R344 c A CHECK LIST OF RHODE ISLAND NESTING BIRDS en CM iff - Sl-J Stsjf* SL ll E> HAHY OF THE U N IVE.R.SITY Of ILLINOIS 59©. fc. NATURAL HISTORY A CHECK LIST OF RHODE ISLAND NESTING BIRDS WITH DATA Published by THE COMMISSIONERS OF BIRDS CHARLES H. REMINGTON, Chairman Providence Co. WILLIAM H. THAYER Bristol Co. ALEXANDER O'D. TAYLOR Newport Co. EDWIN R. LEWIS Washington Co. W. GORDON REED, 2ND Kent Co. Copyright igo8 By C. H. REMINGTON. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/checklistofrhodeOOrhod Photo, isv J. H. Flanagan. NEST AND EGGS OF VIRGINIA RAIL, Washington County R. I. K 3>4 INTRODUCTION. In compiling this list the assertion is not made that no birds other than those mentioned breed in this State. These records cover the period from 1890 to 1908, and have been gathered from reliable sources. When making up this little book it was not considered ad- visable to accept hearsay evidence, nor to give credence to the records of any but those who are intimately acquainted with . the habits of Rhode Island Birds. Many birds are locally known by erroneous names. The Screech Owl, because it has long ear tufts, and also, as it fre- quently takes refuge in barns, is often called both "Long- v eared Owl" and "Barn Owl." The Chipping Sparrow, which nests in trees, is called "Tree Sparrow," and the Flicker, ow- ing to the red patch' on the back of its head, is called "Red- headed Woodpecker." Many other local names, too numerous to mention, are used and it can readily be seen that such rec- ords require careful investigation. The fact that adult birds, or young able to fly, have been seen during the breeding sea- son, does not necessarily constitute a nesting record. This is not a history of Rhode Island Birds, and no descrip- " lions of birds, nests, or habits have been attempted. Only a list of the common and scientific names with a single nesting -^data for each has been given; and data have been used, for the most part, where more than one party have seen the nest in question. The letters A. O. U. and the number before the name of each species, refer to the check list of North Amer- ,. ican Birds of the American Ornithologists Union. The greatest thanks is extended to those, who have allowed the use of their records, but especially to John H. Flanagan (former Chairman of the Rhode Island Bird Commission), and Thomas L. Flanagan of Providence, who rank among the highest authorities on Rhode Island Birds, having established -many breeding records; notably the Great Horned Owl and 1 ong-eared Owl, two of the rarest nesters in this State. ** This book is not an official report, and is published (in a ^limited number) at the personal expense of the Commission. A. O. U. 1 70 Common Tern. Sterna hirundo. Newport Co., July 11, 1903. Nest on Cormorant Rock. Three eggs. Small colony breeding. J. H. Flanagan. C. H. Remington. 2 133 Black Duck. Anas rubripes. Providence Co., May 21, 1903. Nest on ground near pond. Nine eggs. C. E. Coffin. 3 190 American Bittern. Botaurus lentiginosus., Washington Co., June 13, 1908. Nest on ground among rushes. Four eggs. C. H. Remington. 4 191 Least Bittern. Ixobrychus exilis. Washington Co.,, June 1G, 1901. Nest among rushes in marsh. Four eggs., 201 J. H. F. E. Flanagan. Newbury. Green Heron. Butorides virescens. Providence Co., May 23, 1904. Nest in birch, 20 feet up. Five eggs. T. L. C. H. Flanagan. Remington, A. O. U. G 202 Black-crowned Night Heron., Nycticorax nycticorax naevius. Prudence Island, May 8, 1904. Nest in maple in swamp. Five eggs. Large colony breeding. T. L. Flanagan. J. H. Flanagan. C. H. Remington. 7 212 Virginia Rail., Rallus virginianus. Washington Co., May 29, 1908. Nest among rushes in marsh. Seven eggs. C. H. Remington. 8 228 American Woodcock. Philohela minor. Providence Co., May 17, 1903. Nest on ground in swamp. Four eggs. These hatched May 19. J. H. Flanagan. 9 263 Spotted Sandpiper. Actitis macularia. Kent Co., June 6, 1903. Nest in salt grass on shore. Four eggs. J. H. Flanagan. C. H. Remington. 10 273 Killdeer. Oxyechus vociferous. Kent Co., May 31, 1895. Nest on ground' in open field. Four eggs. F. E. Xcwburij. 11 277 Piping Plover. iEgia litis meloda. Washington Co., June 11, 1908. Eggs on bare sand on beach. Four eggs. C. E. Remington, A.O. U 12 289 Bob-white. Colinus virginianus. Kent Co., June 20 r 1903. Nest beside rock in pasture. -Seventeen eggs. C. H. Remington. 13 300 Ruffed Grouse. Bonasa umbellus. Kent Co., May 19, 1904. Nest at foot of stump on side hill. Fourteen eggs. J. H. Flanagan. C. E. Remington. 11 316 Mourning Dove., Zenaiduia macroura carolinensis. Kent Co., May 25, 1902. Nest in apple tree, 6 feet up. Two eggs. ^ B Rcmitlfjton . 15 331 Marsh Hawk. Circus hudsonius. Kent Co., May 23. 1904. Nest on ground in swamp. Five eggs. j ff Flanag(nK C. H. Remington. 10 332 Sharp-shinned Hawk. Accipiter velox. Providence Co., May 23, 1908. Nest in pine tree, 27 feet up. Four eggs. j H Fkmagan , T. L. Flanagan. C. H. Remington. 17 333 Coopers Hawk. Accipiter cooperii. Kent Co., May 12, 1903. Xest in chestnut tree, 55 feet. Five eggs. j n natin