distance from the ground. It is composed of weed-stalks,
bark-strips, rootlets, grasses, all kinds of vegetable fibres, and lined
with hairs. The nests and eggs remind one of the Chipping Spar-
row's on a large scale.

The eggs are of a dull green, spotted with very dark brown,
chiefly about the greater end ; four or five in number, and measure
.85 X. 65.

517rt. Carpodacus purpureus californicus Baird. [ i68a.]

California Pnrple Finoh.

Hab. Pacific coast of the United States, fro.n British Columbia south to Southern California.

The California Purple Finch is a common bird throughout its
range. Mr. William A. Cooper notes it as abundant around Santa
Cruz, California. He states that it is a most destructive bird, visiting
orchards and destroying young buds, blossoms, and fruit. It retires to
the wooded river bottoms and hills to breed ; the favorite situations for
the nest are the tops of tall willows, alders, trees covered with climb-
ing ivy, and horizontal branches of redwoods. The nests are usually
placed at a considerable distance from the ground; one was found
placed in the horizontal branches of an apple tree ; the composition
of the nests consist of stems and vegetable fibres for the frame-work,

..A.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

287

e Bulfinch in
? birds fully
hly probable

ferous woods
h trees. "A
often caged.
Q which is a
lie greenish-
gs and lilac

It is found
Minnesota,
been found
' England,
have made
I. I^angille
5Cotia.
rees, at a
ied-stalks,
and lined
ing Spar-

^ brown,
measure

rnia.

hout its
i Santa
visiting
etires to
ions for
I climb-
usually
i found
•osition
;-work,

which is generally loosely put together ; the inner portions are of finer
material of the same, lined with wool or a few hairs.

The eggs are four or five in number; they are of a bluish-green
or light emerald-green, marked with spots of brown and dull purple,
chiefly around the larger end ; in some specimens they form a confluent
ring ; others are spotted over the entire surface, but less abundantly
than at the end. Mr. Cooper gives the sizes of a set of four taken
May 2, as .83 x .57, .81 x .56, .81 x .56, .80 x .54 ; another set, taken May
3, give the following mtasurements : .75 x .55, .73 x .56, .72 x .56,
.71X.57.*

A set of four eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet were collected June 14,
1888, near Salem, Oregon. The nest was made of grass and small
twigs, lined with hair, and was situated in a small maple tree, thirty
feet from the ground. The eggs are bluish-green, speckled and
spotted with olive. They measure .84 x .57, .83 x .57, .83 x .57, .86 x .56.

518. Carpodacus cassini Baird. [169.]

Cassln'a Purple Flnoh.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, north to British Columbia,
south over the highlands of Mexico.

A common bird in Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Eastern Califor-
nia. Its general habits, nesting and eggs are very similar to those of
the Purple Finch of the East. The nest is found in various situations,
box-alder bushes, the tops of cottonwood, aspen and pine trees. It is
composed principally of roots and twigs, lined with softer material of
the same, together with moss and cotton.

The eggs are usually four in number, and a typical specimen is
oval in shape, pointed at the smaller end. The color is light bluish-
green, dotted around the larger end with slate, lilac and blackish-
brown. The average size is .84 x .62.

519. Carpodacus mexicanus frontalis (Say) [170,170a.]

Honae Finoli.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to Pacific coast (chiefly south of 40° in the
interior), and south through Western nd Central Mexico to Colima and Guanajuato, Lower California.

(Ridcw.)

This bird is known as the Red-headed Linnet or Burion. We also
include under this head the supposed race C. frontalis rhodocoipus
(Cab.)t It is a very common bird in the interior region of the United
States, from Nevada, Utah and Colorado southward, and is also abund-
ant on the Pacific coast. Mr. Shields mentions this as one of the best

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club. Ill, pp. 8-10.

t No 519a, Crimson House Finch, of the A. O. U. Check List, which Prof. Ridgway believes to be
untenable — for further detiils see Manual of North American Birds, p. 891.

> I- i

til

\\\

1 !,!:

(■;!'■
f m

i i

iiii

288

NESTS AND EGGS OP

l,ii;; ill;;

known birds of Southern California. Prof. Evermann found it to be
by far the most common bird of Ventura county, and obtained the first
full complement of eggs early in April. The bird will place its nest
anywhere, from the limb of any tree to the side of a haystack or a tin
can on a porch. It is made of anything that the bird happens to find
handy — grasses, straws, roots, etc., and the nest of an Oriole or Cliff
Swallow is often occupied.

Mr. Shields states that in Los Angeles county, California, this
species begins nesting in the first part of April, and eggs may be found
from that time into the first of July. Two, and sor^.e times three
broods are reared in a season. The eggs are four or five, usually five
in number ; their color is of a pale bluish or, as some would call it,
pale greenish-blue, sparsely marked with spots, specks and lines of
very dark brown or black, chiefly around the larger end. Some speci-
mens before me are tmmarked. An average set of five eggs offer the
following measurements : .82X.57, .85X.54, .84X.55, .83X.54, .82X.52.
The average of twenty specimens is .82 x .58.

520. Carpodacus ampins Ridgw. [171.]

Onadalnpe House Flnohi

Hsib. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

This darker colored House Finch was found to be quite common
on Guadalupe Island, by Mr. Bryant, when he visited that place in
1885. The species did not differ in its habits or song from frontalis.
February 22 two nests were found in cypress trees nearly completed,
and one with five eggs was taken March i. The last nest taken was
on April 7, and contained five eggs with small embryos in them.
Nearly all the nests were placed on the branches of cypress trees ; the
birds seemed to show a preference for the leeward side, where the nest
would be protected from prevailing winds. One pair built in a clump of
mistletoe at a height of twenty feet ; others built in the tops of palms.
The materials used were the finer dead stems of weeds ; in one nest
the foundation and sides were made of pine needles. The lining was
invariably of goat's hair. The eggs, sometimes four in number, but
oftener five, during the early part of the season, are colored precisely
like the average specimen of CM. frontalis^ the spots being either spar-
ingly applied or entirely wanting. They also resemble them in gen-
eral shape, but the size serves to distinguish them. Five eggs in one
set measure 22x15, 22x15.5, 22.5x15.5, 23x15.5, 23x16.5 mm.*
The length measurement varies from 19.5-24 mm., and the width 15-
16.5 mm. The average size of thirty-two specimens is 21.3 x 15.5 mm.f

♦ .87x .59, .87 X .61, .89 x .61, .91 x .61, .91 x .65.

t .77 to .94 in length by .59 to .65 in braadth ; average .Six .61.

^;^m

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

289

und it to be
ined the first
lace its nest
ack or a tin
)pens to find
iole or Cliflf

ifornia, this
lay be found
times three
usually five
ould call it,
md lines of
Some speci-
:gs offer the
54, .82X.52.

te common
it place in

frontalis.

completed,

taken was

in them,
trees; the
•e the nest
a clump of
of palms,
a one nest
ining was
mber, but

precisely
ther spar-
tn in gen-
ius in one
).5 mm.*
vidth 15-
5.5 mm.f

521. Loxia curvirostra mlDor (Brehm.) [172.]

Anterloan Croaablll.

Hab. North America in general, but chiefly the northern portion and east of the Plains; resident
sparingly southward in the Eastern United States to Maryland and Virginia near the coast, and to Northern
Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky in the mountains,

A curious bird, whose home is in boreal regions ; and at times,
even during the season of reproduction, straggles far southward. The
American Red Crossbill is known to breed in Northern New England,
and from thence northward. Breeds sporadically in mountainous re-
gions south as far as New York, Pennsylvania, Central Maryland, Vir-
ginia, Northern Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. It may be found
breeding where least expected. The nesting time is usually in Febru-
ary and March, while the snow is yet on the ground.

In the Lower Hudson Valley, Mr. Eugene P Bicknell found a nest
of this species on the 30th of April, containing three eggs. The nest
was placed in a cedar of rather scanty foliage, about eighteen feet from
the ground, and was without any main support, being built in a mass
of small, tangled twigs. The composition externally was of spruce
twigs, loosely arranged ; the main body of the structure was a mass of
matted shreds of cedar bark, while the inside was felted by finer
material, and lined with horse-hair, fine rootlets, grass stems, pieces of
string and two or three feathers. The structure also contained small
pieces of moss, leaves, grass, string, cottony substances, and the green
foliage of cedar.*

The eggs are three or four in number, usually four. Mr. Bick-
nell gives the sizes of the three eggs which this nest contained as
.74X.56, .75X.58, .78X.59 respectively. The color of the eggs is pale
greenish, spotted and dotted about the larger end with various shades
of brown and lavender shell-markings; average size .75X.57.

522. Loxia leucoptera Gmel. [173.]

'White-winged Croesbill.

Hab. Northern North America, south into the United States in winter to or beyond 40°. Breeds ifOm
Northern New England and higher Rocky Mountains northward.

This is not so common a species as the Red Crossbill, although
they are both frequently found associated in deep evergreen woods.
The White-winged Crossbill is resident in Northern New England, and
from the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana
northward. It is possessed of the same uncertain and erratic disposition
as L. c. minor ^ and its movements are not to be relied upon ; for this
reason, it is likely to be found breeding in suitable places in any of the
northern tier of States. It breeds in winter or early spring, and the
nesting is said to be like that of the Red Crossbill. The eggs are de-

'^ For full account of this nest and the eggs, see Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, Vol. V, pp. 7-U.

ill! if
I til

it 'if

I '!

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290

NESTS AND EGGS OP

scribed as pale blue ; the larger end rather thickly spattered with fine
dots of black and ashy-lilac ; the size .80 x . 56. They are said to resemble
those of the Purple Finch.

[174.]

Hab.

Kadiak.

523. Leucosticte griseonncha (Brandt.)

Aleutian Iienoostiote.

Aleutian and Prybilof Islands, Alaska; west to Commander Islands, Kamtschatka, east to

The Aleutian Rosy Finch is the largest of the species of this genus
known to inhabit North America. It is found in abundance on the
Prybilof and other Aleutian Islands. Dr. Stejneger states that on
Bering Island it cannot be said to be numerous, except perhaps in a
few places where the localities are favorable. Copper Island, being one
mass of rugged and cracked rocks and cliffs, with steep, often quite
perpendicular walls jutting up straight out of the ocean, is the favorite
haunt of these stone-loving birds, which may be said to be fairly com-
mon on that island, occurring in pairs around the whole isle during the
breeding season. In the latter half of June he found parents feeding
their young, and full-fledged young were taken July 7. Many pairs
produce two broods in a year.

The nest of this species is made on the ground or among rocks,
and is very bulky, composed of a few straws and moss, lined with
feathers. The nests and eggs of others of this genus are not certainly
known, but probably resemble those of griseonucha.

The eggs are described as being pure white without markings,
three to six in number, usually four ; size .97 x .67.

527«. Acanthis hornemaniiii exilipes (Coues.) [178a.]

Hoary Redpoll.

Hab. Circumpolar continental regions; Arctic America.

The Hoary Redpoll Linnet inhabits the whole of boreal America,
and it is found in abundance from Alaska to the Atlantic coast, rarely
reaching the United States, and then only along the northern tier of
States in winter. It breeds in high latitudes, nesting in trees and bushes.

The nest is described as rather bulky, composed of small twigs.
Straws, etc., mixed and lined with feathers.

The eggs are two to five in number, of pale bluish-green, speckled
chiefly about the larger end, with reddish-brown, sometimes mixed with
a few black specks and lines. Prof. Ridgway gives the average size of
the eggs as .68 x .51.

528. Acanthis linaria (Linn.) [179.]

Redpoll.

Hab. Northern portions of Northern Hemisphere; in North America migrating south in winter to
ftbout 40o.

The Redpoll Linnet occurs in the United States as a winter

:red with fine
id to resemble

iamtschatka, east to

of this genus
dance on the
ates that on

perhaps in a
nd, being one
5, often quite
5 the favorite
e fairly com-
le during the
■ents feeding

Many pairs

mong rocks,
lined with
lot certainly

t markings,

al America,
oast, rarely
lern tier of
ind bushes,
mall twigs,

3, speckled
nixed with
age size of

th in winter to

a wmter

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

291

migrant. It comes south from its breeding grounds in high lati-
tudes, often in company with Pine Grosbeaks and Crossbills, but is
so erratic in its movements that its appearance cannot be relied upon.
It breeds occasionally in Northern New England; also in Nova Scotia,
Newfoundland, and commonly in Labrador and all the Fur Countries.
Dr. Stejneger says that this form of the Redpoll seems to be the common
breeding bird on the mainland of Kamtschatka, where he took a very
young specimen near Petropaulski on the 4th of July. He does not
think that this species breeds on the islands, as none were met with
from the end of May until the beginning of November.

The bird's general habits are very similar to those of the American
Goldfinch. The nest is built in trees and bushes, is bulky, made of
twigs and grasses, with generally a warm lining of feathers.

A set of six eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet were taken May 14, 1885,
near Loughboro, England. Their ground-color is bluish-green, speckled
chiefly at the larger ends with burnt umber ; sizes .62 x .49, .65 x .47,
.60 X .45, .62 X .49, .64 X .48, .64 x .47. The average size is .67 x .48.

Hab.

529. Spiinis tristis. (Linn.)

Amerloan Goldfinoli.

Whole of temperate North America, resident.

[181.]

Thistle-bird, Yellow-bird, Lettuce-bird, and " Wild Canary " are
the names commonly applied to this species. It is distributed through-
out North America generally, and breeds southward to the middle dis-
tricts. In the United States it is a well known bird ; its conspic-
uous bright colors, peculiar, undulating flight, and its plaintive, lisping
notes are familiar to even the casual observer.

It nests when most other birds are through breeding — in some
localities, however, as early as June 15, but usually in July, or when
the thistle-down begins to float on the breeze, in August and Septem-
ber. Exceptionally, nests with eggs have been found in May, The
nest is a beautiful, compact, felted mass of vegetable fibres, moss,
grasses, leaves, fine strips of bark, lined with plant down, and the nests
that are built late enough in the season usually have a thick lining of
thistle-down. It is placed in all kinds of trees and bushes, ranging
from three to forty feet above the ground. Willows, maples, and
orchard trees seems to be favorite nesting sites, and not infrequently
it is found built in the tops of thistle plants.*

<■ Mr. Walter E. Bryant records the following unusual nesting place of the American Goldfinch as ob-
served by Mr. A. M. Ingersoll, in California: " In 1884 a grove of young willows that had been occupied the
previous season by a colony of tri-colored blackbirds, was found deserted by them. Many of the blackbirds'
nests still remained in forks of the willows from four to ten feet above the marsh. Six of these old nests
were in possession of American Goldfinches. The present tenants had loosely filled the nests about one-half
full of cat-tail down, and had formed only a s'.ight hollow for the nest proper. Some were found with eggs,
and in others there were ' birds in last year's nests.' "

!. :f

l!92

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Some writers state that the ep^gs of the Goldfinch range from three
to five in number. This is not correct, at least in Ohio. The number
to a set varies from three to six. In the month of August and during
the first two weeks of September, 1888, Mr. Rudolph. A. L. Baker, and
myself collected twenty-nine nests with eggs of the Goldfinch. Out of
this number, eleven contained six eggs, ten contained five, five were of
four, and three were of three eggs each. Sets of five and six are
common. The color of the eggs is plain, pale bluish or greenish-
white, unspotted. Ten eggs measure .62 x .48, .61 x .49, .61 x .48, .62 x
.51, .63X.52, .65 X .52, .67x51, .67X.52, .66X.52, .67X.52. An average
specimen measures .65X.52.

530. Spinus psaltria (Say) [182]

Arkansas Goldflnoh.

Hab. Western United States from the Great Pl.iins to the Pacific, north on the coast to Oregon, in
the interior north to Colorado and Utah, southward to Sonora.

This species is also calL-d the Arkansaw Green-backed and Rocky
Mountain Goldfinch. It is an abundant bird in the West, nesting like
its Eastern cousin, the American Goldfinch, in trees and bushes. In
California it breeds from the latter part of April to the middle of July ;
May and June being the most general breeding months. Ten nests
containing four eggs each, collected by Mr. R. B. Herron, at San
Gorgonia Pass, California, in May and June, are in my cabinet. The
eggs are of the same color as those of ►S". tristis^ pale greenish-blue, but
are much smaller. The nests are also smaller — some of the more
elaborately built nests of tristis are almost double the size of those of
S, psaltria. Ten eggs measure .63X.46, .60X.45, .62X.41, .62X.42,
.59X.46, .63X.44, .63X.47, .63X.48, .64X.47, .63X.45; comparatively
little variation in size. Four eggs is the usual number laid, rarely five.

530«. Spinus psaltria arizonse (Coues.) [i82d!]

Arizona Goldflnoh.

Hab. Southwestern portion of the United States, North to Arizona and Colorado, East to Texas
and Mexico.

The general habits, nesting and eggs of this sub-species are
exactly the same as those of the Arkansas Goldfinch.

531. Spinus lawrencei (Cass.) [183.]

I<awreno»'B Goldfinch.

Hab. California, in winter sonthwestward to Arizona.

Lawrence's Goldfinch is a common bird in California where it breeds
in abundance, placing the nest usually near the extremity of the limb of
a live oak, where it is well concealed and hard to find. They nest in
April, May and June. Prof. Evermann says he found the first full set
of eggs in Ventura county, April 6. The nest is composed of wool,

2 from three
riie number
and during
Baker, and
ch. Out of
five were of
and six are
r green ish-
r X .48, ,62 X
An average

ast to Oregon, in

and Rocky
lesting like
)uslies. In
He of July;

Ten nests
pn, at San
net. The
h-blue, but

the more
jf those of
.62x42,
iparatively
rarely five.

East to Texas

jecies are

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

293

e it breeds
le limb of
ey nest in
st full set
of wool,

fine grasses, down and feathers, closely matted together and lined with
the long hair of the larger animals. They are often made entirely of
grasses. The latter is chiefly the composition of four nests before me
taken by Mr. Herron in May and June. The eggs are four or five in
number, and are pure white. Four typical eggs before me measure as
follows : .62 X .47, .64 X .45, .62 X .44, .62 X .48 ; a set of five collected at
San Gorgonia Pass, by Mr. Herron, June 22, 1883, offers the following
sizes ; .56 x .45, .58 x .45, .61 x .46, .62 x .46, .64 x .44.

533. Spinus pinus (Wn.s.) [185.]

Piue Siskin.

Hab. Northern North America, breeding from Northern United States northward; South in wintar
to Mexico.

The Pine Linnet, Pine PMnch, or American Siskin, breeds through-
out the British Provinces, Northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
New York, Michigan, thence to Oregon and Washington Territory, in
evergreen forests. Its breeding within the United States, however, is
by no means of common occurrence. It has been found nesting by Dr.
Merriam and others in New York and various New Kngland States.
^ Mr. J. A. Allen obtained a set of four eggs of this species at Cornwall-
on-Hudson, Orange county, New York, May 12, 1887. The nest .which
contained these eggs was placed in the extremity of an upper branch
of a Norway pine, about thirty-five feet from the ground.* Another
nest was found by Dr. A. K. Pisher, at Sing Sing, New York, on May
25. It was situated in the top of a red cedar, about twenty-four feet
from the ground and contained four nearly fresh eggs.f In both cases
the birds were observed carrying building material to the nests.

Captain B. F. Goss has a set of four eggs which was taken June
25, 1887, in Northern New York. The nest was placed near the top of
a birch tree, and was made of dry grasses and pine needles, with a lining
of feathers. The ground-color of the eggs is greenish-white, spotted
with various shades of brown ; one of the eggs of this set is quite
thickly spotted over the whole surface ; on another specimen the spots
are mostly confined to the larger end. The other two are faintly
marked, and one of them is almost immaculate. Their sizes are : .67 x
.45, .68x48, .67X.48, .69X.47. A set of three eggs in Mr. Norris' col-
lection was taken near Salem, Oregon, May 7, 1887. The female was
seen on the nest and the eggs were somewhat incubated. The nest is
a much flatter structure than that built by S. trisics, and was placed on
the branch of a fir tree, twenty-five feet from the ground. The eggs
are pale greenish-blue, faintly speckled near the larger ends with

« For full account of this nest and the eggs see The Auk, IV, pp. 284-286.
t Bull. Nutt Ornith. Club. VIII, pp. 180-181.

4- :

illP ! ?i|"

294

NESTS AND EGGS OF

cinnamon. They measure: .63x49, .54X.49, .53X.48, respectively.
Another set in the same cabinet, contains four eggs. The ground color
is similar to the set of three, but the spots are larger and darker. They
were taken in Maine.

* * Carduelis cardaella (Linn.)

Ooldflnoh.

Hab. Europe and Weitern Alia; introduced and naturalized in portioni of Eastern United Statei.

The European Goldfinch has been introduced and successfully
naturalized in various portions of Eastern United States, as in New
York, Hoboken, New Jersey, and in the vicinity of Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts, etc. In Central Park, New York city, it is considered a
common resident.

April 20, 1886, Mr. E. T. Adncy discovered two nests in Central
Park, one of which contained five fresh eggs. The nests were placed
in pine trees, among the tufts of long pine needles, near the end of a
slender horizontal limb, about twelve feet from the ground. The nest
of the European Goldfinch is a handsome, compact, cup-shaped struc-
ture, made of fine, soft grasses, vegetable fibres and mosses. It is
thick-walled and substantial, often built in bushes and various kinds of
trees. , The eggs are four to six in number of greenish-white, or light
greenish-blue, dotted with reddish-brown around the larger end. Their
average size is .72 x .50.

* * Passer domesticus (Linn )

European Honae Sparronr.

Hab. Europe, etc.; introduced into the United States with regrets.

The "rats of the air" were imported into this country about six-
teen years ago for the purpose of ridding our trees and shrubbery of
insect-pests. The species has proved a failure as an insectiverous gor-
mandizer, and by its force of numbers has compelled some of our native
and fondly-cherished birds, such as the Bluebird and Martin, to retreat
to their primitive abodes for nesting places — the cavities in forest
trees — and even there, they will doubtless, ere long, have to face this
sturdy foe.

The habits, nests and eggs of the House Sparrow are too well
known to require description. It is called English Sparrow, The
Sparrow, Philip Sparrow, Parasite, Tramp, Hoodlum, Gamin.

* * Passer montanus (Linn.)

European Tree Sparro'w.

Hab. Europe; naturalized about St. Louis and elsewhere.

This species looks very much like the European House Sparrow,
and it nests similar — in holes of trees, nooks and corners of isolated
buildings, etc. The eggs are four to six in number, similar to those of

nii.i J,— ).wpwrw*

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

296

respectively,
ground color
irker. They

trn United Statei.

successfully
, as in New
idge, Massa-
onsidered a

in Central
were placed
he end of a
The nest
aped struc-
ises. It is
us kinds of
te, or light
hd. Their

about six-
ubbery of
erous gor-
3ur native
to retreat
in forest
face this

too well
ow, The

Sparrow,
isolated
those of

P. domesiicus, but averaging " smaller and usually darker and redder."
The bird is thoroughly naturalized in the vicinity of St. Louis,
Missouri.

534. Plectrophenax nivalis (Linn.) [i86.]

Snowflak*.

Hab. Circumpolar regiona, except inlands of Berinj Sea; louth in winter to Northern United Stattt;
irregularly to Georgia, Southern Illinois, and Kansas.

This beautiful, white bird breeds in the high Arctic regions, only
visiting the Northern United States in winter in large flocks. It is
known as the Snow Bunting, and is beautifully called a " warm-
blooded Snowflake." Many a dreary winter landscape is made a
picturesque scene when thousands are seen in their flight drifting
before a storm.

The nest of this bird is placed on the ground, and is often hidden
by a tossock of grass or rock ; it is built of grass peculiar to the Arctic
regions, mixed with moss, is very substantial, with thick walls, and a
small, deep cavity, which is warmly lined with feathers.

Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs of this species, which was taken
in Iceland, May 30, 1882. The eggs were fresh, and are of a pale
greenish-white, speckled and spotted, most heavily near the larger ends,
with russet and lilac-gray. Their sizes are .84 x .61, .88X.67, .88x.6i,
.86 X .64. The ground-color in a large series is said to vary considerably —
from whitish to dull purplish or greenish tint, and the average size is
.91 X .64.

* * Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi Ridgw.

Pry bllof Snowflake.

Hab. Prybilof Islands, Alask:i, and Commander Islands, Kamtscbatka.

This new sub-species is doubtless the bird found breeding by Dr.
Stejneger on Bering and Copper Islands, in June and July. He states
that it is resident on the islands during the whole year. If the season
is open and otherwise favorable, the first eggs will be laid shortly after
the middle of May ; the young will be out in the beginning of June.
In July he found fresh eggs of a second brood. The smallest eggs in
the number taken measure .94X.69, .96X.67, .93X.73; the largest in
long diameter, 1.06.

536. Calcarius lapponicus (Linn.) [187.] :

Lapland Longspnr.

Hab. Arctic regions of both hemispheres; in North America south in winter to Northern United
States, sometimes as far as South Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Nevada, etc.

As its name indicates, this is a boreal bird, and in North America
its summer home is in the regions about Great Slave Lake, Mackenzie
River, and Alaska. In these places it breeds abundantly in May, June,
and July. In the United States it appears as a winter visitor, in flocks,

^ 1

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i
i

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i!^n

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290

NESTS AND EGGS OF

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'M " m

often associating with the Horned Lark and Snow Bunting, frequenting
the same fields. The nest of this species is described by Dr. Coues as
placed on the ground, under tussocks, in grassy hummocks. It is
built of mosses and fine, soft, dried grasses, and lined with a few large
feathers from some water- fowl.

The eggs, four to six in number, are rather pointed at the smaller
end, and are very dark colored, reminding one of the Titlark's ; the
color is a heavy clouding or thick mottling of chocolate-brown, through
which the greenish-gray ground is apparent ; .80 x .62.

537.

Hab.

Calcarius pictus (Swains.) [188.]

Smith's Longspnr.

Interior of Arctic America; south in winter over the Great Plains and prairies to Illinois and

Texas.

The Painted Longspur inhabits Arctic America, chiefly the Sas-
katchewan and the Mackenzie River Valleys, breeding as far north as
the Arctic coast and Upper Yukon Valley. It is a common bird on the
prairies of Minnesota, Dakota, Montana, etc., southward, associating
in the fall with the Chestnut-collared Longspur, but breeds mostly far-
ther north. Its nesting is like that of C. lappomcus.

The eggs, four or five in number, are light clay color, marked with
obscure blotches and lines, dots and blotches of dark purplish-brown ;
they havv"^ the same average size as those of lapponiais ., but are colored
more like the eggs of the next species.

538. Calcarius ornatus (Towns.) [189,]

Chestnnt'oollared Liongspnr«

Hab. Great Plains of the United States, north to the Saskatchewan; south in winter to Arizon:*, New
Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.

This bird is called the Black-shouldered > r White-tailed Longspun
It is one of the most abundant birds of the Western Plains — resident
in Middle and Northwestern Kansas, breeding north through Nebraska,
Dakota, Montana, etc., to high latitudes. A common but somewhat
local breeder in Manitoba. In Kansas it begins laying early in June.
The nest is placed on the ground on the high, open prairie, and is com-
posed wholly of mosses.

A set of three eggs in Mr. Norris' collection was taken near
Huron, Dakota, May 22, 1886. Incubation had commenced, and the
bird was observed on the nest, which was a hollow in the ground, lined
with fine grasi> .s. The eggs are pinkish-white, speckled with burnt
umber ; sizes, .78 x .56, .78 x .54, .78 x .57. A set of four eggs is in my
cabinet, which was taken in Becker county, Minnesota, where the
species is a common breeder. These eggs have a reddish-clay color,

.ss w: 'pm*-

frequenting

)r. Coues as

ocks. It is

a few large

the smaller
tlark's; the
vn, through

es to Illinois and

ly the Sas-
ar north as
bird on the
issociating
mostly far-

irked with
sh-brown ;
re colored

Arizona, New

ongspur.
-resident
Nebraska,
oniewhat
in June.
1 is com-

en near
and the
id, lined
h burnt
is in my
lere the
y color,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

297

marked with dark reddish-brown spots and blotches, even approaching
black, and obscure shell markings of purple; sizes •75X.54, .74X.54,

•73X.54. •y.sx.ss-

539. Aihychophanes mccownii (Lawr.) [190.]

jk^oCo'wii''a LongapuTt

Hab, Interior of North America, breeding from the northern border of Kansas, north to the Sr"«
katchewan ; south In winter to Mexico.

The Black-breasted or Bay-winged Longspur breeds in abundance
throughout the prairies of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. In the
latter region and Dakota it is found associated with the Chestnut-col-
lared I/ongspur, in whose general habits it is an exact counterpart. Dr.
Coues says it has the same soaring, singing flight, and parachute-like
descent, " sliding down on the scale of its own music."

Its nesting habits are the same as those of the last species, and
the eggs, three to six in number, are similar, but their ground-color is
usually more olive ; average size .82 x .60.

540. PoocsBtes gramineus (Gmkl.) [197.]

Veeper Sparro'w.

Hab. Eastern United States, west to the edge of the Plains, north to Nova Scotia and Ontario, breed-
ing southward to Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri.

The Grass-Finch, Eay-winged Bunting, or " Gray Bird," as it is
called, is an abundant species in Eastern United States. Its favorite
resorts are weedy fields, roadsides, and commons. From its habit of
singing mostly in the evening and in cloudy weather, it is called Vesper
Bird. The bird's song alone is sufficient to distinguish it from others
of the smaller sparrows. Its song is a clear, sweet trill, finely modu-
lated, or it is the Song Sparrow's song reversed.

The breeding season is in May and June. I have found the nest
with fresh eggs in July. This is placed on the ground, usually in an
exposed position, under a thistle, small bush, or weed-stalk ; it is a
slight structure, composed of grasses, with a lining of hair.

The eggs are four or five, usuallytifour, in ntimber ; they are of a
pale greenish-white, sometimes pinkish or grayish-white, marked with
blotches, mixed with dots and lines of various shades of reddish or
rusty-brown. The average size is .80 x .60.

540a. PoocsBtes gramlneus confinls Baird [197a.]

Weatern Veaper Sparrow^.

Hab. Western North America, north into British America, east to Manitoba and border of the Plains,
south into Mexico.

This form of the Vesper Sparrow is common to the plains and
prairies of the West. It possesses the same characteristics which are
common to P. gratmneus^ nesting also in the same manner.

Mr. Norris has two sets of eggs of this bird, one of which was

flf;
'■ ii.

i'l

1^'

:ll

1 ,! f
It ' I

298

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ii!! ., M

taken by Captain Charles E. Bendire, at Fort Custer, Montana, May
ao, 1885, and consists of four eggs ; these are of a dull pinkish-white,
clouded and spotted with burnt umber; sizes, .76X.60, .76X.59, .77 x
.59, .79X .60 ; the other set, four in number, was taken at Fort Klamath,
Oregon, June a, 1888. Their ground-color is bluish -white, with mark-
ings of the same color as those in the first set ; their sizes are, .83 x .57,
.83X.59, .82X.60, .84X.60.

541. Ammodramus prlnceps (Mayn.) [192.]

Ipawioh Sparrow.

Hab, Atlantic coas( from Nova Scotia, south in winter to Virginia and coast of Texas.

It has recently been discovered that the Ipswich Sparrow breeds
on Sable Island, Nova Scotia, and a series of its eggs are in the National
Museum. These are similar to the eggs of the Savannah Sparrow,
and, according to Prof. Ridgway, they are uniformly larger; size .81 x
.62. The nest is placed on the ground in meadows and other grassy
places.

542c. Ammodramus sandwichensis savanna (Wils.) [193a.]

Savannah. Sparro'w.

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from Northern United States to Labrador, and Hudson
Bay Territory.

A rather common, and in some places, an abundant bird in East-
em United States, usually breeding from about latitude 40° northward.
It is stated as breeding sparingly throughout Illinois and in some parts
of Missouri. In Ohio it is a rare summer resident. Throughout New
England the Savannah Sparrow is abundant, being found nearly all the
year. Its favorite resorts are salt marshes along the coast, and wet,
muddy, open ground, overgrown with grass and weeds in the interior.
It is a terrestrial bird, and is known as the " Ground Sparrow." Its
song is weak, squeaky and unmusical, which is at times uttered from the
ground, or from the tops of bushes. The breeding season is in May and
June. The nest is sunken in the ground, and generally well concealed
among the weeds and tall grass. It is usually nothing but a slight
arrangement of grasses in concentric rings, the brim being flush with
the surface.

The eggs are three to six in number, usually four or five, and there
exists as great a variety iu coloration as are to be found in the eggs of
the Song Sparrow. The ground-color is greenish or grayish-white,
spotted, speckled, and blotched with light brown and lilac, particularly
about the larger end, and the markings are often so numerous that they
almost conceal the ground-color ; average size .76 x .54.

^ff//ggfir^.'Ai>,!.m^Vt'^-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

299

ontana, May
Qkish-white,
6X.59, 77 X
)rt Klamath,
with mark-
^e, .83X.57,

rrow breeds
he National
ih Sparrow,
:; size .81 x
ther grassy

or, and Hudson

rd in East-
lorthward.
some parts
fhout New
irly all the
:, and wet,
le interior,
•ow." Its
d from the
1 May and
concealed
t a slight
lush with

and there
e eggs of
^h-white,
ticularly
that they

542^. Ammodramiis aandwichensis alandinus (Bonap.) [193^.]

^Testem Savannah Sparroir.

Hab. Western Nort'^ America (except in general the Pacific coast re^on] ; breeds from Rocky Moun-
tains north to Alaska; south in winter to Mexico.

The general habits, nesting, and eggs of this western form of the
Savannah Sparrow are in no wise peculiar, but are like those of A. s.
savanna. Eggs, .75 x .55.

542^. Ammodramus sandwichensis bryanti Ridgw. [194, /ar/.]

Bryant's Marah Sparroir.

Hab. Salt marshes of San Francisco Bay, California,

This sub-species differs from P. sandwichensis alaudinus in being
decidedly smaller and darker in the coloration of the upper parts, which
are similar to A. beldingi but not so heavily streaked with black, etc.
It has been named by Prof. Ridgway in honor of the well known
ornithologist, Walter E. Bryant, of Oakland, California, who has devoted
much study to the birds of San Francisco Bay and vicinity. Mr. Bryant
has kindly furnished me with an account of this bird's nesting, eggs,
etc. He states that it is a common resident about Oakland, particularly
during the winter, when they become generally distributed over fields
and along roadsides. The bird apparently prefers dry ground just
away from salt marshes for nesting sites, although they also breed
amongst the marsh grass in places not subject to overflow during ex-
cessively high tides. The fields selected are usually those more or less
overgrown -with grass and weeds, or pasture lands where considerable
cattle are grazing. The nests are placed on the ground, usually in a
depression.

The usual number of eggs is four, rarely five. The color of a set of
four taken by Mr. Bryant on May 22, 1880, is grayish -white, irregularly
blotched with light brown and reddish-brown, sparingly marked with
light purple, which is more noticeable about the larger end, where it
rppears as shell markings underlying the brown. They measure 20 x
14.5, 19.5x14.5, 19.5x14.5, 20.5x14.5 mm.* The nest from which
these were taken is composed outwardly of small, dark grass-stems,
and lined with fine, light-colored grasses; external diameter 115 mm.
by 50 mm. in height ; the cavity is 58 mm. in diameter by 24 mm.
deep, t Another set of four eggs in Mr. Bryant's collection came from
San Mateo county, California, and was taken May 12, 1878. These are
grayish-white, heavily blotched with yellowish and reddish-brown, and
an under color of pale lavender. Their sizes are 18.5 x 14, 18.5 x 14.5,
19 X 14-5 ) 18.5x14.5. mm. I

• .79 X .57, .77 X .57, .77 x .57, .81 x .57.

t External di.tmetcr of nest 4.53; height, 1,1/7; diameter of cavity, 2.28 by .94 in depth.

I .78 X .65, .78 X .55, .75 x 67, .78 x .67.

i m.

. ' ! I-

^-M[

nH-

300 NESTS AND EGGS OF

543. Ammodramus beldingi Ridgw. [194, /ar/.]

Belding's Marah Spnrrovr.

Hab. Salt marshes of Southern California, from Santa Barbara south to Todos Santos Island, Lower
California.

Mr. B. T. Gault found this sparrow to be very abundant in the salt
marshes in the vicinity of National City, San Diego county, California,
in the spiing of 1883. A nest containing three fresh eggs was found May
24 ; it was situated in a patch of marsh weed, apparently raised a little
above the ground — several feet above tide-water mark, and was com-
pletely saturated with water ; notwithstanding the dampness of the
nest the eggs were warm to the touch, as the female had just left the
nest. The structure was composed almost exclusively of weed stalks,
with a little grass and a few feathers, arranged in a careless manner.
The ground-color of the eggs is dirty-white, of a brownish tinge,
caused by minute specks of brown and lavender. The eggs had a
pinkish tinge before they were emptied of their contents. The spots
and specks are of lavender, and the blotches of amber-brown, congre-
gating principally toward the larger end, with an occasional streak of
a darker brown shade ; their sizes are .76 x 58, .77 x .59, .78 x .58. *

545. Ammodramus bairdii (Aud.) [191]

Balrd's Sparroixr.

Hab. Interior portions of North America, from the Plains of Dakota and Montana to the Saskatch-
ewan, south in winter to Texas, New Mexico, and Aiizona.

In the summer months this species is found on the plains and
prairies of Dakota and Montana, north to the Saskatchewan. The
bird remained for a long time almost unknown, until Dr. Coues found
it breeding in profusion on the prairies of Dakota, in some places out-
numbering all the other birds together. In general habits and appear-
ance in life it is quite like the Savannah Sparrows. Dr. Coues states
that the song of this species is peculiar, consisting of two or three dis-
tinct syllables, of a mellow, tinkling tone, running into an indefinite
trill, like zip-zip-zip-zr-r-r-r .

The nest is a slight affair, made of grasses and weed-stalks on the
ground ; its diameter is about four inches. The eggs are laid in June
and July, and they range from three to five in number, being similar to
those of the Vesper Sparrow (Grass Finch). They are whitish of
varying tints, irregularly spotted, speckled, and blotched, with pale
and dark reddish-brown ; size .80 x .65.

546. Ammodramus savannarum passerinus' (Wils.) [198.]

Oraaahopper Sparro\7'<

Hab. Eastern United States and Southern Canada to the Great PUin.s wintering in the Gulf States,
Bahamas, Cuba, and Porto Rico.

Perhaps better known as the Yellow-winged Sparrow. Anyone

* Bulletin No. 2,p.p. 5&-00, Ridgway Ornithological Club, Chicago, Illinois.

■MMnwawviiiiii ii III. I . I, I jjji

tos Island, Lower

nt in the salt
'y California,
s found May
lised a little
id was com-
ness of the
just left the
tveed stalks,
ess manner,
'nish tinge,
eggs had a
The spots
«vn, congre-
il streak of

to the Saskatch-

plains and
van. The
)ues found
places out-
ad appear-
)ues states
three dis-
indefinite

ks on the
in June
similar to
hitish of
vith pale

]

Oiilf States,

Anyone

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

301

will be able t9 identify this little bird in hand. The edge of the wing
is conspicuously yellow ; the lesser wing coverts and line over eye are
yellowish. A common bird in the meadows and clover fields of East-
ern United States, nesting in May and June. It is a bird of retiring
habits, generally keeping in the tall grass, on the ground, and not
usually seen only when flushed. Its flight is zig-zag. Sometimes it
will mount a stump or weed-stalk, and sing at short intervals for hours
at a time a peculiar, monotonous song, which has been aptly compared
to that of a grasshopper — hence its common name.

The nest is placed on or rather sunken in the ground, and con-
cealed by a thick tussock of grass.

The eggs are four or five in number, generally four. They have no
resemblance to the eggs of the Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Savannah
Sparrow, or Grass Finch, having a clear, white ground-color, with a
moderate polish, spotted more or less thickly with pale reddish-brown,
chiefly and sometimes wholly at the larger end. Mr. Poling says he
has found fresh eggs in Illinois as early as April 20 and as late as
August 12. Two broods are often reared. A set of four eggs in my
cabinet, taken by Mr. J. E. Gould, on June 14, in Franklin county,
Ohio, exhibits the following respective measurements : .77 x .55, .77 x
.56, .79X.56, .81X.55; the sizes of a set of five taken May 16 by the
same collector are .80 x .59, .79 x .59, .79 x .59, .78 x .57, .yy x .57. A set
of four from Marshall county, Kansas, taken May 30, gives the follow-
ing dimensions : .70 x .54, .70 x .56, .71 x .54, .72 x .55.

546«. Ammodramus savannarum perpallidus Ridgw. [1980.]

TVestern Grasshopper Sparrow.

Hab. Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific, south over table-lands of Mexico.

The nesting and eggs of this paler and grayer form of the Yellow-
winged Sparrow, which is found in the dry, western regions, are the
same as those of the Eastern bird. Eggs, .75X.57.

547. Ammodramus henslowii (Aud.) [199.]

HenaloMr's Sparrotir.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Ontario and Southern New England, west to the edge of the
Plains, winters in the Gulf States.

Henslow's Grasshopper Sparrow or Bunting is not, on the whole,
an abundant species in Eastern United States, being found common
only in restricted localities. It is given as a rare summer resident in
portions of Southern New England. Breeds abundantly in the meadows
about Washington, D. C. Mr. Shick found Henslow's Yellow-winged
Sparrow breeding in the vicinity of Sea Isle City, New Jersey. Farther
west it seems to be common in various sections. It may be found
breeding in Southern and Western Ohio, as it is stated by Dr. Brayton

(

I 1

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111

U\\

i i

.!|p !

302

NESTS AND EGGS OP

to be a common summer resident on the prairies of Indiana. Breeds
also on the weedy prairies of Illinois and Missouri. Messrs. Keyes and
Williams record it as a common summer resident in Iowa, and Col.
Goss mentions it as a summer resident of Kansas. Mr. L. Jones in-
forms me that in Iowa the favorite resorts of this Sparrow during the
breeding season are neglected fields and pasture lands.

Its nest is placed on the ground, sometimes in a slight depression,
beneath a tussock of grass ; the composition is of fine and coarse
grasses, with a few cow hairs.

The eggs, Mr. Jones says, are deposited about May 25. The bird's
habits, nest, and eggs are described as being similar to those of the
Yellow-winged Sparrow {A. savannarum passerinus)^ but the eggs are
not pure white in ground-color, having a greenish or grayish- white tint,
profusely dotted and blotched with several shades of brown and lilac
shell markings. They are four or five in number, and average .75 x .57.

548. Ammodramus leconteii (Aud.) [200.]

IieCont«'s Sparrow.

Hab. Gre?.t Plains, north to Manitoba, mifrating south and east in winter through Illinois, Iowa,
Kansas, etc., to South Carolina and Gulf States.

A common bird on the western prairies, but seldom observed on
account of its habit of hiding in the grass. Breeds from Dakota and
Minnesota northward to Manitoba. Dr. Agersborg found a nest of
this species containing five eggs, June 19, 1883, in Southeastern
Dakota. They were ready to hatch ; in coloration and shape, looked
like miniature eggs of the Horned Lark.

Mr. Ernest E. Thompson states that in Manitoba, the bird "is
commonly found in the willows at ail seasons, uttering its peculiar
ventriloqual twcete^ tweete^ whence I knew it as the ' Willow-tweete,'
long before I ever heard of Leconte, or of any name for this bird."
Mr. Thompson bescribes a nest with eggs of this bird, which were, we
believe, previously unknown. " The nest was by a willow bush in a
damp meadow ; it was apparently on the ground, but really raised six
inches, being on the tangled grass, etc. It was composed entirely of
fine grass. The eggs — three in number — were of a delicate pink,
with a few spots of brownish and of black towards the large end. The
pink was lost in blowing. One measured .75 x .50 inches.*

549. Ammodramus caudacutus (Gmel.) [201.]

Sharp-tailed Sparroiv.

Hab. Salt marshes of the Atlantic coast, from Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia to North

Carolina.

The Sharp-tailed Finch breeds abundantly in the salt marshes of

<■ Auk, Vol. v., pp. 23-24.

mmmmmmm

■i MHijiy i mi i

X..-iM^\.i^fpm''

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

303

na. Breeds
!. Keyes and
ra, and Col.
[y. Jones in-
during the

depression,
and coarse

The bird's
hose of the
le eggs are
-white tint,
^n and lilac
je -75 X .57.

ti Illinois, Iowa,

)served on
)akota and
a nest of
itheastern
pe, looked

bird

peculiar
v-tweete,'
lis bird."
were, we
ush in a
aised six
tirely of
te pink,
d. The

a to North

rshes of

the Atlantic coast from North Carolina northward, and it is commonly
found associate^ in the same places with the Sea-side Finch, A. mart-
timus. They keep closely in the shelter of the rank salt reeds and
herbage, where the nest is built. This is fastened to the sedges and
composed of grasses, lined with finer material of the same. The
nesting season is in May and June, and a second set of eggs may be
found in July. While the nidification of this species and the Seaside
Finch is essentially the same, Mr. Shick states that on the New
Jersey coast, the nest of the Sharp-tail is not built so bulky as that of the
former. Both species are common in the salt marshes at the mouths
of creeks and rivers along the Atlantic coast.

Mr. Norris has a typical set of four eggs of the Sharp-tailed
Sparrow taken by Hon. John N. Clark, near Old Saybrook, Connecti-
cut, at the mouth of the Connecticut River. The nest was in the
salt grass of a wet meadow ; the eggs were fresh, brownish- white,
varying to greenish-white, thickly sprinkled and speckled with tawny-
brown, sizes: .75X.58, .76X.57, .76X.58, . Sox. 56. The eggs are
also said not to be readily distinguishable from some examples of the
Savannah Sparrow.

550. Ammodramus maritlmus (Wils.) [202.]

Seaside Sparrow^

Hab. Salt marshes of the Atlantic States, from Massachusetts south to those bordering Gulf of
Mexico.

The Seaside Finch is a common species in the salt marshes of the
Atlantic coast from Connecticut southward. Its nests and eggs are
identical with those of tb'^ last species, only, as already stated, in
speaking of the Sharp-tailed species the nest is more bulky. It is carefully
concealed in clumps of salt grass and quite neatly built of grasses,
lined with fine material. In exceptional instances the nests have been
found " arched over."

The largest set of eggs Mr. Shick ever found on the New Jersey
coast was seven, but the usual numbers are four or five — five being the
more common. Their ground-color is greenish or brownish-white,
thickly speckled with umber-brown, and are not with certainty dis-
tinguishable from those of the last species. The sizes of a set of five
eggs taken by Mr. Shick at Sea Isle City, New Jersey, May 21, 1887, are
as follows : .70 x .56, .75 x .56, .74 x .55, .73 x .55, .71 x .54. A set of four
in Mr. Norris' cabinet: .78 x .61, .81 x .62, .79 x .61, .80 x .56.

552. Chondestes grammacus (Say.) [204.]

I<ark Sparrow.

Hab. Mississippi Valley, west to the Plains, east to Ohio, north to Michigan and south to Eastern
Texas, Louisiana, etc.; accidental near the Atlantic coast.

Throughout the Mississippi Valley the I^ark Finch is found breed-

!■

:; .

'■';?!

M ..,

I I

111

\ .1 m

304

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ing more or less abundantly in all suitable places, from Eastern Texas
and Louisiana on the south to Iowa and Southern Michigan on the
north. Its favorite summer resorts are prairie lands, clover and
stubble-fields, neglected and sparsely wooded pastures and fields
bordered with low trees. Breeds in May, June and July according to
locality ; sometimes two and three broods are reared. It is one of the
sweetest songsters among our Sparrows. Its song is littered in a hur-
ried manner, "in one continuous gush of silvery notes, and accom-
panied by a metallic tremolo.''^ Several birds may be seen running in
the grass with lowered heads like quails, from which manner, in some
places they receive the name of " Quail-heads," and again they are
given the name of " Road-birds " from their habit of running along
road-sides and feeding in roads. Mr. Singley states that in Texas the
Lark Finch often repairs old nests of the Mockingbird and Orchard
Oriole with a lining of grass, horse hairs etc., and Mr. Davis informs
me that he has found its eggs in the nest of the Scissor-tailed Fly-
catcher. The nest, however, is usually placed on the ground, some-
times in trees or bushes. When on the ground it is generally sunken
in a hollow, concealed by tufts of grass or clover and it is hard to find,
for the bird, like the Bobolink, has the habit of running some distance
from the nest before taking wing. Thj composition varies according
to the vegetable growth of the locality in which it is built; usually
grasses, clover and weed stems make up the structure.

The eggs are three to five in number, commonly four; they are
pure white or they have a faint bluish or brownish tinge, speckled
and marked with zig-zag, straight and wavy lines, of very dark brown
and black, chiefly at the larger end, like the eggs of the Baltimore
Oriole, and in exceptional cases it is impossible to differentiate the
eggs of the two species. The size of those of the Lark Sparrow vary
from .76 to .89 in length by .59 to .68 in breadth.

552 a. Ohondestes grammacus strigatus (Swains.) [204 a.]

Western Lark Sparrcw.

Hab. Western United States from the Great Plains ami Central Texas south into Mexico.

This sub-species is common in Western United States, from the
Plains and Western Texas (where it breeds abundantly) to the Pacific.
In California it nests on the ground, in live oaks, sycamores orange
and lemon trees. Eggs .80 x. 60.

553. Zonotrichia querula (Nutt.) [205.]

Harris's Sparroir.

Hab. More eastern Great Plains and more western prairies, breeding from Eastern Montana (?) north
to Manitoba; south; in winter, to Texas, and east to Iowa, Western Illinois, Missouri, etc. (Ridgway.)

Eggs of this species are described by Prof. Ridgway as follows :

i!!

tern Texas
jan on the
clover and

and fields
wording to

one of the
1 in a hur-
nd accom-
rnnning in
r, in some
1 they are
ling along
Texas the
d Orchard
is informs
ailed Fly-
nd, some-
ly sunken
rd to find,
- distance
according

; usually

they are
speckled
k brown
Baltimore
iate the
ow vary

:om the
Pacific,
orange

ia(?) north
vay.)

)llows :

- ff-'i-''

1 :;■■

' [■"■'■■

; ■■; ^'-'

i
'■ ■

^ , . ■

:*:1

if!

1 1

^\ — -p

:j;-

1
i

i 1

■

lljiQ|V

■

III

(

dtt^yrighl iSSt.

PLATE IX.

ATE IX.

:;^

^'i^

5^,

/-5

60.

NORTH AMKRICAN BIRDS.

306

"(Identification somewhat doubtful), .87X.68, buffy whitish, thickly
speckled with burnt-umber, slightly mixed with purplish-gray."*

554. Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst.) [206.]

Whlte>orotirned Sparrow.

Hab, North America at large ; breeds northward ; south in winter, to tht Southern United Statei, and
south to Mexico.

This is probably the most beautiful of our Sparrows. It win-
ters in the Gulf States and southward, migrating northward in spring
to its breeding grounds, which are in the higher mountain ranges of
Western United States — Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, and east-
ward north of the Great Lakes, to Newfoundland and Labrador. In
Colorado this species nests in June and July, often raising two broods
in a sea.son. The bird is chiefly a ground builder but nests are
found in bushes a few feet above the ground. A .set of four eggs in Mr.
Norris' cabinet was taken July i, 1883, near Hancock, Colorado.
The nest was on the ground and was composed of grasses, etc. The
eggs are pale greenish-blue, speckled and spotted with bay ; the mark-
ings are much heavier and thicker near the larger ends; sizes, .87 x
.64, .89X.63, .91X.65, .93X.58. The number of eggs is stated to be
four or five, and are said to resemble those of the Song Sparrow, except
in size, some being heavily and distinctly marked.

555. Zonotrichia intermedia Ridgw. [207a.]

Intermediate Sparroiir.

Hab. Western North America from the Rocky Mountain region to the Pacific; in winter, south
throughout Western United States into Mexico.

The Intermediate White-crowned Sparrow breeds in the far north
— throughout Alaska (except the coast east and south of the peninsula)
and eastward through the Mackenzie River region. The eggs are
described as similar to those of Z. leucophrys but the more cinnamon
or rusty colored style predominates.

556. Zonotrichia gambeli (Nutt.) [207.]

Oambel's Sparrow.

Hab. Pacific coast region from Southern California north to British Columbia.

In California Gamble's White-crowned Sparrow breeds near the
coast, building the nest in trees, bushes, and in thick clumps of weeds.
It is quite bulky, and composed externally of weed stems, and
find dry grasses on the inside. Three to five eggs are laid, commonly
three or four. Mr. Norris has a set of four collected by A. M. Ingersoll
near Alameda, California, April 2, 1885. Their ground color is pale
greenish-blue, spotted and splashed with liver-brown; sizes, .88X.65,
.88 X . 64, .88 X .64, .94 X .68. A set of four taken by the same collector
exhibits the following measurements : .88 x .63, . 90 x .66, .94 x .67, .88 x

" Manual N. A. Birds, p. 41fi.

If 1

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. I

306

NESTS AND EGGS OF

.64. Another set containing five eggs, from Motalla, Oregon, taken
June 24, 1884, measure: .83X.64, .85X.64, .84X.65, .86X.64, .86X.65
In all of these eggs the maikings are heavier at the larger ends.

557.

[ao8.]

Zonotrichia coronata (Pall.)

Ooldan-orowued Sparrow.

Hab. Pacific coast region, from Southern California to Alaika; migrites east irregularly to Rocky
Mountains, casually to Wisconsin.

The Golden-crowned Sparrow is stated \ ed in Northern Cali-

fornia and northward to Alaska. Its nesti. ^ is similar to that of
gambeli and the eggs are "colored like the more distinctly spotted
of Z. leucophrys^

558. Zonotrichia albicoUls (Gmel.) [209.]

White-throated Sparro'Wi

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from Northern United States northward; west to the Plains,
casually to Utah.

A large, handsome sparrow, very similar to the White-crowned
species. Breeds in Northern Michigan, New York, and Northern New
England northward ; winters from the Middle States southward. In
the greater portion of Eastern United States it is seen only during the
migrations, or in the winter.

In suitable places throughout the three "'orthern New England
States the White-throated Sparrow is a rathe: unon breeder, nesting
in June. The nest is built on the ground, oi, exceptional cases, in
bushes, and among the branches of fallen trees. It may be built in a
clearing near the edge of woods, and frequently in damp places, often
under a fallen branch, or at the foot of a sappling, and but slightly con-
cealed. It is more bulky than a Song Sparrow's nest, built of weed-
stems, grasses, etc. The eggs are four or five in number and, like those
of the Song Sparrow, are subject to great variation in size and color-
ation, as are exhibited by a large series of specimens in Mr. Norris'
cabinet. The ground-color is of a pale greenish-blue, spotted, sprinkled
and clouded with cinnamon-rufous and bay. Some eggs are of a pale
cinnamon, sprinkled and clouded with burnt umber. A set of four,
containing eggs of the smallest sizes, exhibits the following dimen-
sions: .Box. 63, .79X.61, .80X.61, .81X.62; another containing the
largest eggs gives the following measurements : .88 x .64, .87 x .63,
.86X.64, .89X.64.

559. Spizella monticola (Gmel.) [210, /ar/.]

Tree Sparronr.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Plains, breeding far northward; south in winter through

Eastern United States.

This bird looks very much like the Chipping Sparrow but it has a
dusky spot in the center of the chest. In Eastern United States it

egon, taken
.64, .86X.65
ger ends.

egularly to Rocky

trthern Cali-

to that of

ctly spotted

vest to the Plains,

ite-crowned
rthern New
:hward. In
' during the

;w England
der, nesting
lal cases, in
e built in a
)laces, often
lightly con-
It of weed-
, like those
and color-
Mr. Norris'
i, sprinkled
:e of a pale
set of four,
ing dimen-
taining the
.87 X .63,

n winter through

DUt it has a
:d States it

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

307

i« found only in winter — hence the name, Winter Chip-bird, by which
it is known. It breeds in Labrador and the region about Hudson
Bay. The nest is described as being placed in trees or bushes or on
the ground, and composed of grasses, mud, fine rootlets and hair. The
eggs have no similarity to those of the Chipping Sparrow. They
are light green, flecked with minute markings of reddish-brown, dis-
tributed with great regularity over the surface but so sparsely as to
leave the ground distinctly visible ; on the whole somewhat resembling
the eggs of the Song Sparrow, with endless variations ; four or five in
number; size, .Box. 60.

559fl. Spizella mosticola ocbracea Brewst. [210, part.]

Weatem Tr«e Sparrow.

Hab. Western North America, breeding in Alaska, wintering in Western United States, south to
Texas, New Mexico and Ariiona.

A paler colored Tree Sparrow which breeds in Alaska and south-
ward to an undetermined latitude. Nesting and eggs in nowise peculiar.

Eggs, .78 X. 55.

560. Spizella socialis (Wils.) [211.]

Chipping Sparroiir.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Great Slave Lake, west to the Plains, south into Eastern
Mexico.

Nearly everybody knows this familiar little bird as Chippy, Chip-
bird, or Hair-'iird. The latter name is given it from the fact that its
nest is for thi nost part, composed of horse hair, with a slight founda-
tion of fine gi\ > and vej-^etable fibres. The breeding season is usually
in May and Juui The nest is built anywhere in bushes, hedges, trees
of any size, and almost in any situation. In exceptional cases it has
been found built on the ground. The same pair of birds if unmolested
will return and breed in the vicinity of their former nest year after
year. Three or four eggs are laid, rarely five, bluish-green, sparsely
spotted with blackish-brown and purplish, sometimes in a circle about
the larger end. Ten eggs selected on account of their sizes measure :
.6ox .50, .62 x .52, .65X .52, .69X .50, .69X .53, .71 X .54, .7o;x .50, .72 X .51,

.67X.50, .73 X. 52.

560a. Spizella socialis arizonee Coues. [211a.]

'Western Chipping Sparrow.

Hab. Western North America, east to Rocky Mountains; in summer north to beyond 60°; south in
winter to southern Mexico.

Eggs in my collection of this paler western sub-species do not
seem to differ essentially from those of socialis. Nesting the same.

561. Spizella pallida (Swains.) [212.]

Clay-oolored Sparrow.

Hab. Interior regions of North America from Northern Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, west to base of
Rocky Mountains, north to the Saskatchewan, south to Texas and New Mexico; in winter to Lower Cali-
fornia and Mexico.

The Clay-colored Sparrow breeds from Northern Illinois and

l!l^

I I

I * i
i '

''i

■Mr^^ I

w^&m

308

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Central Iowa northward. Mr. J. W. Preston found it breeding in
Winnebago county, Iowa, in June, 1885, and in the summers of 1885
and 1886 in Becker county, Minnesota. The bird is an abundant
breeder in Western Manitoba. The nesting season is usually in May
and June. Mr. Preston found the bird frequenting the edges of brush
and the borders of timber. The ncats were placed on the ground ; one,
however, was built in the branches '''"a low hazel. The materials used
in the construction of the nests were fine, round grasses and blades,
with a lining of horse hairs. The eggs were three to five in number,
commonly three or four, the latter number predominating. They are
similar in color to those of the Chipping .Sparrow, 6". soczah's, and
average about the same in size, .65 x .50. Mr. Norris has a set of four
taken near Detroit, Minnesota, June 4, 1886 ; their sizes are : .64 x .47,
.64X.47, .62X.47, .64X.48; in these specimens the markings are
fainter than are those of S. socialis. As many as six eggs are said to
be laid by this species.

562. Spizella breweri Cass [213.]

Brewer's Sparrow.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, south in winter to North-
western Mexico.

This bird has very much the appearance of the Clay-colored
Sparrow, but is paler ?nd duller, all the markings being indistinct.
It is found from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains, and from
the northern portion of California to the Rio Grande and Mexico, and
is especially abundant in Arizona and New Mexico. It inhabits almost
exclusively open fields and bushy plains. The nests are placed in
bushes, usually the sage, a few feet from the ground. It is composed
of dry grasses, rootlets, and lined with hair. The eggs are generally
.four in number. A series of the eggs of this species in Mr. Norris'
cabinet, collected near Fort Klamath, Oregon, resemble in size and
coloration the eggs of the Chipping Sparrow, but as a rule the markings
are larger, and of a more reddish tint than in those of the former
species. A set of three containing the smallest eggs exhibit the
following sizes : .62 x .48, .63 x .48, .63 x .49 ; one of four with larger
eggs, .69 X .53, .64 X .52, .67 X .53, .64 X .52

563. Spizella pusilla (Wils.) [214.]

Field Sparroir-

Hab. Eastern United States and Southern Canada, west to the edge of the Great Plains.

The Field Sparrow is an abundant species in Eastern United States
where it may be seen during the summer months frequenting the
borders of upland woods, fields and edges oi thickets. It sings
during the whole day, especially at mid-day when most birds are silent,

pnnpfn

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

309

ceding in
rs of 1885

abundant
ly in May
5 of brush
iind; one,
jrials used
id blades,
number,

They are
talis, and
et of four

.64x47,
dngs are
re said to

Iter to North-

y-colored
ndistinct.
and from
xico, and
ts almost
Dlaced in
lomposed
generally
r. Norris'
size and
narkings
e former
libit the
:h larger

id States
ting the
It sings
re silent,

and a telegraph wire is a favorite perch while singing. The nest is
placed in bushes or upon the ground in a tussock or at the root of a
bush in a thicket, frequently in briers along roadsides or upon the
ground in pastures, but the birds nearly always (in Ohio at least)
during the breeding season, confine themselves to the outskirts of
woods with thick undergrowth. The nest is composed of grasses on a
foundation of leaves ; the lining is of hair. The eggs are commonly
four, sometimes three or five. The predominating ground color of the
eggs is buflfy-white, or clay, while others have a greenish-white ground ;
the markings are in the form of specks and spots of various shades of
brown, which are sometimes so dense at the larger end as to almost
wholly obscure the ground color. The eggs rarely measure less than
.61 or more than .73 in length, and in breadth .49 or more than .55 ;
the average is .68X.52. Two or three broods are reared in a season,
the nesting time being in May, June and July.

* * Spizella pusilla arenacea Chadb.

Western Field Sparro'w.

Hab. Great Plains, from Southern Texas north to Wyoming Territory and Nebraska.

A new sub-species inhabiting the Great Plains of Western United
States. Nesting and eggs indistinguishable from 5". pusilla,

565. Spizella atrigularis (Cab) [215.]

Blaok-ohinued Sparrow.

Hab. Mexico and southern border of the United States from the Lower Rio Grande Valley to
Southern California; Lowei California.

The Black-chinned Sparrow is a rather common species in all
suitable places from the southern border of the United States south-
ward. It inhabits the border of thickets, grassy fields and low shrub-
bery. These places are its favorite nesting sites. A set of three eggs
in Mr. Norris' cabinet, was taken June 3, 1886, near San Gorgonia Pass,
California. The nest was placed in a low bush. The eggs are plain,
light greenish-blue, about the color of the eggs of the Bluebird. They
measure : .68 x .52, .69 x .53, .69 x .54.

567. Junco hyemalis (Linn.) [217.]

Slate-colored Jnuoo.

Hab. North America at large, breeding from th(> higher portions of the AUeghanies, Northern
New York, and Northern New England to Alaska (except the Pacific coast district, or south and east
of the peninsula) south in winter to the Gulf States,

Better known as the Black Snowbird, and in most of the United
States is oftener seen during the winter months. Breeds in the
mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, New York, and New England ;
is resident throughout the year in Northeastern Ohio, and in
Michigan. Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as a fairly common resident of
Ontario where, in the southern portion, it is known as the " White

lliin

310

NESTS AND EGGS OP

Bill." Mr. William h. Kells states that in Ontario, the Slate-colored
Junco selects various places for nesting sites, such as the up-turned
roots of trees, crevices in banks, under the sides of logs and stumps,
a cavity under broken sod, or in the shelter of grass or other vegeta-
tion. The nest is made of dry grasses, warmly and smoothly lined
with hair. Mr. Kells says the bird generally begins to nest the first
week of May, and nests with eggs are found as late as August. The
set of eggs is usually four or five in number, of a whitish color, vary-
ing to a greenish-white, more or less speckled with reddish-brown, with
an average size of .78X.57. A set of four eggs taken by J. A. Dakin,
on May 4, in Onondaga county. New York, measure .75x,5o, .76 x
.56, .78 X .57, .80 X .58. A nest of this species was found on the rafters
of a barn in Connecticut.

* * Junco hyemdis carolinensis Brewst.

Carolina Jnnoo.

Hab. Higher portions of the southern Alleghanies.

According to Mr. Wm. Brewster this new variety of the Black
Snowbird diflfers from /. hyevtalis in being larger, with lighter,
bluer and more uniform coloration, and a horn-colored instead of pink-
ish-white or yellowish bill. Mr. Brewster found this bird at Highlands
and on the Black Mountains of Western North Carolina. He states
that it is probable that the birds represent the form which breeds on
the mountains of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Two sets of eggs are in Mr. Brewster's collection taken by Mr.
Boynton, at Highlands, respectively June 30 and July 7, 1885. " The
eggs are larger than those of hyenialis but similar in color and mark-
ings." The nests are also larger and composed of coarser material,
although both are neatly lined with horse-hair. The one collected
July 7 was placed " in a bank by the roadside," a site often chosen by
our northern birds, but the other was built in a berry bush, four feet
above the ground. Both sets of eggs were perfectly fresh, a fact which
proves that the bird breeds very irregularly and probably twice at
least in the same season.*

Mr. George B. Sennett found this species breeding in the moun-
tains of Western North Carolina. On Roan Mountain the birds were ex-
ceedingly abundant at an altitude of 6300 feet. In the latter half of April
they were paired and buildin;j, and many complete nests were discov-
ered. Fresh -laid eggs and young in all stages were found in July.
The nests were found in all sorts of places — in the open fields, among
the grass hummocks, along the edge of cow-paths, myrtle tussocks,

«Auk. in, pp. 109 - no.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

311

under balsams or under the deciduous trees of a lower altitude. Two
nests were found in balsam trees three and five feet respectively from
the ground.*

567a. Janco hyemalis oregonus (Towns.) [218.]

Oregon Jnnoo.

Hab. Western North America. Breeds along the Pacific coast region from California northward M
Sitka.

Mr. A. W. Anthony notes this as one of the most common birds

of Northwestern Oregon, rearing three and often four broods in a

season. He states that the birds nest in various locations ; in hollows of

the ground under low bi.shes, the nest being built flush with the

surface ; also in holes among the roots of bushes and trees, and many

nests are found under wood-piles. Some were foimd built on the

shelf of a railroad cut, which was screened by a thick curtain of

vines. Nesting begins about the last of March, or first of ApriL

The materials of the nests are dry grasses rather loosely put together

with a lining of cow-hair. The eggs are usually four, rarely five in

number. Several sets in Mr. Norris' collection, on the whole bear a

great resemblance to those of J. hyemalis. One of four eggs was

taken near Salem, Oregon, May 5, 1888. These have a greenish-white

ground, speckled and wreathed with vinaceous ; their sizes are .']']'x.

•59) -77 X -59) .76X.60, .78X.59. A set of three collected June 2, 1888,

near Fort Klamath are bluish-white and marked like the first set;

sizes: .78X.57, .79X.57, .75X.57. A third set of three taken by

Dr. James C. Merrill, U. S. A., near Fort Klamath, contained three

eggs like those of the last, and measured .78X.57, .75X.57, .78X.57,

respectively.

568. Junco annectens Baird. [219.]

Pink-sided Jnnoo.

Hab. Rocky Mountain district, from Arizona and New Mexico north to Idaho and Montana.

The Pink-sided Junco is found in the Rocky Mountain region,
breeding from Fort Bridger i;orthward. Dr. Merrill found it rather
common in the mountains of Montana, at considerable height and
among the pines. A nest taken June 13 was at the top of a ridge con-
necting two peaks, at an elevation of Scxdo feet. The nest was under a
shelving stone, in a little hollow dug out by the parents ; it was rather
large and compactly built, composed of coarse, dry grasses, with an
inner lining of fine yellow straw and hair of the mountain .sheep.
The eggs, five in number, were far advanced in incubation and one
was broken in blowing. The four remaining specimens measure .81 x
.60, .80X.59, .84X.60, .83X.60. They are described as dull yellowish-
whitish, spotted and blotched with light reddish-brown and lavender.

* Auk. IV, pp. 242— 343.

I '[■

■n-

312

NESTS AND EGGS OP

The Spots are scattered over the entire surface of the eggs, but are
largest and more numerous at the larger end.

569.

[220.]

Junco caniceps (Woodh).

Gray-headed Jnnoo.

Hab. Rocky Mountain district, from the Black Hills to the Wabash and other Mountains of Utah, south
to Mexico and Arizona,

The Gray-headed Snowbird is a common .^eder in the moun-
tainous regions of Central Colorado and Utah southward, nesting in
June, July and August, raising two, perhaps three broods in a season.
Its nest resembles that of Junco annecteus^ being built on the ground
in sheltered positions. The eggs have a difference in ground-color
varying from white and pinkish-white to bluish or greenish-white,
very faintly dotted (the markings being very minute) over the whole
surface but chiefly at the larger end with reddish-brown.

Hab.

570. Junco cinereus palliatus Ridgw.

Arlsona Jnnoo*

Southern Arizona and adjacent portions of Mexico.

[ 222, part^

This is a common species at the higher altitudes in the mountains
of Southern Arizona, where it dwells in the depths of the pine forests.
It is generally mated in April, and nests may be found in May and
June ; these are placed on the ground under bushes, or otherwise
sheltered. The eggs are described as being plain greenish-white,
unmarked, size, .78X.60.

570a. Junco cinereus dorsalis Henry. [221.]

Red-baoked Jnnoo.

Hab. Mountains of New Mexico and Eastern Arizona.

A common bird in the high mountains of New Mexico, and in the
eastern portion of Arizona. July 16, Mr. F. Stephens found a nest of
this bird in New Mexico, under a tuft of grass, which contained three
perfectly fresh eggs. When blown, they are white, with a slight tinge
of green, speckled sparsely all over, except at the smaller ends, with
small brownish dots; sizes, .74 x. 58, .76X.62, .77 x. 63. Some eggs
are marked in the form of a ring around the larger end.

572. Junco insularls Ridgw.

Onadalnpe Jnnoo.

Hab. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

[223-]

Mr. Bryant found this Snowbird common on Guadalupe Island,
inhabiting the palm, pine and cypress groves. The birds mated
early, soon after the first of the year, and were incubating by the 26th
of January. A nest found March 10, contained four young, hatched
but a few days before. It was placed in a depression, flush with the
surface of the ground, and concealed by a covering of brush. Full

wmm

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

313

s, but are

of Utah, south

le mouu-
esting in
a season.
- ground
ind-color
h-white,
le whole

)untains
forests,
fay and
herwise
i-white,

'■ in the
lest of
i three
t tinge
, with
- eggs

5land,
nated

26th
:ched
I the

Full

fledged young were taken March 16 ; also a nest with three fresh eggs.
This nest was placed in the cleft of a pine tree, which grew near the
edge of a precipice. It was composed of a few pieces of bark-mass,
light-colored dry grass blades, and a tail-feather of a petrel, all sur-
rounding a quantity of grass, lined within with goat-hair. The three
eggs which the nest contained, Mr. Bryant says, were probably the
second setting, judging from the ragged appearance of the female,
indicating previous cares. Their color is a pale greenish-white,
marked with fine dots of reddish-brown clustered around the larger
end. They measure 19.5 x 15, 20x15.5, 20 x 16 millimeters.*

573. Amphispiza bilineata (Cass.) [224.]

Blaok-throated Sparrow.

Hab Southwestern United States — Texas to Lower California — south into Mexico, north in the
interior to Nevada, Utah and western portions of Colorado.

The Black-throated Sparrow is an inhabitant of the southwestern
portion of the United States from Western Texas to the Pacific. Mr.
Wm. Lfloyd found it breeding in Western Texas, nesting in the cat-claw
or chapparal bushes. Nests were found May 6 and 13, June 12, and
July 13 containing fresh eggs, indicating that the bird rears at least
two broods in a season. Mr. Scott notes this species as a common
resident in the foothill region of the Catalinas and also about Tucson,
breeding commonly at both points generally at considerable elevation.
At an altitude of 4500 feet in the Catalina region the breeding season
begins early in March and continues well into the latter part of the
summer. " The nests he states are built near the ground in some low
bush or cactus, and occasionally on the ground.

The eggs are three to five, three or tour being the general com-
plement. Mr. Sennett secured several sets of eggs of this species at
lyomita, on the Lower Rio Grande, in April. Mr. Davis informs me
that he took two sets of the Black-throated Sparrow's eggs in East-
land county, Texas, in June ; one set was far advanced in incubation,
the other on the 14th was fresh. Mr. Norris has a set of four
eggs of this species taken April 21, 1888, near Fort Clarke, Texas.
The nest was in a bush, eighteen inches from the ground, and was
composed of dry grass, lined with wool and horse-hairs. The eggs are
plain bluish-white, a^d measure .71 x .51, .71 x .51, .70 x .50, .70 x .51.

574. Amphispiza bel'i (Cass.) [225]

Bell'a Sparrow^.

Hab. California, south to Cape St. Lucas.

An abundant bird in all the thickets throughout Southern Cali-
fornia. A set of three eggs, in Mr. Norris' cabinet, was taken by A.

•.77X.59, .70x.61, .79x63. ,

Uil-M

Uii^^

314

NESTS AND EGGS OF

M. Ingersoll, near San Diego, California, on May 5, 1887. Inribation
was commenced. The nest was about three feet above the ground, in
a small bush. The eggs are greenish-white, speckled principally at
the larger ends with cinnamon : .73X .56, .73 x .55, .72 x .56

574a. Amphispiza belli nevadensis (Ridgw.) [225a.]

Sage Sparroir.

Hab. Artemisia Plains of Western United States, north to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming Territories,
east to Colorado and New Mexico, south to interior of Southern California, and Northern Mexico.

This bird abounds in the sage-brush deserts of Nevada, Utah,
New Mexico, and Arizona. Nests found near Carson City, Nevada,
are described as being artfully concealed, either sunken in the ground
or a few inches above it, in the lower branches of a bush ; they are
composed of sage-brush bark, dry grasses, etc. The eggs are light
greenish, marked all over with very fine dots of a reddish-brown,
around the larger end a ring of confluent blotches of dark purple and
lines of darker brown ; almost black ; size .80 x .60. Three or four are
the usual number deposited.

575.

[226.]

PeucsBa SBstivalis ( Light.)

Pina-'wooda Sparrowi

Hab. Florida and southern portion of Georgia.

The Pine-woods Sparrow is common in some localities of Florida,
where it breeds in May and June. In Alachua county, Florida, Mr.
Frank M. Chapman states that it is common only in one locality, a
high, open, palmetto pinery, where. May 21, 1887, a nest was found
with four fresh eggs.

In a letter to Capt. Bendire, Mr. Chapman states that this nest
was placed beneath a scrub palmetto, and was constructed almost
entirely of fine, dry grasses. It was firmly made, and held well
together when lifted from the ground. It was not arched over in any
way, which seems to be the peculiarity in the nesta^^f Peuccsa
CBstivalis bachjnanit. The nest was perfectly round, withklfe sides of
rims everywhere of equal height, and was a symmetric^' and well-
proportioned structure. Three of the eggs taken by Mr. Chapman
are in the National Museum collection, and are described by Capt.
Bendire as pure white, slightly glossy, and rounded-oval in shape;
sizes, .71 x. 61, .74x61, .71X.61.

575 a. PeucjBa sestivalis bachmanil (Aud.) [226a.]

Baoknian's Sparrow.

Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States, and Lower Mississippi Valley, north 'to North Carolina,
Eastern Tennessee, Kentucky, Southern Illinois, and west to middle Northern Texas.

Mr. Arthur T. Wayne informs me that in the region about
Charleston, South Carolina, Bachman's Finch breeds in April, May,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

315

Inribation
[ ground, in
incipally at
»

ning Territories,
sxico.

ada, Utah,
y', Nevada,
he ground
; they are
are light
sh-brown,
'«rple and
•r four are

Florida,
rida, Mr.
'cality, a
as found

his nest
1 almost
:Id well
" in any
Peuc^a
ides of
d well-
lapman
f Capt.
shape ;

Carolin a,

about

May,

June and July, making its nest upon the ground in pine woods. He
states that the birds breed in numbers seven miles north of Charleston,
but the nests are difficult to find, only a single one having come under
his observation. Mr. William I^loyd notes Bachman's Sparrow as a
summer visitor in eastern Concho county, Texas, where nests are
found from May 20 to June i.

Capt. Charles E. Bendire describes five nests, and several full
sets of eggs of Bachman's Sparrow, which were presented to the
National Museum collection by Dr. William C. Avery, of Greensboro,
Alabama, in which vicinity they were taken in the months of May and
June. Capt. Bendire says : '* All the nests of this bird vary totally in
structure from those of the other species of the genus Peuceea^ as far
as known to me. They are all distinctly roofed-over or domed, a
feature only found in the nest of a closely allied species, Embernagra
rufivirgata^ the Texas Sparrow, which constructs a somewhat similar
nest. They are cylindrical in shape, about seven or eight inches long
by three inches in height and four and one-half inches wide. The
inner cavity is from three to four inches in length, about two inches
wide, and one and three-quarters inches high. The rear wall of the
nest is about one and three-quarters inches thick, the sides about an
inch, and the roof a little over half an inch in thickness. These meas-
urements vary somewhat in different specimens. The nests are all con-
structed out of dry grasses exclusively, and are lined with fine grass
tops only. Some are much more artistically and compactly built than
others; the roof projects somewhat over the entrance in all cases."
The nest is always placed in a depression of the ground, and the
entrance is invariably canted upwards at an angle of about 15°. The
entrance to the majority of the nests faced the west.* The nests
were found in growths of old-field pines, in patches of pine and plum

♦Doubtless the honor of giving the first description of the arched or domed nests of Bachman's
Finch, belongs to Mr. T. D. Perry, of Savannah, Georgia. His account was published in " The Young
Oologist," for October, 18S4, p. 83. As the article sheds some light on other characteristics of the birdi,
I quote it in full, as follows: "This species, I believe, is somewhat rare and but little known, but this
season I had the good fortune to find them breeding quite numerously among the rank grass in old
fields. They are somewhat shy in their actions when flushed from the nest, running off a little way,
beatiag the ground with the wings and uttering a slight chirping sound, seeming all the time to be in
great distress. They build on the ground in a slight hollow; nest composed of dry grass and roots;
nest nearly arched over; they lay four white eggs, one-half inch wide by three-quarters long. The
first nest I found was on May 18, incubation far advanced; therefore allowing for time of building,
laying of eggs, and advancement of incubation, it stands to reason that they commence to build about
the last of April. All the nests that I have ever found (and I found nine (9) this season, in which all
except two, had young large enough to fly) hav« been in the same field, and in nearly every instance
have been near a path, leaving little doubt that they are sociable birds, and prefer to breed in company.
They do not rise right off the nest, but seem to run through the grass a little way before flying, but by
standing still and watching, you will soon see the bird sneaking back, and you will find the nest every
time, at least I have found it so. Whether they remain wi^h us the whole year, ur only come from
farther South to breed, I am at present unable to say."

Klr,i I

. t,

li:

1- !

1:1

I Hi

316

NESTS AND EGGS OF

bushes, on slopes of hills, in open spaces under fallen branches.
The birds do not rise off the nest as other birds do when disturbed,
but run some distance before taking flight.

Capt. Bendire states that the eggs of Bachman's Sparrow in the
National Museum, collected by Dr. Avery, are pure white, but with
less gloss than those of P. cestivalis^ more of a dead white. A set of
four nearly fresh eggs taken May 8, gives the following sizes : .72 x .56,
•75X.55) -y^x.ss, .71X.55. A set taken June 23, measures .75 x
•57> •75X.60, .77 X. 61, .76X.61. * Capt. B, F. Goss has a set of four
eggs in his collection, taken by Mr. Wayne. These measure .79 x
.63, .75X.63, .75X.63, .75X.63.

576-577. PeucsBa mexicana (Lawr.)

Mexioan Sparrow.t

Hab. Valley of the Kio Grande in Texas, Southern New Mexico and Arizona, south in winter
to Northern, Central and Western Mexico.

Dr. James C. Merrill, met with this species on the Lower Rio
Grande in Texas. He says the bird is found in some abundance on
a salt prairie about nine miles from Fort Brown, and it was obtained
with difficulty, as it could rarely be flushed from among the tall grass.
" A nest, found June 16, 1877, was placed among the roots of a tussock
of grass ; it was made of blades and stems of grasses, and was rather
deep, but so frail that it fell to pieces on removal. The eggs, four
in number, were quite fresh. They are unspotted, white, strongly
tinged with greenish-blue, and measure .82 x .63." Prof. Ridgway
describes the eggs as plain, pure white, size, .72 x .58.

578. Peucsea casslni (Woodh.) [228.]

Cassin'a Spaxvonir.

Hab. Southwestern border of United States. Texas to Arizona, and Northern Mexico; north in
tuinmer to the Plains of Kansas.

Col. N. S. Goss states that this species is a not uncommon
summer resident in Middle and Western Kansas, arriving from the
first to the middle of May. Begins laying about the tenth of June.
Their favorite resorts and breeding grounds are on the barren plains
that are dotted over with low, stunted bushes. Dr. Merrill says Cassin's
Sparrow arrives in the region of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas,
about the middle of March, and frequents the open chapparal and
thick bushes. Nests were found April 28, and May 4 and 22, 1877.
They were placed at the foot of small bushes, and scarcely raised
above the ground ; were composed of dried grasses, lined with finer
ones and a few hairs, but were very frail. Thirteen eggs taken from

* For Capt. Bendire's detailed account of the nest and eggs of Peuccea cestivalit bachmanii se«
The Auk, October, 1888, pp. 351-350.

t This includes P. arizontt which, according to Prof. Ridgway, proves to be not separable.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

817

1 branches.
1 disturbed,

rrow in the
e, but with
. A set of

sures 75 X
set of four
asure .79 x

xith

'n winter

/ower Rio
idance on

obtained
tall grass,
a tussock
as rather
g:gs, four

strongly
R-idgway

:o; north in

:ommon

om the

f June.

1 plains

!^assin's

Texas,

al and

1877.

raised

finer

from

anii see

these nests are pure white, and average .74 x .57. Mr. Lloyd found
nests of this species in Western Texas in May, that were placed in
bushes not higher than a foot from the ground, or in tufts of grasses.

579. PeucsBa carpalis Coues. [229.]

Rnfona-winged Sparrovr.

Hab. Southern Arizona.

Capt. Charles E. Bendire. U. S. A., found this species to be a
common resident in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona. The birds were
especially abundant on the ridges bordering Rillitto Creek, on the dry,
arid catcus-covered plains, near the present site of Camp Lowell.
Here he collected many nests with eggs. The nest is usually placed
in low bushes, preferably small mesquites, from six inches to five feet
from the ground, most frequently about eighteen inches; and no
especial attempt is made at concealment. It is firmly fixed to a fork
or crotch, and is a compact structure, composed externally of coarse
grasses and lined with the fine tops of the mesquite grass, and not un-
frequently a few horse hairs, when such are obtainable.

About one-half of the nests found contained one or more eggs
of the Dwarf Cowbird. A set of three eggs collected by Capt.
Bendire, on August 23, 1872, are in Mr, Norris' collection ; they are
plain bluish-white, and give the following measurements: .75X.57,
.78X .59, .75 X .58. The first eggs were found by Capt. Bendire, June
14, but the birds were believed to commence breeding even a mouth
earlier. The number to a set is commonly four or five.

580. PeucBBa ruficeps (Cass.) [230.]

, , Knfous-oro-wued Sparro'w.

Hab. California.

The Rufous-crowned Sparrow breeds in various mountainous lo-
calities of California, where, however, it is somewhat local in its
distribution. Rocky hill-sides, with a sparce growth of stunted
bushes, are its favorite resorts. The breeding season is said to begin
as early as April. The nest is placed on the ground in a slight hollow,
and is exceedingly hard to find, as the sitting female steals silently
away under cover of the surrounding vegetation, and if seen at all is
likely to be mistaken for a startled mpuse. A nest collected July 10,
by Mr. Charles A. Allen, on Black Mountain, near Nicasio, California,
and described by Mr. William Brewster, is outwardly composed of
coarse grass and weed-stocks, lined somewhat scantily with horse
hair, very loosely put together. The locality was an open heathy
tract on the mountain-side, and the nest was placed on the ground
nnder a bush. This nest contained three pure white eggs; size, .89 x
.65.* The eggs are described by others as plain bluish-white.

*Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club. II, p. 87. See also Vol. IV pp. 47-48

318 NESTS AND BGGS OF

580a. Pencsa mfloeps boncardi (Scl.) [230a.]

Bonoard's Sparroir.

H>b. Mexico and Lower California north to Southern Arizona, New Mexico, and Western Texas.

Mr. W. E. D. Scott found this species a resident in Southern Ari-
zona, lip to an altitude of 4000 feet in winter and nearly loooo feet
during the warmer months, but is much more common from the first
of February until the middle of October. He states that it does not
seek cover in the thick grass to the degree or in the manner so charac-
teristic of its congeners. A nest was found June 15, 1885, well up on
a hillside, at an altitude of 4500 feet, on the bare ground near a
tussock of grass. The nest was bulky for so small a bird, and loosely
put together. It is composed of coarse, dry grasses throughout and
there is no attempt at lining with finer material. Contained in this
nest were two young just hatched and one egg, apparently fresh, and
plain, dead white; size, .83X.62. Three partly incubated eggs taken
July 27 from a similar nest, measure .80 x .58, .82X.60, .86x.6i. A third
nest found by Mr. Scott late in July contained the same number of
eggs, which were almost fresh.

580^. Pencsea ruflceps eremceca Brown.

Rook Sparro-Vt

Hab. Eastern Mexico, north to Central Texas.

Mr. Nathan Clifford Brown described this sub-species from speci-
mens taken by him at Boerne, Texas, in i879-'8o. He states that he
always found the bird in rocky localities, usually in close proximity to
a creek, but occasionally on barren hills a mile or more from water. It
has the same shy, skulking habits which are common to other species
of the genus, rarely taking wing on the approach of an intruder so
long as rock, bush or weed affords a hiding place.*

Two sets of the eggs of this bird are in Mr. Norris' collection.
One was collected June 19, 1884, in Comal county, Texas, the nest
being on the ground in a bunch of grass; sizes, .81 x .61, .85 x .62, .81
X .62, .83 X .62. The other set was collected April 4, 1882, in the same
region, and the nest was likewise on the ground in a bunch of grass.
These eggs measure, .82 x .64, .78 x .64, .73 x .63, .78 x .64. The eggs
in both sets are plain bluish-white.

581. Melosplza fasciata (Gmel.) [231.]

Song Sparroiv.

Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces, west to the Plains; breeding chiefly north of 40°,
except east of the Alleghanies.

The Song Sparrow in its diverse geographical forms — varying in
size, color, and in the relative size of the bill, etc., inhabits the greater

<• Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VII, pp. 88-89.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

319

Ventttn Texai.

Juthern Ari-
^ loooo feet
om the first
it does not
r so charac-

well up on
ind near a
and loosely
ighout and
led in this

fresh, and
'-ggs taken
[. A third
lumber of

om speci-
es that he
ximity to
^'ater. It
•r species
ruder so

3llection.
the nest
62, .81
he same
>f grass,
he eggs

arth of iO",

ying in
greater

part of the North American continent. The present species is one of
the sweetest of songsters and is a familiar bird in Eastern United
States, where, east of the Alleghanies, it breeds from South Carolina
north into the British Provinces. West of the Alleghanies it breeds
chiefly north of 40° latitude, and is resident throughout the year in a
large portion of the area in which it breeds. Its nest may be found
all through the summer months, two or three broods being reared ;
if the nest is destroyed or robbed, a fourth or fifth is frequently built, in
which eggs are deposited.

It is generally placed on the ground or in low bushes. The
materials used iu its composition are grasses, weeds and leaves, lined
with fine grass stems, roots, and in some cases hair. Nests of this bird
have been found built in holes of apple trees, and on the branches six
or eight feet from the ground. Again they have been placed by the
side of a railroad track where the trains were continually passing. It is
very frequently built in honeysuckle and other vines against the sides
of houses. Curious places are often selected as nesting sites, such as
a horse's skull in a grassy field, or under an old tin pan which has a
hole in the top.

The eggs are usually four or five, sometimes six, and rarely seven.
So great is the diversity in their coloration and size that they generally
serve to represent the eggs of several different species of "ground-
birds" in the small boy's collection. They vary from greenish or
pinkish-white to light bluish-green, more or less thickly spotted with
dark reddish-brown ; the ground color and the spots have a diversity of
shades ; sizes range from .75 to .85 in length by .55 to .60 in breadth.

581a. Melospiza fasciata fallax (Baird.) [231a, /ar/.]

Seaert Song Sparroiv.

Hab. Arizona.

A common bird in the lower regions of Arizona, inhabiting the
willow thickets and marsh grass near water. Its general habits, nest-
ing and eggs on the whole are said to be indistinguishable from those
of M. fasciata ; three of four eggs being the usual numbers laid.

581A Melospiza fasciata montana Hensh. [2^10, pari.]

Moantain Song Sparrow.

Hab. Rocky Mountain district — Colorada, Utah, Nevada, Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington
Territory.

There is no essential difference between the nesting and eggs of
this Song Sparrow and those of Af. fasciata.

58k. Melospiza fasciata heermannl. (Baird.) [23 i<^.]

Heermann'sSong Sparrcv.

Hab, Interior districts of California including the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain*.

The California Song Sparrow was named in honor of Dr. A. L,.

320

NKSTS AND EGGS OP

Heermann, who first obtained it in the Tejon Valley. It has been
found in California as far north as Sau Francisco and to the south and
southeast to San Diego and the Mohave River. This bird's favorite
resorts are on the hillsides, canons and along the banks of streams.
The nest is placed in busheh; from two to six feet from the ground.
Mr. Emerson states that the complement of eggs is generally four.
The ground color in the eggs of heermanni is generally more bluish
than in those of samuclis and the markings are heavier and of a darker
brown and tend to be move confluent at the larger end than in the eggs
of the latter. The egg of this species is also much larger. .87 x .64.

58W.

[23 ''■•I

Melospiza fasciata samaelis (Baird.)

Samuel'* Souk Sparrow.

Hab. Coast regions of California.

Wherever there are salt marshes along the coast of California,
Samuel's Song Sparrow is sure to be found. The bird is especially
abundant in the neighborhood of San Francisco. Mr. Emerson in-
forms me that he has found the nest placed on the ground beneath
tussocks of grass or in salt weeds and more often in a kind of low shrub
that grows on the old sand drifts. Mr. Walter E. Bryant records a nest
containing three eggs taken by Mr. Emerson from a round oyster can,
which had lodged sideways among some driftwood, in a willow tree.
A nest before me taken March 26, near Haywards, California, is
composed of coarse, dry grasses and weed stems externally, the inside
and lining being made of finer material of the same. Three or four
eggs are deposited by thia bird ; their color is of a bluish-gray, spotted
and blotched pretty generally over the surface with reddish-brown. A
set of three eggs collected by Mr. Emerson, May i, gives the follow-
ing respective sizes : .79 x .63, .75 x .59, .83 x .59 ; another, .75 x .59,
•83 X .59> 75 X .59-

581<f. Melospiza fasciata guttata (Nutt.) [231^.]

Rnatjr Song Sparrow.

Hab. Pacific coast region, from Norlhern California north to British C '

The Oregon or Rusty Song Sparrow is rt

coast district, breeding from Northern Cr^'^'orn
are described as being indistinguishable
the Eastern States, averaging the same in

ize.

he Pacific

>a The eggs

Au fasciata^ of

Hab.

582. Melospiza cinerea (Gmel.) [^32.]

Aleutian Song Sparromr.

Aleutian Islands, east to Fort Kenai, Alaska.

This is the Cineaeous or Kadiak Song Sparrow of peculiar ' -,
shape and color, and very long, slender bill. It inhabits the Aleui n

'liSi

.■Mf-iiuiRuaHm-us ip

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

321

[t has been
! south aud
d's favorite
of streams,
'le ground,
srally four,
lore bhiish
of a darker
m the eggs
.87 X .64.

California,

especially

lerson in-

i beneath

low shrub

•rds a nest

'yster can,

How tree.

fornia, is

he inside

or four

spotted

own. A

: follow-

75X.59,

Pacific
*he eggs
data, of

ar
leu

Islands, where it nests among the tall grass and in the low shrubbery.
Eggs similar to those of M./asciaia^ but averaging larger, .89X.65.

583, Melospiza lincolnl (Aud.) [334]

Llaooln's Sparrow.

Hab. Entire of North America, breeding from the Northern border of the United Statei northward,
and South in higher mountain ranges,

Lincoln's Finch is found throughout North America at large
breeding sparingly in the United States from Wisconsin and Northern
New York northward, and in the west as far south as the mountains of
Southern Colorado, Breeds not uncommonly in the valleys of Oregon.
From its habit of skulking through the underbrush and shrubbery of
marshes, more like a mouse than a bird, it is seldom seen, and conse-
quently it seems to be little known. Nests on the ground like the
Song Sparrow. Mr. Norris has two sets of the eggs of Lincoln's
Sparrow taken in Boulder county, Colorado, on June 22, and July 18,
respectively. One of the nests was placed in a mossy bank among
small swamp bushes, and composed entirely of grasses ; the other was
built at the base of an aspen tree. The eggs of one set, three in
number, are light greenish-white heavily marked, principally at the
larger end with chestnut and lavender-gray; sizes .81 x. 58, ,8ix.59,
.82 X .60. The nest taken June 22 is of four eggs ; these are light pea-
green thickly marked with chestnut and measure, .79X.58, .76X.57,
.81X.58, .79X.57.

584. Melospiza georgiana (Lath.) [233.]

Swamp Sparrow*

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from Northern United States northward; west to the Plaint,
casually to Utah.

The Swamp Sparrow breeds from the Northern United States
northward. On account of its secretive and retiring habits, the bird,
its nest and eggs are very apt to escape notice unless perseveringly
hunted and purposely looked for. The Swamp Sparrow dwells in the
deep recesses of marshy thickets environed with a canopy of tangled
foliage, whose treacherous quagmire abounds in a luxuriant growth of
wild grasses. In these retreats the bird may exist in abundance and
still be considered rare in certain localities where it has been over-
looked. Its neat, trim form and tasteful colors render it one of the
handsomest smaller Sparrows.

The Swamp Sparrow builds its nest on the ground in low, damp
places; in construction and composition it is like that of the Song
Sparrow and the eggs of the two species are somewhat similar.
Those of M. georgiana^ however, may generally be distinguished by
the peculiarly clouded and indistinct appearance of the markings. The

322

NESTS AND EGGS OF

eggs of M.fasciata on the contrary, as a rule have smaller markings and
much more distinct ones, while the clouded effect of those of M.
georgiana is entirely wanting. A series in Mr. Norris' cabinet show great
variation in size and coloring, but in only one set is the clouding of
the markings wanting. A set of four containing the largest eggs give
the following measurements: .80X.56, .81 x .56 .Sox. 57, .Sox. 57;
another set (five eggs) measure respectively : .72 x .5S, .74 x .59, .71 x. 57,
.73X.58, .74X.56.

585. Passerella iliaca (Merr.) [235.]

Fox Sparronv.

Hab. Northern North America, ' reeding north of the United States; in winter south over the
whole of the Eastern United States to the Gulf coast.

The Fox-coldred Sparrow is one of the largest and finest of its
tribe. Breeds from the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Labrador north
into Alaska. It is met with in Eastern United States during the
spring, fall and iu winter.

The Fox Sparrow in its summer home is said to be a charming
songster, possessing a clear thrush-like song of exquisite melody,
fairly rivaling the warblings of the ablest feathered performers in the
sweetness and purity of tone and beauty of expression. Audobon met
with it breeding in Labrador, and found its eggs from the middle of
June to the 5th of July. It also breeds in Newfoundland. Nests of
this species were, according to the reports of Mr. MacFarlane and Mr.
Kennicott, found in trees and on the ground in the Arctic regions.
Mr. W. H. Dall obtained the eggs on the Yukon river in Alaska,
and the birds were very abundant at the mouth of this river in July
and also at St. Michael's. Mr. Maynard found this species nesting
on the Magdalen Islands. According to these observers the nests
are, for the most part, placed on the ground, usually concealed by the
drooping branches of evergreens. They are composed of grass and
moss, lined with fine grass and feathers. The eggs are four or five,
pale bluish-green, speckled, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown,
or uniform chocolate-brown ; size .93 x .65.

585a. Passerella iliaca nnalaschcensis (Gmel.) [235a.]

Towiiaend's Sparrow.

Hab. Pacific coast region, from Kadiak south in winter to Southern California,

This bird breeds north of the United States — from British Col-
umbia north to Kadiak and coast Alaska, west to Unalaschka Islands.
It has been found breeding on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in
May and June, and at St. Michaels, Alaska. In its habits it is said to
be shy and retiring, frequenting the t;mgled thickets and brush-piles.
In these its nest is built, commonly a few inches above the ground.

■BaaoMBB

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

323

irkings and
lose of M.
: show great
clouding of
't eggs give
', .80X.57;
)9. •71X.57,

«outh over the

nest of its
ador north
luring the

charming

e melody,

lers in the

iobon met

middle of

Nests of

e and Mr.

: regions.

1 Alaska,

r in July

s nesting

he nests

d by the

rass and

r or five,

1 -brown,

ish Col-
Islands,
nbia, in

said to
h-piles.

round.

The nest is described as being made of grasses, moss, and vegetable
fibres compactly woven together. The eggs, three to five in number,
are described as of a greenish or dull brownish-white, spotted and
blotched with reddisb-biown ; size .90X .66.

585^. Passerella iliaca megarhyncha (Baird) [ 235^.]

Hab.

Thlok'bllled Sparrow.

Mountain ranges of California and Oregon, including eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada.

This species is confined to the restricted area of the mountainous
regions of California and Oregon. Its habits are much the same as
those of P. unalaschcensis^ inhabiting the shrubbery of the mountain
ravines, where it breeds. It is said to be an exquisite songster, its
song resembling in richness and volume that of the Louisiana Water-
Thrush. The Thick-billed Sparrow 1' as been found breeding in several
places in California and Southeastern Oregon. Mr. L. Belding found
it nesting in Calaveras county, California, in June. The nest is said
to be built just above the ground, and sometimes at a height of five
feet, and always in bushes amongst thickets. The eggs are like those
of P. unalaschcensis or those oi schistacea^ and average .86X.64.

585^. Passerella Iliaca schistacea (Baird) [235^.] ;

Slate-oolored Sparrow.

Hab. Rocky Mountain region, 'est across the Great Basin into California and Oregon; east ia
winter to tht "^Treat Plains (Kansas.)

The Slate-colored Sparrow was met with by Prof. Ridgway in Par-
ley's Park among the Wahsatch Mountains, nesting plentifully in the
willows and other shrubbery along the streams in the month of June.
It was always found in company with the Mountain Song Sparrow,
M. f. montana^ which, in song, it greatly resembles. The nests of the
two species were also much alike in manner of construction and situa-
tion and the eggs so similar that it required careful observation to
identify a nest when one was found.

A set containing three eggs of this species is in Mr. Norris'
cabinet which was collected by Captain Charles E. Bendire, at Camp
Harney, Oregon, on June 21, 1875. The nest was in a rose thicket,
two and a half feet from the ground, close to Rattlesnake Creek. The
eggs are of a pale bluish-green, heavily spotted with burnt umber,
and measure .83 x .62, .80 x .62, .87 x .63 respectively.

586. Embernagra rufivirgata Lawr. [236.]

Texas Sparrow^.

Hab. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas and southward.

Dr. Merrill and Mr. Sennett both note this species as a common
resident on the Lower Rio Grande, in Texas, where it frequents the
thickets, brush-fences and low shrubbery. Dr. Merrill says : " I have

324

NKSTS AND EGGS OF

found the nests with eggs at intervals from May 9 to September 7.
These are placed in low bushes, rarely more than three feet from the
ground ; the nests are rather large, composed of twigs and straws, and
lined with finer straws and hairs ; they are practically domed, the nests
being placed rather obliquely, and the part above the entrance being
built out. The eggs are from two to four in number ; thirty-two average
.88 X .65, the extreme being .97 x .67 and .81 x .61 ; they are pure white.
Two, and probably three broods are raised in a season."

Mr. Sennett obtained on April loth young birds and a nest con-
taining two eggs about to hatch.

587. Pipilo erythrophthalmus (Linn.) [237.]

Towliee.

Hab. Eastern United States, west to Eastern Dakota, Kansas, Texas and Gulf coast.

The Red-eyed Towhee, Chewink, Ground Robin, or Marsh Robin,
as it is variously called, has an extended distribution throughout East-
ern United States, from Florida and Eastern Texas on the south to
the Selkirk Settlements on the northwest, and as far west as the edge
of the Great Plains, where it is replaced by other closely allied races.
Breeds almost wherever found. It is a spirited bird and spends a great
deal of its time on the ground, hopping about among the thick under-
brush, frequently uttering its peculiar notes, tohee^ tohee, chewink^
chewtnky in quick succession. The shady retreats of woodlands are
also favorite resorts of this species.

The nest is generally placed on the ground, at the foot of some
bush, or under a fallen log. It is often built on the ground in the
midst of deep, damp woods, well hidden in the rank grass. Occasion-
ally, however, this Bunting places its nest in a bush or sapling. Mr.
Poling states that he has taken the nest from trees as high up from the
ground as seven and a half feet. It is a rude structure of grapevine
bark, twigs, weed-stalks, leaves and grasses, lined with finer grasses
and rootlets.

The eggs of the Towhee are three or four, rarely five in number.
Their ground-color is white, pinkish, or of a faint bluish-white. There
is a wide variation in the shapes and sizes of the eggs, likewise in the
style and distribution of their markings. In sha^e they will vary all
the way from oblong oval to globular; rounded-oval however, being the
characteristic ♦^vpe. They are thickly sprinkled or speckled with light
reddish-brown , in some the markings are so bold and sparsely scat-
tered that the eggs resemble very closely those of the Cowbird, Mead-
ow-lark or Cardinal Rt d-bird. The markings in the eggs of the Tow-
hee, as a general rule, have a constant pinkish cast rarely found in the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

325

ptember 7.
t from the
straws, and
I, the nests
ince being
vo average
>ure white.

nest con-

sh Robin,
out East-
south to
the edge
ed races,
is a great
;k under-
chewink^
ands are

of some
d in the
>ccasion-
ig. Mr.
"rom the
apevine
grasses

lumber.
There
e in the
vary all
ing the
th light
ly scat-
Mead-
e Tow-
in the

eggs of the other species. We have already stated a means of dis-
tinguishing the eggs of this species from those of the Cowbird — page 272.
Ten eggs measure .89 x .66, .89 x .68, .89 x .68, .90 x .71, .88 x .75, .90 x
.73, .94 X .75, .96 X .74, .93 X .72, .96 X .73 ; average .95 x .72.

587a. Plpilo erythrophthalmus alleni Couks [237a.]

Virhite-eyed Towhee.

Hab. Florida, Eaitern Georgia and Southern South Carolina.

The Florida or White- eyed Towhee has been found breeding as
far north as Beaufort county, South Carolina, by Mr. Walter Hoxie in
the months of May and June. Mr. G. Noble, of Savannah, Georgia,
informs me that he found the White-eye in that region building chief-
ly in young pines from three to ten feet above the ground, and that the
nest resembles that of the Yellow-breasted Chat. Mr. Hoxie found it
nesting in pine trees ranging in height from four to twenty feet above
the ground. The nests were made of coarse weeds, pine needles and
grass, lined with finer grasses. The complement of eggs varies from
two to four, and considerable variation exists in their size and mark-
ings. Mr. Norris has several sets of eggs taken near Frogmore,
South Carolina. Their ground color is white, thickly speckled with
pinkish-vinaceous and pearl-gray. A set of three has one egg which
is covered all over with faint yellow specks, giving to the specimen a
light yellow-brown appearance; the other two are bluish-white tin-
marked-^ sizes, .90X.69, .85X.70, .82X.68. Another set of two are of
the same light bluish-white tint, unmarked, and offers the following
sizes: .85X.67, .87X.62. The sizes of a set of three are, i.oox.74,
.95X.72, .87X.70.

588. Pipilo maculatus arcticus (Swains.) [238.]

Arctic ToTvhne.

Hab. Plains of the Platte, Upper Missouri, Yellowstone and the Saskatchewan Rivers; weit to the
base of the Rocky Mountains; south in winter to Kansas, Colorado and Texas.

• The Northern or Arctic Towhee Bunting has been found in the
valley of the Saskatchewan, where it breeds, and on the high central
plains of the Upper Missouri and the Yellowstone and Platte Rivers.
An abundant species in the valley of the Great Slave Lake. Dr. Mer-
rill found it in all parts of Montana wherever a stream with bordering
underbrush afforded shelter. There is great diversity in the time of
laying, or rather in the contents of nests found on about the same dates
from the middle of May until late in July, which was attributed more
to the great number of nests that must be destroyed by snakes, birds
and small mammals, and to the attempt of the parents to raise another
brood, than to any other cause. The nests are placed on the ground
under some bush, favorite places being growths of cherry bushes often

li* I

I
!

326

NESTS AND EGGS OP

seen near streams ih that region ; lower on the plains any growth of
shrubbery is selected. The rim of the nest is flush with the level of
the ground, the birds scratching the hollow large enough to contain the
nest, which is strongly built of bark strips, blades of dry grass, and
usually lined with yellow straw. The eggs are four or five, averaging
.94 X ,69. Their ground color is white, slightly tinged with greenish-
and covered with dots and small spots of reddish-brown and lavender
most numerous at the large end. Some specimens are so densely cov-
ered with the markings that the ground color is hardly distinguishable.

588a. Plpilo maculatus megalonyx (Baird.) [238a.]

Spurred Towhee.

Hab. Rocky Mountain region westward to Southern California, north to Eastern Washington Terri-
Hory, south into Northern Mexico and Lower California.

The Spurred Towhee Bunting is the prevailing form of the Rocky
Mountain region — New Mexico, Arizona, etc. Its habits, nesting and
eggs are substantially the same as those of P. erythrophthalmus, Mr.
S. C. Evans found several nests of this bird near Riverside, California,
all of which were placed in low bushes. Mr. Emerson says the bird
is quite common in the vicinity of Haywards, California, where he has
takeu many of its nests. The nearest he has ever found the nest to
the ground was about ten inches. In other localities, however, it is
known to nest on the ground like the Eastern Towhee.

The sizes of a set of four eggs in Mr. Norris' collection taken near
Haywards, California, are .89 x .70, .90 x .70, .89 x .70, .88 x .71. They
have a light pinkish-white ground, thickly sprinkled and speck-
led with viuaceous-cinnamon.

588<J. Pipilo maculatus oregonus (Bell.) [2381^.]

Oregon Towhee.

Hab. Pacific coast from British Columbia south to Santa Cruz, California. *

The Oregon Ground Robin is a resident in the western portion of
the State of Oregon and Washington Territory during the sum-
mer, and in the more northern portions of California. The nest is
placed on the ground and sometimes in bushes, on stumps, etc., like
the Eastern Tov je's. It is composed of grasses and leaves, with a
lining of fine gra^s. Mr. Anthony mentions finding an egg of this
species in the nest of the Rusty Song Sparrow. In color and general
appearance the eggs resemble those of P. erythrophthalmus. A set of
four in Mr. Norris' collection, taken May 12, are pinkish -white,
thickly speckled with vinaceous and vinaceous-cinnamon ; their sizes :
.94X.70, .92X.69, .91X.71, .95X.71.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

327

growth of

he level of

contain the

grass, and

averaging

greenish-

d lavender

msely cov-

guishable.

ihington Terri-

the Rocky
!sting and
nus. Mr.
California,
5 the bird
:re he has
e nest to
•ver, it is

ken near
They
speck-

)rtion of
sum-
nest is
tc, like
with a
of this
general
^ set of
-white,
sizes ;

590. Pipilo Ciilornrus (Towns.) [239.]

Oreen-talled Towhee.

Hab. Whole of Middle Province, including the Rocky Mountains and eastern slope of the Sierra
Nevada — Eastern Oregon, Idaho, Montana, etc., south into Mexico.

Called the Chestnut-crowned Towhee, Green-tailed Bunting
and Blanding's Finch. It is generally distributed in all bushy places
throughout the fertile mountain portions of the interior. It is a char-
acteristic bird of the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, and a
summer resident arriving at Virginia City about the middle or latter
part of April. Habits, nesting, eggs and song generic. The late Mr.
Snowdon Howland informed me that he collected a set of four eggs of
this species in Wyoming, in 1871. The nest was placed on the ground
in the usual manner of that of the Eastern Towhee, and was composed
of dry grasses and shreds of bark. It was well concealed by a dense
growth of low bushes. «

The eggs are white with a bluish tint, profusely dotted with
pinkish-drab, sometimes so thickly distributed as to give the t^%
the appearance of a uniform color, or as an unspotted pinkish-
drab, and again more sparsely diffused ; nearly oval in shape ; four
eggs is the usual complement ; the sizes of a set of five eggs in Mr.
Norris' cabinet, taken May 28, near Fort Klamath, Oregon, are .85 x .64,
.90 X .68, .85 X .65, .90 X .68, .84 X .64 ; their average size is .85 x.65.

591. Pipilo fuseus mesoleucus (Baird) [240.]

Canon Towhee>

Hab, New Mexico and Arizona, south into Mexico.

The Canon Bunting or Brown Towhee is abundantly distributed
throughout the warmer portions of New Mexico and Arizona, from the
valley of the Rio Grande to that of the Colorado. It prefers the dense
bushes of the valleys, and like the Eastern Red-eye, passes the greater
part of its time on the ground, in thickets, generally in company with
the Arctic Towhee. The nest is usually built in shrubs and low mes-
quite trees.

A set of three eggs of this species in Mr. Norris' cabinet was
collected July 14, 1882, by Captain Charles E. Bendire, near Rilletto
Creek, Arizona. The nest was placed in a mesquite bush about four
feet from the ground. The eggs are white, spotted, principally at the
larger ends, with black and vandyke brown. There are also a few
spots of lavender-gray, and quite a number of the curious pen lines
common to the eggs of the oriole. They measure .90X.71, .89X.66,
.94X.71.

328

NESTS AND EGGS OF

591a. Pipilo fnscns albignla (Baird) [240a.]

„ . „ . . . Saint liiioas Towkee.

Hab. Lower California.

The White-throated Brown Towhee is a common species at Cape
St. Lucas where it breeds abundantly, placing the nest usually in
thickets, a few feet from the ground and often on the ground, in a
slight hollow. It is composed of wiry grasses, a few leaves, and fine,
slender roots.

The eggs are usually four in number, pale greenish-white or very
pale greenish-blue, with markings, dots, dashes and lines about the
larger end, of a deep dark shade of purplish-brown, so dark as some-
times to be undistinguishable from black ; average size .91 x .65.

591*. Pipilo fuscus crissalis (Vio.) [240*.]

Oalifornlam Towhee.

Hab. California.

t An abundant bird in California and known as the California
Brown Towhee Crissal Towhee Bunting and Canon Finch. Mr. A.
M. Shields states that in Southern California this species is a constant
companion of the Californian Thrasher, frequenting the dense beds of
chapparal and the scrub bushes which line the mountain canons. The
bird nests early in April, and fresh eggs may be found until the middle
of May. The nest complement is generally four, often five, sometimes
only three. The situation of the nest according to Mr. Shields is
quite variable, sometimes it is placed on the ground, occasionally in
crevices of vine-covered rocks, in hollow trunks of trees, etc., but the
favorite nesting place is a thick, scrubby bush from three to five feet
above the ground. Prof. Evermann found young birds as early as
April 3 in Ventura county. The nest in that region is usually built
in a sage, greasewood, or cactus, one to five feet from the ground.
Occasionally, however, it is placed in live oaks, ten to fifteen feet up,
and composed of twigs, bark and grass, lined with rootlets.

A large series of the eggs of this species is before me. In their
general appearance they resemble the eggs of the Red-winged Black-
bird, being of a blue, spotted ar:d blotched with varying shades of dark
and light purple, in some the color is not distinguishable from black,
except in a strong light. The markings are chiefly or wholly at the
larger ends and sometimes in the shape of scrawls and daubs. Ten
eggs measure .87X.72, .90X.73, .92 x .71, .92 x .73, .94X.74, .95X.70,

•95X.73. •97x73, •99x.7i» •99X.73-

592. Pipilo aberti Baird [241.]

Abert's To'whee.

Hab. Arizona and New Mexico north into Southern Utah and Colorado.

This very large and long-tailed species, known as the Gray Tow-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

329

ies at Cape
usually in
ound, in a
, and fine,

ite or very
about the
: as some-
.65.

California

. Mr. A.

constant

e beds of

>ns. The

le middle

)metimes

hields is

anally in

but the

five feet

early as

lly built

ground.

feet up,

In their
Black-

of dark

black,

at the

Ten

5 X .70,

Tow-

hee is abundant in all suitable localities of Arizona and New Mexico.
One of the most abundant birds throughout the valleys of the Gila and
Colorado Rivers. Its favorite resorts are the dense chapparal thickets
along streams. Said to be a very shy species keeping close within
its retreats upon the approach of an intruder. The nest is rather
loose and bulky, usually built in bushes near the ground and again in
trees. Mr. Stephens found one in a bunch of mistletoe at a height of
at least thirty feet. The nest is made of strips of bark, twigs and
leaves, with finer lining of the same materials. The eggs are three or
four in number and look exactly like those of the California Towhee
— pale greenish-blue or bluish- white, speckled, spotted and scratched
about the larger end, sometimes sparsely over the whole surface with
dark brown. Average size i.oox .74. A set of three eggs in my cabi-
net taken by Dr. Chas. Carter, U. S. A., in Pinal county, Arizona, on
April 21, 1885, exhibits the following sizes: i.oix.75, 1.02 x. 75, i.oox

•74-

593. Gardinalis cardinalis (Linn.) [342.]

Cardinal.

Hab. Eastern United States; west to Kansas, Nebraska; south to Texas and Florida; north to the
Middle States; rare in N«w York, casual in Connecticut, accidental in Massachusetts; represented by varie-
ties in the Southwes'..

Commonly called Redbird or Cardinal Grosbeak, and by some
I Virginia Nightingale or Virginia Cardinal. It is not migratory

but resident nearly wherever found, and is distributed throughout the
eastern part of United States from the latitude of Ohio southward.
The nest of this species is placed in a variety of situations, usually
from three to ten feet above the ground in a dense thicket, which is its
favorite nesting site. I have found the nest placed on the top rail of
a fence in the midst of a clump of brambles. The late Dr. Wheaton
mentions finding it '* on the top of vine-covered .stumps, in wild-goose-
berry bushes overhanging water, and in brush-heaps," and says: "I
have found the nest ready for the reception of eggs as early as April
17." Mr. Davis states that in Cook county, Texas, the Redbird begins
nesting before the trees put forth their leaves. The nest is a loose, frail
structure, made of slender twigs, strips of grape-vine bark, stems, grass,
and a few leaves, lined with fine rootlets and grasses, sometimes with
horse hair.

There is a great diversity in the coloration and general appearance
in a large series of the eggs of this species. The ground-color in the
various specimens runs from white through bluish or greenish-white
to that of a brownish tint. The markings are reddish -brown, laven-
der and gray of various shades and are pretty generally scattered over
the entire surface ; in other specimens they tend to cluster more thick-

330

NESTS AND EGGS OF

In •

ly about or on the larger ends ; some are so thickly marked as to
almost conceal the ground color. The specimens generally consid-
ered handsomest are those with a greenish-white ground heavily and
distinctly blotched v/ith reddish-brown. Some of the smaller eggs
and more finely dotted ones resemble very closely those of the Cow-
bird. Mr. Ragsdale has an egg of this species with a large chocolate
blotch covering one-fourth of the shell. The eggs are three or four in
number.* Eight eggs (two nests of four each) measure respectively:
.98X.71, .93X.73, 1.02X.74, 1.06X.74, .98X. 77, 1.00X.75, 1.01X.76, 1.03
X.78; average i.oox.73.

593a. Cardinalis cardinalis superbus Ridgw. [242a, /ar/.]

Aricona Cardinal.

Hab. Southern Arizona and Western Mexico.

A bird very similar to C. cardinalis but larger, and the female
more richly colored. Its general habits, nesting and eggs are not in
anywise distinguishable from those of the Redbird of the Eastern
States.

593<J. Cardinalis cardinalis igneus (Baird) [242a,f>afi.]

Saint Iinoai Cardinal.

Hab. Lower California.

A smaller bird than superbus and called Fiery-red Cardinal as its
specific name implies, but is not any more so than cardinalis^ and its
habits, nests and eggs are the same.

594. Pyrrhuloxia sinnata Bonap. [243.]

Texan Cardinal.

Hab. Northern Mexico and Southern border of the United States — Southern Texas to Southern
Arizona and Lower California.

This species inhabits the southern border ot the United States.
Dr. Merrill found it abundant at times at Fort Brown, Texas, particu-
larly in the Spring. Mr. Sennett records it as tolerably common at
lyomita and a probable resident in that region along with the Virginia
Cardinal, and breeds fully as early. There is, he states, little difference
between the habits of the two Cardinals, but the Texan is more con-
fined to open and exposed situations near settlements, and is always
shy and suspicious, so that he rarely came upon it unawares. The nest
is built in thickets, sometimes in isolated bushes, from three to eight
feet above the ground, and is said to be very much smaller than that
of C. cardinalis. The materials are bark strips, twigs and dry grasses.
The eggp are usually four in number and resemble those of C. cardi-
nalis except in their smaller size, averaging .92 x .73.^ Mr. G. B. Benners
gives the sizes of a set of four eggs which he obtained on the Rio
Grande, April 21, as follows : .87 x .69, .87 x .69, .89 x .69, .85 x .67.

''■There are a number of sets of five eggs of the Cardinal on record but 1 have never seen or taken that
number from s single nest myself. Sets of three are as common as those of four.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

331

rked as to
Ily consid-
eavily and
laller eggs
the Cow-
chocolate
or four in
pectively :
X .76, 1.03

le female
ire not in
i Eastern

nal as its
>, and its

to Southern

1 States,
particu-
imon at
Virginia
fFerence
ore con-
always
'he nest
:o eight
an that
grasses.
cardi-
enners
le Rio

taken that

595. Habia Indovlciana (Linn.) [244.]

Roae-breaated Oroabeak.

Hab. Eaitern United Statei, north to Southern Canada; south in winter through Cuba, Central and
into Northern South America.

The rose-bud of our North American Oscines — everywhere
noted for its beauty and musical ability. Breeds from the Northern
States northward, but it is nowhere an abundant bird. Trees and
shrubbery along the banks of streams or the borders of dense woods
are its favorite resorts. A bird with a plump, round form, the male
with head and neck black, bill whitish, wings and tail white and black,
the breast and under wing-coverts rosy or carmine red. The parts
which in the male are black, are streaked with blackish and olive-brown
in the female, and the under wing-coverts saffron-yellow, and though
not so striking in contrast, makes a bird of handsome appearance.
The nest is placed in the thick foliage of trees at the edge of woods
or on the banks of streams. It is a flat, shallow structure, composed
of small twigs, vegetable fibres and grass. Breeds in May and June.

The eggs are three to five in number, the latter being uncommon.
They are greenish-blue or bluish-green, more or less spotted over the
entire surface with blotches of reddish-brown ; the eggs resemble very
closely those of the Summer Redbird or Scarlet Tanager ; sizes range
from .95 to 1.08 in length by .70 to .76 in breadth.

596. Habia melanocephala (Swains.) [245.]

Blaok-headed Oroabeak.

Hab. Western United States, east to the Great Plains, south into Mexico

This bird occurs from the high Central Plains to the Pacific, and
from the northern portions of Washington Territory to the table lands of
Mexico. Breeds throughout its United States range. Col. Goss gives it
as a quite common summer resident in Middle and Western Kansas;
begins laying the last of May. Quite common in California ; begins
nesting about the first of April — nesting abundantly in the willow and
water-mootic copse near Santa Clara River and among the live-oaks
along the small streams and creeks. The nests are placed from five to
twenty feet from the ground, and composed of a few slender twigs,
weeds, grasses and rootlets.

Two to four eggs are laid. Sets of this bird's eggs are in my
cabinet collected at San Gorgonia Pass, California, by Mr. Herron, in
May and June. These are of two and three eggs each. They v/ere
taken from nests in oak bushes five to ten feet from the ground. They
are bluish-green sprinkled and blotched with reddish and rusty-brown;
some heavily spotted while others are sparingly marked, the spots in
all cases become more numerous towards the lajger ends. Eight eggs

ill

832

NKSTS AND BGGS OF

measure .84 x .65, .86 x .67, .87 x .65, .92 x .69, .94 x .68, .90 x .67, 1.07 x
.72, 1.07 X. 73.

597. Guiraca cfflrnlea (Linn.) [246.'1

Bine Oroabaak.

Hab. Southern half of the United State* from the Atlantic to the Pacific; north regularly, but very
locally, to Pennsylvania, Kentucky, etc., rarely north to Maiaachusetti and even Maine; south in winter
throughout Mexico, Central America, Cuba, Yucatan, etc.*

The Blue Grosbeak is nowhere an abundant bird but breeds
throughout its United States range, occasionally as far north as South-
ern Pennsylvania. In the west it is found in New Mexico, Arizona,
Colorado and California. Col. Goss gives it as a summer resident of
Kansas, being quite cominon in the Middle and Western portion ; be-
gins laying the last of May. A common species in the South Atlantic
and Gulf States. Mr. C. S. Brimley says that in the vicinity of Ral-
eigh, North Carolina, it begins nesting about the first part of June.
Mr. G. Noble, of Savannah, Georgia, has sent me a typical nest
which he collected in June.

In Texas, it commences to build about the first part of May. Mr.
T. D. Perry has found eggs as early as May 10, slightly incubated, near
Savannah, Georgia, and fresh eggs as late as July 7, indicating that at
least two broods are reared in a season. The nest resembles that of the
Painted Bunting, being invan'-'bly lined with fine brown rootlets, and
occasionally it contains some ho ie hair. A characteristic of the Blue
Grosbeak's nest is that it almost invariably contains pieces of snake-
skin in the outer material of withered leaves and plants. It is placed
in blackberry bushes along road-sides and on the border of woods.
Mr. J. A. Singley, of Giddings, Texas, says that in Lee county a favorite
nesting place is in the vicinity of houses where the first growth of timber
has been cut down and a growth of low thick bushes replaces it. He
says he has taken the nest in peach, apple, hickory and post-oak trees,
ranging from fifteen to thirty feet. Mr. E. C. Davis states that in
Cooke county, Texas, this species usually nests in alder bushes in
swampy places.

The eggs are three or four in number, plain light blue, and when
exposed to light a little while, fade into dull white ; oval in shape and
average .84 x .66 On the 24th of May, 1887, Mr. Perry found a nest
containing four spotted eggs of this species. They were distinctly
marked with dots and spots of chestnut and subdued lilac. One of the
eggs was accidently broken ; the remaining three measure .87 x .63, .82
X .62, .82 X .62 respectively.

* Within this habitat is also included the Western form of the Blue Grosbeak, G. cetrulea eurhyHcha
Coues, inhabiting Southwestern United States, north to Colorado, California, etc., south throughout Mexico.

.67, 1.07 X

lUrly, but very
louth in winter

>ut breeds
as South-
, Arizona,
esident of
•rtion; be-
h Atlantic
ty of Ral-
of June,
pical nest

lay. Mr.
ated, near
ig that at
hat of the
tlets, and
the Blue
)f snake-
placed
' woods,
a favorite
of timber
it. He
ak trees,
that in
jshes in

d when
ape and
d a nest
stinctly
2 of the
•63, .82

eurhyncha
ut Mexico.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 333

598. Passerina cyanea (Linn.) [248.]

Indiso Bamtln(.

Hab. United Statei and Southern British Provinces; weit to the Great Plaini; south in winter to
Veragua.

The Indigo Bluebird or Indigo Painted Bunting is quite an abun-
dant bird in various parts of the United States from the valley of the
Missouri to the Atlantic, and from Florida to New Brunswick. The
male of this ^.pecies is of an intense indigo-blue color, and the female
plain grayish -brown. Breeds throughout its United States range. The
nest is built in a bush or low shrubby tree, generally in an upright
crotch ; it is composed of weed stalks, twigs and coarse grass, and
lined with finer material of the same. It is on the whole an inartistic
nest for a bird of gay plumage. The eggs are four in number,
white, with a bluish or greenish tinge, unspotted or rarely thinly dotted
with brown ; average size , 75 x .53. Sometimes the eggs of this species
are pure white unmarked.

599. Passerina amcBiia (Say.) [249.]

TiB^nH Banting.

Hab. Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific; south in winter to Western
Mexico.

The Lazuli Painted Finch is common in Colorado, Arizona, and
very abundant in California ; in fact it is generally distributed through-
out the west, and along the Pacific Coast is found as far north as Puget
Sound during the summer. It replaces the Indigo Bunting from the
Plains to the Pacific and is found in all suitable localities. The nest
is usually built in a bush or in the lower limbs of trees, a few feet from
the ground. It is composed of fine strips of bark, small twigs, grasses,
and is lined with hair.

The eggs are usually four in number, light bluish-green which
readily fades when exposed to light; they resemble very closely
the eggs of the Bluebird ; some specimens are not distinguishable with
certainty ; average size, .75 x .58. Sets of these eggs are in my cabinet
collected by Mr. R. B. Herron at San Gorgonia Pass, California, be-
tween May 4 and June 13, 1883. The sizes of two sets, four eggs each
are .76X.55, .77 x .55, .74 x .58, .74 x .56; .74 x .53, .75 x .59, .78 x .55,
.79 X .56. A set of four taken June 10 gives the following dimensions :
.81 X .62, .83 X .64, .79 X .62, .83 X .64. _ • ^ _ _■ j . ,.:.^.^^.;

600. Passerina versicolor (Bonap.) [250.] ^. •

Varied Bnntlng.

Hab. Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, southward into Eastern Mexico.

This bird is called Purple Painted Finch, Western Nonpareil,
Prusiano. It inhabits the region of. the Ivower Rio Grande in Texas
south into Eastern Mexico. Habits and nesting like those of /*,
amcena. Eggs dull bluish-white ; size .75 x .57.

3?it'';.

334

NESTS AND EGGS OF

601. Passerina oiris (Linn.) [asi.]

Painted Bvntlag.

Hab. Southern Atlantic and Gulf Statei, north >.o North Carolina and Southern Illlnoii, south in

winter to Panama.

Called Nonpareil, Painted Finch and ** Mexican Canary." In
Mexico and in some of the Southern States it is a favorite cage-bird.
The male is a bird of handsome variegated plumage — blue, green, ver-
milion-red, yellowish-green, etc., and the female plain olive-green. A
common species in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, nesting
in May, June and July, often rearing two broods in a season. In
Georgia, Mr. Perry states that he has found nests as early as April 7
and as late as July 20 with eggs. A nest before me collected by Mr.
G. Noble, of Savannah, Georgia, is composed of leaves, bark strips,
twigs, rootlets and fine grasses. It is on the whole a neat, compact
structure. The nest is sometimes lined with horse hairs. It is built in
the smallest bushes, in saplings and also in the tallest trees. Mr.
Perry has found two or three nests in a single tree, and one nest built
upon another, with eggs in the cavities of both.

The eggs are four or five in number, dull pearly-white or bluish,
speckled and blotched with reddish-brown particularly at the larger
end ; average size .79 x .60. Four eggs measure .76 x .57, .75 x .55, .80
X.60, . Sox. 57.

602. SporopMla morelleti sharpei Lawr. [253.]

Hab.

Sharpens Seed>eat«r.<l(

Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas, and adjacent parts of Mexico.

This curious little Sparrow is found in the Rio Grande Valley
in Southern Texas and adjacent portions of Mexico. Dr. Merrill
states that it is not uncommon in the vicinity of Fort Brown.
The birds were usually seen in patches of briers and low bushes at no
great distance from water, and were very tame. During the breeding
season the male has a very sprightly song much resembling that of the
Indigo Bunting, but sweeter. At least two pairs built within the Fort
during the season of 1877. One of the nests, found early in May, was in
a bush about three feet from the ground ; it was not pensile ; placed be-
tween three upright twigs, composed entirely of a peculiar yellow
root. This was destroyed by a violent storm before the eggs were de-
posited. A second nest found May 25, placed in a young ebony-bush,
four feet from the ground, was deserted immediately after completion.
It was a delicate structure supported at the rim and beneath by twigs,
and built of very fine, dry grass, with a few horse hairs. Unfortu-
nately no eggs were obtained. The eggs we belike remain at the
present time unknown.

<■ Sporophila mortlltti (Bonap,), Morellet's Seed-eater in A. O. Check List.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

336

llnoii, louth in

603. Euetheia bicolor (Linn.) [253.]

Oraa«qult«

Hab. Bahamai; accidental or casual in Southern Florida.

This is the Black-faced Grassquit which is common in various
islands of the Bahama group. It appears to be accidental in Florida.
Said to construct a large domed-shaped nest with a lateral entrance.
It is built in bushes and low shrubbery.

Eggs three to five, white or greenish-white, speckled with reddish ;
average size .65 x .50. Mr. Norris has two sets in his collection. One
of three was taken near Fort Nassau, on one of the Bahamas. The
nest was made of dried grasses. The eggs are white, speckled and
spotted, principally at the larger end, with walnut-brown and lavender-
gray; sizes .68 x .51, .69 x .52, .67 x .54. The other set consisting of two
eggs, was collected in the same locality, on March 30, 1884. They are
white, sprinkled and speckled with lavender-gray and cinnamon ; they
measure .71 x .52, .69 x .52.

604. Splza americana (Gmel.) [254.]

Dlokoinel.

Hab. Eastern United States (chiefly west of the Alleghaniei) to the Rocky Mountains, north to
Massachusetts, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc., south in winter to Northern South America.

Known as the Black-throated Bunting, "Little Field Lark," and
"Judas-bird." In general appearance it looks like the European House
Sparrow, P. domesticus^ averaging a trifle larger. The favorite
resorts of the Black-throated Bunting are pastures with a sparse growth
of stunted bushes .and clover fields. In these places its unmusical,
monotonous song may be heard throughout the day during the breed-
ing season. Its song is utterred from a tall weed, stump or fence-stake
and is a very pleasing ditty when its sound is heard coming far over
grain fields and meadows in the blaze of the noon-day sun, when all is
hushed and most other birds have retired to shadier places.

The nest of the Black-throated Bunting is built on the ground, in
trees and in bushes. In Central Ohio I have never found the nest in
any other position than on the ground under the shelter of a tuft of
grass or bush. In Western Illinois, Mr. Poling states that they are
placed in the tall grass or in clover fields. Mr. L. Jones informs me
that in Iowa the nest may be found almost anywhere, not above twenty
feet in trees and bushes, or on the ground in prairie lands. Nesting is
begun in May, and the second nests are built in July or August. The
materials are leaves, grasses, rootlets, corn husks and weed stems ; the
lining is of fine grasses, and often horse hair. On the whole the nest
of this species is a compact structure.

The eggs are four or five in number, almost exactly like those of

\...\ I

-^rnn^

336

NESTS AND EGGS OF

i ;

t '

ini>

the Blue bird; average size .8ox.6o. Ten eggs measure .76x.bo, .76
J. .62, .77 X .60, .79 X .62, .79 X .59, .80 X .62, .81 X .60, .80 X .59, .75 X .56,
.82 X .59.

605. Calamospiza melanocorys Stejn. [256.]

Lark BuintiziK*

Hab. Plains of Dakota and Middle Kansas west to the Rocky Mountains, northward to or beyond
the United States, south in winter to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Lower California and Northern New
Mexico; occasional west of the Rocky Mountains. Accidental in Massachusetts.

A bird of the plains — a summer resident in Middle and Western
Kansas, breeding from thence northward to or beyond the United
States boundary. The bird is said to utter the mo.st delightful songs,
and its warbles are described as similar to those of the Bobolink and
the soft cadence of the Skylark. The nest is placed on the ground,
sometimes sunken even with the surface, and beneath the shelter of
a bush or tuft of grass. It is composed of fine sten s, grasses, and
lined with finer grasses and vegetable down.

The eggs are four or five in number, light blue, and measure .85 x
.65. Mr. Norris has a set of four collected by Capt. Chas. E. Bendire,
near Fort Custer, July 2, 1885. These measure .84 x .65, .84 x .67, .84
X .65, .84 X .66.

606. Euphonia elegantissima (Bonap.) [160.]

Blne>headed Enphoniat

Hah. Eastern Mexico, Central America, south to Varagua, Southern Texas. (Giraud).

This Tanager of varieated plumage is admitted to our fauna on the
above authoritj' and it doubtless does occur over the Mexican boundary.
Its eggs are described as creamy-white, with a few scattered spots and
blotches ot two shades of, /brown, principally at the larger end.

607. Piranga ludoviciana (Wils.) [162.]

liOuiBlana Tanageri

Hab. Western United States, from the Plains to the Pacific, north to British Columbia, south in win-
ter to Guatemala.

Throughout the evergreen forests from Oregon and Montana
southward to Southern California and Arizona this Tanager is a com-
mon species, breeding in suitable localities, wherever found. It is
called crimson-headed and Western Tanager. The nesting season is
in April, May, June and July, according to locality. The nest is a
thin, saucer-shaped structure, made of bark strips and grass stems,
placed Oil the horizontal branches of trees, preferedly evergreens and
usually in the lower branches. The eggs are three to five in number,
of a clear, light bluish -green, finely ynd rather sparsely sprmkled chief-
ly at the larger end with clove-brown. The eggs are of a brighter
biui^ V til. •^d the markings are more speck-like than those of the
Scarlet Tanager or Summer Tanager, The average size is .95 x 65.

PLATE X.

'6x.bo, ,76
9, •75X.56,

rd to or beyond
Northern New

d Western
:he United ,
itful songs,
Dolink and
le ground,
shelter of
rasses, and

asure .85 x
;. Bendire,
4 X .67, .84

ina on the
boundary,
spots and

Id.

a, south in win-

Montana
is a com-
Qd. It is
season is
nest is a
Lss stems,
reens and
1 number,
led chief-
brighter
•se of the
5 .95x65.

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BAI^TIMORK ORIOLE AND NKST.

\lcttrut galtula.)

Page 280.

I i|i lin— ini'iifji

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

337

A set of three in Mr. Norris' cabinet taken in L/arimer county, Colo-
rado, measure .97 x .69, .92 x .68, .91 x .64.

" ' 608. Piranga erythromelas Vieill [161.]

Scarlet Tanager.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Southern Canada, west to the Great Plains, south in winter \»
the West Indies, Central America and Northern South America.

The male Scarlet Tanager is one of the most brilliant and striking
of all our birds. From its black wings resembling pockets it is fre-
quently called "Pocket-bird." The female is plain olive-green.
Breeds as far north as Southern Canada and west to Eastern Kansas,
south to South Carolina and Texas. It inhabits woodlands and is par-
ticularly fond of swampy places. The breeding season begins in the
latter part of May. The nest is generally found in low, thick woods,
or in the skirting of tangled thi«. its ; very often, also, in an orchard,
on the norizontal limb of some low tree or sapling. The nest is usu-
ally very flat, loosely constructed of twigs, fine bark strips, lined with
rootlets and fine inner bark.

The eggs are three to five in number, commonly four, and of a
greenish-blue , speckled, 'potted and blotched with rufous-brown, more
or less confluent, in £-»me chiefly at the larger end. The markings
have a reddish tint while those of the Summer Redbird, P. rubra^ are
more of a brownish hue. Ten eggs measure respectively .89 x .60, .89
X.62, .92X.64, .94X.62, 1.00X.64, .98 X. 65, 1. 00 X. 65, .95 x .64, .94 x
.62, .97X.63; average size .96X.65.

609. Piranga hepatica Swains. [ 163.]

fr Hepatic Tamager.

Hab. Southern Arizona and New Mexico, southward.

Mr. W. E. D. Scott gives this spev-ies as a summer resident in the
oak region of the Catalina Mountains of Southern Arizona, at an alti-
tude of 5000 feet, breeding late :n the season, from May 6 to 9, A
nest found July 12 containing uiree young was built on the outer
branch of a live oak and was entirely similar to that of the Scarlet
Tanager. No reliable description of the eggs are at hand. The male
of this species is of a dull red color, females and young males green-
ish-yellow.

610. Piranga rubra (Linn.) [164.]

Siunmer Tanager.

Hab. E.-istern United States west to the edge of the Plains; north regularly to about 40° — New Jer-
sey, Central Ohio, Illinois, etc., casually north to Connecticut and Ontario, accidentally to Nova Scotia, win-
tering in Cubn, Central America and Northern South America.

The Summer Redbird or Rose Tanager breeds nearly throughout its
United States range. The adult male is a plain vermilion red ; the
plumage of the female is olive. In habits this species resembles

'—Wli

wmnmmm

W i

338

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the Scarlet Tanager but is not so retiring, frequenting open groves
and often visiting towns and cities. According to Col. N. S. Goss it is
a common summer resident in Eastern Kansas where it begins laying
about the 20th of May. The nesting season of this bird extends to
the latter part of July, but varies with the degrees of latitude and
season.

The nest is composed chiefly of bark-strips and leaves interwoven
with various vegetable substances. The structure is usually built on a
horizontal or drooping branch, near its extremity, and situated at the
edge of a grove near the roadside. All the nests of this species
which I have seen collected in Ohio, are very thin and frail structures ;
so thin that the eggs may usually be seen from below. A nest sent me
from I/Ce county, Texas, by Mr. J. A. Singley, is compactly built of
a cottony weed, a few stems of Spanish moss, and lined with fine grass
stems and a few catkins. Mr. L. O. Pindar states that nests of this
species in Kentucky are compactly built but not very thickly lined.

The eggs are bright, light emerald green, spotted, dotted and
blotched with various shades of lilac, brownish-purple and dark brown ;
they cannot, with certainty, be distinguished from the eggs of the
Scarlet Tanager, but the brown tint in the markings predominate. Ten
specimens offer as great variation in their sizes As do those of P.
erythromelas^ and average about the same, .94 x .64.

610a. Piranga rubra cooperi Ridgw. [164a.]

Cooper's Tanager.

Hab. Arizona, New Mexico, north to (Denver) Colorado south to Western Mexico.

According to Mr. Scott this sub-species is a common migrant and
summer resident about Tucson, Riverside, Florence, and at Mineral
Creek and in the San Pedro Valley of Southern Arizona, They seem
to be more rare than either of the other species of the Tanager in the
oak region of the Catalinas, where a few breed. The eggs are
described as being not distinguishable from those of P. rubra.

611.

[152.]

Progne subis (Linn.)

Purple Martin.

Hab. Whole of temperate North America, south in winter to Mexico and farther.

The Martin, conspicuous for its striking color and screaming,
crackling noise, breeds thrciighout its United States range. It origin-
ally built in hollow trees, and some of the " old fogies " do yet, but
those who find suitable nesting places in eaves and cornices of build-
ings or in boxes prepared for their use, are thus bred to American ideas
and never return to their old log cabins in the air. This jolly fellow
who puts life into the ojuiet streets of country towns, and large cities

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

339

:n groves
Goss it is
ns laying
xtends to
itude and

terwoven
auilt on a
;d at the
s species
Tuctures ;
t sent me
! built of
fine grass
;s of this
lined.
>tted and
k brown ;
js of the
ite. Ten
)se of P,

rant and
Mineral
ley seem
tx in the
eggs are

reaming,
t origin-
yet, but
of build-
an ideas
y fellow
je cities

also, by his noise and activity, constructs a nest out of anything that
is handy — leaves, twigs, straws, bits of string, rags and paper.

Commonly four or five eggs are laid, rarely six. They are pure,
glossy white, oval-oblong, pointed at one end, and average .98 x .73.
Six specimens measure .94 x .69, ,95 x .70, .95 x .69, .98 x .75, i.oo x
•75. -99 X .69.

612. Petrochelidoii lunlfrons (Say.) [153.] >

cuff Swallow-

Hab. North America in general; in winter south to Central and portions of South America.

The " Republicans," as they are sometimes called, or Eave Swal-
lows, are known to occur and breed throughout the whole of North
America. As the name implies, and as almost every one knows, this
bird fixes its queer bottle-shaped nest to the perpendicular faces of
rocks and hard embankments, also on the walls of houses and under
shelter of the eaves. The nests are not always retort or flask-shaped,
some have no necks, and the degree of perfection in style depends
upon circumstances. They are made entirely of mud, tempered by
the bill of the bird and are well lined v;ith straw, wool and feathers.
The birds are alv^ays found in colonies during the breedmg season,
which extends all through the summer months.

The eggs are white,marked with dots,blotches and points of reddish-
brown, chiefly about the larger end ; they are less elongated than those
of the Barn Swallow, but the markings of the two are hardly distin-
guishable. The eggs of the Cliff Swallow average a trifle larger; they
are four to five and sometimes six in number ; .82 x .56.

813. Chelidon er^throgaster (Bopd.) [154-]

Barn S'wallow^t

Hab. Whole of North America; south in winter to Central America, West Indies, and various por-
tions of South America.

Nearly everyone knows this beautiful, deeply forked-tailed Swal-
low which builds its nest in barns and under the eaves of other out-
buildings. The female bird of this species, however, does not possess
as deeply a forked tail as is common in the male bird. The nest is a
bowl-shaped structure, entirely open above, composed of pellets of mud,
mixed v/ith straws, and warmly lined with soft feathers. It is attached
by one side to the rafters within barns, on the sides of caves, etc. From
three to five or six eggs are deposited; they are white, marked with
spots and blotches of bright reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end.
The eggs appear rather narrow for their length; sizes range from .68
to .78 in length by .50 to .56 broad ; average size, .75 x .55.

ilH!

<n;

340 NESrS AND EGGS OF

814. Tachycineta bicolor (Vieill ) [155.]

Tree Swallow^s

Hab. Whole of North America in summer; wintering from Southern Florida, Cuba, and Gulf coast
to Guatemala.

This is the White-bellied Swallow, which breeds in all suitable
localities throughout its North American range. The nesting season
is in May, June, and July. Its favorite resorts are in the vicinity of
ponds, marshes, and rivers, and even in its migrations it is seldom seen
far away from running water. In these places lofty, leafless tree-trunks
are its nesting sites — in the old excavations of woodpeckers, natural
cavities, etc. Sometimes it nests in cliffs or buildings. In the Eastern
States this bird frequently nests in bird-boxes. Mr. C. S. Shick, of Sea
Isle City, New Jersey, says that a pair had taken possession of a box
which he had put up in his yard. The materials used in nest-building
are grasses and straw, thickly lined with feathers. Mr. Walter E. Bry-
ant found a nest of this bird under the projecting and decayed deck of
a lumber lighter, moored at Oakland (Cal.) harbor. From four to seven,
and occasionally nine, pure white eggs are laid. The average size of
ten eggs is .75 x .53.

Mr. Edson A. McMillan informs me that he took from a single nest
in regular succession no less than five sets, each containing five eggs.
This was in the Adirondack Mountain region, beginning with set No. i
the first part of June.

615. Tachycineta thalassina (Swains.) [156.]

Violet-green Surallcw.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific; south in winter to
uatemala.

This lovely Swallow is common from the Central Plains of the
United States to the Pacific coast. It breeds abundantly in California,
Oregon, and Washington Territory. The most characteristic Swal-
low of the pine regions of Arizona, and is also found in considerable
abundance in Colorado, nesting in all suitable localities, and, like the
Eave Swallow, usually in colonies. It nests in knot-holes of oak and
and other deciduous trees and in the deserted excavations of woodpeck-
ers, and more recently it has been found breeding under the eaves of
houses, like the Cliff Swallow. The nest is made of dry grasses, lined
with a thick mass of feathers. This species has also been found nest-
ing in holes in banks. Four or five pure white eggs are laid ; average
size, .74 x .52. Mr. Norris has a set of five eggs taken in Marion county,
Oregon, June 7. The eggs measure .74 x .52, .78 x .52, .75 x .52, .77 x
.52, .76 X .53.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

616. Clivicola riparia (Linn.) [157.]

341

ind Gulf coast

I suitable
ig season
icinity of
dom seen
ee-trunks
5, natural
; Eastern
:k, of Sea
of a box
■building
r E. Bry-
i deck of
to seven,
^e size of

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ive eggs,
set No. I

n winter to

IS of the
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iderable
like the
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id nest-
average
county,

'77^

Bank Sw^allow.

Hab. Northern Hemisphere in general; in America, south in winter to Northern South America.

The Bank Swallow, or Sand Martin, found throughout Europe, is
also equally common throughout North America, and breeds in the
greater part of its range. The holes in which this bird nests are exca-
vated by the bird in the perpendicular face of sand or gravel banks;
the depth ranges from two to four feet. The termination is usually
somewhat enlarged and the bottom is thinly covered with a few twigs,
grasses, and feathers. In suitable localities immense numbers will
occupy a large bank and so perforate it with holes as to present the
appearance of a huge honeycomb alive with bees. From four to six,
rarely seven, pure white eggs ate deposited, with an average size of
.72X.50; five specimens measure .68X.49, .yix.sa, .72 x .49, .73 x .51,
.72 X .52. Average size .71X.50.

617. Stelgidopteryx serripennis (Aud.) [158.]

Rongh-'wlnged Swalloiv.

Hab. United States, from Atlantic to Pacific, and adjoining British Provinces (rare). Rare in New
England, except in Connecticut.

This species and the Bank Swallow are often confounded. The
Rough-winged, however, is larger, has a more labored flight, lacks the
pure white of under parts, and the pectorial collar is incomplete and
obscured. The booklets of the wings of the present species are only
fully developed in adult birds. The Rough-winged Swallow breeds
throughout most of its United States range, nesting in the crevices of
stone walls and arches over bridges, sometimes in a chink in the board-
ing of a building ; almost invariably over running water. The nesting
season is in May and June. The nest is simply constructed of grasses,
straws, and lined with a few feathers. The eggs are four to seven in
number, pure white, and closely resemble those of the Bank Swallow,
but the shells are more tender, and they average a trifle larger, .75

X .53.

618. Ampelis garrulus Linn. [150.]

Bohemian 'Wax-'wing.

Hab. Northern porti as of the Northern Hemisphere. In America, south regularly to the Northern
tier of States, and in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado; irregularly or casually to about 35^ (Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, and Ariiona).

The Bohemian Wax-wing looks like the Cedar-bird, but is much
larger. It is a restless, roving species, and its visits in the Northern
States are uncertain. Breeds in high latitudes, and in the West down
to the United States border in the Rocky Mountains. Its nest has been
found by Mr. Kennicott on the Yukon, and by Mr. McFarlane in the
Anderson River region. Its nesting is substantially the same as that of
the Cedar Wax-wing. Captain B. F. Goss has a set of four eggs of this

342

NESTS AND EGGS OF

species which was taken in Labrador, June i8, 1885. Their color is
bluish-white, spotted with lilac, and very dark brown, being like those
of the Cedar-bird, but are larger; sizes, .99 x .70, .98 x .70, 1.05 x .69,
1.06 X .70. Mr. Norris has a set of three Bohemian Wax-wing's eggs
taken in Lapland, June 20, 1875. These are exactly like large eggs of
A. cedrorum^ and measure .91 x .69, .93 x .68, .89 a .68.

619. Ampelis cedrorum (Vieill.) [151.]

Cedar 'Waz-'wlng.

Hab. North America in general, froTi the Fur Countries southward. In winter south to Guatemala
and West Indies.

The Cherry-bird, Cedar-^:)ird, Southern, or Carolina Wax-wing, is
found throughout North America, as far as the wooded country extends,
and breeds from Florida to the Red River country. It goes in flocks
nearly the entire year. The usual position of the nest of these species
is in a cedar bush or orchard tree, and it is often placed in a sycamore,
the distance varying from four to eighteen feet from the ground. It is
sometimes a very handsome structure, being rather bulky, and made of
bark, leaves, roots, twigs, weeds, paper, rags, and twine, lined with finer
grasses, hair, and wool. The nesting time is late — June, July, and
August.

The eggs range from three to five in a set, average .84 x .61, and
are from a light slate to a deep shade of stone-color, tinged with olive,
marked with blotches and spots of a dark brown and purple, almost
black. A set of four eggs taken by E. H. Huffman in Franklin county,
Ohio, August 19, 1888, is before me. The eggs offer the following di-
mensions : .93 X .63, .85 X .65, .92 x .66, ,94 X .65. These seem to be
uncommonly large ; a common size is .85 x .60.

620. Phainopepla nitens (Swains.) [26.]

Phainopepla.

Hab. Northern Mexico and contiguous border of United States, from Western Texas to Southern
California.

A singular bird, known as the Shining Fly-snapper, or Black-
crested Fly-catcher. It inhabits the southern portion of Western
United States — abundant in Western Texas, Southern New Mexico,
Arizona, and California. Its resorts are regions of low shrubbery and
wooded land in the vicinity of water. According to Mr. W. E. D.
Scott, this bird has a peculiar, bell-like, whistling note that is very
musical.

The breeding season is in May and June. The nest is built in
trees of various kinds, oftener perhaps in oaks and mesquites, rang-
ing in height from eight to twenty-five feet above ground. It is a
flat, loosely made affair, and the curious, light-colored vegetable sub-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

343

stances — twigs, stems, mosses, and soft, doA<^ny or cottony fibres —
seem to harmonize well with the odd coloration of the eggs. These
are two or three in number. The majority of the nests found by Mr.
Scott in Pima county, Arizona, contained three eggs, while a large
series of nests, with eggs, collected at San Gorgonia Pass, California,
by Mr. Herron, during the months of May and June, 1883, were of two
eggs each. They are of a yellowish or light or dull gray, thickly
speckled (some grotesquely marked) with a neutral tint, dark brown,
and blackish. Ten eggs measure, .84 x .64, .87 x .63, .88 x .69, .89 x
.69, .90 X .70, .90 X .69, .91 X .70, .91 X .67, .90 X .63, .91 X .69.

621. Lanius borealis (Vieill.) [148.]

Northern Shrike*

Ilab. Northern North America; south in winter to the Potomac, Ohio Valleys, Kansas, Colorado,
Nevada, California, and Arizona.

' The Shrikes are birds of a cruel, reckless, quarrelsome nature —
rapacious and carniverous, feeding on grasshoppers and other insects,
together with lizards, small birds, and quadrupeds which they are able
to overpower. They often boldly attack cage-birds, even in the pres-
ence of their owners. Their most noted trait is that of impaling small
birds, mice, and other prey on thorns and sharp twigs. In the breeding
season the Great Northern Shrike, or Butcher-bird, is found throughout
the whole of North America, north of United States. It is said to
breed in Maine and it probably does in other New England States.
It inhabits woodland and thicket, and is often ^ound in upland fields.
When insect food becomes scarce this species frequently visits cities in
pursuit of the European House Sparrow.

The nest is a rather rude, bulky affair, made of twigs, grass, and
stems, malted together and lined with down and feathers. It is usually
built in thorny trees, bushes, or hedges, and often no attempt is made
at concealment. The eggs are four to six in number, dull whitish or
greenish-gray, marked and spotted with obscure purple, light brown,
or olive; average size, 1.08 x .79.

622. Lanius ludovicianus Linn. [149]

Itoggerhead Shrike.

Hab. More southern portions of Eastern United States; north regularly to Southern Illinois, Cen-
tral Ohio, and Virginia; irregularly to Vermont, etc.

This form of Shrike inhabits the more southeastern portions of
Eastern United States. Dr. Cones says, in its typical manifestation it
is characteristic of the South Atlantic States; but specimens more
like ludoviciamts than excubitorides occur north to New Eng-
land and west to Ohio.* It is a common resident in Central and

.: ri

« Key to N. A. Birds, p.

344

NESTS AND EGGS OF

Southern Ohio. Its habits are essentially the same as those of the
Northern Shrike and is not less savage and blood-thirsty. The con-
struction of the nest is begun in Ohio as early as the middle of April,
and frequently at this time the birds are sitting on the full complement
of eggs. The nesting season, however, is in the month of June, and a
second brood is reared some weeks later. The full complement of
eggs is six. The nest is built in hedges, scrubby, isolated little trees
in cultivated fields, thorn trees growing along streams or roadsides;
thickets along railroads are favorite resorts, and the telegraph wire is
their favorite perch. The nest is large, loose, and bulky, composed of
weed-stems, grasses, corn-stalks, rootlets, paper, wool, and chicken
feathers (the latter being the lining, it is often very thick), the feathers
concealing the eggs from view.

The eggs are identical with those of doreak's, but average smaller,
.97 X .73. Eleven eggs measure, .91 x .72, .92 x .70, .92 x .73, .95 x .76,
.98 X .79, i.oo X .78, .99 X .77, 1.02 X .80, i.oo X .82, .96 X .79, .98 X .72.

622ff. Lanius ludovicianus excubitorides (Swains.) [149a.]

'White-mmped Shrike.

Hab. Central region of North America, from the Saskatchewan country southward, over takie-lands
of Mexico; west to Lower Calirornia, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, etc.; eastward across the Plains to the Middle
and New England States. Rare or local east of the Alleghanies.

More recent investigations develop the fact that this bird, once
described as a western form, has extended its range eastward, north of
that of ludovicianus. It breeds nearly throughout its entire range. In
Western Manitoba, according to Mr. Thompson, it is abundant all over
from May to September. Col. N. S. Goss records it as a common sum-
mer resident of Kansas ; begins laying early in May. Mr. Scott notes
it as rather common throughout the year about Tucson, Arizona. In
the Catalinas, at an altitude of 3700 feet, he found a nest of this species
containing five eggs almost ready to hatch, April i, 1885. Breeds as
far north as Northern New York and Northern New England. This is
the common breeding fbrm in the northern portion of Ohio, where also
occasionally well-marked individuals of ludovicianus are taken. Prof.
Evermann states that until recently this bird was a very rare resident
of Carroll county, Indiana, becoming more common since 1882.* This
bird builds a nest and lays eggs in every particular like the Loggerhead,
and its general traits are the same. A large series of eggs from Cuya-
hoga and Huron counties, Ohio, do not exhibit any diflference whatever.

* * Lanius ludovicianus gambeli Ridgw. [14^0, pari.]

California Shrike-

Hab. Coast of California.

Mr. A. M. Shields states that this new variety of Shrike is well

* Birdi of Carroll county, Indiana. By Barton W. Evermann: The Auk, Vol. V, 344-351; VI, 22-30.

tf
fil

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

345

known in Los Angeles county, from its frequent appearance in the
orchards and gardens, and from its favorite pastime of pulling oft"
the heads of canaries, wherever a cage is hung in the open air. My
friend, Mr. Arnold Boyle, states that in the region about Banning,
California, this bird feeds largely on lizards, which it often impales on
thorns and leaves them stick* .g there. The nest is usually built in
some scrubby tree — this being like the structure made by ludovicianus
or excubitorides.

Five sets of eggs in my cabinet, from Banning, San Gorgonia
Pass, California, do not differ at all from those of the Loggerhead
and White-rumped Shrikes. They exhibit the same variations in size
and coloration.

[623.] Vireo altiloquus barbatulus (Cab.) [137]

Blaok-Turhlikered Vlreo.

Hab. Cubu, Bahamas, and casually to Southern Florida.

This bird, which is common to Cuba and the Bahamas, is entitled
to a place in our avifauna on account of its occasional occurrence in
Southern Florida; it has several times been taken in the region of
Charlotte Harbor. From the supposed resemblance of its notes, it is
called Whip-tom-kelly. The bird looks very much like the Red-eyed
Vireo, but has a longer bill and other characters which distinguish
it. Like other Vireos, the Long-billed Greeulet builds a beautiful,
pensile, cup-like nest, which is attached by the brim and suspended
from forked twigs in trees and bushes, ranging in height from five to
twenty feet. The materials used in its construction are dry grasses,
shreds of bark, cotton, lichens, and spider's web ; the lining being
soft, cotton-like fibres. The walls of the structure are not only very
thick but neatly and firmly interwoven.

The eggs are three or four in number, white, with a pinkish hue,
speckled and spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with reddish-brown.
The average size is .78 x .55.

624. Vireo olivacens (Linn.) [135.]

Red-eyed Vlreo.

Hab. Eastern North America, as far north a.s Hudson Bay, etc.; west to the Rocky Mountain
region; south in winter through Eastern Mexico and Central America to Northern South America.

The Red-eyed Greenlet is a common species in Eastern United
States, where it breeds abundantly in the months of May and June.
It frequents woodland and is especially fond of sycamore groves along
streams. A tireless, joyful songster, singing throughout the day nearly
all summer long. Its voice is often the only .sound heard in thr woods
in sultry summer days. Compared with the song of the Warbling Vireo,
it is shorter, louder, and more vigorous. The nest of this species is

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346

NESTS AND EGGS OP

built in the horizontal branches of trees, usually from five to twenty-
five feet above the ground, sometimes much higher. Like other
nests of the birds of this family, it is pensile — a beautiful little well
woven, pendulous cup, its rim being attached to a horizontal fork of a
branch in the thick foliage. It is made of vegetable fibres, strips of
pliable bark, etc., lined with fine, round grasses, sometimes mingled
with horse hairs and bits of newspapers. On two occasions I have
found the nest containing two or three eggs before the frame-work was
nearly completed — in fact the nests in both cases were not ready for
the reception of the eggs, and were finally completed by the female
with material carried by the male bird.

Three or four eggs are generally laid, rarely five, pure white,
sparsely sprinkled with fine, dark reddish-brown dots, chiefly at the
larger end. Ten eggs measure .82 x .56, .80 x .56, .82 x .58, .84 x .59,
.85 X .58, .87 x .54, .87 X .56, .85 X .53, .86 X .53, .88 X .54. The average
size of these ten specimens is .85 x .56.

626. Vireo pWladelphicns (Cass.) [138.]

Philadelphia Vlreo.

Hab. Eastern portion of North America, north to Hudson Bay; south in Winter to Guatemala
and Costa Rica, etc.

This is apparently not a very common bird, wherever found in
Eastern United States. From its close resemblance to the Warbling
Vireo, the bird is doubtless often confounded with that species. In
portions of the Mississippi Valley it appears to be more common than
in the Eastern States, occurring regularly and in considerable numbers
during the spring and fall migrations. In Ohio it is not a very com-
mon spring and fall migrant in May and September.

From the best information at hand, the Philadelphia or Brotherly-
love Vireo breeds chiefly north of the United States. Mr. Ernest E.
Thompson found a nest of this species containing four eggs near Duck
Mountain, Manitoba, June 9, 1884. These were probably the first au-
thentic eggs of this species on record. The nest was hung from a forked
twig, about eight feet from the ground, in a willow which was scant of
foliage, as it grew in the shade of a poplar grove. The nest was pen-
sile, as usual with the genus, formed of grass and birch bark. The
eggs presented no obvious difference from those of the Red-eyed Vireo.
The eggs were accidentally destroyed before they were measured.*

627. Vireo gilvns (Vieill.) [139, 1390.]

WarUlns Vlreo.

Hab. North America in general, from the Far Countries; south in winter to Mexico.

The Warbling Vireo, in its two forms, inhabits North America in

«Auk, 11,806-906.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

34^

general and is abundant. The form, V. g. swainsoni^ which is described
as the smaller, with slenderer bill, etc., occurs in Western United States.
Every collector is doubtless familiar with the incessant, mellow warb-
lings of this Greenlet, as it rambles through the foliage of trees in open
woodland, in parks, and in those along the banks of streams. In these
places it diligently searches the under sides of leaves and branches for
insect life, " in that near-sighted way peculiar to the tribe." It is one
of the most stoical of birds, and seems never surprised at anything;
even at the loud report of a gun, with the shot rattling about it in the
branches, and, if uninjured, it will stand for a moment unconcerned, or
move along, peering on every side amongst the foliage, warbling its
tender, liquid strains.

The nest of this species is like that of the Red-eyed Vireo — a
strong, durable, basket-like fabric, made of bark strips, and fine grasses
on the inside. It is suspended by the brim in slender, horizontal forks
of branches, usually at a greater height than the nest of the Red-eye.
The nesting time is in May and June.

The eggs are spotted, frequently blotched at the larger end with
brown and reddish-brown on a clear white ground — sometimes over
the surface will be found small specks of reddish-brown. The comple-
ment of eggs is three or four; size, .70 to .']'] in length by about .55 in
breadth. Seven eggs, taken in Ohio, measure .70 x .51, .73 x .50, .74 x
•53» 75 X .52, .72 X .55, .74 x .55, .']'] X .53; four from California, .72 x
.50, .72 X .53, .70 X .53, .73 X .51.

628. Vireo flayifrons Vieill. [140.]

Tellow-throated Vireo.

Hab. Eastern United States, west to the Great Plains; south in winter to Costa Rica.

The Yellow-throated Greenlet is common in the woodlands of
Eastern United States. Mc, Mcllwraith gives it as a summer resident
of Southern Ontario, but is by no means common. Col. N. S. Goss
records it as a quite common summer resident of Kansas; begins
laying about the 20th of May. He states that the bird inhabits the
timber away from settlements. In the Eastern States it is found fre-
quenting and nesting in the orchards and gardens, as well as in
wooded country. It is a common summer resident in Ohio, especially
the northern portion. It fr-^uuents secluded woods and the banks of
ravines and streams, and appears to be partial to oak forests.

The nest of this species is pensile, like those of other Vireos, but
the architectural taste and skill displayed in its building is perhaps
superior to any of the family. It is composed of strips of tl^in bark,
grasses, etc. The outside of the structure is beautifully adornM^with

348

NESTS AND EGGS OF

lichens, which are held in place by caterpillar's silk. Its size is be-
tween three and three and a half inches wide, and nearly as deep. It
is built in the fork of a horizontal branch, from five to fifteen and
sometimes thirty feet above the ground.

The eggs vary from three to five in number, four being a common
set. They are easily distinguished from those of the Redeye and Warb-
ling Greenlets by their roseate hue, and are generally more heavily
marked, having the same family resemblance, speckled and spot-
ted with rosy and chestnut-brown, chiefly at the larger end. A set of
four, taken in Franklin county, Ohio, June 2, 1885, measure .82 x .60,
.80 X 61, .83 X .58, .79 X .58.

Mr. Norris has three sets of eggs of this species that have a
decided pinkish-bnflf tinge. One of three, collected near Oxford, Mis-
sissippi, April 30, 1885, exhibits the following measurements: .83 x
.57, .75 A .54, .76 X .56. Another, of four eggs, from the same locality,
taken May 12 ; their sizes are, .78 x .58, .78 x .58, .79 x .58, .78 x .59.
The third set was taken by the well-known oologist, "J. M. W." (C. L.
Rawson), near Norwich, Connecticut. It consists of four eggs, and
their dimensions are, .80 x .61, .82 x .62, .83 x .63, .80 x .59. These
have the heaviest roseate tinge of all.

629. Vireo solitarJus (Wils.) [141.]

Blne-heaiisd Vlreo.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to B'ort Simpson (on the Mackenzie River) and Hudson Bay;
south in winter to Mexico and Guatemala.

The Blue-headed or Solitary Vireo breeds chiefly north of the
United States ; quite common in Manitoba. It has been found breed-
ing in Connecticut and Massachusetts and in some of the Middle
States. It is probably a summer resident in Northern Ohio. C. M.
Jones found it breeding near Eastford, Connecticut, in May and June,
building the nests from five to eight feet above ground, in laurel
bushes and hemlock trees. Mr. F. W. Andros records a nest taken by
F. T. Lincoln, in Bristol county, Massachusetts, May 30, 1887.
The birds, according to the above observers, are close sitters — not
easily startled from the nest, frequently permitting themselves to be
taken with the huud. The nest of the Blue-headed Vireo is similar in
construction to others of the family — a handsome, pendant, cup-like
fabric, which is suspended by the brim from the forked twigs of a
horizontal branch. The materials used are strips of fibrous bark,
leaves, fine dry grass, plant-down, the outside being covered with
caterpillar's silk, and sometimes ornamented with mosses and lichens.

The eggs, which are three or four in number, resemble those of

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

349

•59.

some of the larger Vireos. Mr. Norris has a set of four eggs, which
was taken in Merrimack county, New Hampshire, May 29, 1884.
These are white, with a faint creamy tinge ; they are very much pointed
at the smaller ends. The markings are in the form of v/reaths of
chestnut specks around the larger ends. Sizes, .81 x .52, .79 x .51. .80
X.51, .80 X .52.

829a. Vireo solitarius cassinli (Xantus.) [141a.]

Ca«ain*a Vire«.

Hab. Western United State*, from the Rocky Moual.ains to the Pacific.

During the breeding season, which i« in May, June, and July, this
bird is confined chiefly to the Pacific Coast region. Mr. A. W. Anthony
gives it as a common summer resident of Washington county, Oregon,
where it frequents the coniferous growth, and is often found in the
alders and aspens. He states that it is more common than the
Warbling Vireo. Nests were found in oaks and alders. About Fort
Klamath, Oregon, Dr. Merrell says that the bird shows a marked
predilection for pines and firs, and is also found, but much less fre-
quently, in aspen groves, with Vireo gilvus swainsoni. The nests and
eggs of this species resemble those ot the Warbling Vireo. The eggs
measure .80 x .58 Mr. Norris has a set of three eggs of this species in
his cabinet that was taken June 10, 1888, near Fort Klamath, Oregon.
They are white, sparsely speckled with burnt umber ; sizes, .77 x .55,
.74 x .55, .83 x .60. The last egg is abnormally large.

629^. Vireo solitarius plumbeus (Coues.) 141^.

Plmubeons Vireo.

Hab. Rocky Mountain region of the United States; south in winter into Mexico.

This sub-species is abundant in the Rocky Mountain region of
the United States, especially the southern portion, breeding in the
pine districts up to an altitude of 9000 feet. In suitable localities in
Colorado this Greenlet is a common summer resident; also in the
mountainous regions of New Mexico and Arizona. Its nest is built
very similar to that of the Solitary Vireo, V. solitarius^ of the Eastern
States, but is usually placed higher, and the eggs are indistinguishable.

* *. Vireo solitarius alticola Brewdt. [141, part.\

Monntain Solitary Vireo.

Hab. Southern AUeghanies (Western North Carolina, etc.).

According to Mr. William Brewster, this bird differs from soli-
tarius proper, in being larger, with a stouter bill, and duller, darker,
and more uniform coloring above. Throughout the elevated plateau
in the southeastern corner of Macon county, North Carolina, he found
this new Vireo to be one of the most abundant forest birds, frequent-
ing exclusively open oak and chestnut woods, mingling its wild, ring-

360

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ing voice with the rich music of the equally numerous Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks and Scarlet Tanagers. On the Black Mountains it was
very common, ranging from about 4200 feet to the lower edge of
the balsams (5000 feet), and inhabiting woods similar to those just
described.* Mr. Brewster and Mr. R. B. Mclvaughlin both simul-
taneously published accounts of the first nests and eggs of this bird ever
taken.f

The nest described by Mr. Brewster contained four perfectly fresh
eggs, and was found by Mr. J. S. Cairns, May 27, 1887, on Craggy
Mount, Buncombe county, North Carolina. It was in a chestnut, ten
feet out from the main trunk and about twenty feet above the ground.
The nest is a substantial structure, suspended after the usual Vireo
fashion in the forks of a terminal twig. In places the rim is nearly an
inch in thickness. The exterior is beautifully diversified with white
and purplish-brown sheep's wool, grayish lichens, small strips and
fragments of decayed wood, and a few spider's cocoons, bound firmly
to or hanging loosely from the frame-work proper, v/hich is composed
of coarse grass stalks and strips of bark. The interior lining is fine
bleached grasses, stems, and moss. Upon comparing this nest with
four New England nests of V. solttarius^ Mr. Brewster states that it is
much larger, with thicker walls and more elaborate external decora-
tions. The eggs are also larger and finer spotted than any of the
series of fifteen eggs of solitarius in his collection. The eggs belong-
ing to this nest measure, respectively, .84 x .49, .78 x .58, .78 x .58,
.80 X .58. They are ovate to elongate-ovate in shape ; in color, pure
white, with a few fine spots, and rather numerous minute dots of
brown, varying in tone from vandyke to seal brown.

Mr. McLaughlin found the Mountain Solitary Vireo breeding in
the vicinity of Statesville, Iredell county. North Carolina, in June,
1888. He obtained two nests containing eggs on the nth and 15th,
respectively. Mr. McLaughlin's observations indicate that the bird in
that region confines itself to the pine woods, the s^^mmer home of the
Pine Warbler, Dendroica vigorsii. Both nests fornd were suspended
from the linibs of pines and were less than a hundred yards apart.
One contained three, the other four eggs. The nests were similar in
composition to that of Mr. Brewster's, except that they lack the sheep's
wool on the exterior.

Mr. NorrJs has a set of three eggs, taken May 4, 1888, in Bun-
combe county. North Carolina. These are pure white, speckled at the

*The Auk, III, pp. m-112.

t In Ornithologist and Oologist, XIII, pp, 113-114.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

351

larger ends with seal brown ; sizes, .80 x .59, .82 x .59, .83 x .60. The
nest from which these were taken was situated fifteen feet from the
ground, in an oak tree.

Hab.

630. Vireo atricapillus Woodh.

Blaok-oapped Vireo.

Mexico, and Texas north to Southwestern Kansas.

[14a.]

The first authentic account of the nests and eggs of this species was
that given by Mr. Brewster, from specimens collected in Comal county,
Texas, in May, 1878, by Mr. W. H. Werner. Other Texas records of
this species are those of Mr. Ragsdale (who considers it a rare summer
visitant in Cook county, on the northern boundary,) and Mr. William
Lloyd, who notes it as tolerably common in Concho county during
the fall migrations, and breeds in two localities in Tom Green county.
Here he found several nests, which were always situated in some
low tree at the edge of thick shrubbery, and at once distinguish-
able from the nests of Bell's Vireo (which breeds in the same vicinity),
in that the latter is lined with wool, while the Black-cap's is not.
Col. N. S. Goss gives the Black-capped Vireo as a summer resident

Bin the gypsum hills in Southwestern Kansas. He found it breeding
plentifully in Comanche count) . According to the observations of
those who have found this species breeding, it generally frequents
brushwood and builds the nest low down, about five feet from the
ground, in elm, oak, and mesquite trees. It is suspended from a
forked twig, after the usual type of Vireo architecture, is hemispher-
ical in shape, and composed of broken fragments of bleached leaves,
strips of bark, grasses, catkins, spider's or caterpillar's silk. These
are all firmly interwov^en and form thick walls, making a nest that
belongs to the higher o'der of bird architecture.

The eggs are usually four, pure white, and measure .72 x .52.
Mr. Norris has three sets of eggs of this species in his cabinet.
One set, containing four eggs, was collected June 5, 1886, in Comal
county, Texas. The nest was in a mesquite tree, very low down.
The eggs are pure white, entirely unmarked. They measure : .69 x
.51, .69 X .51, .68 x .53, .71 X .52. Another set, also of four eggs, was
collected June 18, 1888, in the same locality, by G. B. Benners. The
nest was in a Spanish oak tree, three feet from the ground. The eggs
are also pure white, entirely unmarked : .69 x .54, .70 x .55, .69 x .53,
.70 X .54. The third set was taken June 5, 1888, by Mr. Benners, in
the same locality. The nest was in a Spanish oak, six feet from the
ground. The set consists of three eggs and two of the Dwarf Cow-

362

NESTS AND EGGS OF

bird's. The Vireo's eggs are pure white, unmarked, and measure:
.72 X .52, .72 X .51, .69 X .52.

631. Vireo noveboracensis (Gmel.) [143.]

White-eyed Vireo.

Hab. Eaitern United States, west to the Ro ^;y Mountain*; souih in winter thrnugh Eastern Mexico
to Guatemala; resident in the Bermudas.

The White-eyed Greenlet is a common species in Eastern United
States as far north as Maine and west to Kansas, and occasionally
to Eastern Colorado. Breeds throughout most of the Mississippi
Valley south of Minnesota. Low swampy places, near the edges of
woods, covered with briers, or the tangled thickets of blackberry
bushes and wild vines, are its favorite nesting places. The nest is
usually a purse-shaped structure, swaying from a forked twig, and is
rather large for the size of the bird. It is seldom placed more than
three or four feet from the ground, and is composed of a mass of odd
and miscellaneous materials, such as straws, bits of decayed wood,
blades of grass, mosses, lichens, and various vegetable substances.
Wilson nicknamed this bird " Politician," because it frequently used
bits of newspaper in the construction of its nest.

The eggs are three to five in number, speckled with reddish-brown
and dark purple on a clear white ground ; the average size is .76 x .56,
which is smaller than those of V. Olivaceus.

632.

[M4.]

Vireo huttoni Cass

Hntton's Vireo.

Hab. California, resident.

This Vireo which resembles the White-eyed Greenlet is found in
various portions of California, where it is resident. Concerning its
nesting and eggs Mr. William Cooper writes as follows: "Hutton's
Vireo (Vireo huttoni) breeds in the vicinity of Santa Cruz, though not
in abundance. Retiring in habits, their nests and eggs are rarely
found. April 7, 1874, I found a nest placed ten feet from the gound,
suspended from a dead branch of a Negundo, containing three eggs
incubated about five days. March 30, 1875, I found another nest
placed eight feet from the ground, suspended from the small twigs of
a Frangula. The nest — a neat, compact structure, composed of fine
vegetable fibres, bits of paper, and grasses covered on the outside
with green and gray mosses, lined with fine grasses — measures 3.25
inches in diameter outside, 1.75 inside ; depth 2.25 outside, 1.50 inside.

The eggs, four in number, are white (a delicate blush-color before
blown), marked with minute dots of reddish -brown, more numerous
towards the larger end. They measure respectively, .70 x .52, .70X.51,
.69 x .51, .68 X .52. Two other nests were found, each containing four

vaK^sm^mm

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

363

eggs. They were placed, one iu a NegundOy thirty feet high, the other
at the extremity of an oak limb, twenty-five feet from the ground."*

Mr. Walter E. Bryant notes a pair of these Vireos (observed by C.
W. Knox) which built in the outer branches of a live oak, only a few
feet above the exhaust pipe from a steam pump, where at times they
were compelled to suspend work, owing to the dense vapor which
enveloped them. Four eggs were laid in this nest.

632a. Vireo huttoni Stephens! Brewst.

Hab.

Stephena'a Vlreo.

Mexico, western portion of Texas, Mew Mexico, Arizona and Lower California,

This new race was first described by Mr. William Brewster, from
specimens collected by Mr. F. Stephens in the Chiricahau and Santa
Rita Mountains, Arizona. It is stated that he also took its nest and
eggs near Fort Bayard, New Mexico, in 1876, but there appears to be
no published account ol them. Capt. Charles E. Bendire describes a
nest of this bird containing three fresh eggs, taken by Lieut. Benson on
June 21, 1887, near Fort Huachuca, Arizona, which are now in the Na-
tional Museum, f The nest was attached to the fork of a small twig of
some species of buttouwood, growing in a canon of the Huachuca Moun-
tains, and was well concealed. It is very peculiar looking, being
outwardly exclusively composed of a yellowish-buff plant down, with
similarly coloied grass-tops incorporated, giving the nest a uniform light
color, not unlike a very fine cup-shaped sponge. It is lined with the ex-
treme tops of grasses, also of a golden tint, and measures externally two
and three-fourth inches in width by two and one-half inches in depth.
The inner diameter is two inches by one and three-fourth inches. The
three eggs are ovate in shape, pure white in color, with little gloss,
sparsely spotted about the larger end, with fine dots of dark umber-
brown and brownish-red; sizes .72X.53, .70X.52, .69X.52.

633. Vireo bellli Aud. [145.]

BeU'8 Vireo.

Hab. Middle districts of the United States, from Illinois and Iowa west to the eastern slope of the
Rocky Mountains, south in winter to SouthAn Mexico.

Bell's Vireo is a common bird in the interior districts of United
States, as far west as the Rocky Mountains. It breeds in a great portion
of the Mississippi Valley, from Dakota and Minnesota southward.
Messrs. Keyes and Williams give it as a common summer resident of
Iowa, where it is perhaps the most familiar bird of its genus. Here,
Mr. L. Jones informs me, it frequents the brush fringing the woods or
roadsides, where it attaches its nest to the twigs of the hazel bush.

^BuU. Nutt. Ornith. Club, III, p. 68.

t Notes on a Collection of Birds' Nests and Eggs from Southern Arizona Territory, By Capt.
Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A. Proceedings of the National Museum, 1887, pp. 66&-567.

3fi4

NESTS AND EGGS OF

The height of the breeding season is about the first week of June.
The bird is an abundant summer resident from Kansas to Southeastern
Texas. In Kansas it begins laying the last of May. Mr. Edwin C.
Davis states that the favorite nesting places of this species in Northern
Texas are well shaded orchards and the north side of osage-orange
hedges. The nest seems to be the favorite receptacle for the eggs of
the Cowbird, and rarely is a nest found without one or more eggs of
this parasite. Mr. Davis observes that he has never found a young
Cowbird in the Vireo's nest, which suggests the probability that the
eggs are disposed of by the parent birds in some manner. The nest is
a neat, cup-shaped structure, suspended by the brim in slender, forked
twigs of a bush or small tree. It is compact and smooth, made of fine
bark strips and strong, flax-like fibres of different plants, lined with
fine grasses, feathers and down, rootlets and hair.

The usual number of eggs is four. According to Mr. William
Lloyd, this species rears two broods in a season in Western Texas, nest-
ing from May i to July 3, and the average clutch of eggs is six. He
has taken sets of five, six, and two of eight eggs each. They are white,
sparingly dotted with dark umber-brown around the larger end. Six
£ggs measure .69X.50, ./ox. 50, .70X.50, .72X.51, .73X.50, .68X.47.

633a. Vireo bellii puslllus (Coues) [146.]

Iieast Vireoi

Hab. Southern and Central California, Lower California and Arizona.

This bird occurs in Arizona, chiefly its lower portion, and Califor-
■nia, from Sacramento to Cape St. lyucas. Its habits correspond closely
with those of Bell's Vireo. Mr. Scott found it common in the Catalina
Mountains of Arizona, arriving about the 25th of March, and are ap-
parently mated at that time, as they proceed to build nests and lay eggs,
the latter commonly three in number. Nests from Arizona are de-
scribed as substantially like those of the former species.

The eggs measure about .69X.48, and are of crystalline whiteness,

speckled with red and reddish-brown, the markings being very minute

and scarcely discernible in some cases, in others larger and more

distinct.

634. Vireo vicinior Coues. [i47-]

Gray Vireo.

Hab. Northwestern Mexico, Western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Southern California.

A very limited number of specie. \ens of the Arizona or Gray
Vireo had been procured since its discovery and description by Dr.
Coues in 1866, and the species was considered rare until Mr. W. E. D.
Scott, in 1884, found it to be fairly abundant on the mesas and foot-
hills of the San Pedro slope of the Santa Catalina Mountains, in Pinal

^'M^J^mmm

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

366

county, Arizona. The limits of its distribution while breeding, were
between the altitudes of 2800 and 4000 feet, and the locality where it
was found most abundant is where the mesquites terminate and the
oaks begin. The smooth, flat mesas, and the broJad, open bottoms of
the wilder canon are quite as much frequented by it as the rough and
broken hillsides. The bird is exceedingly active, rapidly searching
the limbs of trees and bushes f food, constantly uttering its clear
liquid song. It is rarely found higher up than fifteen feet in trees and
bushes. Two young males which had just left the nest were taken by
Mr. Scott on May 26, and a nest was discovered the same day and
others were found at different dates till June 11. They were built in
mesquites and thorn bushes ranging from four to seven feet from the
ground. One was attached at the rim for almost the entire circum-
ference, very much like a Red-eyed Vireo's nest, but here the re-
semblance ceases, for it is not fastened to the many small twigs, on
which it rests, that pass diagonally downward, so. that it is not even a
semi-pensile structure. Others were found situated in upright V
shaped forks, with the rims partially attached to small twigs and the
bottom resting in the crotch — a Vireo's nest resting in a crotch and in
no degree pensile. The materials used in the composition were coarse
dry grasses and shreds of bark externally, while the inner portion is
composed of fine, dry grasses arranged in concentric layers. The
nests found by Mr. Scott contained three and four eggs each respect-
ively. The one discovered on May 26 did not contain any eggs until
the 30th. This habit of sitting on a finished nest for a considerable
time before any eggs are laid he found to be characteristic of the
Arizona Jay, Aphelocoma sieberii arizonce^ (see pages 262-263 of this
work). The eggs are rather rounded in their general shape, rosy when
fresh, dead white when blown, and rather sparsely spotted with reddish
and umber-brown spots, some chiefly at the larger end. Mr. Scott
gives the sizes of three eggs from a set of four as ,']'] x .59, .78 x .58,
•75 ^ -S?) respectively; another of three, .72 x .53, .70 x .55, .68 x .53. *

635. Certhiola bahaineiisis Reich [159.]

Bahama Honey Creeper.

Hab, Bahamas, Florida Keys and adjacent coast of Southern Florida.

This little bird as its name indicates belongs to the Bahamas. It
occurs in the Florida Keys and strays to the adjacent portions of the
southern coast of Florida as far north as Charlotte Harbor. In the
Bahamas it nests in April, May and June. It builds in small trees or

■^ For a detailed account of the habits, nests and eggs of this species see Mr. Scott's article: Breed>
ing Habits of some Arizona Birds, in The Auk, II, pp. 321-326.

866

NESTS AND EGGS OP

bushes, constructing a globular shaped nest with an entrance in one
side. The structure is very large for so small a bird. Exteriorally it is
built of weed stems, dry grasses, and lined with finer and softer vege-
table fibres. The eggs are two to four in number, commonly four, are
white, finely speckled with reddish-brown, chiefly at v ■ larger end ;
average size .60 x .50.

636. Mniotllta varia (Linn.) [74,74a.]

Black and White Warbler.

Hab. Eaitern North America, north to Fort Simpson, west to the Great Plains; in winter Gulf States,
West Indies, Central America and Northern South America,

The little Black-and-white Creeping Warbler, which climbs around
the trunks of trees and among their branches in the manner of a true
Creeper, breeds throughout its range, and winters from the southern
border of the United States southward.

Nests usually in the latter part of May and in June, constructing a
neat, compact domicile of leaves, bark-strips, grasses, with a lining of
hairs and hair-like roots. The nest is built on the ground in woods,
usually imbedded in a depression, and buil^" on a foundation of decayed
wood or leaves. It is generally placed under the shelter of weeds, by
the side of a stump, fallen log, or under a projecting stone on a hillside.

The eggs are usually five in number. A series of ten sets in Mr.
Norris' cabinet exhibit considerable variation in size and markings,
yet on the whole the eggs have an individuality of their own which
enables one to distinguish them from the eggs of any other Warbler.
The typical egg of this species is white or creamy-white, speckled
and spotted with chestnut and hazel, generally in the form of a wreath
around the larger end, although the rest of the surface is not unspot-
ted. A typical set measures .65X.51, .63 x .51, .60X.50, .65X.49, .64 x
.50; the average is .65X.55.

637. Protonotaria citrea (Bodd.) [75.]

Prothonotary Warbler.

Hab. Mississippi Valley and Gulf States north regularly as far as Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, etc., cas-
ually to Wisconsin; rare or casual on the Atlantic Coast, north of Georgia, south in winter to Cuba, Central
America and Northern South America.

The vicinity of willow swamps, the borders of ponds and streams
in the bottom lands of the Mississippi Valley and Gulf States is the
summer home of the Golden Swamp Warbler. Messrs. Keyes and
Williams record it as a summer resident of Iowa and not uncommon,
especially in the eastern part of th« State. Col. Goss gives it as a
summer resident of Kansas; common in the eastern portion. It is
abundant in portions of Indian Territory and Texas. Prof. Evermann
notes the Prothonotary Warbler as a ra»e summer resident of Carroll
county, Indiana. It is a summer resident in Western Ohio, where it

•nwraiWMpiKV«<**»*.K*«<i>

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

367

has been observed breeding. Mr. William Brewster found this species
to be one of the most abundant and characteristic birds of Southern
Illinois and Southwestern Indiana. In his charming account* of its
life-history he describes its song as resembling the note of the Soli-
tary Sandpiper, and its alarm note that of the Water Thrush.

The typical nesting-site, he states, was the deserted hole of the
Downy Woodpecker or Carolina Chickadee. The height varied from
two to fifteen feet, though the usual elevation was about four. If the
cavity was old and broken out, or otherwise enlarged, it was far more
likely to be chosen than a neater and newer one close at hand. The
stump selected almost invariably stood in or projected over water.
When the hole was deep it was usually filled up to within four or
five inches of the entrance — the material being moss, leaves and
cypress twigs.

Mr. O. C. Poling found this Warbler breeding in abundance in the
latter half of May, 1887, in Western Illinois, about twenty miles
above Quincy, and obtained a large series of the eggs. These are four
to seven in number, usually six, sometimes five, rarely seven. Their
shape is usually rounded-oval of nearly equal size at both ends, some
being nearly spherical, others much elongated. The ground color is
glossy creamy-white or buff, spotted, blotched and dotted with rich
chestnut red, in some the ground being almost obscured by the mark-
ings. The sizes of a typical set taken by Mr. Poling are, .73 x .55, .73
X -52) -73 X .52, .73 X .52, .72 X .50 ; another set of six, taken
May 21, .72 X .57, .71 X .56, .70 x .58, .71 x .54, .70 x .59, .72 x .58.
In a series of sixty-six sets in Mr. Norris' cabinet one contains the un-
usual number of eight eggs.

638. Helinaia swainsonii Aud. [76.]

Swaindon'a 'Warbler.

Hab. Southeastern portion of the United States— from South Carolina to Florida and Eastern Texas-»-
northward in the Mississippi Valley to Southern Indiana (Knox county), Jamaica in winter.

Until recently this was one of our rarest North American birds.
Its nests and eggs were first described by Mr. William Brewster from
specimens collected by Arthur T. Wayne, near Charleston, South Car-
olina, June 5 and 6, 1885. f Since that date many nests, eggs and skins
of the bird have been taken by various collectors, chiefly, however, by
Mr. Wayne, T. D. Perry and George Noble, in the vicinity of Charles-
ton, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia. From these collectors I
gather that the bird nests in wild shrubbery of swamps or pools of stag-

« BuU. Nutt. Ornith. Club, III, pp. 163-162.
t In " Forest and Stream," July 9, 1885.

358

NESTS AND EGGS OF

nant water, along running streams, and on high, dry land at a con-
siderable distance from water.

The nests are built in bushes, canes, palmettos, and clumps of
vines from three to ten feet above the ground or surface of the water.
Mr. Perry observes that the birds breed in small colonies ; two or more
pairs are usually found nesting near one another. He describes
their song as being exactly like that of the Hooded Warbler — a low,
sweet call, consisting of a few notes. The nests are all essentially the
same, being made outwardly of leaves, placed in layers, and lined with
pine needles and fine, fibrous roots.

Three, rarely four, eggs are laid, and their color is a plain white,
■with a faint, bluish tinge — the only eggs among our North American
Warbler which are unmarked. The eggs are deposited in May and
June. Mr. Perry has found nests containing eggs slightly incu-
bated as late as July 13. Two eggs taken May 16, 1885, measure
,80 X .60 ; two taken by Mr. Noble, May 16, 1887, .78 x .57, .77 x .58. The
sizes of a complement containing the smallest eggs in a series of nine
sets in Mr. Norris' cabinet are .68X.52, .68X.54, .69X.54; a set of the
largest eggs .83X.53, .84X.53, .80X.57.

639. Helmitherus vermivorus (Gmel.) [77.]

Worm-eatlug TVarUer*

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Connecticut Valley, casually to Maine: west to Missouri, Kan-
sas, and Indian TerrUory; south in winter to Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Central America.

The Worm-eating Warbler breeds throughout its United States
range, which extends as far west as Kansas and Nebraska. In some
sections, however, it is only an occasional or a rare summer visitor, while
in others it breeds abundantly. It has been found breeding frequently
in Southern C'-nnecticut and various parts of Southern New England,
in New "Vork and Pennsylvania. This bird maybe seen scratching the
leaves on the ground, or rustling in the lea\ es of a fallen tree in search
of worms and spiders. Sometimes while in the higher branches its
actions are much like those of a Vireo. In Ohio the Worm-eating
Warbler is a rare summer resident. It has been found breeding abun-
dantly in Chester county, Pennsylvania, by Mr. Thomas H. Jackson
and Samuel B. Ladd, in the months of May, June, and July.

The nest is usually built in a depression of the ground on a hill-
side, beneath a bush, beside a fallen log, at the foot of a sapling or tree.
It is, according to the observations of Mr. Ladd and Mr. Jackson, like-
wise built on level ground in rather open places, with little shelter
from the sun. It is composed outwardly of leaves, and lined with hair-
like moss ; sometimes fine grass and horse hair is part of the lining.

t»'---«v>=»*-44u«**««

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

359

The eggs are four to six in number, usually five, and exhibit a great
variation in size, shape and markings, some being faintly marked with
light reddish spots, chiefly about the larger end,while others are heavily
blotched with lavender and rich chestnut. The shape varies from
equal ended to those that are quite pointed. A set containing the
smallest normal specimen, collected June 30, in a large series of eggs
described by Mr. Ladd, offers the following dimensions: .64X.49, .64
X.50, .65X.48, .64X.49; a set of five taken June 6, measure .71X.57,
.72 X .58, .71 X .58, .76 X .57, .77 X .55. The last set is now in Mr. Norris'
cabinet. Mr. Ladd also found a set of runt eggs of this species, which
are smaller than those of a Hummingbird, and several nests were found
containing an egg of the Cowbird. The average size is .68 x .54.

640. Helminthopiiila bachmani (Aud.) [78.]

Baolixaan's Warblei?.

Hab, Coast of South Atlantic and Gulf States, from South Carolina to Louisiana. Cuba in winter.

An extremely rare bird. Said to nest in low trees. Eggs four.
One of a set of four, taken April 30, and found in the collection made
between the years 1853 and 1865 by the late Dr. S. W. Wilson in
Georgia, is described by Mr. H. B. Bailey as dull white ; around the
larger end is a wreath of dark brown, covering nearly one-third of the
egg ; while a few obscure spots of lilac are scattered over the rest of
the surface. It has no resemblance to any Warbler's egg, and espec-
ially none of any of this genus. * Size about .74 x .60 : Ridgw.

641. Helmlnthophlla pinus (Linn.) [79]

Blne-irlnKed ^HTarbler.

Hab, Eastern United States north to Connecticut and Southern New York, the Great Lakes and
Minnesota; south in winter to eastern Mexico, Guatemala.

The Blue-winged Yellow Warbler breeds throughout its United
States range, chiefly however, north of 40° latitude. Apparently it is
not found in great abundance wherever observed during the breeding
season. Records are at hand of its breeding in Southern Connecticut,
New York, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Central Ohio, Indiana and
Southeastern Illinois. Col. Goss gives it as a rare summer resident of
Kansas. It has probably been found breeding most abundantly in
Southeastern Pennsylvania by Isaac S. ReifT, The site generally
selected for a breeding place in that locality is a clump of blackberry
bushes on the edge of a wood, and high ground a short distance from
water seems to be preferable. Nest building begins as early as May
10, and nests were found containing young as early as June 3. The
nest is built on the ground in thickets ; sometimes it is raised two or three

♦ Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VIII, 88.

360

NESTS AND EGGS OF

inches above the ground and hidden by tall grass or a cluster of small oak
sprouts or vines. The materials used in the construction of the nests
were dry leaves, strips of wild grape bark, becoming finer towards
the inner part ; the lining is of very fine grass.

The eggs are four or five in number, white, faintly and sparsely speck-
led with burnt umber and seal brown. A set of five eggs in Mr. Norris'
collection, taken by Mr. Reiff, May 28, 1887, in Bucks county, Pennsyl-
vania, exhibits the following measurements : .70 x .50, .69 x .52, ,67 x .51,
.68 X .51, .67 X .52 ; another of four taken in Montgomery county, Penn-
sylvania, June 16, 1887, measures respectively, .60 x .51, .64 x .52, .60
X .50, .63 X .51.

642. Helmlnthopliila chrysoptera (Linn.) [Si.]

Oolden-irlnged \irarbler.

Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces; in winter south to Cuba, Eastern Mexico and
Central America,

The breeding range of this handsome Warbler is about the same
as that of the last, but it seems not to extend its range so far west in
the summer months. It has been found nesting in Georgia, North and
South Carolina, and as far north as Southern New England. Breeds in
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and is a rather common summer
resident of Ohio, Mr. O. C. Poling found the Blue Golden-winged Warbler
breeding in limited numbers in the bottom lands of Western Illinois,
along the Mississippi River. The birds seem to prefer low land cov-
ered with long grass with here and there a bush or grove of trees.
Swampy lands that skirt small woods are its favorite resorts in Central
Ohio. The nest is built on or near the ground under tussocks of grass
or bushes. All the nests found by Mr. Poling were placed above the
ground. The composition consists of leaves, vegetable roots, sedges,
and fine strips of bark, lined with fine grasses — on the whole the sit-
uation and style of the nest is like that of the Maryland Yellow-
throat.

The eggs, four to six in number are white, speckled with burnt
umber, chestnut and lilac-gray. Four sets in Mr. Norris' cabinet ex-
hibit the following sizes : one of four from Monroe county, Michigan,
taken May 17, 1880, .60 x .48, .60 x .49, .58 x .49, .60 x .49; another
from the same locality collected May 21, 1886, .65 x .49, .63 x .52, .63
X .51, .63 X .52; a set of five taken near Detroit, Michigan, May 30,
1887, .65X.50, .64X.49, .65X.50, .64X.50, .64X.49; the fourth from
Adams county, Illinois, taken May 27, consists of five eggs. These
measure .68 x .54, .74 x .51, .67 x .54, .66 x .52, .72 x .51.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

643. Helminthophila lnoi» (Cooper.) [83.]

361

Hab. Valleys of the Colorado and Gila Rivers in Arizona and Southern Calirornia, south into Sonora.

Captain Bendire discovered the nest and eggs of this species near
Tucson, Arizona, May 19, 1872. The nest was built between the loose
bark and the trunk of a dead tree, a few feet from the ground, similar
to that of the Brown Creeper. Mr. F. Stephens found it abundant in
the vicinity of Tucson in 1882. The birds frequented the willows
along the banks of streams, and like the Kinglets, spent much of their
time in searching for insects in the outer branches. Many nests and
eggs were examined after May 8. These were variable, the character-
istic plaqe being like that found by Captain Bendire, but the nests
were also built in deserted woodpecker's excavations, knot-holes and
all sorts of crevices. A brood of young was actually taken from the
deserted domicile of a Yellow-headed Titmouse.

The eggs are three or four in number, white, usually sparsely
speckled with brown and black, chiefly at the larger end. A set of
four taken by Mr. Stephens is described by Mr. Brewster as being hand-
somely wreathed about the larger ends with reddish-brown and umber
spots, a few of which are scattered over the general surface. Their
sizes are .58 x .46, .58 x 46, .62 x .46, .60 x .47.*

644. Helminthophila virginisB (Baird.) [84.]

Virginia's "WarMer'

Hab. Chiefly the Rocky Mountain districts, north to Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Nevada; south
into Central Mexico.

In some portions of the Rocky Mountain region this is an abundant
species, as in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. It frequents the shrub-
bery along creeks, where it breeds, A nest with eggs obtained by
Prof. Ridgway, near Salt Lake, Utah, is described as being embedded
in the deposits of dead or decaying leaves, on ground covered by dense
oak-brush. Its rim was just even with the surface. It was built on
the side of a narrow ravine, at the bottom of which was a small stream. •
It consists of a loose but intricate interweaving of fine strips of the
inner bark of the mountain mahogany, fine stems of grasses, roots,
and mosses, and is lined with the same with the addition of the fur
and hair of the smaller animals.

The eggs were four in number, and measured .64 x .47 of an inch.
They are of a rounded-ovoid shape, have a white ground with a
slightly roseate tinge, and are profusely spotted with numerous small
blotches and dots of purplish-brown and lilac, forming a crown around
the larger end.

• Bull. Nutt. Onith. Club, VII, pp. 83-«4.

362

NESTS AND KGGS OF

845. Helmlnthophila ruflcapilla (Wils.) [85, /or^.]

NadiTlUe Warliler.

Hab. Eastcru North America to the Great Plains, north to the Fur Countries, south in winter to
Eastern Mexico and Gnatemala.

The Nashville Warbler breeds from the Northern United States
northward to Hudson Bay and interior British America. Throughout
New England it is a common summer resident, breeding in any suit-
able locality in the latter part of May and in June. At this season it
may also be found in Michigan, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, etc.
The nest is placed on the ground and is composed of leaves, bark
strips, sometimes almost entirely of pine needles, the lining being
finer material of the same with grasses and hair. Often the nest is
imbedded in the ground flush with the surface, and it is usually hidden
under a tussock of grass. The ground color of the eggs varies from
white to creamy- white, and pre speckled with minute dots over the
surface, but chiefly at the larger end with reddish-brown, hazel'and lilac.
Six sets of this bird's eggs are in Mr. Norris' cabinet. One of five,
taken by "J. M. W." (Mr. C. h. Rawson) near Preston, Connecticut, June
6, 1882, are very small for eggs of the Nashville Warbler; they
measure .56 x .45, .56 x .46, .56 x .46, .57 x .46, .57 x .47. A set of three
collected near Hudsou, Massachusetts, May 30, 1886, measures .65 x .49,
.64 X .49, .64 X .50, respectively. The third, consisting of four eggs, was
taken May 30, 1887, near Detroit, Michigan; their sizes are .60X.50,
.61 X .49, .62 X .49, .62 X .48. Three other sets in the same cabinet show
a considerable variation.

646. Helminthopliila celata (Sav.) [86 ]

Oranse-orovned WarbleT.

Hab. Northern North America, breeding in high latitudes, as in the Yukon and Mackenzie River
regions, southward into the Rocky Mountains. Winters in the South Atlantic and Gulf States and eastern
Mexico, rare in the Northeastern States.

As mentioned in the above habitat the Orange-crowned Warbler
breeds north of the United States Its nests and eggs were found by
Mr. Kennicott, in the middle of June, in the vicinity of Great Slave
Lake. They were generally built on the ground among clumps of
bushes, often in the side of a bank, and usually hidden by the dry
leaves among which they were placed. They were large for the size
of the bird, and were composed almost entirely of long, coarse strips of
bark, loosely interwoven with a few dry grasses and plant stems.
They were warmly lined with hair and fur of small animals. The
bird was found breeding near Fort Resolution on the Yukon, at Fort
Rae, and at Fort Anderson. The eggs are white or creamy-white,
finely speckled, chiefly on the larger end, with reddish or chestnut-
brown; average size .64 x .46.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

363

646o. Helminthophila oelata Intesoens (Ridgw.) [86a.]

Lvtsaomtt Warbler.

Hab. Pacific coast region north to Kadiak, Alaska, south in winter to Lower California and Western
Mexico and eastward during the migrations to Colorado, Arizona, etc.

The Lutescent Warbler breeds in the coast ranges of Southern
California and northward to Kadiak Island, Alaska. Mr. W. O. Emer-
son states that it may be seen during the entire year in the vicinity of
Haywards, California, where Dr. J. G. Cooper took the first known
nest. Mr. Emerson also informs me that Mr. A. M. Ingersoll has col-
lected large numbers of the nests and eggs of this bird in Alameda
county, California. The nest is built on the ground, often concealed
by tall grass or bushes. It is composed of dry grass, rootlets, moss
and lined with a few horse hairs and fine vegetablr' fibres.

The eggs range from three to five in number, and vary from
white to dull creamy-white, finely speckled with lilac-gray and cinna-
mon-rufous, chiefly at the larger ends. A set of four taken near Salem,
Oregon, April 14, 1885, in Mr. Norris' collection gives the following
measurements: .61 x .47, .61 x .46, .59 x .47, .60 x .45; one of three col-
lected near the Golden Gate, California, June 6, 1885, .64 x .49, .64 x
.49, .61 X .47.

647. Helminthophila peregrina (Wils.) [87.]

Tena«M«e IVarbler*

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from Northern New England, Northern New York and
Minnesota northward into the Fur Countries; migrating through Eastern United States, chiefly west of the
Alleghanies, as far west as the Rocky Mountains; south through Mexico and Central America.

A nest of this bird was taken by Prof. Horsford, near Springfield,
Massachusetts. It is described by Dr. Brewer as being built in a low
clump of bushes, just above the ground^ and made of fine, vegetable
fibres, grasses, mosses, etc., lined with hair. The eggs were pear J y
white, wreathed about the larger end with brown and purplish mark-
ings; size .60X.50.

648. Gompsothlypis americana (Linn.) [88.]

Panda Warbler.

Hab. Eastern United States and Canada; in winter Southern Florida, more Northern West Indies,
Eastern Mexico and Northern Central America (Guatemala).

Better known as the Blue-yellow-backed Warbler. Breeds in suit-
able localities throughout its United States range. It has been ob-
served rearing its young in various parts of Nebraska and Illinois, and
its nest and eggs have been taken in Missouri. Mr. Nehrling saw
old birds feeding their young in July and August in Southeastern Texas,
and Col. Goss makes note of the same fact occurring near Neosho Falls,
Kansas, in July, 1879. This species is a summer resident in Northern
Ohio, but not common. It seems to be more abundant during the
breeding season in the States bordering the Atlantic coast, especially

364

NESTS AND EGGS OP

from Niw Jersey northward. The Parula Warbler loves to make
its summer home midst swampy groves, whose trees and bushes
are draped in festoons of a long, light green moss, with fine,
hair-like filaments — the pendulous tree moss — the usnea of the bota-
nists. In the bunches of this thread-like lichen the Parula usually
makes its nest with an entrance at one side. "J. M. W.," (Mr. C. It.
Rawson), who is well acquainted with the habits of this species in
New London county, Connecticut, says that the bird simply gathers
together the lower strands of the usnea, felting it with the same material,
and the nest is done. This very accurate naturalist and charming
writer also observes that at first sight the nest might indicate a greater
degree cf skill than the little architect possesses. Such is doubtless
the case with the one represented in our illustration, which is a faithful
picture of a specimen selected from five beautiful nests, furnished by
Mr. W. W. Worthington, of Shelter Island, New York, where the birds
breed abundantly.

The nests are situated in low trees and bushes at heights ranging
from three to forty feet, usually from six to twelve feet. Mr. Worthing-
ton and Mr.Griffing both found nests in the moss attached to the sides of
the trunks of large trees. Sometimes one or two horse hairs are woven
into the nest, and occasionally a piece of fine grass. In regions destitute
of tree moss, in which this species can make its nest, it frequently adapts
itself to circumstances by nesting in the bunches of dead leaves, caught
on branches during freshets. Dr. C. Hart Merriam records a nest of
this kind taken near St. Louis, Missouri, June 8, 1885. Mr. William
Brewster makes note of an unusual nest of the Parula Warbler, which
was made by the birds and suspended by the upper edges to the drooping
boughs of a live hemlock. In general style of construction it closely
resembles a wide-mouthed nest of the Baltimore Oriole open at the
top. It is composed entirely of usnea, closely woven or felted with
a scanty lining of fine grasses and pine needles. The breeding season
is in May, June and" July.

The usual number of eggs laid by this species is four, sometimes
five. Mr. Rawson and Mr. Worthington have both taken sets contain-
ing seven, and one of that number taken by the former collector is in
Mr. Norris' cabinet, which contains thirty-nine sets of the eggs of this
species. The ground-color of the eggs is white or creamy-white, more
or less glossy, and speckled with reddish-brown, cinnamon-rufous,
chestnut, and in some gray tintings. Many eggs are wreathed near the
larger ends. Ten selected specimens before me offer the following sizes ;

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

366

.62 X .42, .67 X .46, .64 X .46, .65 X .47, .65 X .45, .69 X .48, .67 X .47, .69 X .43,
.70x45, .66x46.

649. Gompsothlypis nigrilora (Coues) [89a.]

Sennett'a 'Warbler-

Hab. Valley of the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.

This is a common species at various localities on the Lower Rio
Grande in Texas. It was observed by Dr. Merrill to be quite common
at Brownsville, and also by Mr. George B. Sennett at Lomita. Mr.
Sennett states that it is truly a bird of the forest, where it delights to
flit about in the upper branches of the tallest trees continuously
warbling its clear song, which is readily distinguished from that of all
other birds. On May 17 a nest containing one egg was found; it was
made in a gray misleto-like orchid, an air-plant very common on the
Rio Grande, which establishes itself on the small branches of trees
and varies in size up to eight or ten inches in diameter. This one is
six inches long by four and one-half inches wide, quite firm in texture,
and was fastened some ten feet from the ground, to the end of a droop-
ing branch of a brazil tree in open woodland. The nest is constructed
by simply parting the gray leaves of the orchid, and digging into its
center from the side, a cavity some two inches in diameter being made
with an opening one and one-quarter inches. The bottom and sides
are lined with short cottony wood fibres. The birds evidently build
also in the hanging trusses of Spanish moss so abundant everywhere,
as a nest was found by Dr. Merrill, July, 5, 1877, in a small bunch of
moss about eight feet from the ground.

The single egg is described by Mr. Sennett as similar to that of
C. americana\ its spots of lilac and brown forming a broad incompact
band near the larger end, and the entire surface is sparingly marked
with the same colors on a dull white ground; size .67 x .46.

650. Dendroica tigrina (Gmel.) [90.]

Cape May 'Warbler.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Hudson Bay, Lake Winnipeg, etc. Breeds from Northern
New England .lorthward, also in Jamaica; winters in Greater Antilles.

Not a common bird wherever found in Eastern North America,
except in restricted areas during the migrations, when great numbers
are seen in a day. Some years, in certain localities it is more frequent-
ly observed than at other times. Forests of evergreens are its favorite
resorts. It is known to breed in Northern New England and north-
ward. A nest with eggs taken by James W. Banks near St. John,
N. B.,_is described by Mr. Montague Chamberlain.* The nest was
hidden in a cluster of low cedars, growing in an exposed position on

♦ In The Auk, II, pp 38^.

1^-

366

NESTS AND EGGS OF

a rather open hill-side; it was placed less than three feet from the
ground, and within six inches of the tips of the branches amidst the
densest part of the foliage, and well screened from observation. June
13 the nest was completed and contained two eggs, and on the i6th
four eggs. The nest somewhat resembles that of the Magnolia
Warbler, D. maculosa^ being composed of minute twigs of dry spruce,
grasses, with spider's webs interwoven. The lining is composed en-
tirely of horse hair laid with precision, and shaped into a prettily
formed cup, the brim being turned with exquisite grace.

The eggs of this species are described as dull or buflfy-white, or
grayish, speckled or spotted round the larger end with dark brown or
reddish-brown and lilac-gray, sometimes a few specks of blackish are
scattered over the greater part of the surface. The ground-color of
the eggs belonging to the nest just described, is dull white like that of
the Magnolia's; their sizes .69 x .49, .65 x .49, .66 x .49, .66 x .48. The
average is .68 x . 49.

652. Dendroica sestiva (Gmel.) [93.]

Yellow Warbler.

Hab. North America at large, south in winter to Central America to Northern South America.

Known by several names, such as Summer Warbler, Summer
Yellow-bird, Blue-eyed Yellow Warbler and Golden Warbler. An
abundant bird everywhere throughout its range, in woodland, orchards,
parks and gardens. Nests in fruit or shade trees, low shrubbery and
brushwood. Sometimes the nest i^kuilt at heights ranging from ten
to forty feet in large trees, but their 'f^orite nesting places are hedges
and low bushes. The nest is usually skillfully fastened to several small
twigs, and is a neat, compact, cup-shaped structure, made of grayish,
hempen fibres, slender stems of plants and leaves, lined with soft plant
down and feathers. The Cowbird makes the nest of this Warbler a
favorite receptacle for depositing her egg. In United States the Yellow
Warbler begins nest building about the first of May.

The eggs are four or five in number. They have a greenish-
white or even a decided green ground-Atlor, spotted, usually in a
wreath around the larger end, with umbeM)rown, blackish and lilac-
gray. They vary in size from .62 to .70 lon|^ by .48 to .53 broad. A
common size is .67X.47.

654. Dendroica cserulescens ( Gmel!) [ 94.]

Blaok-throated Bine Warbler.

Hab. Eastern North America to the Great Plains; breeding from the northern and more elevated
portions of Eastern United States northward; in winter, Florida and West Indies,

In most of the Eastern United States this beautiful Warbler is
known only as a spring and fall migrant. It has been observed breeding

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

367

in Northern New England, New York, and in Ontario. The Rev. C.
M. Jones found it breeding at Eastford, Connecticut, in deep, swampy
woods, which the birds seem to make their favorite resorts. Four nests
were discovered placed in laurel bushes, from five to about eighteen
inches above the ground. They were composed of dry grape vine
bark, twigs and roots, and partially covered on the outside with the woolly
substance of cocoons ; the lining was of fine black roots and hair, and
they contained four eggs respectively. These nests were found in the
first half of June. Mr. William L. Kells found the Black-throated
Blue Warbler breeding in the thick underbrush of the high timber land,
near Listowel, Ontario, in June, and on the 5th of that month, 1886,
discovered a compactly built nest of this species in a small maple. On
the 9th it contained three eggs of the Warbler and one of the Cowbird.
These are now in Mr. Norris' collection. Another nest found placed
in a small leafy shrub at the edge of a thicket contained three young
of Z>. caeridescens and one young Cowbird. Mr. Egbert Bagg and
Dr. William M. Ralph found this Warbler nesting in swampy and
heavily timbered woods, thickly overgrown with brush, near Holland
Patent, New York. Four nests were taken between May 29 and June
14, 1886 ; they were built in the upright forks of little maple bushes,
from nine inches to two feet above the ground.

The sizes of two sets of four eggs each are given as follows : .66 x
50, .66 X. 51, .64X.51, .64X.51; .75X.54, .72X.55, .76X.54, .72X.52.
The eggs are buffy-white or greenish-white, more or less heavily
blotched with pinkish-brown, reddish-brown, of varying shades; some
specimens in general shape and appearance resemble the eggs of the
American Redstart, being jnarked with chestnut and hazel, chiefly at
the larger ends. The sizes of Mr. Norris' set are .64X.49, .64X.51,
.64X.51.

655. Dendroica coronata (Linn.) [95.]

Myrtle Warbler*

Hab. Entire of North America, rare west of the Rocky Mountains, except on the Pacific coast,
where more or less common. Breeds from Northern United States northward. Winters from the Middle
States and Ohio Valley (40°) southward to West Indies and Panama. Breeds also in Jamaica.

The Yellow-crowned or, Yellow-rumped Warbler is a common and
well-known species in Eastern United States, breeding from the north-
ern portions northward in May, June and July. Breeds abundantly in
the coniferous forests of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. In
Central and Northern Ohio it is a rather common breeder. Dr. Howard
E. Jones has several times found it nesting in Pickaway county, and
has observed it in the extreme southern portions of the State in July.
In the vicinity of Listowel, Ontario, Mr. W. L<. Kells met with this

.-ii

368

NESTS AND EGGS OF

species breeding in swampy woodland, in company with the American
Redstart, Black-and-White Warbler, Chestnut-sided and Bay-breasted
Warblers.

The Myrtle Warbler spends most of its time in the higher branches
of trees searching for food, but builds its nest down on the lower
branches, preferedly in pine, hemlock, spruce and other coniferous
trees ; the height of the nest from the ground is seldom more than eight
or ten feet, usually four or five. The locality in which Mr. Kells found
this species breeding was woods of black ash, intermingled with
balsams and cedars. The nest is composed of soft vegetable fibres,
with a few grass stems for a lining ; in sAne there is a lining of feathers
when they are obtainable.

The eggs are four or five, usually four, in number, and vary from
creamy-white to dull white, speckled and spotted, and frequently
blotched, generally in wreaths near the larger ends, with various shades
of reddish-brown and lilac-gray. The sizes of a set containing the larg-
est eggs in a series in Mr. Norris' collection are .70X.54, .69X.54,
.72 X .55 ; these were taken at Grand Manan, New Brunswick, June 24,
1878. A set of four exhibiting the smallest sizes was taken by Mr.
William Brewster at Lake Umbagog, Maine, June 11, 1876. These
measure .64X.51, .64X.49, .66X.50, .66X.50, respectively.

656. Dendroica auduboni (Towns.) [96.]

Andnbon'a Warbler.

Hab. Western North America, east to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, north to British
Columbia; south in winter to Guatemala. Accidental in Massachusetts.

Audubon's Warbler looks like the last species except that its throat
is yellow instead of white. An abundant species in all suitable places
throughout the west. Mr. Scott found it nesting at Twin Lakes,
Colorado, and Mr. D. H. Minot notes it as a summer resident in the
region about Boulder, where the bird prefers high willow swamps and
spruce tiuiber. He found nests June 24, at Seven Lakes. Mr. Frank
M. Drew gives it as an abundant resident in San Juan county, Colorado.
Dr. Merrill states that it breeds rather abundantly tn the Big Horn
Mountains, Montana. Mr. H. W. Henshaw states that Audubon's
Warbler breeds abundantly throughout the pine woods of the moun-
tains about Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mr. A. W. Anthony says that
a few breed in the more elevated parts of Washington county, Oregon.

The nests of this species are situated at various heights ranging
all the way from three to thirty feet, and usually on the outer branches
of pine or spruce trees. Their composition is fine strips of bark, grass,
small stems of the sage bush, pine needles, etc., lined with fine roots,
hairs and feathers.

Ct^yrigkl iaS0.

PLATE XI.

PARULA, OR BLUE -YELLOW -BACKED WARBLER AND NEST.

(Comfttthtyfit americana.)

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NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

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The eg^s are usually four in number, sometimes five. Some
specimens are somewhat like the common type of the Yellow Warbler's,
being greenish-white, marked chiefly about the crown with olive-brown.
The ground color, however, varies from dull olivaceous-white to pale
green or even pale blue, and the markings are usually blackish-brown
and lilac-gray ; average size .67 x .52. A set of four eggs in Mr. Norris*
cabinet was taken in Larimer county, Colorado. They measure
.7ax.56, .71X.55, .73X.56, .77X.55-

657. Dendrolca maculosa (Gmel.) [97.]

Magnolia Warbler.

Hab. Kaitern North America ai far went is base of Koclcy Moiintaina. Ureedi from northern part*
of New England, New York, and Michigan northward to about Hudson Bay. In winter, Bahanuu,
Cuba and Central America.

An elegant little bird, and perhaps better known as the lilack-and-
Yellow Warbler. Breeds commonly in Northern New England, New
Vork, Michigan and northward. Not an abundant summer resident in
Northeastern Ohio. Accounts of this species nesting in New Hamp-
shire and Maine have been given by Mr. William Brewster, Ruthven
Deane, C. J. Maynard and others. It was found breeding quite abun-
dantly on Grand Manan by Mr. Charles H. Andros. The time of laying
for this species is usually in the first half of June.

According to Mr. Brewster it is found everywhere common through-i
out the White Mountains of New Hampshire.* Its favorite resorts are
little clumps of fir and spruce shrubs, also willow thickets near streams
and ponds and other damp places. Its gay colors and sprightly song will
at once attract the attention of even the casual observer. The nest is
usually placed in the horizontal twigs of a fir or spruce at heights
ranging from five to six feet, four being the average elevation, and
the favorite localities are the edges of wood-paths, clearings or roads
bordered by woods. Sometimes the nests are built in the tops of young
hemlocks ten to fifteen feet up, or in the heart of the forest, thirty-five
feet above the ground. The nest Mr. Brewster states is loosely put
together, of fine twigs, preferedly hemlock, coarse grasses, dry weed-
stalks; the lining is fine black roots, closely resembling horse hair.
In general style it approaches more nearly the nest of the Chestnut-
sided Warbler. The eggs are four in number, very rarely five. A
series of forty-three sets of the eggs of this species is in Mr. Norris'
cabinet. The ground color of the specimens is usually creamy-white,
spotted and blotched with various shades of reddish-brown, hazel and
chestnut. The markings are generally large and well defined and often
form wreaths about the larger ends; again the ground-color of the

" Bull. Nutt. Oriiith. Club, II, pp. 1-7.

!. !

370

NESTS AND EGGS OF

eggs will be almost wholly obscured by innumerable fine specks. The
sizes of two sets containing the smallest and largest eggs are as follows :
.56 X 48, .59 X 48, .59 X 45, .56 X 47 ; .70X 49, .68 X .47, .70 x .49, .68 x .49.

658. Dendroica csBrulea (Wils.) [98.]

Cernlean 'Warbler^

Kab. Eastern United States (west of the Alleghanies) and Southern Canada, east to Central New
York; south in winter to Cuba and Northern portions of South America,

A beautiful little sky-blue feathered creature, and well named
Azure Warbler. Its home is in the top branches of trees in sylvian
groves, where it may be seen, sometimes in numbers, flitting about in
search of insect food, and uttering its peculiar syllables which sound
like zee^ zee^ zee^ ze-ee-eep. It is not strange that the nest of this
species has been so seldom discovered, even where the bird is very
abundant during the breeding season. The nest is built in the higher
horizontal branches of forest trees, always out some distance from the
trunk, and ranging from twenty to fifty feet above the ground. The
Blue or Cerulean Warbler is an abundant summer resident in Central
Ohio, where it prefers damp woods for nesting. Mr. J. A. Allen
■describes a nest and four eggs which were taken in Munroe county.
New York, Jime 7, 1878. The nest was placed in the forks of a small
ash, about twenty-five feet from the ground. One taken near
Drummondsville, Ontario, near Niagara Falls, and described by Dr.
Brewer, was built in a large oak tree, fifty feet from the ground. This
and another nest containing four eggs taken by Mr. Wm. Bryant at
Mount Carmel, Illinois, May 16, 1878, are in the Museum of Compara-
tive Zoology. Mr. Allen states that the Mount Carmel nest was also
placed at an elevation of twenty-five feet.*

Prof. Evermann gives the Cerulean Warbler as a common sum-
mer resident of Carroll county, Indiana.

Mr. J. L. Davidson secured two nests of this species with eggs,
in Niagara county, New York, on June 8 and 23, 1888. They were
built in small basswood trees, about twenty feet above the ground.
On June 30 another nest was discovered, but was too high and
inaccessible. Two broods were observed in July in the same woods.
The nests are compactly made of fine, dry grasses, bound together
with spiders' silk to which are attached pieces of whitish lichen; the
lining is strips of bark and fine grass.

The eggs are bluish-white or greenish-white, speckled with reddish-
brown and lilac, chiefly at the larger end, and often in the form of a
wreath. Mr. Davidson gives the measurements of two specimens that
were sav ed out of the first nest, as .70 x .52, .71 x .52. The second nest

('Bull. Nutt. Onith. Club IV, 25-27.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

371

contained three eggs of the Warbler and one of the Cowbird ; sizes,
.64 X .50, .63 X .49, .64 X .50.

859. Dendroica pensylvanica (Linn) [99.]

Ckestnut-aided 'Warbler.

Hab. Eastern United States and Canada. Breeds north of 40° except in higher mountain ranges. In
winter, south to Bahamas, Eastern Mexico, and Central America to Panama.

This well-known Warbler breeds abundantly in the Middle and
Northern States within its range. Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as a com-
mon resident of Ontario, breeding in suitable places near Hamilton
and throughout the country, raising two broods in a season. Breeds,
but not commonly, in Central Ohio, more abundant in the northern
portion. Nests in the latter part of May and in June.

The nest is commonly built in a low bush, shrub or sapling from
two to eight feet above the ground. The situations chosen are the
" scrub-lands " or open woods in low grounds, with a growth of bushes,
vines, etc. The nest is generally coarser than the Yellow Warbler's,
and contains fewer woolly materials. It is composed of narrow strips
of thin bark or dried grasses, mixed with plant-down, fine bleached
grasses, and lined with hairs.

The eggs are four, rarely five, in number, and vary from clear-
white to creamy-white in ground-color, speckled with rusty-brown and
chestnut, often tinged with lilac-gray, chiefly at the larger end, where
they frequently form wreaths. A set of four offers the following sizes :
.68X.50, .65X.47, .67x,49, .68X.49; average .68X.50. Eggs of the
Cowbird are commonly found in nests of this species.

660. Dendroica castanea (Wils.) [100.]

Bay-breaated 'Warbler.

Hab. Eastern North America, Breeds from Northern New England and Northern Michigan north-
ward to Hudson Bay; south in winter through Eastern Mexico and Central America,

The Bay-breasted Warbler is kmwn to breed from Northern Ne^w
England and Northern Michigan no/thward. Mr. William L. Kells
found it breeding in the vicinity of Lis towel, Ontario, in low, swampy
woods, where there is a mixture of evergreens, ash, birch, elm and other
trees.

The nests are compact, cup-shaped structures, usually placed
in coniferous trees from five to fifteen or even twenty feet
above the ground. Mr. Kells found a nest placed between a slender
limb and the trunk of a small cedar about five feet up ; another was
found in a hemlock at an elevation of fourteen feet. The nest is com-
posed of fine shreds of bark, small twigs, fibrous roots and pine
hair ; the interior is a little more than two inches in diameter by one
in depth.

;.:j

I f.l

372

NESTS AND EGGS OF

The eggs are deposited in the latter half of May or first half of
June. Four is the usual number laid ; they are white, with a bluish
tinge, finely speckled on or round the larger end with reddish-brown ;
average size .70X.50.

681. Dendrolca striata (Forst.) [101.]

Black-poll IVarbler.

Hab, Eastern and Northern North America, breeding from Northern New England, Labrador, etc.,
to coast Alaska (north of the Alaskan Peninsula) and to the Arctic Ocean; accidental in Greenland. In
winter, south to Bahamas, Cuba and Northern Soutli A^tri'ja.

In the United States the Black-poll Warbler is known as a spring
and fall migrant, except in Northern New England, where a few pair
remain to breed. Its breeding grounds are from thence northward into
the Arctic regions.

The nests are usually built in the month of June, and are placed
in low, thick spruce trees about eight feet from the ground. They are
made of small twigs, lichens, slender rootlets, sedges, and lined with
feathers. Mr. Norris has fifteen sets of the eggs of this species
taken at Grand Manan, N. B.

They show great variation in size, shape and coloration. In
shape they vary from ovate to elongate-ovate, and the ground-color
varies from white to creamy and buff, and occasionally a light shade
of greenish-white is found. They are speckled, spotted and blotched
with various shades of reddish-brown and frequently lilac-gray.
Occasionally a set shows such small specks all over the surface as to
almost obscure the ground-color. The markings are always much
heavier at the larger ends, but they rarely form wreaths. The eggs are
four or five in number. The set containing the smallest eggs exhibits
the following sizes: .70X.52, .71X.52, .65X.49, .68X.49, .71X.53;
the largest eggs measure .80X.50, .79X.54, .79X.53, .78X.54, .77 x. 54.

662. Dendrolca blackburnisB (Gmel.) [102.]

Blaokbnrnlan TVarbler.

Hab. Eastern North America to the Gr.at Plains, casually to Utah and New Mexico. Breeds from
Northern United States northward. South in winter to the Bahamas, Central America and Northern South
America.

A lovely Warbler, with throat and chest of intense orange yellow.
Breeds from the northern States northward, occurring as it does in
most of the United States as a spring and fall migrant. Its nests and
eggs have been taken in Massachusetts and other more northern New
England States. Dr. C. Hart Merriam found a pair of these birds
breeding in a grove of large white pines in Lewis county. New York.
In the latter part of May the female was observed building, and on the
2d of June the nest contained four fresh eggs of the Warbler and one
of the Cowbird. The nest was saddled on the horizontal limb about

'mm

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

373

eight feet from the ground and about ten feet from the trunk. Black-
burn's Warbler has been found breeding in Southern Michigan, where
nests have been taken in pine trees at an elevation of forty feet. In
all cases the nests are placed high in hemlocks or pines, which are the
bird's favorite resorts. Mr. J. W. Preston met with the Blackburnian
Warbler breeding in the hemlock and spruce regions of Northern
Minnesota. One nest was found placed against the trunk and upon a
small branch which grew from the tree at a height of twenty feet;
another was built in the fork of a horizontal branch near the end, five
feet from the trunk and thirty feet from the ground. One nest con-
tained two, the other three eggs, and in each was a Cowbird's egg.
From all accounts the nests of this species are elegantly and compactly
made, consisting of a densely woven mass of spruce twigs, soft vege-
table down, rootlets and fine shreds of bark ; the lining is often inter-
mixed with horse hairs and feathers.

The full complement of eggs is four, and they are described as
greenish-white or very pale bluish-green, speckled or spotted, chiefly
around the larger end, with brown or reddish-brown and lilac-gray ;
average size .6g x .50. The sizes of the set taken by Dr. Merriam are
.69 X .50, .70X .45, .71 X .49, .69 X .50, respectively.

663. Dendroica dominica (Linn) [103.]

Yellcw-throated IVarbler.

Hab. South Atlantic States north along the sea coast regularly to Maryland; casually to New
York, Massachusetts, etc., south ro the West Indies.

The Yellow-throated Warbler breeds commonly in the South
Atlantic States, in some portions of which it is resident throughout
the year. The nest is placed on branches of pine ^^r^es, usually at a
considerable elevation. It is also not infreqixently built in the pendu-
lous tufts of Spanish moss, which grows abundantly on the live oaks
and other trees. Mr. William Brewster found a nest of this species in
Camden county, Georgia, May 2, which was placed at a height of thirty-
five feet from the ground, on the stout, liorizontal branch of a Southern
pine, in a thinly scattered grove. The nest was set flatly on the limb —
not saddled to it — nearly midway between the juncture with the main
trunk and the extremity of the twigs, and was attached to the rough
bark by silky fibres. It is composed of short twigs, strips of bark,
bound together with Spanish moss and silky down ; the lining is soft,
hair-like vegetable down. Mr. Arthur T; Wayne obtained nests and
eggs of this Warbler in the mixed woods near Charleston, South Car-
olina. The nests were found built in the tufts of tree moss, and lined
with feathers. The heights range from thirty to about forty feet above

374

NESTS AND EGGS OP

the ground. Mr. R. B. McLaughlin found, on June 4, a nest of this
species built close to the main body of a small pine tree, in woods near
Statesville, North Carolina. The nest rested on a short, dead twig,
nineteen feet from the ground. It contained three young birds and
one egg.

The eggs are three or four in number, rarely five. They are of a
dull greenish or grayish-white, spotted with various shades of brown
and lavender-gray almost entirely near the larger ends ; in some spec-
imens they form wreaths about the crown. This bird deposits its eggs
early, usually in the first part of April. Mr. Norris has two sets taken
by Mr. Wayne, April 11 and 14, and consisting of three aud four eggs,
respectively. Theymeasure .65X,5i, .66X.49, .60X.49; .71X.53, .71X

53. -69 X .53. -69 X .53-

I can find no authentic account of the nests and eggs of the White-
browed Yellow-throated Warbler, or Sycamore Warbler, D. d. albilora^
inhabiting the Mississippi Valley and north to the Great Lakes.

665. Dendroica nigrescens (Towns.) [105.]

Blaok-throated Gray Warbler.

Hab. Western United States, north to Colorado and Oregon, etc.; south in winter into Mexico, etc.

Mr. A. W. Anthony gives this species as a summer resident of
Washington county, Oregon, where it frequents the thick firs. In the
breeding season it is quite shy and retired, inhabiting the yoimger
growth of firs and dense thickets of alder and willows.

The eggs are four in number. The extensive cabinet of Mr. J.
Parker Norris contains a set of four eggs of this Warbler, which was
taken in Polk county, Oregon. The nest was situated in a fir tree
twenty feet from the ground, and is composed of fine grasses, profusely
lined with feathers. The eggs are pinkish-white, spotted with cinna-
mon-rufous and lilac-gray. The markings are nearly all at the larger
ends. They measure .67 x .51, .71 x .54, .71 x .54, .68 x .53.

666. Dendroica chrysoparla Scl. & Salv. [106.]

Ooldeu-olieaked Warbler.

Hab. Central Texas and southward to Guatemala.

So far as I am aware all the nests and eggs of this rare Warbler
that are in various cabinets have been collected in Comal county,
Texas. Mr. Wm. Brewster describes specimens of its nests and eggs
taken by Mr. W. H. Werner in that region in the month of May, 1878.*
The birds were found invariably in cedar timber. Four nests were
discovered, all of which were similar in construction, being built in
the forks of perpendicular limbs of the Juniperus virginiana^ from ten

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, IV, pp. 77-79.

mmmm

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

375

to eighteen feet from the ground. They were composed of the inner
bark of this tree interwoven with spider webs, in color resembling the
bark of the tree in which they were built, making them difficult to
detect. The interior is lined with hair and feathers. The nest resem-
bles the average nest of the Black-throated Green Warbler, but is
larger. Mr. G. B. Benners met with this species breeding in Comal
county, Texas, in April, 1884. The nests were placed in cedars from
five to ten feet above the ground and similar in materials and con-
struction to those found by Mr. Werner, being neatly and compactly
built. The cavity of a typical nest measures about 1.50 to 1.60 across
by 1.50 to 2.00 deep.

The eggs are four, rarely five in number. A series of six sets, each
containing four eggs, is in Mr. Norris' cabinet. Their ground-color is
creamy-white, with a slight gloss, speckled and spotted with shades of
red and brown that vary from cinnamon-rufous to burnt umber. Some
eggs have specks of lilac-gray. Eggs in a set containing the smallest
specimens measure .61 x .51, .64 x .50, .62X.51, .66X.50; the largest
.68 X .52, .68 X .52, .67 X .49, .67 X .50. The measurements of three
eggs taken by Mr. Werner are given as .75 x .57, .yj x .56, .76 x .58.

667. Dendroica virens (Gmel.) [107.]

Blaok-throated Green Warbler.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Great Plains, breeding from Northern United States nortk-
ward. In winter, south through Eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama; also to the West Indies.
Casual in Greenland.

The Black-throated Green Warbler breeds from the Northern
United States northward — wherever there are tracts of coniferous trees
the bird is almost sure to be found during the breeding season, which
is generally in the latter part of May or in June. Throughout the pine
regions of New England it is an abundant species. Breeds in New
York, Michigan, and it is also stated to breed in Northern Illinois. A
few pairs are said to remain during the summer months in Northern
Ohio. The nest of this Warbler is placed in the fork of a horizontal
bough of a coniferous tree, usually at a considerable height — thirty to
fifty feet, but frequently as low down as fifteen or even five feet above
the ground. Mr. L. C. Holmes, of Standish, Maine, states that all the
nests he has found were in low, scrubby firs. The typical nest is a
compact, well-woven fabric made of thin bark strips, twigs, dry grasses,
wool and feathers, lined with hair and vegetable down.

The eggs are four in number, and have a ground-color which
ranges from white to bufFy or creamy-white. The markings are
specks and spots of cinnamon-rufous, chestnut, and lilac-gray, forming
indistinct wreaths about the larger ends. This description is taken

(i^ .

376

NESTS AND EGGS OF

from eight sets of the eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet. The set containing
the smallest eggs was collected on the Island of Grand Manan, New
Brunswick, June 17, 1887. They offer the following measurements:
.60 X .49, .61 X .49, .61 X .49, .62 X .49 ; another, the largest eggs : .70 x
.48, .71 X .49, .69 X .50, .71 X .49.

668. Dendroica townsendi (Nun.) [108.]

Townsend's Warbler.

Hub. Western North America (but chiefly near the Pacific coast), north to Sitka, east during the
migrations to the Rocky Mountain region; south in winter to Northern Central America,

Townsend's Warbler is well known as a Pacific coast species. It
inhabits the pine regions, nesting similar to D. virens in coniferous
trees. The eggs are described as buffj'-white, speckled and spotted
with reddish-brown, blackish and lilac-gray ; average size, .64 x .53.

669. Dendroica occidentalis (Towns.) [i >9.]

Hermit Warbler.

Hab. Western United States chiefly near the Pacific coast, east during migrations to the Rocky
Mountains; south in winter to Northern Central America.

Two nests of the Western Warbler were found by C. A. Allen
during the season of 1886, in Blue Canon, California. The first con-
tained two eggs June 4, and was left for a full set. Three days after
it was found in a dilapidated condition and the eggs destroyed, evident-
ly the work of squirrels. The eggs, however, are described as resem-
bling those of the Yellow Warbler, D. ccstiva^ but were more heavily
marked. Another nest was found June 7, containing three young birds
and one was found seven or eight years previous also containing three
young. These nests were all similarly placed and well concealed in
"pitch pines" from twenty-five to forty feet above the ground on thick,
scraggy limbs, and very difficult to find. The cavity of the nest taken
June 7, 1886, measures 1.25 deep by 2.50 across; external diameter
4.50 by 2.00 in depth. It was composed of fibrous stalks of plants,
fine dead twigs, lichens, a little cotton twine, and is lined with soft
inner bark and hair.

Captain Bendire has what he believes to be a set of the eggs of this
Warbler taken at Big Meadows, Oregon, on the banks of the Des
Chutes River near its head waters, June 12, 1882. The nest was placed
in the crotch of a willow overhanging the water, and the parent was
shot but fell in the water and was carried away. The eggs are de-
scribed as being about the size of those of D. csstiva, and resem-
ble the eggs of D. blackburnice^ with the exception of the ground
color, the green of which is not as preceptible as in the eggs of black-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

377

burniev. They have a faint grayish-green ground, two of them heavily
spotted with lilac and dark umber-brown."^

871. Dendroica vigorsit (Aud.) [m.]

Pine 'Warbler.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Ontario and New Brunswick; wintering in more Southern
States and Bahamas; Bermudas.

The Pine-creeping Warbler breeds in various localities through-
out its United States range and apparently only in regions where
there are tracts of coniferous trees. Its nest is always placed on the
horizontal boughs in pines or cedars, ranging all the way from eight
to eighty feet above the ground, usually at an elevation of from thirty
to forty feet. In the pine districts of the States along the Atlantic
coast from the Carolinas northward the bird is a common breeder,
nesting in March. Mr. R. B. McL/aughlin took nests containing eggs
in Iredell county. North Carolina, March 25. Mr. C. S. Brimley
found the birds building nests in Wake county, of the same State, in
the latter part of March. The nest, according to these observers, is
hard to discover, and in most cases it is found by watching the birds
carry building material, which consists of bark-strips, bits of weed and
oak leaves, caterpillar's silk, and vegetable sedges. It is compactly
built and warmly lined with horse hair and feathers. The eggs are
four, rarely five in number. Nineteen sets of the eggs of this Warbler
are in Mr. Norris' cabinet, eighteen of which have a ground-color that
varies from a dull whitish to gray or purplish-white, and the markings
are in the form of spots and specks of lilac-gray and burnt umber,
more dense near the larger ends, and generally form wreaths. The
nineteenth set seems to be of a veiy rare phase, being pinkish-white
with brick-red markings. Two sets give the following respective
measurements: .69X.53, .66X.51, .67X.51, .69X.51; .75X.55, .75 x
•55> -yix.ss, .76X.55. The average size is .70X.52.

672«. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea Ridgw. [113a.]

Vellow Palm TVarbler.

Hab. Atlantic coast of North America. Breeds from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to Hudson
Bay. Winters in the South Atlantic and Gulf States.

There are two forms of the Palm Warbler, D. palmarum (Gmel.)
being the form of the interior region north in summer to Great Slave
Ivake, migrating south through the Mississippi Valley to the Gulf
States, Florida, Bahamas, etc., and casually during migrations east of
the AUeghanies. The present form, hypochrysea^ breeds from Nova
Scotia and New Brunswick northward. Its nest is placed on the
ground in open situations, usually on the edge of a swampy thicket

* Cf. Brewster, The Auk, IV, pp. 160- 167.

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NESTS AND EGGS OP

and it is composed of weed-stalks, grasses, rootlets and pine leaves,
lined with fine grasses and hair. The eggs, usually four in number,
are yellowish or buflfy-white, with a roseate tinge, speckled with brown
and lilac. Average size .65X .51.

673.

[114.]

Dendroica discolor (Vieill)

Prairie Warbler.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Michigan and Southern New England; south in winter to
Florida, Bahamas and West Indies.

The Prairie Warbler is a rather common breeding bird in many
localities east of the Alleghanies from the latitude of Massachusetts
southward ; west of this region it appears to be rare during the summer
months. It is known, however, to breed in Michigan and regularly (?)
in Northern Ohio, but I have no late authentic records to that effect
from the latter region. Mr. H. K. Jamison found the Prairie Warbler
breeding abundantly on the 13th of May, in a scrubby oak thicket
in Fairfax county, Virginia. The nests were placed from two to
seven feet above the ground. Dr. Cones found it nesting in as-
tonishing numbers within a small area, near Washington, D. C, in
the latter part of May. The nests were only a few feet from the
ground, and were placed preferably in hickory and dogwood bushes.
Mr. Worthington found it nesting in low bushes and also in small birch
and oak saplings on Shelter Island, New York, in the latter part of
May and first half of June. The nest is a very pretty, deeply cup-
shaped fabric, composed of vegetable fibres and fine grasses, closely
felted and lined with hair.

Four, rarely five, eggs are laid. Twelve sets of these eggs are in
Mr. Norris' cabinet, many of which were taken by C. L. Rawson, in
New London county, Connecticut. Their ground-color appears white
until they are compared with pure white eggs, when a very faint tinge
of greenish is perceptible. The markings are specks of chestnut and
burnt-umber, and usually in the form of wreaths about the larger end.
Two sets taken, respectively. May 31, 1880, and June 14, 1888, near
Norwich, Connecticut, exhibit the following sizes : .59 x .47, .64 x .48,
.60 X .45, .63 X . 47 ; .68 X .50, .66 x .50, .67 x .47, .67 x .47.

674. Seiurus aurocapillus (Linn.) [115.]

Oven-bird.

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from about W northward, west to eastern base of Roclcy
Mountains. In winter, south to Southern Florida, West Indies and Central America.

Called Oven-bird on account of the remarkable nest which it
usually builds. This, in its typical form, is roofed over, arched or
domed, with an entrance more or less to one side like the mouth of an
oven. It is placed on the ground, or rather embedded in a depression

1 >

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

379

in the earth amongst leaves, at the foot of a tree or bush near a fallen
log, or under the shelter of tall grass in woods. On the whole, it is
loosely constructed of skeleton leaves, grasses, strips of wild grape
vine bark, slender weed stalks, with a lining of finer grasses and often
horse hair. The bird is known by other names, such as Golden-crowned
Thrush, Golden-crowned Wag-tail Warbler, and Golden-crowned
Accentor. An abundant species in the woods of Eastern North Amer-
ica, where it is found breeding from Kansas, the Ohio Valley and Vir-
ginia northward into the Arctic regions in the months of May, June
and July, according to latitude and season.

In the United States the nesting time is chiefly in the latter half
of May and June. The birds inhabit dry and wet leafy woods, and
seem to be partial to those through which a small stream flows, and
where wild vines climb to the upper branches of trees whose foliage
throws darkened shadows beneath. In these retreats, during the mating
season, the bird's incessant, emphatic crescendo chant may be heard. It
is repeated with such vehemence that it is really startling in solitary
woods.

The eggs of the Oven-bird are four or five in number, rarely six.
Their color is white or creamy-white, more or less glossy, and the mark-
ings are in the form of specks and spots, often sparsely scattered over
the entire surface, but usually more heavily marked at the larger ends,
and frequently wreathed. The color of the markings is reddish-brown
of various shades and lilac-gray. Ten specimens measure .70 x .59,
.74 X .57, .72 X .59, .76 X .58, .79 X .60, .79 X .63, .80 X .62, .82 X .62, .84 X 63,
.82 X .61. A common size in a large series is .78 x .58. Though well con-
cealed and hard to find by the collector, the nest of this species often
contains the eggs of the notorious Cowbird. Mr. Lynds Jones found
a nest near Grinnell, Iowa, containing no less than five eggs of the
Cowbird.

675. Seiurus noveboracensis (Gmel.) [116.]

'Water-Thrush.

Hab, Eastern North America as far west as the Mississippi Valley. Breeds from the Northern
United States northward; south in winter to the Gulf States, West Indies, Northern South America.

The Small-billed Water-thrush, New York Accentor, or Wag-tail
Warbler breeds from Northern United States northward. It frequents
swampy woods and open, wet places, nesting on the ground or in the
roots of overturned trees at the border of swamps. It is more or less
abundant in all suitable places in the New England States and New
York. It has been found breeding in Northern Illinois and, in Iowa,
near Des Moines, according to Messrs. Keyes and Williams, a female
was seen feeding its young in June, 1884. A common summer resident

1^1

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380

NESTS AND EGGS OP

in Manitoba. Mr. M. K. Baruuui, of Syracuse, New York, tound a nest
of this species in the roots of a tree at the edge of a swamp, on May
30. It was well concealed by the overhanging roots, and the cavity was
nearly filled with moss, leaves and fine rootlets. The nest at this date
contained three young and one egg.

The eggs of this species are four or five in number. Two sets are
in Mr. Norris' cabinet; one taken near Listowel, Ontario, from a nest
under a stump in a swamp, on June 7, 1888; the other set is from New
Canada, Nova Scotia, and was taken July 30, 1886. The nest was built
in moss on the side of a fallen tree. They are creamy-white, speckled
and spotted, most heavily at the larger ends, with hazel and lilac, and
cinnamon-rufous ; in the last mentioned set forming wreaths near the
larger ends. Their sizes are .78 x .54, .78 x .56, .i"] x .55, ."j"] x .54 ; .78 x
61, .78X.63, . 77 X. 60, .77X.59.

676. Seiurus motacilla (Vieill) [117.]

Lonislaua Water-Thrush.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to tie Ireat Lakes and Southern New England, west to the plains.
In winter, Gulf States, West Indies, Eastern Mexico and Middle America.

The Large-billed Water-Thrush, or Large-billed Wag-tail Warbler
breeds more or less commonly in suitable places throughout its United
States range south of about latitude 42°. It is found during the sum-
mer months as far west as Kansas, where Col. Goss notes it as a
common summer resident, and begins laying about the 8tli of May.
It is rare in Nebraska, and a few remain to breed in Iowa, but it does
not appear to occur in Minnesota. It is a common summer resident
in Ohio, but of irregular distribution. Mr. William Brewster found
this species breeding in Knox county, Indiana, and gives an excellent
account of its nest and eggs.* Hon. J. N. Clark met with it breeding
quite commonly in Middlesex county, Connecticut, where he took
complete sets of eggs as early as May 7.! In the northwestern por-
tion of North Carolina (Iredell county), Mr. R. B. McLaughlin took
eggs of this species in April and May. The nest, according to all
observers, is built and carefully hidden in the cavities among the roots
of fallen trees, old logs, stumps, or mossy banks — always in swampy
places. They are usually bulky, and made of partially decayed leaves,
which the female extracts from the bog with mud adhering to them.
These are laid together, and when dry make a solid and compact
structure. The inner nest is formed of grape-grass, and sometimes
hair. The great similarity of the materials in the nest to the external
surroundings makes it difiicult to detect. Mr. McLaughlin says that

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, III, pp. 1S3-135.

t For Mr. Clark's extended account, see Ornithologist and Oologist, VII, pp. 145-117.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

381

this bird in North Carolina prefers the smaller streams as breeding
places — nesting in the exposed roots of trees along the banks. The eggs
are four or five, sometimes six in number, the usual number being
five. Twelve sets in Mr. Norris' cabinet exhibit considerable variation
in their general coloration, size, etc. The ground color varies from a
pure white to a deep creamy-white, thickly speckled with cinnamon-
rufous or chestnut (more heavily near the larger ends) and lilac-gray.
Some specimens have very bold spots of chestnut, and the specks are
entirely wanting. A set taken April 30, 1888, in Iredell county. North
Carolina, offers the following sizes : .71 x 57, .74 x 58, .73 x .48, .71 x 58,
.74X.59; another set taken May i, .86X.57, .83X.57, .83 x. 59, .81 x
.59, .83X.60.

677. Geothlypis formosa (Wils.) [119.]

Kentnoky IVarliler.

Hab. Eastern United States, chiefly west of the Alleghanies to the Plains, north to the Great Lakes
and Southern New England ; in winter, south through Eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama ; Cuba,

The Kentucky Warbler is particularly an abundant species in the
Lower Mississippi Valley — Southern Indiana and Illinois, and south-
ward to Southeastern Texas. Col. Goss gives it as a couiuion summer
resident of Kansas ; begins laying about May 20. Its nests and eggs
have been taken in Southern Illinois and Indiana in the middle of
May. It is a rare summer resident in particular localities in Ohio;
more common in the southwestern portion. Mr. Frank W. Langdon
found a nest containing four eggs of the Warbler and one of the Cow-
bird near Madisonville, Hamilton county, Ohio, on May 28. The eggs
were far advanced in incubation. In Jones' magnificent work " Nests
and Eggs of Birds of Ohio " there is a beautiful illustration of a nest
which was found on the 20th of May, 1880, in Kentucky, near the
Ohio line. The bird has been discovered nesting near Sing Sing,
New York, in June ; at Fort Lee, New Jersey. Its nests have also
been taken in the District of Columbia in May. John S. Cairns found
a nest of the Kentucky Warbler in Buncombe county, North Carolina,
June 15, 1886.

Mr. C. J. Pennock in *' Birds of Chester county, Pennsyl-
vania"* gives it as a rather common summer resident. It has been
found nesting in that region by Mr. Pennock, Mr. Ladd, Thomas H.
Jackson and others. The nest of this species is placed on the ground
in woods ; it is usually very bulky, composed of leaves, grasses, and
lined with rootlets or horse hair. It is generally situated at the
foot of a bush or weed stalk. Mr. Pennock informs me that he
found the nest deeply imbedded in leaves with weeds growing around

• In The Oologist, IV, pp. 1-10.

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382

NESTS AND EGOS OP

them ; others were discovered among leaves at a considerable
distance from grass or weeds.

The eggs are four or five, rarely six, in number. They are white,
variously speckled or spotted with burnt umber, cinnamon-rufous
and lilac-gray, chiefly and more heavily at the larger ends. Three
sets of the eggs in Mr. Norris' collection, taken June 9 and 19, 1885,
and May 28, 1888, respectively, give the following measurements : .79
X.59) .77 x.59» -77 X .58, .78X.56; .77 x. 56, .79X.57. .78X.56, .75X.56;
.65X.54, .66X.55, .67X.55, .65X.55; average .73X.57.

678. Geothlypis agills (Wils.) [118.]

Connvotloat Warbl«r.

Hab. Eaatern North America, breeding north of the United States.

This is one of the rarest of North American Warblers, seen in the
United States only during the spring and fall migrations; in the latter
season abundant in some localities. So far as I am aware the only
authentic nest and eggs of this species that are known are those taken
by Mr, Ernest E. Thompson, who found a nest June 21, 1883, on a
moss mound in a tamarack swamp near Carberry, Manitoba. It was
composed entirely of dry grass, sunken level with the surface.
The eggs were four in number and measured .75 x .56. Before blown
they were of a delicate creamy-white, with a few spots of lilac, brown,
and black, inclining to form a ring at the large end. The nest with
eggs and parent birds are now in the National Museum.*

679. Geothlypis Philadelphia (Wils.) [120.]

MonrniiiB Warbler.

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from the Northern United States northward; in winter, south
to Central and Northern South America.

The Mourning Warbler is known to breed in the mountainous por-
tions of Pennsylvania, New England, New York, Michigan, Minnesota
and Eastern Nebraska northward. It has been found nesting in Illinois,
south of latitude 39°. Its nest is built on or near the ground in
woods. One discovered by Mr. John Burroughs in the State of New
York was built in ferns about a foot from the ground, on the edge of a
hemlock wood. It contained three eggs. Mr. Wm. L. Kells found
what doubtless was the nest of this species in a swampy woods near
Ivistowel, Ontario, early in June, 1877. The nest was placed in the
horizontal branch of a small cedar a little more than a foot above the
ground. It was composed of fine strips of bark and other fibrous ma-
terial, lined with fine hair. This nest contained four eggs which are
white with a sprinkling of reddish dots near the larger ends.

The eggs are described as being colored like those of G. formosa
or G. agiUs\ size .71X.54.

* Cf. Steton, The Auk, Vol. I, pp. 192-193.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

680. Geothlypis macgilUvrayl (Aud.)

MMCilllTrar'a 'WwrUcr.

383

[lai.]

H>b. Weitern United Stalei, north to Uritiih Columbia; in winter, louth through Mtxico, and Can*
Iral America tu Panama,

Macgillivray's Warbler breeds throughout its United States
range — in Colorado, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Washington Territory,
Oregon, and in the mountains of California. Mr. A. W. Anthony gives
it as a common summer resident of Washington county, Oregon, where
it frequents the low, tangled shrubbery, and is found much of the time
on the ground. A nest was discovered placed in a hazel at an elevation
of one foot. Mr. H. D. Minot obtained a nest at Manitou, Colorado,
June 21, which was placed in a scrub-oak five feet above the ground
and three feet from a traveled road. Mr. Charles F. Morrison states
that this species is one of the most common birds of La Plata county,
Colorado, where it nests in juniper bushes, four to six leet up.

A set ot three eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken May i8, 1884,
near Riverside, California. The nest was situated in a small bush near
the ground, and was made of dry tules, lined with horse hair. Incuba-
tion had begun. The eggs are creamy-white, marked near the larger
ends with spots and pen lines (somewhat like an Oriole's egg) of clove
brown. Their sizes are .74X .54, .73X .53, .71 x.51. The eggs of this
species are three to five in number, usually four, aud average .72 x .52.

681. Geothlypis trichas (Linn.) {122, part]

Maryland Tellow^-throat.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Canada and Nova Scotia; in winter, South Atlantic and Gulf
States and the West Indies.

This active little Warbler breeds throughout its United States
range. Begins building about the middle of May. The nest is not an
easy one to find, being built on the ground, snugly tucked under the
foot of bush or tussock of rank grass, and sometimes partly roofed over
like the Oven-bird's. The favorite resorts of this Warbler an. in low,
swampy places or in the shadowy undergrowth of woodland. It resem-
bles a wren iu its fondness for bush and brier. On approaching such
places early in spring one is almost sure to be saluted with its sprightly
song, full of energy. My friend, Mr. Thomas M. Earl, has given me
the best description of this bird's song that I know of. One evening
in May, 1884, he was returning from a day's hunt, and after a rest on
an old log, he was about to start on his journey homeward. At this in-
stant a little Yellow-throat mounted a small bush, and in quick succes-
sion said, tackle me! tackle me! tackle me!

The eggs of this species are four or five, rarely six in number,
clear, crystalline white, but often creamy-white, speckled, chiefly at

384

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the larger end with reddish-brown, dark umber and black ; in some,
occasional lines or scrawls appear. Two sets of four eggs each
measure, respectively, .71X.53, .71 x. 50, .69 x. 50, .69X.51; .67X.48,
.69X.50, .66x48, .68X.49; the average is .69 X. 52.

681a. Geothlypis trichas occidentalis Brewst. [122, pari.]

'Western Yellow-throat.

Hab. United States west of the Mississippi Valley. In winter, the more southern portion of the
United States, chiefly west of the Mississippi, and south through Western and Central Mexico.

The same general habits which are common to the Eastern Yellow-
throat are also characteristic of this sub-species in the West. Dr.
Merrill states that its favorite haunt, and one in which it is very com-
mon in the region of Fort Klamath, Oregon, is among the tules in
company with Marsh Wrens and Yellow-headed Blackbirds.

The eggs average a trifle smaller than those of G. trichas ; and are
less heavily marked ; .67 x .50.

683. Icteria virens (Linn.) [723.]

Telloir-breasted Chat-

Hab, Eastern United States to the Gre^t Plains, north to Ontario and Southern New England; south
in winter through Eastern Mexico to Northern Central America.

The Yellow-breasted Chat xao^y be found breeding in all suitable
places throughout its range. It inhabits the thickets and brambles of
low undergrowth, preferedly in the vicinity of a marsh, and the bird is
oftener heard than seen. In the mating season it is the noisiest bird
in the woods, at which time it may be observed in its wonderful aerial
evolutions, uttering its medley of sputtering, cackling, whispering and
scolding notes, interluded with loud whistles.

The nest is built in brier thickets from two to five feet above the
ground, and is composed of withered leaves, dry grasses, strips of bark
and lined with finer grasses. Large colonies of these birds are often
found nesting in a single locality. A strange nesting place of a pair
of Chats is recorded by Mr. Charles F. Batchelde - as observed by Mr.
C. W. Beckham in Howard county, Maryland, where a pair built in a
Wren box attached to one of the pillars of a piazza which partially
fronts a small ravine. The birds seemed little disturbed by the occa-
sional visits of members of the family.

The eggs of the Chat are three cr four in number, usually four.
They are white with a glossy surface ; some specimens have a pinkish
tinge, others greenish. The markings are light reddish, cinnamon-
rufous or chestnut, in the shape of specks and spots, which are heavier
and bolder at the larger ends; again specimens are found with the
markings evenly distributed over the entire surface or in a well defined
wreath around the larger end, with the rest of the t^^ unmarked.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

385

They vary from .84 to 1.02 in length by .62 to .70 in breadth,
average size of ten specimens is .92X.71.

683a. loteria virens longicanda (Lawr.) [123a.]

The

Hab. Western United States f

Irf>]ig>tailed Cliat.

the Great Plains to the Pacific; south Into Mexico.

The general habits, .ests and eggs of this Western sub-species-
are the same as those of Icteria vtrens. Col. Goss says it is not an
uncommon summer resident of Western Kansas and Mr. Lloyd gives
it as an abundant breeder in Tom Green and Concho counties, Texas.

684. Sylvania mitrata (Gmel.) [124.]

* Hooded Warbler.

Hab. Eastern United States, west to the edge of the Great Plains, north to Southern portions of
Michigan, New York and New England; south in winter to Cuba, Jamaica; through Eastc' i Mexico and
Central America.

The Hooded Flycatching Warbler breeds throughout its United
States range. Col. Goss mentions it as a rare summer resident of
Eastern Kansas where it begins laying the last of May. It is a
common resident in the cane-brakes and low shrubbery along the
Ivower Wabash in Southern Illinois. In Georgia the Hooded Warbler
deposits its eggs about the middle of May. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne has
taken fresh eggs near Charleston, South Carolina, in the first week of
June. The bird is a rare summer resident of Ohio but I have no
recent records of its nest and eggs having been taken in the State.
Dr. KIrtland notices its breeding in the vicinity of Cleveland. For a
number of years the Hon. John N. Clark has observed this Warbler
breeding in Middlesex county, Connecticut, usually in the latter part
of May or first half of June. The bird is one of the liveliest of its
tribe and is very active in catching insects on the wing in the manner
of the true Flycatchers. It frequents thickets and undergrowth of
high and low lands, where it skillfully conceals itself when pursued.
It has a peculiarly graceful manner of closing and spreading its broad
tail, like the Redstart.

The nest of the Hooded Warbler is built in the low bushes of
undergrowth, usually within a few inches or feet of the ground. It is
composed of leaves, shreds of bark, and scales of beech buds, all com-
pactly woven and secured together with spider webs; the lining in
some nests is entirely horse or cattle hair, others are found lined with
fibres of grape-vine bark, or mixed with both.

The eggs are lour in number, rarely five. The usual ground-
color is white, or creamy-white, and the markings are generally specks
and spots of chestnut or burnt umber and lilac-gray, principally near
the larger end, and often forming wreaths. In a series of sixteen sets

'W.

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386

NESTS AND EGGS OF

in Mr. Norris' collection the sizes of the set containing the smallest
eggs are, .66 x .51, .69 x .52, .68 x .53, .69 x .52 ; the largest, .75 x .53, .73
X .54, .72 X .53, .73 X .55 ; the average is .70 x .53.

685. Sylvania pusilla. (Wils.) [125.]

Virilaon's WarMer.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to and including the Rocky Mountains, and to the coast of Behring
Sea. Breeds from northern border of United States and higher Rocky Mountairs northward. South in
winter through Eastern Mexico and Central America.

The Green Black-capped Flycatching Warbler, or Wilson's Black-
capped Warbler, breeds from the northern border of the United
States northward, chiefly however in the higher latitudes. Mr. H. D.
Minot found a nest of this bird containing five fresh eggs, on June 22,
at Seven Lakes, on Pike's Peak, Colorado. The nest was found on
the ground, under a low, spreading branch of a dwarf willow, at the
edge of a swamp.*

The eggs of this species are four or five, sometimes six in number.
A set of five in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken June 15, 1887, in Boul-
der county, Colorado. The nest was well imbedded in the ground
among some willow twigs, and was composed of leaves and swamp
grass externally, lined with fine grasses and a few hairs. The eggs
are white, speckled with cinnamon-rufous and lavender-gray. Nearly
all the markings are near the larger ends, where they form wreaths.
Their respective measurements are .59x49, .60X.49, .60x48, .58X.48,
j6o X .48.

685a. Sylvania pusilla pileolata. (Pall.) [125a.]

Pileolated ViTarbler.

Hab. Western North America, chiefly along or near Pacific coast, north to Kadiak Island, Alaska.
South in Winter through Western Mexico to Costa Rica.

The Western Black-capped Flycatching V/arbler is a common
breeding bird in various sections on the Pacific coast from Southern
California northward. Mr. W. Otto Emerson states that in the vicinity
of Haywards, California, he has taken eggs as early as April 22, and
full-fledged young were observed by May 17. The birds nest in the
thickets along water courses, and rear at least two broods in a season.
Prof. Evermann found a nest near San Buenaventura, California, on
May 23, 1881, placed about a foot from the ground, in a clump of
blackberry bushes. Dr. Merrill notes that the bird breeds in consid-
erable numbers in the swampy willow thickets along Wood River and
Fort Creek, in the region ot Fort Klamath, Oregon. The nest is
composed of leaves, bark strips, weed stems, vegetable fibres, rootlets,
lined with finer grasses. Often it is made entirely of leaves and lined

* See foot-note in New England Bird Life, Vol. I, pp. 172-173.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

387

with fibrous roots. It is placed in bushes from one to four feet above
the ground.

The eggs are four in number, white or creamy-white, speck-
led with reddish-brown and lilac-gray; in some specimens these
markings are in the form of a wreath near the larger ends. A set in
Mr. Norris' collection, taken at Waterville, California, May 6, 1875,
gives the following measurements : .62 x .48, .60 x .49, .60 x .48, .60 x .48 ;
another, collected at Alameda, California, April 11, 1885: .57X.49, .58
x .49, .58 X .50. Average size, .60 x .48.

686. Sylvania canadensis. (Linn.) [127.)

Canadian Warbler.

Hab. Eastern North America, west to the Great Plains, north to Newfoundland, Southern Labrador
and Lake Winnipeg, south in winter through Eastern Mexico and Central America to Ecuador.

The Canada Flycatching Warbler breeds occasionally from the
Middle States, and regularly from New England northward. In
other Northern States it breeds sparingly. Mr. Robert B. Law-
rence found a nest of the Canadian Warbler in the mountains of Pike
county, Pennsylvania, on June 9, 1887. The nest was placed in the
roots of an old stump, and contained four young birds and one
unhatched egg. It has been known to nest in Northern Illinois. In
some portions of Canada it is a common breeder. Thomas Mcllwraith
says that a few remain to spend the summer in Southern Ontario,
while the majority go farther north. Mr. William L. Kells found it
nesting in the low, swampy woodlands near Listowel, and obtained
sets of its eggs in the latter part of May and first week of June. The
nests were found in the cavities of upturned roots of trees, and in the
depressions in banks near pools of water. They are generally
well hidden by weeds or grass, and are commonly placed on the
ground, in underbrush, by the side of a log or at the foot of a bush.
Their composition is dry weeds, fine roots, with a lining of hair.

The eggs are four or five, white or buffy, speckled or spotted,
chiefly round the larger end, with reddish-brown and lilac-gray. Their
avif.rage size is .68X.51. Mr. Norris has a set of five which were taken
n' ar Barnard, Maine, June 14, 1875. These measure .67X.50, .67 x .49,
.66 X .48, .66 X .48, .66 x .49

687. Setophaga ruticilla (Linn.) [128.]

American Redstart.

Hab. Eastern North America, north to Fort Simpson, west to and including the Rocky MouDtaini.
In winter. West Indies, Eastern Mexico, CentralAmerica, ^nd south to Northern South America.

The richly-colored Redstart breeds in most of its United States
range and wherever found in British America. It is an abundant
breeding species from the Northern States northward. Nests in May

fSft

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388

NESTS AND EGGS OP

and June. In Ohio I have invariably found it in the woods which are
the favorite haunts of the Oven-bird, Sentrus aurocapillus. About
four miles east of Columbus, in a thick damp woods of about fifteen
acres in extent, I counted no less than twenty-seven nests in a single
day. In many sections the birds are really more common than the
Yellow Warbler, D. cestiva. The nest built by the Redstart is a beau-
tiful, compact, cup-shaped structure, made of shreds of plants and
hempen fibres, held together with spiders' webs ; the lining is of fine
grasses and hair. It is either saddled on a branch or placed in
the forked twigs of a small tree or sapling, usually from six to twelve
feet above the ground, but often as high as thirty. A curious habit of
the Redstart is that of opening and closing its fan-like tail while flitting
about in the trees and bushes.

The eggs are four, rarely five, in number and they are subject to
a remarkable variation in size and color. In a large series the ground
color will vary from white to greenish-white or grayish-white. The
markings are specks or spots of cinnamon, brown and lilac-gray,
chiefly round the larger end. Ten specimens selected on account of
their sizes give the following measurements: .57X.47, .60X.45, .61 x
.47, .62X.48, .64X.52, .66X.51, .67X.48, .68X.49, .69X.48, .70X.50.

688. Setophaga picta Swains. [129.]

Painted Redstart.

Hab. SoutherD Arizona and New Mexico, south to highlands of Mexico.

This is the Painted Flycatching Warbler of so striking colors. It
is found in Southern Arizona and New Mexico southward into Mexico.
It frequents shrubbery near water and in some localities is abundant.
Mr. Walter E. Bryant gives the first description of the nest and eggs
of this species from specimens obtained by Mr. Herbert Brown in
the Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona, June 6, 1880.*

The nests and eggs do not resemble those of S. ruticilla. The
nesting-site is within cavities in banks or under projecting stones. A
nest was taken by Mr. Brown from a hole in a road bank in the moun-
tains ; this Mr. Bryant describes as being loosely constructed of dry
gray grasses and fine shreds of vegetable bark, and lined with black and
white horse hairs. It contained four incubated eggs of a light pearl-
white thickly dotted with brownish-red and traces of lilac on the larger
end. They measure .57 x .48, .6ox .50, .64 x .50, .58 x .49. Another set
of four was taken from a similar nest beneath a small bush. The eggs
are somewhat larger and spotted over the entire egg, the markings
clustering about the larger end. The sizes of three of them are .69 x

♦ Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VI, pp, 176- IT7.

&■!

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

389

.52, .65X.51, .66X.50; the fourth was broken. Mr. William Brewster
describes a nest and eggs of the Painted Redstart obtained by Mr. F.
Stephens in the Santa Rita Mountains.* The nest was under a pro-
jecting stone in a bank near a small stream.

The three eggs which this nest contained were clear, dead white,
delicately spotted with light reddish-brown, the markings being sparse-
ly distributed over the surface and handsomely wreathed about the
larger end. They measure .64X.51, .64X.50, .66X.49. The average
size is .65 X .48.

690. Cardellina rubrifrons. (Giraud.) [131 ]

Red-faoed Warbler.

Hab. Highlands of Northern Central America [Guatemala) and Mexico, north to Southern Arizona.

The first knowledge we have concerning the nests and eggs of
this handsome Warbler is from specimens taken by Mr. W. W. Price on
May 31, 1888, in the pine regions of Southern Arizona — the Huachuca
Mountains. The nest was placed on sloping ground, in a slight
hollow, and contained four fresh eggs, and dissection of the female
showed that the full clutch had been laid. The nest was so well
hidden by a few sprays of columbine that it would have been over-
looked had the bird not been started directly from it. It was so loosely
built that it crumbled to fragments on being removed. The chief
substance was fine, fibrous weed stalks, while the lining consisted
of fine grass, rootlets, plant fibres and a few hairs. Skeleton leaves
and bits of fine bark were intermingled throughout the nest, and the
ground on which it was placed was so damp that the bottom part was
badly decayed. The eggs from this nest were presented by Mr. Price
to the National Museum Collection, at Washington, D. C, and are
described by Capt. Charles E. Bendire as ovate in shape ; their ground
color " a delicate creamy-white, spotted with small blotches of cinna-
mon-rufous and a few dots of heliotrope-purple and pale lavender.
These form a wreath around the larger end. They resemble the eggs
of Helminthophila lucia and H. virginice to a certain extent."t

[694] Motacilla alba. Linn. [69.]

White W^agtaU.

Hab. Europe and Northern Asia; in winter, Northeastern Africa and Southern Asia. Accidental
in Greenland.

The common White Wagtail of Europe claims a place in the
North American avifauna as an accidental visitant of Greenland. It
is found in all portions of Europe, and its favorite haunts are meadows
in the vicinity of water, villages and old houses. It nests on the

• Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VII, pp. UO-141.
t The Auk, V, pp. 885-386.

390

NESTS AND EGGS OF

ground among the grass of the meadows, in crevices of rocks or old
buildings; in the roots of trees along the banks of streams; under
bridges. The nests are constructed of small sticks, twigs, grass,
straws, leaves and rootlets, the lining being of wool and hair. The
eggs are four, five, six, or even seven in number. A set of six eggs in
my cabinet, taken May lo, 1880, in Staffordshire, England, have a
grayish-white ground-color, and are speckled all over the surface with
minute ash-gray specks. Several single specimens have markings
that are of a decided dark brown color. The set of six measure:
.77 X. 58, .79X.56, .76X.55, .79X.59, .78X.56, .77X.57. The average
size is .75X.55.

696. Budytes flavus leucoatriatus. (Hom.) [70.]

Siberian Yellow Wagtail.

Hab. Alaska, north of the Peninsula; Eastern Siberia and Kamtschatka, wintering in Eastern China.

This Wagtail occurs abundantly in Alaska. Dr. Stejneger states
that B. leucostriatus is a common breeding bird in the environs of
Petropaulski, Kamtschatka, being found during the months of June
and July everywhere on the low marshy grounds surrounding the
lakes, fresh-water ponds and brackish lagoons of the vicinity. On
Behring Island single individuals were seen until June 10. The nest
of this bird is placed on the ground and usually concealed by a tussock
of grass, projecting stone, etc.

The eggs are dull white, yellowish or brownish-white, profusely
covered with fine dots of reddish-gray, dark brown or black ; average
size, .76 X. 55.

697. Aiithus pensllvanicus. (Lath.) [71.]

Amerioan Pipit*

Hab. Whole of North America, breeding from the high mountains of Colorado and from Labrador
northward to the Arctic coast. Winters in the Gulf States, Mexico and Central America.

Known as the American Titlark, Brown lark, Louisiana Lark and
Wagtail. An abundant and a well-known bird everywhere in fields and
plains throughout North America. In the United States it is seen
chiefly in flocks in fall, winter and spring. Breeds in the mountains
of Colorado (above timber line), and from Labrador northward to the
Arctic regions. The nest is placed on the ground, and is large and
bulky, made of coarse, dry grasses and moss loosely put together.

From four to six dark chocolate-colored eggs are laid, the surface
of which is marked or overlaid with numerous specks and streaks of
grayish -brown. A set of five eggs in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken
July 3, 1888, on Mount Audubon, Snowy Range, Rocky Mountains,
Colorado, at an elevation of 1 1000 feet. The nest was well concealed,
being at the side of, and partly under a large stone. It was composed

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

391

wholly of grasses. The eggs are grayish-white, but so thickly are
they covered with specks of hair-brown that they appear to be almost
of a uniform tint of brown. At the larger ends these specks are heavier,
producing the appearance of a darker color. The five eggs measure :
.79 X .58, .78 X 58, .81 X .58, .81 X .58, .80 X .55, respectively. The average
size is .78X.58.

[698.] Anthus pratensis (Linn.) [72.J

Meadoir Pipit>

Hall. Europe; northern j-ortions of Africa in winter; occasional in Southern Greenland.

The European Titlark very closely resembles the American bird,
A. penstlvaniacsy in appearance and all its general characteristics.
An occasional visitant in Southern Greenland. It inhabits the whole
continent of Europe, where it is the most common and best known of
its tribe. In Great Britain the Titlark is found throughout the year.
It frequents all kinds of localities — hill or valley, marsh or moorland,
shady woods and flowery meadows, the neighborhood of busy towns,
or the sandy sea-shore. The nest is built on the ground, and is com-
posed of dried grasses, lined with finer grass, moss and a few hairs.

The eggs are four to six in number, and scarcely any two sets are
exactly alike in color ; the ground tint may be blue-gray, reddish-
brown or yellow-brown ; in all cases the eggs are spotted and mottled
with darker br wn or mouse-gray, giving to the surface a uniform dark
appearance. A set of five eggs collected by Mr. W. Wells Bladen,
June 2, 1879, in Staffordshire, England, exhibits the following sizes:
.79X.59, .80X.59, .83X.58, .84X.59, .85X.60. A set of four from Suf-
folk measure, respectively, .78 x .58, .75 x .54, .74X.57, .77X.56. The
average size is .78 x .57.

700. Anthus spragueii (Aud.) [73.]

Spragne's Pipit.

Hab. Interior plains of North America. Breeds from Central Dakota northward to the Saskatchewaa
country; south in winter over southern plains to Southern Mexico.

The Missouri Skylark has the same general habits common to the
Titlark, but soaring like the European Skylark when singing, and
according to those who have heard it, its vocal powers are not less
inferior than those of that celebrated bird. It breeds abundantly in
Dakota and Montana northward to the Saskatchewan districts, where
Captain Blakiston found them common on the prairies during the
breeding season. Sprague's Pipit can also be found in summer in
Western Minnesota and in Nebraska.

Its nest is built on the ground in a depression, and is made of fine
grasses, interwoven in a circular form and without lining. The sur-

392

NESTS AND EGGS OF

rounding grasses are sometimes formed into an arch like the arch-way
of the Meadow Lark's nest.

The eggs are four or five, of a grayish-white, minutely speckled
with purplish-gray ; size .87 x .67.

701. Oindas mezicanns Swains. [ 19.]

Amerloan Dlyper.

Hab. Mountainous portions of Western North America, from the Yukon Valley south to Northern
Central America (Guatemala).

The American Water Ouzel, a grayish, slate-colored bird, which
has the aquatic habits of a duck and the tilting movements of a sand-
piper, inhabits exclusively the mountainous portions of Western North
America. It is resident as far north as the valley of the Yukon River.
It is never found near still water, frequenting only wild, forcible moun-
tain streams, cascades, eddies and swift currents. Mr. Frank M. Drew
beautifully says that the birds " are the very embodiment of a moun-
tain torrent — bustling and energetic ; and their song is like crystallized
spray. Sweet, sparkling and vivacious, taken with its surroundings, I
do not know of any bird-song which surpasses it."

The nest is variously situated, but always near water in a nook or
crevice, on shelving rocks, among roots of trees, often where the water
sprays keep the outside damp. It is a beautiful ball of soft green moss,
measuring about seven inches by ten, and is usually dome-shaped, with
a small, round hole in one side for an entrance ; within it is strongly
arched over with leaves and grasses and supported by twigs, and all
cemented with mud.

The eggs are three to five in number, plain, pure white, and average
i.oo X .70. The eggs are usually deposited in the latter part of May or
in June. A set of four eggs in my cabinet taken June 10, 1880, in San
Juan county, Colorado, offers the following measurements: i.oix.73,
.99X.72, 1.00X.70, 1.01X.72. Mr. Norris has two sets; one of four
eggs, taken June 4, 1881, in Clear Creek Canon, Colorado; sizes .99X
.74, 1.00 X. 73, 1.01X.74, I.OIX.73; the other set, consisting of three
eggs, was collected by Mr. William Cooper, near Santa Cruz ; these
measure 1.05 x .71, 1.04X.71, i.oi x.70.

702. Oroscoptes montanus (Towns.) [10.]

Sage Thraaher-

Hab. Sage-brush regions of Western United States, from the western part of the Great Plains to the
Pacific; in winter south into Mexico.

Erroneously called Mountain Mocking Bird, for it is exclusively an
inhabitant of the sage-brush region of the West, and is partial to the
lower portions of the country, though not infrequently met with in the
open mountains. It nests in low bushes, especially the sage and cactus,

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

393

from ten inches to three feet above the ground. The nest is a loose,
bulky structure made of bark-strips, small twigs, coarse grasses and
lined with fine stems and rootlets.

The eggs are three or four, rarely five, in number, and they are
deposited variously in the latter half of May, in June, and as late as
the first or second week in July. Eight sets of the eggs of this species
from Utah, Montana and Oregon are in Mr. Norris' cabinet. Their
ground-color is of a rich greenish-blue, spotted with bright reddish-
brown, and a few plumbeous markings. In shape they vary from an
ovate to a short ovate. The sizes of the specimens in a set containing
the smallest eggs are: .90 x .72, .89 x .72, .84 x .70. The largest: .95 x .69,
.9.6 X .70, .95 X .68, .95 X .69. Average size .95 x .70.

703. Mimus polyglottos (Linn.) [ii.]

Mooklnglilrd.

Hab. United States, south into Mexico; rare or local north of 38°.

The home of this inimitable vocalist is in the Southern States,
where it is very abundant. It has occasionally been detected breeding
in the more northern States and above latitude 38° — as, near Spring-
field and Arlington, Massachusetts, and in the Connecticut Valley.
There are records of the bird's residing in summer in Central and
Southern Iowa. It is a rare summer resident in Ohio. I have sev-
eral times taken them in June, and my friend, J. E. Gould, observed
a pair that lingered about the grounds in the vicinity of the Ohio State
University during the summer months of 1887, but was unable to dis-
cover their nest, which was doubtless in the neighborhood. A pair
built their nest and reared their young for several years near the resi-
dence of Dr. Kirtland, at Rockport, and the bird has been found breed-
ing frequently in Southern Ohio. Col. Goss gives the Mockingbird as
a summer resident of Kansas ; begins laying about the 20th of May.
Mr. Shields informs me that in Los Angeles county, California, where
it is an abundant resident, nest-building is begun early in May, and
fresh eggs may be found as late as the last of June. He states that
when deprived of the first set of eggs, a second nest is invariably built
and another set deposited.

The nest is composed of small twigs and weeds, lined with roots
and sometimes with horse-hair and cotton. Various situations are
selected for the nest ; an almost impenetrable thicket of brambles, a
hedge, an orange tree or holly bush seem to be favorite localities. Often
the nest is built in a bush a few feet from a door or window of a dwell-
ing. Generally two or three broods are reared in a season. Mr. J. A.
Singley, of Giddings, Lee county, Texas, informs me that he finds the

394

NESTS AND EGGS OF

nests in that locality built mostly in clumps of live oaks scattered over
the prairies, also in brush-piles, corners of rail fences, and in fact every-
where except on the ground. He has found them as low as six inches
from the ground in a low bush, and as high as fifty feet in trees.

A set of five eggs was taken from the hollow of a live oak in May,
1886. The eggs are usually four or five, seldom six. The ground-color
varies from pale greenish-blue to dull buffy, marked with spots and
blotches of yellowish-brown, russet or chestnut. A great variation
exists in the sizes. Specimens in a large series measure as small as
.87 X.68, and as large as 1.05 x .80. A common size is .94X .71.

704. Oaleoscoptes carolinensis

Catbird.

(Linn.) [12.]

Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces, north to about 54° in the interior ; west to and in-
cluding the Rocky Mountains. Winters in the Southern States, Cuba and Central America to Panama.

This well known bird breeds throughout its range, nesting in
bushes, low trees, or clusters of vines, generally in retired places. It
is seldom placed more than ten feet above the ground. Thickets or or-
chards are its favorite haunts. The nest is bulky and inartistic, made
of dry leaves, twigs, dry grass, and lined with black fibrous roots and
grass.

The eggs are usually four, frequently five, and rarely six. They
are plain, deep bluish-green ; average size .95 x ,71.

705. Harporhynchus rufus (Linn.) [13.]

Y Brown Thrasher.

Hab. Eastern United States, west to the base of the Rock/ Mountains, north Southern Maine, On-
tario and Manitoba. Winters in more Southern States, north to ^bout 37^.

The Brown Thrasher breeds in all suitable localities throughout
its range, building its nest in low bushes, or on stumps, in clusters of
wild vines and briefs, in heaps of brush-wood, and often on the ground.
It may be frequently found nesting in the fruit trees of quiet orchards,
and in trees situated in unfrequented places. When the nest is placed
on the ground where the soil is wet and clayey the eggs become addled ;
three instances of this kind have come under my notice, and the eggs
have failed to hatch. The same observations have been made by a
number of my correspondents. The nests are rather flat, loosely and
rudely constructed of twigs, strips of bark, withered leaves, and black,
fibrous roots, lined with horse hair and a few feathers. In some sec-
tions the Brown Thrasher begins to build in the latter part of April,
but more generally in the first half of May.

The eggs are three or four, sometimes five, in number. Their
ground-color varies from white through pale-buflf to ^ale-greenish, and,
very rarely, quite a distinct green ; the markings are minute specks of

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

396

reddish-brown, thickly sprinkled over the entire surface, frequently
forming distinct wreaths near the larger ends. The average size is
1.08 X .80, with considerable variation.

I know not whether to wonder most at the range and variety of
this bird's natural song or at his powers as a mimic. In the latter con-
sideration I would not dare to place him on the same plane with the
far-famed Mockingbird, but the scope and diversity of his natural song
notes are something wonderful, and when heard under favorable cir-
cumstances fills the mind of the hearer with admiration for the bird
whose lyrical powers are among the first of feathered songsters. Never
shall I forget the early dawn of a May morning in 1875, when the song
of this bird first fell upon my ears.

I was bent on making a collection of the birds of Franklin county,
Ohio, and many a spring morning, often long before daybreak, found
me in the woods with my gun and note-book in hand.

It was one of those mornings when the whole face of creation was
fresh and gay ; when the gentle gales were freighted with the odors of
budding vegetation, when everything tended to inspire the thoughts to
muse on Nature's grandeiir.

The sun's rays had not yet streaked the eastern sky, and the morn-
ing's gray cast a lurid light over field and forest. From out the blue
firmanent, still twinkling with stars, came the crackling sound of the
Purple Martin, and the gutteral cries of herons could be distinctly
heard as they winged their way in the calm morning air. The song of
the cricket was on the wane and the croaking of the frogs was dying
away as the morning dawn was brightening.

Near by flowed the quiet Scioto, along whose banks the sandpipers
whistled, while the cackling and crowing of fowls in the neighboring
farms told of the approaching day.

The grayness of dawn soon decayed, and the clouds of floating
mist vanished before the rising sun. A number of sprightly Gold-
finches flew in their undulating manner through the air, and now the
leafing trees along the river bank and in the little woods near by
seemed swarming with birds ; everything appeared to be animated with
beauty, perfume and song.

I listened to the multitude of mingled voices as they rang out in
the pure atmosphere, but they were scarcely distinguishable. In
another instant there came a sound surpassingly rich and melodious,
" like a voice from the spirit land." It was the plaintive notes of the
Thrasher, in the boughs just above me, charming his mate with a
love-song of bewitching sweetness.

tSp"

396

NESTS AND EGGS OF

As the dew-drops on the drooping branches glistened like jewels
in the bright sunlight of that glorious dawn, I barkened to the de-
lightful strain, and a soft melancholy stole o'er me, as Nature bade him
sing Her sweetest songs. He sat on a bough with his brown and
speckled plumage ruffled ; his wings and tail drooping, but his head was
turned heavenward, and, as his throat swelled, the wild, artless har-
mony of this great minstrel's song echoed and re-echoed throughout
the woodland. He was a rustic musician, and extravagant with his
powers. At first I thought his notes were the r ;g of leaves, until
he burst forth with the lively chatter of the Ho - Wren ; then came
the soft, plaintive notes of the Bluebird, followed by the loud ker-ker-
ker of the Red-headed Woodpecker, and the hurried clucking of the
Golden-wing ; again and again he repeated the mellow piping of the
Kildeer Plover, which it utters as it settles down on a pebbly shore.
Sometimes his voice would die away into a liquid tone like the mur-
muring of a fountain, when suddenly he would break forth again into
the loud voice of the Robin or the harsh notes of the Kingfisher.

The songs of all the birds of the woods seemed to be within the
range of his vocal powers. Even the subdued accents of the nuthatch
as it climbs about the trunk of a tree were distinctly uttered, and the
loud, musical song of the Tufted Titmouse came from his throat clear
and strong. The singular reverberating song r le Swamp Black-
bird seemed to be one of his favorite melodies, < repeating it and
interluding it with his sweet ventriloquil strains that sounded like the
trill of rippling waters. All of these, and the flute-like notes of the
Meadow Lark, which seemed to come a great distance across the mead-
ows, will never be effaced from my memory, and as each spring returns
I long for the woods where I can hear again his matchless voice.

The Brown Thrasher usually occupies a lofty position while sing-
ing ; morning and evening are the chosen hours for this exercise.

It is a shy, active bird and when inhabiting woods it generally
retires to the most secluded parts. It loves the security of dense
thickets and the .solitude of deep swamps; at times several of them
may be seen running along the fences catching insects, now and then
darting into bushy hedges or brush heaps to elude observation ; every
movement is accompanied by a graceful switch of the tail, and when
an intruder approaches near its nesting place he is greeted with the
familiar alarm note, chuck^ chuck. In August its food consists largely
of wild berries of which the young seem to be particularly fond.

Quite a number of these birds confined in cages have come under
my observation, and strange to say they never uttered a note*of song.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

897

Even when reared from the nest, and under the most favorable con-
ditions they were at all times perfectly mute, excepting that the alarm
note is often sounded.* When thus confined the plumage likewise
fades; the feathers lose the gloss which they have when the bird is
in its natural habitation, and the eye which was once a bright orange-
yellow has now lost its fire and has turned a pale, sickly yellow.

706. Harporhynchns loDgirostrls sennetti (Ridgw.) [13a.]

Sennett'a Thrasher, t
Hab. Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Mr. Sennett says that the Texas Thrasher is an abundant species
throughout the whole lyower Rio Grande country, and very abundant.
It frequents shady thickets, and is rarely seen in the open plains. Dr.
Merrill pronounces it a fine songster, and states that in habits it scarcely
differs from the Eastern bird, rufus.

The eggs, as Mr. Sennett found them, are usually four in the first
clutch in April, while second sets, late in May, contain generally three.
They are hardly distinguishable from those of H. rufus. Dr. Merrill
gives the average size of fifty-two eggs as 1.08 x .8a, the extremes being
1. 13 x .86 and .97 x .75.

707. Harporhynchus curvirostrls (Swains.) [15.]

Onrve-bllled Thraaher.

Hab. Mexico, nor>^ to Southern i'exas and New Mexico (east of the Rocky Mountains),

According t< Dr. J. C. Merrill and Mr. George B. Sennett, this
species is about common as the Mockingbird or H, longirostris
sennetti ow. the Low Rio Grande. It inhabits tangled thickets as well as
prickly-pear cactuses and mesquite trees, which afford breeding resorts.
In two instances Mr. Sennett found nests in ebony trees near much
frequented pathways, and the birds were as tame as Robins. The usual
height of nests from the ground is about four feet. Mr. G. B. Beuuers
found a nest of this bird in a Woodpecker's hole in a live oak on the
banks of the Rio Grande. It contained four eggs. Dr. Merrill says :
'* They are, as a rule, readily distinguishable from those of the Texas
Thrasher and Mockingbird by the almost invariable lining of yellow
straws, giving a peculiar appearance to the nest. They are also more
compactly built, are well cupped, and often have the edges well guarded
by thorny twigs." Mr. Sennett states that the bird commences to
breed in March on the Rio Grande, and rears several broods.

The first eggs are laid in April, and generally number four ; by

* Since the above was written a friend tells me that he once had a Brown Thrasher which sang in con-
finement, but in a very subdued tone, and only when he was not observed.

t Cf. Ridgway : Froc. U. S. Nat. Mas. X, Aug 6, 1868, p. 506. In A. O. U. Check List this is Har-
porhynchus longirottrit (Lafr.), Long-billed Thrasher.

^ ,

398

NESTS AND EGGS OP

the middle or latter part of May the second sets consist nearly always
of three. A few sets of four were found of the second laying. Five
sets of these eggs are in my cabinet, taken near Camargo, Mexico, in
March, April and May. They vary from oval-oblong to almost pyri-
form in shape, and their ground-color is almost invariably light bluish-
green, minutely speckled with reddish-brown. The sizes of two sets
are as follows: i.oix.73, i.oox.75, 1.02X.79, i.iox.75; i.iox.79,
1. 10 X. 81, 1. 15 x. 83, 1. 13 x. 81. The average size is 1.08 x. 78.

107a. Harporhynclius curvirostris palmeri Ridgw. [15a.]

Palmer's Thrasher.

Hab. Southern Arizona, southward into Sonora (Guaymas).

One of the most common birds on the cactus covered -olains of
Arizona. The breeding season in some sections begins in February,
in other localities early in March, and generally two broods are reared
in a season.

The nests are usually built in the cholla, a kind of prickly cactus,
at a height of about three to six feet. It is composed of twigs
and lined with dry gra^s ; sometimes the lining is mixed with hair or
feathers when procurable.

According to the observations of Mr. W. E. D. Scott and Mr.
Herbert Brown, the usual number of eggs laid by Palmer's Thrasher
is three, sometimes four, not infrequently two and rarely one. The
eggs cannot with certainty be distinguished from those of the Curve-
billed Thrasher. The sizes of a set of eggs containing the smallest
specimens in a series of twenty-one sets in Mr. Norris' collection are,
1. 10 X .78, 1.09 x .78, 1. 13 X .78 ; the largest 1.24 x .81, 1.20 x .79,

1. 16 X .79.

708. Harporhynchus bendirei Coues. [ 14a.]

Bendire's Thrasher.

Hab. Southern Arizona, south into Sonora (Guaymas], casually northeastward to Colorado.

Captain Charles E. Bendire, U. S. A., discovered this species in
the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona, in 1872. The bird inhabits the same
regions frequented by /f. palmeri and crissalis^ with whom it associates.
Mr. Scott states that the song of the male of this species is particularly
beautiful, and is to be compared with the best efforts of the Mocking-
bird.

The nests are placed in mesquites and cactuses, usually at a height
of three or four feet above the ground. The colla cactus is their favorite
nesting-site. The breeding season begins early in March, and two
broods are generally reared in a season.

The eggs are three or four, rarely two, in number. In the exten-
sive private collection of Mr. J. Parker Norris, so frequently referred

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

399

to in these pages, there is a series of twenty-nine sets of these eggs —
three of two, nineteen of three, and seven of four. They were nearly
all collected in the vicinity of Tucson, Arizona. The typical eggs are
greenish-white, spotted with lavender-gray and ecru-drab. The follow-
ing are sizes often specimens: .95X.74, .98X.69, .93 x. 71, .92 x. 70,
1.01X.76, 1.03 X. 72, 1.01X.76, 1.04 X. 74, 1.05 X. 75, 1.06 X. 79. The
average is 1.02 x .74.

709. Harporhynchus cinereus Xantus. [14.]

„ , , St. Lnoaa Thrasher.

Hab. Lower California.

This Tlirasher is confined to the peninsula of Lower California.
Its general habits are described as being similar to those of H. palmeri
or crissalis. Its nest is a flat structure, with a slight hollow, and
usually built in low trees, shrubs and cactus plants about four feet from
the ground.

The eggs are two or three in number, and are described as green-
ish-white, spotted with pale reddish-brown. Average size 1.06 x. 75.

710.

[16.]

H»b.

Harporhynchus redivivus (Gamb.)

Callfomian Thrasher*

Coast region of California, southward along the Pacific coast of Lower California.

This Thrasher is an abundant resident of the coast region of Cal-
ifornia. Mr. A. M. Shields informs me that its favorite haunts in Los
Angeles county are the scrub oaks and grease-wood brrish that fringe
deep mountain gorges. It begins to build toward the last of April, and
by the last of May it is difficult to procure a perfectly fresh set of eggs.
The bird, he says, is a close sitter, often allowing one's hand to touch
it before leaving the nest.

The general character of the nest is a coarse, rudely constructed
platform of sticks, coarse grass and mosses, with but a very slight de-
pression. Occasionally, however, nests of this bird are more carefully
and elaborately made. It is always well hid in the low scrub bushes.

The usual complement of eggs is three, sometimes four and occa-
sionally only two. They are light greenish-blue, with russet-brown
and chestnut spots; average size 1.18X.85. Ten specimens meas-
ure 1. 05 X. 80, 1. 05 X. 82, 1. 02 X. 79, 1. 04 X. 77, 1.08 X. 80, 1. 22 X. 84, 1.2 1
X.85, 1. 27 X. 82, 1. 28 X. 79, 1.30 X. 84.

711. Harporhynchus lecontoi (Lawr.) [i6a.]

lieoonte's Thrasher.

Hab. Valleys of the Gila and Lower Colorado Rivers, south into Sonora.

This is the least common of all the Thrashers in the region which
it inhabits, and from all accounts it is a very shy and difficult bird to
obtain. Comparatively few of its eggs have yet appeared in collec-

I ■ „';,

, 1

»
\

400

NESTS AND EGGS OF

tions. Mr. E. Holterhotf, Jr., discovered its nest and eggs at Flowing
Wells, a station in the middle of the Colorado Desert, in California.*
In the same region a number of the nests and eggs have been taken
by Mr. F. Stephens and R. B. Herron. Dr. Edgar A. Mearns, U. S. A.,
met with this bird in the desert country, between Phoenix and Casa
Grande, Arizona, f He states that the song of this species is remark-
able for its loud, rich tone, and is at least as fine as any of the genus.
Deserts of sand, " covered in places with patches of sage-brush and
groves of choUa cactuses, with a few mesquites and shrubs scattered
along the dry arroyos," are the favorite haunts of Leconte's Thrasher.
A glance at these bushes will usually suffice to detect the nest, as it is
large and conspicuous, except when the shrub is bushy. The nest is
usually built near the center of a cholla cactus, from one to seven feet
above the ground ; it is likewise frequently placed in mesquites. The
birds are close sitters and one can approach within a few yards before
they slip oflf — which they usually do on the opposite side of the bush —
dropping to the ground they run briskly and seek the cover of the
surrounding vegetation, and so adroitly conceal themselves that it is
almost impossible to detect them. The nest is composed of twigs,
grasses and weeds lined with feathers. The breeding season begins in
March, and, according to Mr. Herrou's obsers^ations, some at least very
likely begin laying in February.

The eggs are three or four in numbe.'-, greenish-blue, faintly
speckled, chiefly at the larger end, with cinnamon-rufous or yellow-
ish-brown. Some specimens have large blotches on the surface. The
general shape of the eggs is elongated-oval. The sizes of a set con-
taining four eggs collected on May 24, 1883, in San Gorgonia Pass,
California, by Mr. Herron, are 1.13X.75, 1.07 x. 77, 1.08 x. 77, 1.14X.75.
The average is 1.07 x .76.

712. Harporhynchus crissalis (Henry) [17.]

CrlMal Thrasher.

Hab. New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Utah, Southeastern California and northern portion of Lower
California.

This is a common species in suitable localities throughout New
Mexico, Arizona and Southeastern California. Dr. Mearns states that
it is abundant all over the Verde River bottom lands, preferring mes-
quite thickets and the vicinity of streams. He says it is one of the
few birds that truly sing ; and it shares, in Arizona, this tare gift with its
congeners — Bendire's, Palmers and Leconte's Thrashers. Its song is

* Described in the American Naturalist, XV March, 1881; for fuller accouat Cf. Bull. Nutt. Ornith.
Club, VIII, 4S-49.

t For an extended historical account, togethei with full details of the habits of H, Itcontti and crittalit,
see Dr. Mearns' article, "Some Arizona Birds'' in 1'he Auk, III, pp. 289- 807.

DWing
rnia.*
taken

1 Casa
mark-
jenus.
h and
ttered
asher.
s it is
Lest is
n feet
The
before
ush —
3f the
t it is
twigs,
ins in
t very

"aintly
ellow-
The
t con-
Pass,

X.75-

■ Lower

New
that
mes-
the
hits
WS is

rnith.
Utalu,

\ H
\

Co^rigkt iSSb.

PLATE Xfl.

AMERICAN WATER OUZELS OR DIPPERS AND NEST.

(Cinc/ui iiie.xicanus )

PA(iE 31)2.

. -I'

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

401

remarkable for its scope and sweetness, having all the power of the
Mockingbird, singing from the tops of the tallest bushes in the same
attitude as the Brown Thrasher of the East. Like the rest of the
Thrashers it is highly terrestrial, and runs swiftly on the ground fromi
bush to bush, often jetting its long tail upward, more or less above the
horizontal. They breed about the same time as Bendire's Thrashers,
Mr. Scott found eggs in the Catalina Mountains of Arizona during the
first week in April that were about ready to be hatched, and young
birds fully fledged were observed as early as May i. Dr. Mearns saw
young birds that were strong on the wing by the end of April. Two
broods are reared, and the number of eggs laid, so far as I am able to
ascertain, is usually three, sometimes four. Dr. Mearns discovered, on
June 14, a nest placed upon a horizontal bough of a large mesquite
bush containing two eggs, and in two days later it contained four eggs.
The proprietors of this nest divided their attention between the care
of their nest and a family of young not yet able to shift for themselves.
The nests, placed in bushes, are large conspicuous objects, rudely con-
structed of coarse twigs ; the inner nest is made of finer vegetable
materials.

The eggs are pale greenish-blue, unmarked. Two sets containing
three eggs each in Mr. Norris' cabinet were collected in Arizona, near
Tucson,, April 10, 1884, and at Sacton, April 12, 1885. These measure
I. II X. 74, 1.09 X .73, 1. 13 X .73; I. ID X. 73, 1. 16 X. 77, 1. 14 X. 76. The
average size is 1.08 x .75.

713. Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus (Lafr.) [56.]

Caotna Wren.

Hab. Southwestern border of the United States, from Southern Texas to the coast of Southern
California; south into Northern and Central Mexico.

A common bird in the cactus and chaparral regions of Texas^
New Mexico, Arizona, Southern Utah, Nevada, and Southern Cali-
fornia. As its name implies, cactus groves are its favorite haunts. In
these, and other thorny shrubs, its nest is placed, which is a very large
and purse-shaped affair with an entrance at one end. It is composed
of little thorns and grasses, and lined with feathers. Mr. Shields states
that in Los Angeles county, California, there is no grove of cactus along
the foothills without these Wrens. He has often found from four to
ten nests in a bed of carti not more than a dozen yards square.
Three broods are probably reared, as fresh eggs may be found from the
middle of April to the last of July.

The eggs are generally five, sometimes four, and oc(^asionally only
three. They are white or creamy in ground-color, which is thickly
covered with rich, reddish-brown spots or specks, giving to the entire

402

NESTS AND EGGS OF

egg a beautiful rich salmon-colored hue. Ten eggs selected out of
fifteen sets give the following measurements : .86 x 62, .89 x .62, .9.3 x
.63, .90 X .60, .94 X .67, .96 X .67, .95 X .66, .94 X .69, .95 X .67, .98 X .69.
The average size is .97 x .65. Their general shape is oblong-oval.

714. Campylorhynchus afflnis Xantus [57.]

Sti Lnoaa Cactus Wren.

Hab. Southern portion of Lower California.

The habits, nesting and eggs of this species are identical with
those of the last.

715. Salpinctes obsoletns (Say) [58.]

Rook Wren.

Hab. Arid regions of Western United State^i from the Great Plains to the Pacific, south through
Mexico to Northern Central America.

This is a more or less common species in the dry, rocky regions
of Western United States. Mr. Scott says that in the Catalina Moun-
tains of Arizona they begin to breed about the middle of March ; six
or eight young are the common inmates of the nest, and two broods
are reared. Mr. Emerson found this species to be quite common on
the Farallon Islands, and it is the only land bird which is resident.
They were found all over the South Farallon, building in suitable
crevices a nest of Farallon weed, lining it with chicken feathers and
hair shed from the island mule.

The nest is usually built in a rift of rocks, or on the ground be-
neath some shelving rock. It is composed of a mass of material, very
miscellaneous in character, sometimes a single substance, but a variety
of materials are more generally used, such as sticks, bark-strips, weeds,
grasses, moss, hair, wool, etc. A curious habit of the Rock Wren is
that of paving the ground about the entrance of the nest with pebbles,
or bits of rock and glass. On the Farallons small pieces of coal, mus-
sel shells, and small bones of sea-birds and rabbits are used for this
purpose. Mr. Fred Corey, of Santa Paula, California, informs me
that he found a nest with four eggs of this bird under the rafters of a
house.

Five and six eggs constitute an average set, and seven, eight, or
nine are sometimes deposited. Mr. Emerson found one nest with ten
eggs, two of which were fresh and the others in various stages of incu-
bation. The eggs are pure glossy white, finely and sparsely speckled
with reddish-brown, chiefly at the larger end. Mr. Norris has two
sets taken on the Farallons, June 16 and 23, 1886 ; they contain six
and eight eggs respectively and measure .70X.56, .73 x .56, .71 x .56,
.69 X .56, .69 X .56 ; .74 X .59, .72 X .57, .74 x .58, .76 x .58, .75 x .58, .75 X
.58, .76 X .59, .75 X .59. Another set collected in Rio Grande county,

IS m
P

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

408

Colorado, May 29, 1885, consists of six eggs ; these measure .74 x .59
.69 X 54, .71 X .58, .70 X .56, .73 X .59, .71 X .58.

716. Salpinctes guadelonpensis Ridgw. [58a.]

Ouadalnpe Rook Wren.

Hab. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

Mr. Walter E. Bryant states that this is undoubtedly the most
common of the birds on Guadalupe Island, distributed from the beach
to the summit, but found most numerous on the upper and central
portions. They are first to begin nesting. A few birds began the con-
struction of their nests in December, and one had her work nearly
completed on the 25th of December, 1885. Four fresh eggs were
found in it on January 17. The breeding season, strictly speaking,
Mr. Bryant says, extends from the middle of January through the
month of March. " Nests were found in cavities of immense bould-
ers, under rocks, in fallen and decayed trunks of cypress trees, the
latter location being apparently a favorite one. But wherever the
nests were located the passages leading to them were, with one or two
exceptions, paved with flat pebbles ranging in size from a Lima bean to
a half dollar. Fully a quart of these pebbles were removed from the
entrance to a nest built in a boulder at a height of four feet, where,
at some previous time, other birds had evidently built and accumu-
lated their share of the pavement. As a rule, scarcely an ordinary
handful of stones is used." The nest is built to conform to the size
and shape of the cavity which it occupies; it is made of fine dry
grasses and lined with goat hair.

The eggs are usually four, though sometimes five in number, and
resemble, both in color and shape, those of the common Rock
Wren, 5". obsoletus. Set No. 781 in Mr. Bryant's collection measures
17x14, 17x14.5, 18x14.5, 18.5x14.5, millimeters.* Set No. 782
measures in millimeters, 19 x 14, 19 x 14, 19.5 x 14.5, 19.5 x 14.5, 19.5 x
i5.t The two largest eggs in a series of fifty-five specimens measures
21x15 mm. and 20x16 mm. respectively; the two smallest 17x14
mm ; average 19 x 14 mm.J

l\la. Catherpes mexicanus conspersus Ridgw. [59a.]

Canon Wren.

Hab. Southwestern United States, from Western Texas, Colorado, etc., to the Pacific, north to South-
ern Idaho and Oregon; south to Mexico boundary and Lower California.^

The rocky canons of the mountain regions throughout its range
are the home of this species. It is easily recognized by its white

■>.67x .55, .67x .57, .71 x .57, .73 x .57.
t.75 X .55, .75 X .55, .77 X .57, .77 x .55, .77 x .59.
^Largest .83 x. 66 and .79x .63; smallest .67x .55; average .75 x .55.

gWithin this habitat our text includes the Dotted Canon Wren, a new subspecies, Cathtrpet mtxi-
canut /iinctulaius, Ridgw., inhabiting California, Lower California, Arizona and New Mexico.

404

NESTS AND EGGS OF

throat and rich yellowish-brown tail, and by its notes, — a peculiar
insect-like chirp, and a delightful clear whistling song. The nest of the
Canon Wren is generally built in some deserted tunnel or cave, in holes
in bluffs, and at times in unused buildings. It is frequently placed on
some projecting ledge or shelf. Mr. H. D. Minot found a nest of this
bird containing five fresh eggs near Manitou, Colorado, on June 8,
1880. It was placed in the roof of a cave, about ten feet from the
ground in a niche or pocket with a narrow vertical opening. The
stones being broken away revealed the nest which rested on the bot-
tom slab. In appearance the structure resembled that of the Eastern
Wood Pewee, being composed of twigs, stalks, bits of leaves, thickly
felted with down silk and feathers. Mr. Scott says that in Southern
Arizona three broods are generally reared each season. The eggs are
from four to six in number. Mr. G. B. Benners found this species
nesting on the rocky side of a dry river bed in Comal county, Texas,
and on April 10 took a set of five eggs.

The eggs are white, speckled with lavender-gray and vinaceous-
nifous ; in some specimens the markings are chiefly at the larger ends,
where they often form indistinct wreaths. Three sets in Mr. Norris'
cabinet are from Comal county, Texas ; one of four taken March 20,
1884, measures .70 x .54, .71 x .54, .73 x .52, .78 x .52 ; another collected
March 25, 1887, contains five eggs; sizes, .78X.57, .76X.56, .69 x .55,
•75 X .56, .76 X .56 ; the third is of five eggs : .71 x .54, .71 x .54, .74 x .55,
.70 X .54, .71 x .54 ; average .72 x .53.

718. Thryothorus ludovicianus (Lath.) [60.]

Carolina Wren.

Hab. Eastern United States except Southeastern Florida (rare toward the northern border,) west
to the edge of the Great Plains; Mv-v^h to gulf coast, including Northeastern Mexico. Rare in Southern
New England.

A common and well known bird in the more southern portion of
its range, being rare or local north of latitude 40°. It may be found
almost everywhere, but shady ravines, wooded and rocky banks of
streams, piles of logs and brush-heaps are its favorite haunts. The
Carolina Wren has a loud, rich song, which it pours forth while
mounted on the end of a fence rail, top of a stump, or the topmost
branch of a tree. The song is repeated most frequently, and with more
vehemence during the mating season, which is early in spring. Breed-
ing begins in the latter part of March or early in April, and two, some-
times three, broods are reared in a season.

The typical nest of this bird in Central Ohio, where it is a common
resident, is a massive, coarse structure, made of strips of corn-stalks,
grasses, hay and leaves, with an intermixture of the silk of corn ; the

■P!?^

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

405

lining is of chicken feathers, fine, dry grasses and horse hair. The
bird is not particular as to the situation of its nest. It is found in holes
of trees, in wood-piles, and in low bushes ; sometimes in the nook or
corner of a barn ; occasionally in a box, placed in the verandas of dwell-
ings in retired places ; often under an accumulation of brush-wood.
Sometimes the nests are arched over or dome-shaped, the opening being
only large enough to admit the bird.

The number of eggs laid ranges from four to six, and the average
size of twenty specimens is .74X .61 ; a common size is .72 x .56. The
ground-color of the eggs varies from a whitish to creamy-white or
salmon-buflF; this is thickly sprinkled with a brownish-pink, and so
heavily laid on in some specimens that the surface has this same ap-
pearance. Some, however, are marked more heavily at the larger end.
T. I. miamensis Ridgw. is found in Southeastern Florida.

719. Thryothorus bewickii (Aud.) [61.]

Bewick's Wren.

Hab. Eastern United States, rare or local easc of the Alleghanies and north of 40\ west to th«
border of the Great Plains. Winters in the more Southern States.

Bewick's or the Long-tailed House Wren is a common species in
Eastern United States, particularly southerly ; breeding from latitude
40° southward. In some places in the interior it replaces the common
House Wren. It is not common on the Atlantic coast.

Nests of this bird are placed anywhere — in boxes, holes, fence-
posts, brush-heaps, stumps, hollow trees, barns, sheds, etc. Dr. Howard
E. Jones, who obtained the first specimens of nests and eggs of this
species ever taken in Ohio, has the following in his text of the mag-
nificent work, " Illustrations of the Nests and Eggs of the Birds of
Ohio": " The nest and eggs of Bewick's Wren resemble very closely
some specimens of the House Wren's in size and shape, and, except in
size, approach even closer to those of the Great Carolina Wren. The
nest alone would be difficult to distinguish from uncovered nests of
T. cedotty but the eggs are not nearly so thickly marked. Normal spec-
imens of each can be always difierentiated. The House Wren, how-
ever, sometimes lays eggs very similar to typical eggs of Bewick's
Wren.

" The complement of eggs varies from four to six or seven. They
measure in long diameter from .60 to .68, and in short diameter from
.48 to .54. A common size is .49 x .64. They are spotted and speckled
with reddish-brown, sparingly about the point, but plentiful toward the
crown, where the marks are often confluent, forming a wreath. The
deep shell-marks are purplish."

'■'M

''!,!

406 NESTS AND EGGS OK

719«. Thryothoms bewickli spilurus (Vig.) [6ia.]

vigors'* IVreii.

Hab. Pacific coait district, from British Columbia southward to Lower California and Western
Mexico.

The general habits and nests of this subspecies are identical with
those of Bewick's Wren. The eggs are white, finely speckled with
chestnut and lavender-gray. In remote regions it frequently nests in
crevices of rocks. Eggs, .64 x .50.

719^. Thryothorus bewickli bairdi (Salv. & Godm.) [6i<J.]

Baird'a Wren.

Hab. Southern and Western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, south to Southern Utah, Colorado and
Middle Kansas, south into Mexico.

This is a common bird in various parts of Southwestern United
States, as in Western and Southern Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, etc.
According to Col. Goss, it is not uncommon in Southwestern Kansas.
It was found common in the Lower Rio Grande by Dr. Merrill and Mr.
Sennett. Mr. Scott met with it in Southern Arizona. The only nests
he found were built in natural hollows, or deserted Woodpeckers' holes
in live oak trees. Dr. Merrill states that this bird has a great variety
of notes, the principal song being much like that of the Song Sparrow,
but sweeter.

The nest of this Wren, besides being built in Woodpeckers' ex-
cavations and natural cavities of trees, is likewise placed in hollow logs,
under brush-heaps, or in any nook or corner about a deserted building,
and, when in a cavity, the space which it occupies is generally well
filled with roots, straws and grasses, lined with fur or feathers. The
nest is also frequently built among the twigs of dense thorny bushes.
Two or three broods are reared in a season.

The eggs are usually five to seven in number, white, speckled
with chestnut or reddish-brown and lavender-gray, heavier at the larger
ends, and massed there in distinct, broad bands. Three sets of these
eggs from Comal county, Texas, are in Mr. Norris' cabinet ; two of
seven eggs each were taken April 4 and 25, respectively ; the third,
containing five eggs, was collected June 21. The sizes by sets in their
order are as follows: .65X.50, .64X.49, .64K.49, .68X.50, .65X.49,
.63 X .48, .65 X .50 ; .71X.51, .71X.50, .69X.51, .71X.51, .70X.52, .72X
.52, .7IX-52; .65X.50, .66X.51, .64X.52, .66X.53, .67X.52; average
.64 X .46.

721. Troglodytes aedon Vieill [63.]

Honae Wren.

Hab. Eastern United States and Southern Canada, west to the Mississippi Valley (Michigan to
Louisiana); winters in southern portions.

A common and well known bird in Eastern United States, it
builds its nest under the eaves of houses, in corners of the barn,

- t

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

407

martin-boxes, hollow in trees, and, in fact, they are found nesting in
every conceivable cavity or crevice. The nest is composed ol a mass
of miscellaneous rubbish, sticks, grasses, hay and other convenient
materials. If a box or cavity holds half a peck the little birds will fill
it full. The nesting season begins early in May, and two or three
broods are generally reared. Mr. h. O. Pindar, of Hickman, Kentucky,
informs me that he saw a pair of these birds nesting on the ground
under the floor of a barn, which was elevated four or five inches, and
another pair had their nest in a paper bag full of hops, hanging in a
neighbor's porch. It has been found nesting in the skulls of horses and
oxen lying in grassy fields. Mr. George B. Senuett and Dr. B. H.Warren
found a pair breeding in a Kingfisher's hole in a sand-bank, near Erie,
Pennsylvania, August i, 1888.*

The eggs are white, so thickly dotted with reddish-brown as to
nearly conceal the ground-color with a light tinge of purple; they are
nearly spherical to oblong-oval in shape. The eggs are usually seven,
sometimes nine, measuring .64X.52, with great variations in this
respect.

721a. Troglodytes aedon parkmanii ( Aud.) [ 63a.]

Parkman's IVren*

Hab. Western United States, east to the Mississippi Valley (Minnesota, Illinois, etc.), south into
Mexico.

According to Mr. J. A. Allen, the tnie parkmann is a Northwest
coast form, typically represented in the coast region of Oregon and
Washington Territory, and less typically southward along the coast
to Lower California, f The smaller and paler form, T. aedon aziecus
Baird, is the one now given as inhabiting Western United States (ex-
cept the Pacific coast), east to Illinois, etc., south into Mexico.

The nesting, eggs, and entire general habits of parkmanii corres-
pond exactly with those of the House Wren of the East. Mr. Walier
E. Bryant states that Parkman's Wren has been known to build in the
skull of a horse, which had been placed in a fruit tree, in the nests of
Cliff Swallows, and within an old shoe lodged in a tree.

722. Troglodytes Memalis Vieill [65.]

Winter 'Wren.

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from northern border of the United States northward; win-
tering from its southern breeding limit southward.

The Winter Wren breeds from Northern United States northward.
A number of records are at hand of its breeding in Southern New
York, in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The late Dr. Wheatou
took young birds of this species in Central Ohio whose plumage indi-

* Cf. Sennett, Auk, VI, 76.
t C/. Allen, Auk, V, 161.

408

NESTS AND EGGS OF

cated they had shortly left the nest. He was of the opinion that the
bird breeds in Northern Ohio. Mr. Mcllwraith states that a few re-
main to breed in suitable places throughout Ontario. Mr. Wm. h.
Kells found it breeding in wet woods of Central Ontario, nesting in
cavities in the roots of upturned trees. While the general habits of
this bird are much like thosie of the House Wren, its song, from all
accounts, during the breeding season, is entirely different — " a soul
vibrating, gushing melody, which calls forth the sweetest woodland
echoes." The nest of this diminutive Wren is placed in hollows of
low stumps in wet places, in crevices of unoccupied buildings, in
the tangled piles of fallen trees and branches. It is composed of
small twigs with moss and leaves interwoven, and warmly lined with
feathers of hawks, crows, grouse, or any that are at hand. The eggs
are laid as early as the middle of May or in June, and two broods are
reared. Mr. Kells says that the birds will at once forsake a nest that
has been touched by human hand.

The eggs are four, five, or six in number, clear white in ground
color, spotted with reddish-brown and purple, chiefly at the larger
ends. Average size .69 x .49.

722a. Troglodytes hiemalis paciflcus Baird [65a.]

Western Winter Wren.

Hab. Pacific coast region from Sitka to Southern California; south in winter to Western Mexico;
«ast to Eastern Orcfon, Nevada, etc.

This subspecies breeds from the southern coast ranges of Cali-
fornia north to Sitka. Habits, nesting and eggs like those of T.
hiemalis of the East. Eggs .60 x .48.

724. Cistothorus stellaris (Light.) [68 ]

Short-billed Mamh Wren.

Hab. Eastern United States and Southern British Provinces, west to the Great Plains. Winters in
the Gulf States and southward.

The reedy swamps, fresh water marshes and meadows of Eastern
United States are the summer home of the Short-billed Marsh Wren.
Breeds abundantly in Western Manitoba, and occasionally in the south-
ern portions of its range, but chiefly north of latifn'lp " Colonel
Goss states that it possibly breeds in Kan?- - -d srs. Keyes

and Williams give it as a rather comn^ n sn .. it of Iowa.

Dr. Agersborg has recorded it as a rare . utb tern Dako-

ta. The Short-billed Marsh Wren is a .^ imer udent of Ohio, but
"here, as is the case elsewhere, it is not so abund it as the Long-billed
species.

The nest corresponds to that of the Long-billed, but no muc a
used in its construction. It is built in the midst of a tussc ' f

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

409

coarse, high grass, the tops of which are ingeniously interwoven into a
coarse and strong covering, spherical in shape, and closed on every
side, except one small aperture left for entrance. The strong, wiry
grass of the tussock is also interwoven with finer materials, making the
whole impervious to the weather. The inner nest is composed of
grasses and fine sedges, lined with soft vegetable down. Several nests
are frequently built by a single pair of birds but not more than one is
used.

The eggs are six to eight in number, are pure white, unmarked,
and average .64X.50. A set of six in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken
in Iowa county, Iowa, July 19, 1886; they measure .59X.49, .67X.47,
.63 X .46, .61 X .46, .62 X .46, .61 X .47.

725. Cistothorus palustris (Wils.) [67.]

LouK-bllled Marah Wren.

Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces, wintering in the Gulf States.

The Long-billed Marsh Wren is a common species in swampy
places and salt marshes throughout Eastern United States, where it
breeds in colonies of greater or less extent. The nest is globular, or
somewhat the shape of a cocoanut, very conspicuous by its
bulk and its exposed position. It is built of grasses and reeds
closely interwoven and often plastered with mud, securely fastened to
the upright swaying reeds or cat-tails ; it is lined with fine grasses, has
a hole on one side, sometimes nearer the bottom than the top. A
single pair of these birds will often build several nests, only one of
which is ever used.

The eggs range from five to nine in number, usually five or six ;
they are very dark colored, being so thickly marked with brown as to
appear of a uniform chocolate color ; average size .64 x .45, with con-
siderable variation.

** Cistothorus palustris paludicola Baird. [67a.]

Tnle Wren.

Hab, Western United States, east to the Rocky Mountains, south to Northern Central America
(Guatemala.) •

The nesting and eggs of this Western form of the Long-billed
Marsh Wren are the same as those of C. palustris of the Eastern
States. It nests more generally among the tules, more rarely among
the flags. Mr. Bryant makes note of a nest found in California which
contained eggs and was woven among the almost leafless branches of a
young willow, five feet above a fresh water marsh. The false nests
were built as usual, but in the coarse grass near by.

410

NESTS AND EGGS OF

726. Gerthia familiaris amerlcana (Bonap) [55.]

Broira Oreeper.

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from northern border of United States northward, and in
higher mountain districts.

The little Brown Creeper breeds from the northern border of the
United States northward, and is seen in most of its United States
range during the fall, winter, and early spring. A resident through-
out New England, but more abundant in the northern portion. Mr.
William Brewster has given us the best account of the breeding
habits of this bird in the heavy timbered region bordering on Lake
Umbagog, Western Maine.* The nest of the Brown Creeper is built
behind loose bark of dead tre "^-trunks or stumps. All of the nests
examined by Mr. Brewster were similar in construction, and the sites
chosen were of a uniform character. In every instance the nest was
placed in a balsam fir, though spruce, birch, or elm stubs were more
numerous. Within the loose scale of bark was crammed a mass of
twigs and other rubbish ; upon this was the finer bark of various
trees, with an intermixture of a little usnea moss and a number cf
spiders' cocoons. Mr. Brewster obtained eggs from the 31st of May
to June 23.

The eggs are five to eight in number, white or creamy-white,
speckled or spotted with hazel or reddish-brown, chiefly at or around
the larger end, often in the form of wreaths. A set of six eggs in
Mr. Norris' cabinet collected by Mr. Brewster in Oxford county,
Maine, June 5, 1879, exhibits the following sizes: .58 x .46, .58 x .45,
.57X.45, .57X.45, .58X.46, .57X.46. A set of six taken in Buncombe
county. North Carolina, May 2, 1888, measures .59X.45, .58X.46, .57 x
.44, .56 X .45, .58 X .45, .58 X .45. Several other sets in the same cabinet
show great variation. The average size is .59X .47.

726a. Certhia familiaris mexicana (Glog.) [ 5 5a.]

Mexioan Creeper.

Hab. Northern Central America (Guatemala), Mexico, and Southern Arizona.

No reliable information is at hand regarding the nidification of
this Mexican form of the Creeper which is, doubtless, similar to that
of C.f. americana.

** Certhia familiaris montana Ridgw. [s5,/arr.]

Slookx Mountain Creeper.

Hab. Rocky Mountain district, north to Alaska; west to Nevada, etc. Ridgw.

The nesting and eggs of this are like those of the Brown Creeper
of the Eastern States. Prof. Ridgway gives the average size of the
eggs as .59X.46.

» Cf. Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, IV, pp. 199-209.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 411

* * Oerthia familiaris occldBntalis Ridgw. [ 55, part.]

Callfornf.an Creeper.

Hah. Pacific coast region of North America from California to Southern Alaslca.

This race of the Creeper is confined to the Pacific coast region.
Dr. Merrill met with it in the vicinity of Fort Klamath, Oregon, and
states that in no part of the West did he find it so abundant as there.
Several pairs bred in the immediate vicinity of the Fort, and during
the winter several of their characteristic nests were found hidden by
loosened scales of bark, usually on pines, but once or twice on aspens.
The eggs, according to Prof. Ridgway, average .61 x .48.

727.

far

Hah.

Sitta carolinensis Lath. [51.]

White-breasted Nmthatoh.

Eastern United States and British Provinces.

The White-breasted Nuthatch is often improperly called **^Sap-
sucker," a name commonly applied to the Downy Woodpecx^er and
others. Nearly every person readily recognizes this black-capped
species as it runs up and down and around the branches and trunks
of trees in search of insect food, now and then uttering its curious
quank^ quank^ quank. It is a common breeding bird throughout its
range and usually begins nesting early in April. Two broods are not
infrequently reared in a season. This species usually selects for its
nesting place the decayed trunk of a tree or stub, ranging all the way
from two l'^ sixty feet above the ground. The entrance may be a
knot-hole, a small opening, or a round perforation is constructed and
a cavity within in which the nest is made. Often the old excavation
of the Downy Woodpecker is made use of. The nest is composed of
chicken feathers, hair, and a few dry leaves loosely thrown together.

The eggs are five to eight in number, rarely nine and ten ; their
usual shape is somewhat long and pointed. They are white with a
roseate tinge, speckled or spotted with reddish-brown and a slight
tinge of purple. The markings as a rule are thickest near the larger
ends. The average size of ten specimens is . 77 x. 56.

728a. Sitta carolinensis aculeata (Cass.) [5i«.]

Slender-billed Nuthatch.

Hab. Western United States ease to and including the Rocky Mountains, south into Mexico.

This bird is similar to the last but has a longer and slenderer bill.
It is abundant in the wooded and mountainous regions of the West, re-
placing 6". carolinensis. It possesses the same characteristic habits of
the White-breasted Nuthatch of the Eastern States, nesting also in a
like manner. Mr. W. O. Emerson states that it breeds in all the coast
range valleys of California, wherever there is plenty of white and
black oak timber, and also high up in the Sierras. The nests are

412

NESTS AND EGGS OF

built in cavities or knot-holes of trees and stumps, composed of feath-
ers and sometimes mostly of rabbit's fur.

Six or seven eggs are usually laid ; they are creamy-white speck-
led with reddish-brown and hazel. Captain B. F. Goss has a set of
seven eggs in his extensive collection which he took from a hole in a
tree seven feet from the ground, in Southern California, May 7, 1884.
These measure respectively, .75x.57» •75x.53» •74X.53. '73^'57> -78 x
.54, .71X.57, .72X.56. A set of six in Mr. Norris' cabinet was taken
near Kingston, New Mexico, May 4, 1885. These measure •73X.53,
•71 X .53, .73 X .54, .73 X .54, .74 X .54, .75 X .54.

728. Sitta canadensis Linn. [52.]

Red-breaated Nuthatoltt

Hab. Whole of North America, breeding chiefly north of the United States, except in western
mountainous regions; Eastern United States chiefly in winter.

This is a common bird throughout North America, breeding from
Northern United States northward. Its habits are essentially the same
as those of 5*. carolinensis. Mr. Manly Hardy has written a good ac-
account of this bird's breeding habits in Maine.* He found them nest-
ing in white birch and poplar stubs, usually from ten to fifteen feet,
and sometimes as low down as four feet above the ground. In making
the entrance to the nest-cavity proper, the bii^is perforate the bark in
a circle with smaller holes, and then take out the center piece. A
strange fact concerning the nests found by Mr. Hardy and others, is
that the bark at their entrance is coated with fir balsam or pitch from
an inch to three or four inches around the hole. In one instance the
pitch extended down for twenty-one inches, and was stuck full of the
red breast-feathers of the Nuthatches. The cavities are about four
i'lches deep, in which the nest is made of fine grass.

The eggs, four to six in number, are very thickly spotted with red-
dish-brown. Average size .60 X. 50.

729. Sitta pusilla Lath. [ 53.]

Brown-headed Nuthatch.

Hab. South Atlantic and Gulf States, north regularly to Southern Maryland and Virginia, casually
to Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, etc.

The home of the Brown-headed Nuthatch is in the South Atlantic
and Gulf States, where it is a common breeder. Its habits are gen-
eric. Mr. Arthur T. Wayne states that in South Carolina the Brown-
headed Nuthatch pairs in the latter part of January, and the birds be-
gin to excavate '^ole in a dead stump or limb of a tree, usually not
more than a few feet or inches from the ground, and, again, as high as
forty or fifty feet. Eggs may be obtained in March, as four or five

♦ Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, III, 196.

"B^'

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

413

weeks are required to complete the excavation. Mr. George Noble in-
forms me that he found a nest of this species in the cavity of a stump
in a pond. It was two feet from the surface of the water. Mr. C. S.
Brimley found eggs of this species near Raleigh, North Carolina, in
the month of April. Mr, Wayne says that the birds dig several holes
before a satisfactory one is completed for the nest. The cavity extends
downward from eight to twelve inches, and is filled with short pieces
of grass, bits of cotton, wool, feathers, and the leaf-like substance of
" pine seed leaves."

The eggs are five or six in number. A series of twenty-four
sets in Mr. Norris' cabinet present a varied appearance with re-
gard to their coloration, etc. The ground-color varies from white
through creamy-white, to a dull white, and the markings are several
shades of reddish-brown and lavender-gray. The sizes of the eggs in
a set containing the smallest specimens are .57 x .47, .59 x .48, .59 x .48,
.57X.47, .57X.48; the largest, .62X.49, .59x47, .64X.49, .64X.49, .62
X .48. The average size is .62 x .49.

730. SittapygmjBa Vig. [54.]

Pigmy Nuthatch*

Hab. Western United States east to and including the Rocky Mountains; from the northern bound-
ary south into mountainous districts of Mexico.

This diminutive Nuthatch is found throughout Western United
States from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific. It is abundant,
chiefly in pine woods in mountainous districts, nesting like the rest of
the genus in holes of trees. Mr. Charles F. Morrison gives it as a
common species of La Plata county, Colorado, and is resident up to
loooo feet ; breeds abundantly, but the nest is hard to find.

The eggs are from six to nine in number. They are crystalline
white, speckled more or less thickly with brick-red, varying in inten-
sity in diflferent specimens. The sizes of the eggs in a set containing
the smallest specimens, from a series of nine sets in Mr. Norris' collec-
tion, are .51X.46, .51X.46, .55X.45, .53X.45, .51X.46, .52 x. 46, .53 x
.46, .52 X .44, .53 X .45 ; the largest : .63 x .47, .61 x .45, .59 x .48, .64 x

•49) '63 ^ •47> '^3 ^ 4^) '^ ^ •4S> -^3 ^ 4^'

731. Parus bicolor Linn. [ 36.]

Tnftad TitmouM*

Hab. Eastern United States to the Great Plains, chiefly south of 40°; south to the Gulf Coast, in-
cluding Florida and Central Texas.

The Tufted Titmouse is an abundant resident in Eastern United
States, as far west as Eastern Kansas, and, chiefly however, south of
40°. Its clear, loud whistling song may occasionally be heard in sunny
days through the winter months, but particularly in the early spring —

414

NESTS AND EGGS OF

in March, the mating season, lor nesting usually begins early in April.
Deserted Woodpecker excavations, natural cavities of trees, or those in
stubs in deep or open woods are the favorite nesting sites of the Tufted
Titmouse. In these cavities the nest is formed of a mass of leaves,
moss, corn-stalks, soft, fibrous bark-strips, and the hair of cattle ; this is
all carried to the nesting place in great mouths full by the female bird.
She has often been accused of picking to pieces and carrying away the
moss from hanging baskets suspended on porches. Mr. O. C. Poling
found a nest of this bird containing five eggs in a box near a ruined
building, in the vicinity of Quincy, Illinois.

From five to eight eggs are deposited, five or six being the usual
numbers. I have taken three sets in Central Ohio, all containing six
eggs. They are of a pure white or light cream ground-color, which is
profusely speckled and spotted with different shades of reddish-brown.
Eight specimens, selected on account of their sizes, measure .67 x .52,
.67 X .51, .69 X .52, .71 X .51, .74 X .53, .76 X .54, .78 X .54, .80X .56 ; a com-
mon size is .74 X .52.

The Tufted Titmouse will frequently nest iu boxes that are put up
in the woods for that purpose. The birds are close sitters, and often
have to be lifted from the nest before the eggs can be secured. I have
no definite information regarding the nesting and eggs of the new
variety called Texan Tufted Titmouse, Parus bicolor texensis Sennett,*
from Southeastern Texas. There is certainly little, if any, difference
between them and those of the present species.

732.

Hab.

Parus atricristatus Cass [37.]

Blaok-orested Titmouse.

Eastern Mexico, north into Southern Texas.

An inhabitant of Southern Texas and southward into Eastern
Mexico. Mr. William Lloyd states that this species is a tolerably com-
mon resident in Concho and Tom Green counties, Texas, and from
thence to El Paso is the prevailing species. Nests were found in
old Woodpecker holes April 15, 18 and 20. On the Lower Rio Grande
the Black-crested Titmouse was found to be common by Dr. James C.
Merrill and Mr. George B. Sennett, where nests containing eggs were
found in April. ■■ -asides old Woodpeckers' excavations, the nesting
sites chosen are hoilows or deep cracks in tree trunks. The nest is
composed of grasses, inner bark, feathers, moss and wool, and, like the
nest of the Blue Grosbeak, it almost invariably contains pieces of snake-
skin.

The eggs are usually five or six iu number, with a clear, white

♦ Cf. Sennett, Auk, IV, 29.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

415

ground-color, and small spots jf chestnut sparsely scattered over the sur-
face; in othe" specimens the markings are larger and more closely dis-
posed over the shell. They can be distinguished at a glance from those
of L. bicolor. The spots on the eggs of L. atricristatus are fewer and
more scattered than on those of bicolor. Five sets of these eggs are
in Mr. Norris' cabinet, all collected in Comal county, Texas. The
sizes of the eggs in the set containing the smallest specimens are
.67X.53, .65X.52, .66X.52, .65X.52, .68X.53, .66X.52; the largest
•74 X .55» -74 X .55, -74 x .54. -73 x .55, 71 x .56.

733. Parus inornatus Game. [38, />ar/.]

Plain Titmonse.

Hab. Pacific coast of the United States, from Southern California to Oregon,

The Plain or Western Tufted Titmouse is resident along the coast
of California. In some localities it is common, and in others, appar-
ently as well suited to its mode of living, it is scarce or wanting. The
nesting sites are the hollows of limbs, usually in oaks. Mr. Walter E.
Bryant, of Oakland, California, found a nest of this species placed in
the ventilator of an outbuilding. The shape of the nest conforms to
the character of the cavity in which it is built ; this is filled with fine
grasses, feathers, cow's hair, rabbit's fur, moss, and almost any soft
substance that is available. * Mr. H. R. Taylor, of Alameda, Cal-
ifornia, observes that the birds begin to construct their nests as early
as March 7, and the selection of a hole well sheltered from the rain is
a very necessary precaution. From all accounts the bird is a close
sitter ; even when a stick is thrust into the nest cavity it is met with a
vigorous resistance ; and the bird, if taken from the nest and tossed
into the air, will often return immediately and settle down on the eggs in
presence of the collector. Under these circumstances one or more of
the eggs are frequently broken or injured by the bird's claws as she is
being removed from the nest.

The eggs are five or eight in number, and may be plain white or
spotted. Mr. Frank B. Webster has kindly sent me six eggs of this
species, showing their extreme variations. Three of these are pure
white, unmarked; the fourth is very obscurely marked with reddish
specks at the larger end, while the fifth is distinctly speckled over the
entire surface with vinaceous cinnamon, but chiefly at the larger end ;
the sixth is marked generally over the entire shell. These variations
may exist in the eggs of a single set, but usually the specimens in sets
are of one type or the other — plain white or speckled. The sizes of
the six eggs just described are .68X.49, .69X.53, .71 x. 51, .72 x. 54,

Cf. Henshaw, Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, IV, pp. 182-183.

416

NESTS AND EGGS OF

.73 X .52, .74 X .53. Mr, Norris has two sets, consisting of five and eight
eggs, respectively, taken near Alameda, California, April i, 1885, and
March 20, 1886. These measure .65 x .51, ,66 x.51, ,66 x, 49, .64 x .50,
.66X.51; ,68x,53, ,69 X. 53, .66 x, 52, .69x,5i, ,68x,52, .68x,53, .68x
•53. .70X.53. .

734. Parus wollweberl (Bonap.) [39.]

Bridled Titmonse,

Hab. Western Texas, Southern New Mexico and Southern Arizona, south into Mexico.

Mr. W. E. D. Scott found this Titmouse to be a rather common
resident in the evergreen oak region of both the Pinal and Santa Cat-
alina Mountains of Arizona. It is gregarious, except during the breeding
season, going about in small companies. It was frequently found, es-
pecially in the fall and winter months, associate* with flocks of the
Plumbeous Bush-tit {Psaltripariis plumb etis) and a pair or more of Ari-
zona Woodpeckers {Dryobates Arizona) are generally found in the
band. He observes that the Bridled Titmouse is as unsuspicious and as
fond of the society of man as the Black-capped Titmouse {Partis atrica-
pillus) , On two occasions he discovered it breeding, the nests being loca-
ted in natural cavities of live oaks, close to his house. The first was found
May 9, 1884, which was in a cavity formed by decay, in an oak stump ;
the opening, which was a small knot hole where the branch had been
broken off, was about three and a half feet from the ground. The hol-
low was lined with cottonwood down, the fronds of some small rock-
ferns, and bits of cotton-waste that had been used to clean the machin-
ery of a mill near by. The nest contained three pure white, unspotted
eggs, with a pinkish tinge before being blown. Two of these were
accidentally broken ; the unbroken one measures .63 x .48. Another
nest was found May 9, 1885, in a similar location, some six feet from
the ground. In addition to the material of the nest already mentioned,
there were decayed grasses and rabbit's hair. This nest contained
four young just born and two eggs, similar to the last in color — plain,
dead white, and measure ,65 x.51, .67X.53. The eggs are said to
range from five to seven in number.

735. Parus atrlcapillus Linn [41.]

Chickadee.

Hab. Eastern North America, chiefly north of 40°, west to the Plaint.

The little Black-capped Chickadee or Titmouse is an abundant
species in Eastern United States, north of the Potomac and Ohio
Valleys. The usual nesting time is about the middle of April. Col.
Goss gives it as a common resident of Kansas, begins laying early in
April.

The nest is constructed in deserted Woodpecker holes, natural

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

417

cavities in trees, decayed stumps, hollow fence posts, etc. These
places are filled with a mass of leaves, moss, dry grasses and warmly
lined with downy feathers, hair from cattle, and often the fur of the
smaller quadrupeds.

The eggs are five to eight in number, white, speckled all over,
but most thickly at or around the larger ends with light reddish-brown.
The average size is .57 x .47.

Of this species Wilson says : "They traverse the woods in regu-
lar progression from tree to tree, tumbling, chattering and hanging from
the extremities of the branches, examining about the roots of the leaves,
buds, and crevices of the bark for insects and their larvae. They also
frequently visit the orchards, particularly in fall, the sides of the barn
and barn-yard in the same pursuit, trees in such situations being gen-
erally much infested with insects. We, therefore, with pleasure, rank
this little bird among the farmers' friends, and trust our rural citizens
will always recognize him as such."*

735a. Parus atrlcapillus septentrionalis (Harris.) [41a.]

Long-tailed Chickadee.

Hab. Rocky Mountain district (New Mexico to Alaska), west to the edge of the Great Basin, east
nearly across the Plains.

This is the Western form of P. atricapillus^ and identical \<\\h. it
in general habits. It is found as far east as Missouri, Eastern Nebraska,
and Western Minnesota along the Red River, thus slightly overlapping
the home of P. atricapillus proper. Dr. Agersborg states that it is
the only Chickadee found in Southeastern Dakota, and Colonel Goss
says it is common in Western Kansas, In the South it has been found
in Texas, where it was found mixed with the Southern Chickadee.
Prof. lyantz took a fine set of seven eggs April i^]^ at Manhattan, Kan-
sas, and the next day a set of the eggs of the Eastern form.f The
eggs of the Long-tailed Chickadee are dull white, and very uniformly
speckled with reddish-brown ; their average size is .6ox .47.

735<J. Parus atricapillus occidentalis (Baird) [41^.]

Oregon Chickadee.

Hab. Northwestern coast district of United States, from Northern California northward (to Southern
Alaska?).

A common bird along the coast region of Northern California,
Oregon and Washington Territory, possessing all the habits of the
Eastern atricapillus^ and nesting in a like manner.

The eggs of the two birds are indistinguishable. Mr. Norris has

* American Ornithology or the Natural History of the Birds of the United States. Illustrated with
Plates engraved from drawings fro;n Nature. By Alex.inder Wilson and Charles Lucian Bonaparte, Popu-
lar edition. Four vol'imes in one. Philadelphia: Porter & Coat<:s. Vol. II, p. 214..

f C/. Report on Bird Mimanon in the Mississippi Valley in the years 188-1 and 1885, by W. W. Cooke.
Edited and revised by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, Washington. Governmeut Priuting Office. 1888. P. '.^8.

,1 1

418

NESTS AND EGGS OF

two sets of the eggs of the Oregon Chickadee. One of six eggs,
taken in Coos county, Oregon, April 28; they measure .58x48, .60 x
.48, .60 X .44, .59 X .48, .62X.47, .59X.54; another containing six eggs
was taken in Pacific county, Washington Territory, from a cavity which
was lined with moss and hair, in an alder stub. These measure .61 x
.47, .60 x .48, .62 X .48, .60 X .48, .60 X .48, .61 x .48.

736. Parus carolinensis Aud. [42.]

Carolina Chlokadeoi

Hab, Eastern United States, chiefly south of 40 , west to Missouri, Indian Territory and Eastern
Texas.

The Carolina or Southern Chickadee is a common bird in Eastern
United States, chiefly south of 40°. It is supposed to be resident
throughout its range, and is particularly abundant in the Southern
States. This bird, like the Black-capped Chickadee, nests in old
Woodpeckers' excavations, natural cavities of trees, hollow fence rails,
etc., not at a great elevation. The material used in these cavities con-
sists of fine, dry grasses, shreds of fibrous bark, with a warm lining of
feathers, cattle hair and fur of the smaller quadrupeds.

The eggs are five to eight in number, white, sprinkled with specks
and small blotches of reddish-brown. In a large series, however, there
is considerable variation, both in color and size. Ten specimens
average .60X.50. The eggs are not distinguishable from those of
Parus atricapillus.

** Parus carolinensia agilis Senn.

Plumbeons Chickadee.

Hab. Eastern and Central Texas ;Bee, V'ictoria, Cook and Concho counties, etc.i.

Mr. George B. Sennett, who describes this new Chickadee * says
that it can be distinguished from its nearer.! ally, P. carolinensis^ by its
whiter underparts ; by its being almost entirely free from buff washings
on sides, and from olive and brown washings on upper parts ; and its
very pale lead color on back. Mr. J. A. Singley has sent me five eggs
of this bird which he collected in Lee county, Texas, with full details
of the bird's nidification. The nest is usually excavated in an oak
stub at elevations ranging from two to fifteen feet. Deserted Wood-
pecker holes, natural cavities in trees are commonly chosen, and occri-
sionally Martin boxes are used. The breeding season is from the last
of February to the first of May. The foundation of the nest is made
of short, green moss, mixed with animal hair, and the lining, as a rule,
is of rabbit fur. The bird sits so closely that it usually has to be lifted
from the nest.

The eggs are five to eight in number, white, variously speckled,

■•••The Auk, V, p. 46.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

419

OCCfi-

le last

made

rule,

lifted

:kled,

spotted and blotched with cinnamon-rufous. They cannot be distin-
guished from the eggs of P. atricapilhis or carolinensis^ and vary in as
great a degree, both in size and coloration, as eggs of the same species
are found to differ. The sizes of the five eggs just mentioned are
.56 X .43, .61 X .47, .62 X .50, .63 X .47, .63 X .50.

This plumbeous colored Chickadee is very likely the prevailing

form of Texas.

738. Parus gambeli Ridgw. [40.]

Mountain Cliiokadee.

Hab. Mountainous regions of Western United States.

The Mountain Chickadee inhabits the mountainous regions of
Western United States, chiefly the alpine districts. It nests in old
Woodpeckers' excavations and natural cavities of trees and stumps,
from two to twenty feet above the ground. Fibrous roots, grasses,
sheep's wool, cattle's hair, or fur of the smaller quadrupeds constitute
the materials of the nest ; these will vary with the locality. A nest of
this bird was found in a rotten stump, two feet from the ground, by
Mr. L. Belding, near Marysville, California, containing seven white
eggs. * Dr. Brewer describes a nest which was discovered by Mr.
Charles A. Allen, June 11, 1879, ^^ ^^^ mountains of Placer county, Cali-
fornia. It was constructed in an old hole of the White-headed Wood-
pecker, Xetiopicus albolarvatus^ and contained seven eggs, six of which
were pure white, unspotted, and the seventh marked over the entire sur-
face with dots of reddish-brown, f Dr. James C. Merrill found a nest of
this species in Montana, on June 18. It was in a cavity of a pine,
about sixteen feet above the ground, and contained five or six young
and one addled egg, which was dull, unspotted, chalky-white. J Dr.
Elliott Coues makes note of two white unmarked eggs of this species,
taken by William G. Smith, in Colorado. § Dr. Merrill says that this
species is perhaps the most common resident species at Fort Klamath,
Ore^jon, and in winter seldom out of sight or hearing. Between May
25 and July 4 five nests containing eggs were discovered in Wood-
peckers' holes in aspen or pine stubs.

The eggs were five to eight in number, and of the 'five sets two are
entirely unspotted ; in two, one or two eggs are pure white, the others
having faint, light brown spots, mostly at the larger end ; in the other
set two of the eggs are quite unmarked, but the others have distinct
reddish spots. He states that the female birds sit very close, and when
disturbed keep up a constant hissing, so much like that of some snakes

<• Cf. Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, III, 102-103.

t Ih. V, 47.

X lb. VI, 204-205.

§/i. VIII, 240.

■(iWi

420

NESTS AND KGGS OF

that no prudent squirrel would venture to enter the hole. * Mr. Norris
has a set of seven eggs, taken near Fort Klamath, Oregon, May 15,
1888. These are white, faintly speckled with vinaceous-cinnamon, and
measure .58x46, .58X.48, .58X.46, .58X.47, .60X.47, .60X.47, .60 x
.47. Another containing eight eggs, taken June 12, 1886, near Downer,
California, by A. M. Ingersoll, is like the last set in coloration — white,
very faintly speckled with vinaceous-cinnamon. Their sizes are .62 x
.48, .63 X .49, .63 X .47, .63 x .41, .61 x .48, .61 X .47, .60 x .46, .63 X .47.

Hab.

739. Parus cinctus obtectus (Cab.)

Siberian Chickadee.

Eastern Siberia and Nortlfern Alaska.

[44]

An inhabitant of Eastern Siberia and northern portions of Alaska.

Its habits, nesting and eggs are similar to those of P. gambeli. Eggs,

.65 X .50.

740 Paru8 hudsonicus Forst. [45.]

Hndaonlam Chlokadee.

Hab. Northern North America east of the Rocky Mountains, south to the more elevated portions of
the United States — New England, New York, Northern Michigan, Etc.

The Hudsonian Chickadee is resident in Labrador and the Hud-
son Bay region. It is given as a resident of Northern New England, and
breeds on the Island of Grand Manan, New Brunswick, Audubon found
a nest of this Chickadee in Labrador, built in a decayed stump about
three feet from the ground an> composed entirely of the finest fur of
■various quadrupeds, chiefly of the northern hair, and all so thickly and
ingeniously matted throughout as to seem as if felted by the hand of
man. Mr. Montague Chamberlain mentions several nests that were
found in New Brunswick, one of which was built in a cavity of a tele-
graph pole and others built in decayed stumps. He says that when
this species is excavating for its nest it sometimes enters from the side
of a tree and not invariably from the top of a stump. Mr. James W.
Banks, during the seasons of 1885 and 1886, discovered three nests, the
entrances of which were at the side of a decayed stump. One of these
nests is about two inches deep and is set on a cushion of dried moss,
and besides the felted fur there is considerable dry moss mixed
throughout. The entrance was about six inches from the top of the
nestf

The eggs are usually six or seven in number. A set of seven in Mr.
Norris' cabinet was taken June 9, 1876, at Grand Manan, New Bruns-
wick, from a cavity in a dead tree about five feet from the ground.
They are creamy-white sprinkled with hazel. Sizes .55 x .48, .58 x .46,
.60 x .46, .56 x .47, .56 x .47, .56 X .47, .55 X .48. The eggs of the

* Cf. The Auk, V, 363-364.

t Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VIII, p. 10, and Auk, IV, 261.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

421

Hudsonian Chickadee are described as white, sparingly spotted with
reddish-brown and hazel, often gronped in a circle about the larger
end ; average size .58 x . 50.

741 Parus rufescens Towns [46.]

vOheatnnt-liaoked Chickadee.

Hab. Northwestern coast — Oregon, Washington Territory, Uritish Columbia, and Southern Alaslut.

The Chestnut-backed Chickadee is an inhabitant of the North-
west coast where, in some regions, it is rather common. Mr. A. W.
Anthony gives it as a common winter resident of Washington county,
Oregon. It was first seen by him in December, 1884, in company with
the Oregon Chickadee, Paris atrtcapilhis occidentalis, A few lingered
to breed, but disappeared as soon as the first brood was raised. A nest
was found April 28, in a large fur stub three feet four inches in diame-
ter, running horizontally three inches then turning downward for six
inches before opening into the nest, which was of cow and rabbit hair.
It contained seven eggs with large embryos. These Mr. Anthony
does not describe and there appears to be no published account of
them. They are probably very similar to those of the Californian
Chickadee, P. ru/escens ncglectus.

741rt Parus rufescens neglectus Rinow. [46a.]

Californian Chiohadee.

Hab. Coast district of California.

This bird is confined to the coast regions of California where Mr.
W. O. Emerson informs me it can always be found in the redwood
belts. He has only seen two birds of this species in the vicinity
of Haywards, which is doubtless on account of there being no redwood
timber. It nests in cavities of trees and stumps, and in old Wood-
peckers' excavations, making the nest of quadrupeds' hair.

Six or seven eggs are usually deposited. A set of six eggs in Mr.
Emerson's collection was taken by Mr. George H. Ready, April 13,
1885, in Santa Cruz county, California. They were taken from an old
cavity of a Gairdner's Woodpecker in a maple stub, eight feet from
the ground. The eggs are similar to some specimens of the Black-
capped Chickadee, Parus atricapillus^ being white, sparsely marked
over the entire surface with red spots, and tending to form a ring at
the larger end; average size is .63 x .47.

742. Chamaea fasciata Game. [35, ;>a'^'.]

Wren-Tit.

Hab. Coast region of California.

The Groimd-Tit or Wren-Tit, which partakes of the features of a
wren and a titmouse, may not be considered a common species in the
Pacific Coast region of California. On account of its retired habits

422

NESTS AND EGGS OF

it is seldom seen. It frequents the shrubbery of out-of-the-way
ravines and solitary canons, often where there is no water. The nest
is built in low bushes from two to four feet above the ground, is cup-
shape in form, with thick walls, and compactly made ot bark-strips,
grasses, fibrous roots, lined with cattle hair. The cavity measures
about three inches in width and three-fourths deep. The breeding
season begins in May, and two broods are usually reared in a season.
From three to five eggs are laid, four being the usual complement;
they are of a plain pale blue, a shade darker than those of the Black-
throated Bunting or Dickcissel, Spiza americana.

Eight eggs of this species, collected by Mr. R. B. Herron in San
Gorgonia Pass give the following respective measurements : .68 x .54,
.66 X .54, .69 X .58, .77 X .56, .75 X .55, .76 X .56, .75 X.55. The average
size is .73 X .56. Mr. Emerson informs me that the birds sit very close
on the nest, and when flushed immediately set up a hissing or cricket-
like sound.

The Pallid Wren-Tit, Chamera fasciata henshaxvi Ridgw. is a paler
form, inhabiting the interior regions of California.

743. Psaltriparus minimus (Towns.) [47,/ar^.]

Biuh-Tit.

Hab. Northwest coaHt, from Northern Ciilifornia to Washington Territory.

This is a darker-colored species than the California Bush-Tit. It
is a common resident of Oregon and northward into Washington Ter-
ritory. Breeds preferredly in thickets of ash and willow, building a
beautiful pensile nest like that represented in our illustration of P. m.
californicus. Mr. Norris has a set of seven eggs of this species which
was taken near Salem, Oregon. The nest was made of moss and hair
and was situated in a sapling, fourteen feet from the ground. The
eggs are pure white, unmarked, and measure .60 x .41, .59 x .41, .59 x
.41, .59 X .41, .59 X .40, .57 X .41, .58 X .40.

743<r. Psaltriparus minimus californicus Ridgw. [47, /ar/.]

California Bush-Tit.

Hab. California, except northern coast distric. .

This lighter colored Bush-Tit is a common bird in California. It
frequents bushes and low shrubbery, and very actively hops among the
branches, hanging from them in the manner of other Titmice. The
beautiful and bulky purse-shaped nest built by this species seems out
of all proportions to the diminutive size of the bird. The one shown
in our illustration is drawn from a typical specimen collected near
Santa Paula, California, by Dr. S. P. Guiberson, April 11, 1885. It was
suspended from a small, forked twig, eight feet from the ground. It

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

423

the
fhe

tax

ras
It

is six inches long. Prof. Evermann says that the nests vary all the
way from four to twenty-two inches in length.

From five to nine pure white, unmarked eggs are laid, commonly
six or seven. Ten eggs out of a number collected by Mr. R. B. Her-
ron in San Gorgonia Pass in May, measure .51 x .40, .53 x .40, .51 x .39,
•54 X .40, .55 X .41, -56 X .41, .54 X .41, .55 X .43, .54 X .44, .54 X .42.
744. Psaltrlparus plumbeus Baird. [48.]

The Lead-colored Bnah-Tlt.

Hnb. Rocky Mountain district, from W;:stern Colnrado and Wyoming Territory to Eastern Orvgon
and Western Nevada, south to Southern New Mexico and Arizona

The following is Captain Charles E. Bendire's account of the nest-
ing and eggs of this species;

"Although this little Bush-Tit is a widely distributed species
throughout the West, and has been known to naturalists for more than
thirty years, nothing whatever has been placcil on record respecting
its nesting habits. The credit for the discovery of their nests and eggs
belongs to Lieutenant Benson, who found them breeding abundantly
in the vicinity of Fort Huachuca during the month of April, 1887.
Their favorite abiding places seemed to be along dry water-courses, up
narrow ravines, running into the mountains and on the flats, covered
with scrub-oak, between the hill-sides; he says that they are exceed-
ingly tame, perfectly iniconscious of danger, and will work on their
nests with a person not ten feet away from them. They are one of the
first birds to arrive in the spring, but are not resident throughout the

year.

"The nests, of which a number are before me, are all more or less

gourd-like in form ; that is, considerably narrower near the top than
around the bottom. They are not strictly pensile, but are woven into
and supported by small twigs and branches of the oak bushes {Qner-
cus undnlaia?) in which they are built. Several xiests were placed in
bunches of a species of mistletoe (probably Phorcdcndron fiavesccns)^
and in these cases the nests are supported and placed directly in the
forks of this plant. They vary in length from 7 to 93^ inches and from
4 to 5 inches in diameter. The entrance to the nest is on the side,
near the top of the structure, about three-quarters of an inch in diame-
ter. The inner cavity is from 4 to 5 inches deep, and about \y> inches
in diameter. The nests are outwardly composed of the dried, curled-
up leaves of the white sage, plant-down of a pinkish tint, spider webs,
small bits of mosses and lichens, and are thickly lined inside with soft,
small feathers. The walls of the nest increase in thickness from top
to bottom, so that while near the top they are not over three- eighths
of an inch through, near the bottom they are fully ij^ inches thick.

.■.iliii;ll

I'tlill

424

NESTS AND EGGS OF

The nests are placed in about equal proportions in low oak bushes,
from five to seven feet from the ground, generally well concealed by
the roli?we, or in bunches of mistletoe in oak or mesquite trees, from
15 to 20 feet high. Some of these birds commenced building in th*:
first week of March, but no eggs were discovered in any of the nests
tall fully a month later, the first ones being taken April 8, 1887.

"The number of eggs to a set varies from four to six, five being
the most common number found. Probably two or more broods are
raised during the season. The eggs are pure white in color, ovate in
shape, and measure ,56 x .42 inches for the largest to .49 x .40 for the
smallest. Their average size is .53 x .40 inch." *

Capt. B. F. Goss has a set of four eggs of the Lead-colored Bush-
Tit, taken near Fort Huachuca, Arizona, April 10, 1887. These meas-
ure .55 X .45, .55 X .44, .56 X .45, .58 X .44.

746. Auriparus flaviceps (Sund.) [50.]

Verdin.

Hab. Northern regions of Mexico and contiguous portions of the United States, from Southern
Texas to Arizona and Lower California.

The little Yellow-headed Bush-TiL or Verdin is a common bird in
suitable localities throughout the arid regions of Northern Mexico, the
southern portions of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and in Lower Cali-
fornia. It is smaller than the largest North American Hummingbird,
Eugenes fulgens^ which inhabits Southern Arizona and southward.
This species measures about 5.00 in length, while the length of the
Verdin varies from 4.00 to 4.60 inches. Notwithstanding the diminu-
tive size of the bird, it builds a ren^arkable structure for a nest — large,
and bulky, and a marvel of bird architecture. It is comparatively easy
to find, being built near the ends of the branches of some low, thorny
tree or shrub — in the numerous varieties of cacti and thorny bushes
which grow in the regions of its home.

The nest is globular, flask-shaped or retort-shape in form, the
ijmtside being one mass of thorny twigs and stems interwoven, while
tlie middle is composed of flower stems and the lining is of feathers.
The entran.e is a small circular opening. Mr. Sennett took a number
®f the birds, nests and eggs at Lomita, on the Lower Rio Grande. Dr.
Merrill did not observe this species in the immediate vicinity of Fort
Brown, Texas, but it was rather common at Edinburgh in April and
May, frequenting mostly aniaigosa chapparal. Mr. H. P. Atwater
found it a resident and quite common at San Antonio, Bex-ir county,
Texas, where a number cf skins, nests and eggs were taken in 1884;

• N. >! on p '•ollection of Bird-.' Nests and Eggs from Southern Arizona Territory. By Capt. Chas.
%, Bcdirc. U. S. ceedings of U. S. National Museum, 1887, pp. 557-558.

iy^j«u,jHJ._^.|!l,m ■

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

425

the first nest was found March 31, and contained four fresh eggs. Mr.
Atwater says that the birds occupy the nests during the winter months,
and the inside is made much warmer by the addition of feathers. The
birds are generally found nesting i« the high, dry parts of the country,
away from tall timber, where the thorns are the thickest.

From three to six eggs are deposited, of a bluish or greenish-white
or pale blue, speckled, chiefly round the larger end, with reddish-
brown. Their averave size is .59 x. 43.

748. Regulus satrapa Light. [33.]

Ooldenoorowned Kinglet.

Hab. Eastern and Northern North America as far west as the Rocky Mountains. Breeds in the
northern and elevated portions of United States northward; wintering nearly throughout Eastern United
States southward to Northern Central America

Although a dainty little creature, the Golden-crowned Kinglet ap-
pears to be of a hardy nature, being found during the winter months
nearly throughout the Eastern States. Breeds from the northern por-
tions of the United States northward, moving south in the fall, return-
ing northward in spring, and retiring to its breeding grounds. It is
resident in Northern New England.

Mr. H. D. Minot found a nest of this species containing young, in
the White Mountains of New Hampshire, July 16, 1876. * The late
Dr. T. M. Brewer describes a nest which doubtless belonged to this
bird, and which was found in the neighborhood of Bangor, Maine. It
contained ten eggs and was built in a fir tree, at an altitude of six feet.
It consisted of a large bail of green moss, about four and a half inches
in diameter. A nest was found by Dr. Northrup at Caribou, Maine,
containing an incomplete set (five eggs). It was placed j.artly pend-
ant from a horizontal branch of a small hemlock at the edge of a for-
est. Mr. Chat;. H. Andros records a nest containing ten eggs, taken
"on or about June i," at Grand Manan, New Brunswick. This nest
was saddled on a spruce limb and was similar in shape to the nest of
the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, but much larger and deeper, and was ex-
ternally covered with green moss, cobwebs and lichens, internally
lined with soft down and sheep's wool, t

By far the best account we have of the nidification of the Golden-
crested Kinglet is that recently given by Mr. William Brewster, who
found it nesting in a dense woods of mixed pines and spruce, on low,
rather swampy ground, in the neighborhood of Winchendon, Worces-
ter county, i\Iass. | W'ith the assistance of Messrs. C. E. Bailey, S. W.
Denton and H. M. Spelman, three nests were secured, two with sets of

f Minot's Land and Game Birds of New England, p. 56.
t Ornithologist and Oologist, XII, 203-201.
t The Auk, V, 337-S«.

I '

i\ \

426

NESTS AND EGGS OF

it "

Pi!

nine eggs each. They were found June 13, 16, and 17, (1888), respect-
ively, and were all taken on the 29th. The first was placed in a tall,
slender spruce, within about two feet of the top of the tree, and at
least sixty feet above the ground ; suspended among the fine pendant
twigs, about two i aches below a short horizontal branch, some twelve
inches out from the main stem ; the second was in a heavily-limbed
spruce, about fifty feet above the ground, twenty feet below the top of the
tree, six feet out from the branch, in a dense cluster of stiff radiating
twigs ; the third was also in a spruce, thirty feet from the ground,
twelve feet out from the main stem and five feet from the end of the
branch. This nest on the 29th contained no eggs, and was evidently de-
serted ; it was found in a dilapidated condition. In position the first
nest resembles that of the Baltimore Oriole, being near the ends of
long, drooping twigs. The second is built more like a Vireo's, but
with this difference, that instead of being suspended by its upper edges
only, and between the forks of a single stem, it is supported on every
side, and from the top nearly to the bottom, by numerous stiff, radiat-
ing twigs. It is nevertheless a distinctly pensile nest. The third is
different from either of the others in position. Placed nearly midway
between two stoiit branches, which in leality are forks of the same
branch, one above the other, and attached by the sides and upper
edges to the twigs which depend from the branch above, while its bot-
tom rests firmly on a bristling platform of stems which rise from
the branch below. Thus it is at once pensile and non-pensile.

The material used in the construction of these nests on the exte-
rior is chiefly green mosses, diversified with grayish lichens and usnea,
the whole resembling the general color of the surrounding foliage.
The interior at the bottom is lined with delicate strips of soft inner
bark and fine black rootlets. Near the top are rather numerous feath-
ers of the Ruffed Grouse, Red Crossbill, Hermit Thrush, and Oven-
bird, arranged with the points of the quills down, the tips rising to or
slightly above the rim, and arching inward over the cavity, forming a
screen that partially concealed the eggs. In both nests, the space be-
ing too small f< the accommodation of the numerous eggs, they were
piled in two layers, one above the other. In the first nest the num-
ber in each layer was not noted, but in the second five eggs were in
the lower layer and four in the upper. All of these nests were found
by watching the birds building; and, taking into consideration the
dim light of dense spruce woods, the torture one must endure from
mosquitoes while watching the erratic and piizzling movements of the
birds flying from branch to branch with their bills filled with material,

a-jj,.u Ji

■?fsp^ ■

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

427

the rapidity and unaccountable way in which the substance was often
deposited in the clusters of dense foliage, made it a very difficult and
tedious task to locate the nest in the many similar dark clusters in the
spruces. * •

The eggs vary from creamy-white to exceedingly deep, often some-
what muddy, cream color, sprinkled with numerous markings of pale
wood-brown, varying from small dots to blotches. Three specimens
are described by Mr. Brewster as having spots and blotches of faint
lavender. The markings of most of the specimens are distributed
pretty thickly over the entire shell, but in nearly all they are most nu-
merous about the larger ends, where they form a more or less distinct
wreath. The wsizes of Set A, nine eggs, are .56 x .44, .57 x .44, .55 x .42,
•57 X .43, -57 X .44. -56 X .45, .57 X .44, .57 X .44.

748«. Regalus satrapa olivaceus Baird [33d.]

'Western Goldeu-orowned Kinglet.

Hab. Pacific coast region from California to Sitka,

The nesting and eggs of this Pacific coast form of Golden-crowned
Kinglet are similar to those of J^. satrapa.

749. ..egul'ds calendula (Linn.) [30.]

Rnby-orowned Kinglet*

Hab. Entire North America, breeding from the northern border and higher mountains of the United
States northward. Winters in more Southern United States and southward to Northern Central America.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet breeds from the extreme northern
border and higher mountains of the United States northward. Mr.
W. E. D. Scott took a nest containing five eggs on June 25, at Twin
Lakes, Colorado. The nest w^as suspended to the leaves of the utter-
most twigs of a pine tree, much like a Vireo's nest, and about twelve
feet from the ground. Mr. Frank M. Drew states that in San Juan
c.cunty, Colorado, this bird breeds from 7000 to loooo feet altitude. A
nest taken July 5 was placed in the uppermost branches of a spruce
thirty feet from the ground — in one of those dark masses where the
cones grow thickest. It contained four young and one addled egg.
Dr. Merrill found a nest ot this species containing eight eggs, in Mon-
tana, on the - jth of June, at an elevation of 7700 feet. It was in a
fir tree about eighteen feet from the ground, and placed directly against
the trunk, supported by a single branch beneath, and by several twigs
to which the sides were firmly attached. Di. Merrill also found these

" Mr. Brewster says that in her flights after building material the female went a distance of a hundred
yards or more, but oftener she confined her quest to the trees within a radius of fifty yards or less of the one
which concealed the nest. She was invariably followed closely by the male, who. however, did not assist her
in any way ether than by singing almost incessantly in an undert.ne. In the case of the nests discovered,
the males' singing was the characteristic performance which attracted attention to the spot where the fe-
male was at w*rk. '

.1
i'l

428

NESTS AND EGGS OK

Il|:

birds common about Fort Klamath, Oregon, apparently placing their
nests in uense firs. Mr. Montague Chamberlain records a nest which
was taken at Lennoxville, Quebec, May 15, 1882. This was pensile,
and was attached to the branch of a small tree. It contain-'^d nine
eggs, one of them a Cowbird's.

The nests of the Ruby-crown vary somewhat in their general
style of structure and in composition. They are usually semi-pensile,
neatly and well made with soft, thick walls, composed of moss, fine
strips of bark, and well lined with feathers of various birds, which
are woven into the sides and bottom of the structure.

The eggs are five to nine in number, and are dull whitish or pale
buffy, faintly speckled or spotted with light brown, chiefly at the larger
ends. Their average size is .55 x .43. Some of the eggs of this bird are
said to be nearly plain.

750. Regulus obscurus Ridgw. [31.]

Dusky Kinglet.

Hab. Guadalupe Island, Lower California.

Mr. Walter E. Bryant found the Dusky Kinglet frequenting more
numerously the large cypress grove on Guadalupe Island ; they were
also found in the smaller groves and among the pines. As early
as the middle of February, nest-building was in order, the birds select-
ing the topmost foliage of a cypress, and sometimes the very outer ex-
tremity of a horizontal branch. After many days' diligent search,
three nests were observed, and these were detected by watching the
birds collect building material, or by tracing to its source a peculiar,
low song which the male sometimes sings when close to the nest.
These nests were all found over twenty feet high, and only one could
be seen from the ground, and that merely during the intervals when
the wind parted the branches. They were placed in the midst of a
thick bunch of foliage and but lightly secured to the twigs. Compact,
though not very smooth in structure, they were composed of soft bark-
strips intermingled with feathers, bits of moss, fine grass and cocoons.
Additional warmth is secured by a quantity either of goat's hair or
feathers, and, lastly, a thin lining of goat's hair. Their external meas-
urement is aboiit 70 mm. in height by 90 mm. in diameter, while the
internal depth is about 45 mm., and diameter 35 to 45 mm. *

A nest containing two fresh eggs was fonnd March 24, in the
top of a slender cypress twenty-five feet high. It could not be seen
from the ground, but was located by the subdued song of the male
bird. In color the eggs are white, with a dense wreath of pale yellow-

* External height about 2 76, diameter 3.5-1; internal depth 1.77, and diameter 1.38 to 1.77.

»^

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

429

ish-brown spots encircling the larger end. In some places these spots
appear to be laid over a pale lavender washing, and in one specimen,
these fine, almost indistinct dots extend sparingly over the entire sur-
face. They measure in millimeters, 14 x ii and 15 x 11. f

751 Polioptila caerulea (Linn.) [27.]

Bine-gray Onatoatoher.

Hab. United States chiefly south of latitude 42'-. Winters in the Gulf States, Cuba and Bahamas,
occasionally Mexico and Northern Central America. Rare north toward the Great Lakes, Southern New
York, Southern New England.

The Blue-gray Gnatcatcher is an abundant bird throughout most
of the wooded districts of the United States, breeding in suitable
places, south of 42°. As a work of beauty and ingenious architectural
design the nest of this bird has few equals in this country. On the whole
it is a rather frail structure, usually built in the small upright twigs or
saddled on the horizontal limbs of trees at heights ranging from ten to
fifty feet, but generally at an elevation of about fifteen or twenty feet.
The typical nest has high, compact walls, contracted at the brim and
gracefully turned ; the interior is deeply cupped, and the exterior is beauy
tifully ornamented with lichens. The nest shown in our illustration
is selected from eight specimens which I took on a little island in the
Scioto river, Franklin county, Ohio, May 27, 1885. Ten nests of this
species collected by Mr. R. B. Herron in San Gorgonia Pass, California,
are entirely deficient of the lichens which characterize the Ohio nests.
The interior is composed of soft downy materials — cotton-like sub-
stances of withered blossoms and the silky down of the milkweed
— fine wiry grasses, stems of old leaves, horse hair and an occasional
feather from the breast of the bird is intermingled. The cavity meas-
ures from one to one and a half inches deep, and about the same in
diame ter. At a short distance the nest often looks like a round knot
protruding from the limb.

The eggs are four or five in number ; their ground-color is green-
ish or bluish-white, speckled with chestnut, and in some the markings
are of a darker brownish tinge. Ten specimens measure, .55 x .42, .56
X .43, .57 x .45, .58 X .45, .57 x .42, .56 x .41, .58 x .47, .59 x .44, .58 x .44,

•59 X 45-

752. Polioptila plumbea Baird. [28.]

PlumbeouB Gnatoatoher.

Hab. Southwestern border of the United States — Southern Texas to Lowek Rio Grande Valley;
Northern Mexico and Lower California to Cape St. Lucas.

A nest of the Plumbeous Gnatcatcher was taken at Yuma, Arizona,
by Mr. F. Stephens, July 15, 1881. It was placed in a bunch of mistle-
toe, at a height of about eight feet from the ground, and contained one

t .55 X AZ, .5!) X .43.

(hv.

430

NESTS AND EGGS OF

hi;

IS-

egg of its owner and one of the Dwarf Cowbird. Mr. William Brews-
ter says that although a delicate structure the nest will not compare
with that of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, entirely lacking the exterior
coating of lichens, but in its general appearance closely resembles the
Redstart's, being felted with soft bark-strips and hemp-like vegetable
fibres. It was lined with plant down, a few feathers and the hair of
some small quadruped. Mr. Brewster describes the eggs as pale green-
ish-blue, coarsely and very evenly spotted with reddish-brown ; size
.53 X .42. * Mr. Stephens found two nests of the Black-capped Gnat-
catcher at Yuma, Arizona, in May, 1886, containing four eggs each ;
one of these contained an egg of Molothriis ater obsairns. f A set
of four eggs in Mr. Norris' collection was taken April 4, 1886, near
Pima, Arizona. They exactly resemble those of P. cceculea, and meas-
ure .55 X .42, .52 X .42, .53 x .43, .54 X .43. ^

753. PoUoptila californica Brewst. [29.]

Black-tailed Gnatoatoher.

Hab. Pacific coast of Southern California and northern portion of Lower California.

" This gnat-catcher was first described by Mr. William Brewster,
from specimens collected by Mr. F. Stephens, near Riverside, San
Bernardino county, California, March 28, 1878.

*'A nest and four eggs of this species have recently been obtained
from Mr. Stephens, to whom the credit belongs for the discovery of
the first specimens. These were taken near the town of San Bernar-
dino, California, on May 2, 1887, and are now in the National Museum
collection (Catalogue No. 23294).

"The nest of P. californica^ like that of P. pliimbea Baird, from
Arizona Territory, differs radically iu its structure from that of its
Eastern relative, P. cccrulea (Linn.), which is too well known to orni-
thologists to require description. It lacks entirely the artistic finish of
the lichen-covered structure of the former, and resembles more in
shape certain forms of the nest of the Summer Yellow Warb'ler, Den-
droica cestiva (Gml.), and the American Redstart, Setophaga ruticilla
(Linn.).

"The nest is cone-shaped, built in the forks of a small shrub, a
species of mahogany, Coleogyne ramosessima (Torr.) I think, only
two feet from the ground, and it is securely fastened to several of the
twigs among which it is placed. Its walls are about half an inch in
thickness. The material of which the nest is composed, is well quilt-
ed together and makes a compact and solid structure. Externally the

* Bull. Nutt. Ornith. Club, VII, p. 77.

t Bull. No. 2, Ridgway Or.iithological Club; April, 1887, pp. 5ft-57.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

4;u

nest is composed principally of hemp-like vegetable fiber mixed with
small curled-up leaves of the white sage, Eiirotia lanata^ plant-down,
and fragments of spiders' webs. Inside the nest is lined with the
same hemp-like fiber, only mnch finer, and a few feathers. The cavi-
ty of the nest is cup-shaped and rather deep. Externally the nest
measures 2>^ inches in diameter by 3^ inches in depth. The inner
diameter is 13^ inches by i^x inches in depth. Compared with a nest
of Polioptila plumbea Baird, now before me, from Arizona Territory,
it seems much better constructed and also somewhat larger.

" I took three nests of the latter species near Tucson, Arizona, dur-
ing the months of May and June, 1872. Two of these were placed in
bunches of mistletoe, probably PJwredendron flavcscens^ growing on
mesquite trees from twelve to twenty feet from the ground ; and one
of them is described in the ' History of North American Birds,' by
Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, Volume III, page 502. The third nest
was placed in a crotch of a cholla cactus.

" The ground-color of the eggs of the Polioptila californica Brews-
ter is bright light green, much more pronounced than in the eggs of
either P. ccsrulea and P. plinnbeay now before me. They are covered
with minute spots of a brownish-red color distributed irregularly over
the entire surface of the egg, but nowhere so thick as to hide the
ground-color. These eggs measure .50 x .45, .58 x .45, .57 x 45, and .57

X .44 inch." *

754, Myadestes townsendii (Aud.) [25.]

Toiviisend's Solitaire.

Hab, Western United States, from the Plains to the Pacific.

So far as I am aware, Mr. Wilbur F. Lamb took the first known
eggs of Townsend's Fly-catching Thrush. This was in Summit coun-
ty, Colorado, July, 1876, at an altitude of about ten thousand feet. The
nest was placed in the upper bank of a miner's ditch near Blue River;
it was partly concealed by overhanging roots, yet rendered conspicuous
by the loose, swaying material of which it was composed. Mr. T. M.
Trippe found a nest of this species in San Juan county, Colorado, July
9, at an altitude of 10500 feet ; it was built in a little cranny in a bank,
and contained four eggs in which incubation had just begun. Dr.
Coues describes a nest taken by Mr. Wm. G. Smith, of Buffalo Creek,
Jefferson county, Colorado. This was found June 18, 1883, and was
built in the end of a hollow fallen log; it was about three feet off the
ground and about one foot from the end of the log. The foundation
of the nest was a great quantity of trash, bits of sticks, etc., the nest
proper being constructed chiefly of pine needles, grasses, and disinte-

Capt. Chas. E. Bendire, U. S. A. Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. M9-.550.

'H»'

432

NESTS AND EGGS OF

grated weed-stalks — the whole, loose and slovenly, could hardly be han-
dled without coining apart.

Mr. Walter E. Bryant describes the location of three nests taken
by Mr. L. Belding, at Big Trees, California, in various years, in June.
They were placed on the ground in a slight depression, and concealment
was attempted by the aid of weeds, a stone, or a large piece of bark.
One nest was built on the ground, within the semi-circular cavity of a
standing tree. The nests were composed mostly of pine needles. Mr.
Norris has a set of four eggs of this species, taken near Hancock, Col-
orado, June 19, 1882. The nest was placed on the ground, on the side
of a steep bank. The eggs are whitish, speckled and spotted with ha-
zel, thickest at the larger end, where they are almost confluent ; sizes,
.94 X .68, .93 X .68, .94 X .68, .98 x .65. Mr. Lamb describes the eggs
which he obtained as resembling those of the Shrikes, and gives the
sizes of three specimens preserved out of the set of fol^r as i.oi x.66,
.94 X .68, .88 X .66. The usual number laid is four, with an average
size of .93 X .67.

755. Tardus mustelinus Gmel. [ i.]

Wood Thrush.

Hab. F.astern United States, in summer north to Southern Michigan, Ontario, Massachusetts, etc. ;
south in winter to Northern Central America and Cuba.

A common bird in the woodland of Eastern United States and as
far West as Eastern Kansas, where Col. Goss gives it as an abundant
summer resident. Its favorite resorts are low, damp woods and thickets,
where it spends much of its time on the ground scratching among the
leaves. The bird has a sweet song, which it sings from the higher
branches of trees, generally towards the close of summer afternoons.
The nest is usually saddled upon the horizontal limbs of saplings and
low trees, six to ten feet from the ground ; on the outside it is com-
posed of leaves, grasses and stems of weeds, which are gathered when
wet, and become solid and firm ; and between these are tracings of
mud ; the lining is of small fibrous roots. The breeding season is in
May. Usually four eggs are laid, often only three. Their color is a
plain greenish-blue, and their average size is 1.02 x .74, with consider-
able variation.

756. Turdus fuscescens Steph. [2.]

Wilton's Thrnah.

Hab. Eastern United States and British Provinces to the Plains, north to Manitoba, Ontario, Anti-
costi, and Newfoundland.

Wilson's, the Tawny Thrush, or Veery, is an abundant species in
the wooded regions of Eastern United States. It is rather partial to
low, wet woods. Breeds from about latitude 40° north to Manitoba,
Ontario, Anticosti, and Newfoundland. It has been considered a

tofyright iSS6,

PLATE XIU.

NEST OK CALIFORNIA BUSH-TIT.

(Psaliri/>a'iis minimus cal'/ornicui ,)

Page 422.

ft :■

lik.

NORTH AMERICAN HIRDS.

-133

doubtful brecdiug bird iu Ceutral Ohio, has lately proven to be
(juite counuou durinj^ the summer months. I took a nest May 27,
1H85, in the characteristic position — at the base of a sapling in swam])y
woods. The nest is of the usual type, composed of leaves, strips of
grapevine bark, weed stems, and lined with black rootlets. This nest
contained three eggs of its owner and one of the Cowbird.

An illustration of ;i Wilson's Thrush's nest appears in Jones' mag-
nificent work, " Nests and Kggs of liirds of Ohio," which was taken
May 21, 1884. Dr. Jones took another nest which was phiced at the
base of the leaf of the skunk-cabbage plant, eighteen inches from the
ground, at the edge of swampy woods. Nests of this bird have been
found in hollow trunks of trees, fifteen feet from the ground, and in old
tin cans lying on the ground in the woods. The eggs are four or five
in number, and are plain, pale greenish-blue; average size, .87 x .64.

756rt. Turdus fucescens salicicolus (Kinow.)

WUlow Thriuh.

n.(li. Rocky Mountain region of tlie United St;ites, cast casii.illy during llic migration to Dakota,
Minnesota, Illinois, etc.

The Willow Tawny Thrush inhabits the hnver willowy portions of
the Rocky Mountain region in United States. IIal)its, nests and eggs
are similar to those of Wilson's Thrush. J'^ggs, .85 x .66.

757. Turdus allciffi Haiku (3]

Oray-vkeokod Thrush*

Hab. Eastern North Anierica, west to the (ireat I'lains, Alaska, Kastirn Siberia north to the Arctic
coast. In winter south to Costa Kica.

The Gray-cheeked Thrush breeds from Labrador and Hudson Bay
north to the Arctic coast and the coast of Bering Sea. It has been
found breeding abundantly in the Mackenzie River region and on the
Anderson River. The nests were found, with all but few exceptions,
on the branches of low trees, Ironi two to seven feet iiom the ground.
In a few exceptional cases they were built on the ground. They
are usually compact, and composed of an elaborate interweaving of
fine sedges, leaves, stems, dry grasses, strips of fine bark and lined
with fine grasses. Occasionally nests are found constructed with nnid,
like those of the common Robin.

The eggs are usually four in number, and are greenish-blue,
marked with spots of russet and yellowish-brown. Capt. B. F. Goss
has two eggs of this species, taken hv Mr. R. R. MacFarlane, at P'ort
Anderson, Arctic America. The nest from which these were taken
was placed in a low tree. The eggs are greenish-blue, faintly marked
over the entire surface with reddish -brown. Their sizei . re .91 x .71,
.91 X .72.

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434 NESTS AND EGGS OF

757a. Turdus aliciJB bicknelli (Ridgw,) [3, /ar/.]

Biokneirs Thrash.

Hab. In summer, higher mountains of Northeastern United States ( Catskills, White Mountains,
etc.), and Nova Scotia. Winter home unknown.

This Thrush, recently identified in the Catskill and White Moun-
tains, and named in honor of its discoverer, Mr. Eugene P. Bicknell.
was found breeding by the Rev. J. H. Langille, on Mud and Seal
Islands, out at sea off the coast of Nova Scotia and westward from the
city of Yarmouth. These are almost entirely covered with a low
growth of evergreens — black spruce and balsam fir. Except the
Robin, Song Sparrow, Snowbird, a few Redstarts and Winter Wrens,
almost the only small land-birds breeding here are the Black-poll
Warbler and Bicknell's Thrush — the last two being very abundant.
Mr. Langille says that its song is similar in tone to that of Wilson's
Thrush, but more slender and wiry, and therefore not nearly so grand
and musical. The birds were found nesting in the almost impenetra-
ble evergreen thickets, beneath which there is a dense carpet of moss.
The nests were all nearly alike in location, structure and mater-
ials; placed a few feet from the ground, against the trunk of an ever-
green tree. They were composed of various kinds of mosses, a few
fine sticks, weed-stems and rootlets, and were lined with fine bleached
grasses. The nest on the outside was as green as a bunch of fresh
moss. The eggs were of a light bluish-green speckled with brown;
size, .87 X .63. *

758. Tardus ustulatus (Nutt.) [4]

Bnaset-haoked Thrash.

Hab. Pacific coast region, north to Sitka; south, in winter, through Western Mexico, to Northern
Central America.

The Russet-backed Thrush is a common species in suitable locali-
ties along the Pacific coast of California and northward. Mr. A. W.
Anthony states that it is not an uncommon summer resident of Wash-
ington county, Oregon. The bird frequents the deepest thickets, and
when disturbed utters an alarm note like that of the Brown Thrasher,
chuck^ chuck. It is also a fine songster, and may be heard at dusk and
early morning. The nest is built in thickets or bushes, a few feet
above the ground. It is composed of twigs, grasses, roots and leaves,
and in some cases mosses are used. A set of four eggs taken near San
Jose, California, May 18, 1885, gives the following dimensions: .92 x
.65, .95 x .66, .97 X .68, .97 x .68. They are greenish-blue spotted with
yellowish-brown, chiefly about the larger end. The average size of
ten specimens is .94 x .65.

* Our Birds in their Haunts: A Popular Treatise on the Birds of Eastern North America By Rev,
Hibbert Langille, M. A. Boston: P. E. Cassino & Co. 1884. Pp. 511-613.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

435

758a. Turdas ustalatns swainsonii (Cab.) [4a.]

Olive-baoked Thrnali.

Hab. Eastern North Amcica, west to and including Rocky Mountains, and as far as East Hum-
boldt ranges and the Upper Columbia. Breeds chiefly north of the United States, wintering from the Gulf
States and Mississippi Valley southward to Northern South America.

The Olive-backed Thrush breeds chiefly north of the l/nited
States. It is g;iven as a common breeding bird in the Wahsatch
Mountains, Utah. Mr. Kennicot found it nesting in the Arctic
regions, frequently placing the nest not more than two feet from the
ground. In his Catalogue of the Birds of New Brunswick,* Mr. M.
Chamberlain gives it as a summer resident, breeding in abundance.
Breeds abundantly in Nova Scotia. In some parts of Maine and
New Hampshire it is the commonest Thrush, except the Robin,
during the breeding season, f Mr. Frank H. L<attin has for two
successive years found nests and eggs of the Olive-backed Thrush
at Gaines, Orleans county. New York, within a short distance of his
residence. Dr. Morris Gibbs has taken its nest and eggs in Kala-
mazoo county, Michigan. It may be found breeding in Northern
Ohio. This species, like the Hermit Thrush, frequents retired wood-
land, but its mode of nesting (except the structure of the nest), as
well as its eggs, are quite different.

The nest is built in a bush or small forest tree, a few feet from the
ground — usually from five to eight feet. It is composed of a mass of
leaves, twigs, shreds of bark, and, in the Arctic regions, moss is one of
the principal substances which enter into its composition. The nests
average about four inches in diameter by two in height, the cavity be-
ing three wide by one and a half deep. The eggs are usually deposit-
ed in the first part of June, these being three or four in number, of
greenish-blue (some much duller than others), speckled with reddish-
brown and other tints. Their average size is .92 x .66.

759. Turdus aonalaschkae Gmel. [ 5 ]

Dwarf Hermit Thrush.

Hab. Pacific coast region, breeding from California northward; south in winter to Lower California
and Western Mexico; during the migrations east to Nevada and Arizona.

The Dwarf Hermit Thrush breeds from the mountains of Califor-
nia northward as far as Kadiak. Very few of the eggs of this species
appear in the numerous collections, and from the meagre ac-
counts we have concerning them, they must be considered rare. Mr.
Chas. N. Comstock, of Oakland, California, found a nest of this species
containing two eggs, in June, 1883, while on a collecting trip to the
Calaveras group of big trees. The nest was placed in a bush about

<■ Birds of New Brunswick, Bulletin of the Natural History Society of New Brunswick. No. 1.
Published by the Society. Saint John, N. B., 1882. Pp. 29-68.
t New England Bird Life, Part I, p. 58.

436

NESTS AND EGGS OF

two feet from the ground. The eggs are described by Mr. Comstock
as being a little lighter than a Robin's, and all one color. * The sizes
of these two specimens are 21 x 16 mm., 21.5 x 16.5 mm.f

759fl. Turdus aonalaschksB auduboni (Baird.) [5*.]

Audubon's Hermit Thrush.

Hab. kocky Mountain region of the United States, south to Northern Central America.

Known as the Rocky Moimtain Hermit Thrush from the region
which it inhabits. In some parts of Colorado it is very common. Mr.
Frank M. Drew states that it is common and breeds in San Juan coun-
ty, Colorado. Its clear, sweet notes can be heard from nearly every
dark glen or secluded part of the woods. A nest was found in the lat-
ter part of June, placed in a spruce bush, about three feet from the
ground. It contained three eggs. Mr. Chas. F. Morrison records this
bird as tolerably common in La Plata county, Colorado. The nest he
says iij generally, if not always, placed in bushes where the under-
growth is thick and heavy. The bird prefers hillsides near sluggish
water, as old beaver dams and swamps, nesting in their vicinity, and
breeding before the last of May or first of June, and lacer at a higher
altitude. The nest is composed of twigs, straws, rootlets, coarse grass
and moss ; it is often compact, with thick walls. The average diame-
ter is about five inches, with a cavity two and a half fc y two deep. The
eggs are usually four, and of a plain greenish-blue. A set of four in
my cabinet, taken at Canon City, Colorado, July 4, 1885, offers the fol-
lowing sizes : .85 x .65, .84 x .66, .88 x .66, .86 x .64.

7b^l>. Turdus aonalaschkae pallasii (Cah.) [5^]

Hermit Thrush.

Hab. Eastern North America, breeding from the Northern United States northward, wintering from
.■xbout latitude 40" to the. Gulf coast.

The Hermit Thrush or ** Ground Swamp Robin," breeds from the
Northern United States northward. It is common in the northern
portions of New England in summer, and in Maine, where it is abund-
ant, it begins to breed during the last week of May. It is common in
Nova Scotia and in New Brunswick, and begins to build about the
middle of May. Dr. Frank W. Langdon states on the authority of
Mr. Chas. Dury, that the nest and eggs of the Hermit Thrush have
been taken near Cincinnati, Ohio, May lo, 1877. The bird probably
breeds in Northern Ohio and other parts of the State. It has been ob-
served nesting in Michigan, a nest being recorded by Dr. Morris Gibbs
as taken by W. A. Gunn in Montclam county. May 15, 1879.

Nuttall says that the song of the Hermit Thrush " seems to be un-

" Young Oologist, I, p. 149.
t .63 X .03, .80 X .ii5 inches.

'*"^"?^*T!?|H

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

437

usually lively and varied, warbling almost like the Yellow Bird, and
then chanting like the Robin." Tlii«; charming writei, in speaking of
the marshy places which this bird inhabits, beautifully says : " In
these almost Stygian regions which, besides being cool, abound prob-
ably with its favorite insect food, we are nearly sure to meet our sweet-
ly vocal hermit flitting through the settled gloom, which the brightest
rays of noon scarcely illumine with more than twilight." *

The nest, like that of Wilson's Thrush, is built on the ground or
very near it, in some low, secluded spot, generally beneath the shelter
of dense shrubbery. It is rather bulky, and loosely made of leaves,
shreds of bark, grasses, mosses, and lined with similar but finer ma-
terial. The eggs are usually four, often only three, of greenish-blue,
unspotted, and average .86 x .65.

[ 760.] Turdus iliacus Linn. [ 6 ]

Hab.

Red-winged Thrush.

Northern portions of Europe and Asia: accidental in Circenland.

The Red-winged Thrush of Europe claims a place in the avifauna
of North America from its accidental occurrence in Greenland. Dur-
ing the breeding season it is found in the more northern portions of
Europe, only occasionally breeding as far south as England. Breeds
in the wooded districts of Norway and Sweden. It has been found
nesting in the Faroe Islands, Iceland and Northern Russia. In the
winter the Redwing extends its migrations to the more southern portions
of Europe — Sicily, Malta, and even Smyrna. The nest of this species
is usually placed in the center of a thorn bush or small tree, and is made
of moss, roots, and dry grasses outwardly, cemented together with clay,
and lined inwardly with finer grass. The external diameter averages
about five inches by three deep ; the cavity is three in diameter by
about two deep. The eggs range from four to six in number, pale
bluish-green or olive-greenish, speckled and spotted with reddish-
brown. Their average size is 1.04 x .75.

761. Merula migratoria ( Linn.) [ 7 ]

American Robin.

Hab. Eastern and Northern North America (Hudson Bay region toAlasIca); west to the Great
Plains, of occasional occurrence in Eastern Mexico.

During the summer months this familiar bird has an extensive
range, breeding as it does from near the southern border of the United
States northward to the Arctic coast. The nest is saddled on a hori-
zontal branch or built in the crotch of trees of almost any kind, and it
is commonly placed on the top rail of a fence, often on stumps, and, in

A Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Canada. Hy Thomas Nuttall, A.M., F.L.S.,
&c. Second Edition, with Additions. The Land Birds. Boston: Milliard, Gray & Co. 1840. P. 3IH.

I '

438

NBSTS AND EGGS OP

fact, in all sorts of curious places, even in bird Doxes. Orchards and
the shade trees along streets are favorite nesting-sites. The nest is a
large, coarse structure, made of twigs, roots, stems, grasses, dry leaves,
hair and wool. It is strengthened by a neatly-made cup of clay or
mud, which is surrounded by these materials. The typical set of eggs
is four, rarely five. They are greenish-blue, unspotted. Very rarely,
however, speckled with brown. Average size, i.i6x .80.

761« Morula migratoria propinqna Ridgw. [7a.]

'Western Robin.

Hab. Western United States, east to and including Rocky Mountains, south into Mexico.

The general habits, nesting and eggs of this Western /orm of the
Robin are like those of the Eastern species. Mr. Walter E. Bryant
notes a pair of these birds that built and reared a brood in a hanging
basket suspended from the edge of a veranda at the residence of Mr.
H. G. Parker at Carson, Nevada.

763. Hesperocichla nsBvia (Gmel.) [9]

Varied Thrush.

Hab. Western North America, chiefly near the Pacific coast, from California to Behring Strait. Breeds
chiefly north of the United States; east casually to New Jersey, Long Island and Massachusetts.

In various parts of Alaska this is a common breeding bird. A
few are known to breed in the spruce forests of Washington Territory,
but their breeding grounds are chiefly north of the United States.
According to Dr. Brewer, Mr. W. H. Dall furnished the first authentic
knowledge concerning the nest and eggs of the Varied Robin as he
found them in Alaska. The nest found by him was built in a willow
bush, about two feet from the ground, and upon the top of a large
mass of rubbish lodged there by some previous inundation. It meas-
ures six inches in diameter with a depth of two and one-half inches.
It has but a very slight depression, apparently not more than half an
inch in depth. The original shape of the nest had, however, been
somewhat flattened in transportation. The materials of which it was
composed were fine dry mc ses and lichens impacted together, inter-
mingled with fragments of dry stems of grasses. Other nests of the
same species were met with in several places b^cween Fort Yukon
and Nulato, always on or near a river bank and in low secluded
localities.

A nest of this thrush obtained by Dr. Minor, in Alaska, is a much
more finished structure. Its base and periphery are composed of an
elaborate basket-work of slender twigs. Within these is an inner
nest consisting of an interweaving of fine dry grasses and long gray
lichens. The eggs are described as pale greenish-blue, sparingly but
distinctly sprinkled and spotted with dark umber-brown , size 1.13 x .80.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

439

[764] Cyanecnla suecica (Lynn) [ao.]

RedHipott«d Bluethroat.

Hab. Northern Europe and Asia; casual in Alaska.

This beautiful and interesting bird, known as the Blue-throated
Redstart, is widely distributed in the Old World, breeding in the more
northern portions — Norway, Sweden, Russia and Siberia. The nest
is placed on the groui.d, midst the larger herbage, in the cavities of
banks and under low brushwood, usually well concealed. It is com-
posed of dry grass, moss, withered leaves, roots, and is lined with
finer mosses, hair and the down of cotton-grass. The eggs are four to
six in number, generally a greenish-blue, but varying to grayish-
green or olive ; they are spotted with reddish-brown, which is usually
thickest and deeper at the larger end. The average size is .75 x .53.

765. Saxicola OBnanthe (Linn.) [21.]

Wheatear.

Hab. Europe, Northern Africa, Asia, Greenland and Labrador, straggling south to Nova Scoiia,
Maine, Long Island and i^he Bermudas.

The well known Wheatear of the Old World is common in Green-
land and probably also breeds in Labrador. Dr. C. Hart Merriam
makes note of its probable breeding on the north shore of the Gulf of
St. Lawrence — at Godbout. A female was shot by Mr. Napoleon A.
Comeau, June 9, 1885, in which the eggs were pretty well developed.
Its mate was also seen and it is presumed that the birds would, in all
probability, have bred in the vicinity.* The Wheatear breeds
throughout the British Islands, and in all of Northern Europe and
Asia. In the British Islands it begins to make its nest in May. This
is usually well hidden in the innermost recess of some crevice among
rocks, in an old wall, stone-quarry, gravel-pit, and frequently in a
deserted rabbit burrow. Mr. Hewitson has known a pair to make their
nest in the deserted hole of the Sand Martin in a river bank. The
nest is rudely constructed of grass, moss, hair, wool, rabbits' fur, or any
rubbish obtainable. The eggs usually range from four to six in num-
ber and are of a pale, plain greenish-blue. A set of four eggs collected
near Larne, Ireland, May 30, 1882, is in my collection. Their sizes are
.88 X .60, .88 X .59, .94 X .60, .99 X .61.

766. Sialia sialis (Linn.) [22]

Bluebird.

Hab. Eastern United States, north to Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, etc., west to the Rocky
Mountains. Resident in the Kermudas.

There is not i song of an American bird which so strongly accents
the return of spring as does the subdued melody of the Bluebird. To
the naturalist or to the lover of rural walks, the song of this bird is

♦The Auk, 11,305.

440

NESTS AND EGGS OF

suggestive of spring even in dreary December. His fearless confidence
in man, his pleasing manners and sociable disposition, win our regard
at once. One having no suspicion of his presence is often surprised in
the midst of woods, when watching some other species, to see a Blue-
bird quietly perched upon some naked bough inquisiti^'ely scanning
his proceedings.

The Bluebird is cherished in the hearts of all who know him, and
is hailed by the young and the old as he comes to us on the first sunny
day of the new year with his plaintive, lisping 4iotes which foretell of
the spring, with its verdant fields and balmy air. But the brightness
of the day is often suddenly overcast with dark clouds, the snow be-
gins to fall, and far up in the fleecy air is heard his sad warbling as he
is winging his way through the blinding storm, seeking shelter behind
the scenes to await Nature, his timely prompter, to call him forth
again in a more favorable season.

Prose writers have vied with each other in depicting the gentle-
ness of his manners, and poets have tuned their harps of varied strings
to tell the secret of his charms. As the pioneers cleared the forests
centuries ago, the sound of the axe was oftentimes hushed while they
stood and marveled at the music of his song, and gazed with wonder
upon his back of blue and breast of red. In the early spring, little
children loitering by the road-side clap their hands with glee as they
hear the merry caroling of the Bluebird, and his notes bring back
to the aged and gray, thoughts of the happiest hours of their lives,
or recall the days when the shadows of misfortune seemed to reach
far into the future. Such are the memories which the Bluebird
has long awakened in the hearts of those who love the true and the
beautiful, and who do not attempt to hide the sentiments which nature
has bestowed on all rational beings.

Throughout the summer and fall months the Bluebird delights in
frequenting open pasture fields, where it may often be seen perched
upon tall weeds or bushes, now and then darting out to catch a passing
insect, or, quickly descending to the ground, it will pick up a worm
which has made its appearance, or a small beetle that has chanced to
come from its hiding place. Whole families may be observed thus en-
gaged. When the young are able to fly, the male usually takes them
in charge, while the female starts a second brood, and sometimes a
third is reared in a like manner.

It loves to sit on the naked branches of tall, leafless trees, or on
the topmost boughs of orchard trees, in whose hollows it often builds
its nest and rears its young. On these heights the male will some-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

441

times sit for hours and warble his soft, agreeable song, with open,
quivering wings. Here too, proudly stationed, he surveys the sur-
rounding territory and awaits any intruder that may approach, whose
presence he resents, and whom he assails with astonishing vigor.

Dr. J. G. Cooper has aptly said that the Bluebird always bears the
National colors, red, white and blue, and that it is one of the most
strikingly peculiar of American singing birds, and in its habits a model
of civilized bird life. Its natural nesting places are in the deserted ex-
cavations of Woodpeckers, hollows of trees, and even in the crevices of
rocky cliffs. With the progress of civilization the Bluebird has taken
advantage of modern surroundings, adopting the boxes that are put up
for its use, nesting also in every conceivable nook and corner in houses
and barns. Very frequently letter boxes upon fences are taken pos-
session of. I found a Bluebird's nest in the interior of a wheel of a
railroad car during the strike a few years since, and on another occa-
sion, in Morrow county, Ohio, I discovered a brood of young Bluebirds
in a Cliff Swallow's nest iinder the eaves of an old bartk

The normal color of the eggs of the Bluebird is uniform pale blue,
unspotted. They are four, five, and sometimes six in number, and
their average size is . 84 x. 62. The eggs of this bird are frequently
very light bluish-white, and rarely pure white. All found in one nest
are of one tint ; that is to say, a white egg is never found in a set with
the blue ones. Mr. Norris has several sets which are as white as those
laid by Woodpeckers. The Azure Bluebird {Sialia sialis azurea Swains)
inhabits Southern Arizona and Eastern Mexico.

767.

[23]

Sialia mexicana Swains.

IVeBteni Bluebird.

Hab. Western United States, from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, south to Southern Mexico.

An inhabitant of Western United States north to British Columbia.
Its habits are exactly similar to those of the Eastern Bluebird. It
nests in holes and cavities of decayed trees, between their trunks and
the loose bark, making the nest of sticks, grasses, straws, and almost
any rubbish procurable. Mr. Walter PX Bryant states that Dr. Cooper
informs him that he has known a Bluebird to build in a Cliff Swal-
low's nest. The eggs of this species are four or five in number, uni-
form pale blue, of a slightly deeper shade than those of tlie preceding
species, and average .81 x .62.

768. Sialia arctica (Swains.) [24.]

Monntain Blneblrd.

Hab. Rocky Mountain region, north to Great Slave Lake, south to Mexico, west to the higher moun-
tain ranges alons the Pacific.

Known as the Rocky Mountain and Arctic Bluebird. It is very
30

442

NESTS AND EGGS OP NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

common in the Rocky Mountain region and is also abundant as far
west as the mountain ranges along the Pacific. Breeds in deserted
Woodpecker holes, natural cavities of trees, etc. In settled portions
of the West it nests in the cornice of buildings, under the eaves of
porches, in the nooks and corners of barns and out-houses, and in
boxes provided for its accommodation. Mr. Walter E. Bryant says
that three incubated eggs of this species were taken from the nest of
a Barn Swallow, at Lake Tahoe, California, by Mr. Walter Bliss.
Prof. Ridgway found the Rocky Mountain Bluebird breeding in Vir-
ginia City, Nevada, in June. Its nests were built about old buildings
and occasionally in the unused excavations about mines Mr. Wilbur
F. Lamb informs me that in Summit county, Colorado, he fovmd this
species nesting generally in old Woodpeckers' excavations. One nest
was found placed under the projecting roof-pales of a miner's cabin.
The nests were composed almost entirely of dry grass. In some sec-
tion^, however, the inner bark of the cedar enters largely into their
composition.

In most cases Mr. Lamb found the nests to contain five eggs,
though seven perfectly fresh eggs were taken from one nest, while
another contained only three in an advanced stage of incubation. So
that taking the reports of other collectors into consideration with Mr.
Lamb's experience, the bird lays from three to seven eggs, rarely the
latter number, and more commonly five. They are pale, plain green-
ish-blue and average .85 x .63.

APPENDIX.

Page 23.

42.1.

4.1.

La.rus barrovianus Ridgw.

Point Barrow Gnllt

Diomedea exulans Linn.

Wanderlmit Albatrosa.

Page 41. This species has been added to the 'Hypothetical
List ' of the A. O. U. Check L/ist upon unsatisfactory evidence of its
occurrence in tlie localities stated in the habitat.

106.1. Oceanodroma macrodactyla (Bkyant.)

Onadalnpe Petrel.

Hab. Guadalupe Islands, Lower California.

See reference to this Petrel as observed by Mr. Bryant on Guada-
lupe Island, under head of Leach's Petrel, page 48, and foot-note,
page 49.

114 1. Sula gossi Riogw.

Blne>footed Boobjr.

Hab. Islands in the Gulf of California, south to the Gnlapagos.

Between the 15th and 28th of March, 1888, Col. N. S. Goss found
this new species breeding on the San Pedro Martir Isle, situated in
the Gulf of California about midway between the shores. It is a rock
about one and a half miles long, nearly as broad, and about 1045 feet
in height, a little north of latitude 28". Colonel Goss states that the
birds make no nests and lay but one egg; this they drop upon the
smooth rock, often in exposed situations, preferring the places where the
guano has been removed and, in many ca.ses, close beside the winding
paths that were hourly trodden. No young birds were found, and
from the condition of the many eggs examined, he was of the
opinion that the birds do not commence laying before the first of
March. The average measurement of twenty-one eggs is given as
2.42x1.60. The ground color is greenish -blue, coated with a dull
white chalky substance, but generally more or less stained with guano
that generally gives them a dirty buff white look ; in form elliptical
ovate*. A specimen of the egg of this species iu the collection of
Capt. B. F. Goss measures 2.34 x 1.60.

*The Auk, V, p. 242.

443

444 NKSTS AND EGGS OK

115.1 Sula brewsteri Goss

Brewster's Boobj.

Hkb. Iilands of the Knstern South Pacific Ocran, northwnrd to I.nwer California.

This is another new species of Booby which was fonncl breeding
by Colonel Goss on San Pedro Martir Isle in the Gul tf California.
The birds were not wild, but their nesting places, as a whole, were
not in as exposed situations as those of the Blue-footed ; they seemed
to prefer the shelves and niches on the sides of the rocks. They lay
two eggs, and in all cases collect a few sticks, sea-weed, and often old
wing and tail feathers ; these are generally placed in a circle to fit the
body, with a view, it was thought, to keep the eggs that lie upon
the rock from rolling out. There is but little material on or about the
isle out of which a nest can be made. Colonel Goss says the birds
must commence laying as early as the loth of February, as young were
found in many cases from half to two-thirds grown. The average
measurement of seventeen eggs is given as 2. 44 x 1.60. In color and
form, as well as si^ie, they are similar to die eggs of the Blue-
footed, in fact so nearly alike that when plu<_^d together they cannot
be separated with certainty. A set of two is in Captain Goss' cabinet.
These measure 2.40 x 1.70, 2.30 x 1.62 respectively.

159. Somateria mollisalma borealis (A. £. Bkkhm.)

Northern Eider.

Page 74.

169.1 Chen csBrulescens (Linn.) [590.]

Blue Goose.

This species has been restored from the * Hypothetical List ' of the

A. O. U. Check List — see text of Lesser Snow Goose, page 78.
182. PhOBnicopterus ruber Linn [585.]

Amerioan Flamingo.

Mr. D. P. Ingraham, who has collected a large number of these
handsome birds in the West Indies and spent more or less of his
time for four seasons among them, has given me the following inter-
esting notes concerning their nesting :

He states that the birds inhabit the shallow lagoons and bays
having soft clayey bottoms. On the border of these the nest is made
by working the clay up into a mound which, in the first season is per-
haps not more than a foot high and about eight inches in diameter at
the top and fifteen inches at the base. If the birds are unmolested
they will return to the same nesting place from year to year, each sea-
son augmenting the nest by the addition of mud on the top, leaving a
slight depression for the eggs Mr. Ingraham speaks of visiting the

NORTH AMKRICAN BIRDS.

446

breeding grounds where the birds had nested the previous vear and
their mound-like nests were still standing. The birds nest in June.
The number of eggs to a clutch is ustially two, sometimes only one
and very rarely three. When three are found in a nest it is generally
believed that the third has been laid by another female. According to
Mr. Ingraham's ob.servations the nests in our illustration must be con-
sidered conventional, the attitude of the bird on the nest being correct,
and as stated on page 86,

[ 288 ] Jacana gymnostoma ( Waoi..)
Page 136. This now becomes /acana spinosa (Linn).

[358.1.] Falco regulus Pali,.

Merlin.

Hal). Europe, etc., accidental in Ureenland.

Mr. Ludvig Kumlien, of the Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wiscon-
sin, received from Dr. C. F. Wicpkeu.of Oldenburg, Germany, a fine
specimen of this bird, which was .shot at Cape b'arewell, Greenland,
May 3, 1875, making an additional species to the avifauna of North
America. It is a common bird in Europe, especially in the more north-
ern portions. In England it is considered migratory, while in Scotland
it resides permanently. It breeds commonly in the Orkney and Shet-
land Islands, placing its nest among precipitous rocks. It was for-
merly trained to the chase, and used to hawk for quails, snipes and
larks. The rugged mountain ranges on the Scottish border furnish
many breeding places for the Merlin. The site generally selected is
the side of some ravine, a projecting rock, bank, or tuft of heath.
The nest consists of a scanty supply of sticks, heather, grass or moss,
loosely arranged. The eggs are three, four or five in number ; Bewick
says six ; Temminck, five or six. They are bluish-white, spotted and
blotched, generally more thickly at the larger end, with deep red-
dish-brown. Average size, 1.49x1.20.

[359.1 ] Falco tinnunculus Linn. [422]

Reatrel.

Hab. Europe, etc., accidental in Massachusetts.

Mr. Charles B. Cory, of Boston, Massachu.setts, makes record of the
first occurrence of this bird in North America. A female specimen was
shot by a hunter at Strawberry Hill, Nantasket Beach, Massachusetts, on
September 29, 1887, the skin of which is now in Mr. Cory's cabinet.* The
European Kestrel thus finds a place in the avifauna of North America.
It is a common species in Europe, and one of the most abundant of its
tribe in Great Britain. It resembles the American Sparrow Hawk in

♦Auk, V. no and 205.

446

NKSTS AND KGGS OF

size and general appearance, and, like that bird, it has the curious
habit of poising in midair over a mouse, lizard, frog, or some other
object of food before attacking them. In Great Britain it is one of
the commonest Falcons, and may be found in all parts of the country.
The nest is built in rocky cliffs by the sea coast, in natural cavities
of trees, in ancient ruins, in towers of churches, both in the country
and cities, even in London. The material used consists of sticks,
twigs, hay, wool and feathers, all arranged in a slovenly manner.
When the nest is placed in rocks, it is said that no material is used.
The eggs, which are rounded-oval in form, are four or five in num-
ber, sometimes six. They vary from a reddish to yellowish, speckled,
spotted or blotched with orange-brown and reddish-brown. A great
variation exists in the style and amount of markings in a large series of
eggs. Four eggs collected in Staffordshire, England, May 12, 1884,
measure 1.42x1.20, 1.48x1.24, 1.50x1.30,1.53x1.24. A set of five
eggs taken from an old church spire in County Antrum, Ireland, May
25, 1883, gives the following measurements: 1.58x1.30, 1.56x1.26,
1.54x1.28,1.56x1.26, 1.54x1.24.

370. Ulula cinerea (Gmel.)
Page 194. This becomes Scotiaptez cinerea (Gmel.)

372. Nyctala acadica (Gmel.) [401.]

Savr-nrhet Ovrl.

The Acadian Owl is said to be not an uncommon resident in
Northern Ohio, a resident or winter visitor in the southern portions
of the State. Up to the pre-sent time, however, there seems to have
been no positive knowledge regarding its breeding within this area,
and, judging from the following records, the bird cannot be considered
a common species in the State. Dr. Brewer's statement, '* it has been
said to breed near Cleveland, Ohio, and its nest and eggs have been se-
cured," is very unsatisfactory. The bird's small size, its nocturnal and
secluded habits, no doubt have much to do with its apparent scarcity.
Audubon mentions one which he secured at Cincinnati. Dr. L/angdon
met two boys on the streets of Cincinnati, October 27, 1886, with a
specimen which they had captured in tLe heart of the city. Mr.
Charles Dury records only five specimens taken within fifteen years,
one each in the following localities : Avondale, Cincinnati, Cherry
Grove, Butler County, and St. Mary's Reservoir. Mr. H. E. Chubb
shot a specimen near Cleveland on July 11, 1883, and on June 21 of
the present year (1889) another specimen was brought him. Both were
young birds of the year, proving beyond doubt that the bird breeds

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

447

in Northern Ohio. Mr. Chubb states that the species is not un-
common in the colder months of the year. The late Dr. Wheaton, in
his ** Report on the Birds of Ohio," records the capture of three speci-
mens in Franklin County. The first specimen of this Owl which
came into my hands was shot by Mr. F. N. Wilcox, in November, 1883.
On May 28, 1889, my friend, J. E. Gould, shot two young birds of
this species in a woods near Worthington, Ohio, — about five miles
north of Columbus. These had just left the nest. About a mile and
a half distant, in an entirely diflferent strip of woods, another speci-
men was observed the same day. On June 2, returning to the place
where he had taken the two young, three more were observed, sitting
in the branches of the same sapling from which the two were shot
on May 28. One of these was secured with a stick, the other two
were allowed to remain. These were doubtless a brood of five, and
the one observed in another woods making six in all. There is little
doubt that the three young observed on June 2 were not strong
enough to leave the nest when Mr. Gould visited the place on May 28.
A dead mouse was observed hanging in a crotch of the sapling where
the Owls were perched, which was doubtless placed there by one of
the parent birds. Two of these specimens, kindly presented to me by
Mr. Gould, are in my collection ; the third is in his possession. That
the Acadian Owl breeds in Central Ohio there is now no longer any
doubt, and the securing of its eggs is only a question of time.

379rt!. Glaucidium gnoma californicum (Scl.) [iQ9,pafi.]

California Pygmy Owl.

Description under Pygmy Owl, Glmuidium gnoma Wagl. page 202.

Ir.
i-s,
ry
)b
of

380. Glaucidium phalsBDoides (Daud.) [410] / ,

Fermginona Pysmy Oirl.

Hab. Tropical America (except West Indies) north to Southern border of United States (Texas to
Arizona.)

Mr. Geo. B. Sennett gives the first description of the egg of this
species, which is as follows: "On May 2, 1888, my collector took an
adult female and one egg of this Owl at Canon del Caballeros, near
Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. The locality is high and at the base of
the more precipitous mountains. The nest was in a hollow tree and
contained but a single fresh egg. The egg is white, shaped like that
of a Megascops, measuring 1.05 x .90 inches, and is in my collection
with the parent bird. It will be observed that in size it is very close
to the egg of M. whitneyiy *

'Auk, VI, 70, ' . .

448 NKSTS AND EGGS OF

381. Micrathene whitneyi (Cooper.)
Page 203. This becomes Micropallas whitneyi ( Cooper.)

387«. Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Ridgw [387, part.\

California Cnokoo.

Page 207.

396. Dryobates scalaris (Wagl.)
Page 212. This becomes Dryobates scalaris bairdi ( Scl.)

419 Nyctidromus albicollis (Gm.)

ParanquAt

Page 227. This becomes Nyctidromus albicollis merrtlli (Senn.)

Merrill'd Paranque.

Mr. Seiinett says that when compared with others of the species
from Southern Costa Rica, Panama, Guiana, and Brazil this form can
be distinguished, first by the prevailing gray color on upper parts,
where the others have brown or rufous-cinnamon ; second, by its large
size, etc, etc, (see Auk Vol. V, pages 44-45.) It is named in honor of
Dr. J. C. Merrill U. S. A., who discovered the bird in the United States
on April i, 1876.

486«. Corvus corax principalis Ridgw [280, /<//•/]

Northern Raveua

Page 265.

534a. Plectrophenax nivalis townsendi Ridgw [186, part.\

Prybilof Snowaako.

Page 295. ' ,; >>

553. Zonotrichia querula (Nurx.)

Harris's Sparrow. .

Capt. Bendire gives the following interesting account concerning
the supposed nest and eggs of this species :

"For the purpose of drawing the attention of ornithologists located
along the northern border of Montana and Dakota, and throughout
southern British North America, to the fact that the nest of eggs of
tbis interesting species remain still unknown, and to the probability of
its breeding in these regions, instead of further north, I will state that
none of the large collections of birds^ nest and eggs made by the fol-
lowing gentlemen of the Hudson's Bay Company, Robert McFarlane,
Strachan Jones, T. McDougall, Donald Gunn, C. P. Gaudet, and J.
Lockhart, and which were donated to the Smithsonian Institution at
Washington, D. C, contained specimens of this species, although rep-

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

449

resenting nearly every other bird to be found breeding throughout the
vast interior of the former Hudson's Bay Territory. The explorations
made by these gentlemen were thorough and continued through .several
seasons, and, chiefly through the good efforts of Mr. Robert Kennicott,
all their valuable field notes and an immense amount of material were
brought together.

" From the fact that no specimens of Zonotrichia querula were ob-
tained throughout the explorations, which extended well into the Arctic
Circle, and began about the 54th parallel, I necessarily believed that
the summer home of Harris's sparrow, if properly looked for, will be
found along the foothills of the Bearpaw and Chief Mountains in Mon-
tana, along the Turtle Mountains in Dakota, and their centre of abun-
dance probably near Duck Mountain, Manitoba, as well as in suitable
localities in the territories of Alberta and Assiniboia, south of L,at. 54°.

" During the summer of 1885, while I was stationed at Fort Cus-
ter, Montana, one of niy men, who was well posted about the birds of
that region, and helped me to collect a good many, while out hunting
one day found a nest and four eggs of some Sparrow, without, unfor-
tunately, securing the parent, and brought them in for me. I saw at a
glance that these eggs were new to me, and visited the place where the
nest was found next day, in the hope of possibly still finding the own-
ers about the locality, but failed in this. The eggs in question differ
materially in coloration from those of the other species of Zonotrichia^
as well as from those of the genera Passerella^ Melospiza^ and Pipilo,
all of which are represented by good series in the National Museum
collection.

"The nest was found June 24, 1885, in a dense willow thicket
close to the banks of Little Horn River, about one and a half miles
above the post. It was placed between several young willow twigs,
about eight or ten inches from the ground, compactly bnilt of strips ol
decayed willow bark, coarse grasses, etc., and lined with finer materials
of the same kind. Outwardly the nest was about four and a half
inches wide by three deep ; the inner cavity was two and a half inches
wide by two in depth. In its general make-up it resembled the aver-
age nest of a Passerella. The eggs contained small embryos. They re-
semble certain types of Cardinal's eggs {Cardinalis cardinalis) more
than anything else, but are consideraly smaller. There is no trace
of green whatever noticeable in their ground color. This green tint
is always found to a greater or less extent in all the eggs of the genera
Zonotrichia and Passerella^ and with rare exceptions in Melospiza as
well, while here, it is a creamy or buffy white, and the shell is also

450

NESTS AND EGOS OK

more lustrous. The eggs are thickly spotted and blotched with dark
brown and burnt umber, and more or less mixed with pale heliotrope
purple and purplish gray. They are ovate in shape, and measure .89
X .70, .88 X .69, .86 X .69 auu .85 x.65 inch.

*' I am certain that these eggs are not those of the Cardinal, which
is "'^t found as far north as Fort Custer and would jurely have been
noticed by me, if it occurred there, and unless they should be abnor-
mally colored eggs of Pipilo maadatus arcticus^ which is barely possible,
although also rather small for this species, they will certainly prove to
be those of Harris's Sparrow. Wliile I do not believe that it is a con-
stant and common summer resident in the vicinity of Fort Custer, it
probably breeds there as a straggler ; I failed to meet with this spec-
ies during the summer, but found it not at all uncommon during its
fall migration. Specimens shof by me in the early part of October
are now in the National Museum collection. I found them associated
with White-crowned Sparrows and Arctic Towhees principally, scat-
tered in small flocks through the undergrowth along the Big and Lit-
tle Horn River bottoms, and it seems to confine itself to the shrub-
bery found along the streams. Specimens were shot by me as late as
October 21, 1885."*

On the 28th of April, 1889, Mr. J. E. Gould shot a specimen of
Harris's Sparrow two miles north of Columbus, Ohio. Four or five
others were observed feeding in a thicket in company with the White-
throated Sparrow, Z. albicollis. Mr. Gould generously presented me
with the specimen of Z. querula^ the skin of which is now in my col-
lection. The identification of this specimen, previously considered by
the writer to be Z. qiicrula was, through the kind assistance of Mr.
Chas. F. Batchelder positively determined. This, I believe is the first
record of its occurrence in Ohio. The bird in this case has wandered
a long way out of its ordinary habitat (see page 304).

•

Page 309.

Page 310.

563^7. Splzella pusllla arenacea Chadb,

Western Field Sparrcw.

567.1 Junco carolenensls Brewst. [217, /«r/.]

Carolina Jnnoo.

597a. Guiraca cserulea eurhyncha Coues [246, /ar/.]

Western Bine Orosbeaki

Page 332, foot-note.

»Auk, VI, 150-152.

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 461

622/^ Lanius Indovicianus gambeli Ridgw [149a, part.]

California Shrike.

l^age 344.

629<:. Vireo solitarius alticola Rrkwst [141, part.]

Moniktain Solitary Vireo.

Page 349.

684. Sylvania mitrata (Gmel.) [124]

Hooded Warbler.

Since my statement concerning the nesting of ilie Hooded War-
bler in Ohio was printed (page 385), Mr. Gonld found it breeding near
Sugar Grove, May 29, 1889. A nest was found containing four young.
Many of the birds were observed, and some secured. Owing to heavy
rains and lack of time, further observation was abandoned.

IVlb. Catherpes mexicanus punctulatus Ridgw [59, /«/-/]

Dotted Canon Wren.

Page 403, foot-note.

721*^. Troglodytes aedon aztecus Baird [67,0, part. [

Weateru Honse W^ren.

Page 407 — see text of Parkman's Wren.

725«. Cistothorus palustrls paludicola Baird [67a, part.]

Tnle W^ren.

Page 409.

726^. Certhia familiaris montana Ridgw [55, part.]

Rooky Mountain Creeper.

Page 410.

726^. Certhia familiaris occidentalls Ridgw [55, part.],

Californian Creeper.

Page 411.

Page 418.

736a. Parus carolinensis agllis Senn.

Plnmbeons Chickadee.

BRIEF DIRECTIONS

FOR

COLLECTING AND PRESERVING

BIRDS' NESTS AND EGGS.

If you are desirous of making a collection of eggs of the birds of
any locality, the following directions may aid you :

Remember that an egg has no financial or scientific value if it has
no name. Therefore, be very particular to identify all eggs collected.
If you do not, you will have in many respects a worthless collection.
If the eggs in a nest are strange or unknown to you, do not touch
them until you have procured the parent bird. If you cannot skin the
bird, preserve its head, wings, and feet until you can have them iden-
tified. The student of Oology should by all means learn to skin birds
and put them in proper shape. He will then make few mistakes in
his data.

Empty the contents of an egg through one smoothly drilled hole
in the side, and drill it as small as can be got along with. Force the
contents out by blowing into the hole with a blow-pipe. Do not make
holes at the ends of an egg for the purpose of blowing the contents
out. Do not hold it too tightly in your fingers, for, if it breaks, you
will leain at once that a thing of beauty is not always a joy forever.
If the embryo is partially developed, the hole must necessarily be
made larger, and the embryo should be extracted a little at a time with
an embryo hook or forceps, and cut in pieces with a fine, narrow-bladed
scissors. By soaking the egg in water over night the embryo will often
become very tender and can be taken out with ease.

After the egg is blown it should be thoroughly rinsed by taking
water into the mouth and spirting it through the blow-pipe.

Eggs, as a rule, should be kept in sets; a " set " being those taken
from any one nest ; and each one of a set should bear a number refer-
ring to a corresponding one in a note-book where full particulars of

453

454

NESTS AND EGGS OF

the nest and eggs should be given. A printed label or data blank sim-
ilar to the following diagram is also necessary :

No Name.

Collected by

Locality

Date

Set Identity.

Nest

Incubation

For illustration, the blank lines of the label should be filled in the
following manner: No. 126. Name, Arkansas Flycatcher. Collected
by J. L. Clemmons. Locality, San Diego, California. Dated, June 2,
1881. Set, ]{. (indicating that the number of eggs in this set is four).
Identity, bird shot. Incubation, begun. Nest, made of coarse sticks
and twigs, lined with hair and cotton, placed in aa " Australian Gum
Tree," twenty feet from the ground. All these data should be care-
fully written, and the label placed in the cabinet with the eggs. If
there are several sets of the same species, the collector should have his
own number to distinguish the sets. The label with full data should
always accompany the set in making exchanges. Besides the above
particulars the note-book should be filled with memoranda devoted to
the records of nests found and examined ; the general nature of the
surroundings ; the precise color and condition of the eggs when found,
as all these fade quickly from the memory.

Nests that can be collected require a wrapping of thread for their
safe keeping.

In climbing high trees, climbers are often usen. A wooden or tin
box, filled with cotton, should be taken up with you ; in this, securely
place the eggs before descending the tree.

When eggs are to be shipped by mail or express they should never
be padked in anything but wooden or tin boxes. Each egg should be
wrapped in cotton and bound tightly with thread and then wrapped
in tissue paper. Place them in layers in the box with bits of cotton
between each egg. The bottom, sides and end of the box are often
lined with sheet cotton which is still better protection.

In all ordinary cases collections of eggs are preserved in the
drawers of a cabinet. These are divided by partitions, and each sec-
tion partly filled with grated cork or box-wood sawdust, in which the

NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS.

456

eggs are placed. The choice of a cabinet must depend largely upon
the collector's means, if not also upon his individual preference.

I cannot dismiss this subject without a word on

PROTECTING OUR BIRDS.

The above directions for collecting and preserving nests and eggs,
and the whole contents of this work are intended to assist the true
naturalist in the delightful subject herein treated. For those who idly
roam the woodlands and pebbly shores, collecting everything in reach
with aimless intent, this book was never calculated.

To every person who loves to study in the great field of Nature ;
to those especially who are deeply interested in the habits of the feath-
ered tribe, the protection of bird life is of the utmost importance.

Surely none of the readers of the foregoing pages are engaged in
the wholesale collecting of eggs for purely mercenary purposes, sacri-
ficing and depopulating our birds, and screening their fiendish acts
under the gauzy lace of science.

No thoughtful and honorable natural history dealer will uphold
you in the utter destruction of whole rookeries and communities of
birds, and there is no need for it in making a study of their habits, and
adding a few specimens to a private cabinet. The true lover of the
study of Oology will do everything in his power to promote the inter-
ests of the birds, so that their varied domestic affairs will annually add
valuable notes to his ever-open note-book.

^ 'i

I "

INDEX.

NoTK.— Resides tlia common iinme as given in the chief title of each species, all the common name*
mentioned in the text will be found in this index; as for example, in the text under Ulack Skimmer (page W),
the names Kazor-bill, Cut-water, Shear-water, Sea Crow and Sen Dog occur.

Pack

Abert'i Towhee JfiW

Acadian Klycatcner !MK

Owl (Appendix) 11)5

Albatross, Black-footed 41

Short-tailed 41

Sooty 43

Wandering 41

Yellow-nosed 43

Aleutian Leucosticte 21)0

Rosy Finch 290

Sandpiper 112

Song Sparrow i)20

Tern 37

American Avocet 107

Barn Owl 101

Bittern 90

Coot 105

Crosbill 289

Crow 287

Dipper 302

Dunlin 116

Egret 92

Eider 74

Flamingo 85

Golden-ey« 70

Golden Plover 130

Goldfinch 201

Goshawk 171

Green Sandpiper 121

Hawk Owl 200

Herring Gull 27

Lanner 180

Long-eared Owl 192

Magpie 257

Merganser 00

Osprcy 190

Oyster-catcher 136

Pine Grosbeak 2So

Pipit 390

Red Cross-bill 289

Redstart 387

Robin 437

Rough legged Hawk 180

Scaup Duck 69

Scoter 75

Siskin 293

Snipe 110

Sparrow Hawk 188

Sparrow Owl 195

Stork 80

Three-toed Woodpecker. 215

Titlark 300

Water Ouiel 392

Whimbrel 126

White-fronted Goose 70

Pack

American White Pelican 5K

Whistling Swan 84

Wigeon 0.1

Woodcock 109

Wood Stork 80

Anhingo 52

Ancient Murrelet 12

Ani 204

Ani, Grooved-billed 201

Anna's Humming-bird 2t}3

Anthracite Buzzard . . , 179

Aplamado Falcon 188

Arctic HornedO/l 100

Tern 8«

Three-toed Woodpecker. 214

Towhee 325

Arkansas Goldfinch.. 292

Kingbird 239

Arkansaw Green-backed Gold-
finch 292

Arizona Cardinal 330

Crested Flycatcher 241

Goldfinch 292

Hooded Oriole 279

J unco 312

Jay 2(12

Quail 140

Woodpecker 213

Ash-colored Sandpiper 112

Ash-throated Flycatcher 2-11

Ashy Petrel 49

Audubon's Caracara 189

Dusky Shearwater 40

Hermit Thrush 430

Oriole 277

Shearwater 40

Warbler 368

Auk, Great 17

Horn-billed 11

Razor-billed 17

Snub-nosed 12

Anklet, Cassia's 11

Crested 12

Least 12

Parroquet 11

Rhinoceros 10

Avocet, American 107

Bachman's Oyster-catcher 130

Finch 314

Sparrow 314

Warbler 369

Bahaman Honey Creeper 355

Baird's Cormorant 67

Sandpiper 114

Sparrow 300

PAr.B

BairdiS Wran 406

Bald Eagle 188

Bald-pate 68

Haltiniore Oriole 280

Band-tailed Pigeon 154

Bank Swallow 841

Barn Owl 101

Swallow 839

Barnacle Goose..,, 82

Barred Owl 103

Barrow's Golden-eye 71

Bnrlramian Sandpiper 124

Bay-breasted Warbler !J71

Bay-winged Bunting 2U7

Beach Bird 117

Bee-bird 287

Bee-martin 237

Bcetlehcad 129

Belding's Marsh Sparrow 800

Bell's Sparrow 313

Virec 363

Belted Kingfisher 208

Pipping Plover 132

Bendire's Thrasher 398

Bewick's Wien 405

Bicknell's Thrush 434

Big Black-head 09

Bicolored Blackbird 274

Bittern, American 90

Least 90

Black Brant 82

Duck 62

Grouse 142

Guillemot 13

Gyrfalcon 185

Hawk 180, 187

Headed Turnstone 135

Mallard 62

Oyster-catchej 136

Phoebe 244

Rail 1(12

Skimmer 40

Snow-bird 809

Surf Duck 76

Swift 220

Tern 39

Turnstone 185

Witch 201

Black and White Wiirbler 356

Black and Yellow Oriole 277

Black-backed three-toed Wood-
pecker 214

Black-bellied Plover 129

Sandpiper 115

Tree Duck m

INDKX.

Paob

Black-billed Cuckoo 207

Black-billed Magpie 267

Blackbird, llicolored 274

Breweri 282

Cow 272

Crow 283

Red-winged 274

Ked-and-bl«ck-iihoulder'd 274

Rusty 281

Savanna 201

Swamp 274

Thrush 281

Tricolored 275

Yellow-headed 273

Black-breasted Sandpiper 113

Blackburnian Warbler 872

Black-capped Vireo 861

Black -chinned Hummingbird.. 232

Sparrow 809

Black-crested Titmouse 414

Fly-catcher 842

Black-crowned Night Heron .. 96

Black-iaced Grassquit 386

Black-headed Grosbeak 881

Gull 30

Black-footed Albatross 41

BUck-necked Stilt 108

Black-poll Warbler 372

Black-shouldered Kite 106

Longspur 296

Black-tailed Godwit 119

Gnat-catcher 480

Black-throated Blue Warbler.. 3C«

Bunting 335

Diver 7

Gray Warbler 374

Green Warbler 875

Loon 7

Murrelet 12

Sparrow 318

Black-vented Shearwater 40

Black Vulture 182

Black-whiskered Vireo 346

Blue Grosbeak 332

Hawk 108

Jay 25S

guail 138

Blue-bills 00

Bluebird 439

Mountain 441

Western 441

Blue-faced Booby 51

Blue-footed Booby Appendix

Blue-fronted Jay 259

Blu*-gray Gnat-catcher 429

Blue-headed Euphonia 336

Grackle 282

Ouail-dove 160

Vireo 318

Bluethroat, Red-spotted 439

Blue-winged Teal 65

Warbler 359

Boat-tailed Crow Blackbird. . . . 284

Pa»;e

Boat-tailed Grackle 284

Bobolink 371

Bob-while 187

Florida 187

Texan 187

nohemian Wax-wicg 841

Ilonaparte's Gull 31

Sandpiper 113

Bone-breaker 43

Booby 51

Blue faced 51

Blue-footed Appendix

Brewster's Appendix

Red-footed 61

Boucard's Sparrow 818

Brandt's Cormorant 60

Brant HI

Black 82

Brewer's Blackbird 2K2

Sparrow 808

Brewster's Booby Appendix

Bridal Duck 67

Bridled Tern 88

Bridled Titmouse 410

Broad-tailed Htimmingbird.... !;8<'l

Broad-winged Hawk 178

Bronzed Crow Blackbird 283

Grackle 283

Brown Crane, Little 97

Back 110

Brown Creeper 410

Lark 300

Pelican 59

Thrasher 391

Towhee 327

Brown-headed Nuthatch 412

Bruniiich's Murre 16

BufT-bellied Hummingbird 236

Bryant's Marsh Sparrow 29f)

BufT-breasted Sandpiper r25

Buffle-head 71

Bullbat 227

Bull-head Plover 129

Bullock's Oriole 281

Bulwer's Petrel 47

Bunting, Bay- winged 297

Black-throated 335

Canon 3'J7

Cow 272

Indigo 333

Indigo painted 333

Lark 336

Lazula 333

Painted 334

Varied 833

Burion 287

Burrowing Owl 201

Bush-Tit, 422

California 422

Lead-colored 423

Yellow-headed 424

Butter-ball 71

Butter-box 71

Paob

Buiiard, Anthracite 170

Kuropean 173

Ferruginous Kough-leg-

ged 181

Red-tailed 178

Turkey 1«1

Cabot's Tern M

Cackling (ioose 81

Cactus Wren 401

St. Lucas 402

California Clapp<:r Rait 100

Candor 160

- Crow 287

Cuckoo 207

Gull 28

Jay 201

Murre 15

Partridge 180

Purple Finch. 286

Screech Owl IW

Shrike 3-14

Song Sparrow 819

Towhee 828

Vulture 160

Woodpecker 220

Californiau Chitkadee 421

Creeper 411

Thraither 890

Calliope Hummingbird 236

Canada Goose 80

Grouse 142

Jay 203

Canadian Ruffed Grouse... . ., 146

Warbler 887

Canon Bunting 827

Finch 328

Towhee 827

Canon Wren 403

Canvas-back 68

Cape May Warbler 365

Caracara, Audubon's 189

Cardinfll 329

Grosbeak 329

Cardinal, Arizona 830

Saint Lucas 390

Texan 330

Carolina Chickadee 418

Dove 156

Junco 310

Parroquet 204

Rail 101

Wax-wing 312

Wren 404

Carrion Crow 162

Caspian Tern 83

Cassin's Auklet 11

Kingbird 239

Purple Finch 287

Sparrow 316

Vireo 349

Catbird 394

Cedar-bird 342

Cedar Wax-wing 342

TNDKX.

iii

Paoi

.... ITO

... m

kg.

... 181
... 178
... 1«1
... 84
... 81
... 401
... W2
... 100
... 160
... 287
... 207
... 28
...201
... 16
.. 180
... 280
.. Ifl7
.. .444
.. SlU
,. 82K
.. 100
.. 22U
.. 421
.. 411
.. 890
.. 885
.. 80
.. 142
,. 203
,. 145
. 387
. 327
. 328
327
.. 403
68
. 365
. 180
. ;t29
. .320
. 330
. 330

. mo

. 418
. 1.%
. 310
. 204
. 101
. 312

404

162
33
11

230

287

316

31!)

3!I4

342

Pag*

Cerulean Warbler 370

Chachalaca 153

Chat, Long-tailed 385

Yellow-breasted 384

Cherry-bird 342

Cheitnut-backed Chickadee... 421
ChMtnul-bellied Scaled Part-
ridge 180

Cheitniit collared Long«pin. , . 206
Cheatniit-crowned Towhee.... 327

Chestnut-sided Warbler 371

Chewink 324

Chickadee 416

Californian 421

Carolina 418

Chestnut-backed 421

Hudsonian 420

Long-tailed 417

Mountain 410

Oregon 417

Plumbeous 418

Siberian 420

Chicken Hawk 170

Chimney Swallow 230

Swift 2;i0

Chipping Sparrow 307

Chow-chow 20<t

Chuck-will's Widow 224

Cinereous Song-sparrow 320

Cinnamon Teal 65

Clapper Rail 100

Clarke's Crow 268

Nutcracker 268

Clay-colored Sparrow 307

Cliff Swallow 330

Cock, Sage 1.00

Cock of the Plains 150

Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse 149
Common Atlantic Shearwater.. 45

Brown Crane 08

Cormorant •')3

Gallinule 104

Puflin 9

Tern 35

Wild Goose 80

Condor, California 160

Connecticut Warbler 382

Cooper's Hawk 170

Tanager 338

Coot, American 105

European 104

Sea 76

White-winged 76

Coot-footed Tring a 105

Cormorant 53

Baird's 57

Brandt's 56

Common 53

Double-crested 53

Farallone 55

Florida 54

Cormorant, Mexican 55

Cormorant Pelagic 60

PAdR

Cormorant Red-faced 57

Violet-green 60

White-crtsted 54

Corn Crake 103

Costa's Hummingbird 28'2

Couch's Kingbird '2:18

Cowbird 272

Cow lllackbird 'JH'i

Bunting 272

Cowbird, Dwarf 273

Red-eyed '273

Crake, Corn 103

European spotted lUI

Spotted 101

Yellow 102

Crane, Common Krown 08

Great White 07

Little Brown 07

Sandhill 08

Whooping 07

Craveri's Murrelet 13

Creeper, Ilahaman Honey .3.55

Brown 410

Californian 411

Mexican 410

Kockey Mountain 410

Crested Auklet 12

Crested Flycatcher !ilO

Crissal Thrasher 400

Towhee ;J28

Crossbill, American 280

American Red 280

White-winged 280

Crow, American !•.... 267

California 267

Carrion 162

Clarke's 268

Fish 268

Florida 267

Northwest 268

Rain 20(i

Crow Blackbird 283

Boat-tailed 284

Bronzed 28;i

Fan-tailed 2fM

Crow-duck Hii, 10,0

Crying-bird Oil

Cuban Nighthawk 228

Cuckoo, black-billed 207

California 207

Ground 205

Mangrove 206

Yellow-billed 206

Curlew Sandpiper 116

Curlew, Eskimo 127

Hudsonian 126

Jack 126

Long-billed 126

Spanish 87

Curve billed Thrasher 397

Cut-water 40

Dark-bodied Shearwater 46

Darter .52

Pag*

Day Owl aOO

D«fby Flycatcher 340

Desert Horned Lark 255

Song Sparrow 810

Dickciisel 835

Dipper 71

Dipper, American 882

Diver, Black-throated 7

Double-crested Cormorant..,. 53

Dough-bird 127

Dove. Carolina 150

Ground 150

Inca loU

Mourning 156

Rain 200

Scaled 160

Sea 10

Turtle 160

White-fronted 158

White-winged 168

Zenaida 157

Dovekie 10

Dowitcher 1 10

Long-billed 110, 111

Downy Woodpecker 210

Duck, American Scaup 00

Black 62

Black Surf 76

Bridal 67

Crow 68

Dipper 78

Dusky ".. 62

Florida 02

Gray 63

Greater Scaup 69

Harlequin 72

Lesser Scaup 70

Long-tail 72

Raft 09

Ring necked 70

King-necked Scaup 70

Ruddy 77

Rufut crested 68

Stellar'* 78

Surf 77

Velvet 76

Wood 67

Duck Hawk 186

Dunlin, 115

American 115

Dusky Duck 62

Horned Owl ItIO

Grouse 141

Kinglet 428

Dwarf Cowbird 273

Hermit Thrush 435

Eagle, Bald 183

Golden 182

Gray Sea 183

Mexican 189

White-headed 183

Eagle, White-tailed 188

Eave Swallow 330

INDEX.

Pacb

Egret, American 02

Great White 02

Reddish 03

Eider, 74

Spectacled 73

American 74

King 75

Pacific 75

Elegant Tern 34

Elf Owl 203

Elk(Swan). 84

Emperor Goose 83

Eskimo Curlew 127

Euphonia, Blue-headed 330

European Hlue Heron 02

Uuzzard 172

Cout 104

Golden Plover 120

Goldfinch 201

Herring Gull 20

House Sparrow 204

Snipe 100

Spotted Crake 101

Teal 64

Titlark 301

Tree Sparrow 204

Woodcock 108

Evening Grosbeak 285

Everglade Kite 167

Falcon, Aplomado 188

Femoral 188

Peale's 187

Peregrine 186

Prairie 186

Wandering 186

Fan-tailed Crow Blackbird .... 284

Farallone Cormorant 55

Femoral Falcon 188

Ferruginous Rough-leg 181

Field Plover 125

Sparrow 308

Finch, Aleutian Rosy 200

Bachman's 314

California Purple 288

Canon 328

Cassin's Purple 287

Crimson 286

Grass 207

Guadalupe House 288

House 287

Lazuli Painted 33.'i

Lincoln's 321

Painted 334

Pine 20.}

Purple 286

Purple Painted .. 333

Sfvside 303

Sharp-tailed 302

Firebird 280

Fish Crow 268

Hawk 101

Flamingo, American, Appendix 85
Flammulated Screech Owl 197

Pagb

Flicker 222

Gilded ... 224

Guadalupe 224

Northwestern 223

Red-shafted 228

Yellow-shafted 222

Flocking Fowl 60

Florida Barred Owl 194

Blue Jay 259

Bob-white 137

Burrowing Owl 202

Cormorant 54

Crow 267

Duck. 62

Grack.j 283

GuUinule 104

Heron /. 91

Jay 261

Red-shouldered Hawk... 175

Screech Owl 106

Towhee 825

Flycatcher, Acadian 248

Arizona Crested 241

Ash-throated 241

Black-creasted 342

Crested 240

Derby 240

Forked-tailed 236

Gray Little 251

Great-crested 240

Hammond's 251

Little 240

Least 251

Mexican Crested 241

Olive-sided 244

Scissor-tailed 236

Small Green-crested 248

Swallow-tailed 236

Traill's 250

Vermilion 252

Western £48

Western Yellow-bellied.. 248

Wright's 251

Yellow-bellied 247

Fly-up-the-Creek 95

Fool Quail 140

Forked-tailed Flycatcher 236

Gull 32

Petrel 47

Forster's Tern 35

Fox Sparrow 322

Franklin's Gull 31

Grouse 144

Freshwater Marsh Hen 09

Frigate Bird 69

Fulmar 44

Giant 43

Pacific 44

Rodgers' 45

Fulvous Tree Duck 84

Gadwall 63

Gairdner's Woodpecker 211

Gallinule, Common 104

Pack

Gallinule, Florida 104

Purple 103

Gambel's Sparrow 305

White-crowned Sparrow. SOfi

Partridge 140

Gannet, Brown 52

White 52

Garrot 70

Giant Fulmar 43

Petrel 43

Gila Woodpecker 222

Gilded Flicker 224

Glaucous Gull 23

Glaucous-winged Gull 24

Glossy Ibis 88

White-faced 88

Gnatcatcher, Black-tailed 430

Blue-gray 420

Plumbeous 429

Goatsucker , 227

Godwit, Black-tailed 119

Great Marbled 117

Hudsonian 118

Marbled 117

Pacific 118

Golden Eagle 182

Robin 280

Golden-cheeked Warbler 374

Golden-crowned Kinglet 426

Sparrow 306

Golden-eye, American 70

Barrow's 71

Golden-fronted Woodpecker... 221
Golden-winged Woodpecker... 222

Warbler 360

Golden Plover 129

Goldfinch, 294

American 291

Arizona 292

Arkansas 292

Arkansaw Green-backed. 202

European 294

Lawrence's 292

Goose,American White-front'd 79

Barnacle 82

Brant 81

Cackling 81

Canada 80

Common Wild 80

Emperor 83

Hutchins's 81

Laughing 70

Lesser Snow 78

Painted 83

Solan 52

White-fronted , 79

Goshawk, A merican 171

Mexican 170

Western 171

Grackle, Blue-headed 282

Boat-tailed 284

Grackle, Bronzed 283

Florida .i 283

INDEX.

Page

Grackle, Great tailed 284

Purple 283

Rusty 281

Texas 284

Grassquit, 335

Blark-faced 885

Grass Finch 297

Grass Plover 125

Gr^y Duck 63

Gyrfalcon 185

Kingbird 238

Little Flycatcher 251

Phalarope 105

RufTed Grouse 145

Sea Eagle 183

Snipe 110

Vireo 354

Towhee 328

Gray-back . . , 110

Gray Bird 297

Gray-cheekei. thrush 433

Gray-headed J unco 312

Snowbird 312

GreatAuk 17

Black-backed Gull 25

Blue Heron 91

PrayOwl 194

HornedOwl 198

White Et ret 92

White h ron 91

Great-crested Flycatcher 240

Great-head 70

Greater Gray-beak HI

Long-beak Ill

Scaup Duck 09

Shearwater 45

Yellow-legs HO

Great-footed Hawk 180

Great-tailed Grackle 284

Grebe, Holboell's 2

Horned 3

Western 1

Green Black-capped Flycatch-

ing Warbler 386

Heron 96

Jay 263

Sandpiper 122

Green-head 61

Greenlet. (See Vireo.)

Green-shank 11!)

Green-tailed Towhee.... 327

Green- winged Tea? 64

Groove-billed Ani 201

Grosbeak, American Pine 285

Black-headed 331

Blue 332

Cardinal 329

Evening 285

Purple 286

Rose-brtasted 331

Ground Cuckoo , 205

Robin 324

Grouse, Black 142

Pagr

Grouse, Canada 142

Canadian Ruffed 145

Columbian Sharp-tailed.. 140

Dusky 141

Franklin's 144

Gray Ruffed 145

Oregon Ruffed 145

Pinnated 147

Prairie Sharp-tailed 160

Red-ruffed 145

Richardson's 142

Ruffed 144

Sage 150

Sharp-tailed 140

Sooty 141

Spotted 142

Spruce 142

Wood 142

Gudalupe Flicker 224

House Finch 288

Junco 312

Petrel, foot note 49

Rock Wren 403

Guan, Texas lo.'(

Guillemot, Black 13

Mandt's 14

Pigeon 14

Gull, American Herring 27

Black-headed 80

Bonaparte's 31

California 28

European Herring 20

Fork-tailed 32

Franklin's 31

Glaucus 23

Glaucus-winged 24

Great Black-backed 26

Heermann's 30

Herring 26

Iceland 24

Ivory 21

Kittiwake 21

Kumlein's 21

Laughing 30

Mackeral 35

Mew 29

Pallas's 27

Point Barrow 23

Skua 19

Summer 35

Ring-billed 28

Sabine's .'i2

Short-billed 29

Siberian .T. . 20

Western 25

White-headed 30

White-winged 24

Gull-billed Tern 82

Gull Hunter 19

Gyrfalcon 185

BLick 185

Greenland 184

Gyrfalcon, Gray iS6

Pacb

Gyrfalcon, MacFarlane's 185

Hair-bird 307

Hairy-head 61

Hairy Woodpecker 200

Hammond's Flycatcher.- 251

Harlequin Duck 72

Harrier 168

Harris's Hawk 172

Sparrow Appendix tiOt

Woodpecker 210

Hawk, American Rough-legged IKO

American Sparrow 188

Black 180-187

Blue 168

Hroad-winged 178

Chicken 170

Coopers 170

Duck 186

Fish 191

Florida Red-shouli!ered. 175

Great footed 18(1

Harris's 172

Krider's 174

Marsh 168

Mexican Black 179

Pigeon 187

Red-bellied 175

Red-shoulderrd 174

Red-tailed .. 173

Rough-lcggcd 180

Sharp-shinned .. 160

Swainson's 177

White-tailed 176

Zone-tailed 178

Heath Hen 143

Heermann's (Jull 30

Song Sparrow 310

Hell-diver 6, 71

Hcloise's Hummingbird 23'.\

Hen, Heath I4K

Prairie 117

Sage 180

Henslow's Grasshopper .Spar-
row .'iOI

Hermit Thrush 436

Warbler '.m

Heron, Black-crowned Night.. 96

European Blue iYi

Florida 91

Great Blue 91

Great White 91

Green 95

Little Blue 91

Louisiana 94

Snowy 93

Ward's 91

Vellow-crowncd Night,.. 96

Herring Gull, American 27

European ... 26

High-holder 222

Hoary R--dpo!l 290

HolbicU's Grebe 2

Hooded Flycatching Warbler . 3>V>

ass

INDEX.

Pace

Hooded Merganser 61

Oriole 278

Warbler 385

Hooper 84

Hoot Owl 198

Horn-billed Auk 11

Horned Grebe 8

Lark 253

Puffin 10

House Finch 287

Wren 400

Hudsonian Curlew 120

Chickadee 420

Godwit 118

Hummingbird, Allen's 234

Anna's 233

Black-chinned 232

Broad-tailed 233

Buff-bellied 235

Calliope 235

Costa's 232

Heloise's '234

Ruby-throated 231

Rufous 23*

Xantus's 236

Hunter, Gull 19

Hurricane Bird 59

Hutchins' Goose.. ., 81

Hutton's Vireo 352

Ibis, Glossy 88

Scarlet 87

White 87

Wood 89

Ice-bird 19

Iceland Gull 24

Inca Dove 159

Indigo Painted Bunting 333

Bluebird 333

Bunting 333

Intermedi.ite Sparrow 305

White-crowned 305

Ipswich Sparrow. 298

Ivory Gull 21

Ivory-billed Woodpecker 209

Jabiru 89

Jacana, Mexican 136

Jackdaw 284

Jack Snipe 110

Jaeger, Long-tailed 20

Parasitic 20

Pomarine 19

Jay, Arizona 262

Blue 268

Blue-fronted 250

California 261

Canada 263

Florida 201

Florida Blue 250

Green 268

Long-crested 200

Oregon 264

Pinon 289

Jay, Rio Grande aB8

Page

Jay, Pocky Mountain 264

Steller's 250

Woodhouse's 261

Judas-bird 835

Junco, Arizona 312

Carolina 310

Gray-hea<!ed 312

Guadalupe 312

Oregon 311

Pink-sided 311

Red-backed 312

Sl.ite-colored 300

Kadikk Song Sparrow 3*20

Kennicott's Screech Owl 197

Kentucky Warbler 381

Kestrel Appendix.

Key West Quail-dove IW)

Kildeer i;«)

King Eider 75

Rail 99

Kingbird, Arkansas 239

Cassin's 239

Couch's 238

Gray 238

Western 239

Kinghsher, Belted 208

Texan Green 208

Kinglet, Dusky 428

Golden-crowned 425

Ruby-crowned 427

Western Golden-crowned 427

Kite, Black-shoulder l(i5

Everglade 107

Mississippi 166

Swallow-tailed 163

White-tailed 16.')

Kittiwake 21

Pacific 22

Red-legged 22

Knot Ill

Krider's Red-tail 174

Kumlien'sGull 24

Ladder-backed Woodpecker. . . 212
Three-toed Woodpecker. 216

Lady of the Waters 94

Lanner, American 186

Lapland Longspur 296

Lapwing, Crested 128

Large-billed Puffin 10

Wag-tail Warbler i!80

Water-thrush itSO

Lark Bunting 336

Finch 303

Sp.irrow 303

Lark, Desert Horned 255

Horned 253

Mexican 256

Old Field '275

Pallid Horned '254

Prairie Horned 254

Ruddy Horned '260

Shore 263

Lark, Streaked Horned 256

Pace

Lark, Texan Horned 265

Laughing Gull 30

Goose 79

Lawrence's Goldfinch 292

Lazuli, Bunting 333

Painted Finch 333

Leach's Petrel 48

Lead-colored Bush-tit 423

Least Auklet 12

Bittern 90

Flycatcher 251

Sandpiper 114

Tern 87

Vireo 354

Le Conte's Sparrow 302

Thrasher 399

Lesser Scaup Duck 70

Snow Goose 78

Tell-tale 120

Lettuce-bird 291

Leucosticte, Aleutian 290

Lewis's Woodpecker 220

Limkin 88

Lincoln's Finch 321

Sparrow , , 321

Linnet 286

Linnet, Pine 293

Redpoll 290

Little Blue Heron 04

Brown Crane 97

Field Lark 335

Flycatcher 249

Horned Owl 196

Ringed Dotterel 132

Ring Plover 132

Loggerhead Shrike S'lS

Long-billed Curlew 126

Dowitchcr Ill

Marsh Wren 400

Long-crested Jay 280

Long-legged Sandpiper HI

Longspur, Black-shouldered... 296

Bay-winged 297

Chestnut-collared 296

Lapland 295

McCown's 297

Painted )ffl6

Smith's 290

White-tailed 296

Long-tailed Chat 385

Chickadee 417

Duck 72

House Wren 405

Jaegar 20

Loon 6

Black-throated 7

Pacific 7

Red-lhroatcd 8

White-billed 6

Yellow-billed 6

Louisiana Heron 94

Lark 800

Louisiana Tanagcr 330

,-,

Pagb

Louisiana Water Thrush 380

Lucy's Warbler 361

Lutcscent Warbler 368

McCown's Longspur 297

MacFarlane's Gyrfalcon 185

MacGillivray's Warbler 383

Magnolia Warbler 30!)

Magpie, American 257

Black-billed 257

Yellow-billed 2.58

Mallard 61

Mandt's Guillemot 1 i

Mangrove Cuckoo 206

Man-o"-War liird 5(1

Man-of-War 20

Manx Shearwater 45

Marbled Godwit 117

Murrelet 13

Marlin 117

Marsh Blue-bill 70

Hawk 16S

Owl 103

Robin 321

Tern 32

Martin, Purple .'UiK

Sand 341

Maryland Yellow. tliroai ;!83

Massena Partridge 140

Meadow Pipit 391

Meadowlark 275

Western 276

Meadow-wink 271

Merganser, American 60

Hooded 61

Red-breasted 61

Merlin Appendix.

Richardson's 188

Mexican Black Hawk 179

Canary 334

Cormorant 55

Creeper 410

Crested Flycatcher 241

Eagle 180

Goshawk 17!)

Horned Lark 256

Jacana 136

Raven 265

Screech Owl 197

Sparrow 316

Turkey 152

Mississippi Kite 166

Missouri Skylark 301

Mockingbird 393

Mountain 3il2

Mongolian Plover 133

Monkey-faced Owl 101

Moose-Bird 263

Mother Cary's Goose 43

Chicken 47

Mottled Owl 106

Mountain Bluebird 441

Chickadee 410

Mountain Partridge 137

INDEX.

Paob

Mountain Plover 134

Mockingbird H02

Solitary Vireo 349

Song Spurrow 310

Mourning Dove 156

Warbler 882

Mud Hen 10)

Red-billed 104

Murre 15

Brunnich's, 16

California 15

Pallas's 16

Murrelet, Black-throated 1*2

Craveri's 13

Marbled 13

Myrtle Warbler 867

Nashville Wirbler 362

New York Acccnter 379

Night Heron, Black-crowned. . 95

Yellow-crowned 96

Nighthawk 227

Cuban 22P

Texan 2::9

Western 228

Nightingale, Virgini.tn 320

Noddy Tern 40

Nonpareil 334

Western im

Northern Black Cloud Swift... 220

Phalarope 106

Raven 265

Shrike 343

Northwest Crow 268

Northwestern Flicker 223

Nutcracker, Clarke's 288

Nuthatch, Brown-he.idcd 412

Pigmy 413

Red-breasted 412

Slender-billed 411

White-breasted 411

Nuttall's Poorwill 226

Woodprcker 212

Old Field I, .irk 275

Obi-squaw 72

Old-wife 72

Olivo-backcd Thrush 436

Olive-sided Flycalch.>r 241

Orange-crowned Warbler 362

Orchard OrioK- 281)

Oregon Chickadee 417

Ground Robin 326

Jay 264

Junco 311

Song Sparrow 320

Ruffed Grouse 145

Towhee 32<l

Oriole, Audubon's , 277

Arizona Hooded 279

Ibllimorc 280

Black-and-yellow 277

Bullock's 281

Hooded 278

Oriole, Orchard 280

Vll

Page

Oriole, Paris 277

Scott's 277

Osprey, American 190

Ouiel, American Water 892

Oven-hird 878

Owl, Acadian Appendix 195

American Hawk 200

Hoot 108

American Li>ng-eared 192

American Sparrow 105

Arctic Horned 199

Biirn 101

B.irred 198

Burrowing 201

California Screech 197

Day 200

Dusky Horned 109

Elf 203

Flammulated Screech 197

Florida Barred 104

Florida Screech 196

Florida Burrowing 202

Great Gray 194 -

(Jreat Horned 198

Hoot 198

Kennicott's Screech 197

Little Horned 196

Marsh 193

Mexican Screech 197

Monkey-faced 101

Mottled 198

Pygmy 202

Red 196

Richardson's 105

Rocky Mountain Screech 197

Round-headed lOIl

Saw whet 185

Screech 106

Short-eared IBS

Snowy 200

Spotted 194

Texas Screech 100

Western Barred 194

Western Horned 190

Wood 103

Ox-Lird 115

Ox-eye I'JO

Oyster-catcher 186

American 136

Black i36

lirown-backed 186

Pacific Eider 76

Fulmar 44

Godwit 118

Golden Plover 180

Kittiwake 22

Loon 7

Painted Bunting 884

Finch 334

Flycatching Warbler.... 888

Goose HA

Longspur 296

Painted Redstart 880

Vlll

Pacb

Paisano 205

Pallas's Gull 27

Murre 16

Pallid Horned Lark 264

Palmer's Thrasher 308

Parasitic Jaeger 20

Parauque Appendix 227

Paris Oriole 277

Parkman's Wren -107

Parroquet, Carolina 201

Parrot, Sea 8

Partridge, California 139

Chestnnt-btUicd Scaled . 139

Gambcl's 140

Massena 140

Mountain 137

Plumed 137, 138

Scaled : 138

Valley 140

Parula Warbler 303

Pabsenger Pigeon 156

Peale's Falcon 187

Pectoral Sandpiper 113

Pelagic Cormorant 5(>

Pelican, Brown I'J

California lirown 59

Peregrine Falcon 188

Petrel, Ashy 49

Bulwer's 47

Fork-tailed 47

Guadalupe (foot note.) ... 49

Leach's 48

Stormy 47

Wilson's Stormy 49

Pewee 242

Western Wood 240

Wood 24.')

Phalarope, Gray 105

Northern 106

Red 105

Wilson's 106

Phainopepla 342

Philadelphia Vireo 340

Phcebe 242

Black 244

Say's 243

Pigeon Guillemot 14

Hawk 187

Pigeon, Hand-tailed 154

I'assenger 150

Ked-billed 155

Sea l-i

White-collared 154

While-crowned 155

Wild 156

Pigmy, Nuthatch 413

Owl 202

Pileated Woodpecker 219

Pileolated Warbler 380

Pine Finch 293

Linnet 293

Siskin 293

Pine Warbler 377

INDEX.

Page

Pine-woods Sparrow 314

Pink-sided Junco 311

Pinnated Grouse 147

Pinon Jay 269

Pin-tail 66

Chicken 149

Piping Plover 132

Pipit, American 390

Meadow 391

Sprague's 891

Plain Titmouse 415

Plover, American Golden ..... 130

Asiatic Gulden 130

Belted Piping 132

Black bellied 129

Golden 129

Green 130

Little Ring Plover 132

Mongolian I'Sii

Mountain 134

Pacific Golden 130

Piping 132

Prairie 134

Ring 131

RudJy 117

Semi-palmeated 131

Ring .... 131

Snowy 133

Ring 133

Whistling Field 129

Wilson's 133

Plumbeous Chickadee 418

Gnatcatcher 429

Vireo 349

Plumed Partridge 137, 138

Po;hard 68

Point Bartow Gull 23

Pomarine Jaeger 10

Poor-will, N uttall's 220

Pheasant 144

Prairie Hen 147

Horned Lark 254

Falcon 186

Pigeon 125

Sharp-tailed Grouse.. 149, 150

Snipe 125

Warhler 378

hrothonotary Warbler 356

Prybilof Sandpiper 113

Snowflakc 295

Prusiano 383

Ptarmigan, Reinhardt's 147

Rock 146

White-tailed 147

Willow liti

Puffin 9

Common 9

Horned 10

Large-billed 10

Tufted 8

Pug-nosed Auk 11

Purple Finch 280

Purple Gallinuie 103

Pagb

Purple Crackle 283

Grosbeak 286

Martin 338

Painted Finch 333

Sandpiper 112

Purre 115

Qua-bird 95

Quail, Arizona 140

Blue 138

Valley 130

Quail-dove, Key West 160

Blue-headed 160

Raft Duck 69

Rail, BK-.ck 102

California Clapper 100

Carolina 101

Clapper lOJ

King 99

Land 103

Red-breasted 90

Virginia 101

Yellow 102

Rain Crow 206

Dove 206

Raven, Mexican 26S

Northern 265

White-necked 266

Razorbill 40

Razor-billed Auk 17

Red Owl 196

Phalarope 105

RuflTed Grouse 145

R c d - a n d-b I a c k .shouldered

Blackbird 274

Rcd-and-whit e-shouldcred

Blackbird 275

Red-backed Junco 312

Sandpiper 115

Red-bellied Hawk 175

Snipe Ill

Woodpecker 221

Red-billed Mud-hen 104

Pigeon 155

Tropic-bird 50

Redbird 320

Red- breasted Merganser 61

Nuthatch 412

Rail 00

Sapsucker '217

Snipe 110

Red-cockaded Woodpecker 211

Reddish Egret 93

Red-eyed Cowbird 273

Towhee 324

Vireo 345

Red-faced Cormorant 57

Warbler 380

Red-footed Booby 51

Red-head 68

Red-headed Woodpecker 219

Linnet 287

Red-winged Blackbird 274

Starling 274

INDEX.

Page

Red-winged Thrush 437

Reed-Bird 271

Rein.ardt's Ptarmigan 147

Rhinoceros Auklet lU

Rice bird 271

Rich-.rdson's Grouse J42

Merlin 188

Owl 195

Ringed Dotterel 131

Ring Plover 131

Ring-necked Duck 70

Scaup Duck 70

Ring-billed Blackhead 70

Gull 28

Rio Grande Jay 263

Road-runner 206

Robin, American 487

Golden 280

Ground 324

Marsh 324

Oregon Ground 326

Western 488

Rock Ptarmigan 146

Sparrow 318

Wren 402

Rocky Mountain Creeper 410

Garrot 71

Jay 264

Screech Owl 197

Whisky Jack 264

Rogers' Fulmar 45

Rose Tanager 337

Roseate Spoonbill 86

Tern 36

Rose-breasted Grosbeak 331

Rough-legged Hawk 180

Rough-winged Swallow 341

Round-headed Owl 193

Royal Tern 34

Ruby-crowned Kinglet 427

Ruby-throated Hummingbird.. 331

Ruddy Duck 77

Horned Lark 256

Plover 117

Ruff 124

Ruffed Grouse 144

Rufous Hummingbird 284

Rufous-crested Duck 68

Rufous-crowned Sparrow 317

Rufous-winged iSparrow 317

Russet-backed Thrush 434

Rusty Blackbird 281

Grackle 281

Song Sparrow 320

Sabine's Gull 82

Saddle-back 25

Sage Cock 150

Grouse 150

Hen 150

Sparrow 314

Thrasher 392

Saint Domingo Grebe 4

Saint Lucas Cirdinul 880

Pack

Saint Lucas Thrasher 399

Towhee 328

Salt-water Marsh Hen 100

Samuels' Song Sparrow 32U

Sanderling 117

Sandhill Crane 98

Sand Martin 341

Sandpiper, Aleutian 112

American Green 121

Ash-colored 112

Baird's 114

Bartramian 124

Black-I.ellied 115

Black-brtusted 113

Bonaparte's 118

Buff breasted 125

Curlew 116

Green 122

Least 114

Long-legged HI

Red-breasted 110

Red-backed 115

Pectoral 113

Purple 112

Prybilof 113

Semi-palmated 116

Solitary 121

Spotted 125

Stilt Ill

Western ;17

Whistling 122

White-rumped 113

Sandwich Tern 34

Sapsucker 209, 411

Lesser 210

Red-breasted 217

Red-naped 216

Yellow-bellied 215

Savanna Blackbird 204

Savannah Sparrow 298

Saw-whet Owl Appendix 195

Say's Phoebe 243

Scaled Dove 159

Partridge 138

Scarlet Ibis 87

Tanager 337

Scissor-talled Flycatcher 236

Scoter, American 75

Surf 77

Velvet 76

Scott's Oriole 277

Screech Owl 1B6

Sea-Coot 76

Sea Crow Al

Sea Dove 19

SeaDog 40

Sea-mew 29

Sea-parrot 8

Sea Pigeon 14

Seaside Finch 303

Sparrow 308

Sea Swallow 35, 37

Seed-eater, Sharpe'i 834

Page

Semipalmated Plover 181

Stndpiper Utt

Sennett's Thrasher 897

Warbler 366

Sharpe's Seed-eater 384

Sharp-shinned Hawk 169

Sharp-tailed Finch 802

Grouse 149

Sparrow 802

Shearwater 40

Audubon's 46

Audubon's Dusky 46

Black-vented 4C

Dark-bodied 46

Greater 45

Manx 45

Sooty 46

Wandering 45

Sheldrake 80

Shining Fly-snapper 842

Shore Lark 263

Short-billed Gull 29

Marsh Wren 408

Short-eared Owl 193

Short-tailed Albatross 41

Tern 39

Shoveller 66

Shrike, California 344

Loggerhead 843

Northern 843

White-rumped 844

Shuffler 69

Siberian Chickadee 420

Gull 26

Yellow Wagtail 390

Sickle-bill 126

Siskin, American 298

Pine 298

Skimmer, Black 40

Skua 19

Skunk Blackbird 271

Skylark 268

Slate-colored Sparrow 828

Junco 309

Slender-billed Nuthatch 411

Small-billed Water-thrush 379

Small Green -creasted Fly-
catcher 248

Smith's Longspur 296

Snake-bird 62

Snake Killer 205

Snipe, American 110

European 109

Gray 110

Jack no

Red-bellied Ill

Red-breasted 110

Wilson's 110

Snowflake 28E.-

Prybilof 2g&

Snow Bunting 296'

Snow-bird, Black 309

Gray-headed 812

INDEX.

Pace

Snowy Heron 98

Snowy Owl 200

Snub-nosed Auk 12

Solan Goose 52

Solitaire, Townsend's 431

Solitary Sandpiper 121

Song Sparrow 318

Sooty Albatross 43

Shearwater 46

Tern 38

Sora 101

South-southerly 72

Spanish Curlew 87

Sparrow, Aleutian 320

Bachman's 314

Baird's 300

Belding's Marsh 300

Bell's 313

Boucard's 318

Black-chinned 309

Black-throated 313

Brewer's 308

Bryant's Marsh 299

California Song 319

Cassin's 31U

Chipping 307

Cinereous Song 320

Clay-colored . . 307

Desert-song 319

European House 291

European Tree 294

Field 308

Fox 322

Gambel's 305

" White-crowned 305

Golden-crown 306

Grasshopper 300

Harris's Appendix 304

Heermann's Song 319

Henslow's 301

Henslow's Grasshopper.. 301

Intermediate 305

White-
Crowned 305

Ipswich 298

KadiakSong 320

Lark 803

Le Conte's 302

Lincoln's 321

Mexican 316

Mountain Song 319

Oregon Song 320

Pine-woods 314

Rock 318

Rusty-song 320

Rufous-crowned 317

Rufous-winged 317

Sage 314

Samuel's Song 320

Savannah 298

Sharp-tailed 302

Seaside 303

Slate-colored 828

Pagb

Sparrow, Song 318

Swamp 321

Texas 323

Sparrow, Townsend's 322

Thick-billed 323

Tree 300

Vesper 297

\Vestern Chipping ."107

Western Field 3j9

Western Grasshopper . . . 301

Western Lark ,;04

Western Savannah '^iB

Western Tree ,i07

Western Vesper 267

White-crowned 305

White-throated 306

Spectacled Eider 73

Spirit-duck 71

Spoonbill Duck 60

Roseate 86

Spotted Crake 101

Grouse 142

Owl 194

Sandpiper 125

Sprague's Pipit 391

Sprig-tail 66, 78

Spruce Grouse 142

Spurred Towhee 326

Squawk 95

Starling 270

Red-winged 274

Stellar's Duck 73

Jay 259

Stephen's Vireo 353

Whip-poor-will 226

Stilt, Black-necked 108

Stilt Sandpiper Ill

Stork, American 89

Stormy Petrel 47

Streaked Horned Lark 256

Summer Redbird 337

Tanager 337

Gull 35

Surf Duck 77

Scoter 77

Swainson's Hawk 177

Warbler 357

Swallow, Bank 341

Barn 339

Chimney 230

Cliff 330

Eave 339

Rough-winged 341

Sea 35, 37

Tree 340

Violet green 340

White-bellied 340

Swallow-tailed Flycatcher 238

Kite 163

Swamp Blackbird 274

Sparrow 321

Swan, Whistling 84

Whooping 84

Pagb

Swan, Trumpeter 85

Swift, Black 220

Chimney 230

Swift, Northern BUc'- Chowd. 229

Vaux's 231

Swiss Plover 129

Tanager, Cooper's 338

Hepatic 337

Louisiana 836

Rose 3;I7

Scarlet 337

Summer 837

Teal, Green-winged 64

Blue-winged 65

Cinnamon 63

European 64

Tell-tale 119

Lesser I'iO

Tennessee Warbler 363

Tern, Aleutian 37

Arctic 36

Black 39

Bridled 38

Cabot's 34

Caspian 33

Common 3j

Elegant 34

Forster's 35

Gull-billed 32

Least 37

Marsh 32

Noddy 40

Paradise 36

Royal 84

Roseate 36

Sandwich 34

Short-tailed 39

Sooty 38

White-winged Black 39

Wilson's.. 35

Texan Bob-white 137

Cardinal 330

Green Kingfisher '208

Guan 153

Horned Lark 255

Kingfisher 208

Night-hawk 229

Screech-owl 196

Thrasher 397

Woodpecker 212

Texas, Grackle 284

Sparrow 323

Thick-billed Sparrow 323

Thistle-bird 291

Thrasher, Bendire's 398

Brown 394

Crissal 400

Californian 399

Curve-billed 397

Leconte's 899

Palmsr's 898

Sennett's 3 7

St. Lucas 399

..|»^awtf!>'

Pack

Thrasher, Sage 892

Texas 307

Thrush, Audubon's Hermit.. . . 436

Bicknell's 434

Thrush, Dwarf Hermit 435

Gray-cheeked 433

Hermit 436

Large-billed Water 380

Louisiana Water 380

Olive-backed 436

Red-winged 437

Russet-backed 434

Townsend's Fly-catching 431

Water- 379

Varied 438

Willow 433

Wilson's 432

Wood 432

Thrush Blackbird 281

Titmouse, Black-creasted 414

Bridled 416

Plain 415

Tufted 413

Towhee 324

Abert's 328

Arctic 325

Brown ;327

California 328

Canon .327

Chestnut-crowned 327

Crissal 328

Florida 325

Gray 328

Green-tailed .327

Oregon 326

Red-eyed .'J24

Saint Lucas 328

Spurred .326

White-eyed 325

White throated Brown... 328
Townsend'i. Fly-catching

Thrush 431

Solitaire 431

Sparrow ;i22

Warbler- ;,7fl

Traill's Flycatcher 250

Tree-duck, Black-bellied 83

Fulvous 84

Long-legged 83

Tree Sparrow ,306

Swallow 340

Tricolored Blackbird 276

Tropic Bird, Red-billed 50

Yellow-billed 50

Troupial 276

Trumpeter Swan 85

Tufted Puffin 8

Titmouse 413

Tule Wren 409

Turkey, Wild 151

Mexican 152

Turkey Buzzard 161

Vulture 101

INDEX.

Fagb

Turnstone 134

Black 135

Upland Plover 125

Valley Quail 189

Vallev Partridge 140

Varied Bunting 333

Thrush 438

Vaux's Swift 2.31

Veery 432

Velvet Scoter 76

Verdin 424

Vermillion Flycatcher 262

Vigor's Wren 406

Violet-green Cormorant 56

Swallow 310

Vireo, Bell's 353

Black-capped P")!

Black-whiskered 3(5

Blue-headed 348

Cassin's 340

Gray 3^

Hutton's 352

Least 354

Mountain Solitary - 349

Philadelphia 346

Plumbeous 349

Red-eyed 345

Stephens's 353

Warbling 316

White-eyed 352

Yellow-th roated 347

Virginia Nightingale 329

Rail 101

Virginia's Warbler 361

Vulture, Black 102

California 160

Tirkey 161

Wagtail, Siberian Yellow 390

White 889

Wagtail Warbler 379

Wandering Albatross 41

Falcon 180

Shearwater 45

Warbler, Audubon's 368

Azure 370

Bachman's 359

Bay-breasted 371

Blackburnian 372

Black and White im

Bl,ick-and-yellow 369

Black-poll 372

Black-throated Blue :!66

Black-throated Gray ■>74

Black-throated Green.. 375

Blue-eyed Yellow 366

Blue-winged 359

Blue-yellow backed .363

Canadian 387

Canada Flycatching .387

Cape May 365

Cerulean 370

Chestnut-sided 371

Connecticut 882

Pacb

Warbler, Golden 366

Golden-cheeked 374

Golden-winged 860

Green Black-capped Fly-
catching ,'(88

Hermit 376

Hooded 385

Hooded Flycatching ,385

Kentucky ,381

Lucy's 361

Lutescent 368

MacGillivray's ;^83

Magnolia 300

Mourning ,'382

Myrtle 367

Nashville 302

Orange-crowned 362

Painted Flycatching 388

Parula 368

Pileolated f '3

Pine 377

Pine-creeping 877

Prairie 378

Prothonotary 356

Red-faced ,389

Sennett's 365

Summer 366

Swainson's 357

Tennessee 303

Townsend'i 376

Virginia's 361

Yellow 366

Yellow-crowned 367

Yellow Palm 877

Yellow-rumped ,367

Yellow-throated 373

Wagtail 379

Western Black-capped

Fly-catching 386

Wilson's.. 386

Worm-eating 858

Warbling Vireo 346

Ward's Heron 91

Water Pheasant 61

Water Turkey 52

Water Thrush 379

Wax-wing, Bohemian 341

Carolina 342

Cedar ,343

Western Barred Owl 194

Black-capped Flycatch-
ing Warbler .386

Bluebird 441

Chipping Sparrow 307

Field Sparrow 809

Flycatcher 248

Golden-crowned Kinglet. 427

Goshawk 171

Grasshopper Sparrow... 801

Grebe 1

Gull 26

Horned Owl 199

Kingbird 289

Xll

INDEX.

Page

Weitern Nighthawk 228

Nonpareil !i38

Red-tail 174

Robin 438

Sandpiper 117

Savannah Sparrow 299

Tree Sparrow 807

Vesper Sparrow 297

Winter Wren 408

Wood Pewee 248

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 248

Yellow-throat 884

Wheatear 439

Whimbrel 126

Whip-poor-will 225

Stephen's 226

Whisky Jack 2<t3

Whistler 70

Whistling Sandpiper 122

Swan 84

White Gannet 52

Gyrfalcon 184

Ibis 87

Pelican, American 58

Wagtail 889

Whiie-bellied Swallow 340

White-billed Loon 6

White-breasted Nuthatch 411

W'lite-cieasted Cormorant 54

W.iite-collared Pigeon 154

Vhitc c/owned Pigeon 155

White-eyed Vireo ...; 352

Towhee 825

White-faced Glossy Ibis 88

White-fronted Dove 158

Goose 79

White-headed Gull 30

Jay 264

Woodpecker 213

White-necked Raven 266

White-rumped Sandpiper 113

Shrike 344

White-tailed Eagle 183

Hawk 176

Kite 165

Longspur 296

Ptarmigan 147

White-throated Brown Towhee 828

Sparrow 306

White-winged Black Tern 89

Coot 76

Cross-bill 289

Dove 158

Pagb

White-winged Gull 24

Scoter 78

Whooping Crane 07

Swan 84

Wigeon, American 63

Wild Canary 291

Pigeon 156

Turkey 151

Willet 128

Williamson's Sapsucker. 218

Willow Ptarmigan 148

Thrush 483

Wilson's Phalarope 1U8

Plover 183

Snipe 110

Stormy Petrel IK

Tern 85

Thrush 432

Warbler 888

Winter Chip-bird 307

Wren 407

Witch, Black 204

Wood Duck 67

Ibis 89

Owl 193

Partridge 142

Pewee 245

Stork, American 89

Thrush 432

Woodcock, American 109

European 108

Woodhouse's Jay 261

Woodpecker, American Three-
toed 215

Arctic Three-toed 214

Arizona 213

Black-backed Three-toed 214

Californian 220

Gairdner's 211

Gila 222

Golden-fronted 221

Golden-winged 222

Hairy 200

Harris's 210

Ivory-billed 209

Ladder-backed 212

Three-toed 215

Lewis's 220

Nuttall's 212

Pileated 219

Red-bellied 221

Red-cockaded 211

Red-headed 210

Pagb

Woodpecker, Texan 212

White-headed 218

Yellow bellied 216

W orm-eating Warbler 868

Wren, Baird's 406

Bewick's 405

Cactus 401

Canon .. 408

Carolina 404

Guadalupe Rock 403

House 406

Long-billed Marsh 409

Long-tailed House 405

Parkman's 407

Rock 402

Short-billed Marsh 408

St. Lucas Cactus 402

Tule 409

Vigor's - 406

Western Winter 408

Winter 407

Wren-Tit 421

Wright's Flycatcher 251

Xantus' Hummingbird 286

Yellow Crake 102

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher 247

Sapsucker 215

Woodpecker 215

Yellow-billed Cuckoo 206

Loon 6

Magpie 258

Tropic Bird 50^

Yellow-bird 201

Yellow-breasted Chat 384

Yellow-crowned Night Heron.. 96

Yellow-hammer 222

Yellow-headed Blackbird 273

Bush-Tit 424

Yellow-nosed Albatross 42

Yellow Palm Warbler 377

Yellow Rail 102

Yellow-shafted Flicker 222

Yellow-legs, 120

Greater 119

Yellow-throat, Maryland 888

Western 884

Yellow-throated Warbler 873

Vireo 847

Yellow Warbler 866-

Zenaida Dove 167

Zone-tailed Hawk 176.

Pack

212:

218

216

" 868

(W6

406

401

408

404

■^ 403

406

rsh 40&

use 405

407

402

rsh 408

IS 402

409

40fl

408

407

421

251

i 286

102

:her 247

216

215

206

258 ^

5(K

201

384

Heron.. 96

222

rd 273

424

377

102

222

120

119

1 383

384

r 373

847

866

157

176

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